Volume 104 · Issue 37 · 2024

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a game-changer in the field of spine surgery, offering transformative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for spinal conditions. The application of AI in spine research encompasses a diverse range of diseases, with usage scenarios becoming increasingly widespread and technological integration going deeper. AI technology shows immense promise and value in the diagnosis of spinal diseases, the formulation of treatment strategies, surgical navigation, prognostic evaluation, and postoperative rehabilitation. Through deep learning and machine learning, AI can aid doctors in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, creating personalized treatment plans, and executing precise maneuvers during surgery, thus improving operational safety. Moreover, AI can provide intelligent support for patients′ postoperative recovery, facilitating the restoration of their functions. However, current research is still in its nascent stage and confronts several challenges, such as the lack of standardized databases, the simplicity of algorithmic learning models, the inadequate fusion of multi-modal clinical information, and the limited clinical applicability. By developing open-source, standardized spine databases, incorporating innovative intelligent core algorithms, and establishing normalized screening, diagnostic, and predictive models for spinal conditions, we trust that we can drive the innovation and refinement of diagnostic and treatment technologies in spine surgery. This will realize an effective conjunction between technological provision and clinical demands, continuously elevating the intelligence level of spine surgery and offering safer, more effective medical services to a vast array of patients.

At present, spinal surgical robots can be used for preoperative surgical planning, pedicle screw placement, and intervertebral processing and intervertebral fusion in spinal deformity surgery. Existing spinal surgical robots have become the main means for spinal surgery to improve surgical accuracy and safety and reduce surgical complications. However, the efficiency of robot-assisted spinal deformity surgery is lower than that of traditional surgery, and there are shortcomings such as low accuracy of robot screw placement and fewer integrated functions. This article reviews the current application status and future development trends of spinal surgical robots in spinal deformity surgery.

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the increasing integration of medical engineering, robot-assisted (RA) technology in spinal surgery has made significant strides, with its clinical application range continuously expanding. This article provides a comprehensive review of relevant literature on spinal surgery robots over the past decade, summarizing recent advancements in screw placement techniques such as cervical, thoracic, and lumbar pedicle screws; cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screws; cervical lateral mass screws; and S₂ sacroiliac (S₂AI) screws. It also discusses RA-guided targeted puncture and endoscope placement through intervertebral foramen as well as decompressive laminectomy procedures. Furthermore, this article systematically analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of RA technology while elucidating its accuracy, safety, and practicality. We believe that this article will help clinicians to gain a deeper understanding of the current clinical application status of spinal surgery robots while promoting further enhancements and wider adoption of RA technology to ultimately benefit more patients.

Spinal cord glioma is a group of tumors originated from spinal cord glial cells. They typically have an insidious onset, with early symptoms in patients including sensory disturbances, motor disorder, and sphincter dysfunction. When the course of disease develops to a certain extent, it can lead to paralysis, dyspnea, and even result in death. The spinal cord bears the role of nerve conduction, and acts as a lower central hub for somatic and visceral activities and primary neural reflexes. Because the self-repair ability after injury is limited, spinal cord injury caused by tumor and treatment may be permanent, potentially causing huge economic and social burden. To further standardize the diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord glioma, the expert group formulated The Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Spinal Cord Glioma according to the current situation of diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord glioma at home and abroad. This consensus elaborates the epidemiology, natural course, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and prognosis of spinal gliomas and formulates 17 recommendations. It aims to offer reference for medical personnel and other related individuals.

To comparing the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in posterior surgery for adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) between robotic-assisted and traditional freehand techniques.

This retrospective study included 92 patients with ADS who underwent posterior spinal surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Jiangsu Province Hospital) between March 2019 and December 2023. There were 19 males and 73 females with a mean age of (63.6±9.8) years. The patients were divided into two groups based on the technique used for pedicle screw placement: robot-assisted group (34 cases) and manual group (58 cases). Operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, facet joint violation, postoperative complications, magnitude of curve correction, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 month postoperatively were compared and analyzed between the two groups. The Gertzbein-Robbins classification criteria was used to assess the accuracy of screw placement.

Differences in baseline data, operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, magnitude of curve correction, and VAS and ODI scores preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 month postoperatively between the two groups exhibited no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). The accuracy of pedicle screw placement in the robot-assisted group was significantly higher than that in the manual group [90.9% (416/458) vs 80.1% (697/870), P<0.001]. In terms of surgical segments, in T₁-T₁₂ and L₁-S₁ segments, the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in the robot group were both significantly higher than those in the control group [91.5% (130/142) vs 77.8% (186/239), P=0.001; 90.3% (271/300) vs 80.8% (502/621), P<0.001]. However, no significant differences was observed in the accuracy of S₂-alar-iliac (S₂AI) screw placement between the two groups [90.0%(9/10) vs 93.8%(15/16), P=0.727]. Moreover, no significant differences was found in the deviation direction of the cortical screw penetration between both groups (P=0.133). Significant differences were observed in the accuracy of screw placement between the Nash Moe 2 and 3 vertebral bodies in the robot group compared with those in the control group [88.9% (88/99) vs 71.0% (115/162), P=0.001; 89.2% (83/93) vs 60.2% (68/113), P<0.001]. Additionally, the incidence and grade of facet joint violation in the manual group were both significantly higher than those in the robot-assisted group (both P<0.001). No statistically significant differences was identified in postoperative complications between the two groups (P=0.841).

It suggests that robot-assisted pedicle screw placement in posterior surgery for patients with ADS can significantly improve the accuracy of screw placement and reduce the incidence of facet joint violation.

To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes between robot-assisted minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (RA MIS-TLIF) and fluoroscopy-assisted MIS-TLIF (FA MIS-TLIF) in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal diseases.

The clinical data of 114 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who underwent MIS-TLIF in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2019 to March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Fifty-eight patients underwent RA MIS-TLIF (robot group) and 56 patients received FA MIS-TLIF (freehand group). There were 16 males and 42 females in the robot group, with a mean age of (56.7±8.1) years. And there were 19 males and 37 females in the freehand group, with a mean age of (57.2±8.6) years. The clinical outcome parameters were the visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, operative time, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, blood loss, postoperative hospital stay and complications. The radiographic change measures were the accuracy of screw placement, facet joint violation (FJV), fusion status, and change in disc height at the proximal adjacent segment. All the patients were followed-up for 2-5 years.

There was no significant differences in the VAS and ODI scores, blood loss, or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups (all P>0.05). The operative time was longer in robot group than freehand group [(158.5±12.1) min vs (146.4±15.4) min, P<0.001]. There was no significant difference in the number of intraoperative fluoroscopies for patients between robot group and freehand group (P>0.05). The number of intraoperative fluoroscopies for the surgeon was significantly lower in robot group than freehand group (13.8±3.9 vs 74.7±6.8, P<0.001). The rate of a perfect screw position (grade A) was higher in robot group than freehand group [87.5%(203/232) vs 70.1%(157/224), P<0.001]. However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of clinically acceptable screws (grades A and B) between the two groups [98.3%(228/232) vs 96.9%(217/224), P=0.330]. The FJV grade was significantly higher in freehand group than robot group (0.43±0.68 vs 0.13±0.43, P<0.001). During at 2-year postoperative follow-up, there was no significant difference in the fusion status between the two groups (P>0.05); however, the decrease in disc height at the proximal adjacent segment was significantly less in robot group than freehand group [(0.63±0.38) mm vs (0.92±0.35) mm, P=0.001]. In the robotic group, a pedicle screw penetrated the outer wall of the vertebral pedicle in one patient, which was adjusted during surgery. In the freehand group, two screws were inserted too deeply and penetrated the anterior cortex, resulting in mild abdominal discomfort postoperatively, which resolved by the third day after surgery.

Robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw placement is a safer and more accurate alternative to conventional freehand fluoroscopy-assisted pedicle screw insertion in MIS-TLIF. Compared with freehand MIS-TLIF, robot-assisted MIS-TLIF increases the operation time, but the accuracy of screw placement is higher, and the intraoperative radiation dose and the degree of adjacent segment degeneration are reduced.

To compare the accuracy and safety of robot-assisted and navigation-assisted screw placement in atlantoaxial dislocation surgery.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 49 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation treated consecutively at the Honghui Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from April 2022 to December 2023. Among them, 27 were male and 22 were female, aged (44.2±11.7) years. Based on the date of surgery, 29 patients (from April 2022 to April 2023) received the S8 navigation-assisted screw placement (navigation group), 20 patients (from May to December 2023) received Mazor robot-assisted screw placement (robot group). The accuracy of screw placement, screw placement time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and intraoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and visual analog scale (VAS) score of pain were adopted to evaluate the recovery of cervical spinal cord function and cervical and shoulder pain at preoperative period and 3-month follow-up, and the occurrence of complications was observed.

A total of 196 screws were inserted in 49 patients. In the navigation-assisted group, a total of 116 screws were inserted with an accuracy rate of 93.1% (108/116); in contrast, in the robot-assisted group, a total of 80 screws were inserted with an accuracy rate of 97.5% (78/80) (P=0.040). The mean screw placement time, operation time, and blood loss in the navigation-assisted group were all significantly lower than those in the robot-assisted group [(37.8±3.4)min vs (48.4±4.6)min, (127.7±15.3)min vs (165.7±12.1)min and (205.8±13.6)ml vs (290.6±11.2) ml, respectively all P<0.01]. One case experienced intraoperative venous plexus injury in the robot-assisted group. Postoperatively, all patients experienced significant relief in neck pain symptoms, and neurological symptoms recovered to varying degrees. The VAS and JOA scores at 3 months post-surgery for both groups showed statistically significant improvements compared to pre-surgery (all P<0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (all P>0.05).

Both robot-assisted and navigation-assisted screw placement show high accuracy and safety in atlantoaxial dislocation surgery. Compared to navigation, robot assistance increases the surgical time and blood loss, but significantly improves the accuracy of screw placement.

To investigate the accuracy and efficiency of spine 2D/3D preoperative CT and intraoperative X-ray registration through a framework for spine 2D/3D single-vertebra navigation registration based on the fusion of dual-position image features.

The preoperative CT and intraoperative anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) X-ray images of 140 lumbar spine patients who visited Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from January 2020 to December 2023 were selected. In order to achieve rapid and high-precision single vertebra registration in clinical orthopedic surgery, a designed transformation parameter feature extraction module combined with a lightweight module of channel and spatial attention (CBAM) was used to accurately extract the local single vertebra image transformation information. Subsequently, the fusion regression module was used to complement the features of the anterior posterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) images to improve the accuracy of the registration parameter regression. Two 1×1 convolutions were used to reduce the parameter calculation amount, improve computational efficiency, and accelerate intraoperative registration time. Finally, the regression module outputed the final transformation parameters. Comparative experiments were conducted using traditional iterative methods (Opt-MI, Opt-NCC, Opt-C2F) and existing deep learning methods convolutional neural network (CNN) as control group. The registration accuracy (mRPD), registration time, and registration success rate were compared among the iterative methods.

Through experiments on real CT data, the image-guided registration accuracy of the proposed method was verified. The method achieved a registration accuracy of (0.81±0.41) mm in the mRPD metric, a rotational angle error of 0.57°±0.24°, and a translation error of (0.41±0.21) mm. Through experimental comparisons on mainstream models, the selected DenseNet alignment accuracy was significantly better than ResNet as well as VGG (both P<0.05). Compared to existing deep learning methods [mRPD: (2.97±0.99) mm, rotational angle error: 2.64°±0.54°, translation error: (2.15±0.41) mm, registration time: (0.03±0.05) seconds], the proposed method significantly improved registration accuracy (all P<0.05). The registration success rate reached 97%, with an average single registration time of only (0.04±0.02) seconds. Compared to traditional iterative methods [mRPD: (0.78±0.26) mm, rotational angle error: 0.84°±0.57°, translation error: (1.05±0.28) mm, registration time: (35.5±10.5) seconds], registration efficiency of the proposed method was significantly improved (all P<0.05). The dual-position study also compensated for the limitations in the single-view perspective, and significantly outperforms both the front and side single-view perspectives in terms of positional transformation parameter errors (both P<0.05).

Compared to existing methods, the proposed CT and X-ray registration method significantly reduces registration time while maintaining high registration accuracy, achieving efficient and precise single vertebra registration.

To analyze the correlation between iliac artery calcification score and restenosis of lower extremity arteries in patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic occlusive disease (LEASO) who underwent drug-coated balloon (DCB) combined with stenting, and to assess the predictive value.

A total of 105 patients with LEASO at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medicine School, from January 2018 to June 2023 were retrospectively included, and the patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether restenosis of the original lower limb arteries had occurred during follow-up after DCB combined stent implantation: the restenosis group (n=64) and the patency group (n=41). The clinical information of the study subjects was collected through the electronic case system, and all patients underwent CTA examination of both lower limb arteries before the operation, and the calcification scores of common iliac arteries and external iliac arteries of patients′ bilateral and stenotic sides were calculated according to the results of the CTA examination. The follow-up time [M (Q₁, Q₃)] was 9.15 (5.67, 15.60) months in the patency group and 9.20 (6.85, 19.65) months in the restenosis group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors associated with restenosis after DCB combined with stent implantation in LEASO patients. The predictive value of iliac artery calcification score for postoperative restenosis was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

There were 44 males and 20 females in the restenosis group, aged (73±9) years; 31 males and 10 females in the patency group, aged (73±10) years. Compared with the patency group, the restenosis group had higher neutrophil counts, platelet counts, lymphocyte counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (PLR), C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, stent lengths, stent numbers, common iliac artery calcification scores (bilateral and stenotic side), and external iliac artery calcification scores (bilateral and stenotic side) (all P<0.05). Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that higher external iliac artery calcification score on the stenotic side (OR=1.480, 95%CI: 1.130-1.939, P=0.004) was an associated factor for restenosis of the lower extremity arteries after DCB combined with stenting.ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off value of the external iliac artery calcification score on the stenotic side was 5.5 score, the area under the curve (AUC) for predicting restenosis of lower extremity arteries after DCB combined stent implantation in LEASO patients was 0.818 (95%CI: 0.731-0.904, P<0.001), with a sensitivity of 85.4% and a specificity of 68.8%.

An elevated calcification score of the external iliac artery on the stenotic side is a correlate of restenosis of the lower extremity arteries after DCB combined stenting in patients with LEASO. With a cut-off value of 5.5 points, its sensitivity for predicting restenosis of the lower extremity arteries after DCB combined stenting is 85.4%, and its specificity is 68.8%.

To investigate the prognosis and related factors impacting renal response in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients with renal impairment.

A total of 375 NDMM patients diagnosed at the Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from August 2012 to April 2022 were retrospectively recruited. Patients were categorized into non-renal impairment group(n=273) and renal impairment group (n=102) according to renal function at initial diagnosis. All patients received≥2 cycles of bortezomib-based induction chemotherapy after admission. The hematological response included stringent complete response (sCR), complete response (CR), very good partial response (VGPR), partial response (PR) and stable disease (SD). The renal responses were defined as CR, PR, minor response (MR) and non-response (NR). General clinical data of the patients were collected, and patients were followed up by telephone. The follow-up deadline was December 3, 2022, and the median follow-up time [M (Q₁, Q₃)] was 42 (22, 61) months. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to plot the survival curve. The log-rank test was utilized for inter-group comparisons. Multivariate logistic regression modeling facilitated the exploration of associated factors impacting renal response.

In the renal impairment group, there were 68 males and 34 females with a median age [M (Q₁, Q₃)] of 64 (58, 69) years. In the non-renal impairment group, there were 149 males and 124 females with a median age of 62 (54, 68) years. Compared with the renal impairment group, the age, lactate dehydrogenase and 24-hour urinary protein quantity were increased, the proportion of patients with light chain M protein and the proportion of patients at the DS-Ⅲ stage, ISS-Ⅲ stage and R-ISS-Ⅲ stage were higher, the hemoglobin level and the proportion of patients receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were lower in the renal impairment group (all P<0.05). In 102 patients with renal impairment, renal responses of CR, PR, MR and NR were obtained in 53 (52.0%), 8 (7.9%), 18 (17.6%), 23 (22.5%) patients, respectively, and the overall response rate was 77.5% (79/102). Kaplan-Meier survival curve revealed that the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 24.0 (95%CI: 18.3-29.7) months in the renal impairment group, which was shorter than 31.0 (95%CI: 24.7-37.3) months in the non-renal impairment group (P=0.003). The median overall survival (OS) was 46.0 (95%CI: 36.5-55.5) months in the renal impairment group, which was shorter than 79.0 (95%CI: 59.9-98.1) months in the non-renal impairment group (P=0.002). Among the renal impairment group, patients with renal response of less than PR exhibited a median PFS of 19.0 (95%CI: 9.7-28.3) months, which was shorter than 28.0 (95%CI: 21.4-34.5) months for those achieving PR or better (P=0.048). The median OS was 31.0 (95%CI: 23.5-38.5) months in renal response with less than PR group, which was also worse than 57.0 (95%CI: 42.8-71.2) months for those who achieved PR or better (P=0.003). The results of multivariate logistic regression showed that hematological response achieving VGPR or better was a factor associated with renal response achieving PR (OR=4.20, 95%CI: 1.20-14.68, P=0.025).

The prognosis of NDMM patients with renal impairment is poor. The hematological response with VGPR or better is related to the renal response achieving PR.

To explore the characteristics of pediatric primary retroperitoneal teratoma and the influencing factors of perioperative complications. The clinical data, imaging data, pathology results, perioperative complications, etc of patients with primary retroperitoneal teratoma admitted and treated at Shanxi Children^′s Hospital from March 2013 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into no complication group and complication group according to whether there were perioperative complications. The differences between the two groups were compared, and the influencing factors of complications were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model. A total of 33 patients were included in this study, including 7 males and 26 females, with an age of [M (Q₁, Q₃), 9.0 (4.0, 24.0)] months. Nineteen cases had tumors located in the left upper abdomen and 14 cases in the right upper abdomen, among which 17 cases grew across the midline, with the maximum tumor diameter of (12.9±4.5) cm. All patients had anatomical displacement of retroperitoneal vessels and organs: the number of anatomical displaced arteries was 3 (3, 4), the number of anatomical displaced veins was 4 (3, 5), the number of anatomical displaced organs was 5 (4, 6). Pathologic examination revealed 28 mature teratomas (Grade 0 and Grade 1) and 5 immature teratomas (Grade 2 and Grade 3). There were 18 cases in no complication group and 15 cases in the complication group. The incidence of perioperative complications was 45.5% (15/33). The number of tumors crossing the midline (6/18 vs 11/15, P=0.037), the number of tumors adhering closely to the surrounding tissues (7/18 vs 12/15, P=0.033), the number of anatomical displaced veins [4 (3, 4) vs 5 (4, 5), P=0.001], and the number of anatomical displaced organs [4 (3, 5) vs 6 (5, 6), P=0.001] were significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that the number of anatomical displaced organs (OR=8.781, 95%CI: 2.155-35.784, P=0.002) was the influencing factor for perioperative complications of pediatric primary retroperitoneal teratoma.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive reduction of upper and lower motor neurons, with extremely poor prognosis, unknown pathogenesis and lack of effective treatment. For many years, traditional rodent models have been widely used in ALS studies, but they do not accurately reflect the pathological changes of patients. In recent years, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) have become a reliable model for studying ALS because of their wide source, retaining donor genetic background, no ethical controversy, and low immune rejection. This paper summarizes the research progress of hiPSC and organoid (3D hiPSC) in the study of the pathogenesis of ALS and the development of treatment strategies for the reference of medical colleagues.

High-risk patients such as hematological malignancies, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and solid organ transplantation often receive antifungal drugs for prevention, but some patients still develop invasive fungal disease (IFD), called breakthrough IFD (bIFD). The clinical diagnosis and treatment of bIFD is difficult, which significantly increases the risk of death of patients. In this paper, the concept, epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment strategies of bIFD are reviewed in order to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

The patient, a 39-year-old male, went to the outpatient department of respiratory and critical care medicine of Qingdao Municipal Hospital on May 9, 2024 due to "pleural space occupied for 3 months". Past physical fitness. Specialist examination showed that the percussion sound was turbid in the subscapular area of the right lower lung, and the auscultation breathing sound was weaker than that on the contralateral side. The detection of carcinoembryonic antigen, neuron-specific enolase, squamous cell carcinoma antigen and respiratory pathogen nucleic acid tests were negative at admission. Chest plain scan + enhanced CT showed that an oval soft tissue density shadow was seen locally in the right pleura, and a small patchy dense shadow was seen at the edge, with clear boundaries and a size of about 60 mm ×25 mm. The enhanced scan was mildly uneven and enhanced (shown by arrows in Figure 1, A is the plain scan image and B is the enhanced image). Thoracoscopic resection of chest wall lesions was performed, and the pathology showed: (pleural mass) spindle cell tumor with clear boundary, incomplete bone shell around it (shown by arrow in Figure 2A, hematoxylin-eosin staining ×100), tumor cells were spindle-shaped and star-shaped, interstitial mucus degeneration and more collagen (shown by arrow in Figure 2B, hematoxylin-eosin staining ×100); Immunohistochemical markers showed positive expression of Vimentin and CD10 in tumor cells, partial deletion of integrase interacting molecule 1 (INI-1), and negative expression of S-100, SOX-10, WT-1, Desmin, and activator of signal transduction transcription (STAT6), which was considered as ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (OFMT). OFMT is a rare and special type of mesenchymal soft tissue tumor, which is more common in adults. It often manifests as a slow-growing painless mass with clear boundaries in clinic. It often occurs in the subcutaneous tissue or muscle of the limbs, followed by the head, neck and trunk. It is rarely reported that it occurs in the pleura. The typical pathological manifestation of OFMT is that the tumor has fibrous pseudocapsule, and discontinuous bone shell can be seen in the capsule; The tumor cells were round, oval or short fusiform, with uneven distribution and collagen or hyaline degeneration in the interstitium. Local tumor resection is the first choice for treatment. For those with tumor tissue involvement at the surgical margin, the resection should be extended to reduce the risk of recurrence or metastasis. Follow-up data showed that 3/4 patients had a good prognosis after local resection, and about 1/4 cases had local or multiple recurrences.