The relationship between radiological paraspinal lumbar measures and clinical measures of sarcopenia in older patients with chronic lower back pain.

Objectives: Sarcopenia is postulated to be an influential factor in chronic low back pain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between traditional clinical measures of sarcopenia and novel radiographic methods which evaluate overall muscle status, such as adjusted psoas cross-sectional area (APCSA) and degree of fat infiltration (%FI) in paraspinal muscles, in patients with chronic low back pain.

Methods: Prospective study performed at our institution from 01/01/19-01/04/19.

Changing Demographic Trends in spine trauma: The presentation and outcome of Major Spine Trauma in the elderly.

Introduction: Major trauma has seen a demographic shift in recent years and it is expected that the elderly population will comprise a greater burden on the major trauma service in the near future. However, whether a similar trend exists in those undergoing operative intervention for spinal trauma remains to be elucidated.

Aims: To compare the presentation and outcomes of patients ≥65 years of age sustaining spine trauma to those <65 years at a national tertiary referral spine centre.

Impact of Sarcopenia on Degenerative Lumbar Spondylosis.

Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive age-related and systematic loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function. It was classified as an independent disease in 2016; thus, there is a sparsity of research on the association of sarcopenia with lower back pain and spinal diseases. Its prevalence is around 10% worldwide and it has been shown to be detrimental to quality of life in the elderly.

Advantages and Design of PROMIS Questionnaires.

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a National Institute of Health initiative to improve the measurement of clinically important symptoms and outcomes. Patient-Reported Outcomes capture health outcomes that are relevant to the daily functioning of the patient and include the monitoring of physical, mental, and social health. PROMIS offers a standardized tool to measure Patient-Reported Outcomes for use in both the clinical and research setting.

What Is Finite Element Analysis?

Finite element analysis is a computational technique to predict how different materials will react when a range of forces are applied. In the field of orthopedics, this technique has predominantly been used for implant design and testing. As the technology improves, increasing clinical applications are being developed, offering promise in the areas of surgical planning and the opportunity to tailor implants to individual patient characteristics.

Surgeon proficiency in robot-assisted spine surgery.

Continuous technical improvement in spinal surgical procedures, with the aim of enhancing patient outcomes, can be assisted by the deployment of advanced technologies including navigation, intraoperative CT imaging, and surgical robots. The latest generation of robotic surgical systems allows the simultaneous application of a range of digital features that provide the surgeon with an improved view of the surgical field, often through a narrow portal. There is emerging evidence that procedure-related complications and intraoperative blood loss can be reduced if the new technologies are used by appropriately trained surgeons.

Management of Herniated Lumbar Disk Disease and Cauda Equina Syndrome in Pregnancy.

Lower back pain is a commonly reported symptom during pregnancy. However, herniated lumbar disk disease is an uncommon cause for such pain. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) during pregnancy is a rare clinical scenario.

Image-guidance, Robotics, and the Future of Spine Surgery.

Spine surgery has seen considerable advancements over the last 2 decades, particularly in the fields of image-guidance and robotics. These technologies offer the potential to overcome the various technical challenges in spinal surgery, such as physical and mental fatigue, hand tremor, difficulties with manual dexterity, and surgical precision. This review provides an overview of the image-guidance and robotics systems currently available.

A systematic review of the presentation of scan-negative suspected cauda equina syndrome.

Background: A significant proportion of patients presenting with suspected cauda equina syndrome (CES) do not have associated radiological evidence to support the diagnosis, often termed 'scan-negative'. Due to the limited number of studies regarding the matter, there is no clear understanding for this presentation. As a result, no treatment protocol exists for the scan-negative group.

Familial chronic megacolon presenting in childhood or adulthood: Seeking the presumed gene association.

Objective: We identified a pedigree over five generations with 49 members, some of whom had chronic megacolon presenting in adolescence or adulthood. We aimed to assess the genetic cause of chronic megacolon through clinical and DNA studies.

Design: After ethical approval and informed consent, family members provided answers to standard bowel disease questionnaires, radiological or surgical records, and DNA (buccal mucosal scraping).

Characteristics of chronic megacolon among patients diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B.

Background: Gastrointestinal symptoms are frequent in multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) 2B and may be related to megacolon.

Objective: The objective of this article is to review the clinical features of patients with MEN 2B, particularly megacolon.

Methods: We used natural language processing of electronic medical records of Mayo Clinic patients over 20 years: Eight patients with definite MEN 2B were identified; of these, four had megacolon.