Urgent Call for International Support and Research Focus on Neurosurgery in Conflict-Affected Sudan.

Neurosurgical services and educational processes in Sudan have been severely disrupted by the ongoing armed conflict. The destruction of neurosurgical infrastructure and the continuous exodus of trained neurosurgeons from an already strained system have intensified the humanitarian crisis. The situation is further compounded by several factors, including attacks on medical professionals, partial suspension of neurosurgical training program, loss of communication tools, shortages of essential instruments, and disruptions in partnerships with regional and international neurosurgical associations. The re-establishment of international partnerships and the reconstruction of damaged neurosurgical infrastructure are advocated, coupled with the utilization of advanced research to address these critical issues. A staged recovery strategy is called for, and support from the global neurosurgical community is urged, highlighting the crucial role of academic platforms like "World Neurosurgery" in fostering global collaboration and disseminating research from conflict-affected regions.

Image-Guided Spine Surgery.

The realm of spine surgery is undergoing a transformative shift, thanks to the integration of image-guided navigation technology. This innovative system seamlessly blends real-time imaging data with precise location tracking. While the indispensable expertise of experienced spine surgeons remains irreplaceable, navigation systems bring a host of valuable advantages to the operating room. By offering a comprehensive view of the surgical anatomy, these systems empower surgeons to conduct procedures with accuracy, while minimizing radiation exposure for both patients and medical professionals. Moreover, image-guided navigation paves the way for integration of other state-of-the-art technologies, such as augmented reality and robotics. These innovations promise to further revolutionize the field, providing greater precision and expanding the horizons of what is possible in the world of spinal procedures. This article explores the evolution, classification, and impact of image-guided spine surgery, underscoring its pivotal role in enhancing efficacy and safety while setting the stage for the incorporation of future technological advancements.

Where Are the Women in Spine Surgery? A Demographic Study of the Range of Gender Disparity in Academic Spine Hospitals in the United States.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: There is a paucity of women in the field of academic spine surgery. In 2022, 20% of orthopaedic surgery residents and 24% of neurosurgery residents were women, the lowest and third lowest of all medical specialties respectively. There exists a significant discrepancy in the number of women employed as adult spine surgeons at academic hospitals. PURPOSE: To quantify the number of female attending spine surgeons at academic hospitals and identify institutions that based on faculty diversity are demonstrating inequity Study Design: Descriptive Methods: Demographic data was collected utilizing the 2023-2024 NASS Fellowship Directory in combination with publicly available information on faculty profiles from January 1, 2024 - January 30, 2024. Data collected included gender and training institutions (medical school, residency, and fellowship). Adult spine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons who perform adult spine surgery were included. RESULTS: There are 943 neurosurgical and orthopaedic adult spine surgeons employed at 73 academic hospitals. The breakdown of orthopaedic spine surgeons versus neurosurgeons is roughly equivalent, at 453 and 490, respectively. Among orthopaedic spine surgeons, 19 out of 453 (4%) are female. Among neurosurgeons, 44 out of 490 (9%) are female. The number of female academic spine surgeons who are neurosurgeons is more than double that of orthopaedic surgeons. 12 out of the 19 (63%) female orthopaedic spine surgeons, and 16 out of the 44 (36%) female neurosurgeons are employed at the program where they trained. Out of 45 larger academic spine hospitals with >10 faculty members, there were 15 without any female faculty. There is one academic hospital with ≥ 20 spine faculty, and zero women. CONCLUSION: The number of women pursuing academic spine careers continues to lag behind present day demographics of training programs. These continued trends should prompt both individuals and institutions to support progress in gender disparity research. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Expandable cages that expand both height and lordosis provide improved immediate effect on sagittal alignment and short-term clinical outcomes following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF).

Background: Failure to restore lordotic alignment is not an uncommon problem following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF), even with expandable cages that increase disc height. This study aims to investigate the effect of the expandable cage that is specifically designed to expand both height and lordosis. We evaluated the outcomes of MIS TLIF in restoring immediate postoperative sagittal alignment by comparing two different types of expandable cages. One cage is designed to solely increase disc height (Group H), while the other can expand both height and lordosis (Group HL). Methods: Patients undergoing MIS TLIF using expandable cages were retrospectively reviewed, including 40 cases in Group H and 109 cases in Group HL. Visual analog scores of back and leg pain, and Oswestry disability index were collected. Disc height, disc angle, and sagittal alignment were measured. Complications were recorded, including early subsidence which was evaluated with computed tomography. Results: Clinical and radiographic outcomes significantly improved in both groups postoperatively. Group HL showed superior improvement in segmental lordosis (4.4°±3.5° vs. 2.1°±4.8°, P=0.01) and disc angle (6.3°±3.8 vs. 2.2°±4.3°, P<0.001) compared to Group H. Overall incidence of early subsidence was 23.3%, predominantly observed during initial cases as part of the learning curve, but decreased to 18% after completion of the first 20 cases. Conclusions: Expandable cages with a design specifically aimed at increasing lordotic angle can provide favorable outcomes and effectively improve immediate sagittal alignment following MIS TLIF, compared to conventional cages that only increase in height. However, regardless of the type of expandable cage used, it is crucial to avoid applying excessive force to achieve greater disc height or lordosis, as this may contribute to subsidence and a possible reduction in lordotic alignment restoration. Long-term results are needed to evaluate the clinical outcome, fusion rate, and maintenance of the sagittal alignment.

Is mechanism of injury associated with outcome in spinal trauma? An observational cohort study from Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic spinal injury (TSI) is a disease of significant global health burden, particularly in low and middle-income countries where road traffic-related trauma is increasing. This study compared the demographics, injury patterns, and outcomes of TSI caused by road traffic accidents (RTAs) to non-traffic related TSI. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using a neurotrauma registry from the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) in Tanzania, a national referral center for spinal injuries. Patient sociodemographic characteristics, injury level, and severity were compared across mechanisms of injury. Neurological improvement, neurological deterioration, and mortality were compared between those sustaining TSI through an RTA versus non-RTA, using univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: A total of 626 patients were included, of which 302 (48%) were RTA-related. The median age was 34 years, and 532 (85%) were male. RTAs had a lower male preponderance compared to non-RTA causes (238/302, 79% vs. 294/324, 91%, p<0.001) and a higher proportion of cervical injuries (144/302, 48% vs. 122/324, 38%, p<0.001). No significant differences between RTA and non-RTA mechanisms were found in injury severity, time to admission, length of hospital stay, surgical intervention, neurological outcomes, or in-hospital mortality. Improved neurological outcomes were associated with incomplete injuries (AIS B-D), while higher mortality rates were linked to cervical injuries and complete (AIS A) injuries. CONCLUSION: Our study in urban Tanzania finds no significant differences in outcomes between spinal injuries from road traffic accidents (RTAs) and non-RTA causes, suggesting the need for equitable resource allocation in spine trauma programs. Highlighting the critical link between cervical injuries and increased mortality, our findings call for targeted interventions across all causes of traumatic spinal injuries (TSI). We advocate for a comprehensive trauma care system that merges efficient pre-hospital care, specialized treatment, and prevention measures, aiming to enhance outcomes and ensure equity in trauma care in low- and middle-income countries.

Flexible support material maintains disc height and supports the formation of hydrated tissue engineered intervertebral discs in vivo.

Background: Mechanical augmentation upon implantation is essential for the long-term success of tissue-engineered intervertebral discs (TE-IVDs). Previous studies utilized stiffer materials to fabricate TE-IVD support structures. However, these materials undergo various failure modes in the mechanically challenging IVD microenvironment. FlexiFil (FPLA) is an elastomeric 3D printing filament that is amenable to the fabrication of support structures. However, no present study has evaluated the efficacy of a flexible support material to preserve disc height and support the formation of hydrated tissues in a large animal model. Methods: We leveraged results from our previously developed FE model of the minipig spine to design and test TE-IVD support cages comprised of FPLA and PLA. Specifically, we performed indentation to assess implant mechanical response and scanning electron microscopy to visualize microscale damage. We then implanted FPLA and PLA support cages for 6 weeks in the minipig cervical spine and monitored disc height via weekly x-rays. TE-IVDs cultured in FPLA were also implanted for 6 weeks with weekly x-rays and terminal T2 MRIs to quantify tissue hydration at study endpoint. Results: Results demonstrated that FPLA cages withstood nearly twice the deformation of PLA without detrimental changes in mechanical performance and minimal damage. In vivo, FPLA cages and stably implanted TE-IVDs restored native disc height and supported the formation of hydrated tissues in the minipig spine. Displaced TE-IVDs yielded disc heights that were superior to PLA or discectomy-treated levels. Conclusions: FPLA holds great promise as a flexible and bioresorbable material for enhancing the long-term success of TE-IVD implants.

Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Thoracic, Thoracolumbar, and Lumbar Spine Trauma in East Africa: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Trauma to the thoracic, thoracolumbar (TL), and lumbar spine is common and can cause disability and neurological deficits. Using a cohort of patients suffering from thoracic, TL, and lumbar spine trauma in a tertiary hospital in East Africa, the current study sought to: (1) describe demographics and operative treatment patterns, (2) assess neurologic outcomes, and (3) report predictors associated with undergoing surgery, neurologic improvement, and mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patient records from September 2016 to December 2020 was conducted at a prominent East Africa referral center. The study collected data on demographics, injury, and operative characteristics. Surgical indications were assessed using the AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen) TL fracture classification system and neurological function. Logistic regression analysis identified predictors for operative treatment, neurologic improvement, and mortality. RESULTS: The study showed that 64.9% of the 257 TL spine trauma patients underwent surgery with a median postadmission day of 17.0. The mortality rate was 1.2%. Road traffic accidents caused 43.6% of the injuries. The most common fracture pattern was AO Type A fractures (78.6%). Laminectomy and posterolateral fusion were performed in 97.6% of the surgical cases. Patients without neurological deficits (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.13-0.54, P < 0.001) and those with longer delays from injury to admission were less likely to have surgery (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.99, P = 0.007). The neurologic improvement rate was 11.1%. Univariate analysis showed a significant association between surgery and neurologic improvement (OR: 3.83, 95% CI: 1.27-16.61, P < 0.001). However, this finding was lost in multivariate regression. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights various themes surrounding the management of TL spine trauma in a low-resource environment, including lower surgery rates, delays from admission to surgery, safe surgery with low mortality, and the potential for surgery to lead to neurologic improvement. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite challenges such as surgical delays and limited resources in East Africa, there is potential for surgical intervention to improve neurologic outcomes in thoracic, TL, and lumbar spine trauma patients.

Intraoperative occipital to C2 angle and external acoustic meatus-to-axis angular measurements for optimizing alignment during posterior fossa decompression and occipitocervical fusion for complex Chiari malformation.

Background: Excess flexion or extension during occipitocervical fusion (OCF) can lead to postoperative complications, such as dysphagia, respiratory problems, line of sight issues, and neck pain, but posterior fossa decompression (PFD) and OCF require different positions that require intraoperative manipulation. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe quantitative fluoroscopic morphometrics in Chiari malformation (CM) patients with symptoms of craniocervical instability (CCI) and demonstrate the intraoperative application of these measurements to achieve neutral craniocervical alignment while leveraging a single axis of motion with the Mayfield head clamp locking mechanism. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with CM 1 and 1.5 and features of CCI who underwent PFD and OCF at a single-center institution from March 2015 to October 2020 was performed. Patient demographics, preoperative presentation, radiographic morphometrics, operative details, complications, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 39 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 37 patients (94.9%) did not require additional revision surgery after PFD and OCF. In this nonrevision cohort, preoperative to postoperative occipital to C2 angle (O-C2a) (13.5° ± 10.4° vs. 17.5° ± 10.1°, P = 0.047) and narrowest oropharyngeal airway space (nPAS) (10.9 ± 3.4 mm vs. 13.1 ± 4.8 mm, P = 0.007) increased significantly. These measurements were decreased in the two patients who required revision surgery due to postoperative dysphagia (mean difference - 16.6°° in O C2a and 12.8°° in occipital and external acoustic meatus to axis angle). Based on these results, these fluoroscopic morphometrics are intraoperatively assessed, utilizing a locking Mayfield head clamp repositioning maneuver to optimize craniocervical alignment prior to rod placement from the occipital plate to cervical screws. Conclusion: Establishing a preoperative baseline of reliable fluoroscopic morphometrics can guide surgeons intraoperatively in appropriate patient realignment during combined PFD and OCF, and may prevent postoperative complications.

Finite element modeling to predict the influence of anatomic variation and implant placement on performance of biological intervertebral disc implants.

Background: Tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (TE-IVD) constructs are an attractive therapy for treating degenerative disc disease and have previously been investigated in vivo in both large and small animal models. The mechanical environment of the spine is notably challenging, in part due to its complex anatomy, and implants may require additional mechanical support to avoid failure in the early stages of implantation. As such, the design of suitable support implants requires rigorous validation. Methods: We created a FE model to simulate the behavior of the IVD cages under compression specific to the anatomy of the porcine cervical spine, validated the FE model using an animal model, and predicted the effects of implant location and vertebral angle of the motion segment on implant behavior. Specifically, we tested anatomical positioning of the superior vertebra and placement of the implant. We analyzed corresponding stress and strain distributions. Results: Results demonstrated that the anatomical geometry of the porcine cervical spine led to concentrated stress and strain on the posterior side of the cage. This stress concentration was associated with the location of failure of the cages reported in vivo, despite superior mechanical properties of the implant. Furthermore, placement of the cage was found to have profound effects on migration, while the angle of the superior vertebra affected stress concentration of the cage. Conclusions: This model can be utilized both to inform surgical procedures and provide insight on future cage designs and can be adopted to models without the use of in vivo animal models.

Thoracolumbar Chance fracture during a professional female soccer game: case report / Fratura toracolombar tipo Chance durante jogo de futebol feminino profissional: relato de caso

ABSTRACT We report a rare case of an unstable flexion-distraction spine fracture with ligament involvement that occurred during a professional female soccer game. There were no neurological déficit. The patient had a painful midline gap which suggested ligamentar injury that was not immediately recognized. Despite that, proper immobilization and referral to hospital for further evaluation avoided additional spinal cord damage. The patient underwent a monosegmental posterior instrumentation spine fusion and after 6 months returned to professional soccer activities. This paper alerts to the possibility of occurrence of severe and unstable spine injuries during soccer practice and the importance of an adequate initial care at the game field in order to avoid iatrogenic neurological injuries.

RESUMO Relatamos um caso raro de fratura instável da coluna vertebral com envolvimento ligamentar, ocorrida por mecanismo de flexão-distração, durante jogo de futebol feminino profissional. Não houve déficit neurológico. A paciente apresentava espaçamento doloroso dorsal na linha média, que sugeriu lesão ligamentar, a qual não foi reconhecida imediatamente. Apesar disso, realizaram-se imobilização adequada e encaminhamento para unidade hospitalar, fatos que evitaram a ocorrência de danos adicionais à medula espinal. A paciente foi submetida à fusão monossegmentar, com instrumentação e, após 6 meses, retornou à prática de futebol profissional. O presente estudo alerta para a possibilidade de ocorrência de lesões graves e instáveis na coluna durante a prática de futebol, e para importância da assistência inicial adequada ainda em campo, a fim de evitar lesões neurológicas iatrogênicas.

Artrodese na coluna cervical utilizando SICAP como substituto de enxerto ósseo / Artrodesis en la columna cervical utilizando SICAP como sustituto de injerto óseo / Cervical spine fusion utilizing silicated calcium phosphate bone graft substitute SICAP

OBJETIVO: Substitutos de enxerto ósseo autólogo foram desenvolvidos para evitar as complicações da retirada de enxerto ósseo autólogo. SiCaP (Actifuse, ApaTech EUA, Reino Unido) é um enxerto ósseo composto de cálcio-fosfato com um substituição de silicato na estrutura química, com uma estrutura tridimensional que parece osso natural. MÉTODOS: 19 pacientes foram submetidos à fusão óssea cervical e analisados retrospectivamente. A avaliação radiográfica e avaliação clínica foram realizadas utilizando o questionário Neck Disability Index e a escala análoga da dor (VAS) pré- e pós-operação. RESULTADOS: O período médio de acompanhamento pós-operatório foi de 14 meses ± 5 meses (7-30 meses). 11 pacientes foram submetidos à fusão via anterior; 5 pacientes via posterior e 3 pacientes via anterior e posterior. A revisão radiográfica mostrou 19/19 (100 por cento) de fusão óssea, nenhum caso apresentou subsidência, quebra ou soltura de material de implante ou movimento nos níveis fusionados. Nenhum exemplo de ossificação heterotópica ou de crescimento ósseo intracanal foi observado. Clinicamente, os escores médios do Neck Disability decresceram 13,3 pontos (media pré-op. de 34,5, pós-op. de 21,2, melhora de 39 por cento), a média da VAS para dor cervical decresceu 2 pontos (2,7 pré-op para 0,7 pós-op.; melhora de 74,1 por cento). Não foram observadas complicações como infecção, osteólise ou edema excessivo das partes moles. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados preliminares obtidos nesta série foram encorajadores com o uso do SICaP como enxerto ósseo, com sólida fusão óssea obtida em todos os casos e sem formação de ossificação heterotópica ou crescimento de osso intracanal. SIcaP demonstra ser um substituto confiável para o enxerto ósseo autólogo na coluna cervical.

OBJECTIVE: Bone graft substitutes have been developed to obviate the need for autograft from the iliac crest and its resultant complications. SiCaP (Actifuse, ApaTech US, UK) is a calcium phosphate bone graft substitute with selective controlled silicate substitution in a patented 3-dimensional structure resembling natural bone. METHODS: 19 patients who underwent cervical spine fusion were retrospectively reviewed. Radiographic evaluation and clinical evaluation were performed using Neck Disability Index questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pre- and post-operatively. RESULTS: The mean post-operative follow-up was 14 ± 5 months, range 7-30 months. Eleven patients had an anterior approach, five patients had a posterior approach, and 3 had combined anterior-posterior approaches. Radiographic review showed 19/19 (100 percent) patients were considered fused, with no subsidence, hardware breakage, or hardware loosening. No instances of heterotopic bone formation or intracanal boney ingrowths were observed. Clinically, average Neck Disability scores decreased 13.3 points (pre-op 34.5, post-op 21.2, a 39 percent improvement); average VAS neck pain scores decreased 2.2 points (4.9 pre-op to 1.9 post-op; a 44.9 percent improvement; average VAS arm pain decreased 2.0 points (2.7 pre-op to 0.7 post-op, a 74.1 percent improvement). There were no complications such as infection, osteolysis, or abnormal swelling of soft tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results from this series with the use of SiCaP bone graft substitute were encouraging, with solid fusion occurring in all subjects, and no heterotopic bone formation or intracanal bone ingrowths. SiCaP seems to be a reliable alternative to autograft on cervical spine fusion achieving solid fusion with no complications.

OBJETIVO: Sustitutos de injerto óseo autólogo fueron desarrollados para evitar las complicaciones de la recogida de injerto óseo autólogo. SiCaP (Actifuse, ApaTech EE.UU, Reino Unido) es un injerto óseo compuesto de calcio-fosfato con una sustitución de silicato en la estructura química, con una estructura tridimensional que parece hueso natural. MÉTODOS: 19 pacientes fueron sometidos a fusión ósea cervical y analizados retrospectivamente. La evaluación radiográfica y la evaluación clínica fueron realizadas utilizandose el cuestionario Neck Disability Index y la escala análoga del dolor (VAS) pre y postoperación. RESULTADOS: El período promedio de seguimiento postoperatorio fue de 14 meses ± 5 meses (7-30 meses). Once pacientes fueron sometidos a fusión vía anterior; 5 pacientes vía posterior y 3 pacientes vía anterior y posterior. La revisión radiográfica mostró 19/19 (100 por ciento) de fusión ósea, ningún caso presentó subsidencia, rotura o soltura de material de implante o movimiento en los niveles fusionados. Ningún ejemplo de osificación heterotópica o de crecimiento óseo intracanal fue observado. Clínicamente, el promedio de las puntuaciones del Neck Disability disminuyeron 13,3 puntos (promedio preop. de 34,5, postop. de 21,2, mejora de 39 por ciento), el promedio de VAS para dolor cervical disminuyó 2 puntos (2,7 preop. para 0,7 postop.; mejora de 74,1 por ciento). No fueron observadas complicaciones como infección, osteólisis o edema excesivo de las partes blandas. CONCLUSIÓN: Los resultados preliminares obtenidos en esta serie feuron estimulantes con el uso de SICaP como injerto óseo, con sólida fusión ósea obtenida en todos los casos y sin formación de osificación heterotópica o crecimiento de hueso intracanal. SIcaP demuestra ser un sustituto confiable para el injerto óseo autólogo en la columna cervical.