Objective To summarize the advances in MRI-based bone quality scoring systems and their clinical applications. Methods A comprehensive literature review was conducted on recent studies related to the MRI-based bone quality scoring system, focusing on measurement methods, influencing factors, and clinical significance. Results Osteoporosis has a high incidence in China, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and the postoperative outcomes of related orthopedic surgeries. Early identification of osteoporosis holds important clinical significance. In recent years, both domestic and international research has enriched the MRI-based bone quality scoring systems, which includes vertebral bone quality scoring, endplate bone quality scoring, and pedicle bone quality scoring. Compared to the “gold standard” of bone density measurement, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, the bone quality scoring systems demonstrate good efficacy in identifying abnormal bone mass and predicting postoperative complications, while being less influenced by degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, indicating its important clinical application value. ConclusionThe MRI-based bone quality scoring systems have good value in clinical applications. However, current studies are mostly retrospective cohort and case-control studies, which carry a risk of bias. The clinical application value needs further clarification through meta-analysis and large-scale prospective studies.
Objective To explore the differences between transient osteoporosis of the hi p (TOH) and bone marrow edema (BME) associated with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in terms of cl inical practice and imaging. Methods From January 2006 to February 2008, 5 hips of TOH in 5 cases (1 male and 4 females, aged 29-42 years) and 67 hips of BME associated with ONFH in 63 cases (53 males and 10 females, aged 18-70 years) were analyzed. According to ARCO classification, there were 23 hi ps of stage II, 43 hi ps of stage III, and 1 hi p of stage IV. The induced factors, the degree of pain, the duration of pain and commemorative symptoms were compared. The X-ray, MRI and ECT were also compared. Results There were no differences in induced factors, the degree of pain, joint effusion and ECT between TOH and BME associated with ONFH. TOH had no risk factors, antecedent symptoms and commemorative pain. There were 2 hips with TOH which showed osteopenia on X-ray films. The location of edema was in the superior part or the whole femoral head.A total of 65 hips with BME associated with ONFH had related causes of disease, 10 had antecedent pain and 59 had change of hardening on X-ray films. The X-ray films showed sclerotic area and the edema changes on MRI surrounded the necrotic lesion. The pain just amel iorated when BME disappeared. Conclusion There are differences between TOH and BME associated with ONFH on symptoms, X-ray films and MRI.
ObjectiveTo summarize and analyze the characteristics of L1-L4 vertebrae and hip bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis under dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). MethodsWe collected all the preoperative total spine frontal and lateral X-ray images and DEXA examination results of patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis who were hospitalized in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in West China Hospital between August 2013 and August 2014. SPSS 21.0 was used to analyze patients’ age, height and body weight; BMD of each vertebra of L1-L4 vertebrae and L1-L4 vertebrae as a whole, and the T score; BMD of left femoral neck, Ward triangle, greater trochanter, and femoral shaft, and the general BMD of femoral neck, and the T score. ResultsThirty-eight patients with an average age of (67.4±8.2) years were enrolled in this study. DEXA examination results showed that 23.7% (9/38) and 28.9% (11/38) of the patients were osteoporotic in the spine and the hip, respectively; the examination results of total lumbar vertebrae and total femoral neck bones were concordant in 60.5% (23/38) of the patients. For lumbar vertebrae, the BMD from high to low was listed as: L4 vertebra, L3 vertebra, total L1-L4 vertebrae, L2 vertebra, and L1 vertebra. The BMD of L4 vertebra was significantly higher than that of L1 vertebra, and the BMD of lumbar vertebrae from L1 to L4 in turn presented a step-like increasing trend. For hip bones, the BMD from high to low was listed as: femoral shaft, total femoral neck area, femoral neck, greater trochanter, and Ward triangle. The BMD of the femoral shaft was significantly higher than that of Ward triangle. In the whole DEXA examination, the BMD of total L1-L4 lumbar vertebrae and its T score were higher than the BMD of left femoral neck area and its T score, respectively. ConclusionsDegenerative changes of the lumbar spine may lead to misinterpretation of BMD measurements and cause underdiagnosis of osteoporosis with DEXA. Routine reporting of spine BMD at L1 can add valuable information for reassessment and monitoring. The BMD of hip is less affected by osteoarthritis, osteophytes than the lumbar spine, and thus, it will be more meaningful in diagnosing and monitoring of the disease.
This study aims to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of 50 Hz-0.6 mT low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) on postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Thirty 3-month-old female SD rats were selected and divided into a sham operation group (Sham), an ovariectomized model group (OVX), and a low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatment group, with 10 rats in each group. After 8 weeks, the whole-body bone mineral density (BMD) of each group of rats was measured. The treatment group began to receive PEMF stimulation for 90 minutes daily, while the OVX group only received a simulated placement without electricity. After 6 weeks of intervention, all rats were sacrificed and tested for in vitro BMD, micro-CT, biomechanics, serum biochemical indicators, and bone tissue-related proteins. The results showed that the BMD of the OVX group was significantly lower than that of the Sham group 8 weeks after surgery, indicating successful modeling. After 6 weeks of treatment, compared with the OVX group, the PEMF group exhibited significantly increased BMD in the whole body, femur, and vertebral bodies. Micro-CT analysis results showed improved bone microstructure, significantly increased maximum load and bending strength of the femur, elevated levels of serum bone formation markers, and increased expression of osteogenic-related proteins. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that daily 90-minute exposure to 50 Hz-0.6 mT PEMF effectively enhances BMD, improves bone biomechanical properties, optimizes bone microstructure, stimulates bone formation, and inhibits bone resorption in ovariectomized rats, highlighting its therapeutic potential for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) with oral alendronate in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. MethodsFourty patients diagnosed to have postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP) from September 2009 to September 2010 were included in our study. They were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. All patients were administered the same basic drugs:Caltrate 600 mg and Alfacalcidol 0.5 μg per day. For the experimental group, PEMFs were offered 6 times per week for 5 weeks (30 times in total), and patients in this group were followed up for 12 weeks. For the control group, alendronate was given at a dose of 70 mg per week for 12 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD), visual analogue scale, and manual muscle testing (MMT) scale were evaluated before, 1 week, 5 weeks, and 12 weeks after intervention. ResultsIncreasing of BMD, pain relieving, and improvement of MMT had a trend of increasing values after 5 weeks of treatment in the experimental group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). However, there was a significant difference between the two groups in patients' lower back muscle strength after treatment (P<0.05). ConclusionPEMFs have the same effect as alendronate in pain relief, and bone mass and muscle strength improvement, and are even advantageous in increasing back muscle strength compared with alendronate.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of the regulatory role of microRNA (miRNA) in osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and its application as a therapeutic target and diagnostic tool in orthopedic diseases.MethodsThe recent literature on the regulation of MSCs osteogenic differentiation by miRNAs was extensively reviewed, and its regulatory mechanism and its application as a therapeutic target and diagnostic tool in orthopedic diseases were reviewed.ResultsmiRNAs are small endogenous non-coding RNAs with a length of 20-22 nucleotides, which play an important role in the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Osteogenesis begins with the differentiation of MSCs into mature osteoblasts, and each stage of dynamic homeostasis of bone metabolism is associated with the regulation of different miRNAs. miRNAs are regulated from the post-transcriptional level by mRNAs cleavage, degradation, translational repression, or methylation. In addition, current studies suggest that miRNAs can be used as a new diagnostic tool and therapeutic target for orthopedic diseases.ConclusionFurther study on the regulation mechanism of miRNAs will provide more ideas for finding new therapeutic targets and diagnostic tools for orthopedic disease.
Objective To review the research progress of exosomes (EXOs) derived from different cells in the treatment of osteoporosis (OP). Methods Recent relevant literature about EXOs for OP therapy was extensively reviewed. And the related mechanism and clinical application prospect of EXOs derived from different cells in OP therapy were summarized and analyzed. Results EXOs derived from various cells, including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes, and endothelial cells, et al, can participate in many links in the process of bone remodeling, and their mechanisms involve the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of bone-related cells, the promotion of vascular regeneration and immune regulation, and the suppression of inflammatory reactions. A variety of bioactive substances contained in EXOs are the basis of regulating the process of bone remodeling, and the combination of genetic engineering technology and EXOs-based drug delivery can further improve the therapeutic effect of OP. Conclusion EXOs derived from different cells have great therapeutic effects on OP, and have the advantages of low immunogenicity, high stability, strong targeting ability, and easy storage. EXOs has broad clinical application prospects and is expected to become a new strategy for OP treatment.
ObjectiveTo explore the safety and effectiveness of polymethylmethacrylate-augmented screw fixation (PASF) in the treatment of elderly thoracolumbar tuberculosis combined with severe osteoporosis.MethodsThe clinical data of 20 elderly patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis who underwent PASF after anterior or posterior debridement and bone grafting and met the selection criteria between December 2012 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 12 females with an average age of 68.5 years (range, 65-72 years). T value of bone mineral density was −4.2 to −3.6, with an average of −3.9. There were 12 cases of thoracic tuberculosis, 3 cases of thoracolumbar tuberculosis, and 5 cases of lumbar tuberculosis. The diseased segments involved T3-L4, including 11 cases of single-segment disease, 6 cases of double-segment disease, and 3 cases of multi-segment disease. The disease duration was 3-9 months, with an average of 6 months. The preoperative spinal nerve function of the patients was evaluated by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading. There were 2 cases of grade A, 5 cases of grade B, 6 cases of grade C, 4 cases of grade D, and 3 cases of grade E. Postoperative imaging examination was used to evaluate the bone graft fusion and paravertebral abscess absorption, and to measure the Cobb angle of the segment to evaluate the improvement of kyphosis. The levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were tested. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and ASIA grading were used to evaluate the effectivreness before operation, at 1 month after operation, and at last follow-up. The clinical cure of tuberculosis was also evaluated.ResultsAll operation successfully completed. The operation time was 154-250 minutes, with an average of 202 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 368-656 mL, with an average of 512 mL. All 20 patients were followed up 18-42 months, with an average of 26.8 months. The postoperative pain and symptoms of tuberculosis in all patients relieved, and the paravertebral abscess was absorbed, reaching the cure standard for spinal tuberculosis. All bone grafts fusion achieved within 1 year after operation. Only 1 case had asymptomatic bone cement leakage into the paravertebral veins, and the remaining patients had no serious complications such as bone cement leakage in the spinal canal, pulmonary embolism, and neurovascular injury. At last follow-up, spinal cord nerve function significantly improved when compared with preoperative one. Among them, ASIA grading were 7 cases of grade C, 8 cases of grade D, and 5 cases of grade E, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (Z=2.139, P=0.000). VAS score, ODI score, segmental Cobb angle, ESR, and CRP at 1 month after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between 1 month after operation and last follow-up (P>0.05). During the follow-up, no complications such as failure of internal fixation, proximal junctional kyphosis, or tuberculosis recurrence occurred.ConclusionFor elderly patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis, PASF treatment is safe and effective.
Osteosarcopenia (OS), which has become a global public health problem, is a geriatric syndrome in which sarcopenia and osteoporosis co-exist, leading to falls, fractures, and even varying degrees of disability in the elderly. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is a tool to measure the overall level of dietary inflammation in an individual, and the DII score is closely associated with the development of OS. This article reviews the basic concepts of DII and OS and their interrelationships, focusing on the associations between diet, inflammation, DII and OS, with the aim of providing a reference for dietary interventions in the prevention and control of OS patients.