In toto resection of a rare intradural extramedullary cavernous malformation on the S1 nerve root: illustrative case.

Background: Cavernous malformations (CMs) are vascular malformations that usually occur in the brain and occasionally in the spine. Most CMs are sporadic, but they can also be caused by heterozygous cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) gene mutations. This case describes an intradural extramedullary CM in a unique location, within a fascicle of the S1 nerve root.

An observational study of quality of motion in the aging cervical spine: sequence of segmental contributions in dynamic fluoroscopy recordings.

Background: The term 'physiological motion of the spine' is commonly used although no proper definition exists. Previous work has revealed a consistent sequence of cervical segmental contributions in 80-90% of young healthy individuals. Age has been shown to be associated with a decreased quantity of motion.

A randomized controlled trial with extended long-term follow-up: Quality of cervical spine motion after anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) or anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA).

Introduction: In previous research, a consistent sequence of segmental contributions during dynamic extension X-rays of the cervical spine was observed in 80-90% of healthy participants.

Research Question: To investigate whether this previously defined 'normal' sequence of segmental contributions was present in patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA) or anterior cervical discectomy (ACD).

Materials & Methods: A randomized controlled trial with extended follow-up was conducted.

Advocating uniformity in spine surgery: a practical disease-specific guideline for trial-based economic evaluations.

Objectives: Despite the availability of general and national guidelines for the conduct and reporting of economic evaluations, there is heterogeneity in economic evolutions concerning spine surgery. This is partly the result of differing levels of adherence to the existing guidelines and the lack of disease-specific recommendations for economic evaluations. The extensive heterogeneity in study design, follow-up duration and outcome measurements limit the comparability of economic evaluations in spine surgery.

Predicting Survival in Patients Presenting With Spinal Epidural Metastases: The Limburg Spinal Metastasis Score.

Background: Patients with spinal epidural metastases (SEM) often experience a reduction in ambulatory status and, thus, the quality of life. Predicting which patients will benefit from a surgical intervention remains a challenge. Life expectancy is an essential factor to be considered in surgical decision-making, although not the only one.

Methodology of economic evaluations in spine surgery: a systematic review and qualitative assessment.

Objectives: The present study is a systematic review conducted as part of a methodological approach to develop evidence-based recommendations for economic evaluations in spine surgery. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the methodology and quality of currently available clinical cost-effectiveness studies in spine surgery.

Study Design: Systematic literature review.

Mother and daughter with a SMARCE1 mutation resulting in a cervical clear cell meningioma at an identical location: illustrative cases.

Background: A rare meningioma subtype is a clear cell (CC) meningioma, which can be associated with a SMARCE1 gene mutation. Manifestation of a CC meningioma in the cervical spine is unusual. In the current case, both mother and daughter present with a CC meningioma at an identical cervical location.

Double-center observational study of minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion for sacroiliac joint dysfunction: one-year results.

Background: For a substantial part of patients with chronic low back pain, the origin is located in the sacroiliac joint (SIJ). Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion (MISJF) is increasingly being implemented as a treatment option in SIJ dysfunction. Despite remaining controversy, evidence continues to increase.

Clinical adjacent segment pathology after anterior cervical discectomy, with and without fusion, for cervical degenerative disc disease: A single center retrospective cohort study with long-term follow-up.

Introduction: Clinical adjacent segment pathology (CASP) continues to be a cause of concern after anterior surgical treatment for single- or multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD). The current literature reports inconsistent incidence rates and contended risk factors in the development of CASP.

Research Question: The aim is to determine the incidence of additional CASP-related surgeries after anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) or without fusion (ACD) for CDDD.

Research protocol: Cervical Arthroplasty Cost Effectiveness Study (CACES): economic evaluation of anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA) versus anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) in the surgical treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease - a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: To date, there is no consensus on which anterior surgical technique is more cost-effective in treating cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD). The most commonly used surgical treatment for patients with single- or multi-level symptomatic CDDD is anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF). However, new complaints of radiculopathy and/or myelopathy commonly develop at adjacent levels, also known as clinical adjacent segment pathology (CASP).

A Systematic Review on Neurological Outcomes for Cervical Degenerative Myelopathy After Anterior Decompression Surgery: Motion Preservation vs Fusion.

Background: Although it is well established that surgically treated patients with cervical degenerative myelopathy (CDM) improve irrespective of the anterior decompression technique used, no consensus exists on what technique is superior in terms of neurological recovery. A general concern exists that anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA) leads to less favorable outcomes in CDM due to microtrauma caused by preserved mobility. It is remarkable that current literature mainly uses pain scores to assess clinical outcomes after anterior decompression surgery, especially considering that pain may not be the most relevant outcome for CDM.

Evidence-based recommendations for economic evaluations in spine surgery: study protocol for a Delphi consensus.

Introduction: Considering the rising global healthcare expenses, economic evaluations are more important than ever. Even though the number of studies regarding costs and cost-effectiveness is increasing, the quality of these studies remains relatively low. This is mainly caused by abundant heterogeneity in methods used for determining, calculating and reporting cost data, despite current general guidelines for the conduct of economic evaluations.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament at the craniocervical junction presenting with Brown-Séquard syndrome: A case report.

Background: Several case reports about spinal cord compression due to hyperostosis at the craniocervical junction are available. However, compression at C1-C2 solely due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is rare.

Case Description: A 50-year-old Asian male, with a history of lumbar spinal canal stenosis, presented with a progressive quadriparesis within 3 months.

Neurosarcoidosis with hydrocephalus as a first presenting sign: a unique case report.

There is a possible relationship with cerebral ischemic events and neurosarcoidosis. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis in a case of unexplained hydrocephalus, vascular white matter lesions and vasculitis related findings.

Tumor microenvironment-derived S100A8/A9 is a novel prognostic biomarker for advanced melanoma patients and during immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 antibodies.

Background: Predicting metastasis in melanoma patients is important for disease management and could help to identify those who might benefit from adjuvant treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the tumor microenvironment-derived protein S100A8/A9 qualifies as prognostic marker for melanoma patients, also in the setting of immunotherapy.

Methods: S100A8/A9 gene and protein expression were analyzed on melanocytic nevi, primary melanomas and metastases using a cDNA library and three independent tissue-microarrays (TMA).

EAES and SAGES 2018 consensus conference on acute diverticulitis management: evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.

Background: Acute diverticulitis (AD) presents a unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for general surgeons. This collaborative project between EAES and SAGES aimed to summarize recent evidence and draw statements of recommendation to guide our members on comprehensive AD management.

Methods: Systematic reviews of the literature were conducted across six AD topics by an international steering group including experts from both societies.

Clinical Outcomes After Unilateral Adrenalectomy for Primary Aldosteronism.

Importance: In addition to biochemical cure, clinical benefits after surgery for primary aldosteronism depend on the magnitude of decrease in blood pressure (BP) and use of antihypertensive medications with a subsequent decreased risk of cardiovascular and/or cerebrovascular morbidity and drug-induced adverse effects.

Objective: To evaluate the change in BP and use of antihypertensive medications within an international cohort of patients who recently underwent surgery for primary aldosteronism.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A cohort study was conducted across 16 referral medical centers in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Pilot Study: Detection of Gastric Cancer From Exhaled Air Analyzed With an Electronic Nose in Chinese Patients.

The aim of this pilot study is to investigate the ability of an electronic nose (e-nose) to distinguish malignant gastric histology from healthy controls in exhaled breath. In a period of 3 weeks, all preoperative gastric carcinoma (GC) patients (n = 16) in the Beijing Oncology Hospital were asked to participate in the study. The control group (n = 28) consisted of family members screened by endoscopy and healthy volunteers.