Reliability, validity and responsiveness of the Dutch version of the AOSpine PROST (Patient Reported Outcome Spine Trauma).

Purpose: To validate the Dutch version of AOSpine PROST (Patient Reported Outcome Spine Trauma).

Methods: Patients were recruited from two level-1 trauma centers from the Netherlands. Next to the AOSpine PROST, patients also filled out SF-36 for concurrent validity.

A comparison of the diagnostic value of MRI and F-FDG-PET/CT in suspected spondylodiscitis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing spondylodiscitis and its complications, such as epidural and paraspinal abscesses.

Methods: From January 2006 to August 2013 patients with a clinical suspicion of spondylodiscitis, with an infection, or with fever of unknown origin were retrospectively included if F-FDG-PET/CT and MRI of the spine were performed within a 2-week time span. Imaging results were compared to the final clinical diagnosis and follow-up data were collected.

The effect of radiotherapy, and radiotherapy combined with bisphosphonates or RANK ligand inhibitors on bone quality in bone metastases. A systematic review.

Purpose: The role of radiotherapy in stabilizing metastatic bones is unclear. This systematic review assessed the effects of (1) radiotherapy, (2) radiotherapy combined with bisphosphonates, and (3) radiotherapy combined with RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitors on bone quality and bone strength in bone metastases originating from solid tumors.

Methods: Pubmed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched.

The ability of external immobilizers to restrict movement of the cervical spine: a systematic review.

Purpose: To review the ability of various types of external immobilizers to restrict cervical spine movement.

Methods: With a systematical review of original scientific articles, data on range of motion, type of used external immobilization device and risk of bias were extracted. The described external immobilization devices were grouped and the mean restriction percentage and standard deviation were calculated.

Clinical outcome of cloacal exstrophy, current status, and a change in surgical management.

Introduction: Cloacal exstrophy is a complex and rare congenital malformation. Because of improvements in medicine, operative techniques, and perioperative management the survival rates are now approaching 100%. Currently, treatment is focused on improving quality of life.

Prophylactic vertebroplasty can decrease the fracture risk of adjacent vertebrae: an in vitro cadaveric study.

Adjacent level vertebral fractures are common in patients with osteoporotic wedge fractures, but can theoretically be prevented with prophylactic vertebroplasty. Previous tests on prophylactic vertebroplasties have been performed under axial loading, while in vivo changes in spinal alignment likely cause off-axis loads. In this study we determined whether prophylactic vertebroplasty can also reduce the fracture risk under off-axis loads.

A validated classification for external immobilization of the cervical spine.

Study Design Interobserver and intraobserver reliability study. Objective The aim of this study is to validate a new classification system of external cervical spine immobilization devices by measuring the interobserver and intraobserver agreement. Methods A classification system, with five main categories, based on the anatomical regions on which the device supports, was created.

The effects of the timing of spinal surgery after traumatic spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract The debate over the effects of the timing of surgical spinal decompression after traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) has remained unresolved for over a century. The aim of the current study was to perform a systematic review and quality-adjusted meta-analysis of studies evaluating the effects of the timing of spinal surgery after tSCI. Studies were searched for through the MEDLINE(®) database (1966 to August 2012) and a 15-item, tailored scoring system was used for assessing the included studies' susceptibility to bias.

The Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System: an external agreement validation study.

Background Context: In 2007, the Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification (SLIC) system was introduced demonstrating moderate reliability in an internal validation study.

Purpose: To assess the agreement on the SLIC system using clinical data from a spinal trauma population and whether the SLIC treatment algorithm outcome improved agreement on treatment decisions among surgeons.

Study Design: An external classification validation study.

A patient with multifocal tabetic arthropathy: a case report and review of literature.

A 55-year-old man presented with a painless destruction of multiple joints and neurologic deficits. He was admitted with a painless pyogenic arthritis of the right ankle. Four years earlier, he had experienced instability of the right knee after an inexplicable, progressive but painless destruction of the joint.

Design of COSMIC: a randomized, multi-centre controlled trial comparing conservative or early surgical management of incomplete cervical cord syndrome without spinal instability.

Background: Incomplete cervical cord syndrome without spinal instability is a very devastating event for the patient and the family. It is estimated that up to 25% of all traumatic spinal cord lesions belong to this category. The treatment for this type of spinal cord lesion is still subject of discussion.

A methodological systematic review on surgical site infections following spinal surgery: part 2: prophylactic treatments.

Study Design: A methodological systematic review.

Objective: To critically appraise the validity of preventive effects attributed to prophylactic treatments for surgical site infection (SSI) after spinal surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: As a result of a rapidly increasing number of spinal procedures, health care expenditure is expected to increase substantially in the foreseeable future.

A methodological systematic review on surgical site infections following spinal surgery: part 1: risk factors.

Study Design: A methodological systematic review.

Objective: To critically appraise the validity of risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) after spinal surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: SSIs lead to higher morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs.

A clinical prediction rule for ambulation outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury: a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury is a serious disorder in which early prediction of ambulation is important to counsel patients and to plan rehabilitation. We developed a reliable, validated prediction rule to assess a patient's chances of walking independently after such injury.

Methods: We undertook a longitudinal cohort study of adult patients with traumatic spinal cord injury, with early (within the first 15 days after injury) and late (1-year follow-up) clinical examinations, who were admitted to one of 19 European centres between July, 2001, and June, 2008.

Isolated transverse process fractures of the subaxial cervical spine: a clinically insignificant injury or not?: a prospective, longitudinal analysis in a consecutive high-energy blunt trauma population.

Study Design: Prospective single cohort study.

Objective: To analyze the incidence, associated injuries, treatment outcomes and associated adverse events of isolated transverse process fractures (TPFs) of the subaxial cervical spine in a high-energy blunt trauma population.

Summary Of Background Data: Currently, TPFs of the subaxial cervical spine are considered to be clinically insignificant.

What should an ideal spinal injury classification system consist of? A methodological review and conceptual proposal for future classifications.

Since Böhler published the first categorization of spinal injuries based on plain radiographic examinations in 1929, numerous classifications have been proposed. Despite all these efforts, however, only a few have been tested for reliability and validity. This methodological, conceptual review summarizes that a spinal injury classification system should be clinically relevant, reliable and accurate.

Severe degeneration of peripheral motor axons after spinal cord injury: a European multicenter study in 345 patients.

Objective: There are indications that perilesional and remote peripheral motor axons may degenerate after spinal cord injury (SCI). The authors investigated the magnitude and dependence on severity of SCI of this degeneration as well as whether motor axons so affected can recover.

Methods: The function of the peripheral motor axons was investigated by recording compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) in 345 patients with cervical SCI.

Methodological systematic review: mortality in elderly patients with cervical spine injury: a critical appraisal of the reporting of baseline characteristics, follow-up, cause of death, and analysis of risk factors.

Study Design: Methodologic systematic review.

Objective: To determine the validity of reported risk factors for mortality in elderly patients with cervical spine injury.

Summary Of Background Data: In elderly patients with cervical spine injury, mortality has frequently been associated with the type of treatment.

Biomechanical evaluation of the vertebral jack tool and the inflatable bone tamp for reduction of osteoporotic spine fractures.

Study Design: Controlled in vitro study.

Objective: To compare two kyphoplasty techniques in cadaveric fractured vertebrae: an experimental vertebral jack tool (VJT) and an inflatable bone tamp (IBT).

Summary Of Background Data: A previous biomechanical study showed restored strength and stiffness after height restoration in cadaveric-fractured osteoporotic vertebrae using a new device for reduction of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

The influence of endplate-to-endplate cement augmentation on vertebral strength and stiffness in vertebroplasty.

Study Design: Controlled in vitro trial.

Objective: To study vertebral strength in relation to cement augmentation technique after vertebroplasty and to assess the influence of the biomechanical compression model on postoperative results.

Summary Of Background Data: In the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, the role of vertebroplasty has been well established.

Scheuermann kyphosis: the importance of tight hamstrings in the surgical correction.

Study Design: A historic cohort study of the sagittal alignment in 33 consecutive patients with surgically corrected thoracic Scheuermann kyphosis.

Objectives: To determine if postsurgical imbalance, sagittal malalignment, and decreased lumbar-pelvic range of motion in patients with thoracic Scheuermann kyphosis is related to tight hamstrings.

Summary Of Background Data: Tight hamstrings are a frequent sign in Scheuermann kyphosis.