Contact heat evoked potentials reveal distinct patterns of spinal cord impairment in degenerative cervical myelopathy beyond MRI lesions.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging may suggest spinal cord compression and structural lesions in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) but cannot reveal functional impairments in spinal pathways. We aimed to assess the value of contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) in addition to MRI and hypothesized that abnormal CHEPs may be evident in DCM independent of MR-lesions and are related to dynamic mechanical cord stress.

Methods: Individuals with DCM underwent neurologic examination including segmental sensory (pinprick, light touch) and motor testing.

The rise and fall of Queckenstedt's test between 1916 and 1970, a milestone in spinal cord diagnostics and why it matters.

Background And Purpose: In 1916, Hans H. G. Queckenstedt (1876-1918) was the first to describe a test aimed at detecting spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space obstruction through lumbar CSF pressure measurements in paraplegic patients.

An Experimental Model for Fluid Dynamics and Pressures During Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy.

Objective: Endoscopic spine surgery is an emerging technique of minimally invasive spine surgery. However, headache, seizure, and autonomic dysreflexia are possible irrigation-related complications following full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy (FELD). Pressure elevation through fluid irrigation may contribute to these adverse events.

Disease-specific interventions using cell therapies for spinal cord disease/injury.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) may occur across the lifespan and is of global relevance. Damage of the spinal cord results in para- or tetraplegia and is associated with neuropathic pain, spasticity, respiratory, and autonomic dysfunction (i.e.

Scoping Review with Topic Modeling on the Diagnostic Criteria for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Study Design: This study is a scoping review.

Objective: There is a broad variability in the definition of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and no standardized set of diagnostic criteria to date.

Methods: We interrogated the Myelopathy.

Secondary analysis of a James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership to facilitate knowledge translation in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM): insights from AO Spine RECODE-DCM.

Objectives: To explore whether a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership could provide insights on knowledge translation within the field of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Design: Secondary analysis of a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership process for DCM.

Participants And Setting: DCM stake holders, including spinal surgeons, people with myelopathy and other healthcare professionals, were surveyed internationally.

Intramuscular coherence enables robust assessment of modulated supra-spinal input in human gait: an inter-dependence study of visual task and walking speed.

Intramuscular high-frequency coherence is increased during visually guided treadmill walking as a consequence of increased supra-spinal input. The influence of walking speed on intramuscular coherence and its inter-trial reproducibility need to be established before adoption as a functional gait assessment tool in clinical settings. Here, fifteen healthy controls performed a normal and a target walking task on a treadmill at various speeds (0.

Queckenstedt's test repurposed for the quantitative assessment of the cerebrospinal fluid pulsatility curve.

Purpose: Before the era of spinal imaging, presence of a spinal canal block was tested through gross changes in cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) provoked by manual compression of the jugular veins (referred to as Queckenstedt's test; QT). Beyond these provoked gross changes, cardiac-driven CSFP peak-to-valley amplitudes (CSFPp) can be recorded during CSFP registration. This is the first study to assess whether the QT can be repurposed to derive descriptors of the CSF pulsatility curve, focusing on feasibility and repeatability.

Intramuscular coherence during challenging walking in incomplete spinal cord injury: Reduced high-frequency coherence reflects impaired supra-spinal control.

Individuals regaining reliable day-to-day walking function after incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) report persisting unsteadiness when confronted with walking challenges. However, quantifiable measures of walking capacity lack the sensitivity to reveal underlying impairments of supra-spinal locomotor control. This study investigates the relationship between intramuscular coherence and corticospinal dynamic balance control during a visually guided Target walking treadmill task.

We Choose to Call it 'Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy': Findings of AO Spine RECODE-DCM, an International and Multi-Stakeholder Partnership to Agree a Standard Unifying Term and Definition for a Disease.

Study Design: Modified DELPHI Consensus Process.

Objective: To agree a single unifying term and definition. Globally, cervical myelopathy caused by degenerative changes to the spine is known by over 11 different names.

Development of a core measurement set for research in degenerative cervical myelopathy: a study protocol (AO Spine RECODE-DCM CMS).

Introduction: Progress in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is hindered by inconsistent measurement and reporting. This impedes data aggregation and outcome comparison across studies. This limitation can be reversed by developing a core measurement set (CMS) for DCM research.

Mind your step: Target walking task reveals gait disturbance in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury.

Background: Walking over obstacles requires precise foot placement while maintaining balance control of the center of mass (CoM) and the flexibility to adapt the gait patterns. Most individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) are capable of overground walking on level ground; however, gait stability and adaptation may be compromised. CoM control was investigated during a challenging target walking (TW) task in individuals with iSCI compared to healthy controls.

Improving Awareness Could Transform Outcomes in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [AO Spine RECODE-DCM Research Priority Number 1].

Study Design: Literature Review (Narrative).

Objective: To introduce the number one research priority for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM): Raising Awareness.

Methods: Raising awareness has been recognized by AO Spine RECODE-DCM as the number one research priority.

A New Framework for Investigating the Biological Basis of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [AO Spine RECODE-DCM Research Priority Number 5]: Mechanical Stress, Vulnerability and Time.

Study Design: Literature Review (Narrative).

Objective: To propose a new framework, to support the investigation and understanding of the pathobiology of DCM, AO Spine RECODE-DCM research priority number 5.

Methods: Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common and disabling spinal cord disorder.

Clinical outcome measures and their evidence base in degenerative cervical myelopathy: a systematic review to inform a core measurement set (AO Spine RECODE-DCM).

Objectives: To evaluate the measurement properties of outcome measures currently used in the assessment of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) for clinical research.

Design: Systematic review DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through 4 August 2020.

Eligibility Criteria: Primary clinical research published in English and whose primary purpose was to evaluate the measurement properties or clinically important differences of instruments used in DCM.

Predisposing and Precipitating Risk Factors for Delirium in Elderly Patients Admitted to a Cardiology Ward: An Observational Cohort Study in 1,042 Patients.

Although the risk factors for delirium in general medicine are well-established, their significance in cardiac diseases remains to be determined. Therefore, we evaluated the predisposing and precipitating risk factors in patients hospitalized with acute and chronic heart disease. In this observational cohort study, 1,042 elderly patients (≥65 years) admitted to cardiology wards, 167 with and 875 without delirium, were included.

Economic Impact of Poststroke Delirium and Associated Risk Factors: Findings From a Prospective Cohort Study.

Background And Purpose: Delirium is a common severe complication of stroke. We aimed to determine the cost-of-illness and risk factors of poststroke delirium (PSD).

Methods: This prospective single-center study included n=567 patients with acute stroke from a hospital-wide delirium cohort study and the Swiss Stroke Registry in 2014.

Safety and Feasibility of Lumbar Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure and Intraspinal Pressure Studies in Cervical Stenosis: A Case Series.

Introduction: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) leads to functional impairment by compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. In DCM, the dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) and intraspinal pressure (ISP), as well as spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP) remain not investigated yet. Recent technical advances have enabled investigation of these parameters in acute spinal cord injury (SCI).

Study protocol for an observational study of cerebrospinal fluid pressure in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy undergoing surgical deCOMPression of the spinal CORD: the COMP-CORD study.

Introduction: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a disabling spinal disorder characterised by sensorimotor deficits of upper and lower limbs, neurogenic bladder dysfunction and neuropathic pain. When suspected, cervical MRI helps to reveal spinal cord compression and rules out alternative diagnoses. However, the correlation between radiological findings and symptoms is weak.

Death in delirious palliative-care patients occurs irrespective of age: A prospective, observational cohort study of 229 delirious palliative-care patients.

Objectives: Patients with terminal illness are at high risk of developing delirium, in particular, those with multiple predisposing and precipitating risk factors. Delirium in palliative care is largely under-researched, and few studies have systematically assessed key aspects of delirium in elderly, palliative-care patients.

Methods: In this prospective, observational cohort study at a tertiary care center, 229 delirious palliative-care patients stratified by age: <65 (N = 105) and ≥65 years (N = 124), were analyzed with logistic regression models to identify associations with respect to predisposing and precipitating factors.