Aims

Implant-related postoperative spondylodiscitis (IPOS) is a severe complication in spine surgery and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. With growing knowledge in the field of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), equivalent investigations towards the management of implant-related infections of the spine are indispensable. To our knowledge, this study provides the largest description of cases of IPOS to date.

Aims

Degenerative cervical spondylosis (DCS) is a common musculoskeletal disease that encompasses a wide range of progressive degenerative changes and affects all components of the cervical spine. DCS imposes very large social and economic burdens. However, its genetic basis remains elusive.

Purpose of study. To evaluate implementation of the Back Skills Training (BeST) programme in clinical practice within the National Health Service (NHS). Background. The BeST programme is a group Cognitive Behavioural Approach (CBA) for people with persistent (≥6 weeks) low back pain (LBP). This intervention has been shown to be clinically and cost-effective in a large pragmatic trial. To aid implementation of the BeST programme, an online training intervention (iBeST) was developed. Methods. iBest was promoted through marketing activities (e.g. conferences, social media, evidence briefs) prior to release and launched in March 2016 for NHS health care professionals. Impact of iBeST is being evaluated by measuring number enrolled, course completion, implementation intention, clinical delivery, perceived competence, attitudes/beliefs towards LBP, knowledge and satisfaction. Data is collected at pre and post-training, 4 months and 12 months after course completion. A service evaluation is also being conducted to measure clinical impact. Patients taking part in the BeST programme as part of routine treatment complete questionnaires at baseline, post-treatment, 3 months and 12 months after the programme to assess pain, disability, recovery, satisfaction and usefulness of BeST. Results. 881 clinicians have enrolled on iBeST and 260 have completed training (target: 250). 28 NHS sites are delivering the BeST programme. 385 and 290 participants have provided baseline and post treatment data respectively (target: 400). Data collection is ongoing. Conclusion. Implementation is challenging but iBeST has been well received by NHS clinicians and we plan to report further results of the impact and service evaluation. Conflict of interest: None. Source of funding: This research is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care Oxford at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health

Aims

To investigate metallosis in patients with magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) and characterize the metal particle profile of the tissues surrounding the rod.

We have assessed whether an epidural steroid injection is effective in the treatment of symptoms due to compression of a nerve root in the lumbar spine by carrying out a prospective, randomised, controlled trial in which patients received either an epidural steroid injection or an intramuscular injection of local anaesthetic and steroid. We assessed a total of 93 patients according to the Oxford pain chart and the Oswestry disability index and followed up for a minimum of two years. All the patients had been categorised as potential candidates for surgery. There was a significant reduction in pain early on in those having an epidural steroid injection but no difference in the long term between the two groups. The rate of subsequent operation in the groups was similar

Purpose. We present results of high intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) therapy on 2 patients with recurrent sacrococcygeal chordoma with the aim to promote recruitment of patients into a larger clinical trial. Method. Extracorporeal high intensity focussed ultrasound, outcome measure: radiological evidence of involution, clinical status at follow up. Sacrococygeal chordomas are rare, histologically benign tumours that tend to grow inexorably causing pain, and loss of function in the lower limbs and genitor-urinary symptoms. Results after surgical resection with conventional radiotherapy have been generally disappointing. Carbon ion therapy has been reported to be more successful, but this is not available in the UK. Both patients presented some years after surgical resection with recurrent sacral chordoma, causing intractable pain, and declining mobility. The patients underwent several (4 and 2) sessions of HIFU, using a protocol adapted for renal cell carcinoma and without any adverse events. Follow up MRI 2 weeks and 3 months post procedure showed reduction in tumour enhancement in targeted areas. This correlated with a patient-reported improvement in pain control and improving lower limb function sustained during a 3 month period. We propose the establishment of a clinical trial examining the utility of HIFU on recurrent sacral/coccygeal chordoma in adults after surgical resection. The outcomes measured will be pain scores, functional status using validated scoring scales to allow systematic comparisons with other treatments, and survival. We aim to recruit at least 14 patients initially. Side-effects and complications of the treatment will be recorded. Treatment and follow up of patients will take place in the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK

Introduction. The Proprio-oculo-vestibular system is involved in scoliosis. In Congress ZORAB, Oxford 2006, we showed correlations between morphological semicircular canals (SCC) anomalies and vestibular dysfunctions associated with oculomotor anomalies. We will describe a set of specific anomalies in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in favour of an altered perception of space. Methods. The study included 95 patients with AIS: 57 had thoracolumbar scoliosis, 24 thoracic scoliosis, and 14 lumbar deformation. Patients were submitted to a set of tests: (1) three-dimensional vestibular evaluation with semicircular canal-specific horizontal and vertical stimulations; (2) measurement of the static ocular torsion; (3) ocular smooth pursuits analyses with a new automatised programme; and (4) posturographic recording (static and dynamic tests). The tests were done before and after treatment (vestibular training and oculomotor training). Results. In AIS, the vestibular and oculomotor results highlighted lateralised signs following a specific pattern: in the case of a right thoracic and right thoracic/left lombar scoliosis we found a right head tilt (head to shoulder), a left horizontal vestibular predominance associated with a posterior vertical predominance, a pronounced exocylotorsion on left eye, and specific abnormal horizontal and vertical smooth pursuits. All these signs were not found in mirror in cases of inversed deformation nor in cases of lumbar scoliosis. Conclusions. We propose that in some AIS, the proprio-oculo-vestibular system is altered and induces anomalies in space perception with consequences on the descending direct vestibulospinal output and consequences on the cognitive top-down influence. Our results suggest that the most common deformation (right thoracic/left lombar) is organised on a predeterminate brain level

Introduction. At the Zorab Symposium in Oxford, 2006, we showed that semicircular canal (SCC) anomalies occurring with posterior basicranium asymmetry affect the oculovestibular system in human beings. As a consequence, we proposed the hypothesis of a descending direct vestibulospinal and cognitive top-down effect on some scoliosis. We will show that some SCC anomalies detected with MRI modelling are malformations frequently found in scoliosis. Methods. 445 patients (323 women, mean age 21 years; 122 men, mean age 24 years) with instability, imbalance, and spatial disorientation were submitted to T2 MRI modelling. 95 of 445 patients had scoliosis: 57 thoracolumbar scoliosis, 24 thoracic scoliosis, and 14 lumbar deformation. We processed the data acquired with G.E.MRI (1.5T), T2- 3D Fiesta with a set of Brainvisa modules (http://brainvisa.info/). Results. We detected abnormal connection between the lymphatic posterior and lateral duct (LPDC) in 67 of 445 (15%) patients. The frequency of LPDC was equal in men (18/122 [14·7%]) and women (nine of 323 [15·1%]). In patients with scoliosis, LPDC was more frequent (29/95 [30·5%]): these patients belonged to the thoracolumbar subgroup, but no correlation with the Cobb angle was established. Three patients with scoliosis with LPDC were submitted to threedimensional CT scan (figure 1): the modelling revealed that LPDC was also present on the bony canals. Aplasia (defined by Casselman [2009] as a partial interruption of the fluid-filled semicircular ducts) on lateral duct was detected in 129 of 445 patients (28·9%). In patients with scoliosis, lateral canal aplasia (LCA) was recorded in 40 of 95 (42·0%) patients (figure 2) and bilaterally in 25 of 40 (62·5%). LCA was specific of thoracolumbar scoliosis (Mann-Whitney U test: p=0·002). Aplasia of anterior and/or posterior ducts was present in 97 of 445 patients. In patients with scoliosis, bilateral aplasia of the anterior canal was the most frequent result (24/95), mainly in thoracolumbar scoliosis. We also discovered a lateral duct shaped as a saccule partially merged with the utricle in four patients with scoliosis (figure 3). Conclusions. Lateral SCC malformations and highly suspected associated malformations of the otolithic chambers have been implicated in abnormal descending vestibulospinal output and potentially cause scoliosis in otherwise healthy individuals. In this study, through cross checked modelling (MRI/CT), LPDC abnormalities related to the ossification of the inner-ear canal structure were noted in a subgroup of individuals with a diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis. A co-development of inner-ear structures with the molecular pathways of axial development is suggestive of an integrated molecular pathway that is related to individuals with idiopathic scoliosis

Aims

We undertook a prospective non-randomised radiological study to evaluate the preliminary results of using magnetically-controlled growing rods (MAGEC System, Ellipse technology) to treat children with early-onset scoliosis.

The widespread use of MRI has revolutionised the diagnostic process for spinal disorders. A typical protocol for spinal MRI includes T1 and T2 weighted sequences in both axial and sagittal planes. While such an imaging protocol is appropriate to detect pathological processes in the vast majority of patients, a number of additional sequences and advanced techniques are emerging. The purpose of the article is to discuss both established techniques that are gaining popularity in the field of spinal imaging and to introduce some of the more novel ‘advanced’ MRI sequences with examples to highlight their potential uses.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1683–92.

C5 nerve root palsy is a rare and potentially debilitating complication of cervical spine surgery. Currently, however, there are no guidelines to help surgeons to prevent or treat this complication.

We carried out a systematic review of the literature to identify the causes of this complication and options for its prevention and treatment. Searches of PubMed, Embase and Medline yielded 60 articles for inclusion, most of which addressed C5 palsy as a complication of surgery. Although many possible causes were given, most authors supported posterior migration of the spinal cord with tethering of the nerve root as being the most likely.

Early detection and prevention of a C5 nerve root palsy using neurophysiological monitoring and variations in surgical technique show promise by allowing surgeons to minimise or prevent the incidence of C5 palsy. Conservative treatment is the current treatment of choice; most patients make a full recovery within two years.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:950–5.

This article reviews the current knowledge of the intervertebral disc (IVD) and its association with low back pain (LBP). The normal IVD is a largely avascular and aneural structure with a high water content, its nutrients mainly diffusing through the end plates. IVD degeneration occurs when its cells die or become dysfunctional, notably in an acidic environment. In the process of degeneration, the IVD becomes dehydrated and vascularised, and there is an ingrowth of nerves. Although not universally the case, the altered physiology of the IVD is believed to precede or be associated with many clinical symptoms or conditions including low back and/or lower limb pain, paraesthesia, spinal stenosis and disc herniation.

New treatment options have been developed in recent years. These include biological therapies and novel surgical techniques (such as total disc replacement), although many of these are still in their experimental phase. Central to developing further methods of treatment is the need for effective ways in which to assess patients and measure their outcomes. However, significant difficulties remain and it is therefore an appropriate time to be further investigating the scientific basis of and treatment of LBP.