Applications of SPECT/CT in the Evaluation of Spinal Pathology: A Review.

Background: Accurate identification of pain generators in the context of low back and spine-related pain is crucial for effective treatment. This review aims to evaluate the potential usefulness of single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) as an imaging modality in guiding clinical decision-making.

Methods: A broad scoping literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies evaluating the use of SPECT/CT in patients with spine-related pain.

Sacroiliac Joint Fusion-A Shift Toward Variant Anatomy and Clinical Implications.

Objective: To investigate impact of patient factors and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) anatomical structure on SIJ fusion outcomes.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective, observational study evaluated patients diagnosed with SIJ dysfunction refractory to conservative measures who had available preoperative imaging of the sacrum and underwent SIJ fusion surgery. The impact of patient sociodemographics on pain improvement was assessed by Mann-Whitney U test.

The Feasibility of Translaminar Screws in the Subaxial Cervical Spine: Computed Tomography and Cadaveric Validation.

Background: The use of translaminar screws may serve as a viable salvage method for complicated cases. To our understanding, the study of the feasibility of translaminar screw insertion in the actual entire subaxial cervical spine has not been carried out yet. The purpose of this study was to report the feasibility of translaminar screw insertion in the entire subaxial cervical spine.

Factors governing the adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare providers.

Artificial intelligence applications are prevalent in the research lab and in startups, but relatively few have found their way into healthcare provider organizations. Adoption of AI innovations in consumer and business domains is typically much faster. While such delays are frustrating to those who believe in the potential of AI to transform healthcare, they are largely inherent in the structure and function of provider organizations.

Management of degenerative spondylolisthesis: development of appropriate use criteria.

Background Context: Outcomes of treatment in care of patients with spinal disorders are directly related to patient selection and treatment indications. However, for many disorders, there is absence of consensus for precise indications. With the increasing emphasis on quality and value in spine care, it is essential that treatment recommendations and decisions are optimized.

Anatomy of Lamina in the Subaxial Cervical Spine With the Special Reference to Translaminar Screws: CT and Cadaveric Analysis With Screw Trajectory Simulation.

Study Design: A cadaveric study.

Summary Of Background Data: Translaminar screws were initially developed for C2 fixation. Since then, their usage has expanded to include the subaxial cervical spine, and thoracic and lumbar spine.

Predictors of Outcome in Conservative and Minimally Invasive Surgical Management of Pain Originating From the Sacroiliac Joint: A Pooled Analysis.

Study Design: A pooled patient-level analysis of two multicenter randomized controlled trials and one multicenter single-arm prospective trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of outcome of conservative and minimally invasive surgical management of pain originating from the sacroiliac joint (SIJ).

Summary Of Background Data: Three recently published prospective trials have shown that minimally invasive SIJ fusion (SIJF) using triangular titanium implants produces better outcomes than conservative management for patients with pain originating from the SIJ.

Two-Year Outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion vs. Non-Surgical Management for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction.

Background: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction is an important and underappreciated cause of chronic low back pain.

Objective: To prospectively and concurrently compare outcomes after surgical and non-surgical treatment for chronic SIJ dysfunction.

Methods: One hundred and forty-eight subjects with SIJ dysfunction were randomly assigned to minimally invasive SIJ fusion with triangular titanium implants (SIJF, n = 102) or non-surgical management (NSM, n = 46).

Health IT vendors and the academic community: The 2014 ACMI debate.

The American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI) periodically hosts a debate at the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) fall symposium on a timely topic in biomedical informatics. In 2014 a panel of ACMI fellows debated the following proposition: "The lack of interaction and collaboration between health IT vendors and academic clinical informatics units is stifling innovation and will continue to have a detrimental effect on the evolution of commercial products." Debaters disagreed on the level of interaction and collaboration between the health IT sector and academia and disagreed on whether and by whom innovation was actually taking place.

Motor/Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Following Lumbar Surgery Reduces Postoperative Analgesia Use.

Study Design: Randomized, controlled pilot trial.

Objective: The present study is the first randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot clinical trial of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for pain and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) opioid usage among patients receiving spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar spinal surgeries are common, and while pain is often a complaint that precedes surgical intervention, the procedures themselves are associated with considerable postoperative pain lasting days to weeks.

Comparison of Intraoperative C-Arm Fluoroscopy to Postoperative Radiographs in Operative Fracture Fixation.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the differences between intraoperative C-arm images and postoperative plain film radiographs and the utility of each in assessing fracture fixation and determining postoperative management. Intraoperative and postoperative images with varying fracture types and locations were analyzed. C-arm images were compared to postoperative plain film radiographs for each treated fracture and reviewed by two orthopaedic surgeons.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Using Triangular Titanium Implants vs Nonsurgical Management for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: 12-Month Outcomes.

Background: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction is a prevalent cause of chronic, unremitting lower back pain.

Objective: To concurrently compare outcomes after surgical and nonsurgical treatment for chronic SIJ dysfunction.

Methods: A total of 148 subjects with SIJ dysfunction were randomly assigned to minimally invasive SIJ fusion with triangular titanium implants (n = 102) or nonsurgical management (n = 46).

Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Using Triangular Titanium Implants vs. Non-Surgical Management: Six-Month Outcomes from a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain is a prevalent, underdiagnosed cause of lower back pain. SI joint fusion can relieve pain and improve quality of life in patients who have failed nonoperative care. To date, no study has concurrently compared surgical and non-surgical treatments for chronic SI joint dysfunction.

The insertion technique of translaminar screws in the thoracic spine: computed tomography and cadaveric validation.

Background Context: Translaminar screws can be a good salvage technique in some cases of severe deformities, infection, tumor, osteoporosis, and revision cases with altered anatomy. To our knowledge, the insertion technique for translaminar screws in the thoracic spine has not been studied.

Purpose: To suggest a safe insertion technique of translaminar screws in the thoracic spine.

Analyzing financial performance in the new world.

Over the past several years, health care has seen the beginnings of a significant transformation in the nature of analytics. This transformation is being driven by the advent of a new world in which providers hold increased accountability for the efficiency, quality, and safety of the care that their organizations provide--and it is occurring across several dimensions.

Outcome of percutaneous sacroiliac joint fixation with porous plasma-coated triangular titanium implants: an independent review.

Design: Independent retrospective review of a single surgeon's experience with a new technique of SI fixation.

Objective: Examine results of percutaneous fixation of the SI joint with porous coated triangular titanium implants.

Background: Diagnosis and treatment of a dysfunctional sacroiliac joint is challenging as well as controversial.

The utility of routine postoperative radiographs after cervical spine fusion.

Background Context: The senior author (JAG) recently published an article questioning the utility of routine postoperative radiographs after lumbar spine fusion. That study concluded that routine postoperative radiographs in the presence of a normal physical examination rarely change the clinician's management of these patients. Our aim was to repeat this protocol in patients after cervical spine fusion.