We report two cases of Serratia marcescens infection at the sites of spinal fractures and emphasise the fact that neurological deterioration soon after spinal fracture may be due to acute vertebral osteomyelitis

Aims. Gram-negative infections are associated with comorbid patients, but outcomes are less well understood. This study reviewed diagnosis, management, and treatment for a cohort treated in a tertiary spinal centre. Methods. A retrospective review was performed of all gram-negative spinal infections (n = 32; median age 71 years; interquartile range 60 to 78), excluding surgical site infections, at a single centre between 2015 to 2020 with two- to six-year follow-up. Information regarding organism identification, antibiotic regime, and treatment outcomes (including clinical, radiological, and biochemical) were collected from clinical notes. Results. All patients had comorbidities and/or non-spinal procedures within the previous year. Most infections affected lumbar segments (20/32), with Escherichia coli the commonest organism (17/32). Causative organisms were identified by blood culture (23/32), biopsy/aspiration (7/32), or intraoperative samples (2/32). There were 56 different antibiotic regimes, with oral (PO) ciprofloxacin being the most prevalent (13/56; 17.6%). Multilevel, contiguous infections were common (8/32; 25%), usually resulting in bone destruction and collapse. Epidural collections were seen in 13/32 (40.6%). In total, five patients required surgery, three for neurological deterioration. Overall, 24 patients improved or recovered with a mean halving of CRP at 8.5 days (SD 6). At the time of review (two to six years post-diagnosis), 16 patients (50%) were deceased. Conclusion. This is the largest published cohort of gram-negative spinal infections. In older patients with comorbidities and/or previous interventions in the last year, a high level of suspicion must be given to gram-negative infection with blood cultures and biopsy essential. Early organism identification permits targeted treatment and good initial clinical outcomes; however, mortality is 50% in this cohort at a mean of 4.2 years (2 to 6) after diagnosis. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(5):435–443

We assessed the frequency and causes of neurological deterioration in 59 patients with spinal cord injury on whom reports were prepared for clinical negligence litigation. In those who deteriorated neurologically we assessed the causes of the change in neurology and whether that neurological deterioration was potentially preventable. In all 27 patients (46%) changed neurologically, 20 patients (74% of those who deteriorated) had no primary neurological deficit. Of those who deteriorated, 13 (48%) became Frankel A. Neurological deterioration occurred in 23 of 38 patients (61%) with unstable fractures and/or dislocations; all 23 patients probably deteriorated either because of failures to immobilise the spine or because of inappropriate removal of spinal immobilisation. Of the 27 patients who altered neurologically, neurological deterioration was, probably, avoidable in 25 (excess movement in 23 patients with unstable injuries, failure to evacuate an epidural haematoma in one patient and over-distraction following manipulation of the cervical spine in one patient). If existing guidelines and standards for the management of actual or potential spinal cord injury had been followed, neurological deterioration would have been prevented in 25 of the 27 patients (93%) who experienced a deterioration in their neurological status. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:527–31

The diagnostic sub-categorization of cauda equina syndrome (CES) is used to aid communication between doctors and other healthcare professionals. It is also used to determine the need for, and urgency of, MRI and surgery in these patients. A recent paper by Hoeritzauer et al (2023) in this journal examined the interobserver reliability of the widely accepted subcategories in 100 patients with cauda equina syndrome. They found that there is no useful interobserver agreement for the subcategories, even for experienced spinal surgeons. This observation is supported by the largest prospective study of the treatment of cauda equina syndrome in the UK by Woodfield et al (2023). If the accepted subcategories are unreliable, they cannot be used in the way that they are currently, and they should be revised or abandoned. This paper presents a reassessment of the diagnostic and prognostic subcategories of cauda equina syndrome in the light of this evidence, with a suggested cure based on a more inclusive synthesis of symptoms, signs, bladder ultrasound scan results, and pre-intervention urinary catheterization.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(3):227–231.

Aims. To address the natural history of severe post-tuberculous (TB) kyphosis, with focus upon the long-term neurological outcome, occurrence of restrictive lung disease, and the effect on life expectancy. . Patients and Methods. This is a retrospective clinical review of prospectively collected imaging data based at a single institute. A total of 24 patients of Southern Chinese origin who presented with spinal TB with a mean of 113° of kyphosis (65° to 159°) who fulfilled inclusion criteria were reviewed. Plain radiographs were used to assess the degree of spinal deformity. Myelography, CT and MRI were used when available to assess the integrity of the spinal cord and canal. Patient demographics, age of onset of spinal TB and interventions, types of surgical procedure, intra- and post-operative complications, and neurological status were assessed. . Results. All except one of the 24 patients were treated with anti-TB chemotherapy when they were first diagnosed with spinal TB. They subsequently received surgery either for neurological deterioration, or deformity correction in later life. The mean follow-up was 34 years (11 to 59) since these surgical interventions. Some 16 patients (66.7%) suffered from late neurological deterioration at a mean of 26 years (8 to 49) after the initial drug treatment. The causes of neurological deterioration were healed disease in nine patients (56.2%), re-activation in six patients (37.5%) and adjacent level spinal stenosis in one patient (6.3%). The result of surgery was worse in healed disease. Eight patients without neurological deterioration received surgery to correct the kyphosis. The mean correction ranged from 97° to 72°. Three patients who were clinically quiescent with no neurological deterioration were found to have active TB of the spine. Solid fusion was achieved in all cases and no patient suffered from neurological deterioration after 42 years of follow-up. On final follow-up, six patients were noted to have deceased (age range: 47 years to 75 years). Conclusion. Our study presents one of the longest assessments of spinal TB with severe kyphosis. Severe post-TB kyphosis may lead to significant health problems many years following the initial drug treatment. Early surgical correction of the kyphosis, solid fusion and regular surveillance may avoid late complications. Paraplegia, restrictive lung disease and early onset kyphosis might relate to early death. Clinically quiescent disease does not mean cure. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1381–8

Introduction. Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is associated with progressive neurological deterioration. Surgical decompression can halt but not reverse this progression. The Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Assessment (MJOA) tool is recommended by international guidelines to grade disease severity into mild, moderate and severe, where moderate and severe are both recommended to undergo surgical intervention. During Covid-19 Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, identified DCM patients as high risk for sustaining permanent neurological damage due to surgical delay. The Advanced Spinal Practitioner (ASP) team implemented a surveillance project to evaluate those at risk. Methods. A spreadsheet was compiled of all DCM patients known to the service. Patients were telephoned (Oct-Nov 2021) by an ASP. MJOA score was recorded and those describing progressive deterioration were reviewed by the ASP team on a spinal same day emergency assessment unit. Incident forms were completed for clinical deterioration and recorded as severe harm. Acute, progressive neurological deterioration was fast tracked for emergency surgical decompression. Results. 45 patients were telephoned, 18 (40%) had deteriorated. Of the 18, 9 underwent urgent surgical decompression, 6 still await surgery and 3 continue to be monitored. Those who had deteriorated were sent a formal apology and duty of candour letter. Conclusion. It appears that patients with a diagnosis of DCM deteriorate over time. Delays to timely surgical intervention can have a deleterious effect on patient's neurological function. Baseline assessment should be clearly documented and scoring system such as MJOA considered for effective monitoring. Safety netting for deterioration should be standard practice, and a clear pathway for emergency presentation identified. Conflicts of interest: No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding: No funding obtained

Introduction. Patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) or unstable spinal lesions warrant early surgical consultation. In multiple myeloma, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have the potential to decompress the spinal canal effectively in the presence of epidural lesions. Mechanical stability conferred by bracing may potentiate intraosseous and extraosseous bone formation, thus increasing spinal stability. This study aims to review the role of non-operative management in myeloma patients with a high degree of spinal instability, in a specialist tertiary centre. Methods. Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of 83 patients with unstable myelomatous lesions of the spine, defined by a Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) of 13–18. Data collected include patient demographics, systemic treatment, neurological status, radiological presence of cord compression, most unstable vertebral level and presence of intraosseous and extraosseous bone formation. Post-treatment scores were calculated based on follow-up imaging which was carried out at 2 weeks for cord compression and 12 weeks for spinal instability. A paired t-test was used to identify any significant difference between pre- and post-treatment SINS and linear regression was used to assess the association between variables and the change in SINS. Results. A significant reduction in SINS was observed from a pre-treatment average score of 14 to a score of 9, following treatment for myeloma (p<0.001). A higher initial score and a younger age were associated with a larger overall reduction in SINS (p<0.001 and p=0.02 respectively). No single variable (bisphosphates, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and steroids) had a significant association with SINS reduction. 25 (30%) patients had spinal cord compression, all of which showed radiological resolution of cord compression at 2 weeks. No patients developed neurological deterioration during treatment and all patients had an improvement in their pain scores. 64 (77%) patients had evidence of intraosseous and/or extraosseous bone formation on their follow-up scan. Conclusion. Non-operative management in the form of bracing and systemic therapy is a safe and effective treatment for spinal instability and spinal cord compression in myeloma. Treatment of unstable myelomatous lesions of the spine with or without cord compression should not follow traditional guidelines for MSCC. The decision to adopt a non-operative approach in this cohort of patients should ideally be made in a tertiary centre with expertise in multiple myeloma and in a multidisciplinary setting

To report on the management of a patient with grade 1 holocord pilocytic astrocytoma and scoliosis. Case report of a rare spinal cord tumour and a management of the scoliosis. An 11 year boy complained of gradually worsening neck, back pain and pain in all limbs. This was accompanied by unsteadiness, weakness of lower limbs and bed wetting of recent onset. There was a family history of spinal cord tumour. Examination revealed signs of spinal cord compression and a left thoracic scoliosis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intra-medullary tumour extending through the spinal cord and syrinx formation. He underwent T1-3 approach for drainage of syrinx, biopsy of tumour and laminoplasty with plates. He was started on chemotherapy for 14 months. During this period a syringo-peritoneal shunt was inserted. There was further growth of the tumour and neurological deterioration. He subsequently underwent T8-L1 laminoplasty, debulking of tumour and insertion of dual diameter growing rods. There has been no significant neurological deterioration. There was good correction of the scoliosis with Cobb angle reducing from 50 to 15 degrees. Lengthening of growing rods has been done 4 times with good length achieved. Excision of tumour and growing rod insertion (not previously reported) is a good way of controlling neurological symptoms and the scoliosis in this rare spinal cord tumour

We report three patients with neurological deterioration after the reduction of cervical spine dislocation. In each case compression of the spinal cord by disc material was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging and recovery occurred following removal of the compressing disc. A separate radiological study suggested that disproportionate narrowing of the disc space implies disc extrusion; reduction of a dislocation showing this sign may produce or exacerbate neurological deterioration

Introduction. Metastatic involvement of the lumbo-sacral junction/sacrum usually signifies advanced disease. The aim of this study was to report our results on the management of patients with metastases referred to this anatomical region over the last 5 years (July 2006- July 2010). Methods. Retrospective analysis from a comprehensive spinal oncology database. Results. During this period, a total of 14 patients (mean age 65.6 years (58-87), 8 female, 6 male) were referred to our unit. The majority had symptoms of pain and neurological deterioration (11) with onset of pain considerably longer than neurology symptoms (296 days (7-1825) versus 7 days (1-28); 3 were non-ambulatory at presentation. The primary tumours were Renal cell (4), Breast (2), Prostate (2), GI (2), unknown primary (2), lung (1) and neuroendocrine (1). Operative procedures performed were decompression with lumbo-pelvic stabilisation (5), decompression with(out) biopsy (7), posterior decompression/reconstruction with anterior excision/stabilisation (1) and laminectomy with sacroplasty (1). There were 8/14 (57%) complications including neurological deterioration (2), wound infection (2) and metalwork revision (1). Post-operatively, 7 patients received radiotherapy, 3 improved one Frankel grade and the others remained stable. All patients were ambulatory. The mean survival was 412 days (105-1005) and most patients returned either back to their own home (8) or a nursing home (4). Conclusion. The incidence of metastases in this region is relatively uncommon. Surgical intervention has a high complication rate (8/14, 57%) but can be important in restoring/preserving neurological function, assisting with ambulatory function and allowing patients to return to their previous accommodation

Purpose. To determine whether MRI done prior to reduction altered the surgeon's choice of reduction method. Method. One hundred and four patients were included in this retrospective review. The first component of this study identified the presence of uncontained, herniated discs in this patient group. The MRI scans were reviewed by two teams including a radiology team and orthopaedic team. These scans were assessed without clinical information and the teams did not have access to the patient notes. An Interrater agreement assessment was applied to the data and the most reliable inter-observer variables of disc injury were chosen to identify the presence of a herniated uncontained intervertebral disc. The second part of this study entailed a detailed clinical note review specifically looking at type of reduction, whether it was intended and the reason why a certain type of reduction was chosen. These naturally divided the 104 patients into 5 cohorts including; closed reduction, Intended open reduction due to the documented presence of a ‘dangerous disc’, open reduction following failed closed reduction, open reduction with no documented reason and open reduction due to delay in presentation. Since closed reduction would not be considered in delayed presentations this cohort was removed from data analysis. Additionally the pre and post reduction neurological status was noted. Results. The cohort that included ‘Intended open reduction due to presence of an uncontained disc’ included 11.5% of patients in this data subset. These cases all had MRI's that were documented to have influenced the type of reduction (p=0.006). However 57% of patients with uncontained discs had had attempted closed reduction; 31% were successful and 27% failed. Using the binomial exact test we calculate the 95% confidence interval showing .054 and .208; thus the reduction method was significantly changed by performing MRI. One patient developed neurological compromise after failed closed reduction. This formed 3.6% of 28 uncontained discs that had attempted closed reduction. Conclusion. The risk of neurological deterioration with closed reduction in the presence of an uncontained disc the risk is 3.6% with an overall risk of 2.2% for this cohort. This study confirms pre-reduction MRI to significantly affect surgeon's decision making. Therr is a significant cost to MRI investigation and the incidence of neurological deterioration of 2.2% needs to be seen against this. ONE DISCLOSURE

Purpose: A descriptive cohort study of the surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis in a single unit in the United Kingdom. Tuberculosis is a common disorder and may be increasing in prevalence. 83 cases of spinal involvement with TB occurred and of these 40 patients had a total of 61 interventional procedures. Indications for intervention were:. Progressive neurological deterioration. Failure to respond to treatment. Doubt about the diagnosis. Progressive deformity. Results: The age range was from 12 to 73. Sixteen patients had 17 closed biopsies to assist in establishing the diagnosis, of these four went on require further surgical procedures. There were five intermediate level procedures such as application of halo or removal of hardware. Two patients were Caucasian with no predisposing factors and delays occurred in the initial diagnosis. Diabetes was a significant associated co-morbidity particularly in Asian patients. Multiple procedures were required usually for staged stabilisation after anterior decompression. 2 patients had four procedures, 2 had three procedures and 10 had two procedures 27 had a single procedure. Nine patients that underwent anterior decompression and strut grafting for neurological deterioration went on to have a second stage extra focal fixation and became ambulant. One death occurred from mesenteric infarction at 4 months post op in this group. Significant neurological recovery occurred after surgery in the neurologically impaired patients. Two revision procedures were required in the cervical spine for inadequate primary stabilisation. Conclusion: About half of the spinal TB cases come to interventional procedures. Surgery when required is often a complex decompression and staged reconstruction

The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the indications for spinal instrumentation, report the clinical features, operative details and outcome in 16 patients with active pyogenic spinal infection. Between January 1991 to October 1999, 81 patients with spontaneous pyogenic spinal infection were treated at the authors’ institution. Surgery (other than biopsy) was indicated in 24 patients for neurological deterioration, deformity or instability. Sixteen of these patients were treated with instrumentation in the presence of active spinal infection. Six patients underwent combined anterior and posterior procedures. 10 had a posterior procedure only. Outcomes assessed were control of infection, neurology, fusion, back pain and complications. At a mean follow up period of 26. 9 months, all surviving patients were free of clinical infection. None of the patients had neurological deterioration. All patients who had neurological deficit preoperatively improved by at least one Frankel grade. A solid fusion was achieved in 15 patients. 12/15 patients remained asymptomatic or had very little pain. The remaining 3 patients had mild to moderate back pain. The mean correction of the kyphotic deformity was 18. 92 degrees. Postoperative complications included bronchopneumonia, nonfatal pulmonary embolism and seizures in 3 patients. One patient developed progressive kyphosis despite instrumentation but eventually fused in kyphus. Given early recognition of pyogenic spinal infection, most cases can be managed non-operatively. Our results support that instrumented fusion with or without decompression may be used safely when indicated without the risk of recurrence of infection. Instrumentation facilitates nursing care and allows early mobilisation. For biomechanical reasons, a combined procedure is probably indicated for lesions above the conus. For lesions below the conus, we were able to achieve successful results with posterior approach only

Retrospective review of seventeen consecutive survivors of craniocervical dissociation (CCD). Thirteen patients had delay in diagnosis, with associated neurologic deterioration in five. Diagnosis of CCD was entertained after lateral C-spine x-ray in only two patients, and after screening C-spine CT in two others. At fifteen-month average follow-up, mean ASIA motor score improved from fifty preoperatively to seventy-nine postoperatively. One patient had temporary postoperative neurologic decline. There were no pseudarthroses. The diagnosis of CCD is often missed, with potentially severe neurologic consequences. Early diagnosis and stabilization are neuroprotective. A classification that identifies minimally displaced yet unstable injuries may improve diagnostic accuracy. To identify the timing and method of diagnosis, diagnostic reliability of screening lateral radiographs, effect of delayed diagnosis, complications of treatment, and neurologic outcome of this life-threatening condition. Diagnosis of craniocervical dissociation (CCD) was frequently delayed, increasing the risk of neurologic decline. Early diagnosis and stabilization protected against worsening spinal cord injury. This study highlights the importance of disciplined evaluation of the lateral cervical spine radiograph of poly-traumatized patients. Head-injured patients with cranio-facial trauma and asymmetric high cervical spinal cord injuries should heighten clinicians’ suspicion of CCD. CCD was identified or suspected on two of seventeen (12%) initial lateral cervical spine radiographs, and on screening CT scan in only two additional patients (12%), despite an abnormal dens-basion relationship in 16/17 (94%) patients. Of the thirteen patients with (two-day average) delay in diagnosis, 5/13 (38%) had profound neurologic deterioration. One patient worsened temporarily after fixation. There were no pseudarthroses at fifteen-month average follow-up. Mean ASIA motor score of fifty improved to seventy-nine, and the number of patients with useful motor function (ASIA D or E) increased from seven (41%) preoperatively to thirteen (76%) postoperatively. Four patients with severe craniocervical instability had < 3 mm displacement. We therefore adopted a classification based on provocative traction testing of minimally displaced injuries.(Table). Retrospective review of seventeen consecutive CCD survivors identified between 1994–2002 through institutional databases. Radiographic and clinical results were evaluated, emphasizing timing of diagnosis, effect of delayed diagnosis, clinical or radiographic warning signs, and response to treatment. Please contact author for tables and /or diagrams

Cervical bifacet dislocations are devastating injuries and require early reduction and surgical stabilization. Closed reduction is safe and neurological deterioration is rare. Pre-reduction MRI can cause clinical uncertainty as to the safety of closed reduction when a significant sequestrated disc is found. This study explores the direct cord pressures in a bifacet dislocation model with the use of fresh frozen cadaver cervical spines and a Tekscan Pressure Measurement System. Method. Surgical dislocations were created and pressure monitors inserted into the canal. Pressures on the cord from the posterior-superior edge of the caudal body as well as that from the cranial body were assessed at the level of the dislocation. The effects of the presence of a disc and its size, reduction angles and level of dislocation before and during closed reduction were evaluated. Results. The average dislocated spinal cord pressures were measured at 3.81 kPa and increased to 20.22 kPa under traction. This decreased to 1.295 kPa after cervical spine reduction. Average cord pressures as well as peak loading pressures were shown to increase with the increasing size of the prolapsed disc and diminished once the spine was reduced. Conclusion. This model provides additional insight into cervical spine dislocation and the contribution of disc prolapse to cord injury. NO DISCLOSURES

The August 2023 Spine Roundup360 looks at: Changes in paraspinal muscles correspond to the severity of degeneration in patients with lumbar stenosis; Steroid injections are not effective in the prevention of surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy; A higher screw density is associated with fewer mechanical complications after surgery for adult spinal deformity; Methylprednisolone following minimally invasive lumbar decompression: a large prospective single-institution study; Occupancy rate of pedicle screw below 80% is a risk factor for upper instrumented vertebral fracture following adult spinal deformity surgery; Deterioration after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy: an observational study from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network.

Aims

To determine the major risk factors for unplanned reoperations (UROs) following corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) and their interactions, using machine learning-based prediction algorithms and game theory.

Initial treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury remains as controversial in 2023 as it was in the early 19th century, when Sir Astley Cooper and Sir Charles Bell debated the merits or otherwise of surgery to relieve cord compression. There has been a lack of high-class evidence for early surgery, despite which expeditious intervention has become the surgical norm. This evidence deficit has been progressively addressed in the last decade and more modern statistical methods have been used to clarify some of the issues, which is demonstrated by the results of the SCI-POEM trial. However, there has never been a properly conducted trial of surgery versus active conservative care. As a result, it is still not known whether early surgery or active physiological management of the unstable injured spinal cord offers the better chance for recovery. Surgeons who care for patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries in the acute setting should be aware of the arguments on all sides of the debate, a summary of which this annotation presents.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(4):347–355.

Purpose of the study. To review the primary bone tumours of the spine treated at our unit. Description of methods. Retrospective review of folders and x-rays of all the patients with primary bone tumours of the spine treated at our unit between 2005 and 2012. All haematological tumours were excluded. Summary of results. We treated 15 cases during this period. The median age at presentation was 36 years (8–65). There was a significant delay from onset of symptoms to diagnosis in most cases (median 7 months). Histological diagnoses included:. -Benign tumours.  Active. Hemangioma. 3. Osteoid osteoma. 1. Eosinophilic granuloma. 1.  Aggressive. Osteoblastoma. 1. Giant cell tumours. 2. Aneurysmal bone cysts. 4. -Malignant tumours.  Osteosarcomas. 2.  Leiomyosarcoma of bone. 1. A variety of definitive surgical methods were utilised. Seven patients had a debulking or intralesional resection of the tumour. Eight patients had an attempted marginal excision. This was achieved through anterior surgery only in 1 case, posterior only surgery in 6 cases and combination anterior and posterior surgery in 8 cases. The anterior and posterior surgery was performed in a single sitting in 5 cases and in a staged fashion in 3 cases. Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were used where indicated. Three cases presented with significant neurological impairment. Of these 2 made a significant recovery. There were no cases of neurological deterioration following surgery. All 3 patients with malignant tumours died in the follow up period. We had 1 case of hardware failure due to chronic sepsis. Conclusion. Primary bone tumours of the spine are associated with a significant delay in diagnosis. Surgical treatment options and adjuvant therapy should be tailor made for each case depending on the diagnosis. Acceptable results with minimal complications can be achieved with this approach

Cervical myelopathy is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication of rheumatoid atlanto-axial subluxation. Computerised myelotomography with three-dimensional reconstruction shows that rheumatoid pannus, together with the odontoid peg, contributes significantly to anterior cervico-medullary compression. These findings were the basis for treatment by transoral anterior decompression and posterior occipitocervical fusion, which removes both bony and soft-tissue causes of compression and allows early mobilisation without major external fixation. We report encouraging results from this combined approach in 14 patients who had progressive neurological deterioration