Impact of Vascularity on Spinal Disorders Outcomes, Underestimated yet Probably Crucial: The Example of a Comparative Cohort of Epidural Abscesses.

Study Design: Retrospective comparative cohort.

Objective: (1) Describe the prevalence of the basivertebral vessel (BVV) in a cohort of spinal epidural abscesses (SEA) at lumbar or thoracic (2) correlate the presence of BVV to the risk of conservative treatment failure (CTF).

Methods: Twenty-six patients successfully managed without surgery were compared to 26 who required surgical management due to failed conservative management (lumbar and thoracic).

Anteroposterior cervical spine canal diameter: exploring ethnic variation between European and Polynesian populations.

Background: Reduced spinal canal anteroposterior (AP) diameter and AP-transverse diameter ratio have been linked to the development of spinal cord injury and myelopathy. Previously unpublished data has suggested Maori and Pacifica individuals may have narrower cervical spine canals than their NZ European counterparts.

Purpose: We evaluate the existence of potential differences in dimensions of the sub-axial cervical spine canal between New Zealand European, Māori and Polynesian individuals.

Multiple Vertebral Compression Fractures Secondary to Pregnancy-induced Osteoporosis: A Case Report.

Introduction: Although rare in incidence, pregnancy-induced osteoporosis (PIO)-associated OVCFs represent a significant cause of morbidity for the young, peri-partum female population.

Case Report: We present the case of a 27-year-old nulliparous lady who suffered seven osteoporosis vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) with associated sagittal imbalance, the challenges posed to the attending physician or surgeon in treating this rare condition, as well as an in-depth discussion of previous literature reported on pregnancy-induced osteoporosis (PLIO) to date. Although rare in incidence, PLIO-associated OVCFs represent a significant cause of morbidity for the young, peripartum female.

Feasibility of C2 Lamina Screw Placement in a New Zealand Cohort: Computed Tomography Analysis According to Ethnicity and Gender.

Background: Previous analyses have suggested variations in cervical spine canal morphology according to ethnicity, possibly in part due to variations in the posterior elements. The potential for these variations to affect the placement of instrumentation is uncertain. The aim of this study was to report on the feasibility of C2 lamina screw insertion in a New Zealand cohort including analysis of Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.

An exploratory study of acute analgesia in tibial shaft fractures: a comparison between Māori and Non-Māori.

Background: Published research suggests Indigenous peoples are less likely to receive analgesia in acute pain settings however there is limited data on the indigenous New Zealand Māori population. The aim of this exploratory pilot study was to compare management between Māori and non-Māori for acute fracture pain in a regional trauma centre.

Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken for 120 patients with isolated tibial shaft fractures presenting at a tertiary level trauma center between 2015 and 2020.

External Validation of the Spinal Orthopedic Research Group Index for Spinal Epidural Abscess 90-Day Mortality in a Geographically Remote Population.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To externally validate the Spinal Orthopaedic Research Group (SORG) index for predicting 90-day mortality from spinal epidural abscess and compare its utility to the 11-item modified frailty index (mFI-11) and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI).

Summary Of Background Data: Providing a mortality estimate may guide informed patient and clinician decision-making.

Quality Assessment of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Information on the Internet.

Background: Patient education is a key element of spinal surgery informed consent. Patients frequently access health information online, yet this information is unregulated and of variable quality. We aimed to assess the quality of information available on degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) websites with a focus on identifying high-quality information websites.

Keeping It Simple: Developing a Prognostic Tool for Spinal Epidural Abscess.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To develop a prognostic score for mortality and treatment failure in Spinal epidural abscess (SEA), based on simplicity and multidimensional assessment principles.

Methods: One-hundred-fifty patients were reviewed.

Plasma concentration of prophylactic cefazolin best correlates with lean body mass measured by bioimpedance analysis in lumbar spine surgery: Results of a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to determine the association between measures of body composition and the concentration of plasma and paraspinal muscle cefazolin. Secondly, we aimed to confirm the efficacy of our hospital dosing regimen in achieving the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at the surgical site. Patients undergoing posterior-based lumbar spine surgery had body composition analysed using bioimpedance analysis.

Hindfoot nailing for displaced ankle fractures in the elderly: A case-control analysis.

Introduction: Management of fragility ankle fractures in the elderly poses a surgical dilemma. An alternative to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with screw and plate construct in selected elderly patients who may be significantly frail and comorbid is a tibio-talo-calcaneal (TTC) or hindfoot nail. Hindfoot nailing potentially reduces the risk of wound infection and increases likelihood of earlier return to function by allowing earlier weightbearing.

The Associative Pattern Between Segmental Arterial Damage and Complete Neurological Disorder After Spinal Cord Injury: A Case-Control Study.

Introduction: The prevalence of vascular trauma surrounding the thoracic spine following Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is unknown. The potential for neurologic recovery is uncertain in many cases; in some cases, neurologic assessment is not possible, for example, in severe head injury or early intubation, and detection of segmental artery injury may help as a predictive factor.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of segmental vessel disruption in two groups, with and without neurologic deficit.

Ten-year Review of Acute Pediatric Hematogenous Osteomyelitis at a New Zealand Tertiary Referral Center.

Background: Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) remains a cause of severe illness among children with the possibility of long-term consequences for growth and development. Recent research has highlighted an unusually high burden of disease in the New Zealand population compared with other Western regions. We have sought to identify trends in presentation, diagnosis, and management of AHO, with added focus on ethnicity and access to health care.

Early Reduction in C-Reactive Protein Following Treatment for Spinal Epidural Abscess: A Potential Treatment Guide.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To assess the predictive value of early C-reactive protein (CRP) trends following diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess (SEA). Non-operative management with intravenous antibiotics has not demonstrated equivalent outcomes with regard to mortality and morbidity.

Septic arthritis of the native hip joint: a multi-pattern, multi-outcome disease.

Purpose: Septic arthritis of the native hip joint (SANH) is an uncommon surgical and medical emergency with few reports. The aim of this study was to determine predictors of return to theatre (RTT), complications and mortality.

Methods: Patients with SANH were identified from January 2009 to June 2022; 50 patients and three subgroups were identified: Pyogenic (surgical washout without systemic inflammatory disease), Systemic (surgical washout with SIDs) and patients managed non-surgically.

Quality of life in children up to 13 years following acute haematogenous osteomyelitis.

Acute haematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) remains a cause of severe illness among children with the possibility of long-term consequences for growth and development. Previous research on sequelae from AHO rarely considers outcomes more than 2 years following treatment. This study aims to establish the quality of life of patients diagnosed with AHO in childhood up to 13 years after diagnosis, evaluating the impact on social, emotional, physical, and school function.

Early CRP Trends in Childhood Osteomyelitis Predict Complicated Disease.

Background: Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) remains a cause of severe illness among children. Contemporary research aims to identify predictors of acute and chronic complications. Trends in C-reactive protein (CRP) after treatment initiation may predict disease course.

Readability of online patient educational materials for common orthopaedic paediatric conditions within Australasia.

Background: The role of patient educational materials for paediatric patients is increasing. A reading grade level of eighth-grade (USA) or year nine (Australia and New Zealand) is recommended as acceptable. The aim of this paper was to assess the reading grade levels of paediatric online patient educational materials, within Australasia.

Predicting complications of spine surgery: external validation of three models.

Background Context: Numerous prediction tools are available for estimating postoperative risk following spine surgery. External validation and comparison of these tools is critical prior to clinical use. No model for adverse events after spine surgery has undergone decision curve analysis.

Analysis of Upper Cervical Spine Measurements in the Uninjured Pediatric Spine.

Background: Only a small number of studies have offered normative data for the upper cervical spine in children and with some variation in findings.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine normal values for upper cervical spine measurements used in the assessment of upper cervical spine trauma in the pediatric population.

Methods: One-hundred computed tomographic images of the cervical spine of children aged ≤16 years were included for analysis.

Development of a Prediction Model for Significant Adverse Outcome After Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Development, validation, and decision curve analysis of a novel tool (NZSpine) for modelling risk of complications within 30 days of spine surgery.

Methods: Data was gathered retrospectively from medical records of patients who underwent spine surgery at a single tertiary centre between January 2019 and December 2020 (n = 488).

Analysis of Lumbar Fusion and Lumbar Arthroplasty Videos on YouTube.

Background: Patients often use the internet for information on their spinal surgeries. The goal of this study was to assess and compare the quality of lumbar fusion and arthroplasty videos on YouTube and to identify predictors of video quality.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.