Development and validation of a nomogram to predict the unfavorable outcomes in elderly patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative disease.

Objective: Failure to understand long-term quality of life and functional outcomes hinders effective decision making and prognostication. Therefore, the study aims to predict and analyse the unfavorable outcomes (FOs) in elderly patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery.

Methods: Consecutive 382 patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery for lumbar degenerative disease from March 2019 to July 2022 were enrolled in this study.

Impact of non-weight-dependent low-dose somatropin on bone accrual in childhood-onset GH deficient in the transition: an 18-month randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Discontinuation of growth hormone therapy (rhGH) upon completion of linear growth may adversely affect bone mineral density and content (BMD/BMC) in adolescents with childhood-onset GH deficiency (CO-GHD) and predisposition to osteoporosis. Although the benefits of weight-dependent somatropin high doses over bone gain are established, little is known about fixed low doses. We analyzed the impact of non-weight-based low-dose somatropin on bone accrual during the transition among CO-DGH patients, treated since childhood.

Hormones synthesized by the adrenal reticulum protect bone density in premenopausal women with Cushing syndrome.

Background: Differences in bone metabolism between patients with adrenal Cushing's syndrome (ACS) and Cushing's disease (CD) have been noted, but the impact of steroid hormones on bone metabolism remains underexplored. The purpose of this study is to explore the differences in bone metabolism between the two subtypes of Cushing's syndrome and the correlation between hormones synthesized by the adrenal reticulum and bone metabolism.

Method: This retrospective study included 75 premenopausal women, consisting of 33 patients with CD and 42 patients with ACS.

Role of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and T2 Relaxometry as Imaging Biomarker of Early Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Study Design: Observational comparative study.

Objective: To study the role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and T2 relaxometry (T2r) as imaging biomarkers for identifying early lumbar disc degeneration.

Methods: We evaluated 236 discs in normal volunteers and 215 discs in low back pain (LBP) patients by MRS and T2r to document the molecular spectra of various metabolites as well as disc hydration and collagen content, respectively.

Impact of Spinal Manipulative Therapy on Brain Function and Pain Alleviation in Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Resting-State fMRI Study.

Objective: To elucidate how spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) exerts its analgesic effects through regulating brain function in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients by utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).

Methods: From September 2021 to September 2023, we enrolled LDH patients (LDH group, n=31) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n=28). LDH group underwent rs-fMRI at 2 distinct time points (TPs): prior to the initiation of SMT (TP1) and subsequent to the completion of the SMT sessions (TP2).

Improving the prediction of chemotherapy dose-limiting toxicity in colon cancer patients using an AI-CT-based 3D body composition of the entire L1-L5 lumbar spine.

Purpose: Chemotherapy dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) pose a significant challenge in successful colon cancer treatment. Body composition analysis may enable tailored interventions thereby supporting the mitigation of chemotherapy toxic effects. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of using three-dimensional (3D) CT body composition measures from the entire lumbar spine levels (L1-L5) versus a single vertebral level (L3), the current gold standard, in predicting chemotherapy DLT in colon cancer patients.

The Da Vinci Robot, a Promising Yet Underused Minimally Invasive Tool for Spine Surgery: a Scoping Review of its Current Role and Limits.

Background: The Da Vinci robot ® (DVR), released in the early 2000s, provided a set of innovation aiming at pushing minimally invasive surgery forward. Its stereoscopic magnified visualization camera, motions that exceed the natural range of the human hand, or tremor reduction enhanced the surgeon's skills and added value in many surgical fields.

Objective: To map the current use of the DVR in spine surgery, identify gaps, address its limits and future perspectives.

Postsurgical outcomes differ according to baseline sagittal alignment status even in patients achieving adequate correction relative to age-adjusted alignment target for adult spinal deformity.

Background Context: Baseline severities of sagittal malalignment and degrees of pelvic compensation may affect postsurgical outcomes differently after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery, even if the patients achieved optimal correction of sagittal malalignment.

Purpose: To investigate whether postsurgical outcomes vary according to baseline sagittal alignment and pelvic compensation status in patients achieving adequate correction relative to age-adjusted alignment target in ASD surgery.

Study Design/setting: Retrospective study PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients who underwent ≥ 5-level fusion to the pelvis for ASD; achieved matched correction relative to age-adjusted pelvic incidence (PI)-lumbar lordosis (LL); and completed ≥ 2-year follow-up.

Opioid Prescribing Trends Following Lumbar Discectomy.

Background: Lumbar diskectomy is a common procedure, following which a brief course of narcotics is often prescribed. Nonetheless, increasing attention has been given to such prescribing patterns to limit adverse effects and the potential for abuse. This study investigated prescribing patterns of opioid within 90 days following lumbar diskectomy.

The Clinical Status of Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Reflects Their Individual Decision to Undergo or Defer Lumbar Spinal Surgery.

Objective: To evaluate whether functional, clinical, and self-reported tests reflect lumbar spinal stenosis patients' decisions to undergo or defer surgery.

Methods: Among 108 participants, 77 chose surgery (SG), and 31 opted to wait and see (WaSG) whether they got better spontaneously. Both groups were assessed at baseline (t0) and 3 months (t1), with additional self-reported measures at 6 (t2) and 12 months (t3).

A propensity score-matched comparison between single-stage and multistage anterior/posterior lumbar fusion surgery: a Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative study.

Objective: Patients undergoing anterior/posterior lumbar fusion surgery can undergo either a single-stage or multistage operation, depending on surgeon preference. The goal of this study was to assess different patient outcomes between single-stage and multistage lumbar fusion procedures in a multicenter setting.

Methods: The Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative database was queried for anterior/posterior lumbar fusion surgeries between July 2018 and January 2022.

Presentation, management, and outcome of traumatic spine injuries in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Traumatic spinal injury (TSI) involves diverse etiologies, posing different risks among patient populations worldwide. Discrepancies in TSI treatment and outcomes between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries highlight the critical necessity for tailored management approaches for this global challenge. This study delves into the presentation, management, and outcomes of TSI in Africa.

Risk factors for deep surgical site infection following open posterior lumbar fusion: A retrospective case-control study.

This study aimed to identify risk factors for deep surgical site infection (SSI) following open posterior lumbar fusion (OPLF). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent OPLF between January 2014 and December 2022. Patients were divided into SSI and non-SSI groups according to whether deep SSI occurred following OPLF.

Subarachnoid anesthesia for sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease treatment: A case report.

Rationale: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (SPD) is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting young males. This case report details the perioperative anesthetic management of a patient undergoing SPD surgery under subarachnoid anesthesia.

Patient Concerns: A 48-year-old obese male (body mass index 28 kg/m2) presented with recurrent sacrococcygeal swelling, pain, and purulent discharge for 2 months.

Pneumorachis mimicking lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar spinal stenosis: A case report and literature review.

Rationale: Pneumorachis is an uncommon lesion of the spinal canal, which is often asymptomatic. The pathogenesis and treatment strategies are uncertain because only a few cases have been reported. Some patients were treated with percutaneous aspiration or percutaneous endoscopic treatment, but poor pain release and symptom recurrence were observed.

Minimally Invasive Hemilaminectomy in Baastrup Disease: A Case Report and Discussion of "Kissing Spine Disease".

Case: A patient presented with midline back pain radiating into the left lower extremity. Magnetic Resonance images revealed an abnormal midline dorsal structure described as a facet cyst. Rupture was attempted by spinal needle under fluoroscopic guidance.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of diastasis recti abdominis and its association with pelvic floor dysfunction in postpartum women: a cross-sectional study of a two-year retrospective cohort.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the ultrasonographic findings of Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA) in postpartum women, explore associated risk factors, and assess the relationship between DRA and pelvic floor dysfunction.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 143 parturient women diagnosed with DRA at our institution from January 2022 to December 2023. The study aimed to assess the ultrasonographic characteristics and clinical implications of DRA in postpartum women.

Infected Primary Bone Mantle Cell Lymphoma with Multiple Vertebral Involvement.

Primary vertebral lymphoma is an exceedingly rare entity. We hereby report a case of a 67-year-old male who presented to our department with fever, weight loss, and progressively worsening lower back pain radiating to the right hip. Physical examination showed pain on percussion of the dorsal and lumbar spine and tenderness on palpation of the right upper thigh area.

Severe Transverse Myelitis Following Ankle Surgery Potentially Unmasking Late-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

A 70-year-old female underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of her right ankle following a mechanical trip and fell two weeks before hospital admission. Two weeks following surgery, the patient experienced sudden-onset bilateral anterior thigh paresthesias and burning mid-back pain. Over the ensuing two days, the patient developed bilateral lower extremity weakness, bilateral lower extremity numbness, and urinary retention with constipation, which led to hospital presentation.

Beyond the Stroke: A Case Report of Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory, autoimmune demyelinating condition and poses diagnostic challenges due to varied presentations. This case report presents a divergence from typical clinical presentations of multiple sclerosis (MS), as the initial presentation resembled symptoms of a brain stem stroke. Conventionally, MS suspicion arises in the presence of previous neurological deficits or signs of optic neuritis.

Scoliosis instrumentation alters primary and coupled motions of the spine: An in vitro study using entire thoracolumbar spine and rib cage specimens.

Background: Effects of rigid posterior instrumentation on the three-dimensional post-operative spinal flexibility are widely unknown. Purpose of this in vitro study was to quantify these effects for characteristic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis instrumentations.

Methods: Six fresh frozen human thoracic and lumbar spine specimens (C7-S) with entire rib cage from young adult donors (26-45 years) without clinically relevant deformity were loaded quasi-statically with pure moments of 5 Nm in flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation.

Inter-observer variability in the classification of lumbar foraminal stenosis in magnetic resonance imaging using different evaluation scales.

Background: The evaluation of lumbar spine degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is prone to inter-reader variability, including when assessing foraminal changes. This variability, often due to subjective criteria and inconsistent terminology, may affect clinical correlations. Standardized criteria could help improve agreement among readers.

Characteristics of lipid metabolism and fat distribution in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and their Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized by elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and hypercalcemia. Although research suggests a potential link between PTH and lipid metabolism, the evidence remains inconclusive. This study investigated lipid metabolism and fat distribution in PHPT patients.