Pediatric metameric cervical spinal cord arteriovenous malformation managed with staged endovascular and spinal stabilization approach: a case report.

Introduction: Spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (SCAVM) are rare congenital vascular malformations, characterized by two or more AVMs affecting any of the spinal segments. SCAVM has complex pathophysiology and may be associated with acute, or progressively neurological deficits.

Case Presentation: A 12-year old girl, presented with progressive neurologic deficits secondary to compressive cervical myelopathy due to a cervical metameric SCAVM.

Differentiating spinal pathologies by deep learning approach.

Background Context: Spinal pathologies are diverse in nature and, excluding trauma and degenerative diseases, includes infectious, neoplastic (either extradural or intradural), and inflammatory conditions. The preoperative diagnosis is made with clinical judgment incorporating lab findings and radiological studies. When the diagnosis is uncertain, a biopsy is almost always mandatory since the treatment is dictated by the type of pathology.

The effect of subcutaneous fat and skin-to-lamina distance on complications and functional outcomes of minimally invasive lumbar decompression.

Purpose: Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MIS) in obese pzatients is technically challenging due to the use of longer tube retractors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the thickness of the soft tissue and subcutaneous fat on complications, revisions, and patient-reported functional outcomes after MIS.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 148 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression at our institute between 2013 and 2017 and had at least one year of follow-up.

Does Tobacco Smoking Affect the Postoperative Outcome of MIS Lumbar Decompression Surgery?

Background: Tobacco smoking is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several authors reported a significant negative impact of smoking on the outcome of spinal surgeries. However, comparative studies on the effect of smoking on the outcome of minimally invasive (MIS) spinal decompression are rare with conflicting results.

Low Back Pain Patients' Perceptions Regarding Their Own Radiology Reports: Pre-Intervention Survey.

Purpose: While advanced medical technology and unlimited access to medical information might benefit and empower patients, these same advantages may pose some risks, especially in the cases where patients have direct access to advanced imaging studies. The aim of this work was to evaluate three domains related to patients with lower back pain: the patients' perceptions, misconceptions and the experience of anxiety-related symptoms following direct access to their thoraco-lumbar spine radiology report. An additional aim was the assessment of possible associations with catastrophization.

Minimally Invasive Resection of Benign Osseous Tumors of the Spinal Column: 10 Years' Experience and Long-Term Outcomes of a Specialized Center.

: Benign osseous tumors of the spinal column comprise about 10% of all spinal tumors and are rare cause for surgery. However, these tumors pose various management challenges and conventional surgery may be associated with significant morbidity. Previous reports on minimally invasive resection of these lesions are rare.

Minimally invasive discectomy versus open laminectomy and discectomy for the treatment of cauda equina syndrome: A preliminary study and case series.

Background: Cauda Equina syndrome (CES) is a potentially devastating condition and is treated usually with urgent open surgical decompression of the spinal canal. Currently, the role of minimally invasive discectomy (MID) as an alternative surgical technique for CES is unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes following MID and open laminectomy and discectomy for the treatment of CES.

Sarcopenia Is an Independent Risk Factor for Subsequent Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures Following Percutaneous Cement Augmentation in Elderly Patients.

: Subsequent osteoporotic vertebral fractures (SOVF) are a serious complication of osteoporosis that can lead to spinal deformity, chronic pain and disability. Several risk factors have been previously identified for developing SOVF. However, there are conflicting reports regarding the association between sarcopenia and multiple vertebral compression fractures.

Is the Erector Spinae Plane Block Effective for More than Perioperative Pain? A Retrospective Analysis.

Introduction: The thoracic Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) is an ultrasound-guided block that has gained popularity and is widely used in acute pain setups. However, data regarding its role in chronic and cancer-related pain are anecdotal. Material and Methods: The study is a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent ESPB.

Ultrasound-guided Cervical Retro-laminar Block for Cervical Radicular Pain: A Comparative Analysis.

Study Design And Objective: Cervical radiculopathy is a common clinical condition, often treated with cervical epidural steroid injections (ESI). Retro-laminar cervical blocks (RLCB) may be considered safer than ESI as they do not require entering the neuroaxis.In this study, we evaluated the outcome of RLCB in patients with cervical radiculopathy who had failed conservative treatment and were candidates for cervical spine decompression surgery.

Facet overhang: A novel parameter in the pathophysiology of multifidus muscle atrophy.

The relationship between degenerative zygapophysial joint (facet) arthropathy and multifidus muscle atrophy has not been rigorously evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine if specific morphological features of degenerative facet arthropathy are correlated with multifidus muscle atrophy. We retrospectively reviewed medical records and imaging studies of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Stable Low-Grade Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Does Not Compromise Clinical Outcome of Minimally Invasive Tubular Decompression in Patients with Spinal Stenosis.

In recent literature, the routine addition of arthrodesis to decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with concomitant stable low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcome, complication and re-operation rates following minimally invasive (MIS) tubular decompression without arthrodesis in patients suffering from LSS with or without concomitant stable low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis. This study is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Long-Term Pain Characteristics and Management Following Minimally Invasive Spinal Decompression and Open Laminectomy and Fusion for Spinal Stenosis.

: To compare the long-term pain characteristics and its chronic management following minimally invasive spinal (MIS) decompression and open laminectomy with fusion for lumbar stenosis. : The study cohort included patients with a minimum 5-year postoperative follow-up after undergoing either MIS decompression or laminectomy with fusion for spinal claudication. The primary outcome of interest was chronic back and leg pain intensity.

Predictors of functional recovery following surgery for foot drop due to degenerative lumbar disease.

Objective: Surgery for foot drop secondary to lumbar degenerative disease is not always associated with postoperative functional improvement. It is still unclear whether early decompression results in better functional recovery and how soon surgery should be performed. This study aimed to evaluate predicting factors that affect short- and long-term recovery outcomes and to explore the relationship between timing of lumbar decompression and recovery from foot drop in an attempt to identify a cutoff time from symptom onset until decompression for optimal functional improvement.

Resection of Benign Osseous Spine Tumors in Pediatric Patients by Minimally Invasive Techniques.

Objective: Benign osseous tumors of the spine in children are a rare cause for surgery. The aim of this study is to describe our experience with resection of pediatric benign osseous spine tumors using a minimally invasive technique through a variety of surgical approaches.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data of pediatric patients who underwent minimally invasive resection of a benign osseous vertebral tumor from May 2013 through November 2018 was performed.

Gender differences in multifidus fatty infiltration, sarcopenia and association with preoperative pain and functional disability in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Background: In patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, female gender has been associated with higher pain and functional disability. Sarcopenia and multifidus atrophy have also been associated with symptomatic severity.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if gender differences in sarcopenia and multifidus atrophy are associated with gender disparities in disease symptomatology.

Spinal manifestations of Neurofibromatosis type 1.

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients may present a wide spectrum of spinal pathologies. Osseous changes may lead to severe deformities with significant implications on growth and quality of life. Neurogenic tumors and soft tissue abnormalities may cause neuropathic pain and dysfunction ranging from minor paresthesias to profound motor and sensory deficits.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Cutibacterium acnes Postoperative Central Nervous System Infection: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: Cutibacterium acnes has emerged as a significant cause of postoperative central nervous system infections (PCNSIs). We sought to determine risk factors and outcomes associated with C. acnes PCNSI.

Surgical Management of "Kissing" Spinal Plexiform Neurofibromas in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Patients.

Background: "Kissing" neurofibromas (KNs) are a unique group of spinal tumors found in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients. These are bilateral neurofibromas that approximate each other at the same level, with significant impingement compression of the cord or thecal sac. The best management options and surgical strategies for NF1 patients with KN have not been standardized.

Use of 3-Dimensional Printing Technology in Complex Spine Surgeries.

Background: Medical implications of 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology have evolved and are increasingly used. Surgical spine oncology involves at times complex resection using various surgical approaches and unique spinal reconstruction. As high general complication rates, including hardware failure, are reported, careful preoperative planning and optimized fixation techniques should be performed.

Acute Presentation of Cervical Myelopathy Following Manipulation Therapy.

Spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) is commonly used as an effective therapeutic modality for a range of cervical symptoms. However, in rare cases, cervical manipulation may be associated with complications. In this review we present a series of cases with cervical spine injury and myelopathy following therapeutic manipulation of the neck, and examine their clinical course and neurological outcome.

Continuous mapping of the corticospinal tracts in intramedullary spinal cord tumor surgery using an electrified ultrasonic aspirator.

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) represent a rare entity, accounting for 4%-10% of all central nervous system tumors. Microsurgical resection of IMSCTs is currently considered the primary treatment modality. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has been shown to aid in maximizing tumor resection and minimizing neurological morbidity, consequently improving patient outcome.

Electrophysiological monitoring during preoperative angiography to guide decisions regarding permanent occlusion of major radicular arteries in patients undergoing total en bloc spondylectomy.

OBJECTIVE Preoperative embolization is performed before spine tumor surgery when significant intraoperative hemorrhage is anticipated. Occlusion of radicular and segmental arteries may result in spinal ischemia. The goal of this study was to check whether neurophysiological monitoring during preoperative angiography in patients scheduled for total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) of spine tumors improves the safety of vessel occlusion.

Prevalence and awareness of sacroiliac joint alterations on lumbar spine CT in low back pain patients younger than 40 years.

Background Computed tomography (CT) examinations of the lumbar spine are commonly performed in patients aged ≤40 years due to low back pain (LBP). Purpose To investigate the prevalence and awareness of radiologists for the presence of structural post-inflammatory/other sacroiliac joint (SIJ) alterations on lumbar spine CTs of young patients with LBP. Material and Methods A total of 484 lumbar spine CT examinations (272 men, 212 women; average age, 31 years; age range, 18-40 years) of patients with LBP in which the entire SIJs were visualized were retrospectively reviewed.

MASTERS-D Study: A Prospective, Multicenter, Pragmatic, Observational, Data-Monitored Trial of Minimally Invasive Fusion to Treat Degenerative Lumbar Disorders, One-Year Follow-Up.

Unlabelled: The objective of the study is to assess effectiveness and safety of minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion (MILIF) for degenerative lumbar disorders (DLD) in daily surgical practice and follow up with patients for one year after surgery. A prospective, multicenter, pragmatic, monitored, international outcome study in patients with DLD causing back/leg pain was conducted (19 centers). Two hundred fifty-two patients received standard of care available in the centers.