Article 2: "Atlantoaxial Reconstruction: The Artful Evolution of Craniovertebral Junctional Spine Surgery" - The Neurospinal Society of Japan Special Issue

This comprehensive review traces the evolution of posterior fusion techniques at the atlantoaxial joint (C1–2), which remains one of the most technically challenging regions in cervical spine surgery due to its complex anatomy and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. A systematic search identified 61 studies; 41 were narratively reviewed to outline historical development, while 20 post-2000 studies were systematically analyzed for technical details and outcomes. Surgical techniques have progressed from Gallie’s posterior wiring with autologous grafts to rigid screw-based fixation, yielding higher fusion rates and improved outcomes. The incorporation of concurrent interarticular fusion has enhanced biomechanical stability and biological healing. Future advances will require patient-specific surgical planning and integration of advanced intraoperative imaging to improve screw placement accuracy, minimize complications, and optimize fusion success.

Article 3: "The Role of D-Wave Monitoring in Motor-Evoked Potential Loss During Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors Resection"

This important study assessed the role of D-wave monitoring in guiding continued resection following motor-evoked potential (MEP) loss during intramedullary spinal cord tumor surgery. Thirty-seven adults with ependymoma (EPN), cavernous angioma, or subependymoma who experienced MEP loss were retrospectively analyzed; 9 underwent continued resection under D-wave guidance while 28 did not. Functional improvement at the last follow-up was significantly greater with D-wave guidance (66.7% vs. 17.9%, p=0.011), particularly in EPN cases (74.4% vs. 9.1%, p=0.003). While early postoperative weakness was more frequent, this difference was not statistically significant, and long-term ambulation, extent of resection, complications, and recurrence rates were similar between groups. These findings suggest that D-wave-guided surgery may facilitate safe tumor removal following MEP loss while preserving long-term motor function.

Article 5: "The Contribution of Paraspinal Sarcopenia on Sagittal Imbalance in Degenerative Kyphosis"

This insightful study investigated the relationship between paraspinal sarcopenia (PS) and sagittal imbalance (SI) in degenerative kyphosis (DK), while also examining how paraspinal muscle (PSM) dysfunction relates to morphological changes. A total of 138 DK patients and 204 controls with lumbar spinal stenosis were analyzed. DK patients were stratified into sagittal balance (SVA ≤ 5 cm) and SI (SVA > 5 cm) groups. The SI group exhibited significantly lower endurance time (ET), maximal voluntary exertion (MVE), and relative cross-sectional area (rCSA), along with higher fat infiltration (rFI%) compared to other groups. ET < 15.5 seconds, MVE < 1.3 N/kg, and rCSA atrophy were identified as independent risk factors for SI. These findings suggest that PS contributes to the progression of SI, highlighting the clinical importance of combined functional and morphological PSM evaluation.