Comparative analysis of MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score for predicting cage subsidence in PILF surgery

Abstract Background context As lumbar degenerative diseases become more prevalent in an aging population, there is an increasing demand for surgical interventions, such as posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). However, cage subsidence (CS), observed in 23.9–54% of cases postoperatively, remains...

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Main Authors: Fan Zhang, Jie Liang, Dawei Shi, Can Tuo, Yu Wu, Zijian Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05332-4
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author Fan Zhang
Jie Liang
Dawei Shi
Can Tuo
Yu Wu
Zijian Yang
author_facet Fan Zhang
Jie Liang
Dawei Shi
Can Tuo
Yu Wu
Zijian Yang
author_sort Fan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background context As lumbar degenerative diseases become more prevalent in an aging population, there is an increasing demand for surgical interventions, such as posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). However, cage subsidence (CS), observed in 23.9–54% of cases postoperatively, remains a significant complication. Several factors, including age, bone quality, and endplate damage, contribute to the risk of CS, with bone quality being among the most critical determinants. Although DEXA and QCT are widely employed to assess bone density, their routine use in preoperative evaluations is restricted by cost considerations and radiation exposure. Recent studies suggest that MRI-based vertebral body quality (VBQ) and endplate bone quality (EBQ) score offer a viable, non-invasive alternative for evaluating bone quality; however, there is limited research comparing their predictive value for CS. Methods In this retrospective study, 165 patients undergoing single-level PLIF surgery were included. MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score were calculated using T1-weighted images, and preoperative QCT was employed as a clinical standard. Cage subsidence was assessed based on postoperative imaging at 12-month follow-up. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, chi-square tests, and ROC curve analyses, were used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of VBQ and EBQ for CS. Results The study’s findings demonstrated that both VBQ and EBQ scores were significantly correlated with QCT measurements, thereby validating their utility as indicators of bone quality. ROC analysis revealed that VBQ had superior predictive value for CS (AUC = 0.814) compared to EBQ (AUC = 0.719), with both scores demonstrating significant clinical utility in identifying patients at risk for CS. Notably, VBQ exhibited a stronger correlation with preoperative clinical outcomes compared to EBQ, underscoring its greater reliability as a predictor. Conclusions This study highlights the effectiveness of MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score as practical, non-invasive tools for assessing bone quality preoperatively, with VBQ demonstrating superior predictive performance for CS risk. The findings underscore the potential of integrating these MRI-based assessments into routine preoperative planning to improve patient outcomes and minimize complications associated with PLIF surgery.
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spelling doaj-art-98347515e6834ea2b0d1181fc07ef19c2024-12-22T12:37:25ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2024-12-011911910.1186/s13018-024-05332-4Comparative analysis of MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score for predicting cage subsidence in PILF surgeryFan Zhang0Jie Liang1Dawei Shi2Can Tuo3Yu Wu4Zijian Yang5The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges UniversityThe First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges UniversityThe First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges UniversityThe First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges UniversityThe First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges UniversityThe First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges UniversityAbstract Background context As lumbar degenerative diseases become more prevalent in an aging population, there is an increasing demand for surgical interventions, such as posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). However, cage subsidence (CS), observed in 23.9–54% of cases postoperatively, remains a significant complication. Several factors, including age, bone quality, and endplate damage, contribute to the risk of CS, with bone quality being among the most critical determinants. Although DEXA and QCT are widely employed to assess bone density, their routine use in preoperative evaluations is restricted by cost considerations and radiation exposure. Recent studies suggest that MRI-based vertebral body quality (VBQ) and endplate bone quality (EBQ) score offer a viable, non-invasive alternative for evaluating bone quality; however, there is limited research comparing their predictive value for CS. Methods In this retrospective study, 165 patients undergoing single-level PLIF surgery were included. MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score were calculated using T1-weighted images, and preoperative QCT was employed as a clinical standard. Cage subsidence was assessed based on postoperative imaging at 12-month follow-up. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, chi-square tests, and ROC curve analyses, were used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of VBQ and EBQ for CS. Results The study’s findings demonstrated that both VBQ and EBQ scores were significantly correlated with QCT measurements, thereby validating their utility as indicators of bone quality. ROC analysis revealed that VBQ had superior predictive value for CS (AUC = 0.814) compared to EBQ (AUC = 0.719), with both scores demonstrating significant clinical utility in identifying patients at risk for CS. Notably, VBQ exhibited a stronger correlation with preoperative clinical outcomes compared to EBQ, underscoring its greater reliability as a predictor. Conclusions This study highlights the effectiveness of MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score as practical, non-invasive tools for assessing bone quality preoperatively, with VBQ demonstrating superior predictive performance for CS risk. The findings underscore the potential of integrating these MRI-based assessments into routine preoperative planning to improve patient outcomes and minimize complications associated with PLIF surgery.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05332-4Posterior lumbar interbody fusionCage subsidenceVertebral body qualityEndplate bone qualityQuantitative computed tomography
spellingShingle Fan Zhang
Jie Liang
Dawei Shi
Can Tuo
Yu Wu
Zijian Yang
Comparative analysis of MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score for predicting cage subsidence in PILF surgery
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion
Cage subsidence
Vertebral body quality
Endplate bone quality
Quantitative computed tomography
title Comparative analysis of MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score for predicting cage subsidence in PILF surgery
title_full Comparative analysis of MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score for predicting cage subsidence in PILF surgery
title_fullStr Comparative analysis of MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score for predicting cage subsidence in PILF surgery
title_full_unstemmed Comparative analysis of MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score for predicting cage subsidence in PILF surgery
title_short Comparative analysis of MRI-based VBQ and EBQ score for predicting cage subsidence in PILF surgery
title_sort comparative analysis of mri based vbq and ebq score for predicting cage subsidence in pilf surgery
topic Posterior lumbar interbody fusion
Cage subsidence
Vertebral body quality
Endplate bone quality
Quantitative computed tomography
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05332-4
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