Effect of Clinical and Radiographic Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Classification on Patient-reported Outcomes and Spinopelvic Parameters for Patients With Single-level L4-L5 Degenerative Spondylolisthesis After Lumbar Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To determine whether preoperative clinical and radiographic degenerative spondylolisthesis (CARDS) classification is associated with differences in patient-reported outcomes and spinopelvic parameters after posterior decompression and fusion for L4-L5 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS).

Summary: The CARDS classification for lumbar DS, an alternative to the Meyerding system, considers additional radiographic findings such as disc space collapse and segmental kyphosis and stratifies DS into 4 radiographically distinct classes.

The Effect of Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Procedure Duration on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.

Objective: To determine whether operative duration of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) significantly affects patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) 90 days after surgery and at 1-year follow-up.

Methods: Patients who underwent primary 1-level to 4-level ACDF were retrospectively identified. Demographic data and PROMs were collected through chart review.

Patients With Preoperative Cervical Deformity Experience Similar Clinical Outcomes to Those Without Deformity Following 1-3 Level Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim was to compare the outcomes of patients with incompletely corrected cervical deformity against those without deformity following short-segment anterior cervical decompression and fusion for clinically significant radiculopathy or myelopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical deformity has increasingly been recognized as a driver of disability and has been linked to worse patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) after surgery.

Severe Chin-on-Chest Cervical Spine Deformity in the Setting of Stiff-Person Syndrome: A Case Report.

Case: Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) presents with progressive muscle rigidity, postural instability, and periodic debilitating spasms. Reports of axial hyperextension exist, but kyphotic deformities have not been described. We surgically treated a patient with debilitating SPS and severe cervicothoracic hyperkyphosis with posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation.

Advanced Glycation End Product Inhibitor Pyridoxamine Attenuates IVD Degeneration in Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with advanced glycation end product (AGE) enrichment and considered a risk factor for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. We hypothesized that systemic AGE inhibition, achieved using pyridoxamine (PM), attenuates IVD degeneration in T2DM rats. To induce IVD degeneration, lumbar disc injury or sham surgery was performed on Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley (ZDSD) or control Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.

Is There Clinical Improvement Associated With Intradiscal Therapies? A Comparison Across Randomized Controlled Studies.

Study Design: Post hoc comparison using single-site data from 4 multicenter randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: Discogenic back pain is associated with significant morbidity and medical cost. Several terminated, unreported randomized controlled trials have studied the effect of intradiscal biologic injections.

Electrospun, synthetic bone void filler promotes human MSC function and BMP-2 mediated spinal fusion.

Introduction: Synthetic bone grafts are often used to achieve a well-consolidated fusion mass in spinal fusion procedures. These bone grafts function as scaffolds, and ideally support cell function and facilitate protein binding.

Objective: The aim was to characterize an electrospun, synthetic bone void filler (Reb) for its bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 release properties and support of human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) function in vitro, and its efficacy in promoting BMP-2-/bone marrow aspirate-(BMA)-mediated posterolateral spinal fusion (PLF) in vivo.

Optimization of a rat lumbar IVD degeneration model for low back pain.

Introduction: Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is often associated with low back pain and radiating leg pain. The purpose of this study is to develop a reproducible and standardized preclinical model of painful lumbar IVD degeneration by evaluation of structural and behavioral changes in response to IVD injury with increasing needle sizes. This model can be used to develop new therapies for IVD degeneration.

Intervertebral Disc Repair: Current Concepts.

Study Design: Review article.

Objective: A review of the literature on current strategies utilized in intervertebral regeneration and repair efforts.

Methods: A review of the literature and analysis of the data to provide an updated review on current concepts of intervertebral disc repair and regeneration efforts.

A Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors for Patients Undergoing Surgery for Spinal Metastases Secondary to Breast Cancer.

Study Design: Review of the literature.

Objective: Surgery and cement augmentation procedures are effective palliative treatment of symptomatic spinal metastases. Our objective is to systematically review the literature to describe the survival, prognostic factors, and clinical outcomes of surgery and cement augmentation procedures for breast cancer metastases to the spine.

Diagnosis and surgical management of breast cancer metastatic to the spine.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of death in Western women. Breast cancer most commonly metastasizes to the bone and has a particular affinity with the spine, accounting for 2/3 of osseous metastases discovered. With significant improvements in cancer therapies, the number of patients at risk for symptomatic spinal metastases is likely to increase.

Prolonged survival following aggressive treatment for metastatic breast cancer in the spine.

In 2007, members of our group reported a 21 month median survival for patients undergoing surgery for metastatic breast cancer in the spinal column. Cervical spine metastases were associated with decreased survival, Estrogen receptor positivity was associated with improved survival, and age and visceral metastases did not significantly impact survival. In the current study, we reassess these variables in the context of modern adjuvant therapies, and investigate the impact of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS).

Factors associated with improved outcomes following decompressive surgery for prostate cancer metastatic to the spine.

Background: Metastatic spinal cord compression from prostate cancer is a debilitating disease causing neurological deficits, mechanical instability, and intractable pain. Surgical management may improve quality of life.

Objective: To define postoperative outcomes and explore associations with prolonged survival for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

The spectrum of complications following left ventricular assist device placement.

Introduction: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support is associated with many complications, but relatively few studies have examined the full spectrum of complications beyond infectious and bleeding events.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients receiving either a pulsatile-flow Heartmate XVE (HM1; Thoratec Corp., Pleasanton, CA, USA) or continuous-flow Heartmate II (HM2; Thoratec Corp.