Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Spinal Fusion Procedures for Spinal Infections in a Nationwide Hospital Network in Germany.

Background:  The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical spine care is difficult to assess due to a lack in nationwide evidence from more recent phases of the pandemic. We aimed to describe changes in in-hospital processes associated with spinal fusion procedures in the treatment of spinal infections (SI) during different phases of the pandemic.

Methods:  In this retrospective observational study, we examined the in-hospital prevalence and outcomes of spinal fusion procedures for SI (along with patient characteristics, rates of transfer to intensive care units, and mortality rates) during the first four waves of the pandemic compared with the corresponding prepandemic periods in 2019.

Percutaneous triangular stabilization of type 3 and type 4 fragility fractures of the pelvis usually leads to fracture healing despite high revision rates.

This is a monocentric, retrospective study to analyze radiological findings as well as perioperative and postoperative complications in patients who underwent percutaneous triangular stabilization of type 3 and type 4 fragility fractures of the pelvis. From August 2017 to December 2018, 20 patients were treated surgically. Thirteen patients (65%) were followed-up and received a CT scan of the pelvis after an average time of 14.

[3D image enhancer-adjusted percutaneous triangular stabilization of geriatric pelvic ring fractures : Operation technique and indications].

The 3D image enhancer-adjusted percutaneous triangular stabilization of geriatric pelvic ring fractures avoids implant-associated perioperative complications. Displaced fractures of the posterior pelvic ring require stable instrumentation to enable solid bony fusion in a balanced alignment and to control the risk of neurological and vascular damage. This is mandatory in high-energy injuries in young patients and especially in low-energy injuries of geriatric patients.

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma infiltrating thoracic spine in a 59-year-old female patient: Case report.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) represents a malignant tumor of skeletal muscle cells arising from rhabdomyoblasts. RMS represents the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. In adults it is uncommon and accounts for less than 1% of all malignant solid tumors.

Single-stage debridement and spinal fusion using PEEK cages through a posterior approach for eradication of lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis: a safe treatment strategy for a detrimental condition.

Background: Pyogenic infections of the lumbar spine are a rare but critical pathology, yet with considerably high mortality rates. In cases indicating surgical therapy, the implantation of titanium cages or autologous bone grafts represent today's gold standard. Although non-metallic implants such as poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) have proven to be advantageous in diverse degenerative conditions, their saftey and practicability in lumbar spine infection remains questionable.

Non-union of osteoporotic vertebral fractures - identification and treatment of an underestimated pathology in elderly patients with persistent back pain.

Objective: Non-union of osteoporotic vertebra fractures are a seldom entity. However, when back pain persists in the course of conservatively treated osteoporotic vertebra fractures, a non-union should be considered. We thus sought to validate our diagnostic algorithm in patients with known osteoporotic vertebra fractures presenting persistent back pain and advert to the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral non-unions.

Cervical spondylodiscitis with epidural abscess after knife stab wounds to the neck: A case report.

Introduction: Cervical spondylodiscitis is usually caused by pyogenic infections, associated with retropharyngeal abscesses, or due to the swallowing of foreign bodies. No cases of cervical spondylodiscitis caused by a penetrating neck injury have been published in the literature. We describe a case of cervical spondylodiscitis after multiple knife stab wounds to the lateral soft tissue of the neck.

Impact of a multidisciplinary pain program for the management of chronic low back pain in patients undergoing spine surgery and primary total hip replacement: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Low back pain is a very common disorder. In this field chronic low back pain represents a special challenge. The management of chronic low back pain consists of a range of different intervention strategies.

Is the radiographic subsidence of stand-alone cages associated with adverse clinical outcomes after cervical spine fusion? An observational cohort study with 2-year follow-up outcome scoring.

Background: The stand-alone treatment of degenerative cervical spine pathologies is a proven method in clinical practice. However, its impact on subsidence, the resulting changes to the profile of the cervical spine and the possible influence of clinical results compared to treatment with additive plate osteosynthesis remain under discussion until present.

Methods: This study was designed as a retrospective observational cohort study to test the hypothesis that radiographic subsidence of cervical cages is not associated with adverse clinical outcomes.

Results after the surgical treatment of anterior cervical hyperostosis causing dysphagia.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the outcome of a case series of patients with dysphagia resulting from diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) of the cervical spine who were treated surgically with resection and fusion.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on all patients who presented (2005-2013) with complaints of dysphagia or respiratory compromise and who underwent anterior cervical osteophyte resection with fusion (polyether ether ketone cage and/or plate system) using an anterior approach. All patients were diagnosed with DISH and underwent preoperative esophageal and laryngoscopic examinations and a fluoroscopic swallowing study.

Single-stage epidural catheter lavage with posterior spondylodesis in lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis with multilevel epidural abscess formation.

Background: Despite significant advances in the conservative management of pyogenic spondylodiscitis, consecutive instability, deformity, and/or neurologic compromise demands a prompt surgical intervention. However, in rare cases involving additional multilevel epidural abscess formation, the appropriate surgical strategy remains controversial. In this retrospective cohort analyses, we evaluated the efficacy of a single-stage posterior approach with the addition of a one-time multilevel epidural lavage via the surgically exposed interlaminar fenestration of the infected segment.

Multifocal infections of the musculoskeletal system: description of a safe one-step procedure for eradication of associated spinal infections.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome after radical surgical treatment of multifocal infections involving the spine.

Methods: The study demonstrates a retrospective chart review of seven patients who had more than three different abscesses in the musculoskeletal system and at least one of them in the area of the spinal column. All patients had a sepsis.

Total spondylectomy for solitary bone plasmacytoma of the lumbar spine in a young woman: a case report and review of literature.

Introduction: Solitary bone plasmacytoma (SP) is a rare diagnosis for which the primary treatment is local radiotherapy. There is no established consensus suggesting a total spondylectomy in spinal SP.

Materials And Methods: We report the case of a 43-year-old woman with solitary plasmacytoma of the lumbar spine treated with complete vertebral resection.

Therapeutic options to prevent recurrence of an aggressive aneurysmatic bone cyst of the cervical spine of a 16 year old boy - a case report.

The aneurysmatic bone cyst (ABC) is a benign primary bone tumour. If located in the cervical spine, its expansive growth and destructive behaviour may lead to instability and serious neurological impairment. We report a case of a 16-year-old boy with an aggressive ABC in the 7th cervical vertebra.