Reliability of the spinal instability neoplastic scale among radiologists: an assessment of instability secondary to spinal metastases.

OBJECTIVE: The spinal instability neoplastic scale (SINS) is a new classification system for tumor-related spinal instability. The SINS may prove to be a valuable tool for radiologists to communicate with oncologists and surgeons in a standardized evidence-based manner. The objective of this study was to determine the inter- and intraobserver reliability and validity of the SINS among radiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven radiologists from 10 international sites used the SINS to categorize the degree of spinal instability in 30 patients with spinal tumors. To assess validity, we compared the SINS scores assigned by the radiologists with the SINS scores of 11 spine oncology surgeons (reference standard). Each total SINS score (range, 0-18 points) was converted into one of the following three clinical categories: 0-6 points, stable; 7-12 points, potentially unstable; and 13-18 points, unstable. In addition, each total SINS score was converted into a binary scale: 0-6 points was defined as stable, and 7-18 points was considered a current or possible instability for which surgical consultation is recommended. RESULTS: Radiologists using the SINS binary scale showed excellent (κ = 0.88) validity, substantial (κ = 0.76) interobserver agreement, and excellent (κ = 0.82) intraobserver reproducibility. Radiologists rated all unstable cases and 621 of 629 (98.7%) potentially unstable cases with a SINS score of 7 or more points, thus appropriately initiating a referral for surgical assessment. CONCLUSION: SINS is a reliable tool for radiologists rating tumor-related spinal instability. It accurately discriminates between stable and potentially unstable or unstable lesions and, therefore, can guide the need for surgical consultation.

Is MRI screening for bone marrow oedema useful in predicting lumbar bone stress injuries in adult male professional cricketers? A New Zealand pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: The aims were to (1) prospectively observe the incidence of bone marrow oedema in asymptomatic adult male domestic professional cricketers during a season and evaluate its relationship to the development of lumbar bone stress injury and (2) further understand the practicalities of implementing a Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based screening program to prevent lumbar bone stress injury in New Zealand cricket. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort. METHODS: Adult male pace bowlers received 6-weekly pre-planned Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans over a single season to determine the presence and intensity of bone marrow oedema in the posterior vertebral arches of the lumbar spine. The participants bowling volume and back pain levels were monitored prospectively. RESULTS: 22 participants (mean age 25.3 years (range 20-32 years)) completed all 4 scans. Ten participants had a prior history of lumbar bone stress injury. Ten participants (45 %, 95 % confidence interval 24-68 %) had bone marrow oedema evident on at least one scan, with 9 (41 %) participants recording a bone marrow oedema intensity ≥ 2 and 5 (23 %) participants demonstrated an intensity ≥ 3. During the study one participant was diagnosed with a lumbar bone stress reaction. No participants developed a lumbar bone stress fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the lower incidence of lumbar bone stress injuries in adult bowlers coupled with uncertainty over appropriate threshold values for bone marrow oedema intensity, implementation of a resource intense screening program aimed at identifying adult domestic cricketers at risk of developing a lumbar bone stress injury is not currently supported.

The spine-injured patient: initial assessment and emergency treatment.

Failure to recognize spinal column or spinal cord injuries, or improper treatment of them, can have catastrophic and often irreversible neurologic consequences. Although the initial assessment is often shared with emergency care personnel, an orthopaedic surgeon's perspective can elevate the priority of spinal care to the level that is warranted. An accurate early appraisal, including complete neurologic assessment, is critical. All aspects of emergent care, including optimal immobilization precautions, resuscitation, and choice of imaging modalities, should be systematically reviewed, and practice guidelines should be adopted by each institution. Increased vigilance is required in patients with underlying ankylosing spinal conditions. The use of CT in the symptomatic patient is established, but the use of cervical MRI in the obtunded individual is contentious. By informing decisions around appropriate preliminary treatment, particularly for persons with neurologic deficits or those at high risk for developing neurologic impairment, long-term outcomes can be optimized.

Surgical repair of lumbar stress fractures in professional cricketers .

BACKGROUND: Professional cricket fast bowlers sustain high rates of lumbar stress fractures (spondylolysis). Limited research exists around the success of surgical repair when these injuries fail conservative treatment. We present an ambispective cohort study of spondylolysis surgical repair in a consecutive group of multi-national professional cricket fast bowler using a technique not previously reported in this unique sporting group. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2019, a consecutive series of male professional fast bowlers with lumbar spondylolysis who had repeatedly failed conservative treatment and subsequently received surgical repair using a cable-screw construct were reviewed. Analysis comprised of ambispective outcome and radiological data collection and a survey at final follow-up. RESULTS: The cohort included 13 elite (7 state and 6 international) cricket fast bowlers from 3 countries (New Zealand, Australian and India) with an average age of 26 years (range, 20.3-29.5 years). All returned to play professional cricket at a median time of 8 months (IQR, 7-11 months) post surgery. All ten players surveyed at final follow-up [median, 38 (IQR, 31-103) months, range, 15-197 months] rated their bowling performance as the 'same or better' compared with prior to surgery. At final follow-up, 10 players continue to play cricket professionally ranging from 15 to 107 months post-surgery [median 35 (IQR, 24-43) months]. CONCLUSIONS: Our cohort demonstrated favorable return to play rates and career longevity following surgical repair of spondylolysis. To our knowledge it is the largest published surgical series of spondylolysis repair in cricketers, and the first to document the success of a cable-screw surgical technique in this sporting group.

Epidemiology of traumatic spinal cord injury in New Zealand (2007-2016).

AIM: To investigate the epidemiology of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in New Zealand over a 10-year period. METHODS: Ambispective data of all new patients admitted to New Zealand's two spinal rehabilitation units between January 2007 and December 2016 (n=929) were collated. Variables assessed included age at injury, gender, ethnicity, date of injury, aetiology, length of hospital stay, injury level, neurological status on discharge and discharge destination. RESULTS: The incidence of TSCI averaged 22 (95% CI 21-24) per million, increasing 6% a year. The average incidence for Maori (29 per million people (95% CI 25-34)) was 1.8 times higher than New Zealand European (16 per million people (95% CI 15-18)), and show an increase of 14% a year. The median age of TSCI increased from 43 to 48 years. Overall, falls (32%), transport (32%) and sports (22%) were the most common causes of TSCI. Cervical TSCI (54%) were most common, particularly in older adults (70% over 75 years) and Maori (61%) and Pacific Island (72%) patients. Surgical rates remained stable (77%) but length of stay in hospital decreased over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The demographic of TSCI is changing in New Zealand. The median age of patients is increasing, as is the incidence, particularly for women, older adults and Maori patients.

Urgent closed reduction of the dislocated cervical spine in New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: Emergent decompression, either by closed reduction or surgical decompression, of the acutely compressed cervical spinal cord is recognized as important in minimizing the neurological outcomes of these injuries. The aim of this study is to optimize New Zealand's capability to perform closed reductions. METHODS: Regional hospitals throughout New Zealand were surveyed on their capability to reduce acute cervical spine dislocations using traction. A systematic literature review was performed to investigate aspects of patient selection, reduction technique and the outcomes achieved with closed reduction of such injuries. This information was combined with our local experience to develop an evidence-based guideline. RESULTS: Most (12/14) of the regional centres throughout New Zealand have recent experience, remain willing and have the resources necessary to reduce appropriate cervical spine injuries using traction. Fourteen published studies from nine countries detail a 75% success rate from 363 cases of attempted closed reduction, with the greatest neurological recovery noted in patients with shorter time period from injury to reduction. One patient suffered neurological worsening. The published protocols were compared and coupled with our local practice to create an online, step-by-step, evidence-based reference to help clinicians in regional hospitals perform a safe and successful closed reduction. CONCLUSION: To optimize the capability of inexperienced personnel to perform closed reductions in a safe and timely manner, we have developed an online, step-by-step, evidence-based reference (www.closedreduction.co.nz). This forms part of New Zealand's strategy to achieve urgent cord decompression for appropriate cervical spinal cord injuries.

Access to orthopaedic spinal specialists in the Canterbury public health system: quantifying the unmet need.

AIM: The aim of this project was to determine the unmet need within the public health system for patients referred for elective Orthopaedic Specialist Spinal assessment and treatment in the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) region. METHODS: Between January 2014 and January 2015 data was collected from all elective referrals to the CDHB Orthopaedic Spinal Service. During this period, the number of available outpatient appointments was set by the CDHB. Within this clinical capacity, patients were triaged by the four consultant surgeons into those of most need based on the referral letter and available radiological imaging. Those unable to be provided with a clinical appointment were discharged back to their GP for ongoing conservative care. Of those patients that received specialist assessment and were considered in need of elective surgical intervention, a proportion were denied treatment if the surgery was unable to be performed within the government determined four-month waiting time threshold. RESULTS: During the study period, 707 patients were referred to the CDHB orthopaedic spinal team for elective specialist assessment. Of these, 522 (74%) were declined an outpatient appointment due to a lack of available clinical time. Of the 185 patients given a specialist assessment, 158 (85%) were recommended for elective surgery. Ninety-one (58%) were denied surgery and referred back for ongoing GP care due to unavailable operating capacity within the four-month waiting list threshold. Within this group of 91 patients, 16 patients were declined on multiple occasions (14 patients twice and two patients on three occasions). CONCLUSIONS: This study quantifies the unmet need for both Spinal Orthopaedic Specialist assessment and, if warranted, surgical management of elective spine conditions within the Canterbury public health system. It highlights the degree of rationing within the public health system and its failure to adequately provide for the Canterbury Public.

Early Decompression following Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: Examining the Process of Care from Accident Scene to Surgery.

Early decompression may improve neurological outcome after spinal cord injury (SCI), but is often difficult to achieve because of logistical issues. The aims of this study were to 1) determine the time to decompression in cases of isolated cervical SCI in Australia and New Zealand and 2) determine where substantial delays occur as patients move from the accident scene to surgery. Data were extracted from medical records of patients aged 15-70 years with C3-T1 traumatic SCI between 2010 and 2013. A total of 192 patients were included. The median time from accident scene to decompression was 21 h, with the fastest times associated with closed reduction (6 h). A significant decrease in the time to decompression occurred from 2010 (31 h) to 2013 (19 h, p = 0.008). Patients undergoing direct surgical hospital admission had a significantly lower time to decompression, compared with patients undergoing pre-surgical hospital admission (12 h vs. 26 h, p < 0.0001). Medical stabilization and radiological investigation appeared not to influence the timing of surgery. The time taken to organize the operating theater following surgical hospital admission was a further factor delaying decompression (12.5 h). There was a relationship between the timing of decompression and the proportion of patients demonstrating substantial recovery (2-3 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades). In conclusion, the time of cervical spine decompression markedly improved over the study period. Neurological recovery appeared to be promoted by rapid decompression. Direct surgical hospital admission, rapid organization of theater, and where possible, use of closed reduction, are likely to be effective strategies to reduce the time to decompression.

Oblique upper tibial opening wedge osteotomy for genu varum.

OBJECTIVE: Restoration of mechanical axis of the leg. INDICATIONS: Osteoarthritis of medial knee compartment. Overload of medial compartment. Genu varum. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Smoker. Vascular impairment. Poor soft-tissue envelope. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Straight 12-cm midline incision starting distal to the tibial tubercle medially and continuing parallel to the tibial crest. Oblique osteotomy at 60 degrees distal-medial to proximal-lateral preserving the lateral cortex. Osteotomy wedged open and alignment checked with diathermy cord. Two tricortical bone blocks harvested from ipsilateral iliac crest or bone substitute wedges placed in osteotomy. Stabilization with contoured T-plate. Closure over drain. RESULTS: 44 patients (32 men, twelve women, average age 48 years) with 45 osteotomies. Follow-up 30 months (7-74 months). All osteotomies consolidated. 90% patients had excellent results according to the HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery) Knee Score. In 77% the femorotibial angle was corrected to 5-12 degrees . Patients regained their preoperative range of motion. There were no major complications.

Expectations of recovery and functional outcomes following thoracolumbar trauma: an evidence-based medicine process to determine what surgeons should be telling their patients.

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to define the expected functional and health-related quality of life outcomes following common thoracolumbar injuries on the basis of consensus expert opinion and the best available literature. Patient expectations are primarily determined by the information provided by health care professionals, and these expectations have been shown to influence outcome in various medical and surgical conditions. This paper presents Part 2 of a multiphase study designed to investigate the impact of patient expectations on outcomes following spinal injury. Part 1 demonstrated substantial variability in the information surgeons are communicating to patients. Defining the expected outcomes following thoracolumbar injury would allow further analysis of this relationship and enable surgeons to more accurately and consistently inform patients. METHODS: Expert opinion was assembled by distributing questionnaires comprising 4 cases representative of common thoracolumbar injuries to members of the Spine Trauma Study Group (STSG). The 4 cases included a thoracolumbar junction burst fracture treated nonoperatively or with posterior transpedicular instrumentation, a low lumbar (L-4) burst fracture treated nonoperatively, and a thoracolumbar junction flexion-distraction injury managed with posterior fusion. For each case, 5 questions about expected outcomes were posed. The questions related to the proportion of patients who are pain free, the proportion who have regained full range of motion, and the patients' recreational activity restrictions and personal care and social life limitations, all at 1 year following injury, as well as the timing of return to work and length of hospital stay. Responses were analyzed and combined with the results of a systematic literature review on the same injuries to define the expected outcomes. RESULTS: The literature review identified 38 appropriate studies that met the preset inclusion criteria. Published data were available for all injuries, but not all outcomes were available for each type of injury. The survey was completed by 31 (57%) of 53 surgeons representing 24 trauma centers across North America (15), Europe (5), India (1), Mexico (1), Japan (1) and Israel (1). Consensus expert opinion supplemented the available literature and was used exclusively when published data were lacking. For example, 1 year following cast or brace treatment of a thoracolumbar burst fracture, the expected outcomes include a 40% chance of being pain free, a 70% chance of regaining pre-injury range of motion, and an expected ability to participate in high-impact exercise and contact sport with no or minimal limitation. Consensus expert opinion predicts reemployment within 4-6 months. The length of inpatient stay averages 4-5 days. CONCLUSIONS: This synthesis of the best available literature and consensus opinion of surgeons with extensive clinical experience in spine trauma reflects the optimal methodology for determining functional prognosis after thoracolumbar trauma. By providing consistent, accurate information surgeons will help patients develop realistic expectations and potentially optimize outcomes.

Health-related quality-of-life outcomes after thoracic (T1-T10) fractures.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The thoracic spine exhibits a unique response to trauma as the result of recognized anatomical and biomechanical differences. Despite this response, clinical studies often group thoracic fractures (T1-T10) with more caudal thoracolumbar injuries. Subsequently, there is a paucity of literature on the functional outcomes of this distinct group of injuries. PURPOSE: To describe and identify predictors of health-related quality-of-life outcomes and re-employment status in patients with thoracic fractures who present to a spine injury tertiary referral center. STUDY DESIGN: An ambispective cohort study with cross-sectional outcome assessment. PATIENT SAMPLE: A prospectively collected fully relational spine database was searched to identify all adult (>16 years) patients treated with traumatic thoracic (T1-T10) fractures with and without neurologic deficits, treated between 1995 and 2008. OUTCOME MEASURES: The Short-Form-36, Oswestry Disability Index, and Prolo Economic Scale outcome instruments were completed at a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Preoperative and minimum 1-year postinjury X-rays were evaluated. METHOD: Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to identify predictors of outcomes from a range of demographic, injury, treatment, and radiographic variables. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-six patients, age 36±15 years (mean±SD), with 135 fractures were assessed at a mean follow-up of 6 years (range 1-15.5 years). Traffic accidents (45%) and translational injuries (54%) were the most common mechanism and dominant fracture pattern, respectively. Neurologic deficits were frequent-53% had complete (American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale [AIS] A) spinal cord deficits on admission. Operative management was performed in 78%. Patients who sustain thoracic fractures, but escaped significant neurologic injury (AIS D or E on admission) had SF-36 scores that did not differ significantly from population norms at a mean follow-up of 6 years. Eighty-eight percent of this cohort was re-employed. Interestingly, Oswestry Disability Index scores remained inferior to healthy subjects. In contrast, SF-36 scores in those with more profound neurologic deficits at presentation (AIS A, B, or C) remained inferior to normative data. Fifty-seven percent were re-employed, 25% in their previous job type. Using multiple regression analysis, we found that comorbidity status (measured by the Charlson Comorbidity index) was the only independent predictor of SF-36 scores. Neurologic impairment (AIS) and adverse events were independent predictors of the SF-36 physical functioning subscale. Sagittal alignment and number of fused levels were not independent predictors. CONCLUSIONS: At a mean follow-up of 6 years, patients who presented with thoracic fractures and AIS D or E neurologic status recovered a general health status not significantly inferior to population norms. Compared with other neurologic intact spinal injuries, patients with thoracic injuries have a favorable generic health-related quality-of-life prognosis. Inferior outcomes and re-employment prospects were noted in those with more significant neurologic deficits.

Reliability of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) among radiation oncologists: an assessment of instability secondary to spinal metastases.

BACKGROUND: The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) categorizes tumor related spinal instability. It has the potential to streamline the referral of patients with established or potential spinal instability to a spine surgeon. This study aims to define the inter- and intra-observer reliability and validity of SINS among radiation oncologists. METHODS: Thirty-three radiation oncologists, across ten international sites, rated 30 neoplastic spinal disease cases. For each case, the total SINS (0-18 points), three clinical categories (stable: 0-6 points, potentially unstable: 7-12 points, and unstable: 13-18 points), and a binary scale ('stable': 0-6 points and 'current or possible instability'; surgical consultation recommended: 7-18 points) were recorded. Evaluation was repeated 6-8 weeks later. Inter-observer agreement and intra-observer reproducibility were calculated by means of the kappa statistic and translated into levels of agreement (slight, fair, moderate, substantial, and excellent). Validity was determined by comparing the ratings against a spinal surgeon's consensus standard. RESULTS: Radiation oncologists demonstrated substantial (κ=0.76) inter-observer and excellent (κ=0.80) intra-observer reliability when using the SINS binary scale ('stable' versus 'current or possible instability'). Validity of the binary scale was also excellent (κ=0.85) compared with the gold standard. None of the unstable cases was rated as stable by the radiation oncologists ensuring all were appropriately recommended for surgical consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Among radiation oncologists SINS is a highly reliable, reproducible, and valid assessment tool to address a key question in tumor related spinal disease: Is the spine 'stable' or is there 'current or possible instability' that warrants surgical assessment?

An evidence-based medicine process to determine outcomes after cervical spine trauma: what surgeons should be telling their patients.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of the available medical literature from 1980 to 2010 was conducted and combined with expert opinion from a recent survey of experts regarding cervical spine fractures. Using an objective, hierarchical approach, the best available evidence is presented for health-related quality-of-life outcomes for these injuries. OBJECTIVE: To provide an evidence-based set of guidelines for cervical spine injuries in order to reduce variability in the information given to patients and their families. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Patients' expectations regarding quality-of-life outcomes are highly dependent on the information provided by surgeons early in the treatment course. Our previous work has demonstrated that there is substantial variability in what surgeons tell patients regarding outcomes of cervical spine injuries, thus patients' expectations will differ and outcomes vary. METHODS: Four common cervical spine injuries (C1 burst, Hangman fracture, odontoid fracture, and unilateral facet fracture) treated both surgically and nonsurgically were considered. We assessed the evidence regarding 5 health-related quality-of-life outcomes: time to return to work, activity level, hospital stay, the proportion of patients who are pain free and patients who have regained full range of motion at 1 year after the injury. RESULTS: Published outcome data were available for most injuries. Using consensus expert opinion and the literature, answers to each question were achieved. Overall, expert opinion was relatively homogeneous across injury types, suggesting that experts do not distinguish between specific injuries when advising patients of expected outcomes such as pain. CONCLUSION: By overcoming gaps in the literature with consensus expert opinion, our study provides surgeons and others with evidence-based medicine guidelines for patient-centered outcomes after cervical spine injury. This information can be presented to patients to frame expectations of typical outcomes during and after treatment to optimize patient care and quality of life.

Intra-operative cone-beam CT (O-arm) and stereotactic navigation in acute spinal trauma surgery.

The purpose of this ambispective cohort study is to describe the emerging role of intra-operative cone-beam CT (O-arm®, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA), frequently coupled with stereotactic navigation (StealthStation®, Medtronic), in the surgical management of acute spinal trauma. All patients with acute spinal trauma between May 2009 and May 2011 who were treated with the use of the O-arm were identified from a prospectively collected spine database and retrospectively analyzed to characterize indications and outcomes. Over the two-year period, the O-arm was used in 183 spinal operations; 27 of these (15%) involved acute spinal trauma. Within the trauma cohort, 14 injuries were in the cervical spine, nine at the cervicothoracic junction, and four were in the thoracolumbar spine. In 12 patients (44%) pre-existing aberrant and challenging anatomy, commonly ankylosing conditions, were present. Surgical techniques included transarticular atlantoaxial fixation and direct osteosynthesis of a Hangman's fracture performed entirely percutaneously (via two stab incisions) using O-arm assisted stereotactic navigation. No trauma cases using O-arm assisted navigation had iatrogenic neurovascular injury and none required subsequent revision surgery for implant malposition, compared with a revision rate of 1.2% of patients with non-navigated acute spinal trauma during the same interval. Technical factors associated with successful application of this technology in the setting of acute spinal trauma were detailed. O-arm assisted navigation can overcome anatomical challenges and broaden the available stabilization options in the management of acute spinal trauma. Other advantages include protecting the surgical team from cumulative fluoroscopic radiation exposure and patients from repeat surgery due to implant malposition.