title: A novel method to evaluate vertebral remodeling by radiography following anterior cervical decompression and interbody fixation with cylindrical cages: a contrast-comparing method using "Scion image".
abstract: In an attempt to study bone remodeling by noninvasive methods, spinal bone radiodensity was assessed in five patients treated with anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) using cylindrical titanium cages. Plain radiographs were used to study specific areas of vertebral bone interposed in two-level cages with the two cephalad vertebrae for controls. Measurements were made immediately after surgery and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months postoperatively. The data were analyzed quantitatively with a contrast-comparing method (CCM) using "Scion image". There were two cyclical changes in vertebral remodeling. First, in all patients there were gradual increases in bone density at the ventral part compared to the dorsal part of the vertebral body for up to 12 months; then the density decreased at 18 months. Second, a linear gradient in radiodensity from the ventral part to the dorsal part of the vertebral body observed immediately following spinal fusion gradually disappeared by 12 months; nonhomogeneous distributions of trabecular bone were appeared. Then, the linear gradient in density appeared again at 18 months. This investigation helps elucidate the radiographic evidence for the remodeling of vertebral bone in patients treated with ACDF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan.
authors.forename: Keita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuraishi
authors.forename: Fujimaro
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: Yoshichika
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: Shigehiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Niwa
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mizuno
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Umeda
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waga
authors.forename: Waro
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Taki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013169:Spondylolysis / Q000601:surgery; D014025:Titanium; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium