18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT Appearance of Baastrup's Disease and Its Multimodality Correlation.

Baastrup's disease (BD), commonly known as "kissing spine syndrome," presents a significant cause of lower back pain, predominantly affecting the lumbar region. Diagnosis is often challenging due to its symptomatology and radiographic presentation. Herein, we present a case series demonstrating the utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in diagnosing BD accurately, particularly in oncologic settings where it may mimic metastatic lesions.

Rates of Postoperative Complications and Approach-related Neurological Symptoms After L4-L5 Lateral Transpsoas Lumbar Interbody Fusion Compared With Upper Lumbar Levels.

Study Design: This was a retrospective comparative study.

Objective: To compare the likelihood of approach-related complications for patients undergoing single-level lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) at L4-L5 to those undergoing the procedure at upper lumbar levels.

Summary Of Background Data: LLIF has been associated with a number of advantages when compared with traditional interbody fusion techniques.

Comparing Outcomes and Billing Costs of Middle Cranial Fossa and Transmastoid Approaches for Otogenic Encephalocele and Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair.

Objective: Comparison of outcomes and billing costs of patients treated at our institution using transmastoid (TM), middle cranial fossa (MCF), and combined approaches for repair of otogenic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and encephaloceles.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort review.

Setting: Tertiary-care hospital.

Cervical Alignment Analysis Comparing Two-Level Cervical Disc Arthroplasty with Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Anterior Plate Fixation.

Objective: This study assesses cervical alignments after 2-level cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with anterior plate fixation.

Methods: Eighty-two patients who underwent 2-level CDA or ACDF in 2014-2019 were identified. Cervical alignment parameters were compared between the 2 cohorts.

Transmastoid Repair of Otogenic Encephaloceles in Patients With Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy.

Objective: Description of a series of cases in which otogenic encephaloceles in patients requiring canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomies were repaired via a transmastoid approach.

Study Design: Case series.

Setting: Tertiary-care hospital.

Prevalence and anatomical characteristics of the human massa intermedia.

Massa intermedia (MI), also known as interthalamic adhesion is an inconsistent bridge connecting the two thalami. Recent studies suggest MI contains functional neuronal tissue and is responsible for interhemispheric communication. Absence of MI has been linked to cognitive differences and psychiatric disorders.

DAXX Suppresses Tumor-Initiating Cells in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Following Endocrine Therapy.

Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer recurrence is thought to be driven by tumor-initiating cells (TIC). TICs are enriched by endocrine therapy through NOTCH signaling. Side effects have limited clinical trial testing of NOTCH-targeted therapies.