Noninfectious Complications of Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) has emerged as a promising treatment for chronic neuropathic pain. However, its safety and complications are not fully understood, with existing literature primarily based on case reports, observational studies, and data base analyses. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the prevalence of noninfectious complications associated with DRGS, focusing on the trial phase, postimplantation period, and revisions, while identifying risk factors for these outcomes.

Prolonged opioid use after single-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery in a Belgian population: a multicentric observational study.

Purpose: Lumbar spinal fusion surgeries are increasingly being performed in spinal degenerative disease, often accompanied by perioperative opioid prescriptions. The aim of this study is to analyze prolonged postoperative opioid use following a standardized opioid prescription after single-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery in a Belgian population.

Methods: This prospective, multicentric observational study included patients undergoing single-level lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative disease.

Transforaminal epidural steroid injection for radiculopathy and the evolution to surgical treatment: a pragmatic prospective observational multicenter study.

The aim of this study is to analyze the real-world outcomes of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) in all patients with radiculopathy and their long-term outcomes. Patients with radiculopathy and failure of conservative treatment were included in a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study. In total, 117 patients were treated with one or two TFESIs.

Patient profiling and outcome assessment in spinal cord stimulation for chronic back and/or leg pain (the PROSTIM study): a study protocol.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a well-established treatment option in the multidisciplinary approach to chronic back and leg pain. Nevertheless, careful patient selection remains crucial to provide the most optimal treatment and prevent treatment failure. We report the protocol for the PROSTIM study, an ongoing prospective, multicentric and observational clinical study (NCT05349695) that aims to identify different patient clusters and their outcomes after SCS.

Correlation Between Abdominal Wall Stimulation and Spinal Cord Stimulator Tip Location: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the vertebral level of paddle placement and abdominal wall stimulation (AWS) after differential target multiplexed spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to improve the safety and effectiveness of SCS for patients with chronic pain, particularly those with low back pain (LBP).

Materials And Methods: The Correlation Between Abdominal Wall Stimulation and Spinal Cord Stimulator Tip Location study was a nonrandomized clinical trial that included 24 patients with SCS for persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS) type 2 (trial ID: NCT05565469). The intervention involved increasing stimulation amplitude to a maximum tolerable value and obtaining numerical rating scores for AWS.

Twiddler's syndrome after dorsal root ganglion stimulation: A case report.

Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) is a promising therapy for chronic neuropathic pain, but complications of this therapy are poorly understood. Twiddler's syndrome, a rare complication characterized by lead displacement and coiling of wires, has been reported in other neuromodulation devices, but has not been described in the context of DRG-S. Here, we present a first-of-a-kind case report of Twiddler's syndrome occurring after 8 months of DRG-S.

Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion as a Feasible Treatment for Thoracolumbar Spondylodiscitis: A Multicenter Belgian Case-Series.

Background: Spondylodiscitis is, after tissue sampling, initially managed with intravenous antibiotics. In patients with treatment failure, surgical debridement and stabilization is considered. An anterior or posterior approach has already been reported as a successful surgical access, but is associated with a large exposure and a significant morbidity.

Real world data collection and cluster analysis in patients with sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and describe clusters of patients with similar characteristics presenting with sciatica caused by a lumbar disc herniation in secondary care.

Methods: Forty-six percent (n = 163) of the eligible patients (n = 352) completed all questionnaires and were included in a hierarchical cluster analysis. The analysis was based on baseline characteristics for pain, pain awareness and catastrophizing, disability and quality of life (QOL).

Susac syndrome complicating a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In 2020 the world was captivated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Current scientific evidence suggests an interaction of SARS-CoV-2 and the human immune system. Multiple cases were reported of patients with COVID-19 presenting with encephalopathy, confusion or agitation, stroke, and other neurologic symptoms.

The impact of COVID-19 on acute stroke care in Belgium.

A worldwide decline in stroke hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic has been reported. Information on stroke care during the pandemic in Belgium is lacking. This study aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on acute stroke care in eight Belgian stroke centers.

A 15-Year Follow-up Retrospective Study on 959 Spine Surgeries: What Can We Learn From Real-world Data?

Study Design: This was a retrospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the patient flow and need for additional surgery after first-time lower back surgery. Next, we analyzed the patients who developed chronic low back pain (LBP) and were treated with spinal cord stimulation.

An Acute Spinal Intradural Hematoma after an Extraforaminal Wiltse Approach: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

A nontraumatic spontaneous spinal acute subdural hematoma (sSDH) is a rare complication after spinal surgery. Although an sSDH is often associated with anticoagulation therapy, vascular malformations, or lumbar puncture, the pathogenesis of nontraumatic spontaneous sSDH remains unclear. We present the case of an intradural hematoma after an extraforaminal surgery through the Wiltse approach for an extraforaminal disk herniation at L5/S1.

How to reliably diagnose arterial hypertension: lessons from 24 h blood pressure monitoring.

Background: Hypertension is a common condition in modern society. As blood pressure fluctuates with time, a single blood pressure measurement is useless to diagnose hypertension. Nevertheless, no well-defined number of measurements is often used for this purpose.