Neuromuscular ultrasound changes in unilateral symptomatic subacute lumbosacral radiculopathy: A prospective simple blinded cohort study.

Introduction/aims: Lumbosacral radiculopathy (LR) is a common disorder. Neuromuscular ultrasound (NMU) is a rapidly evolving technique for the investigation of peripheral nerve and muscle disorders, but studies using NMU in LR are lacking. The aim of the present study was to investigate ultrasonographic neuromuscular changes distant from root compression in patients with subacute to chronic compressive LR with motor impairment.

Vertebral Augmentation: Is It Time to Get Past the Pain? A Consensus Statement from the Sardinia Spine and Stroke Congress.

Vertebral augmentation has been used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures and metastatic lesions in millions of patients around the world. An international group of subject matter experts have considered the evidence, including but not limited to mortality. These considerations led them to ask whether it is appropriate to allow the subjective measure of pain to so dominate the clinical decision of whether to proceed with augmentation.

Beta Electroencephalographic Oscillation Is a Potential GABAergic Biomarker of Chronic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain.

This preliminary investigation aimed to assess beta (β) oscillation, a marker of the brain GABAergic signaling, as a potential objective pain marker, hence contributing at the same time to the mechanistic approach of pain management. This case-control observational study measured β electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillation in 12 right-handed adult male with chronic neuropathic pain and 10 matched controls (∼55 years). Participants were submitted to clinical evaluation (pain visual analog scale, Hospital Anxiety, and Depression scale) and a 24-min high-density EEG recording (BIOSEMI).

Superior Osteo-Inductive and Osteo-Conductive Properties of Trabecular Titanium vs. PEEK Scaffolds on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Proof of Concept for the Use of Fusion Cages.

Fusion cages composed of titanium and its alloys are emerging as valuable alternative to standard polyetheretherketone (PEEK) ones routinely used in cervical and lumbar spine surgery. Aim of this study was to evaluate osteo-inductive and osteo-conductive ability of an innovative trabecular titanium (T-Ti) scaffold on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), in both absence and presence of biochemical osteogenic stimuli. Same abilities were assessed on PEEK and standard 2D plastic surface, the latter meant as gold-standard for in vitro differentiation studies.

Compressive cervicothoracic pseudomeningocele as a rare manifestation of idiopathic intrathecal hypotension after past trauma: a review.

Purpose: Spontaneous intracranial or intrathecal hypotension (SIH) is an underdiagnosed phenomenon predominantly presenting with low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure and postural headache in the setting of CSF leak. Extrathecal CSF collections causing compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots present an even rarer subset of this disease. We aim to describe this pathology in a comprehensive manner while illustrating with a case of our own.

Osteogenic potential of human adipose derived stem cells (hASCs) seeded on titanium trabecular spinal cages.

Spine degenerative conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent, affecting about 5.7% of the population in Europe, resulting in a significant reduction of life's quality. Up to now, many materials have been used in manufacturing cage implants, used as graft substitutes, to achieve immediate and long-term spinal fixation.

A prospective, international, randomized, noninferiority study comparing an implantable titanium vertebral augmentation device versus balloon kyphoplasty in the reduction of vertebral compression fractures (SAKOS study).

Background Context: Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) is a commonly performed vertebral augmentation procedure for painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs).

Objective: This study aimed to support a non-inferiority finding for the use of a titanium implantable vertebral augmentation device (TIVAD) compared to BKP.

Study Design: Prospective, parallel group, controlled comparative randomized study.

Segmentation failure of the posterior elements at the cervical spine and cervicothoracic junction: report of three cases.

Purpose: Vertebral segmentation and fusion failures are quite common and often occur as incidental findings. These anatomical variants may be associated with deformity and lead to pain and other neurological signs. They are less frequent in the cervical spine.

Pott's puffy tumor presenting as a frontal swelling under a Swiss army helmet.

In this report, we describe an uncommon presentation of a Pott's puffy tumor, which is defined as a subperiosteal abscess related to a chronic frontal sinusitis. This condition has become rare in our part of the world because of the widespread use of antibiotics. Clinical history, investigations, and management are presented.

Anterior decompression and plate fixation in treatment of cervical myelopathy: A multicentric retrospective review.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results on anterior decompression and fusion with titanium mesh or expanding cage and plate fixation in patients with cervical myelopathy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicentric review of 114 patients, 75 males and 39 females, with cervical myelopathy who underwent surgical treatment between July 2009 to December 2011. All surgeries were performed via a ventral approach.

Efficacy of teriparatide neridronate in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta type I: a prospective randomized international clinical study.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is an hereditary disease characterized by low bone mass, increased bone fragility, short stature, and skeletal deformities, few treatment options are currently available. Neridronate is an amino-bisphosphonate, licensed in Italy for the treatment of OI and Paget's disease of bone. A characteristic property of neridronate is that it can be administered both intravenously and intramuscularly, providing an useful system for administration in homecare.

Harlequin sign concomitant with Horner syndrome after anterior cervical discectomy: a case of intrusion into the cervical sympathetic system.

Harlequin syndrome is a rare autonomic disorder referring to the sudden development of flushing and sweating limited to one side of the face. Like Horner syndrome, associating miosis, ptosis, and anhidrosis, Harlequin syndrome is caused by disruption of the cervical sympathetic pathways. Authors of this report describe the case of a 55-year-old female who presented with both Harlequin sign and Horner syndrome immediately after anterior cervical discectomy (C6-7) with cage fusion and anterior spondylodesis.

Safety and efficacy of vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a prospective multicenter international randomized controlled study.

Background: Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) treated non-operatively can diminish function and quality of life, and lead to chronic health effects. The short-term safety and effectiveness of vertebroplasty for symptomatic VCFs are well-documented, but long-term follow-up is needed.

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to analyse a multicenter international experience of 200 compression fractures treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP) and compare the results of this procedure with the result of 200 patients treated conservatively.

Denosumab is really effective in the treatment of osteoporosis secondary to hypogonadism in prostate carcinoma patients? A prospective randomized multicenter international study.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a complication of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with prostate carcinoma. The best defense against osteoporosis in prostate cancer is to identify patients with a high risk for fracture during the first clinical visit, select an effective anti-osteoporosis agent, and advise the patient to change his lifestyle and diet to prevent further bone loss. New agents include denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the RANK ligand (RANKL).

Treatment of osteoporosis secondary to hypogonadism in prostate cancer patients: a prospective randomized multicenter international study with denosumab vs. alendronate.

Background: Osteoporosis is a complication of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with prostate carcinoma. This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind prospective study on use of denosumab versus alendronate in the therapy of secondary osteoporosis related to ADT.

Methods: A total of 234 patients with diagnosis of osteoporosis underwent ADT for prostate cancer were enrolled.

Clinical Performance and Safety of 108 SpineJack Implantations: 1-Year Results of a Prospective Multicentre Single-Arm Registry Study.

This prospective, consecutive, multicentre observational registry aimed to confirm the safety and clinical performance of the SpineJack system for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCF) of traumatic origin. We enrolled 103 patients (median age: 61.6 years) with 108 VCF due to trauma, or traumatic VCF with associated osteoporosis.

Sacroiliac joint syndrome 10 years after lumbar arthroplasty: the importance of spinopelvic alignment.

Introduction: Sagittal balance is an independent predictor of outcomes in spinal care and several authors focused their attention on the lumbar lordosis restoration as the key point to prevent secondary sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) after fusion. On the other hand, lumbar disc arthroplasty allows preservation of motion avoiding increased stress on the spinopelvic junction and preventing iatrogenic sagittal imbalance.

Methods: We analyze the incidence of a secondary SIJD and the spinopelvic alignment on a series of 31 consecutive lumbar disc prosthesis with a 10-year follow-up.

Five-year results of lumbar disc prostheses in the SWISSspine registry.

Purpose: The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health demanded a nationwide HTA registry for lumbar total disc arthroplasty (TDA), to decide about its reimbursement. The goal of the SWISS spine registry is to generate evidence about the safety and efficiency of lumbar TDA.

Methods: Two hundred forty-eight cases treated between 3-2005 and 6-2006, who were eligible for the 5-year follow-up were included in the study.

A prospective study of percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty with calcium phosphate cement in traumatic vertebral fractures: 10-year results.

Study Design: This is a prospective study to investigate the clinical and radiological results 10 years after percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty and cement augmentation with calcium phosphate cement (CPC) in traumatic vertebral fractures type A.

Objectives: Evaluation of a 10-year follow-up with radiological and computed tomography results, calculated by 2 independent radiologists, VAS, Roland Morris score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score and Denis work scale and clinical examination in patients with traumatic compression fractures type A, who were treated with a balloon kyphoplasty with CPC (Calcibon™ from Biomed).

Methods: In this study, we evaluated 21 patients (8 female and 13 male) clinically and radiologically 10 years postoperative and compared them with the same group of 28 patients we operated between August 2002 and August 2003 for traumatic vertebral fractures type A with balloon kyphoplasty and CPC.

Radiographic and safety details of vertebral body stenting: results from a multicenter chart review.

Background: Up to one third of BKP treated cases shows no appreciable height restoration due to loss of both restored height and kyphotic realignment after balloon deflation. This shortcoming has called for an improved method that maintains the height and realignment reached by the fully inflated balloon until stabilization of the vertebral body by PMMA-based cementation. Restoration of the physiological vertebral body height for pain relief and for preventing further fractures of adjacent and distant vertebral bodies must be the main aim for such a method.

Cement volume is the most important modifiable predictor for pain relief in BKP: results from SWISSspine, a nationwide registry.

Purpose: The effectiveness of vertebral augmentation techniques is a currently highly debated issue. The biomechanical literature suggests that cement filling volumes may play an important role in the "dosage" of vertebral augmentation and its pain alleviating effect. Good clinical data about filling volumes are scarce and most patient series are small.

Five-year results of cervical disc prostheses in the SWISSspine registry.

Background: The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health demanded a nationwide HTA-registry for cervical total disc arthroplasty (TDA), to decide about its reimbursement. The goal of the SWISSspine registry is to generate evidence about the safety and efficiency of cervical TDA.

Materials And Methods: Three hundred thirty-two cases treated between 3.