title: Radioisotopic assessment of bone metabolism of the operated vertebra after inter-process stabilizer implantation in the lumbar segment of the spine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lack of efficacy of pharmacotherapy and physiotherapy in spinal pain syndrome is an indication for intervertebral stabilizer implantation between the processes in the lumbar segment of the spine.
  
  
  METHODS
  The group consisted of 32 patients qualified after radioisotopic single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) examinations with assessment of bone metabolism and mineral density. For comparative purposes, the L2 vertebra was defined as normal. Parameters defined in the area of operated vertebrae were comparable to L2. Imaging examinations and a pain intensity test were performed before and 12 months after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In SPECT, osteotropic isotope (OI) activity in spinous bodies and processes was close to L2 values. Density assessed in CT of analysed vertebrae was close to L2. In the control examination, activity of OI in spinous bodies and processes was higher in the procedure area. Under the stabilizer, there was a strong positive correlation with the L2 parameters. The differences were statistically significant (p= 0.0002). The increase of OI activity in the elements above the stabilizer was variable. In the control examination, there was higher density of spinous processes and bodies above and under the stabilizer. The difference, compared to the L2 density, was statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The radioisotopic method with SPECT/CT allows for the precise assessment of bone metabolism in the spine. After the procedure, a negative correlation was observed between bone metabolism changes and pain intensity test results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery and Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Radek
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery and Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radek
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rysz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological and Isotopic Diagnostics and Therapy, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Maziarz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological and Isotopic Diagnostics and Therapy, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gadzicki
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological and Isotopic Diagnostics and Therapy, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Wiesław
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tryniszewski
keywords: bone diseases; emission-computed tomography; lumbar vertebrae; spondylosis