Undetected low bone mineral density in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery-prevalence and risk factors.

Background: Sufficient bone quality is a prerequisite for low complication rates and satisfactory outcomes in lumbar fusion surgery (LFS). Low bone mineral density (BMD), including osteoporosis and osteopenia, is linked to adverse postoperative outcomes. Despite reports of a high prevalence of undiagnosed osteoporosis, it is uncertain which risk factors should guide preoperative BMD screening in LFS.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Non-Satisfaction despite ODI Improvement in Patients undergoing Elective Lumbar Surgery.

Study Design: Secondary analysis of prospective study.

Objective: To assess the risk factors for postoperative non-satisfaction despite improvement in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) two years after elective lumbar surgery.

Background: The ODI and postoperative satisfaction are important markers of postoperative success.

Risk factors for progression of nucleus pulposus degeneration in the lumbar intervertebral disc: a retrospective analysis using the disc signal intensity index.

Background/context: Degenerative disc changes are associated with low back pain and negatively impact quality of life. Disc degeneration process usually starts with nucleus pulposus change. There is uncertainty about the risk factors associated with the progression of disc nucleus degeneration due to the lack of an objective evaluation method.

Efficacy and Risks of Posterior Vertebral Column Resection in the Treatment of Severe Pediatric Spinal Deformities: A Case Series.

: Surgery for adolescent idiopathic deformities is often aimed at improving aesthetic appearance, striving for the best possible correction. However, severe and rigid scoliotic curves not only present aesthetic issues but can also compromise cardiopulmonary health and cause early neurological impairment due to spinal cord compression, posing significant risks of morbidity and mortality if untreated. Conservative treatments are ineffective for severe curves, defined by scoliotic angles over 70° and flexibility below 30% on lateral bending X-rays.

Quantitative assessment of cervical disc degeneration using disc signal intensity index.

Background/context: The assessment of disc degeneration remains a significant challenge in clinical research. Pfirrmann grade is a frequently used classification for lumbar disc degeneration on MRI. However, there has been no gold standard for cervical spine disc degeneration.

Health-related quality of life in patients treated with en bloc resection for primary tumors of the spine.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional outcomes and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients undergoing en bloc resection of spinal tumor.

Summary Of Background Data: En bloc resection in the spine is a surgical procedure designed to completely remove a tumor in one piece, with wide margins preserved, in order to reduce the risk of local recurrences.

Short-Term Outcomes of a Novel Non-Screw Based Expandable Posterior Interbody Fusion Cage.

Background: Lumbar interbody fusion is a well-established surgical technique for treating various lumbar degenerative pathologies. Expandable cages have been introduced to allow for insertion via the confined access and to improve disc height restoration, although concerns about the stability of the screw-based cages in the expanded state remain a concern. This study aims to evaluate the short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of a novel nonscrew-based expandable transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion cage.

The Impact of Prior Hip or Knee Arthroplasty on Oswestry Disability Index Two Years after Elective Lumbar Surgery.

Study Design: Secondary analysis of prospective study.

Objective: To analyze the impact of prior total knee arthroplasty (TKA), total hip arthroplasty (THA), or both on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) two years after elective lumbar surgery.

Background: Degenerative conditions that cause pain and mobility loss significantly reduce quality of life.

Multifidus Degeneration: The Key Imaging Predictor of Adjacent Segment Disease.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To identify imaging predictors on pre- and perioperative imaging that are associated with a future revision surgery for adjacent segment disease (ASD) following lumbar fusion.

Methods: Patients undergoing open posterior lumbar fusion between 2014-2022 were followed-up for >2-year.

The Disaggregated Oswestry Disability Index: What is the Most Predictive Subsection for Patient Satisfaction After Lumbar Surgery?

Study Design: Retrospective review of cohort studies.

Objective: To analyze how different ODI subsections and their improvement affect patient satisfaction 2 years after elective lumbar surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

Background: The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is crucial in evaluating outcomes of spinal disorders and provides valuable insights into a patient's preoperative status.

The Impact of Paraspinal Muscle Degeneration on Oswestry Disability Index Subsections Two Years After Spinal Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Secondary analysis of prospective study.

Objective: To investigate the impact of fatty infiltration (FI) in the paraspinal muscles (PM) on postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) subsection-scores in patients undergoing elective lumbar surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

Background: DLS can increase FI in the PM like the multifidus (MF), erector spinae (ES), and psoas (PS), leading to greater spinal disability and higher ODI-scores.

Intentional Enneking-inappropriate surgery and high-energy particle therapy for unresectable osteogenic sarcoma of the spine: a retrospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of intralesional gross-total resection (GTR) followed by high-energy particle therapy with en bloc and intralesional resections.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with primary osteogenic sarcoma (OGS) of the spine between 2009 and 2020 was conducted. Demographic information, including age, affected site, tumor volume, and Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini stage, was collected.

The spinopelvic alignment in patients with prior knee or hip arthroplasty undergoing elective lumbar surgery.

Background Context: Concurrent degeneration of the lumbar spine, hip, and knee can cause significant disability and lower quality of life. Osteoarthritis in the lower extremities can lead to movement limitations, possibly requiring total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA). These procedures often impact spinal posture, causing alterations in spinopelvic alignment and lumbar spine degeneration.

Prolonged operative time significantly impacts on the incidence of complications in spinal surgery.

Background: In spinal surgery adverse events (AE) and surgical complications (SC) significantly affect patient's outcome and quality of life. The duration of surgery has been investigated in different surgical field as risk factor for complications. The aim of this study is to analyze the correlation between operative time and adverse events in spinal surgery.

MRI scan with the "feed and wrap" technique and with an optimized anesthesia protocol: a retrospective analysis of a single-center experience.

Introduction: MRI examinations in the pediatric population require acquiring motionless images in the safest possible manner. At our institute, we have developed a protocol called "Good Practice" aimed at avoiding anesthesia in newborns and infants through the use of the "feed and wrap" technique, as well as preventing hospitalization for older children requiring anesthesia with an optimized sedation protocol. We evaluated this protocol in terms of patient safety, imaging quality, and parental satisfaction.

The Association between prior arthroplasty and Paraspinal Muscle Degeneration in patients undergoing elective lumbar surgery.

Purpose: Spinal and lower extremity degeneration often causes pain and disability. Lower extremity osteoarthritis, eventually leading to total knee- (TKA) and -hip arthroplasty (THA), can alter posture through compensatory mechanisms, potentially causing spinal misalignment and paraspinal muscle (PM) atrophy. This study aims to evaluate the association between prior THA or TKA and PM-degeneration in patients undergoing elective lumbar surgery for degenerative conditions.

Denosumab Re-Challenge and Long-Term Efficacy for Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Spine: Enhanced Treatment Algorithm.

Surgical treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) can be challenging, especially in the spine. Non-surgical treatments such as with denosumab have shown promising results in different osteolytic pathologies. This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiologic response of patients with ABCs of the mobile spine treated with denosumab and propose an updated treatment algorithm.

Association between skin ultrasound parameters and revision surgery after posterior spinal fusion.

Purpose: The literature is scarce in exploring the role of imaging parameters like ultrasound (US) as a biomarker for surgical outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the associations between skin US parameters and revision surgery following spine lumbar fusion.

Methods: Posterior lumbar fusion patients with 2-years follow-up were assessed.

What is the Association of the Subsections of the Oswestry Disability Index and Overall Improvement 2 Years After Lumbar Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis?

Study Design: Retrospective review of a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To identify the association between Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) subsections and overall improvement 2 years after lumbar surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

Background: DLS often necessitates lumbar surgery.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ambulatory Lumbar Spine Decompression Surgery.

Background Only a few studies have examined the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on spine ambulatory surgeries and changes in trends. Therefore, we investigated trends during the pre-pandemic period and three pandemic stages in patients undergoing lumbar decompression procedures in the ambulatory surgery (AMS) setting. Methodology A total of 2,670 adult patients undergoing one- or two-level lumbar decompression surgery were retrospectively reviewed.

How Much Improvement in Oswestry Disability Index is Necessary to Make Your Patient Satisfied After Lumbar Surgery?

Study Design: Retrospective review of cohort studies.

Objective: To clarify the necessary Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) improvement for patient satisfaction 2 years after lumbar surgery.

Background: Evaluating elective lumbar surgery care often involves patient-reported outcomes.

Experimental and new investigational drugs for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Introduction: Uterine fibroids, the most prevalent benign tumors among reproductive-age women, pose treatment challenges that range from surgical interventions to medical therapies for symptom control. Progestins and estroprogestins effectively manage uterine bleeding by suppressing dysfunctional endometrium over fibroids. While GnRH agonists represent a crucial milestone in symptom treatment, their prolonged use results in menopausal-like symptoms and irreversible bone mineral density loss.