Dorsal arachnoid web of the thoracic spine associated with an arachnoid cyst and a presyrinx state as an unexplained cause of thoracic myelopathy: illustrative case.

Background: Dorsal thoracic arachnoid web is a rare diagnosis and is not commonly seen in neurosurgical practice. Patients can present with symptoms and signs of thoracic myelopathy in the setting of an arachnoid cyst and a presyrinx state.

Observations: A 57-year-old male with a 10-year history of worsening bilateral leg weakness and chronic back pain re-presented to the neurosurgery clinic after being seen by neurology and orthopedic spine surgery.

Clinical Outcomes of Prone Transpsoas Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A 1-Year Follow-Up.

Background: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is commonly used to address various lumbar pathologies. LLIF using the prone transpsoas (PTP) approach has several potential advantages, allowing simultaneous access to the anterior and posterior columns of the spine. The aim of this study was to report the 1-year outcomes of LLIF via PTP.

C5 nerve root palsy (without prior cervical decompression) case series: 9 patients with critical delay to presentation.

Background: Distinguishing between cervical nerve root and intrinsic shoulder pathology can be a difficult task given the overlapping and often coexisting symptoms.

Objective: The objective of this study was to highlight the often-complicated presentation of these symptoms and the subsequent potential for delay in care regarding this subset of patients.

Methods: A total of 9 patients, managed by one of two different surgeons, were identified with a history of C5 nerve root palsy.

Hydrogel-Based Strategies for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration: Advances, Challenges and Clinical Prospects.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from low back pain and disability associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. IVD degeneration is highly correlated with aging, as the nucleus pulposus (NP) dehydrates and the annulus fibrosus (AF) fissures form, which often results in intervertebral disc herniation or disc space collapse and related clinical symptoms. Currently available options for treating intervertebral disc degeneration are symptoms control with therapy modalities, and/or medication, and/or surgical resection of the IVD with or without spinal fusion.

Sequential Depth Stimulation Within the Psoas Offers No Benefit for Localization of the Lumbar Plexus During Lateral Lumbar Fusion Surgery.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objectives: In this study we aim to assess the difference in triggered EMG readings throughout different depths in the psoas muscle during the lateral approach to the lumbar spine and their effect on surgeon decision making.

Methods: Three surgeons, practicing at different institutions, assessed triggered EMG readings during the trans psoas approach at the level of the disc and 5,10 and 15 millimeters into the psoas muscle with sequential dilators.

Does a relationship exist between preoperative expectations and overall satisfaction in spine surgery patients?-a prospective cohort study.

Background: The role of preoperative patient expectation in spine surgery is not completely understood, but could be essential in predicting patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to create a standard means to assess patient preoperative expectations and its effect on postoperative satisfaction in the midterm follow-up period.

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study design.

The Effects of Preoperative Epidural Steroid Injection on Pseudarthrosis Following Lumbar Fusion: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of preoperative lumbar epidural steroid injection on the rate of pseudarthrosis following lumbar spine fusion surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Epidural corticosteroids help to reduce nerve root edema and suppress proinflammatory cytokines in patients with radiculopathy.

Complications of the Prone Transpsoas Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease: A Multicenter Study.

Background And Objectives: The prone transpsoas (PTP) approach for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a novel technique for degenerative lumbar spine disease. However, there is a paucity of information in the literature on the complications of this procedure, with all published data consisting of small samples. We aimed to report the intraoperative and postoperative complications of PTP in the largest study to date.

The Prone Lateral Approach for Lumbar Fusion-A Review of the Literature and Case Series.

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion is an evolving procedure in spine surgery allowing for the placement of large interbody devices to achieve indirect decompression of segmental stenosis, deformity correction and high fusion rates through a minimally invasive approach. Traditionally, this technique has been performed in the lateral decubitus position. Many surgeons have adopted simultaneous posterior instrumentation in the lateral position to avoid patient repositioning; however, this technique presents several challenges and limitations.

Novel Injectable Fluorescent Polymeric Nanocarriers for Intervertebral Disc Application.

Damage to intervertebral discs (IVD) can lead to chronic pain and disability, and no current treatments can fully restore their function. Some non-surgical treatments have shown promise; however, these approaches are generally limited by burst release and poor localization of diverse molecules. In this proof-of-concept study, we developed a nanoparticle (NP) delivery system to efficiently deliver high- and low-solubility drug molecules.

Early Clinical Outcomes of the Prone Transpsoas Lumbar Interbody Fusion Technique.

Background: The prone transpsoas (PTP) approach for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a relatively novel technique. Currently, little is known about its associated complications and early patient-reported outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LLIF performed via the PTP approach on sagittal radiographic parameters, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and rates of complications.

Radiographic alignment outcomes after the single-position prone transpsoas approach: a multi-institutional retrospective review of 363 cases.

Objective: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the changes in radiographic spinopelvic parameters in a large cohort of patients undergoing the prone transpsoas approach to the lumbar spine.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study was performed for all patients who underwent lateral lumber interbody fusion via the single-position prone transpsoas (PTP) approach. Spinopelvic parameters from preoperative and first upright postoperative radiographs were collected, including lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), and pelvic tilt (PT).

Pilocytic Astrocytoma Arising from the Conus Medullaris in an Adult: A Case Report.

Low-grade, sporadic, pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are rare spinal cord tumors diagnosed in adult patients. Their localization to the conus medullaris is exceedingly rare, having only been described in a limited number of case reports. Here, we describe a case of a 22-year-old female presenting with back pain, lower extremity weakness, hypoesthesia, and urinary incontinence.

Modifiable Patient Factors Demonstrate No Increased Risk for 30-Day Complication Rate for Elective 1-2 Level Posterior Lumbar Fusion Surgery: A Comparison Between a National Database and Local Registry.

Background: While national databases provide large datasets that can be used to understand trends over time, their correlation with prospectively collected data from local registries has not been established. The purpose of the study was to compare differences in patient demographics and adverse events for patients undergoing elective posterior spinal fusion (PSF) between a national database and institutional registry.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed.

Determination of a neurologic safe zone for bicortical S1 pedicle screw placement.

Background Context: Lumbosacral fixation is commonly used for the management of lumbosacral instability. As the sacrum mainly consists of cancellous bone, bicortical fixation, in which the pedicle screw penetrates the anterior sacral cortex, can help increase the strength of fixation. However, this method carries a risk to the L5 nerves which lie anterior to the sacrum at this level.

Notch signaling enhances bone regeneration in the zebrafish mandible.

Loss or damage to the mandible caused by trauma, treatment of oral malignancies, and other diseases is treated using bone-grafting techniques that suffer from numerous shortcomings and contraindications. Zebrafish naturally heal large injuries to mandibular bone, offering an opportunity to understand how to boost intrinsic healing potential. Using a novel her6:mCherry Notch reporter, we show that canonical Notch signaling is induced during the initial stages of cartilage callus formation in both mesenchymal cells and chondrocytes following surgical mandibulectomy.

Role of simultaneous bilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injections in patients with prior lumbar fusions or laminectomies: A retrospective case series.

Objective: The goal of this study is to assess the clinical effectiveness and prognostic potential of simultaneous bilateral lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) in patients with bilateral radicular back pain with previous history of lumbar laminectomy and/or fusion surgery.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Single physiatrist in an academic setting.

Correction: Growing a backbone - functional biomaterials and structures for intervertebral disc (IVD) repair and regeneration: challenges, innovations, and future directions.

Correction for 'Growing a backbone - functional biomaterials and structures for intervertebral disc (IVD) repair and regeneration: challenges, innovations, and future directions' by Matthew D. Harmon et al., Biomater.

Atomic force microscopy imaging for nanoscale and microscale assessments of extracellular matrix in intervertebral disc and degeneration.

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) is a condition that is often associated with debilitating back pain. There are no disease-modifying treatments available to halt the progression of this ubiquitous disorder. This is partly due to a lack of understanding of extracellular matrix (ECM) changes that occur at the micro- and nanometer size scales as the disease progresses.

Chronic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Subluxation in an Adult Following a Traumatic Event: A Case Report.

Background: Traumatic rotatory subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint is a rare but potentially life-threatening injury in adults. While acute cases have been shown to be managed successfully with closed reduction, chronic injuries in skeletally mature patients have rarely been reported.

Methods: We present management of a 64-year-old female who presents 2.