Comparison of CT-Guided needle biopsy versus percutaneous endoscopic debridement and drainage in pathogen identification and pain outcomes for spondylodiscitis patients: A systematic review and literature review.

Introduction: Spondylodiscitis (SD) is an infection of the intervertebral disc with involvement of the adjacent vertebral bodies. Diagnostic tests with CT-guided biopsy only provide a positive yield in 14%-48% of cases. Percutaneous endoscopic debridement and drainage (PEDD) has recently shown promise in the treatment of spondylodiscitis.

A Comparison of Short-Term Outcomes after Surgical Treatment of Multilevel Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy in the Geriatric Patient Population: An Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database 2010-2020.

Study Design: Retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2010 to 2020.

Purpose: To compare the short-term complication rates of anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF), posterior cervical laminoplasty (LP), and posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion (PCF) in a geriatric population.

Overview Of Literature: The geriatric population in the United States has increased significantly.

A temporal analysis of perioperative complications following COVID-19 infection in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion: When is it safe to proceed?

Background Context: COVID-19 has been shown to adversely affect multiple organ systems, yet little is known about its effect on perioperative complications after spine surgery or the optimal timing of surgery after an infection. We used the NIH National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) database to characterize the risk profile in patients undergoing spine surgery during multiple time windows following COVID-19 infection.

Methods: We queried the National COVID Cohort Collaborative, a database of 17.

Cost analysis comparison between anterior and posterior cervical spine approaches.

Background: The costs of cervical spine surgery have steadily increased. We performed a 5-year propensity scoring-matched analysis of 276 patients undergoing anterior versus posterior cervical surgery at one institution.

Methods: We performed propensity score matching on financial data from 276 patients undergoing 1-3 level anterior versus posterior cervical fusions for degenerative disease (2015-2019).

Management of lumbar spondylolysis in the adolescent athlete: a review of over 200 cases.

Background: Spondylolysis is a defect of the pars interarticularis of vertebrae, most commonly seen at L5 and L4. The etiology of spondylolysis and isthmic spondylolisthesis is generally considered to be a result of repetitive mechanical stress to the weak portion of the vertebrae. A higher incidence of spondylolysis is observed in young athletes.

Comparison of Minimally Invasive Total versus Subtotal Resection of Spinal Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: With the advent of minimally invasive techniques, minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) has become a realistic option for many spine cases. This study aims to evaluate the operative and clinical outcomes of MISS for total versus subtotal tumor resection from current evidence.

Methods: A literature search was performed using the search term (Minimally invasive surgery OR MIS) AND (spine tumor OR spinal tumor).

Impact of Cirrhosis on Morbidity and Mortality After Spinal Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective large database study.

Objective: To determine the impact of cirrhosis on perioperative outcomes and resource utilization in elective spinal fusion surgery.

Methods: Elective spinal fusion hospitalizations in patients with and without cirrhosis were identified using ICD-9-CM codes between the years of 2009 and 2011 using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database.

Return to Recreational Sport Following Lumbar Fusion.

Study Design: This was a retrospective questionnaire study at a single academic medical center.

Objective: The objective of this study was to obtain information on rates of return to sport following lumbar fusion as well as sport-specific effects to improve evidence-based preoperative patient counseling.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar spinal fusion is one of the fastest-growing surgical procedures, with the majority being in patients aged 60 years and older.

Outcomes and Complications After Spinal Fusion in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Study Design: Retrospective database study.

Objective: To investigate the impact obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has on perioperative complications, inpatient mortality, and costs in patients undergoing spinal fusions.

Methods: Hospitalizations for spinal fusion surgery between the years 2009 and 2011 were identified using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and grouped into patients with and without OSA.

Impact of Sickle Cell Anemia on Inpatient Morbidity After Spinal Fusion.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To determine the impact of sickle cell anemia on perioperative outcomes and resource utilization in elective spinal fusion surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Sickle cell anemia has been identified as an important surgical risk factor in otolaryngology, cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, and total joint arthroplasty.

Biomechanical Comparison of C1 Lateral Mass-C2 Short Pedicle Screw-C3 Lateral Mass Screw-Rod Construct Versus Goel-Harms Fixation for Atlantoaxial Instability.

Study Design: A biomechanical in vitro study using human cadaveric spines.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare atlantoaxial stability and stiffness of a C1 lateral mass - C2 short pedicle - C3 lateral mass screw-rod construct versus C1 lateral mass - C2 pedicle screw-rod construct.

Summary Of Background Data: The C1 lateral mass - C2 pedicle screw-rod construct provides excellent atlantoaxial fixation, but C2 pedicle screw placement is associated with risk of vertebral artery injury.

Complications associated with intrathecal morphine in spine surgery: a retrospective study.

Background: Supplemental intrathecal morphine (ITM) represents an option to manage postoperative pain after spine surgery due to ease of administration and ability to confer effective short-term analgesia at low dosages. However, whether ITM increases risk of surgical site infections (SSI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and incidental dural tears (IDT) has not been investigated. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the rates of SSI, CSF leak, and IDT in patients that received ITM.

Preferences of Spine Surgeons With Regard to Management of Intraoperative Durotomy: A Survey of Current Management.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine spine surgeons' preferences for the intraoperative and postoperative management of intraoperative durotomy (IDT) in decompression and spinal fusion surgeries.

Summary Of Background Data: Management guidelines for IDT remain elusive.

Robotic Guidance for S2-Alar-Iliac Screws in Spinal Deformity Correction.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screw insertion using robotic guidance in long constructs for spinal deformity correction extending to the sacrum performed at a single institution.

Objective: To assess and evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of robotic guidance for S2AI screw insertion.

Summary Of Background Data: Pelvic fixation has become a common adjunct to long fusions extending to the sacrum.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: How Do Digital Tablets Stack Up to Paper Forms? A Randomized, Controlled Study.

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are essential to assessing the effectiveness of care, and many general-health and disease-specific PROs have been developed. Until recently, data were collected predominantly with pen-and-paper questionnaires. Now, though, there is a potential role for electronic medical records in data collection.

The Influence of Insurance Status on the Surgical Treatment of Acute Spinal Fractures.

Study Design: A retrospective, propensity score, multivariate analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) between 2008 and 2011.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between insurance status and rates of surgery for acute spinal fractures with and without spinal cord injury (SCI).

Summary Of Background Data: The decision for surgery in patients with spinal fractures is often based on fracture pattern and stability, associated SCI, and the presence of ligamentous and other associated injuries.

Posterior cervical laminoplasty in the North American Population: A minimum of two year follow-up.

Background: The efficacy of expansile cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy has been validated in the literature. To date, however, the majority of large, long-term data in the literature have originated in Japan. Few studies have originated from North America that include follow up greater than one year, and none of these includes a single surgeon's experience.

Diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging of asymptomatic lumbar disc herniation.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed on a healthy 31-year-old man with asymptomatic lumbar disc herniation. Although the left S1 nerve root was obviously entrapped by a herniated mass, neither DWI nor DTI showed any significant findings for the nerve root. Decreased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and increased fractional anisotropy (FA) values were found.

Surgical techniques for spinopelvic reconstruction following total sacrectomy: a systematic review.

Purpose: To identify all available reconstruction methods for a total sacrectomy. Secondarily, we aimed to evaluate outcomes based on different interventions.

Methods: We searched PubMed to identify sacral resections for tumors requiring internal fixation for stabilization.

Fixation techniques for complex traumatic transverse sacral fractures: a systematic review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: To identify and describe reconstruction methods for the treatment of transverse sacral fracture (TSF) and to evaluate outcomes based on treatment interventions.

Summary Of Background Data: A variety of surgical interventions for stabilization of TSFs exist, yet the optimal management remains unclear.

Use of lateral access in the treatment of the revision spine patient.

With the rate of spinal surgery increasing, we have seen a concomitant increase in the number of revision cases. It is, therefore, important to have a systematic approach to the management of these complicated patients with unique problems. A thorough understanding of the different pathologies affecting revision spine patients is critical to an effective treatment recommendation.

Endoscope-assisted excision of a juxtafacet cyst in an adolescent athlete: a case report.

Background: Juxtafacet cysts (JFCs) are a cause of back and radicular pain that can be treated conservatively and operatively. Such strategies include lumbosacral brace, epidural injection, open surgery, and minimally invasive surgery; although surgical treatment is usually reserved for unsuccessful conservative treatment. The role of minimally invasive surgery in athletic youth with JFCs has yet to be determined.

Analysis of prognostic factors for patients with chordoma with use of the California Cancer Registry.

Background: Chordoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the spine. It is extremely rare and has been studied primarily in single-institution case series. Using data from a large, population-based cancer registry, we designed the present study to examine the outcome for patients with chordoma and to determine relevant prognostic factors.