Early surgery compared to nonoperative management for mild degenerative cervical myelopathy: a cost-utility analysis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a form of acquired spinal cord compression and contributes to reduced quality of life secondary to neurological dysfunction and pain. There remains uncertainty regarding optimal management for individuals with mild myelopathy. Specifically, owing to lacking long-term natural history studies in this population, we do not know whether these individuals should be treated with initial surgery or observation. PURPOSE: We sought to perform a cost-utility analysis to examine early surgery for mild degenerative cervical myelopathy from the healthcare payer perspective. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: We utilized data from the prospective observational cohorts included in the Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy AO Spine International and North America studies to determine health related quality of life estimates and clinical myelopathy outcomes. PATIENT SAMPLE: We recruited all patients that underwent surgery for DCM enrolled in the Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy AO Spine International and North America studies between December 2005 and January 2011. OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical assessment measures were obtained using the Modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scale and health-related quality of life measures were obtained using the Short Form-6D utility score at baseline (preoperative), 6 months, 12 months and 24 months postsurgery. Cost measures inflated to January 2015 values were obtained using pooled estimates from the hospital payer perspective for surgical patients. METHODS: We employed a Markov state transition model with Monte Carlo microsimulation using a lifetime horizon to obtain an incremental cost utility ratio associated with early surgery for mild myelopathy. Parameter uncertainty was assessed through deterministic means using one-way and two-way sensitivity analyses and probabilistically using parameter estimate distributions with microsimulation (10,000 trials). Costs and utilities were discounted at 3% per annum. RESULTS: Initial surgery for mild degenerative cervical myelopathy was associated with an incremental lifetime increase of 1.26 quality-adjusted life years (QALY) compared to observation. The associated cost incurred to the healthcare payer over a lifetime horizon was $12,894.56, resulting in a lifetime incremental cost-utility ratio of $10,250.71/QALY. Utilizing a willingness to pay threshold in keeping with the World Health Organization definition of "very cost-effective" ($54,000 CDN), the probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that 100% of cases were cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery compared to initial observation for mild degenerative cervical myelopathy was cost-effective from the Canadian healthcare payer perspective and was associated with lifetime gains in health-related quality of life.

Application of the T1w/T2w mapping technique for spinal cord assessment in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate signal changes on T1w/T2w signal intensity ratio maps within cervical cord in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). SETTING: Novosibirsk Neurosurgery Center, Russia. METHODS: A total of 261 patients with DCM and 42 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated using the T1w/T2w mapping method and spinal cord automatic morphometry. The T1w/T2w signal intensity ratio, which reflects white matter integrity, and the spinal cord cross-sectional area (CSA) were calculated and compared between the patients and the controls. In patients with DCM, the correlations between these parameters and neurological scores were also evaluated. RESULTS: The regional T1w/T2w ratio values from the cervical spinal cord at the level of maximal compression in patients with DCM were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (p < 0.001), as were the regional CSA values (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the regional values of the T1w/T2w ratio and the values of the CSA at the level of maximal spinal cord compression. CONCLUSIONS: T1w/T2w mapping revealed that spinal cord tissue damage exists at the level of maximal compression in patients with DCM in association with spinal cord atrophy according to automatic morphometry. These changes were correlated with each other.

AIIMS Cervical Myelopathy Score - A New Comprehensive and Objective Patient-Reported Modification of mJOA: Results of an Internal Validation Study.

Background: Several scoring systems have been developed for assessment of patients with compressive cervical myelopathy. However, all of these have some shortcomings. We proposed a new modification of the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score-the AIIMS cervical myelopathy score (ACMS). Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the ACMS with mJOA score and Nurick score. Methods: We prospectively studied patients with cervical compressive myelopathy. The new ACMS, mJOA, Nurick proposed by Benzel, and Nurick scores were recorded preoperatively and at three months postoperatively in patients. Results: Sixty-two patients completed the 3-month follow-up and were included in the final analysis. The mean preoperative and postoperative Nurick, mJOA, and ACMS scores were 3.3 and 3.0, 12.3 and 13.8, and 15.1 and 17.7, respectively. High correlation (Pearson's r > 0.8, 95% CI: 0.94 to 0.97, P < 0.005) was observed between ACMS and mJOA scores for all the individual components of both scales, both in pre- and postoperative assessments. A negative correlation was observed between the occupational ability scores ACMS and the Nurick scale (r = -0.76, 95% CI: -0.83 to - 0.68). No correlation was found with cord/canal ratio on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with any of the three scoring systems (preoperative, postoperative, or recovery rates). Conclusions: The ACMS score showed a good correlation with the mJOA score for evaluation of functional disability in the setting of cervical myelopathy. The patients could themselves report the scores using the ACMS scoring chart. The occupational component of the ACMS also correlated well with the Nurick score.

Potential of intraoperative ultrasonographic assessment of the spinal cord central echo complex in predicting postoperative neurological recovery of degenerative cervical myelopathy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The spinal cord central echo complex (SCCEC) is a special ultrasonography-based intramedullary structure, but its clinical significance in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is undefined. This study aimed to explore the potential of the SCCEC in predicting postoperative neurological recovery in DCM. METHODS: Thirty-two DCM patients who underwent intraoperative ultrasonography-guided French-door laminoplasty were prospectively enrolled. The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score was evaluated preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. SCCEC width (SCCEC-W), and anteroposterior diameter (APD) and transverse diameter (TD) of the spinal cord were measured on transverse ultrasonographic images, while the tissue widths from anterior and posterior borders of the spinal cord to the SCCEC were measured on sagittal ultrasonographic images. The APD of the spinal cord and occupying rate of the spinal canal were measured on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: All patients achieved improvements in mJOA scores, with an average recovery rate (RR) of 68.69 ± 20.22%. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that SCCEC-W, and ratios between the SCCEC-W and APD/TD based on ultrasonography, correlated moderately with mJOA score RR, with coefficients of -0.527, -0.605 and -0.514, respectively. The ratio between SCCEC-W and ultrasonographic TD correlated moderately with preoperative APD of the spinal cord. The MRI measurements and ultrasonography-based tissue widths showed no significant correlation with mJOA score RR. CONCLUSIONS: The SCCEC may have predictive potential as an intraoperative indicator of neurological recovery in treating DCM. SCCEC-W may be related to spinal cord compression in DCM.

Clinical Application of a New Assessment Tool for Myelopathy Hand Using Virtual Reality.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a new assessment tool, myelopathy-hand functional evaluation system (MFES), in evaluating the hand dysfunction of patients with cervical myelopathy in the 10-second grip-and-release test (10 second G-R test). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Clumsy fingers movement is a common symptom of myelopathy patients. Evaluating the impaired hand function can provide a strong basis in assessing the severity of myelopathy. Currently, no objective and effective evaluation method is widely accepted in clinical practice. METHODS: MFES mainly consists of a pair of wise-gloves and a computer with software. One hundred and ninety-eight consecutive participants were asked to wear the wise-gloves and then perform 10 seconds G-R test. The movements of each finger were recorded by MFES and converted into waveforms. Relevant waveform parameters were measured and analyzed. The Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) scores of each patient were marked and the maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC) was measured on midsagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: Myelopathy patients had a lower number of G-R cycles and a longer time per cycle than healthy subjects. There were significant differences in adduction and abduction time in patients with JOA scores greater than 6, but not in healthy subjects and patients with JOA scores less than 6. The waveforms of ulnar three fingers in myelopathy patients were lower and wider than those in healthy individuals. The average ratio value of wave height to wave width (a/b) could quantitatively reflect such differences of waveforms. According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the optimal threshold value of the normal average ratio was more than 1.92. The average a/b value was correlated with the JOA scores of the motor function in the upper extremities (r = 0.842). CONCLUSION: MFES appears to be an objective and quantitative assessment tool for patients with cervical myelopathy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

The Neurology-Stability-Epidural compression assessment: A new score to establish the need for surgery in spinal metastases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate new evidence about management of spinal metastases in a practical and reliable score for surgeons, radiation oncologists and oncologists, able to establish the need for surgery regardless the available technology and settings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three main items were identified and graded: Neurological status (0-5 points), Stability of the spine according to the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) Score (0-5 points), and Epidural compression according to the Epidural Spinal Cord Compression (ESCC) scale (0-3 points). Patients were considered suitable for surgery with ASA score < 4 and ECOG score <3. A retrospective clinical validation of the NSE score was made on 145 patients that underwent surgical or non surgical treatment. RESULTS: Agreement between the undertaken treatment and the score (88.3% of patients), resulted in a strong association with improvement or preservation of clinical status (neurological functions and mechanical pain) (p < 0.001) at 3 and 6 months. In the non-agreement group no association was recorded at the 3 and 6 months follow-up (p 0.486 and 0.343 for neurological functions, 0.063 and 0.858 for mechanical pain). CONCLUSION: Functional outcomes of the study group showed that the proposed NSE score could represent a practical and reliable tool to establish the need for surgery. Agreement between the score and the performed treatments resulted in better clinical outcomes, when compared with patients without agreement. Further validation is needed with a larger number of patients and to assess reproducibility among surgeons, radiation oncologists, and oncologists.

Financial Aspects of Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review of Recent Literature.

Recently, there has been significant interest in understanding the cost-effectiveness of treatments in spine surgery as health care systems in the United States move toward value-based care and alternative payment models. Previous studies have shown comparable outcomes of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and anterior cervical discectomy fusion; however, there is a lack of consensus on the cost-effectiveness of CDA to support full adoption. Evidence of the limitations of these cost-analysis studies also exists in the literature, including industry funding, potential selection bias, and varying methods of calculating value. The goal of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the cost-effectiveness of CDA compared with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and potential limitations with cost-analysis studies in spine surgery.

The management of emergency spinal surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.

AIMS: The current pandemic caused by COVID-19 is the biggest challenge for national health systems for a century. While most medical resources are allocated to treat COVID-19 patients, several non-COVID-19 medical emergencies still need to be treated, including vertebral fractures and spinal cord compression. The aim of this paper is to report the early experience and an organizational protocol for emergency spinal surgery currently being used in a large metropolitan area by an integrated team of orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. METHODS: An organizational model is presented based on case centralization in hub hospitals and early management of surgical cases to reduce hospital stay. Data from all the patients admitted for emergency spinal surgery from the beginning of the outbreak were prospectively collected and compared to data from patients admitted for the same reason in the same time span in the previous year, and treated by the same integrated team. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients (11 males and eight females, with a mean age of 49.9 years (14 to 83)) were admitted either for vertebral fracture or spinal cord compression in a 19-day period, compared to the ten admitted in the previous year. No COVID-19 patients were treated. The mean time between admission and surgery was 1.7 days, significantly lower than 6.8 days the previous year (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The structural organization and the management protocol we describe allowed us to reduce the time to surgery and ultimately hospital stay, thereby maximizing the already stretched medical resources available. We hope that our early experience can be of value to the medical communities that will soon be in the same emergency situation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(6):671-676.

Laminectomy Versus Corpectomy for Spinal Metastatic Disease-Complications, Costs, and Quality Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The landmark Patchell trial established surgical decompression followed by adjuvant radiotherapy as standard-of-care for patients with spinal cord compression caused by metastatic cancer. However, little comparative evidence exists with regard to the choice of specific surgical approaches for these patients. We sought to conduct a comparative analysis of outcomes of surgical options for spinal metastatic disease. METHODS: This was an epidemiologic study using national administrative data from the MarketScan database. We queried the MarketScan database (2007-2016), identifying patients with a diagnosis of spinal metastasis treated with surgical decompression (N = 1054). We used descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing to compare baseline characteristics, complications, quality metrics, and costs. RESULTS: We identified patients with spinal metastases undergoing laminectomy (N = 760), corpectomy (N = 193), or both combined procedures (laminectomy and corpectomy, N = 101). No significant differences in baseline demographics, follow-up time, or primary tumor histology were observed. We found a greater 30-day postoperative complication rate among patients undergoing corpectomy (P < 0.0001), driven by increased rate of postoperative anemia and pulmonary complications. Length of stay and 30-day readmission rates did not vary between surgical approaches. Total index hospitalization and 30-day payments were greatest among patients undergoing combined procedures and lowest for patients undergoing laminectomy alone. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight distinct complication profiles and quality outcomes associated with selection of surgical approach for patients with spinal metastases. These findings must be interpreted with a clear understanding of the limitations.

Change in Policy Allowing Overlapping Surgery Decreases Length of Stay in an Academic, Safety-Net Hospital.

BACKGROUND: The practice of surgeons running overlapping operating rooms has recently come under scrutiny. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of hospital policy allowing overlapping rooms in the case of patients admitted to a tertiary care, safety-net hospital for urgent neurosurgical procedures. METHODS: The neurosurgery service at the hospital being studied transitioned from routinely allowing 1 room per day (period 1) to overlapping rooms (period 2), with the second room being staffed by the same attending surgeon. Patients undergoing neurosurgical intervention in each period were retrospectively compared. Demographics, indication, case type, complications, outcomes, and total charges were tracked. RESULTS: There were 59 urgent cases in period 1 and 63 in period 2. In the case of these patients, the length of stay was significantly decreased in period 2 (13.09 d vs 19.52; P = .006). The time from admission to surgery (wait time) was also significantly decreased in period 2 (5.12 d vs 7.00; P = .04). Total charges also trended towards less in period 2 (${\$}$150 942 vs ${\$}$200 075; P = .05). Surgical complications were no different between the groups (16.9% vs 14.3%; P = .59), but medical complications were significantly decreased in period 2 (14.3% vs 30.5%; P = .009). Significantly more patients were discharged to home in period 2 (69.8% vs 42.4%; P = .003). CONCLUSION: As a matter of policy, allowing overlapping rooms significantly reduces the length of stay in the case of a vulnerable population in need of urgent surgery at a single safety-net academic institution. This may be due to a reduction in medical complications in these patients.

Assessment of degenerative cervical myelopathy differs between specialists and may influence time to diagnosis and clinical outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [DCM] often presents with non-specific symptoms and signs. It progresses insidiously and leads to permanent neurological dysfunction. Decompressive surgery can halt disease progression, however significant delays in diagnosis result in increased disability and limit recovery. The nature of early DCM symptoms is unknown, moreover it has been suggested incomplete examination contributes to missed diagnosis. This study examines how DCM is currently assessed, if assessment differs between stages of healthcare, and whether this influences patient management. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Cervical MRI scans (N = 1123) at a tertiary neurosciences center, over a single year, were screened for patients with DCM (N = 43). Signs, symptoms, and disease severity of DCM were extracted from patient records. Patients were considered at 3 phases of clinical assessment: primary care, secondary care, and surgical assessment. RESULTS: Upper limb paraesthesia and urinary dysfunction were consistently the most and least prevalent symptoms respectively. Differences between assessing clinicians were present in the reporting of: limb pain (p<0.005), objective limb weakness (p = 0.01), hyperreflexia (p<0.005), Hoffmann reflex (p<0.005), extensor plantar reflex (p = 0.007), and lower limb spasticity (p<0.005). Pathological reflexes were least frequently assessed by primary care doctors. CONCLUSION: DCM assessment varies significantly between assessors. Reporting of key features of DCM is especially low in primary care. Incomplete assessment may hinder early diagnosis and referral to spinal surgery.

Prevalence and risk of skeletal complications and use of radiation therapy in elderly women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Real-world data regarding patient factors associated with the occurrence of spinal cord compression (SCC) or pathological fracture (PF), or need for bone surgery (BS), or use of radiation therapy (RAD) (i.e. skeletal complications and radiation therapy; SCRT) are limited for women with metastatic breast cancer (BCa). Given the substantial clinical and economic burden of these events in advanced BCa, we conducted the present study to understand the prevalence and identify the risk factors associated with these events among elderly women presenting with de novo metastatic BCa. METHODS: Using linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and Medicare data, we identified women with incident metastatic BCa diagnosed during 2005-2009. Associations between patient demographics and select clinically relevant factors, and SCRT were examined using the Cox proportional hazards model, accounting for death as a competing risk. RESULTS: Of 3,731 Medicare beneficiaries with incident metastatic BCa, 1,808 (48.5%) experienced at least one SCRT event during a median follow-up of 13.2 months; a majority (69%) experienced a subsequent SCRT event. The proportions of women who had RAD, PF, BS, and SCC were: 32%, 28%, 8%, and 4%. Older women (80+ years), or those with more comorbid conditions (CCI≥2) had a statistically significant lower risk of SCRT (HR 0.78 [CI: 0.67-0.92, p<0.01]; HR 0.77 [CI: 0.67-0.89, p<0.01], respectively), primarily due to lower frequency of radiotherapy (p<0.01). Compared to Caucasians, African Americans had lower risk of SCRT (HR 0.70 [CI: 0.60-0.82, p<0.01]), as well as all SCRT subtypes defining this group except for SCC, which was the same for both race groups. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that certain patient characteristics and clinical factors are associated with the risk of spinal cord compression or pathologic fractures, or need for bone surgery or radiation among women with metastatic BCa. In future studies, it will also be important to consider the clinical and economic burden based on these components of skeletal complications and radiation therapy use in order to guide and improve the management of women with advanced BCa.

Image Diagnostic Classification of Magnetic Resonance T2 Increased Signal Intensity in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: Clinical Evaluation Using Quantitative and Objective Assessment.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective imaging study. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated whether the classification of increased signal intensity (ISI) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reflects the severity of symptoms in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although the ISI on MRI in patients with CSM is observed, the degree of ISI has not been examined. The association between ISI and the surgical outcomes in cervical myelopathy remains controversial. METHODS: A total of 505 consecutive patients with CSM (311 males; 194 females) were enrolled. The mean age was 66.6 years (range, 41-91 yrs), with an average postoperative follow-up period of 26.5 ±â€Š12.5 months. The ISI was classified into three groups based on sagittal T2-weighted MRI as follows: Grade 0, none; Grade 1, light (obscure); and Grade 2, intense (bright). Pre- and postoperative neurological status was evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system for cervical myelopathy (JOA score) and quantifiable tests, including the 10-s grip and release test (10-s G&R test) and the 10-s step test. RESULTS: The preoperative MRI showed 168 patients in Grade 0, 169 patients in Grade 1, and 168 in Grade 2, with no age differences among three groups. Grade 2 patients had a longer duration of symptom compared with the other grades. Grade 0 patients had a better postoperative JOA score and recovery rate compared with the other grades. The preoperative and postoperative scores in the G&R test and steps were better in the Grade 0 patients compared with the other grades. Grade 1 and 2 patients had similar outcomes and recovery rates. CONCLUSION: ISI on MRI in patients with CSM was prospectively classified into three grades. The ISI grading was not associated with the preoperative severity of myelopathy and outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

Use of Central Motor Conduction Time and Spinal Cord Evoked Potentials in the Electrophysiological Assessment of Compressive Cervical Myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the pathophysiology of compressive cervical myelopathy (CCM) with prolonged central motor conduction time (CMCT) in the upper limbs (ULs) rather than lower limbs (LLs) and prolonged CMCT at the thoracic level (TL). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Earlier reports indicated the usefulness of CMCT to assess preoperative CCM severity. However, little information exists on patients with prolonged CMCT-UL rather than CMCT-LL and prolonged CMCT-TL. METHODS: Ninety-four patients (61 men, 33 women; age 28-87 years) with CCM who underwent cervical laminoplasty participated. Fifty-three volunteers provided normal data on CMCT-UL and LL. CMCT-TL was calculated as CMCT-LL - CMCT-UL. We defined three groups: group U, prolonged CMCT-UL rather than CMCT-LL (n = 14); group E, prolonged CMCT-UL and CMCT-LL equality (n = 43); and group L, prolonged CMCT-TL (n = 37). We evaluated intraoperative recording of spinal cord evoked potentials (SCEPs), neurological findings, and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Control mean CMCT-UL was 5.2 ±â€Š0.7 ms, CMCT-LL was 11.8 ±â€Š1.1 ms, and CMCT-TL was 6.6 ±â€Š1.2 ms. SCEPs results were significantly different between CCM patients in group U and L (P < 0.01). Almost all patients in three groups showed hyperreflexia of the patellar tendon reflex, but great toe position sense was abnormal in most patients in group L only. Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) scores improved postoperatively in all patients. There was a significant difference in recovery rate of the JOA score between group L and other groups (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Multimodal SCEPs, clinical findings, and surgical outcomes showed that patients with CCM and prolonged CMCT-TL had substantial disorders of the gray matter, lateral corticospinal tract, and posterior funiculus. Spine surgeons should be aware that prognosis may be poor even after surgery in patients with severe myelopathy such as prolonged CMCT-TL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Assessment of Intrathecal Pressure in Chondrodystrophic Dogs With Acute Thoracolumbar Disk Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To assess intrathecal pressure (ITP) in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: Group 1: 11 chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion and present deep pain sensation. Group 2 (control): 3 healthy chondrodystrophic laboratory dogs without spinal disease. METHODS: Diagnosis was based on neurologic signs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and surgical confirmation. Blood pressure was maintained within physiologic range during anesthesia. A standardized surgical procedure was applied to minimize factors that could influence measurement readings. An extended hemilaminectomy was performed and ITP was measured with a fiber optic catheter. The catheter was inserted in the subarachnoid space 1 spinal segment caudal to the level of herniation and its tip was advanced to the site of compression. RESULTS: Significantly higher ITP occurred in chondrodystrophic dogs with acute thoracolumbar disk disease compared with controls. ITP was not associated with duration of clinical signs, neurologic status, outcome, degree of spinal cord compression, or signal intensity changes as assessed by MRI. CONCLUSION: Acute thoracolumbar disk disease leads to elevated ITP in chondrodystrophic dogs, which may contribute to increased compression of spinal cord parenchyma.

Assessment of health-related quality of life using the SF-36 in Chinese cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients after surgery and its consistency with neurological function assessment: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to calculate the responsiveness and statistically prove the reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in a prospective cohort study. We investigated the profile of mid-term health-related quality of life (QOL) outcome assessments after surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and determined the consistency of the SF-36 assessments of neurological function. METHODS: A total of 142 consecutive patients with CSM who underwent surgery were enrolled in the study. QOL and neurological assessments were evaluated before and at 3 months, 1 year, and more than 2 years postoperatively. We subsequently analyzed the reliability and responsiveness of the SF-36 and the QOL profile for its consistency regarding the neurological function assessment. RESULTS: (1) Cronbach's α ranged from 0.73 (for role-emotional) to 0.85 (for physical function). The effect size ranged from 0.57 to 0.93 for SF-36's eight scales. Minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs) in the physical scores (PCS) and mental scores (MCS) were 5.52 and 3.43, respectively. (2) The scores for all SF-36 scale sections indicated that patients with CSM were significantly impaired compared with healthy adults. SF-36 PCS and MCS peaked at 17.7 and 18.9 months after surgery, respectively. (3) At 3 months after surgery, improvements in the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scores significantly correlated only with patients' physical function and bodily pain scores. At 1 year after surgery, improvements in the mJOA scores significantly correlated with physical function, general health, social function, and role-emotional. At the final follow-up, improvements in the mJOA scores significantly correlated with physical function, vitality, and role-emotional. CONCLUSIONS: SF-36 is reliable and has moderate responsiveness for evaluating patients with CSM, with MCID at 5.52 for the PCS and at 3.43 for the MCS. The preoperative QOL of the CSM patients was severely impaired compared with that of the normal population. Postoperatively, each SF-36 domain improved to a variable degree. During the early stage of recovery the mJOA score improvements correlated with SF-36's physical component domains, whereas during the later stages the improvements were associated with the mental component domains.

Vertebroplasty Using Calcium Triglyceride Bone Cement (Kryptonite™) for Vertebral Compression Fractures. A Single-Centre Preliminary Study of Outcomes at One-Year Follow-up.

This study assessed the one-year clinical and radiographic outcomes, in terms of pain-relief, vertebral re-fracture and complications, after vertebroplasty (VP) using a new osteoconductive cement (calcium triglyceride bone cement - Kryptonite™ bone cement, Doctors Research Group Inc., Southbury, CT, USA) to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Sixteen consecutive osteoporotic patients (12 women and four men, mean age 68+/-10.5) were treated with VP using Kryptonite™ bone cement for a total of 20 vertebral fractures. All the patients complained of a pain syndrome resistant to medical therapy and all procedures were performed under fluoroscopy control with neuroleptoanalgesia using a monopedicular approach in 12 patients and bipedicular approach in four patients. All patients were studied by MR and MDCT and were evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) before treatment and at one and 12 months after the procedure. A successful outcome was observed in 80% of patients, with a complete resolution of pain. Differences in pre and post treatment VAS and ODI at one-year follow-up were significant (P<0.0001). We observed a disk and venous leakage in 66% of patients but only in one case did an asymptomatic pulmonary embolism occur during cement injection. Two cases of vertebral re-fractures at distant metamers were observed during follow-up. VP using Kryptonite bone cement is a helpful procedure that allows complete and long-lasting resolution of painful vertebral symptoms. The cost of the material is very high and the rate of disk and venous leakage is too high compared to standard cement.

Functional assessment of patients with cervical myelopathy who underwent surgical treatment / Avaliação funcional de pacientes com mielopatia cervical submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico / Evaluación funcional de los pacientes con mielopatía cervical sometidos a tratamiento quirúrgico

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate and correlate the functional response of patients with cervical myelopathy with the current clinical scores in patients who underwent surgical treatment. METHODS: We analyzed medical records of 34 patients with cervical myelopathy who underwent four different types of surgery. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the application of the JOA and Nurick questionnaires. RESULTS: Functional clinical improvement was statistically significant. The mean preoperative JOA was 8.5 ± 3.06 and 10.7 ± 3.9 in the postoperative; Nurick was 3.2 ± 1.1 preoperatively and 2.8 ± 1.3 postoperatively. CONCLUSION: There is benefit with the surgical procedure in patients with cervical myelopathy. The neurological function after surgery depends on the previous function (the higher the duration of the previous symptoms, the greater the progression of the disease and, therefore, worse the neurological function) and the age is not a relevant factor of improvement, as already shown in other series. The clinical functional improvement of patients is visible with surgical treatment, regardless of surgical technique. .

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e correlacionar a resposta funcional dos pacientes com mielopatia cervical com os escores clínicos já existentes, em pacientes que foram submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico. MÉTODOS: Trabalho retrospectivo com análise de 34 prontuários de pacientes portadores de mielopatia cervical que foram submetidos a quatro diferentes tipos de cirurgia. Todos os pacientes foram avaliados no pré e pós-operatório com a aplicação dos questionários de JOA e Nurick. RESULTADOS: A melhora clínica funcional foi estatisticamente relevante. O JOA pré-operatório médio foi de 8,5 ± 3,06 para 10,7 ± 3,9, no pós-operatório e o Nurick foi 3,2 ± 1,1 no pré-operatório e de 2,8 ± 1,3 no pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: Há benefício com a realização do tratamento cirúrgico em pacientes com mielopatia cervical, a função neurológica pós-operatória depende da função prévia (quanto maior o tempo de sintomas, maior progressão e, com isso pior a função neurológica) e a idade dos pacientes não é fator relevante de melhora, como já mostrado em outras séries. A melhora funcional clínica dos pacientes, é visível com o tratamento cirúrgico, independente da técnica cirúrgica aplicada. .

OBJETIVO: Evaluar y correlacionar la respuesta funcional de los pacientes con mielopatía cervical con las puntuaciones clínicas vigentes en pacientes sometidos a tratamiento quirúrgico. MÉTODOS: Se analizaron los registros médicos de 34 pacientes con mielopatía cervical que se sometieron a cuatro diferentes tipos de cirugía. Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados antes y después de la cirugía con la aplicación de los cuestionarios JOA y Nurick. RESULTADOS: La mejoría clínica funcional fue estadísticamente significativa. El JOA preoperatorio promedio fue de 8,5 ± 3,06 y 10,7 ± 3,9 en el postoperatorio. El Nurick antes de la operación fue 3,2 ± 1,1 y 2,8 ± 1,3 después de la operación. CONCLUSIÓN: Existe beneficio con el tratamiento quirúrgico en pacientes con mielopatía cervical. La función neurológica después de la cirugía depende de la función previa (cuanto mayor sea la duración de los síntomas anteriores, mayor será la progresión de la enfermedad y, por lo tanto, peor es la función neurológica) y la edad no es un factor relevante de la mejora, como ya se ha demostrado en otras series. La mejora clínica funcional de los pacientes es visible con el tratamiento quirúrgico, independientemente de la técnica quirúrgica y esto está directamente relacionado con su condición antes de la cirugía. .

Mild diabetes is not a contraindication for surgical decompression in cervical spondylotic myelopathy: results of the AOSpine North America multicenter prospective study (CSM).

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a chronic spinal cord disease and can lead to progressive or stepwise neurologic decline. Several factors may influence this process, including extent of spinal cord compression, duration of symptoms, and medical comorbidities. Diabetes is a systemic disease that can impact multiple organ systems, including the central and peripheral nervous systems. There has been little information regarding the effect of diabetes on patients with coexistent CSM. PURPOSE: To provide empirical data regarding the effect of diabetes on treatment outcomes in patients who underwent surgical decompression for coexistent CSM. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Large prospective multicenter cohort study of patients with and without diabetes who underwent decompressive surgery for CSM. PATIENT SAMPLE: Two hundred thirty-six patients without and 42 patients with diabetes were enrolled. Of these, 37 were mild cases and five were moderate cases. Four required insulin. There were no severe cases associated with end-organ damage. OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-report measures include Neck Disability Index and version 2 of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36v2), and functional measures include modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score and Nurick grade. METHODS: We compared presurgery symptoms and treatment outcomes between patients with and without diabetes using univariate and multivariate models, adjusting for demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS: Diabetic patients were older, less likely to smoke, and more likely to be on social security disability insurance. Patients with diabetes presented with a worse Nurick grade, but there were no differences in mJOA and SF-36v2 at presentation. Overall, there was a significant improvement in all outcome parameters at 12 and 24 months. There was no difference in the level of improvement between the patients with and without diabetes, except in the SF-36v2 Physical Functioning, in which diabetic patients experienced significantly less improvement. There were no differences in surgical complication rates between diabetic patients and nondiabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Except for a worse Nurick grade, diabetes does not seem to affect severity of symptoms at presentation for surgery. More importantly, with the exception of the SF-36v2 Physical Functioning scores, outcomes of surgical treatment are similar in patients with diabetes and without diabetes. Surgical decompression is effective and should be offered to patients with diabetes who have symptomatic CSM and are appropriate surgical candidates.