Lumbar intersegmental spacing and angulation in the modified lateral decubitus position versus variants of prone positioning.

Background Context: Interspinous process devices represent an emerging treatment for neurogenic intermittent claudication resulting from lumbar spinal stenosis. Most published descriptions of the operative technique involve treatment of patients in the modified lateral decubitus knee-chest position (modified lateral decubitus), and yet many surgeons have begun to perform the procedure in various prone positions. The patient's positioning on the operating room table seems likely to influence resting interspinous distance, and thus implant sizing and possibly the risk of intraoperative spinous process fracture.

The role of osteobiologics in spinal deformity.

Spinal deformity surgery represents one of the most challenging environments in which to achieve bone fusion. High rates of pseudarthroses, limited quantities of available autograft bone, and the potential morbidity of iliac crest harvest have driven a search for bone graft extenders and substitutes. With expanding knowledge of bone biology, the authors review options in spinal fusion with a particular focus on deformity surgery, including the use of autograft, allograft, demineralized bone matrix, ceramics, and bone morphogenetic proteins.

Cryptococcal osteomyelitis in a 20-year-old male with sarcoidosis.

Background Context: We present the case of a 20-year-old male with sarcoidosis with cryptococcal infection of the spine.

Purpose: To present the case and add to the existing body of literature on clinical cryptococcal infection.

Study Design/setting: An academic tertiary care center.