Risk of Infective Endocarditis in Patients with Spinal Surgical Site Infection and Bacteremia.

Surgical site infection (SSI) is responsible for significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and increased costs. Infectious endocarditis (IE) is a rare but serious complication of bacteremia, particularly that resulting from SSI. The VIRSTA score predicts the risk of IE and determines the priority of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients with bacteremia.

Contribution of MRI and imaging exams in the diagnosis of lumbar pseudarthrosis.

Introduction: The diagnosis of pseudoarthrosis is based on imaging and clinical exam findings. The standard for pseudarthrosis diagnosis remains postoperative observation through computer tomography (CT) and patient's symptoms. This can be further augmented by dynamic X-ray imaging or nuclear positron emission tomography (PET) CT to demonstrate an absence of fusion by showing a persistence of mobility.

Effects of indirect foraminal decompression during anterior cervical disc fusion procedure: preliminary results of a prospective study with clinical and radiological outcomes.

Introduction: The respective effects of direct and indirect decompression in the clinical outcome after anterior cervical disc fusion (ACDF) is still debated. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of indirect decompression on foraminal volumes during ACDF performed in patients suffering from cervico-brachial neuralgias due to degenerative foraminal stenosis, i.e.

Tomodensitometric bone anatomy of the intervertebral foramen of the lower cervical spine: measurements and comparison of foraminal volume in healthy individuals and patients suffering from cervicobrachial neuralgia due to foraminal stenosis.

Purpose: Degenerative foraminal stenosis of the cervical spine can lead to cervicobrachial neuralgias. Computed tomography (CT)-scan assists in the diagnosis and evaluation of foraminal stenosis. The main objective of this study is to determine the bony dimensions of the cervical intervertebral foramen and to identify which foraminal measurements are most affected by degenerative disorders of the cervical spine.

Iliocava junction to L4-L5 disc anatomical relationship in L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Background: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion finds a place in L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis (ISPL) treatment. Extension of this arthrodesis at L4-L5 level is sometimes required. Anterior approach of the L4L5 disc is considered difficult due to the anatomical relationship between the iliocava junction (ICJ) and the spine.