Impact of computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging registration on rehabilitation after percutaneous endoscopic decompression for lumbar stenosis: Retrospective study

BACKGROUND Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression(PELD)shows promise for lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS)treatment,but its use is limited by the disease's complexity and procedural challenges.AIM In this study,the effects of preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance with computed tomography(CT)/magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)registration techniques on PELD for LSS and postoperative rehabilitation outcomes were evaluated.METHODS This retrospective study was conducted with data from patients who underwent PELD for LSS between January 2021 and December 2023.Patients were assigned to preoperative CT/MRI registration and control groups.Data collected included the operative time,length of hospital stay,visual analog scale(VAS)scores for low back and leg pain,and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)lumbar spine score.Differences between groups were assessed using Student’s t test.RESULTS Data from 135 patients(71 in the CT/MRI registration group,64 in the control group)were analyzed.The operative time was significantly shorter in the CT/MRI registration group(P=0.007).At 2 months postoperatively,both groups showed significant reductions in VAS leg and low back pain scores(all P<0.001)and improvements in the JOA score(both P<0.001).No complication or death occurred.Preoperatively,pain and JOA scores were similar between groups(P=0.830,P=0.470,and P=0.287,respectively).At 2 months postoperatively,patients in the CT/MRI registration group reported lower leg and low back pain levels(P<0.001 and P=0.001,respectively)and had higher JOA scores(P=0.004)than did patients in the control group.CONCLUSION Preoperative CT/MRI registration for PELD for LSS reduced the operative time and VAS pain scores at 2 months and improved JOA scores,demonstrating enhanced effectiveness and safety.

Early acute fat embolism syndrome caused by femoral fracture: A case report

BACKGROUND Fat embolism syndrome(FES)is a rare complication caused by the presence of fat particles in the microcirculation,which usually occurs within 12-72 h after trauma.At present,there have been few cases of fat embolism presenting within 3 h after trauma.Here,we report a case of femoral fracture complicated with an acute fat embolism caused by a car accident.CASE SUMMARY A 29-year-old woman with pain,swelling and limited movement of her left lower limb after a car accident was taken by ambulance to our hospital.X-ray examination showed fracture of the middle and lower part of the left femur and fracture of the base of the left fifth metatarsal bone.She was hospitalized and admitted to the orthopedic ward.After the attending doctor performed tibial tubercle bone traction,the patient became confused,followed by respiratory distress.Finally,she was transferred to the intensive care unit.After nearly a month of treatment in the intensive care unit,the patient's cognitive function gradually recovered over 6 mo.CONCLUSION For patients with early traumatic fractures,young emergency physicians and orthopedics should be aware of the possibility of FES.