Dorsal arachnoid web of the thoracic spine associated with an arachnoid cyst and a presyrinx state as an unexplained cause of thoracic myelopathy: illustrative case.

Background: Dorsal thoracic arachnoid web is a rare diagnosis and is not commonly seen in neurosurgical practice. Patients can present with symptoms and signs of thoracic myelopathy in the setting of an arachnoid cyst and a presyrinx state.

Observations: A 57-year-old male with a 10-year history of worsening bilateral leg weakness and chronic back pain re-presented to the neurosurgery clinic after being seen by neurology and orthopedic spine surgery.

Clinical Outcomes of Prone Transpsoas Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A 1-Year Follow-Up.

Background: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is commonly used to address various lumbar pathologies. LLIF using the prone transpsoas (PTP) approach has several potential advantages, allowing simultaneous access to the anterior and posterior columns of the spine. The aim of this study was to report the 1-year outcomes of LLIF via PTP.

The impact of integrating behavioral health services into pediatric subspecialty care: A systematic review.

Pediatric gastroenterology patients are at risk for co-occurring behavioral health concerns, such as depression and anxiety, compared with youth without medical conditions. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the scientific literature supporting the hypothesis that integrating behavioral health services into gastroenterology clinics could improve patient psychosocial well-being. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases and gray literature to identify studies reporting the impact of behavioral health integration on the psychosocial well-being of pediatric gastroenterology patients.

C5 nerve root palsy (without prior cervical decompression) case series: 9 patients with critical delay to presentation.

Background: Distinguishing between cervical nerve root and intrinsic shoulder pathology can be a difficult task given the overlapping and often coexisting symptoms.

Objective: The objective of this study was to highlight the often-complicated presentation of these symptoms and the subsequent potential for delay in care regarding this subset of patients.

Methods: A total of 9 patients, managed by one of two different surgeons, were identified with a history of C5 nerve root palsy.

Hydrogel-Based Strategies for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration: Advances, Challenges and Clinical Prospects.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from low back pain and disability associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. IVD degeneration is highly correlated with aging, as the nucleus pulposus (NP) dehydrates and the annulus fibrosus (AF) fissures form, which often results in intervertebral disc herniation or disc space collapse and related clinical symptoms. Currently available options for treating intervertebral disc degeneration are symptoms control with therapy modalities, and/or medication, and/or surgical resection of the IVD with or without spinal fusion.

Sequential Depth Stimulation Within the Psoas Offers No Benefit for Localization of the Lumbar Plexus During Lateral Lumbar Fusion Surgery.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objectives: In this study we aim to assess the difference in triggered EMG readings throughout different depths in the psoas muscle during the lateral approach to the lumbar spine and their effect on surgeon decision making.

Methods: Three surgeons, practicing at different institutions, assessed triggered EMG readings during the trans psoas approach at the level of the disc and 5,10 and 15 millimeters into the psoas muscle with sequential dilators.

The Effects of Preoperative Epidural Steroid Injection on Pseudarthrosis Following Lumbar Fusion: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of preoperative lumbar epidural steroid injection on the rate of pseudarthrosis following lumbar spine fusion surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Epidural corticosteroids help to reduce nerve root edema and suppress proinflammatory cytokines in patients with radiculopathy.

Recommendations for assessing appearance concerns related to plexiform and cutaneous neurofibromas in neurofibromatosis 1 clinical trials.

Background/aims: Individuals with neurofibromatosis 1 may experience changes in their appearance due to physical manifestations of the disorders and/or treatment sequelae. Appearance concerns related to these physical changes can lead to psychological distress and poorer quality of life. While many neurofibromatosis 1 clinical trials focus on assessing changes in tumor volume, evaluating patients' perspectives on corresponding changes in symptoms such as physical appearance can be key secondary outcomes.

Medical and psychosocial outcomes of state-funded population genomic screening.

As the uptake of population screening expands, assessment of medical and psychosocial outcomes is needed. Through the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative (AGHI), a state-funded genomic research program, individuals received screening for pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 59 actionable genes via genotyping. Of the 3874 eligible participants that received screening results, 858 (22%) responded to an outcomes survey.

Complications of the Prone Transpsoas Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease: A Multicenter Study.

Background And Objectives: The prone transpsoas (PTP) approach for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a novel technique for degenerative lumbar spine disease. However, there is a paucity of information in the literature on the complications of this procedure, with all published data consisting of small samples. We aimed to report the intraoperative and postoperative complications of PTP in the largest study to date.

Parent perspectives on disclosing a pediatric neurofibromatosis type 1 diagnosis.

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a common genetic disorder typically diagnosed in childhood and characterized by cutaneous findings, nerve sheath tumors, skeletal abnormalities, malignancies, and developmental differences. Due to its variability, NF1 is an unpredictable condition that parents have concerns about discussing with their children. While there are publications addressing the disclosure of genetic conditions in general, no NF1-specific disclosure literature exists.

Does genetic testing offer utility as a supplement to traditional family health history intake for inherited disease risk?

Content: This study examines the potential utility of genetic testing as a supplement to family health history to screen for increased risk of inherited disease. Medical conditions are often misreported or misunderstood, especially those related to different forms of cardiac disease (arrhythmias vs. structural heart disease vs.

The Prone Lateral Approach for Lumbar Fusion-A Review of the Literature and Case Series.

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion is an evolving procedure in spine surgery allowing for the placement of large interbody devices to achieve indirect decompression of segmental stenosis, deformity correction and high fusion rates through a minimally invasive approach. Traditionally, this technique has been performed in the lateral decubitus position. Many surgeons have adopted simultaneous posterior instrumentation in the lateral position to avoid patient repositioning; however, this technique presents several challenges and limitations.

Novel Injectable Fluorescent Polymeric Nanocarriers for Intervertebral Disc Application.

Damage to intervertebral discs (IVD) can lead to chronic pain and disability, and no current treatments can fully restore their function. Some non-surgical treatments have shown promise; however, these approaches are generally limited by burst release and poor localization of diverse molecules. In this proof-of-concept study, we developed a nanoparticle (NP) delivery system to efficiently deliver high- and low-solubility drug molecules.

Early Clinical Outcomes of the Prone Transpsoas Lumbar Interbody Fusion Technique.

Background: The prone transpsoas (PTP) approach for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a relatively novel technique. Currently, little is known about its associated complications and early patient-reported outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LLIF performed via the PTP approach on sagittal radiographic parameters, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and rates of complications.

Radiographic alignment outcomes after the single-position prone transpsoas approach: a multi-institutional retrospective review of 363 cases.

Objective: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the changes in radiographic spinopelvic parameters in a large cohort of patients undergoing the prone transpsoas approach to the lumbar spine.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study was performed for all patients who underwent lateral lumber interbody fusion via the single-position prone transpsoas (PTP) approach. Spinopelvic parameters from preoperative and first upright postoperative radiographs were collected, including lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), and pelvic tilt (PT).

Photo-switchable anion binding and catalysis with a visible light responsive halogen bonding receptor.

Photo-switchable receptors allow for photo-control over guest binding and release with spatial and temporal precision. Here we report the first halogen bonding photo-switchable anion receptors in which chloride binding may be reversibly modulated by irradiation with red and blue light, with over a 50-fold enhancement in chloride binding affinity observed for the isomer. We demonstrate that this switchable binding enables unprecedented photo-controlled catalysis of XB-mediated halide abstractions and a Mukaiyama Aldol reaction.

Pilocytic Astrocytoma Arising from the Conus Medullaris in an Adult: A Case Report.

Low-grade, sporadic, pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are rare spinal cord tumors diagnosed in adult patients. Their localization to the conus medullaris is exceedingly rare, having only been described in a limited number of case reports. Here, we describe a case of a 22-year-old female presenting with back pain, lower extremity weakness, hypoesthesia, and urinary incontinence.

Randomized pilot trial of praise text messages to improve medication adherence among adolescents and young adults with liver transplants.

Background: AYA who have undergone liver transplantations often struggle to adhere to their post-transplant immunosuppressant medications, which can lead to serious health complications. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the acceptability and feasibility of a brief mobile health (mHealth) intervention and its impact on medication adherence among AYA liver transplant recipients.

Methods: Thirty-five AYAs (13-21 years old) were randomized to either (1) receive praise text messages whenever laboratory results indicated immunosuppressant medications within the expected range or (2) usual care.