Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy Compared with Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion for Cervical Radiculopathy: Two-Year Results of the FACET Randomized Noninferiority Study.

Background: Posterior cervical foraminotomy (posterior surgery) is a valid alternative to anterior discectomy with fusion (anterior surgery) as a surgical treatment of cervical radiculopathy, but the quality of evidence has been limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of these treatments after 2 years of follow-up. We hypothesized that posterior surgery would be noninferior to anterior surgery.

Transforaminal versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion for symptomatic single-level spondylolisthesis (LIFT): a multicentre controlled, patient blinded, randomised non-inferiority trial.

Background: The effectiveness of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) compared to posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in patients with single-level spondylolisthesis has not been substantiated. To address the evidence gap, a well-powered randomized controlled non-inferiority trial comparing the effectiveness of TLIF with PLIF, entitled the Lumbar Interbody Fusion Trial (LIFT), was conducted.

Methods: In a multicenter randomized controlled non-inferiority trial among five Dutch hospitals, 161 patients were randomly allocated to either TLIF or PLIF (1:1), stratified according to study site.

Short-Term Neck Pain After Posterior Foraminotomy Compared with Anterior Discectomy with Fusion for Cervical Foraminal Radiculopathy: A Secondary Analysis of the FACET Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Short-term neck pain after posterior cervical foraminotomy (posterior surgery) compared with anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (anterior surgery) treating cervical radiculopathy has only been assessed once, retrospectively, to our knowledge. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the course of neck pain for 6 weeks after both treatments.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the multicenter Foraminotomy ACDF Cost-Effectiveness Trial (FACET), conducted from January 2016 to May 2020.

Noninferiority of Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy vs Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion for Procedural Success and Reduction in Arm Pain Among Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy at 1 Year: The FACET Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The choice between posterior cervical foraminotomy (posterior surgery) and anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (anterior surgery) for cervical foraminal radiculopathy remains controversial.

Objective: To investigate the noninferiority of posterior vs anterior surgery in patients with cervical foraminal radiculopathy with regard to clinical outcomes after 1 year.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter investigator-blinded noninferiority randomized clinical trial was conducted from January 2016 to May 2020 with a total follow-up of 2 years.

The Accuracy of Patient-Specific Spinal Drill Guides Is Non-Inferior to Computer-Assisted Surgery: The Results of a Split-Spine Randomized Controlled Trial.

In recent years, patient-specific spinal drill guides (3DPGs) have gained widespread popularity. Several studies have shown that the accuracy of screw insertion with these guides is superior to that obtained using the freehand insertion technique, but there are no studies that make a comparison with computer-assisted surgery (CAS). The aim of this study was to determine whether the accuracy of insertion of spinal screws using 3DPGs is non-inferior to insertion via CAS.

Fluorescence-guided detection of pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) tissue during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery available agents, their potential, and technical aspects.

Differentiation of pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) tissue from surrounding normal tissue during surgery is challenging. A number of fluorescent agents is available for visualization of tissue discrepancy, with the potential of improving total tumor resection. This review evaluates the availability, clinical and technical applicability of the various fluorescent agents within the field of pituitary surgery.

An aggressive poorly differentiated plurihormonal Pit-1-positive adenoma.

Summary: In July 2017, a 35-year-old woman was referred to our care for treatment of a large pituitary mass with an unusually high growth rate. She presented with right-sided ptosis and diplopia (n. III palsy), increasing retrobulbar pain and vertigo.

Detection by fluorescence of pituitary neuroendocrine tumour (PitNET) tissue during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery using bevacizumab-800CW (DEPARTURE trial): study protocol for a non-randomised, non-blinded, single centre, feasibility and dose-finding trial.

Introduction: Achieving gross total resection and endocrine remission in pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNET) can be challenging, especially in PitNETs with cavernous sinus (CS) invasion, defined as a Knosp grade of 3 or 4. A potential target to identify PitNET tissue is vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), which expression is known to be significantly higher in PitNETs with CS invasion.

Methods And Analysis: The aim of this non-randomised, non-blinded, single centre, feasibility and dose-finding phase 1 trial is to determine the feasibility of intraoperative fluorescence imaging detection of PitNET tissue during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery using the VEGF-A targeting optical agent bevacizumab-800CW (4, 5, 10 or 25 mg).

A Comparison of Drill Guiding and Screw Guiding 3D-Printing Techniques for Intra- and Extrapedicular Screw Insertion.

Study Design: Screw randomized cadaveric study.

Objective: To compare the accuracy of three-dimensional (3D)-printed drill guides versus additional screw guiding techniques for challenging intra- and extrapedicular screw trajectories.

Summary Of Background Data: Pedicle screw placement can be technically demanding, especially in syndromic scoliosis with limited bone stock.

A semi-automatic seed point-based method for separation of individual vertebrae in 3D surface meshes: a proof of principle study.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present and validate a new semi-automated 3D surface mesh segmentation approach that optimizes the laborious individual human vertebrae separation in the spinal virtual surgical planning workflow and make a direct accuracy and segmentation time comparison with current standard segmentation method.

Methods: The proposed semi-automatic method uses the 3D bone surface derived from CT image data for seed point-based 3D mesh partitioning. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated on a representative patient dataset.

Three-Dimensional-Printed Drill Guides for Occipitothoracic Fusion in a Pediatric Patient With Occipitocervical Instability.

Background: Pediatric occipitothoracic fusion can be challenging because of small size pedicles and thin occipital bone. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology can help with accurate screw insertion but has not been described for occipital keel plate positioning so far.

Objective: To describe the novel use of 3D technology to position occipital keel plates during pediatric occipitothoracic fixation.

Accuracy of Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Drill Guides for Pedicle and Lateral Mass Screw Insertion: An Analysis of 76 Cervical and Thoracic Screw Trajectories.

Study Design: Single-center retrospective case series.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and accuracy of three-dimensional (3D)-printed individualized drill guides for pedicle and lateral mass screw insertion in the cervical and upper-thoracic region, by comparing the preoperative 3D surgical plan with the postoperative results.

Summary Of Background Data: Posterior spinal fusion surgery can provide rigid intervertebral fixation but screw misplacement involves a high risk of neurovascular injury.

Surgical Interventions for Cervical Radiculopathy without Myelopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The effectiveness of surgical interventions for cervical degenerative disorders has been investigated in multiple systematic reviews. Differences in study population (e.g.

The Odom Criteria: Validated at Last: A Clinimetric Evaluation in Cervical Spine Surgery.

Background: The Odom criteria, established in 1958, are a widely used, 4-point rating scale for assessing the clinical outcome after cervical spine surgery. Surprisingly, the Odom criteria have never been validated, to our knowledge. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Odom criteria for the evaluation of surgical procedures of the cervical spine.

Three-Dimensional Printed Polymethylmethacrylate Casting Molds for Posterior Fossa Reconstruction in the Surgical Treatment of Chiari I Malformation: Technical Note and Illustrative Cases.

Objective: To describe a new method for cranial reconstruction after posterior fossa craniectomy in the surgical treatment of Chiari 1 malformation through a technical note and presentation of 3 illustrative cases.

Methods And Materials: A virtual surgical planning workflow was established for planning posterior fossa decompression, designing the suboccipital reconstruction, and manufacturing a 3D-printed polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) casting mold. The casting accuracy was assessed by conducting a phantom experiment, and clinical data were provided by means of 3 illustrative cases.

Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the endoscopic endonasal sinus and skull base surgery questionnaire (EES-Q) in a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: The patients' perspective on health has become increasingly important when assessing treatment outcomes. Recently, the Endoscopic Endonasal Sinus and Skull Base Surgery Questionnaire (EES-Q) was developed to determine the impact of endoscopic endonasal surgery on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability, construct validity and responsiveness of the EES-Q.

Clinical management of spinal metastases-The Dutch national guideline.

This article is a summary of the revised Dutch multidisciplinary evidence-based guideline 'Spinal metastases' (English translation available at: https://www.oncoline.nl/spinal-metastases) that was published at the end of 2015.

Three-Dimensional Planning and Use of Individualized Osteotomy-Guiding Templates for Surgical Correction of Kyphoscoliosis: A Technical Case Report.

Objective: We have described the use of 3-dimensional (3D) virtual planning and 3D printed patient-specific osteotomy templates in the surgical correction of a complex spinal deformity. Pedicle subtraction osteotomies (PSOs) for the correction of severe spinal deformities are technically demanding procedures with a risk of major complications. In particular, operations of the severely deformed spine call for new, more precise, methods of surgical planning.

The Dutch national guideline on metastases and hematological malignancies localized within the spine; a multidisciplinary collaboration towards timely and proactive management.

Here, we describe the development of a Dutch national guideline on metastases and hematological malignancies localized within the spine. The aim was to create a comprehensive guideline focusing on proactive management of these diseases, enabling healthcare professionals to weigh patient perspectives, life expectancy, and expected outcomes to make informed treatment recommendations. A national multidisciplinary panel consisting of clinicians, a nurse, a patient advocate, an epidemiologist, and a methodologist drafted the guideline.

Accuracy Assessment of Pedicle and Lateral Mass Screw Insertion Assisted by Customized 3D-Printed Drill Guides: A Human Cadaver Study.

Background: Accurate cervical screw insertion is of paramount importance considering the risk of damage to adjacent vital structures. Recent research in 3-dimensional (3D) technology describes the advantage of patient-specific drill guides for accurate screw positioning, but consensus about the optimal guide design and the accuracy is lacking.

Objective: To find the optimal design and to evaluate the accuracy of individualized 3D-printed drill guides for lateral mass and pedicle screw placement in the cervical and upper thoracic spine.

Minimally invasive surgery versus open surgery in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis: study protocol of a multicentre, randomised controlled trial (MISOS trial).

Introduction: Patients with symptomatic spondylolisthesis are frequently treated with nerve root decompression, in addition to pedicle screw fixation and interbody fusion. Minimally invasive approaches are gaining attention in recent years, although there is no clear evidence supporting the proclamation of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) being better than open surgery. We present the design of the MISOS (Minimal Invasive Surgery versus Open Surgery) trial on the effectiveness of MISS versus open surgery in patients with degenerative or spondylolytic spondylolisthesis.

Development of the Endoscopic Endonasal Sinus and Skull Base Surgery Questionnaire.

Background: The patients' perspective of health outcomes has become important input for assessing treatment effects. However, existing endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) instruments are not fully aligned with the concept of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A prospective cohort study was therefore conducted to develop a suitable quality-of-life tool to assess nasal morbidity after EES: the Endoscopic Endonasal Sinus and Skull Base Surgery Questionnaire (EES-Q).

Neurological and functional recovery in tuberculosis patients with spinal cord injury in The Netherlands.

Background: Spinal tuberculosis (TB) accounts for approximately 1% to 3% of all TB cases and it can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, from none to a complete spinal cord injury (SCI), resulting in complete paraplegia or tetraplegia.

Objectives: To describe the functional and neurological outcome of SCI caused by TB.

Methods: Retrospective data on the admission period was combined with prospectively collected data on long-term follow-up.

[Alarm symptoms of spinal metastases in patients with cancer].

Recently, the evidence-based guideline 'Spinal metastasis' produced by the Dutch National Working Group on Neuro-Oncology appeared. This guideline applies to patients with spinal metastases and spinal localizations of haematological malignancies, with or without epidural extension. Timely diagnosis and treatment of spinal metastases is essential in order to reduce pain and neurological deficit in particular.