Baseline characteristics of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy in Australia: analysis from the MYelopathy NAtural History registry.

Background: Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of non-traumatic, chronic spinal cord dysfunction worldwide, causing debilitating disability with a diminishing quality of life. The natural history of DCM is poorly understood. This is a preliminary report of the first 60 patients recruited to the MYelopathy NAtural History (MYNAH) Registry.

Concurrent multiple cerebral cavernous malformations and cauda equina paraganglioma: illustrative case.

Background: Cauda equina neuroendocrine tumors (CENETs), previously known as cauda equina paragangliomas, and multiple cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are uncommon conditions affecting the central nervous system. To the authors' knowledge, they have not been reported in the same patient.

Observations: The authors present the case of a 45-year-old male with CENET and concurrent incidental MRI findings of multiple CCMs.

MRI predictors of revision surgery after primary lumbar discectomy.

The prognostic significance of preoperative MRI findings in patients undergoing discectomy is incompletely understood. Identifying the radiological predictors of revision surgery on pre-operative MRI can guide management decisions and potentially prevent multiple surgeries. We included 181 patients who underwent primary lumbar discectomy between 2010 and 2014.

Pathologic Basis of Lumbar Radicular Pain.

Background: Lumbar radicular pain is one of the most commonly encountered clinical syndromes; however, its underlying mechanistic basis, and its relation to the natural history of the disease, are poorly understood.

Methods: We revieved the available literature to explore the pathophysiology and natural history of lumbar radicular pain.

Results: Experimental observations have spawned distinctive, but not mutually exclusive, pathophysiologic descriptions of radicular pain.

Cervical disc arthroplasty for the treatment of spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy.

The concept of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) for the anterior treatment of cervical pathology has existed for approximately half a decade. In this time, multiple devices have been developed for this purpose, with the ultimate aim to provide an alternative to fusion. Fifty-five patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and myelopathy underwent CDA over a 5 year period.

Long-term follow-up of minimal-access and open posterior lumbar interbody fusion for spondylolisthesis.

Background: Although posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is regarded as an effective treatment for spondylolisthesis, few studies have reported comprehensive, long-term outcome data, and none has investigated the incidence of deterioration of outcomes.

Objective: To determine and compare the success rates and long-term stability of outcomes of open PLIF and minimal-access PLIF in the treatment of radicular pain and back pain in patients with spondylolisthesis.

Methods: Forty-three patients were followed for a minimum of 3 years.

Predictors of a favorable response to transforaminal injection of steroids in patients with lumbar radicular pain due to disc herniation.

Background: Transforaminal injection of steroids (TFIS) is effective for some patients with lumbar radicular pain caused by disc herniation. Factors associated with better outcomes are unknown.

Objective: To identify clinical and radiological features predictive of a favorable response to TFIS.

The efficacy of transforaminal injection of steroids for the treatment of lumbar radicular pain.

Background: Transforaminal injection of steroids is used to treat lumbar radicular pain. Not known is whether the route of injection or the agent injected is significant.

Study Design: A prospective, randomized study compared the outcomes of transforaminal injection of steroid and local anesthetic, local anesthetic alone, or normal saline, and intramuscular injection of steroid or normal saline.

Minimal access versus open posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of spondylolisthesis.

Objective: To compare the safety and effectiveness of minimal access posterior lumbar interbody fusion (MAPLIF) with open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (OPLIF) in patients with spondylolisthesis and radicular pain.

Methods: A prospective study was performed of 47 patients with radicular pain resulting from lumbar spondylolisthesis with a slip of less than 50% who underwent either MAPLIF (n = 23) or OPLIF (n = 24). At 12 months after treatment, clinical outcomes were measured using the Short-Form Health Survey 36 and the visual analog score for both leg pain and back pain, and the degree of reduction of spondylolisthesis, restoration of disc height, and presence of fusion were assessed.

Dynamic plates in anterior cervical fusion surgery: graft settling and cervical alignment.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of graft subsidence associated with the use of dynamic cervical plates on cervical alignment and clinical outcome of patients undergoing anterior cervical decompression and fusion.

Summary And Background Data: Dynamic cervical plates allow graft loading which may enhance fusion.

Recovery of ankle dorsiflexion weakness following lumbar decompressive surgery.

This retrospective study evaluated the recovery of ankle dorsiflexion (ADF) weakness following decompressive surgery in order to identify factors indicative of a better outcome. Fifty-six consecutive patients with ADF weakness secondary to nerve root compression underwent lumbar decompressive surgery. The demographic features, duration and severity of preoperative ADF weakness, associated radicular pain, as well as the radiological and intraoperative findings were recorded.

Clinical and functional outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy without fusion.

Anterior cervical discectomy without fusion is an effective treatment for myeloradiculopathy arising from a medial disc prolapse. However, the long-term clinical results are not well known. Between 2000 and 2006, 38 patients with persistent radiculopathy and medial disc prolapse or myelopathy due to acute disc prolapse underwent subtotal anterior cervical discectomy without fusion.

Purely endoscopic resection of colloid cysts.

Objective: To further assess the safety and long-term efficacy of endoscopic resection of colloid cysts of the third ventricle.

Methods: A retrospective review of a series of 35 consecutive patients (18 male, 17 female) with colloid cysts treated by endoscopic surgery was undertaken.

Results: The mean patient age was 32.

Nonaccidental head injuries in children: a Sydney experience.

Object: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographics, clinical and radiological features, and clinical outcomes of nonaccidental pediatric head injury.

Methods: The authors reviewed 65 consecutive cases of nonaccidental head injury in a single pediatric neurosurgical unit during a period of 7 years. The mean patient age was 8.