Artificial intelligence in risk prediction and diagnosis of vertebral fractures.

With the increasing prevalence of vertebral fractures, accurate diagnosis and prognostication are essential. This study assesses the effectiveness of AI in diagnosing and predicting vertebral fractures through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive search across major databases selected studies utilizing AI for vertebral fracture diagnosis or prognosis.

Management of severe pyogenic spinal infections: the 2SICK study by the EANS spine section.

Background Context: Spondylodiscitis management presents significant clinical challenges, particularly in critically ill patients, where the risks and benefits of surgical intervention must be carefully balanced. The optimal timing of surgery in this context remains a subject of debate.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early surgery versus delayed surgery or conservative management in critically ill patients with de novo pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

Comparing Conservative and Early Surgical Treatments for Pyogenic Spondylodiskitis: An International Propensity Score-Matched Retrospective Outcome Analysis.

Background And Objectives: Pyogenic spinal infections pose therapeutic challenges, with the optimal treatment approach remaining contentious. This study aimed to compare outcomes of conservative vs early surgical treatment (SuT) modalities in primary pyogenic spondylodiskitis through an international cohort analysis.

Methods: A retrospective outcome analysis was conducted of 392 patients from the United Kingdom and Germany, treated between 2017 and 2022 with primary pyogenic spondylodiskitis.

Single- and Multilevel Corpectomy and Vertebral body replacement for treatment of spinal infections. A retrospective single-center study of 100 cases.

Background: The optimal operative approach for treating spinal infections remains a subject of debate. Corpectomy and Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR) have emerged as common modalities, yet data on their feasibility and complication profiles are limited.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study examined 100 consecutive cases (2015-2022) that underwent VBR for spinal infection treatment.

SPINE20 recommendations 2023: One Earth, one family, one future WITHOUT spine DISABILITY.

Introduction: The purpose is to report on the fourth set of recommendations developed by SPINE20 to advocate for evidence-based spine care globally under the theme of "One Earth, One Family, One Future WITHOUT Spine DISABILITY".

Research Question: Not applicable.

Material And Methods: Recommendations were developed and refined through two modified Delphi processes with international, multi-professional panels.

Epidemiological trends of pyogenic spondylodiscitis in Germany: an EANS Spine Section Study.

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In Germany, a comprehensive understanding of its epidemiology and inpatient management outcomes is limited, hindering the optimisation of therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to characterise the evolving epidemiological trends of pyogenic spondylodiscitis in Germany, and concurrently evaluate inpatient management strategies and outcomes.

Conservative versus early surgical treatment in the management of pyogenic spondylodiscitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Spondylodiscitis is the commonest spine infection, and pyogenic spondylodiscitis is the most common subtype. Whilst antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment, some advocate that early surgery can improve mortality, relapse rates, and length of stay. Given that the condition carries a high mortality rate of up to 20%, the most effective treatment must be identified.

Increasing incidence of spondylodiscitis in England: An analysis of the national health service (NHS) hospital episode statistics from 2012 to 2021.

Background: Spondylodiscitis is a potentially life-threatening infection of the intervertebral disk and adjacent vertebral bodies, with a mortality rate of 2-20%. Given the aging population, the increase in immunosuppression, and intravenous drug use in England, the incidence of spondylodiscitis is postulated to be increasing; however, the exact epidemiological trend in England remains unknown.

Objective: The Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database contains details of all secondary care admissions across NHS hospitals in England.

The Diagnostic Process of Spinal Post-traumatic Deformity: An Expert Survey of 7 Cases, Consensus on Clinical Relevance Does Exist.

Study Design: Survey of cases.

Objective: To evaluate the opinion of experts in the diagnostic process of clinically relevant Spinal Post-traumatic Deformity (SPTD).

Summary Of Background Data: SPTD is a potential complication of spine trauma that can cause decreased function and quality of life impairment.

Neurological recovery after early versus delayed surgical decompression for acute traumatic spinal cord injury.

The aim of this study was to determine whether early surgical treatment results in better neurological recovery 12 months after injury than late surgical treatment in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI). Patients with tSCI requiring surgical spinal decompression presenting to 17 centres in Europe were recruited. Depending on the timing of decompression, patients were divided into early (≤ 12 hours after injury) and late (> 12 hours and < 14 days after injury) groups.

Spinal Post-traumatic Deformity: An International Expert Survey Among AO Spine Knowledge Forum Members.

Study Design: Survey among spine experts.

Objective: To investigate the different views and opinions of clinically relevant spinal post-traumatic deformity (SPTD).

Summary Of Background Data: There is no clear definition of clinically relevant SPTD.

SPINE20 recommendations 2021: spine care for people's health and prosperity.

Purpose: The focus of SPINE20 is to develop evidence-based policy recommendations for the G20 countries to work with governments to reduce the burden of spine disease, and disability.

Methods: On September 17-18, 2021, SPINE20 held its annual meeting in Rome, Italy. Prior to the meeting, the SPINE20 created six proposed recommendations.

SPINE20 A global advocacy group promoting evidence-based spine care of value.

Purpose: The Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) Studies have estimated that low back pain is one of the costliest ailments worldwide. Subsequent to GBD publications, leadership of the four largest global spine societies agreed to form SPINE20. This article introduces the concept of SPINE20, the recommendations, and the future of this global advocacy group linked to G20 annual summits.

Multicenter evaluation of therapeutic strategies of inpatients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures in Germany.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess therapeutic strategies of inpatients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures (OTF) in Germany.

Methods: Prospective multi-center study including 16 German-speaking trauma centers over a period of 7 months. All inpatients with OTF were included.

Establishing the Injury Severity of Subaxial Cervical Spine Trauma: Validating the Hierarchical Nature of the AO Spine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System.

Study Design: Global cross-sectional survey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to validate the AO Spine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification by examining the perceived injury severity by surgeon across AO geographical regions and practice experience.

Summary Of Background Data: Previous subaxial cervical spine injury classifications have been limited by subpar interobserver reliability and clinical applicability.

The Subaxial Cervical AO Spine Injury Score.

Study Design: Global cross-sectional survey.

Objective: To develop an injury score for the AO Spine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System.

Methods: Respondents numerically graded each variable within the classification system for severity.

PLIF surgery with titanium-coated PEEK or uncoated PEEK cages: a prospective randomised clinical and radiological study.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare clinical results and fusion rates of uncoated polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages with titanium-coated PEEK cages in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) surgery.

Methods: A prospective randomised study including 60 patients with one- or two-segment lumbar degenerative diseases. Patients received either titanium-coated PEEK cages (group A) or uncoated PEEK cages (group B).

Interobserver reliability of the Gehweiler classification and treatment strategies of isolated atlas fractures: an internet-based multicenter survey among spine surgeons.

Purpose: Atlas (C1) fractures are commonly rated according to the Gehweiler classification, but literature on its reliability is scarce. In addition, evaluation of fracture stability and choosing the most appropriate treatment regime for C1-injuries are challenging. This study aimed to investigate the interobserver reliability of the Gehweiler classification and to identify whether evaluation of fracture stability as well as the treatment of C1-fractures are consistent among spine surgeons.

Regional and experiential differences in surgeon preference for the treatment of cervical facet injuries: a case study survey with the AO Spine Cervical Classification Validation Group.

Purpose: The management of cervical facet dislocation injuries remains controversial. The main purpose of this investigation was to identify whether a surgeon's geographic location or years in practice influences their preferred management of traumatic cervical facet dislocation injuries.

Methods: A survey was sent to 272 AO Spine members across all geographic regions and with a variety of practice experience.

Two-level ACDF with a zero-profile stand-alone spacer compared to conventional plating: a prospective randomized single-center study.

Purpose: Stand-alone zero-profile devices have already proven safety, and a reduced dysphagia rate was assumed. So far, no level-one evidence is available to prove the proposed advantages of zero-profile implants in multilevel procedures. The aim of this RCT was to compare the clinical and radiological outcome of a zero-profile spacer versus cage + plate in two-level ACDF.

Does Riluzole Influence Bone Formation?: An In Vitro Study of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Osteoblast.

Study Design: A post-test design biological experiment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the osteogenic effects of riluzole on human mesenchymal stromal cells and osteoblasts.

Summary Of Background Data: Riluzole may benefit patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) from a neurologic perspective, but little is known about riluzole's effect on bone formation, fracture healing, or osteogenesis.

Two-Nation Comparison of Classification and Treatment of Subaxial Cervical Spine Fractures: An Internet-Based Multicenter Study Among Spine Surgeons.

Background: To date, no evidence-based treatment algorithm is available for fractures of the subaxial spine. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare the management strategy for traumatic subaxial fractures among German and Dutch spine surgeons.

Methods: In our web-based multicenter study, German and Dutch spine surgeons evaluated the computed tomography data of traumatic subaxial fractures (C3-C7).

Transoral Spine Surgery - an Update.

Even though in recent years the number of transoral spinal interventions has decreased in Europe and North America - mainly because of the progress in the drug therapy of rheumatism, there are still pathologies that can only be addressed by a transoral approach. The classical transoral approach can be expanded in collaboration with oral-maxillofacial surgery and ear, nose and throat surgery, but this is rarely necessary. The transoral approach is now mainly used for resection of pathological tissue.