Novel AI-Based Algorithm for the Automated Measurement of Cervical Sagittal Balance Parameters. A Validation Study on Pre- and Postoperative Radiographs of 129 Patients.

Study Design: Retrospective, mono-centric cohort research study.

Objectives: The analysis of cervical sagittal balance parameters is essential for preoperative planning and dependent on the physician's experience. A fully automated artificial intelligence-based algorithm could contribute to an objective analysis and save time.

Association between posterior tibial slope and anatomic spinopelvic parameters: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Only a few publications considered the influence of the spinopelvic parameters on below-hip anatomy. There is a lack of evidence about the relationship between the anatomic spinopelvic parameters and the posterior tibial slope (PTS). Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the association between fixed anatomic spinopelvic parameters and PTS.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Association Between Male Facial Hair and the Incidence of Peri-Prosthetic Infections.

The wearing of male facial hair has been undergoing something of a renaissance for a number of years, with medical colleagues in the surgical disciplines being no exception. Meanwhile, there are a few reports in the literature that beards might have an increased bacterial colonization. This study aims to determine if wearing a beard leads to an increased rate of infection in total hip or knee arthroplasty.

Local Infiltrations in Patients with Radiculopathy or Chronic Low Back Pain Due to Segment Degeneration-Only A Diagnostic Value?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the therapeutic effectiveness of CT-assisted infiltration of a local anesthetic + corticosteroid between nerve root and facet joint capsule in patients with chronic complaints. In this prospective trial with a 12-month follow-up, a total of 250 patients with chronic low back pain and radiculopathy were assigned to two groups. In the first group, patients with specific lumbar pain due to spondyloarthritis received periarticular facet joint capsule infiltration (FJI).

The Use of Iloprost in the Treatment of Bone Marrow Edema Syndrome of the Proximal Femur: A Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of intravenous iloprost therapy on pain, function, edema changes, and follow-up surgery in bone marrow edema syndrome of the proximal femur. Methods: A systematic literature search up to May 2022 was performed to find relevant papers that made a statement about the outcome of intravenous iloprost therapy alone. Factors such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Harris Hip Score (HHS), edema reduction, and follow-up interventions were considered.

Patient-controlled sublingual sufentanil tablet system versus intravenous opioid analgesia for postoperative pain management after lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Purpose: This retrospective cohort study investigated the efficacy of a sublingual sufentanil tablet system (SSTS) in comparison to intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) with piritramide for the management of postoperative pain following lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing single- or two-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery and receiving the SSTS or IV-PCA for postoperative pain relief as part of multimodal pain management that included IV paracetamol and oral metamizole. The following variables were collected: postoperative pain intensity and frequency scores using the numerical rating scale (NRS), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), occurrence of nausea, postoperative mobilization, and patient satisfaction (MacNab criteria).

Next Level in Computed Tomography-Guided Periradicular Infiltration Therapy: Same Efficiency with Less Radiation Exposure.

Objective: This retrospective cohort study investigated the radiation exposure and clinical efficiency of a new institutional low-dose protocol for computed tomography (CT)-guided lumbar periradicular infiltration (PRI).

Methods: This was a retrospective matched-pair comparison of patients undergoing single-level lumbar PRI therapy employing a new low-dose CT protocol consisting of a helical scan with reduced energy levels and tube current versus the institutional standard CT protocol. The following variables were collected: dose-length product for the planning step, interventional step, and total examination, number of CT guidance scans, examination time, and postprocedural improvement on the numerical rating scale for radicular pain.

Comparison of two different antiseptics regarding intracutaneous microbial load after preoperative skin cleansing in total knee and hip arthroplasties.

Periprosthetic infections (PPIs) are a serious concern in total knee and hip arthroplasty, and they have an increasing incidence. To prevent PPI, preoperative skin disinfection, as a key element of antisepsis, represents an important part of infection prevention. However, no specific antiseptic agent is endorsed by the relevant guidelines.

Defining the canal for ischial and pubic screws in cup revision surgery.

Purpose: When revising acetabular cups, it is often necessary to provide additional stabilisation with screws. In extensive defect situations, the placement of screws caudally in the ischium and/or pubis is biomechanically advantageous. Especially after multiple revision operations, the surgeon is confronted with a reduced bone stock and unclear or altered anatomy.

Cone-Beam Navigation Can Reduce the Radiation Exposure and Save Fusion Length-Dependent Operation Time in Comparison to Conventional Fluoroscopy in Pedicle-Screw-Based Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

This study investigates the advantages and disadvantages of cone-beam-based navigated standardized posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery (PLIF), regarding the radiation exposure and perioperative time management, compared to the use of fluoroscopy. Patients treated receiving an elective one- to three-level PLIF were retrospectively enrolled in the study. The surgery time, preparation time, operation room time, and effective dose (mSv) were analyzed for comparison of the radiation exposure and time consumption between cone-beam and fluoroscopy; Results: 214 patients were included (108 cone-beam navigated, and 106 traditional fluoroscopies).

Improvement of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Primary Correction by Brace Design Optimization.

(1) Background: Primary in-brace correction has been shown to be related to conservative adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treatment outcome. The purpose of the study was to evaluate TLSO brace design changes over eight years regarding primary Cobb correction and de-rotation of the (major) curve. (2) Methods: This retrospective analysis included AIS patients treated with a full-time TLSO-brace in a single Orthopedic University hospital in 2012-2014 and 2017-2019.

Does Total Hip Arthroplasty Influence the Development and Localization of Sacral Insufficiency Fractures?

Background: Sacral insufficiency fractures (SIFs) are fractures related to reduced bone strength. In a previous study, we noticed that many patients with SIF had undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA). Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to research the localization of clinically apparent SIFs in relation to unilateral THA as well as the influence of unilateral THA on bone mineral density changes in the sacrum.

Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry Does Not Represent Bone Structure in Patients with Osteoporosis: A Comparison of Lumbar Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry with Vertebral Biopsies.

Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional exploratory study.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between in vivo lumbar dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and parameters of bone architecture in micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) in patients with osteoporosis.

Summary Of Background Data: DXA is the current diagnostic standard for evaluating osteoporosis.

An Isoelastic Monoblock Cup Retains More Acetabular and Femoral Bone Than a Modular Press-Fit Cup: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: For cup revision after total hip arthroplasty, sufficiently good periacetabular bone stock is a prerequisite for fixation of the revision implant. Cementless cups can lead to a relevant reduction of peri-implant bone mineral density (BMD) through stress-shielding.

Methods: Fifty patients were included in this prospective randomized controlled trial.

Influence of curve morphology and location on the efficacy of rigid conservative treatment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to answer the question whether curve morphology and location have an influence on rigid conservative treatment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed AIS in 127 patients with single and double curves who had been treated with a Chêneau brace and physiotherapeutic specific exercises (B-PSE). The inclusion criteria were the presence of structural major curves ≥ 20° and < 50° (Risser stage 0 to 2) at the time when B-PSE was initiated.

Lumbar hemivertebra resection in congenital scoliosis utilizing cone-beam navigation: less radiation, more accuracy-proof of concept.

Purpose: To present the first known pediatric utilization of cone-beam navigation system (CBNS) for hemivertebra resection and spondylodesis CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old female with congenital scoliosis, diagnosed at 8 years of age, presenting with progressive symptoms, a Cobb angle (L3-5) of 38° at time of surgery, treated historically with conservative measures. Presence of spinal intramedullary disease was excluded prior to operation via whole spine MRI.

Results: Patient successfully underwent surgical correction utilizing the CBNS (O-arm™, Medtronic®).

Clinical presentation and diagnosis of acute postoperative spinal implant infection (PSII).

Acute postoperative infections after surgical interventions on the spinal column are associated with prolonged treatment duration, poor patient outcomes, and a high socioeconomic burden. In the field of joint replacement, guidelines have been established with recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of such complications, but in spinal surgery there are no definitions permitting distinction between early and late infections and no specific instructions for their management. Various factors increase the risk of acute postoperative infection, including blood transfusions, leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, urinary tract infection, injury of the dura mater, an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score >2, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and surgical revision.

MRI following scoliosis surgery? An analysis of implant heating, displacement, torque, and susceptibility artifacts.

Objectives: The implant constructs used in scoliosis surgery are often long with a high screw density. Therefore, it is generally believed that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should not be carried out after scoliosis surgery, with the result that computed tomography is often preferred despite the ionizing radiation involved. The objective of this study was to evaluate the MRI compatibility of long pedicle-screw-rod constructs at 1.

Significance of Lumbar MRI in Diagnosis of Sacral Insufficiency Fracture.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnostic algorithm of sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF). The primary objective was to compare the sensitivity in fracture detection and correct fracture classification according to MRI and computed tomography (CT).

Low sensitivity of histopathological examination of peri-implant tissue samples in diagnosing postoperative spinal implant infection.

Aims: To evaluate the histopathological examination of peri-implant tissue samples as a technique in the diagnosis of postoperative spinal implant infection (PSII).

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis. Patients who underwent revision spinal surgery at our institution were recruited for this study.

Long-term follow-up of bone remodelling after cementless hip arthroplasty using different stems.

The present paper is concerned with the investigation of the phenomenon of long-term bone remodelling on cementless hip replacements. Changes in bone density in the periprosthetic region around the stem, measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), were used as a measure of the osseous adaptation reaction. A postoperative follow-up of the use of four different types of prostheses of varying design after on average 13.

Cone beam-navigated core decompression of bone marrow edema syndrome.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare decompression of bone-marrow edema or osteonecrosis of the proximal femur by means of a cone beam-based imaging and navigation system (cone beam-navigated decompression, CBND) with decompression by the conventional technique of drilling using fluoroscopy (FD).

Materials And Methods: The data of patients with bone-marrow edema syndrome treated between 2016 and 2018 by drilling of the proximal femur in CBND or FD technique were compared retrospectively.

Results: Each treatment group included 20 patients.