Evaluation of the use of tranexamic acid in the postoperative period in patients with scoliosis undergoing posterior fusion.

Scoliosis is the most prevalent type of spinal deformity, with a 2-3% prevalence in the general population. Moreover, surgery for scoliotic deformity may result in severe blood loss and, consequently, the need for blood transfusions, thereby increasing surgical morbidity and the rate of complications. Several antifibrinolytic drugs, such as tranexamic acid, have been regarded as safe and effective options for reducing blood loss.

Assessment of inter- and intraobserver agreement for META score in distinguishing osteoporotic from multiple myeloma vertebral fractures.

Purpose: To conduct an independent assessment of inter- and intraobserver agreement for the META score as a tool for differentiating osteoporotic vertebral fractures and multiple myeloma vertebral fractures.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. The magnetic resonance imaging analysis was made by two independent spinal surgeons.

Correlation between the Severity of the Lumbar Degenerative Disease and Sagittal Spinopelvic Alignment.

 To evaluate the impact of the severity of lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) on sagittal spinopelvic alignment.  In total, 130 patients (mean age: 57 years; 75% female) with LDD-associated low-back pain were prospectively included. The severity of the LDD was defined by the following findings on anteroposterior and lateral lumbar spine radiographs: osteophytosis; loss of of height of the intervertebral disc; terminal vertebral plate sclerosis; number of affected segments; deformities; and objective instability.

The Effect of Patient Position on Psoas Morphology and in Lumbar Lordosis.

Introduction: Among the interbody fusions, lateral lumbar interbody fusion allows access to the lumbar spine through the major psoas muscle, which offers several advantages to the spine surgeon. However, some of its drawbacks cause surgeons to avoid using it as a daily practice. Therefore, to address some of these challenges, we propose the prone transpsoas technique, differing mainly from the traditional technique on patient position-moving from lateral to prone decubitus, theoretically enhancing the lordosis and impacting the psoas morphology.

Association between spinal alignment and biochemical composition of lumbar intervertebral discs assessed by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: To evaluate potential associations between spinopelvic parameters and the biochemical composition of lumbar intervertebral discs using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging in asymptomatic young adults.

Methods: Our study group comprised 93 asymptomatic volunteers aged 20-40 years (49 women and 44 men). Lumbar spine T2-weighted images and T2 relaxometry were acquired on a 1.

Anatomical Variations and Morphometric Features of the Foramen Transversarium in the Cervical Vertebrae of a Latin American Population: A Brazilian Study.

Background: Knowledge of the anatomy of the foramen transversarium (FT) is essential for performing surgical procedures on the cervical spine. The aim of the present study was to analyze the characteristics of the FT anatomy of the lower cervical spine and its anatomic variations using computed tomography (CT) in a Brazilian population.

Methods: Two independent observers performed linear measurements of the anteroposterior diameter (APD), lateral diameter (LD), and FT area (FTA) of 600 FTs of the lower cervical spine of 60 individuals (30 women and 30 men).

RELIABILITY OF A BRAZILIAN PORTUGUESE TRANSLATED AND CROSS-CULTURALLY ADAPTED VERSION OF THE MJOA SCALE.

Objective: To assess the intra- and inter-observer reliability of a Brazilian Portuguese translated and cross-culturally adapted version of the mJOA questionnaire.

Methods: The reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the mJOA scale was assessed through the evaluation of a sample of patients with cervical myelopathy by two independent experienced spine surgeon examiners. Inter-observer reliability was defined by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) between the evaluations of the two examiners, and intra-observer reliability was assessed by the ICC between the two evaluations of one examiner.

A Technique for Dynamic Cervical Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applied to Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Reliability Study.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objective: To evaluate morphometric variations of the cervical spine in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) using a standard technique of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to assess the inter- and intraobserver reliability of measurements of morphometric parameters based on this imaging, and to compare the resulting measurements with those previously published.

Summary Of Background Data: Because dynamic factors may contribute to the etiology and severity of CSM, dynamic (flexion-extension) MRI may be useful to better evaluate for spinal stenosis and cord compromise.

Assessment of the cervical spine denticulate ligament using MRI volumetric sequence: Comparison between 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla.

Background: Denticulate ligaments (DLs) are pial extensions on each side of the spinal cord, comprising about 20 to 21 pairs of fibrous structures connecting the dura mater to the spinal cord. These ligaments are significant anatomical landmarks in the surgical approach to intradural structures. To our knowledge, there is no previous study on the detection of DLs using MRI.

A Brazilian Portuguese cross-cultural adaptation of the modified JOA scale for myelopathy.

Objectives:: To develop a version of the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale that had been translated into Portuguese and cross-culturally adapted for the Brazilian population.

Methods:: The well-established process of forward-backward translation was employed along with cross-cultural adaptation.

Results:: Three bilingual translators (English and native Portuguese) performed the forward translation of the mJOA scale from English to Portuguese based on iterative discussions used to reach a consensus translation.

Endplates changes related to age and vertebral segment.

Endplate separations are defined as the presence of a space between the hyaline cartilage and the cortical bone of the adjacent vertebral body. This study evaluates endplate separations from the vertebral body and intervertebral discs and verifies if endplate separation is related to age and the spinal level. Groups were formed based on age (20-40 and 41-85 years old) and the vertebral segment (T7-T8 and L4-L5 segments).