Management of Aggressive Vertebral Haemangioma and Assessment of Differentiating Pointers Between Aggressive Vertebral Haemangioma and Metastases - A Systematic Review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVES: Vertebral haemangioma has been classified into typical and aggressive vertebral haemangioma (AVH). Management options for AVH are many and the clinician has decision dilemma in choosing the right one. Metastases mimic AVH in clinical and radiological presentation. Differentiating pointers between them has not been clearly delineated in literature. Aim of our review is to identify treatment options; to formulate a management algorithm for AVH based on clinical presentation and to identify radiological differentiating pointers between them. METHODS: Systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. We systematically reviewed all available literature from the year 2001 to 2020. Relevant articles were identified as per laid down criteria from the medical databases. After inclusion, first and second authors went through full text of each included article. RESULTS: Of 139 studies reviewed, eight met our criteria for review of management and three separate studies for radiological differentiating pointers. 99 patients with 88 AVH had undergone treatment. Back pain with myelopathy is the presenting symptom in majority of patients. Patients with backpain - myelopathic symptoms had improved following surgery; patients with back pain alone had improved with either percutaneous vertebroplasty or CT guided alcohol ablation. Dynamic contrast MRI, Diffusion weighted MRI and ratio of signal intensity between T1w and fat suppression T1w MR help the clinician in differentiating them. CONCLUSION: Management of AVH can be based on the patient's clinical presentation. Patients presenting with AVH and back pain can be managed with either Percutaneous vertebroplasty or CT guided alcohol ablation. Patients presenting with AVH and neurological symptoms could be managed with surgery. Dynamic contrast enhanced MR, Diffusion weighted MR, ratio of signal intensity between T1w and Fat suppression T1w MR imaging could help the clinician in differentiating the two before contemplating biopsy. GRADE PRACTICE RECOMMENDATION: C.

A Clinically Applicable Predictive Score in Lumbar Disc Disease for Formulating a Surgical Plan.

STUDY DESIGN: Case control study. OBJECTIVE: Micro-lumbar discectomy or Interbody fusion procedure are work-horse surgical procedures in management of lumbar disc disease. Spine surgeon in their early years of practice gets confused in choosing ideal surgical plan when dealing with a complex scenario. A clinical score is needed to guide spine surgeons in choosing an optimal surgical plan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study was done with research grant approval from AO Spine. A predictive score was formulated as per hypothesis following a pilot study. Two fellowship trained spine surgeons-one using the score (Group A) and other not using score (Group B-control) treated 40 patients included in their respective group. All patients were analysed preoperatively, post-surgery at 12 months follow-up with Visual analog scale score for back pain, leg pain, Oswestry disability index score, SF-36 score. Change in parameters at 12 months follow-up were analysed statistically. P ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant. Success rate of individual surgeon who managed respective group of patients and Difficulty index of surgeon who managed without using score was evaluated at 12 months follow-up. RESULTS: Success rate of Group A-surgeon was higher than Group B-surgeon .15% of Group B patients had poor surgical outcome at follow-up. Statistically significant improvement in Group A patients were seen in all 3 evaluated parameters when compared to Group B patients at 12 months of follow-up (P ≤ .05). Difficulty index of surgeon who didn't use the score was 15%. CONCLUSION: The proposed predictive score comprising all risk factors, can be used by spine surgeons when they are confronted with difficult scenario in decision-making. Accuracy, reliability and validity of the score needs to be evaluated in a larger scale. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Ⅲ.

Do Intraoperative Neurophysiological Changes During Decompressive Surgery for Cervical Myeloradiculopathy Affect Functional Outcome? A Prospective Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) positive changes affect functional outcome after surgical intervention for myeloradiculopathy secondary to cervical compressive pathology (cervical compressive myelopathy). METHODS: Twenty-eight patients who underwent cervical spine surgery with IONM for compressive myeloradiculopathy were enrolled. During surgery motor-evoked potential (MEP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) at baseline and before and after decompression were documented. A decrease in latency >10% or an increase in amplitude >50% was regarded as a "positive changes." Patients were divided into subgroups based on IONM changes: group A (those with positive changes) and group B (those with no change or deterioration). Nurick grade and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score were evaluated before and after surgery. RESULTS: Nine patients (32.1%) showed improvement in MEP. The mean preoperative Nurick grade and mJOA score of group A and B were (2.55 ± 0.83 and 11.11 ± 1.65) and (2.47 ± 0.7 and 11.32 ± 1.24), respectively. The mean postoperative Nurick grade of groups A and B at 6 months was 1.55 ± 0.74 and 1.63 ± 0.46, respectively, and this difference was not significant. The mean postoperative mJOA score of groups A and B at 6 months was 14.3 ± 1.03 and 12.9 ± 0.98, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant (P = .011). Spearman correlation coefficient showed significant positive correlation between the IONM change and the mJOA score at 6 months postoperatively (r = 0.47; P = .01). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that impact of positive changes in MEP during IONM reflect in functional improvement at 6 months postoperatively in cervical compressive myelopathy patients.

Efficacy of Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering in Skeletally Mature Children with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Preliminary Report.

BACKGROUND: Anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT) offers a dynamic fusionless correction option for children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Few existing clinical studies evaluating novel AVBT in skeletally immature children have questioned the midterm efficacy with concerns of overcorrection and curve progression with remaining growth. The current study investigates the effect of this technique in skeletally mature children (Risser ≥ 4 and Sanders ≥ 7) with AIS with limited remaining growth potential. METHODS: We evaluated skeletally mature children with AIS who underwent the AVBT technique for a single structural major curve between 40° and 80° with ≥50% flexibility on dynamic radiographs and a minimum of 1 year of follow-up. Pertinent clinical and radiographic data collected include skeletal maturity, curve type, Cobb angle, sagittal parameters, and a patient-reported outcome measure Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire. RESULTS: All 10 children were female with a mean age of 14.9 ± 2.7 years at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up was 24.1 ± 3.6 months. The mean Risser and Sanders scores were 4.2 ± 0.6 and 7.2 ± 0.6, respectively. Three patients had major thoracic curves, and 7 patients had thoracolumbar/lumbar curves. Cranial and caudal instrumented levels were T5 and L4. Mean preoperative Cobb's angle was 52.0° ± 11.6° and was corrected to 15.9° ± 6.8° on the first erect postoperative radiograph, with stabilization of corrected curve at the 1-year follow-up (mean Cobb's angle of 15.3° ± 8.7°). Mean preoperative and postoperative SRS-22 scores were 78.0 ± 3.2 and 92.5 ± 3.1, respectively (P < .01). No complications were noted until the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary experience with this novel AVBT as an alternative technique to fusion to stabilize progressive idiopathic scoliosis in skeletally mature children is promising. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Comparative Analysis of Unilateral versus Bilateral Instrumentation in TLIF for Lumbar Degenerative Disorder: Single Center Large Series.

BACKGROUND: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with bilateral pedicle screw instrumentation is a well-accepted technique in lumbar degenerative disc disorder. Unilateral instrumentation in TLIF has been reported in the literature. This study aims to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of unilateral and bilateral instrumented TLIF in a selected series of patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients operated with unilateral pedicle screw fixation in TLIF (UPSF TLIF) or with bilateral pedicle screw fixation in TLIF (BPSF TLIF) with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Patients were evaluated at regular intervals for functional and radiological outcomes. Functional outcome was assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analog score (VAS) preoperatively and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Fusion rates were assessed using Bridwell interbody fusion grading. RESULTS: Our study shows that there was a significant improvement in VAS and ODI in both groups at 2 years follow-up, and there was no significant difference in improvements between the groups. The complication rates between the groups were similar. The fusion rate in UPSF TLIF was 97.3% and was 98.34% in BPSF TLIF; this was not statistically significant between groups. There is a significant difference in terms of blood loss, duration of surgery, and average duration of hospital stay between the groups (P < .001), favoring UPSF TLIF. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral pedicle screw fixation in open TLIF is comparable with bilateral pedicle screw fixation in terms of patient-reported clinical outcomes, fusion rates, and complication rates with the additional benefits of less operative time, less blood loss, shorter hospitalization, and less cost in selective cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Resurgence of the Role of Computed-Tomography Myelogram in the Era of MRI for Surgical Decision-Making of Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) into clinical practice in the mid-1980s, the role of computed tomography myelography (CTM) has become less important in spinal diagnostics but remains a method that is probably even superior to MRI for special clinical issues. The study aims to report the diagnostic utility of CTM as an adjunct to MRI in lumbar degenerative disc disorder (DDD). METHODS: Included were 20 patients who presented with symptomatic DDD but with MRI findings that did not correlate with the clinical features. These patients underwent CTM as an additional imaging technique to aid preoperative surgical decision-making. Both imaging modalities were compared for the identification of the impinging pathology as well as the number of levels of compression. RESULTS: MRI revealed compression and/or impingement at 38 levels, whereas CTM revealed these at 29 levels. Of 20 patients, 18 underwent surgery, and a total of 29 levels were decompressed as localized in the CTM. The visual analog scale (VAS) score for back pain and leg pain at baseline were 6 ± 0.7 and 7 ± 0.4, respectively, and at 6 months postintervention (surgical/conservative) were 2 ± 0.8 and 0.3 ± 0.1, respectively. The Oswestry Disability Index scores at baseline and 6 months postintervention were 56 ± 6.9 and 18 ± 4.2, respectively (P < .0001). There was agreement on the number of levels between MRI and CTM in 10 patients (50%). MRI overestimated the number of involved levels in 9 patients (45%), whereas in the remaining 1 patient (5%), MRI underestimated the number of involved levels. The weighted κ value for agreement between MRI and CTM on the number of levels involved necessitating decompression was 0.4 (95% CI, 0.18-0.77; P = .0009). CONCLUSIONS: CTM has a role as an adjunct imaging modality to formulate an effective management plan in patients presenting with symptomatic lumbar DDD in cases where MRI findings are inconclusive and ambiguous. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Clinicoradiological Outcome of 3 or More Levels of Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Studies reporting multilevel anterior cervical corpectomy (>2 levels) and reconstruction in patients with long-segment anterior cervical compression are few and surgical outcomes are variable with increased surgical morbidity and a high incidence of graft-related complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cervical corpectomy and anterior reconstruction of 3 or more levels in patients with long-segment anterior cervical compression. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who had undergone 3 or more levels of anterior cervical corpectomy and reconstruction from 2014 to 2018. Clinical and radiological parameters such as Nurick grading, modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score, cervical segmental angle, cervical sagittal angle, graft subsidence, and fusion rate were evaluated preoperatively and at a 2-year follow-up. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their anterior reconstruction, either with fibular strut autogenous graft or titanium mesh cage and rigid anterior cervical plating for subgroup analysis. Patients whose bone stock was found to be poor had undergone posterior instrumentation as a staged procedure. RESULTS: There were 48 patients (mean age: 58.17 years) in the cohort: 42 had undergone 3-level and 6 had undergone 4-level cervical corpectomy with an ossified posterior longitudinal ligament and multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy being the main surgical indications. C5 to C7 corpectomy was most common. Of the cohort, 83.4% had standalone anterior reconstruction and only 8 patients (16.6%) had supplementation with posterior instrumentation. Our subgroup analysis showed statistically significant change in Nurick grading, mJOA score, cervical segmental angle, and sagittal angle in both groups at a 2-year follow-up (P < .05). Overall fusion rate was 89.5%. Decreased incidence of graft subsidence, statistically significant less graft subsidence (P = .002) and a higher fusion rate (P = .001) were noted in titanium mesh cage group at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Multilevel anterior cervical corpectomy and reconstruction is a safe and efficacious procedure. A titanium mesh cage filled with autogenous bone graft and a rigid anterior cervical plate gives best results. Posterior instrumentation should be considered along with a multilevel cervical corpectomy construct in patients with poor bone stock. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Impact of pedicle subtraction osteotomy on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures in patients undergoing surgery for adult spinal deformity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BACKGROUND: Three-column osteotomies (3-CO) have gained popularity in the last decade as part of the armamentarium for the surgical correction of sagittal imbalance in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Three-column osteotomies in the form of pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) may be necessary to achieve adequate correction for severe and rigid spinal deformity. Studies reporting improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with validated outcome measures after PSO surgery are sparse and currently consist of small series. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the improvement in HRQOL measures following PSO for adult spinal deformity. METHODS: Two independent reviewers conducted a systematic review of the English literature between period 1996 and 2019 for articles reporting outcome of PSO in patients with ASD according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Inclusion criteria were studies consisting of patient-reported outcome Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Scoliosis Research Society 22 or 24 (SRS) outcomes after PSO surgery for adult spine deformity patients (18 years or older) with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. RESULTS: Eight studies with 431 PSOs were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in ODI in PSO (P < 0.0001), and the mean clinically important difference was achieved with both ODI (50.46 (45.5-55.4) preoperatively to 32.78 (29.7-39) postoperatively) and SRS (2.49 (2.38-2.7) preoperatively to 3.26 (2.8-4.1) postoperatively) scores. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis did find improvements in the health-related quality of life in patients undergoing PSO surgery for adult spinal deformity.

Bladder Scans and Postvoid Residual Volume Measurement Improve Diagnostic Accuracy of Cauda Equina Syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, observational cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the role of pre and postvoid bladder scan in predicting cauda equina syndrome (CES). The thesis was that bladder scanning [specifically postvoid residual (PVR) volume] would have higher diagnostic accuracy than physical examination alone. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: CES is an ill-defined condition with a spectrum of presenting symptoms. There is neither a combination of clinical symptoms and/or signs that reliably predicts cauda equina compression nor single defining clinical criterion that has 100% predictive value to confirm or exclude CES. METHODS: Patients with suspected CES admitted over a 6-month period at a single institution were prospectively assessed by physical examination (including digital rectal examination and pin prick perianal sensation) and bladder ultrasound scanning (recording pre- and PVR volume). These results were compared with the subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and those patients who had emergent surgery for CES. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients were included in the study (52 women) with a mean age of 44.9 years.An MRI scan demonstrating causing compression of the cauda equina was present in only 18% (17/92).The sensitivity of anal tone to predict CES was 52.9%. Peri-anal numbness (either unilateral or bilateral) had sensitivity of 82.3% and negative predictive value of 92%.For nonoperated group (without CES), mean PVR was 199 mL (95% confidence interval ±â€Š59 mL). On the basis of receiver operating curves, the optimal bladder volume cut-off for predicting CES was ≥200 mL for PVR volume. A PVR of <200 mL gave CES probability of 3.6%. If >200 mL, then the probability of having CES is 43% (P < 0.000003). A PVR <200 mL had a negative predictive value of 97%. CONCLUSION: Bladder scanning was a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of CES. It had a better negative predictive value than physical examination. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Clinical Tests for Morton's Neuroma Compared With Ultrasonography.

The aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of 7 clinical tests for Morton's neuroma (MN) compared with ultrasonography (US). Forty patients (54 feet) were diagnosed with MN using predetermined clinical criteria. These patients were subsequently referred for US, which was performed by a single, experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. The clinical test results were compared against the US findings. MN was confirmed on US at the site of clinical diagnosis in 53 feet (98%). The operational characteristics of the clinical tests performed were as follows: thumb index finger squeeze (96% sensitivity, 96% accuracy), Mulder's click (61% sensitivity, 62% accuracy), foot squeeze (41% sensitivity, 41% accuracy), plantar percussion (37% sensitivity, 36% accuracy), dorsal percussion (33% sensitivity, 26% accuracy), and light touch and pin prick (26% sensitivity, 25% accuracy). No correlation was found between the size of MN on US and the positive clinical tests, except for Mulder's click. The size of MN was significantly larger in patients with a positive Mulder's click (10.9 versus 8.5 mm, p = .016). The clinical assessment was comparable to US in diagnosing MN. The thumb index finger squeeze test was the most sensitive screening test for the clinical diagnosis of MN.

Computer-assisted navigation in knee arthroplasty: a critical appraisal.

The purpose of this review was to appraise the use of computer-assisted navigation in total knee arthroplasty and to assess whether this technology has improved clinical outcomes. Studies were identified through searches in MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed. Numerous studies have shown improved leg and component alignment using navigation systems. However, the better alignment achieved in navigated knee arthroplasty has not been shown to lead to better clinical outcomes. Navigated knee arthroplasty had lower calculated blood loss and lower incidence of fat embolism compared with conventional knee arthroplasty using intramedullary jigs. It may be most valued when dealing with complex knee deformities, revision surgery, or minimally invasive surgery. Navigated knee arthroplasty, however, is only cost-effective in centers with a high volume of joint replacements. Overall, computer-assisted navigated knee arthroplasty provides some advantages over conventional surgery, but its clinical benefits to date are unclear and remain to be defined on a larger scale.

Serum lactate is a prognostic indicator in patients with hip fracture.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Serum lactate has been shown to be an indicator of adverse clinical outcomes in patients admitted secondary to general trauma or sepsis. We retrospectively investigated whether admission serum venous lactate can predict in-hospital mortality in patients with hip fractures. METHOD AND RESULTS: Over a 38-month period the admission venous lactate of 807 patients with hip fractures was collated. Mean age was 82 years. The overall in-hospital mortality for this cohort was 9.4%. Mortality was not influenced by the fracture pattern or the type of surgery - be it internal fixation or arthroplasty (p = 0.7). A critical threshold of 3 mmol/L with respect to the influence of venous lactate level on mortality was identified. Mortality rate in those with a lactate level of less than 3 mmol/L was 8.6% and 14.2% for those whose level was 3 mmol/L or greater. A 1 mmol/L increase in venous lactate was associated with a 1.2 (1.02-1.41) increased risk of in-hospital mortality. Patients with a venous lactate of 3 mmol/L or higher had twice the odds of death in hospital compared to matched individuals. There was no statistically significant difference in ASA distribution between those with a lactate of less than or greater than 3 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an elevated venous lactate following hip trauma should be identified as being at increased risk of death and may benefit from targeted medical therapy.