Aims. The aim of this study was to use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate changes in diffusion metrics in patients with cervical spondylotic
We reviewed 75 patients (57 men and 18 women), who had undergone tension-band laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic
We evaluated 30 patients with cervical
We retrospectively examined the prevalence and
natural history of asymptomatic lumbar canal stenosis in patients treated
surgically for cervical compressive
We present a novel method of performing an ‘open-door’ cervical laminoplasty. The complete laminotomy is sited on alternate sides at successive levels, thereby allowing the posterior arch to be elevated to alternate sides. Foraminotomies can be carried out on either side to relieve root compression. The midline structures are preserved. We undertook this procedure in 23 elderly patients with a spondylotic
1. The antero-posterior or sagittal diameter of the cervical spine has been measured radiographically in fifty-one Japanese men who fell into three groups-twenty with normal cervical spines, eleven with spondylosis but no neurological symptoms, and twenty with spondylosis and
Between 1978 and 1988 a total of 27 operations were performed on 26 patients for cervical
We report a case of vertebral osteochondroma of C1 causing cord compression and
Postoperative radiculopathy is a complication of posterior cervical decompression associated with tethering of the nerve root. We reviewed retrospectively 287 consecutive patients with cervical compression
Operative treatment was performed in nine patients with cervical spondylotic
Over the past 19 years we have operated on 269 patients with
An operation is described for mobilising the whole extent of the cervical part of the spinal cord into an enlarged spinal canal in cases of spondylosis with
We report a 72-year-old patient with thoracic
We have studied the morphometry of the spinal cord in 50 patients with cervical compression
A characteristic dysfunction of the hand has been observed in various cervical spinal disorders when there is involvement of the spinal cord. There is loss of power of adduction and extension of the ulnar two or three fingers and an inability to grip and release rapidly with these fingers. These changes have been termed "myelopathy hand" and appear to be due to pyramidal tract involvement. The characteristic nature of the signs permit the distinction between
We have studied 29 patients for at least five years after canal-expansive laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic
In this series, 15 patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament underwent anterior decompression to relieve moderate or severe
We treated 31 patients aged 65 years or more with cervical spondylotic
The identification of the extent of neural damage
in patients with acute or chronic spinal cord injury is imperative for
the accurate prediction of neurological recovery. The changes in
signal intensity shown on routine MRI sequences are of limited value
for predicting functional outcome. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
is a novel radiological imaging technique which has the potential
to identify intact nerve fibre tracts, and has been used to image
the brain for a variety of conditions. DTI imaging of the spinal
cord is currently only a research tool, but preliminary studies
have shown that it holds considerable promise in predicting the
severity of spinal cord injury. This paper briefly reviews our current knowledge of this technique.
The purpose of this study was to investigate
the clinical predictors of surgical outcome in patients with cervical spondylotic
myelopathy (CSM). We reviewed a consecutive series of 248 patients
(71 women and 177 men) with CSM who had undergone surgery at our
institution between January 2000 and October 2010. Their mean age
was 59.0 years (16 to 86). Medical records, office notes, and operative
reports were reviewed for data collection. Special attention was
focused on pre-operative duration and severity as well as post-operative
persistence of myelopathic symptoms. Disease severity was graded
according to the Nurick classification. Our multivariate logistic regression model indicated that Nurick
grade 2 CSM patients have the highest chance of complete symptom
resolution (p <
0.001) and improvement to normal gait (p = 0.004)
following surgery. Patients who did not improve after surgery had
longer duration of myelopathic symptoms than those who did improve
post-operatively (17.85 months (1 to 101) vs 11.21 months (1 to
69); p = 0.002). More advanced Nurick grades were not associated
with a longer duration of symptoms (p = 0.906). Our data suggest that patients with Nurick grade 2 CSM are most
likely to improve from surgery. The duration of myelopathic symptoms
does not have an association with disease severity but is an independent
prognostic indicator of surgical outcome. Cite this article:
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
The October 2024 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: Analysis of risk factors for non-fusion of bone graft in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a clinical retrospective study; Does paraspinal muscle mass predict lumbar lordosis before and after decompression for degenerative spinal stenosis?; Return to work after surgery for lumbar disk herniation: a nationwide registry-based study; Can the six-minute walking test assess ambulatory function impairment in patients with cervical spondylotic
The February 2023 Spine Roundup. 360. looks at: S2AI screws: At what cost?; Just how good is spinal deformity surgery?; Is 80 years of age too late in the day for spine surgery?; Factors affecting the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in robot-assisted surgery; Factors causing delay in discharge in patients eligible for ambulatory lumbar fusion surgery; Anterior cervical discectomy or fusion and selective laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic
Aims. Developmental cervical spinal stenosis (DcSS) is a well-known predisposing factor for degenerative cervical
Aims. In this prospective observational study, we investigated the
time-dependent changes and correlations of upper arm performance
tests (ten-second test and Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function
(STEF), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the
JOA Cervical
Aims. The aim of this paper is to describe the impact of COVID-19 on spine surgery services in a district general hospital in England in order to understand the spinal service provisions that may be required during a pandemic. Methods. A prospective cohort study was undertaken between 17 March 2020 and 30 April 2020 and compared with retrospective data from same time period in 2019. We compared the number of patients requiring acute hospital admission or orthopaedic referrals and indications of referrals from our admission sheets and obtained operative data from our theatre software. Results. Between 17 March to 30 April 2020, there were 48 acute spine referrals as compared to 68 acute referrals during the same time period last year. In the 2019 period, 69% (47/68) of cases referred to the on-call team presented with back pain, radiculopathy or
Aims. Patients may present with concurrent symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine, with surgical treatment being indicated for both. Whether arthroplasty of the hip or spinal surgery should be performed first remains uncertain. Materials and Methods. Clinical scenarios were devised for a survey asking the preferred order of surgery and the rationale for this decision for five fictional patients with both OA of the hip and degenerative lumbar disorders. These were symptomatic OA of the hip and: 1) lumbar spinal stenosis with neurological claudication; 2) lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with leg pain; 3) lumbar disc herniation with leg weakness; 4) lumbar scoliosis with back pain; and 5) thoracolumbar disc herniation with
Aims. Spinal tuberculosis (TB) remains an important concern. Although spinal TB often has sequelae such as
The October 2013 Spine Roundup. 360 . looks at: Standing straighter may reduce falls; Operative management of congenital kyphosis; Athletic discectomy; Lumbar spine stenosis worsens with time; Flexible stabilisation?: spinal stenosis revisited; Do epidural steroids cause spinal fractures?; Who does well with cervical
There have been a few reports of patients with
a combination of lumbar and thoracic spinal stenosis. We describe six
patients who suffered unexpected acute neurological deterioration
at a mean of 7.8 days (6 to 10) after lumbar decompressive surgery.
Five had progressive weakness and one had recurrent pain in the
lower limbs. There was incomplete recovery following subsequent
thoracic decompressive surgery. The neurological presentation can be confusing. Patients with
compressive
We present data relating to the Bryan disc arthroplasty for the treatment of cervical spondylosis in 46 patients. Patients with either radiculopathy or
The October 2023 Spine Roundup360 looks at: Cutting through surgical smoke: the science of cleaner air in spinal operations; Unlocking success: key factors in thoracic spine decompression and fusion for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; Deep learning algorithm for identifying cervical cord compression due to degenerative canal stenosis on radiography; Surgeon experience influences robotics learning curve for minimally invasive lumbar fusion; Decision-making algorithm for the surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis of L4/L5; Response to preoperative steroid injections predicts surgical outcomes in patients undergoing fusion for isthmic spondylolisthesis.
We present the case of a 15-year-old boy with
symptoms due to Klippel–Feil syndrome. Radiographs and CT scans demonstrated
basilar impression, occipitalisation of C1 and fusion of C2/C3.
MRI showed ventral compression of the medullocervical junction.
Skull traction was undertaken pre-operatively to determine whether
the basilar impression could be safely reduced. During traction,
the C3/C4 junction migrated 12 mm caudally and spasticity resolved.
Peri-operative skull-femoral traction enabled posterior occipitocervical
fixation without decompression. Following surgery, cervical alignment
was restored and spasticity remained absent. One year after surgery
he was not limited in his activities.
The surgical strategy for patients with basilar impression and congenital
anomalies remains controversial. The anterior approach with decompression
is often recommended for patients with ventral compression of the medullocervical
region, but such procedures are technically demanding and carry
a significant risk of complications. Our surgical strategy was an
alternative solution. Prior to a posterior cervical fixation, without
decompression, skull traction was used to confirm that the deformity
was reducible and effective in resolving associated
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. Predicted whole-blood and skeletal muscle gene expression and genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from a DCS database were integrated, and functional summary-based imputation (FUSION) software was used on the integrated data. A transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) was conducted using FUSION software to assess the association between predicted gene expression and DCS risk. The TWAS-identified genes were verified via comparison with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in DCS RNA expression profiles in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) (Accession Number: GSE153761). The Functional Mapping and Annotation (FUMA) tool for genome-wide association studies and Meta tools were used for gene functional enrichment and annotation analysis.Aims
Methods
The effect of rheumatoid arthritis on the anatomy of the cervical spine has not been clearly documented. We studied 129 female patients, 90 with rheumatoid arthritis and 39 with other pathologies (the control group). There were 21 patients in the control group with a diagnosis of cervical spondylotic
The optimal method for the management of neglected traumatic bifacetal dislocation of the subaxial cervical spine has not been established. We treated four patients in whom the mean delay between injury and presentation was four months (1 to 5). There were two dislocations at the C5-6 level and one each at C4-5 and C3-4. The mean age of the patients was 48.2 years (27 to 60). Each patient presented with neck pain and restricted movement of the cervical spine. Three of the four had a
Five patients with long-standing, severe rheumatoid arthritis who developed cervical
We present a study of 30 fusion operations in 26 rheumatoid arthritics with cervical spine instability. Atlanto-axial instability was present in 15, of whom 12 were fused; three had cord involvement and all made a partial or complete recovery following fusion. Cranial settling necessitated cranio-cervical fusion in four patients; all fused, and one with
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical region is generally regarded as a rare disease, though a Japanese series of 185 cases has been reported. The main symptoms arise from a
Surgical approaches to cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) remain controversial. The purpose of the present study was to analyze and compare the long-term neurological recovery following anterior decompression with fusion (ADF) and posterior laminectomy and fusion with bone graft and internal fixation (PLF) based on > ten-year follow-up outcomes in a single centre. Included in this retrospective cohort study were 48 patients (12 females; mean age 55.79 years (SD 8.94)) who were diagnosed with cervical OPLL, received treatment in our centre, and were followed up for 10.22 to 15.25 years. Of them, 24 patients (six females; mean age 52.88 years (SD 8.79)) received ADF, and the other 24 patients (five females; mean age 56.25 years (SD 9.44)) received PLF. Clinical data including age, sex, and the OPLL canal-occupying ratio were analyzed and compared. The primary outcome was Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the secondary outcome was visual analogue scale neck pain.Aims
Methods
Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common skeletal system disease that has been partly attributed to genetic variation. However, the correlation between genetic variation and pathological changes in LSS is insufficient, and it is difficult to provide a reference for the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. We conducted a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) of spinal canal stenosis by integrating genome-wide association study summary statistics (including 661 cases and 178,065 controls) derived from Biobank Japan, and pre-computed gene expression weights of skeletal muscle and whole blood implemented in FUSION software. To verify the TWAS results, the candidate genes were furthered compared with messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiles of LSS to screen for common genes. Finally, Metascape software was used to perform enrichment analysis of the candidate genes and common genes.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after growth-friendly treatment for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) between patients with skeletal dysplasias versus those with other syndromes. We retrospectively identified 20 patients with skeletal dysplasias and 292 with other syndromes (control group) who had completed surgical growth-friendly EOS treatment between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2018. We compared radiological parameters, complications, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at mean follow-up of 8.6 years (SD 3.3) in the dysplasia group and 6.6 years (SD 2.6) in the control group.Aims
Methods
To identify the incidence and risk factors for five-year same-site recurrent disc herniation (sRDH) after primary single-level lumbar discectomy. Secondary outcome was the incidence and risk factors for five-year sRDH reoperation. A retrospective study was conducted using prospectively collected data and patient-reported outcome measures, including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), between 2008 and 2019. Postoperative sRDH was identified from clinical notes and the centre’s MRI database, with all imaging providers in the region checked for missing events. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate five-year sRDH incidence. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent variables predictive of sRDH, with any variable not significant at the p < 0.1 level removed. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Aims
Methods
The optimal procedure for the treatment of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of anterior cervical ossified posterior longitudinal ligament en bloc resection (ACOE) with posterior laminectomy and fusion with bone graft and internal fixation (PTLF) for the surgical management of patients with this condition. Between July 2017 and July 2019, 40 patients with cervical OPLL were equally randomized to undergo surgery with an ACOE or a PTLF. The clinical and radiological results were compared between the two groups.Aims
Methods
The escalating demand for medical resources to address spinal diseases as society ages is an issue that requires careful evaluation. However, few studies have examined trends in spinal surgery, especially unscheduled hospitalizations or surgeries performed after hours, through large databases. Our study aimed to determine national trends in the number of spine surgeries in Japan. We also aimed to identify trends in after-hours surgeries and unscheduled hospitalizations and their impact on complications and costs. We retrospectively investigated data extracted from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a representative inpatient database in Japan. The data from April 2010 to March 2020 were used for this study. We included all patients who had undergone any combination of laminectomy, laminoplasty, discectomy, and/or spinal arthrodesis.Aims
Methods
The number of patients undergoing surgery for degenerative cervical radiculopathy has increased. In many countries, public hospitals have limited capacity. This has resulted in long waiting times for elective treatment and a need for supplementary private healthcare. It is uncertain whether the management of patients and the outcome of treatment are equivalent in public and private hospitals. The aim of this study was to compare the management and patient-reported outcomes among patients who underwent surgery for degenerative cervical radiculopathy in public and private hospitals in Norway, and to assess whether the effectiveness of the treatment was equivalent. This was a comparative study using prospectively collected data from the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery. A total of 4,750 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for degenerative cervical radiculopathy and were followed for 12 months were included. Case-mix adjustment between those managed in public and private hospitals was performed using propensity score matching. The primary outcome measure was the change in the Neck Disability Index (NDI) between baseline and 12 months postoperatively. A mean difference in improvement of the NDI score between public and private hospitals of ≤ 15 points was considered equivalent. Secondary outcome measures were a numerical rating scale for neck and arm pain and the EuroQol five-dimension three-level health questionnaire. The duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, and complications were also recorded.Aims
Methods
Traumatic central cord syndrome (CCS) typically follows a hyperextension injury and results in motor impairment affecting the upper limbs more than the lower, with occasional sensory impairment and urinary retention. Current evidence on mortality and long-term outcomes is limited. The primary aim of this study was to assess the five-year mortality of CCS, and to determine any difference in mortality between management groups or age. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with a traumatic CCS between January 2012 and December 2017 in Wales were identified. Patient demographics and data about injury, management, and outcome were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to assess mortality and between-group differences.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the type of cervical disc herniation influences the severity of symptoms at the time of presentation, and the outcome after surgical treatment. The type and extent of disc herniation at the time of presentation in 108 patients who underwent anterior discectomy for cervical radiculopathy were analyzed on MRI, using a four-point scale. These were dichotomized into disc bulge and disc herniation groups. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain in the neck and arm at baseline and two years postoperatively. The perceived recovery was also assessed at this time.Aims
Methods
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:
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the biggest communicable causes of mortality worldwide. While incidence in the UK has continued to fall since 2011, Bradford retains one of the highest TB rates in the UK. This study aims to examine the local disease burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) TB, by analyzing common presenting factors within the famously diverse population of Bradford. An observational study was conducted, using data from the Bradford Teaching Hospitals TB database of patients with a formal diagnosis of MSK TB between January 2005 and July 2017. Patient data included demographic data (including nationality/date of entry to the UK), disease focus, microbiology, and management strategies. Disease incidence was calculated using population data from the Office for National Statistics. Poisson confidence intervals were calculated to demonstrate the extent of statistical error. Disease incidence and nationality were also analyzed, and correlation sought, using the chi-squared test.Aims
Methods
This study, using a surgeon-maintained database, aimed to explore the risk factors for surgery-related complications in patients undergoing primary cervical spine surgery for degenerative diseases. We studied 5,015 patients with degenerative cervical diseases who underwent primary cervical spine surgery from 2012 to 2018. We investigated the effects of diseases, surgical procedures, and patient demographics on surgery-related complications. As subcategories, the presence of cervical kyphosis ≥ 10°, the presence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with a canal-occupying ratio ≥ 50%, and foraminotomy were selected. The surgery-related complications examined were postoperative upper limb palsy (ULP) with a manual muscle test (MMT) grade of 0 to 2 or a reduction of two grade or more in the MMT, neurological deficit except ULP, dural tear, dural leakage, surgical-site infection (SSI), and postoperative haematoma. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.Aims
Methods
A series of 19 patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis had replacement of both hips and both knees. They are reviewed after a mean follow-up of 27 months. The preferred programme is to replace hips before knees. Pain was relieved in all the patients and function was improved in all but two. Severe rheumatoid disease and prolonged immobilisation before the operations were not contra-indications to a successful outcome, but the presence or the development of cervical
Unstable degenerative spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine is very rare. Slip usually occurs at the C3 on C4 or C4 on C5 levels, immediately above a stiff lower cervical spine. There are two clinical patterns: that with neurological involvement causing cervicobrachial pain or
Cervical
Acute
We performed CT myelography in 38 patients with cervical
Ossification of the ligamentum flavum and secondary spinal-cord compression were produced experimentally in mice by implanting bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in the lumbar extradural space. The ligamentum flavum became hypertrophied and ossified, and protruded into the spinal canal. The thickness of the ossified ligament increased gradually with time, leading to compression and deformation of the spinal cord which showed various degrees of degeneration. Demyelination occurred in the posterior and lateral white columns and neuronal loss or chromatolysis in the grey matter. The pathological findings in the experimental animals closely resemble those found in the human disease and suggest that BMP may be a causative factor of ossification of the ligamentum flavum in man. This experimental model may be useful for the study of
We have reviewed 32 patients with rheumatoid disease of the cervical spine who underwent a total of 40 operations aimed at correcting instability and improving any associated neurovascular deficit. Apart from four patients with intractable pain, the main indication for surgery was progressive neurological impairment. Of the 32 primary operations, 19 (60%) were successful; the remainder failed to achieve their objective and there were two deaths in the immediate postoperative period. Of eight secondary operations performed for recurrence of symptoms or failure to relieve cervical
We report 14 cases of symptomatic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) diagnosed in non-oriental men between 1978 and 1985. All 14 patients had incomplete spinal cord syndromes due to OPLL in the cervical spine and had been referred undiagnosed from other institutions. Twelve had severe
The systemic arterial pressure has been used as a guide for determining the susceptibility to surgical bleeding during controlled hypotensive anaesthesia. Arterial hypotension is not, however, necessarily accompanied by venous or intraosseous hypotension. The main source of bleeding during posterior spinal surgery is the bone and is venous rather than arterial. The intraoperative blood loss, the intraosseous pressure (IOP) within the first thoracic vertebral body, and the systemic arterial pressure were measured in 27 patients during cervical laminoplasty for spondylotic
Ten patients who suffered iatrogenic injury to a vertebral artery during anterior cervical decompression were reviewed to assess the mechanisms of injury, their operative management, and the subsequent outcome. All had been undergoing a partial vertebral body resection for spondylitic radiculopathy or
The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for adverse events following the surgical correction of cervical spinal deformities in adults. We identified adult patients who underwent corrective cervical spinal surgery between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2015 from the MarketScan database. The baseline comorbidities and characteristics of the operation were recorded. Adverse events were defined as the development of a complication, an unanticipated deleterious postoperative event, or further surgery. Patients aged < 18 years and those with a previous history of tumour or trauma were excluded from the study.Aims
Methods
Injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) is one of the known complications after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) performed using the anterior approach, reported to occur in between 1.5% and 65% of cases. In this study, we performed a prospective study on the incidence of LFCN injury as well as its clinical outcomes based on the Harris Hip Score (HHS), Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ). The study included 42 consecutive hips in 42 patients (three male and 39 female) who underwent PAO from May 2016 to July 2018. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of LFCN injury at ten days, three months, six months, and one year postoperatively. We also evaluated the clinical scores, including the HHS, SF-36, and JHEQ scores, at one year postoperatively.Aims
Methods
After exclusions, 265 patients with tuberculosis of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine were followed for three years from the start of treatment. They were randomly allocated to four daily regimens of chemotherapy: 1) isoniazid plus rifampicin for 6 months (6HR, 65); 2) the same drugs as in 1) but for 9 months (9HR, 71); 3) isoniazid plus paraaminosalicylic acid (PAS) or ethambutol for 9 months (9P/EH, 62); or 4) the same drugs as in 3) but for 18 months (18P/EH, 67). All patients were ambulatory from the start of chemotherapy and no form of splintage or support or operation was used in any case. Over half (55%) the patients were children and one-third had sinuses or clinically evident abscesses. At three years a favourable status, defined as no sinus nor clinically evident abscess, no
With recent progress in cancer treatment, the number of advanced-age patients with spinal metastases has been increasing. It is important to clarify the influence of advanced age on outcomes following surgery for spinal metastases, especially with a focus on subjective health state values. We prospectively analyzed 101 patients with spinal metastases who underwent palliative surgery from 2013 to 2016. These patients were divided into two groups based on age (< 70 years and ≥ 70 years). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS), Barthel index (BI), and EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) score were assessed at study enrolment and at one, three, and six months after surgery. The survival times and complications were also collected.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to determine how the short- and medium-
to long-term outcome measures after total disc replacement (TDR)
compare with those of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF),
using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Databases including Medline, Embase, and Scopus were searched.
Inclusion criteria involved prospective randomized control trials
(RCTs) reporting the surgical treatment of patients with symptomatic
degenerative cervical disc disease. Two independent investigators
extracted the data. The strength of evidence was assessed using
the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation
(GRADE) criteria. The primary outcome measures were overall and
neurological success, and these were included in the meta-analysis. Standardized
patient-reported outcomes, including the incidence of further surgery
and adjacent segment disease, were summarized and discussed.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that three grades of sagittal compensation for standing posture (normal, compensated, and decompensated) correlate with health-related quality of life measurements (HRQOL). A total of 50 healthy volunteers (normal), 100 patients with single-level lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS), and 70 patients with adult to elderly spinal deformity (deformity) were enrolled. Following collection of demographic data and HRQOL measured by the Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r), radiological measurement by the biplanar slot-scanning full body stereoradiography (EOS) system was performed simultaneously with force-plate measurements to obtain whole body sagittal alignment parameters. These parameters included the offset between the centre of the acoustic meatus and the gravity line (CAM-GL), saggital vertical axis (SVA), T1 pelvic angle (TPA), McGregor slope, C2-7 lordosis, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), PI-LL, sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and knee flexion. Whole spine MRI examination was also performed. Cluster analysis of the SRS-22r scores in the pooled data was performed to classify the subjects into three groups according to the HRQOL, and alignment parameters were then compared among the three cluster groups.Aims
Methods
COVID-19 has changed the practice of orthopaedics across the globe. The medical workforce has dealt with this outbreak with varying strategies and adaptations, which are relevant to its field and to the region. As one of the ‘hotspots’ in the UK , the surgical branch of trauma and orthopaedics need strategies to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19. Adapting to the crisis locally involved five operational elements: 1) triaging and workflow of orthopaedic patients; 2) operation theatre feasibility and functioning; 3) conservation of human resources and management of workforce in the department; 4) speciality training and progression; and 5) developing an exit strategy to resume elective work. Two hospitals under our trust were redesignated based on the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Registrar/consultant led telehealth reviews were carried out for early postoperative patients. Workflows for the management of outpatient care and inpatient care were created. We looked into the development of a dedicated operating space to perform the emergency orthopaedic surgeries without symptoms of COVID-19. Between March 23 and April 23, 2020, we have surgically treated 133 patients across both our hospitals in our trust. This mainly included hip fractures and fractures/infection affecting the hand.Aims
Methods
Early cases of cauda equina syndrome (CES) often present with nonspecific symptoms and signs, and it is recommended that patients undergo emergency MRI regardless of the time since presentation. This creates substantial pressure on resources, with many scans performed to rule out cauda equina rather than confirm it. We propose that compression of the cauda equina should be apparent with a limited sequence (LS) scan that takes significantly less time to perform. In all, 188 patients with suspected CES underwent a LS lumbosacral MRI between the beginning of September 2017 and the end of July 2018. These images were read by a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist. All images took place on a 3T or 1.5T MRI scanner at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, UK, and Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK.Aims
Methods
Cervical spondylosis is often accompanied by dizziness. It has
recently been shown that the ingrowth of Ruffini corpuscles into
diseased cervical discs may be related to cervicogenic dizziness.
In order to evaluate whether cervicogenic dizziness stems from the
diseased cervical disc, we performed a prospective cohort study
to assess the effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy and
fusion on the relief of dizziness. Of 145 patients with cervical spondylosis and dizziness, 116
underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion and 29 underwent
conservative treatment. All were followed up for one year. The primary
outcomes were measures of the intensity and frequency of dizziness.
Secondary outcomes were changes in the modified Japanese Orthopaedic
Association (mJOA) score and a visual analogue scale score for neck
pain.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic factors for postoperative neurological recovery and survival in patients with complete paralysis due to neoplastic epidural spinal cord compression. The medical records of 135 patients with complete paralysis due to neoplastic cord compression were retrospectively reviewed. Potential factors including the timing of surgery, muscular tone, and tumour characteristics were analyzed in relation to neurological recovery using logistical regression analysis. The association between neurological recovery and survival was analyzed using a Cox model. A nomogram was formulated to predict recovery.Aims
Patients and Methods
The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of
inherited lysosomal storage disorders with clinical manifestations relevant
to the orthopaedic surgeon. Our aim was to review the recent advances
in their management and the implications for surgical practice. The current literature about MPSs is summarised, emphasising
orthopaedic complications and their management. Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of MPSs include
the recognition of slowly progressive, late presenting subtypes,
developments in life-prolonging systemic treatment and potentially
new indications for surgical treatment. The outcomes of surgery
in these patients are not yet validated and some procedures have
a high rate of complications which differ from those in patients
who do not have a MPS. The diagnosis of a MPS should be considered in adolescents or
young adults with a previously unrecognised dysplasia of the hip.
Surgeons treating patients with a MPS should report their experience
and studies should include the assessment of function and quality
of life to guide treatment. Cite this article:
Patients seeking cervical spine surgery are thought to be increasing
in age, comorbidities and functional debilitation. The changing
demographics of this population may significantly impact the outcomes
of their care, specifically with regards to complications. In this
study, our goals were to determine the rates of functionally dependent
patients undergoing elective cervical spine procedures and to assess
the effect of functional dependence on 30-day morbidity and mortality
using a large, validated national cohort. A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons
National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data files from 2006
to 2013 was conducted to identify patients undergoing common cervical
spine procedures. Multivariate logistic regression models were generated
to analyse the independent association of functional dependence
with 30-day outcomes of interest.Aims
Patients and Methods
To determine the normal values and usefulness of the C1/4 space
available for spinal cord (SAC) ratio and C1 inclination angle,
which are new radiological parameters for assessing atlantoaxial
instability in children with Down syndrome. We recruited 272 children with Down syndrome (including 14 who
underwent surgical treatment), and 141 children in the control group.
All were aged between two and 11 years. The C1/4 SAC ratio, C1 inclination
angle, atlas-dens interval (ADI), and SAC were measured in those
with Down syndrome, and the C1/4 SAC ratio and C1 inclination angle
were measured in the control group.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to determine whether chilled irrigation
saline decreases the incidence of clinical upper limb palsy (ULP;
a reduction of one grade or more on manual muscle testing; MMT),
based on the idea that ULP results from thermal damage to the nerve
roots by heat generated by friction during bone drilling. Irrigation saline for drilling was used at room temperature (RT,
25.6°C) in open-door laminoplasty in 400 patients (RT group) and
chilled to a mean temperature of 12.1°C during operations for 400
patients (low-temperature (LT) group). We assessed deltoid, biceps,
and triceps brachii muscle strength by MMT. ULP occurring within
two days post-operatively was categorised as early-onset palsy.Aims
Methods
The aim of this systematic literature review was to assess the clinical level of evidence of commercially available demineralised bone matrix (DBM) products for their use in trauma and orthopaedic related surgery. A total of 17 DBM products were used as search terms in two available databases: Embase and PubMed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses statement. All articles that reported the clinical use of a DBM-product in trauma and orthopaedic related surgery were included.Objectives
Methods
Tuberculosis (TB) remains endemic in many parts
of the developing world and is increasingly seen in the developed world
due to migration. A total of 1.3 million people die annually from
the disease. Spinal TB is the most common musculoskeletal manifestation,
affecting about 1 to 2% of all cases of TB. The coexistence of HIV,
which is endemic in some regions, adds to the burden and the complexity
of management. This review discusses the epidemiology, clinical presentation,
diagnosis, impact of HIV and both the medical and surgical options
in the management of spinal TB. Cite this article:
This study evaluates factors related to myelopathic
symptoms in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal
ligament (OPLL). A total of 87 patients with OPLL were included.
Of these, 53 (Group I) had no symptoms or presented with neck pain
and radiculopathy and 34 (Group II) had myelopathic symptoms. Gender, age,
and history of trauma were evaluated in the two groups. The range
of movement of the cervical spine was measured using plain radiographs.
The number of involved segments, type of OPLL, and maximal compression ratio
were analysed using CT and signal change in the spinal cord was
evaluated using MRI. The patients’ age was found to be significant (p = 0.001). No
difference was found between gender and the range of movement in
the two groups. The maximum compression of the spinal canal showed
a difference (p = 0.03). The signal change of the spinal cord was
different between the two groups. In patients with OPLL of the cervical
spine, myelopathic symptoms are not related to the range of movement
or the number of involved segments.
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:
Transarticular screw fixation with autograft
is an established procedure for the surgical treatment of atlantoaxial instability.
Removal of the posterior arch of C1 may affect the rate of fusion.
This study assessed the rate of atlantoaxial fusion using transarticular
screws with or without removal of the posterior arch of C1. We reviewed
30 consecutive patients who underwent atlantoaxial fusion with a
minimum follow-up of two years. In 25 patients (group A) the posterior
arch of C1 was not excised (group A) and in five it was (group B).
Fusion was assessed on static and dynamic radiographs. In selected
patients CT imaging was also used to assess fusion and the position
of the screws. There were 15 men and 15 women with a mean age of
51.2 years (23 to 77) and a mean follow-up of 7.7 years (2 to 11.6).
Stable union with a solid fusion or a stable fibrous union was achieved
in 29 patients (97%). In Group A, 20 patients (80%) achieved a solid
fusion, four (16%) a stable fibrous union and one (4%) a nonunion.
In Group B, stable union was achieved in all patients, three having
a solid fusion and two a stable fibrous union. There was no statistically
significant difference between the status of fusion in the two groups.
Complications were noted in 12 patients (40%); these were mainly
related to the screws, and included malpositioning and breakage.
The presence of an intact or removed posterior arch of C1 did not
affect the rate of fusion in patients with atlantoaxial instability
undergoing C1/C2 fusion using transarticular screws and autograft. Cite this article:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the time course of changes
in parameters of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) such as fractional
anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in patients
with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation. We also investigated the
correlation between the severity of neurological symptoms and these parameters. A total of 13 patients with unilateral radiculopathy due to herniation
of a lumbar disc were investigated with DTI on a 1.5T MR scanner
and underwent micro discectomy. There were nine men and four women,
with a median age of 55.5 years (19 to 79). The changes in the mean
FA and ADC values and the correlation between these changes and the
severity of the neurological symptoms were investigated before and
at six months after surgery. Aims
Patients and Methods
We investigated the incidence of anomalies in
the vertebral arteries and Circle of Willis with three-dimensional
CT angiography in 55 consecutive patients who had undergone an instrumented
posterior fusion of the cervical spine. We recorded any peri-operative and post-operative complications.
The frequency of congenital anomalies was 30.9%, abnormal vertebral
artery blood flow was 58.2% and vertebral artery dominance 40%. The posterior communicating artery was occluded on one side in
41.8% of patients and bilaterally in 38.2%. Variations in the vertebral
arteries and Circle of Willis were not significantly related to
the presence or absence of posterior communicating arteries. Importantly,
18.2% of patients showed characteristic variations in the Circle
of Willis with unilateral vertebral artery stenosis or a dominant
vertebral artery, indicating that injury may cause lethal complications.
One patient had post-operative cerebellar symptoms due to intra-operative
injury of the vertebral artery, and one underwent a different surgical
procedure because of insufficient collateral circulation. Pre-operative assessment of the vertebral arteries and Circle
of Willis is essential if a posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation
is to be carried out safely. Cite this article:
Cervical spinal disc replacement is used in the management of degenerative cervical disc disease in an attempt to preserve cervical spinal movement and to prevent adjacent disc overload and subsequent degeneration. A large number of patients have undergone cervical spinal disc replacement, but the effectiveness of these implants is still uncertain. In most instances, degenerative change at adjacent levels represents the physiological progression of the natural history of the arthritic disc, and is unrelated to the surgeon. Complications of cervical disc replacement include loss of movement from periprosthetic ankylosis and ossification, neurological deficit, loosening and failure of the device, and worsening of any cervical kyphosis. Strict selection criteria and adherence to scientific evidence are necessary. Only prospective, randomised clinical trials with long-term follow-up will establish any real advantage of cervical spinal disc replacement over fusion.
We evaluated the efficacy of anterior fusion alone compared with combined anterior and posterior fusion for the treatment of degenerative cervical kyphosis. Anterior fusion alone was undertaken in 15 patients (group A) and combined anterior and posterior fusion was carried out in a further 15 (group B). The degree and maintenance of the angle of correction, the incidence of graft subsidence, degeneration at adjacent levels and the rate of fusion were assessed radiologically and clinically and the rate of complications recorded. The mean angle of correction in group B was significantly higher than in group A (p = 0.0009). The mean visual analogue scale and the neck disability index in group B was better than in group A (p = 0.043, 0.0006). The mean operation time and the blood loss in B were greater than in group A (p <
0.0001, 0.037). Pseudarthrosis, subsidence of the cage, and problems related to the hardware were more prevalent in group A than in group B (p = 0.034, 0.025, 0.013). Although the combined procedure resulted in a longer operating time and greater blood loss than with anterior fusion alone, our results suggest that for the treatment of degenerative cervical kyphosis the combined approach leads to better maintenance of sagittal alignment, a higher rate of fusion, a lower incidence of complications and a better clinical outcome.
We reviewed 87 patients who had undergone expansive cervical laminoplasty between 1999 and 2005. These were divided into two groups: those who had diabetes mellitus and those who did not. There were 31 patients in the diabetes group and 56 in the control group. Although a significant improvement in the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was seen in both groups, the post-operative recovery rate in the control group was better than that of the diabetic group. The patients’ age and symptom duration adversely affected the rate of recovery in the diabetic group only. Smoking did not affect the outcome in either group. A logistic regression analysis found diabetes and signal changes in the spinal cord on MRI to be significant risk factors for a poor outcome (odds ratio 2.86, 3.02, respectively). Furthermore, the interaction of diabetes with smoking and/or age increased this risk. We conclude that diabetes mellitus, or the interaction of this with old age, can adversely affect outcome after cervical laminoplasty. However, smoking alone cannot be regarded as a risk factor.
Using the United States Nationwide Inpatient
Sample, we identified national trends in revision spinal fusion
along with a comprehensive comparison of comorbidities, inpatient
complications and surgical factors of revision spinal fusion compared
to primary spinal fusion. In 2009, there were 410 158 primary spinal fusion discharges
and 22 128 revision spinal fusion discharges. Between 2002 and 2009,
primary fusion increased at a higher rate compared with revision
fusion (56.4% In the multivariable logistic regression model for all spinal
fusions, depression (odds ratio (OR) 1.53, p <
0.001), psychotic
disorders (OR 1.49, p <
0.001), deficiency anaemias (OR 1.35,
p <
0.001) and smoking (OR 1.10, p = 0.006) had a greater chance
of occurrence in revision spinal fusion discharges than in primary
fusion discharges, adjusting for other variables. In terms of complications,
after adjusting for all significant comorbidities, this study found
that dural tears (OR 1.41; p <
0.001) and surgical site infections
(OR 3.40; p <
0.001) had a greater chance of occurrence in revision
spinal fusion discharges than in primary fusion discharges (p <
0.001). A p-value <
0.01 was considered significant in all final
analyses. Cite this article:
We have reviewed 1858 patients who had undergone a cervical laminoplasty and identified 43 (2.3%) who had developed a C5 palsy with a MMT (MRC) grade of 0 to 2 in the deltoid, with or without involvement of the biceps, but with no loss of muscular strength in any other muscles. The clinical features and radiological findings of patients with (group P; 43 patients) and without (group C; 100 patients) C5 palsy were compared. CT scanning of group P revealed a significant narrowing of the intervertebral foramen of C5 (p <
0.005) and a larger superior articular process (p <
0.05). On MRI, the posterior shift of the spinal cord at C4–5 was significantly greater in group P, than in group C (p <
0.01). This study is the first to correlate impairment of the C5 nerve root with a C5 palsy. It may be that early foraminotomy in susceptible individuals and the avoidance of tethering of the cord by excessive laminoplasty may prevent a post-operative palsy of the C5 nerve root.