Is anterior fusion still necessary in patients with neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis to evaluate and compare radiological indicators, as well as short-term and long-term outcomes, in patients with neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures (TLBF) who underwent anterior fusion, combined anterior-posterior procedure, or short-segment pedicle screw fixation (PSF).

Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Inclusion criteria comprised articles published between 2004 and 2023, full-text availability in English, burst fractures without spinal cord or nerve root injuries at admission, short-segment PSF without fusion, anterior or combined fusion methods, patients aged 18 or older, and a minimum 12-month follow-up.

Effective method of pedicle screw fixation in patients with neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures: a systematic review of studies published over the last 20 years.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of studies on various posterior pedicle screw fixation (PSF) methods used for treating neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures and to identify the most effective and safe approaches.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, with the study registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024531093). The inclusion criteria were: (1) publication dates from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2023; (2) availability of full-text articles in English; (3) thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficits; (4) patients aged over 18; (5) reports on treatment outcomes or complications; (6) a mean follow-up period of at least 12 months.

PEG-chitosan (Neuro-PEG) induced restoration of motor function after complete transection of the dorsal spinal cord in swine. A pilot study.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains an unmet medical need. Recently, fusogens, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), have been proven effective in restoring sensorimotor function after complete transection of the spinal cord at different levels and in different species. Here, we report on the use of a PEG-chitosan combo in a different animal model (swine).

Chitosan/PEG-mediated spinal cord fusion after complete dorsal transection in rabbits - functional results at 30 days.

Background: The aim was to study functional recovery in experimental animals (rabbits) with transected spinal cords treated with a combination of photo-cross-linked chitosan in a homogeneous mixture with polyethylene glycol (PEG-chitosan).

Methods: 20 rabbits ( = 10 experimental and = 10 controls) were submitted to complete spinal cord transection at T9. The experimental group received an intraoperative injection of PEG-chitosan.

Necessity of fusion following decompression surgery in patients with single-level lumbar stenosis: study protocol for an open-label multicentre non-inferiority randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: The necessity of spinal segment fusion after decompression is one of the most controversial and unresolved issues in single-level lumbar spinal stenosis surgery. To date, only one trial carried out 15 years ago focused on this problem. The key purpose of the current trial is to compare the long-term clinical results of the two surgical methods (decompression vs.

Teachability of lower cervical spine injury classifications.

Objectives: To compare the teachability of the Allen-Ferguson, Harris, Argenson, AOSpine, Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification (SLIC), Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification (CSISS) and to identify the classification that a group of residents and junior neurosurgeons find easiest to learn.

Methods: We used data from 64 consecutive patients. Answers of nine residents and junior neurosurgeons and four experienced surgeons in two assessment procedures were used.

Efficacy and Safety of Goel-Harms Technique in Upper Cervical Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The main purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the incidence of implant-associated complications and fusion rates for the Goel-Harms technique (GHT) and to show potential factors affecting the complications and nonunion development.

Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed database according to PRISMA guidance was performed. The main inclusion criteria comprised description of fusion rate and/or implant-associated complications rate.

Factors Affecting the Outcomes of Traumatic Atlanto-Occipital Dislocations in Adults: A Systematic Review.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to conduct a systematic review of the literature to determine the optimal treatment method for patients with atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) and to identify possible factors influencing their outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the PubMed database between January 1966 and December 2020. The main inclusion criterion was articles that discussed AOD treatment methods, and outcome descriptions were selected for analysis.

Fluoroscopic landmarks and trajectories for safe posterior percutaneous transarticular C1-C2 screw insertion: a CT-based simulation study.

Purpose: To determine the safe screw trajectory for posterior transarticular fixation of C1-C2 without direct visualisation of C2 lateral masses and by using fluoroscopic landmarks only.

Methods: Fluoroscopic models of the craniovertebral region in frontal and sagittal planes were reconstructed using 1-mm interval computed tomography scans of the cervical spine in 30 patients. The imitation model of the screw trajectory was then applied with verification of the exact screw localisation using multiplanar reconstruction.

Upper Cervical Spine Trauma: WFNS Spine Committee Recommendations.

Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) trauma is a challenging clinical condition. Being a highly mobile functional unit at the junction of the skull and the vertebral column, traumatic events in this area may produce devastating neurological complications and death. Additionally, many of the CVJ traumatic injuries can be left undiagnosed or even raise difficult treatment dilemmas.

Biological non-ablative repair of lumbar discs by transforaminal intradiscal laser irradiation: MRI quantitative analysis of the effects-preliminary report.

Degenerative disc disease is a significant reason for low back pain. Low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) of cartilage results in its reshaping and combines with regenerative reaction. A certain pattern of lumbar disc irradiation induces healing reaction and formation of new cartilage.

External Multicenter Study of Reliability and Reproducibility for Lower Cervical Spine Injuries Classification Systems-Part 2: An Analysis of the Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification and Cervical Spine Injury Severity Score Scale.

Study Design: A multicenter observational survey.

Objective: To quantify and compare inter- and intraobserver reliability of the subaxial cervical spine injury classification (SLIC) and the cervical spine injury severity score (CSISS) in a multicentric survey of neurosurgeons with different experience levels.

Methods: Data concerning 64 consecutive patients who had undergone cervical spine surgery between 2013 and 2017 was evaluated, and we surveyed 37 neurosurgeons from 7 different clinics.

External Multicenter Study of Reliability and Reproducibility for Lower Cervical Spine Injuries Classification Systems-Part 1: A Comparison of Morphological Schemes.

Study Design: Multicenter observational survey study.

Objectives: To quantify and compare the inter- and intraobserver reliability of Allen-Fergusson (A-F), Harris, Argenson, and AOSpine (AOS) classifications for cervical spine injuries, in a multicentric survey of neurosurgeons with different levels of experience.

Methods: We used data of 64 consecutive patients.

The impact of odontoid screw fixation techniques on screw-related complications and fusion rates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The primary goal of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of articles focused on odontoid screw fixation (OSF) and screw-related complications or non-union rates.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the PubMed and Crossref databases between January 1982 and December 2019. Inclusion criteria comprised detailed descriptions of the surgical technique and screw-related complications (screw cut-out, loosening, breakage, malposition) or fusion rates.

Transcervical approach with endoscopic assistance for surgical treatment of patient with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation: a case report.

We demonstrate the case of a surgery in a patient with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IrAAD) after C2 fracture. The challenges of this case were the flexed head in a forced position, impossibility of neck extension, and revision operation after posterior occipito-cervical fixation. The patient underwent the following surgeries: 1.

Posterior percutaneous transarticular stand-alone screw instrumentation of C1-C2 with endoscopic assistance: A report of two cases.

We present two cases of minimally invasive posterior transarticular screw fixation of C1-C2. The points for screw insertion were visualized by endoscopy via the instrumental port. A patient with a type III odontoid fracture with subluxation underwent a minimally invasive posterior stand-alone transarticular screw fixation.

How I do it: bilateral lumbar spinal canal microsurgical decompression via unilateral approach.

Background: Bilateral lumbar spinal canal decompression via unilateral approach is a surgical way to treat degenerative spinal canal stenosis.

Method: We report the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis by removing overgrown ligaments, bone, and other compromising tissue on both sides of the spinal canal, using one side approach, avoiding surgical trauma of the counter side of the spine.

Conclusion: This technique allows to achieve perfect results using common microsurgical instruments and Caspar distractor for one or multilevel surgery.

Minimally Invasive Posterior Transarticular Stand-Alone Screw Instrumentation of C1-C2 Using a Transmuscular Approach: Description of Technique, Results and Comparison with Posterior Midline Exposure.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the feasibility, safety, and fusion results of posterior transarticular stand-alone screw (SAS) instrumentation of C1-C2 with a minimally invasive technique to those of a posterior midline exposure.

Methods: Between 2008 and 2016, 164 patients underwent surgical treatment for traumatic injuries to the upper cervical vertebrae at our institution. We included 38 patients (27 men and 11 women; age range, 17-81 years) in the study.

A Comparison of the Long-Term Results of Posterior Transarticular Stand-Alone Screw Instrumentation and Magerl Technique in Patients with Traumatic Atlantoaxial Instability: Mean 5-Year Follow-Up Study with Radiological and Patient-Rated Outcomes Assessments.

Objective: To perform a radiological analysis of the degeneration of C1-C2 joints after C1-C2 transarticular fixation (TAF) and compare the long-term results of a routine Magerl technique (RMT) to a posterior transarticular C1-C2 stand-alone screw instrumentation (SAS) application.

Methods: A total of 40 patients (26 men and 14 women) were included in the present retrospective observational cohort study. The mean follow-up period was 61.

Potential intraoperative factors of screw-related complications following posterior transarticular C1-C2 fixation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of several factors, including patients' intraoperative position, intraoperative visualization technique, fixation method, and type of screws and their parameters, on the frequency of intraoperative screw-associated complications in posterior transarticular C1-C2 fixation.

Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed database between January 1986 and March 2018 was performed. The key inclusion criteria comprised detailed descriptions of the surgical technique and post-operative screw-associated complications.

Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of the Odontoid Process in a Patient with Chronic Injury of the C1 Transverse Ligament.

Atlas dislocation after transverse ligament injury is one of the most rare types of trauma to the upper cervical level. If magnetic resonance imaging of the craniovertebral junction reveals the Kassam line passing through the cervix of the odontoid process, a transnasal approach can be used for surgical treatment. Here, we present a case in which an endoscopic endonasal approach was used to treat chronic traumatic transligamentous atlas dislocation.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatment for Vertebral Artery Compression in a Patient with One-Sided Ponticulus Posticus and Ponticulus Lateralis.

Background: Kimmerle anomaly is characterized by ossification of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane with formation of a complete or incomplete bony ridge in the area of the groove for the vertebral artery (VA) (ponticulus posticus [PP]). In some cases, the bony ridge may also be formed at the level of the VA emerging from the transverse process of the С1 vertebra (ponticulus lateralis [PL]). Simultaneous 1-sided formation of PL and PP is very rare.

Minimally invasive surgical treatment for Kimmerle anomaly.

Introduction: Kimmerle anomaly is the bony ridge between the lateral mass of atlas and its posterior arch or transverse process. This bony tunnel may include the V3 segment of the vertebral artery, vertebral vein, posterior branch of the C1 spinal nerve, and the sympathetic nerves, which results in the clinical symptoms of this disease. Reports on the surgical treatment of Kimmerle anomaly are rare.

Anterior transarticular C1-C2 fixation with contralateral screw insertion: a report of two cases and technical note.

Purpose: Anterior transarticular fixation of the C1-C2 vertebrae is a well-known technique that involves screw insertion through the body of the C2 vertebra into the lateral masses of the atlas through an anterior transcervical approach. Meanwhile, contralateral screw insertion has been previously described only in anatomical studies.

Methods: We describe two case reports of the clinical application of this new technique.