The Goutallier Classification System: How Does Paravertebral Adipose Degeneration Change in Patients With Symptomatic Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

Study Design: Retrospective, observational study.

Objective: To determine the relationship between the Goutallier classification system (GS) and anthropometric, clinical, and radiologic features in 168 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Background: There is no agreement on a classification system that is both reliable and easy to use for describing the severity of fatty degeneration in the paravertebral muscles of the lower back in patients with symptomatic LSS.

Multiple univariate analysis of radiologic and clinical features on 168 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: what is the role of the erector spinae in the development of a patient's disability?

Background: The weakening of paraspinal muscles in the paravertebral area may play a role in developing central lumbar spinal stenosis, resulting in lower back discomfort.

Objective: The study thoroughly examined the correlation between the Oswestry Disability Index, Dural Sac cross-sectional area, Schizas grading Scale, Body Mass Index, and the cross-sectional areas of Erector Spinae, Multifidus, and Psoas muscles. The findings were also compared between patients with central Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and healthy individuals.

Antithrombotic therapy and spinal surgery: a retrospective cohort study of 289 consecutive elderly patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis.

Objective: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a disabling degenerative process of the spine, mainly affecting older patients. LSS manifests with low-back and leg pain and neurogenic claudication. Disability and impairment in activities of daily living are consequences of the progressive narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal.

A challenging recurrent thoracic disc herniation.

Background: Thoracic disc herniations are rare and occur at the rate of 1/1,000,000/year. Surgical approach must be individually tailored to the size, location, and consistency of the herniated disc. Notably, here, we report the unusual recurrence of a thoracic herniated disc.

Cervical spine arachnoid cyst complicated by spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage: Case report and review of the literature.

Background: Spinal intradural extramedullary arachnoid cysts represent about 1-3% of all primary spinal space-occupying lesions often causing spinal cord and/or radicular nerve compression. Spontaneous intralesional hemorrhages are extremely rare and are typically found within intracranial arachnoid cysts. Here, a 55-year-old female presented with a spontaneous hemorrhage into a cervical spine arachnoid cyst warranting surgical intervention (i.

Computed Tomography-Guided Posterolateral Transsacral Ala Approach to Presacral L5 Schwannoma: Technical Note.

Background: Presacral schwannomas are rare benign tumors that may reach large size before becoming symptomatic. Total surgical removal has been considered the best treatment option. Tumors arising from the presacral area are commonly managed through anterior approaches, whereas posterior approaches are used for pure intrasacral tumors or large lesions with both intrasacral and presacral extension, alone or in combination with anterior approaches.

Effectiveness of Cadaveric Simulation in Neurosurgical Training: A Review of the Literature.

Objective: Increased restrictions on working hours and the resultant decrease in theater time coupled with greater scrutiny to demonstrate proficiency at surgical tasks has resulted in the incorporation of simulators for surgical training. This literature review describes the use of cadaveric simulators in postgraduate neurosurgical training, with the aim to analyze their effectiveness in improving surgical performance.

Methods: An electronic literature search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify studies that look at the efficacy of cadaveric simulation in neurosurgical training.