Complement-dependent neuroinflammation in spinal cord injury: from pathology to therapeutic implications.

Spinal cord injury remains a major cause of disability in young adults, and beyond acute decompression and rehabilitation, there are no pharmacological treatments to limit the progression of injury and optimize recovery in this population. Following the thorough investigation of the complement system in triggering and propagating cerebral neuroinflammation, a similar role for complement in spinal neuroinflammation is a focus of ongoing research. In this work, we survey the current literature investigating the role of complement in spinal cord injury including the sources of complement proteins, triggers of complement activation, and role of effector functions in the pathology.

Comparing Cortical Bone Trajectory and Traditional Pedicle Screws in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Retrospective Cohort Study of One-Year Outcomes.

Introduction: This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) at a single institution. The objective of this study was to compare the long-term results associated with cortical bone trajectory (CBT) and traditional pedicle screw (TPS) via posterolateral approach in TLIF.

Methods: Consecutive patients treated from November 2014 to March 2019 were included in the CBT TLIF group, while consecutive patients treated from October 2010 to August 2017 were included in the TPS TLIF group.

Telemedicine in Spine Surgery: Outcomes for 138 Patients With Virtual Preoperative Assessment Compared to Historical Controls.

Introduction: COVID-19 has accelerated the use of telemedicine in all aspects of health care delivery, including initial surgical evaluation. No existing literature investigates the safety and efficacy of telemedicine to preoperatively evaluate spine surgery candidates. Our objectives were: (1) Compare the change in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores between the telemedicine preoperative visit and in-person preoperative visit groups.

Safety Profile and Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Stand-Alone 2-Level Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Case Series of 41 Consecutive Patients.

Objective: The use of stand-alone 2-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) for degenerative lumbar disease has been increasing as an alternative to routinely augmenting these constructs with posterior fixation or fusion. Despite the potential benefits of a stand-alone approach (decreased cost and operative time, decreased pain and early mobilization), there is a paucity of information regarding these operations in the literature. This investigation aimed to determine the safety profile, radiographic outcomes including fusion rates, improvement in preoperative pain, and spinopelvic parameter modification, for patients undergoing stand-alone 2-level ALIF.

Telemedicine in the Evaluation and Management of Neurosurgical Spine Patients: Questionnaire Assessment of 346 Consecutive Patients.

Study Design: Retrospective questionnaire study of all patients seen via telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic at a large academic institution.

Objective: This aim of this study was to compare patient satisfaction of telemedicine clinic to in-person visits; to evaluate the preference for telemedicine to in-person visits; to assess patients' willingness to proceed with major surgery and/or a minor procedure based on a telemedicine visit alone.

Summary Of Background Data: One study showed promising utility of mobile health applications for spine patients.

Motion-preserving, 2-stage transoral and posterior treatment of an unstable Jefferson fracture in a professional football player.

The authors report the case of a patient who suffered a Jefferson fracture during a professional football game. The C-1 (atlas) fracture was widely displaced anteriorly, but the transverse ligament was intact. In an effort to enable a return to play and avoid intersegmental (C1-2) fusion, the patient underwent a transoral approach for open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture.

Percutaneous Instrumentation Without Arthrodesis for Thoracolumbar Flexion-Distraction Injuries: A Review of the Literature.

Background: Flexion-distraction injuries (FDI) represent 5% to 15% of traumatic thoracolumbar fractures. Treatment depends on the extent of ligamentous involvement: osseous/Magerl type B2 injuries can be managed conservatively, while ligamentous/Magerl type B1 injuries undergo stabilization with arthrodesis. Minimally invasive surgery without arthrodesis can achieve similar outcomes to open procedures.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Comparison of Fusion, Dysphagia, and Complication Rates Between Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate.

Introduction: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is one of the most common spinal procedures performed. A direct comparison of the fusion and complication rates between recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP2) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (bTCP) has not been reported.

Methods: A retrospective study of 191 consecutive patients who underwent ACDF with polyetheretherketone plastic fusion spacers during a 2-year period with either rhBMP2 (n = 84, 46%) or bTCP (n = 107, 56%) was performed.

Neurological outcomes following iatrogenic vascular injury during posterior atlanto-axial instrumentation.

Background: Iatrogenic vascular injury is a feared complication of posterior atlanto-axial instrumentation. A better understanding of clinical outcome and management options following this injury will allow surgeons to better care for these patients. The object of the study was to systematically review the neurologic outcomes after iatrogenic vascular injury during atlanto-axial posterior instrumentation.

Efficacy of Transsacral Instrumentation for High-Grade Spondylolisthesis at L5-S1: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: High-grade L5-S1 spondylolisthesis is challenging to treat, and there is no standard recommended operative technique. The authors performed a systematic review of the literature evaluating the efficacy and safety of modern transsacral instrumentation techniques for high-grade L5-S1 spondylolisthesis.

Methods: A systematic PubMed search adherent to PRISMA guidelines included relevant clinical studies reporting transsacral instrumentation for high-grade L5-S1 spondylolisthesis in adult humans from 1980 onward.

Esophageal perforation after anterior cervical spine surgery: a systematic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE Esophageal perforation is a rare but well-known complication of anterior cervical spine surgery. The authors performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate symptomatology, direct causes, repair methods, and associated complications of esophageal injury. METHODS A PubMed search that adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines included relevant clinical studies and case reports (articles written in the English language that included humans as subjects) that reported patients who underwent anterior spinal surgery and sustained some form of esophageal perforation.

Treatment of cervical stenotic myelopathy: a cost and outcome comparison of laminoplasty versus laminectomy and lateral mass fusion.

Object: Cervical stenotic myelopathy due to spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is often treated with laminoplasty or cervical laminectomy (with fusion). The goal of this study was to compare outcomes, radiographic results, complications, and implant costs associated with these 2 treatments.

Methods: The authors analyzed the records of 56 patients (age range 42–81 years) who were surgically treated for cervical stenosis.

Circumferential fusion for cervical kyphotic deformity.

Object: The treatment of cervical kyphotic deformity is challenging. Few prior reports have examined combined anterior/posterior correction methods, and fusion rates and standardized outcomes are rarely cited in literature examining these techniques. The authors present their midterm results with cervical kyphosis correction.

The safety and efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with polyetheretherketone spacer and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2: a review of 200 patients.

Object: The goal in this study was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion ([ACDF]; single- or multilevel procedure) performed using titanium plates and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) spacers filled with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) impregnated in a type I collagen sponge to achieve fusion.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed 200 patients who underwent a single- or multilevel ACDF with titanium plate fixation and PEEK spacer filled with a collagen sponge impregnated with low-dose rhBMP-2. Clinical outcomes were assessed using pre- and postoperative Nurick grades and the Odom criteria.

Flexible rods and the case for dynamic stabilization.

The widespread use of instrumentation in the lumbar spine has led to high rates of fusion. This has been accompanied by a marked rise in adjacent-segment disease, which is considered to be an increasingly common and significant consequence of lumbar or lumbosacral fusion. Numerous biomechanical studies have demonstrated that segments fused with rigid metallic fixation lead to significant amounts of supraphysiological stress on adjacent discs and facets.

The decision-making process: allograft versus autograft.

The decision whether to use allograft or autograft in ventral cervical fusions has been widely discussed. The literature includes several prospective randomized trials. Extensive clinical evidence indicates that autograft use results in increased arthrodesis rates and less graft collapse.

Combined ventral and dorsal surgery for myelopathy and myeloradiculopathy.

The past decade has witnessed significant advances in the surgical treatment of cervical myelopathy and myeloradiculopathy. In this article, we discuss in detail the indications for combined ventral and dorsal surgery for the treatment of cervical myelopathy and myeloradiculopathy. In addition, the advances in surgical technique and instrumentation in cervical spine surgery are explored.

Laparoscopic anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Technical note.

In recent years, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of patients undergoing treatment with interbody fusion devices for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. These devices can be placed either anteriorly or posteriorly. With the advent of minimally invasive surgery and the increasing ability of general surgeons to perform transperitoneal procedures laparoscopically, a new laparoscopic technique has been developed for placing lumbar interbody fusion devices.

Management of acute odontoid fractures: operative techniques and complication avoidance.

In this article the authors describe the management of Type II odontoid fractures with special attention to operative technique and avoidance of complication. Anterior odontoid screw fixation is a procedure the authors have performed over the last 8 years in cases with acute Type II and rostral Type III odontoid fractures. In cases of Chronic Type II odontoid fractures and in patients with transverse ligament disruption, the authors prefer to undertake posterior transarticular facet screw fixation supplemented by bone graft and interspinous C1-2 wiring.

Infected vertebroplasty requiring 360 degrees spinal reconstruction: long-term follow-up review. Report of two cases.

Transpedicular vertebroplasty has been established as a safe and effective treatment of thoracic and lumbar compression fractures. Complications are rare, and infectious complications requiring surgical management have only been reported once in the literature. The authors present two cases of infectious complications requiring surgical management.

Bone morphogenetic protein in spinal fusion: overview and clinical update.

The widespread use of fusion procedures in the management of spinal disorders has led investigators to explore the use of growth and differentiation factors in such procedures. As an adjuvant to allograft bone or as a replacement for harvested autograft, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) appear to improve fusion rates after spinal arthrodesis in both animal models and humans, while reducing the donor-site morbidity previously associated with such procedures. The use of recombinant genetic technology in the production of BMP has improved the efficiency, cost effectiveness, and safety of producing and using such materials.