Management of severe pyogenic spinal infections: the 2SICK study by the EANS spine section.

Background Context: Spondylodiscitis management presents significant clinical challenges, particularly in critically ill patients, where the risks and benefits of surgical intervention must be carefully balanced. The optimal timing of surgery in this context remains a subject of debate.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early surgery versus delayed surgery or conservative management in critically ill patients with de novo pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

A rare case of spinal myeloid sarcoma.

Background: Myeloid sarcoma (MS), a rare extramedullary tumor composed of myeloid blast cells, is classified by the World Health Organization as a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Isolated, primary, or nonleukemic MS has an incidence of 2/1,000,000 adults and constitutes only 0.7% of all AML cases.

Transforaminal epidural steroid injection for radiculopathy and the evolution to surgical treatment: a pragmatic prospective observational multicenter study.

The aim of this study is to analyze the real-world outcomes of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) in all patients with radiculopathy and their long-term outcomes. Patients with radiculopathy and failure of conservative treatment were included in a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study. In total, 117 patients were treated with one or two TFESIs.

Single-cell molecular profiling using ex vivo functional readouts fuels precision oncology in glioblastoma.

Background: Functional profiling of freshly isolated glioblastoma (GBM) cells is being evaluated as a next-generation method for precision oncology. While promising, its success largely depends on the method to evaluate treatment activity which requires sufficient resolution and specificity.

Methods: Here, we describe the 'precision oncology by single-cell profiling using ex vivo readouts of functionality' (PROSPERO) assay to evaluate the intrinsic susceptibility of high-grade brain tumor cells to respond to therapy.

Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion as a Feasible Treatment for Thoracolumbar Spondylodiscitis: A Multicenter Belgian Case-Series.

Background: Spondylodiscitis is, after tissue sampling, initially managed with intravenous antibiotics. In patients with treatment failure, surgical debridement and stabilization is considered. An anterior or posterior approach has already been reported as a successful surgical access, but is associated with a large exposure and a significant morbidity.

Real world data collection and cluster analysis in patients with sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and describe clusters of patients with similar characteristics presenting with sciatica caused by a lumbar disc herniation in secondary care.

Methods: Forty-six percent (n = 163) of the eligible patients (n = 352) completed all questionnaires and were included in a hierarchical cluster analysis. The analysis was based on baseline characteristics for pain, pain awareness and catastrophizing, disability and quality of life (QOL).

Intra operative assessment of the coronal balance in spinal deformity surgery : a technical note and retrospective study.

Obtaining a spine that is well balanced after fusion for scoliotic deformity is primordial for the patients' quality of life. A simple T-shaped instrument combined with standard intraoperative fluoroscopy can be of great help to evaluate the coronal alignment quickly. The aim of this study was to evaluate if a T-shaped device could predict the postoperative coronal balance.

What to know about schwannomatosis: a literature review.

Background: Schwannomatosis is a relatively rare disorder and is related to neurofibromatosis type 2. Although there is clinical overlap between schwannomatosis and neurofibromatosis type 2, these diseases have to be regarded as separate entities due to the genetic origin and course of the disease.

Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted for relevant studies using Pubmed and Cochrane databases to discuss the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, pathological and imaging features, treatment and genetics of schwannomatosis.

Retro-odontoid pseudotumor (pannus) with Forestier's disease presenting with severe tetraparesis: A case report and literature review.

Background: A retro-odontoid pannus is often associated with inflammatory diseases. It can also have a noninflammatory cause due to chronic atlantoaxial instability.

Case Description: Here, we report a patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and a severe noninflammatory retro-odontoid pannus who rapidly improved after posterior craniocervical decompression and arthrodesis.

Spinal cord herniation after brachial plexus injury.

Background: Spinal cord herniation (SCH) is an uncommon cause of myelopathy. Documented trauma is a rare cause, and most cases are idiopathic. One special type of trauma that may lead to SCH is a brachial plexus injury.

Pneumothorax after Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Rare but Life-threatening Complication.

Introduction: Arthroscopy has become a major diagnostic tool and treatment option for shoulder pathology. However rare, respiratory complications such as a pneumothorax have been reported in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy. Surgery - as well as anesthesiology-related factors and respiratory comorbidity have been hypothesized to intervene in the onset of respiratory complications.

A Multidisciplinary Infection Control Bundle to Reduce the Number of Spinal Cord Stimulator Infections.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a quality improvement project that resulted in an infection control bundle to reduce the number of spinal cord stimulator (SCS) infections.

Materials And Methods: The study was performed in a single center for neuromodulation from January 1, 2014, through May 31, 2016. In response to a high number of surgical site infections (SSIs) after SCS surgery, a multidisciplinary team analyzed the surgical process and developed an infection prevention bundle consisting of five items: 1) showering and decolonization for five days prior to surgery and showering in the hospital on the morning of surgery; 2) performing the SCS implantation as the first in the daily operating room (OR) program; 3) maintaining a minimal number of people in the OR; 4) providing home care nurses with a folder with SCS wound care instructions including pictures; 5) giving oral specific wound care instructions to patients.

Posterolateral approach in a neurofibromatosis type-I patient with severe dystrophic thoracic kyphoscoliosis: A case report, cadaver study, and literature review.

Neurofibromatosis type-I (NF-I) is an autosomal-dominant hereditary disorder, in which spinal skeletal deformities are one of the manifestations and manifest as acquired abnormalities and present as short, sharp, and angular (usually thoracic) curves. The scoliosis can be severe requiring surgical intervention. The surgical procedure can be difficult because of scalloping of the vertebral bodies and dural ectasia.

Giant arachnoid granulations mimicking pathology. A report of three cases.

We describe three cases of incidentally found lesions in the dural venous sinuses on magnetic resonance imaging, that other had erroneously considered pathological entities. We made the diagnosis of giant arachnoid granulations. The differential diagnosis with thrombosis or intrasinusal tumoral lesions was easily made on the basis of three typical radiological features of the granulations: the hyperintensity of the lesions on FLAIR, a blood vessel within the lesion and bone erosion.

What the neurosurgeon should know about hemangioblastoma, both sporadic and in Von Hippel-Lindau disease: A literature review.

Background: Hemangioblastomas are associated with Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHLD) in 10-40% of cases. Based upon a literature review we state the core features the neurosurgeon should be aware of.

Methods: We performed a selective literature (Cochrane and Medline) search for hemangioblastoma, both sporadic and VHL associated.