Spinal cord compression in thoracolumbar burst fractures: application of high-definition three-dimensional exoscope in minimally invasive lateral surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Spinal cord decompression in thoracolumbar burst fractures is challenging. Development of minimally invasive approaches and the improvement in new magnification technologies allowed a better and safer surgical treatment for these complex spinal injuries. We reported our experience in the minimally invasive surgical treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with spinal cord compression supported by high-definition (HD) three-dimensional (3D) Video-assisted telescope operating monitor (VITOM) or exoscope. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role and potential advantages of exoscope in the minimally invasive surgery of traumatic thoracolumbar spinal cord compression comparing traditional magnification systems. SETTING: The study was conducted in a Northern Italy Spinal Trauma Center. METHODS: We reported 10 consecutive thoracolumbar (T11-L2) burst fractures associated with spinal cord compression treated with minimally invasive corpectomy and exoscope-assisted spinal decompression. Three main indicators were retrospectively analyzed: surgical time, blood loss, and intraoperative complications. The data were compared with those obtained from an equal sample of 10 procedures performed by the same surgeon with the same technique, but traditional microscope assisted. User impressions in terms of ergonomics, magnification, and image quality were rated differently. RESULTS: A small reduction of surgical time and blood loss were observed in the exoscope assisted group. There were no intraoperative complications attributed to visualization mode or conversion to the traditional microscope in any procedure. In our experience the exoscope allowed a better magnification and image definition with better ergonomics and user-friendliness. CONCLUSIONS: In our preliminary experience the exoscope new technology is a safe and effective tool for spinal cord minimally invasive decompression in thoracolumbar burst fractures. The stereoscopic vision provided by 3D images seems to be crucial in hand eye coordination. There are clear advantages in terms of maneuverability, wide field of view, deep focus, and more comfortable posture for the spinal surgeon.

Consensus for management of sacral fractures: from the diagnosis to the treatment, with a focus on the role of decompression in sacral fractures.

BACKGROUND: There is no evidence in the current literature about the best treatment option in sacral fracture with or without neurological impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Italian Pelvic Trauma Association (A.I.P.) decided to organize a consensus to define the best treatment for traumatic and insufficiency fractures according to neurological impairment. RESULTS: Consensus has been reached for the following statements: When complete neurological examination cannot be performed, pelvic X-rays, CT scan, hip and pelvis MRI, lumbosacral MRI, and lower extremities evoked potentials are useful. Lower extremities EMG should not be used in an acute setting; a patient with cauda equina syndrome associated with a sacral fracture represents an absolute indication for sacral reduction and the correct timing for reduction is "as early as possible". An isolated and incomplete radicular neurological deficit of the lower limbs does not represent an indication for laminectomy after reduction in the case of a displaced sacral fracture in a high-energy trauma, while a worsening and progressive radicular neurological deficit represents an indication. In the case of a displaced sacral fracture and neurological deficit with imaging showing no evidence of nerve root compression, a laminectomy after reduction is not indicated. In a patient who was not initially investigated from a neurological point of view, if a clinical investigation conducted after 72 h identifies a neurological deficit in the presence of a displaced sacral fracture with nerve compression on MRI, a laminectomy after reduction may be indicated. In the case of an indication to perform a sacral decompression, a first attempt with closed reduction through external manoeuvres is not mandatory. Transcondylar traction does not represent a valid method for performing a closed decompression. Following a sacral decompression, a sacral fixation (e.g. sacroiliac screw, triangular osteosynthesis, lumbopelvic fixation) should be performed. An isolated and complete radicular neurological deficit of the lower limbs represents an indication for laminectomy after reduction in the case of a displaced sacral fracture in a low-energy trauma associated with imaging suggestive of root compression. An isolated and incomplete radicular neurological deficit of the lower limbs does not represent an absolute indication. A worsening and progressive radicular neurological deficit of the lower limbs represents an indication for laminectomy after reduction in the case of a displaced sacral fracture in a low-energy trauma associated with imaging suggestive of root compression. In the case of a displaced sacral fracture and neurological deficit in a low-energy trauma, sacral decompression followed by surgical fixation is indicated. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus collects expert opinion about this topic and may guide the surgeon in choosing the best treatment for these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not applicable (consensus paper).

Artificial Intelligence Accurately Detects Traumatic Thoracolumbar Fractures on Sagittal Radiographs.

Background and Objectives: Commonly being the first step in trauma routine imaging, up to 67% fractures are missed on plain radiographs of the thoracolumbar (TL) spine. The aim of this study was to develop a deep learning model that detects traumatic fractures on sagittal radiographs of the TL spine. Identifying vertebral fractures in simple radiographic projections would have a significant clinical and financial impact, especially for low- and middle-income countries where computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are not readily available and could help select patients that need second level imaging, thus improving the cost-effectiveness. Materials and Methods: Imaging studies (radiographs, CT, and/or MRI) of 151 patients were used. An expert group of three spinal surgeons reviewed all available images to confirm presence and type of fractures. In total, 630 single vertebra images were extracted from the sagittal radiographs of the 151 patients-302 exhibiting a vertebral body fracture, and 328 exhibiting no fracture. Following augmentation, these single vertebra images were used to train, validate, and comparatively test two deep learning convolutional neural network models, namely ResNet18 and VGG16. A heatmap analysis was then conducted to better understand the predictions of each model. Results: ResNet18 demonstrated a better performance, achieving higher sensitivity (91%), specificity (89%), and accuracy (88%) compared to VGG16 (90%, 83%, 86%). In 81% of the cases, the "warm zone" in the heatmaps correlated with the findings, suggestive of fracture within the vertebral body seen in the imaging studies. Vertebras T12 to L2 were the most frequently involved, accounting for 48% of the fractures. A4, A3, and A1 were the most frequent fracture types according to the AO Spine Classification. Conclusions: ResNet18 could accurately identify the traumatic vertebral fractures on the TL sagittal radiographs. In most cases, the model based its prediction on the same areas that human expert classifiers used to determine the presence of a fracture.

Surgical pathway proposal for severe paralytic scoliosis in adolescents with myelomeningocele.

PURPOSE: The increased life expectancy of patients with myelomeningocele led to the necessity of new management for addressing complex spine deformities with severe pelvic obliquity. Tethered cord release (TCR) and spinal fusion were described as treatment options. However, nowadays, the surgical strategy is not well defined and high rates of mechanical failures and complications are reported. Our aim was to propose a new two-stage surgical pathway to treat a selected group of severe myelomeningocele scoliosis. METHODS: This is a retrospective series of myelomeningocele scoliosis in paralytic adolescent patients treated with concurrent TCR and posterior spinal fusion (PSF), followed by delayed anterior fusion (ASF) through minimally invasive lateral approach. Inclusion criteria were as follows: evolutive scoliosis in tethered cord syndrome and paraplegia, main curve >70°, pelvic obliquity >20°, and age between 10 and 18 years. Clinical, surgical, and radiographic parameters were evaluated preoperatively and at a mean follow-up (FU) of 2.8 years. RESULTS: Six patients out of 58 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study (mean age 12.3 years old). The mean curve and pelvic obliquity correction were 68.8% and 82%, respectively. No loss of correction was recorded at FU. One case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage requiring revision surgery was recorded. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study proposing a two-stage surgical pathway for severe MMC spinopelvic deformity treatment. Concurrent TCR and PSF with delayed minimally invasive ASF permitted to minimize complications providing good fusion rates without loss of correction and implant failure.

Implementation of Robotic Exoscope in Minimally Invasive Corpectomy at Thoracolumbar Junction for the Treatment of Traumatic Spinal Cord Compression.

The development and diffusion of minimally invasive (MI) approaches have coincided with improvements in magnification systems. The exoscope will probably open a new era in new technologies in spinal surgery. This study reports a retrospective series of 19 thoracolumbar (T11-L2) burst fractures with anterior column failure and cord compression, treated with MI corpectomy and spinal decompression assisted by a three-dimensional high-definition exoscope (Video 1). Exclusion criteria were pathologic or osteoporotic fractures, multilevel fractures, and previous surgery at the site of the fracture. Three key indicators were recorded: surgical time, blood loss, and intraoperative complications. A questionnaire was administered to assess the users' exoscope experience with ergonomics, preparation, magnification, image definition, illumination, and user-friendliness, compared with the operative microscope. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting on exoscope-assisted MI corpectomy. This procedure permitted low blood loss and less surgical time without intraoperative complications. The exoscope offers clear advantages in terms of ergonomics, definition, and user-friendliness. Moreover, it is a suitable instrument for training and education, providing an opportunity for better interaction with other members of the surgical staff.

Spinal injury in major trauma: Epidemiology of 1104 cases from an Italian first level trauma center.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic spinal injuries are frequent and their management is debated, especially in major trauma patients. This study aims to describe a large population of major trauma patients with vertebral fractures to improve prevention measures and fracture management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 6274 trauma patients prospectively collected between October 2010 and October 2020. Collected data include demographics, mechanism of trauma, type of imaging, fracture morphology, associated injuries, injury severity score (ISS), survival, and death timing. The statistical analysis focused on mechanism of trauma and the search of predictive factors for critical fractures. RESULTS: Patients showed a mean age of 47 years and 72.5% were males. Trauma included 59.9% of road accidents and 35.1% of falls. 30.7% patients had at least a severe fracture, while 17.2% had fractures in multiple spinal regions. 13.7% fractures were complicated by spinal cord injury (SCI). The mean ISS of the total population was 26.4 (SD 16.3), with 70.7% patients having an ISS≥16. There is a higher rate of severe fractures in fall cases (40.1%) compared to RA (21.9% to 26.3%). The probability of a severe fracture increased by 164% in the case of fall and by 77% in presence of AIS≥3 associated injury of head/neck while reduced by 34% in presence of extremities associated injuries. Multiple level injuries increased with ISS rise and in the case of extremities associated injuries. The probability of a severe upper cervical fracture increased by 5.95 times in the presence of facial associated injuries. The mean length of stay was 24.7 days and 9.6% of patients died. CONCLUSIONS: In Italy, road accidents are still the most frequent trauma mechanism and cause more cervico-thoracic fractures, while falls cause more lumbar fractures. Spinal cord injuries represent an indicator of more severe trauma. In motorcyclists or fallers/jumpers, there is a higher risk of severe fractures. When a spinal injury is diagnosed, the probability of a second vertebral fracture is consistent. These data could help the decisional workflow in the management of major trauma patients with vertebral injury.

Integrated spine trauma team protocol: Combined neurosurgical and orthopedic experience for the management of traumatic spinal injuries.

Objectives: During the last decades, spine surgery has grown exponentially. In spite of that, it remains a surgical specialty without a well-defined own certification. It is usually carried out, separately, by neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons, even if there is an overlapping of competence and skills. Materials and Methods: In our hospital, from January 2019, a systematic protocol called integrated spine trauma team protocol (ISTTP) was implemented to improve the management of traumatic spinal injuries in a multidisciplinary way. It is characterized by a specific algorithm from diagnosis to postoperative care. According to the new protocol, orthopedic spinal surgeons and neurosurgeons work together as an integrated spine trauma team. The authors analyzed, retrospectively, the results obtained by comparing patients treated before and after the application of the ISTTP. Results: The new protocol allowed a statistically significant reduction in waiting time before surgery and complication rate. Moreover, early discharge of patients was recorded. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that described a specific algorithm for a standardized multidisciplinary management of the spinal trauma with combined orthopedic and neurosurgeon expertise. Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest that the application of our ISTTP leads to better results for treating traumatic spinal injury (TSI).

Relationship between lumbar lordosis, pelvic parameters, PI-LL mismatch and outcome after short fusion surgery for lumbar degenerative disease. Literature review, rational and presentation of public study protocol: RELApSE study (registry for evaluation of lumbar artrodesis sagittal alignEment).

Background: Vertebral arthrodesis for degenerative pathology of the lumbar spine still remains burdened by clinical problems with significant negative results. The introduction of the sagittal balance assessment with the evaluation of the meaning of pelvic parameters and spinopelvic (PI-LL) mismatch offered new evaluation criteria for this widespread pathology, but there is a lack of consistent evidence on long-term outcome. Methods: The authors performed an extensive systematic review of literature, with the aim to identify all potentially relevant studies about the role and usefulness of the restoration or the assessment of Sagittal balance in lumbar degenerative disease. They present the study protocol RELApSE (NCT05448092 ID) and discuss the rationale through a comprehensive literature review. Results: From the 237 papers on this topic, a total of 176 articles were selected in this review. The analysis of these literature data shows sparse and variable evidence. There are no observations or guidelines about the value of lordosis restoration or PI-LL mismatch. Most of the works in the literature are retrospective, monocentric, based on small populations, and often address the topic evaluation partially. Conclusions: The RELApSE study is based on the possibility of comparing a heterogeneous population by pathology and different surgical technical options on some homogeneous clinical and anatomic-radiological measures aiming to understanding the value that global lumbar and segmental lordosis, distribution of lordosis, pelvic tilt, and PI-LL mismatch may have on clinical outcome in lumbar degenerative pathology and on the occurrence of adjacent segment disease.

Spinal cord compression in dialysis-related upper cervical amyloidoma - a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) can lead to various degenerative conditions but rarely involves the spine with a spinal cord compression. CASE REPORT: The authors describe a progressive tetraparesis (AIS-B) in a 57-year-old woman with upper cervical dialysis-related amyloidoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a solid focal mass lesion at the C2-odotoid level with severe spinal cord compression. Computed tomography (CT) outlined multiple lytic lesions in C1 lateral masses and odontoid process. The patient underwent urgent surgical treatment. A posterior C1-C2 spinal cord decompression with biopsy followed by occipito-cervical posterior fixation was performed. Histopathological examination revealed amyloid deposits representing DRA. An immediately postoperative neurological improvement was observed. DISCUSSION: Even if the spinal amyloidoma is extremely rare, this condition has to be suspected in a long-term hemodialysis patient suffering from progressive neurological deficits. Differential diagnosis is mandatory between infections, rheumatologic and neoplastic lesions. Imaging evaluation with CT and MRI is recommended in order to assess the characteristics of the pathological mass, the extension of lytic lesions and the entity of neurological compression. Surgical treatment is mandatory if clinical evidence of root or spinal cord compression is present.

Spinal epidural abscess in COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To report the peculiarity of spinal epidural abscess in COVID-19 patients, as we have observed an unusually high number of these patients following the outbreak of SARS-Corona Virus-2. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical documentation of six consecutive COVID-19 patients with primary spinal epidural abscess that we surgically managed over a 2-month period. These cases were analyzed for what concerns both the viral infection and the spinal abscess. RESULTS: The abscesses were primary in all cases indicating that no evident infective source was found. A primary abscess represents the rarest form of spinal epidural abscess, which is usually secondary to invasive procedures or spread from adjacent infective sites, such as spondylodiscitis, generally occurring in patients with diabetes, obesity, cancer, or other chronic diseases. In all cases, there was mild lymphopenia but the spinal abscess occurred regardless of the severity of the viral disease, immunologic state, or presence of bacteremia. Obesity was the only risk factor and was reported in two patients. All patients but one were hypertensive. The preferred localizations were cervical and thoracic, whereas classic abscess generally occur at the lumbar level. No patient had a history of pyogenic infection, even though previous asymptomatic bacterial contaminations were reported in three cases. CONCLUSION: We wonder about the concentration of this uncommon disease in such a short period. To our knowledge, cases of spinal epidural abscess in COVID-19 patients have not been reported to date. We hypothesize that, in our patients, the spinal infection could have depended on the coexistence of an initially asymptomatic bacterial contamination. The well-known COVID-19-related endotheliitis might have created the conditions for retrograde bacterial invasion to the correspondent spinal epidural space. Furthermore, spinal epidural abscess carries a significantly high morbidity and mortality. It is difficult to diagnose, especially in compromised COVID-19 patients but should be kept in mind as early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

Mortality and morbidity in COVID-19 orthopedic trauma patients: is early surgery the keystone?

In the pandemic disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, trauma surgery continued the management of patients with fractures. The purpose of the study is to evaluate mortality and morbidity in orthopedic trauma patients surgically treated with a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, comparing them to a control group of COVID-19 negative. We retrospectively identified patients admitted to our Emergency Room from March 8th to May 4th 2020 (time frame corresponding to the first wave of the pandemic peak, one of the most severe in the world at that time) with a diagnosis of fracture that were subsequently surgically treated. We applied a dedicated pathway for the management of COVID-19 trauma patients allowed to perform an early surgery and short hospitalization. For each patient included demographics, clinical, laboratory, radiological data and type of treatment for COVID-19 infection were collected. Sixty-five (65) patients were identified. Of those, 17 (6 women and 11 men, mean age 63.41 years old, mean ASA grade 2.35) were COVID-19 positive (study group), while the others were control group (mean age 56.58 years old, mean ASA grade 2.21). In the study group, the preoperative laboratory tests showed leukocytosis in six and lymphopenia in 15 cases. Fourteen patients had a high level of C-reactive protein. Fifteen patients had an abnormal level of D-dimer. The mortality recorded was 5.8% and 4.1% in the study and control group respectively. Perioperative adverse events were registered in 5 cases (29.4%) in the study group and in 8 (16.6%) in the control group (p>0.05). Dedicated COVID-19 trauma pathway with the aim of an early surgery could be key for a better result in terms of mortality and morbidity. Age and ASA grade could represent independent risk factors for perioperative complications.

Early percutaneous treatment of an aggressive vertebral hemangioma: A case report with a 5-year follow-up.

Vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are very common radiological findings, and the majority of them are completely asymptomatic and harmless. However, although rarely, they can present as locally aggressive, symptomatic lesions, and requiring surgery. In these cases, early diagnosis and treatment are mandatory to avoid serious complications and invasive surgery; however, there is no consensus about the best therapeutic option. Minimally-invasive percutaneous techniques have recently gained interests as a therapeutic option. A case of a 58-year-old male with a symptomatic aggressive VH of L5 presenting with untractable low back and radicular pain without neurological deficits is reported. An early percutaneous procedure with selective embolization combined with biportal kyphoplasty of L5 was performed. No complications and a very low-intraoperative bleeding were reported. The patient has been monitored for the following 5 years with a good outcome and with no signs of recurrence. This case report highlights the importance of making the right diagnosis and the advantages of an early percutaneous treatment with selective embolization and augmentation to avoid major open surgery with high risks.

Giant calcified thoracic disk herniations: ossification of PLL or autonomous entity?

BACKGROUND: Giant calcified thoracic disk herniation (GCTD) is an uncommon event, which requires surgical treatment in less than 1% of patients. GCDTs are a specific subgroup of herniated thoracic disks occupying more than 40% of the spinal canal showing calcifications associated with a certain degree of ossification. In this paper, we are reporting our whole experience in the surgical management of GCTDs through anterior approaches. We believe that they present characteristics that associate them to the circumscribed type of Ossified Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) with a possible common pathophysiology consisting in the dural violation. METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients with GCDTs were managed through anterior approaches during the period 1996-2019 at the Niguarda Hospital - Milan, Italy. Clinical data, radiological features, surgical reports, histological findings, and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: There was no mortality, whereas permanent morbidity consisted of 1 cases of worsened paraparesis due to accidental spinal cord contusion. One patient required reoperation to repair a postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. All patients underwent postoperative MRI which showed excellent decompression of cord and dural sac in all cases. Histological study of en-bloc removed GCTD showed typical calcification patterns of the PLL. CONCLUSIONS: GCDTs may be assimilated to the so-called "circumscribed type" of OPLL. The GCDTs may show the same radiological CT and MRI pattern of OPLL. The anterior accesses now represent the standard of care for GCTDs. The use of operative microscope and intraoperative monitoring is mandatory. The risk of CSF leakage can be markedly reduced by meticulous reconstruction of the dura and the placement of spinal drainage. Adequate exposition may sometimes require one or two levels of corpectomy with consequent vertebral body reconstruction and fixation of anterior column of the spine.

How we managed elective, urgent, and emergency orthopedic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Milan metropolitan area experience.

The COVID-19 virus is a tremendous burden for the Italian health system. The regionally-based Italian National Health System has been reorganized. Hospitals' biggest challenge was to create new intensive care unit (ICU) beds, as the existing system was insufficient to meet new demand, especially in the most affected areas. Our institution in the Milan metropolitan area of Lombardy, the epicentre of the infection, was selected as one of the three regional hub for major trauma, serving a population of more than three million people. The aims were the increase the ICU beds and the rationalization of human and structural resources available for treating COVID-19 patients. In our hub hospital, the reorganization aimed to reduce the risk of infection and to obtained resources, in terms of beds and healthcare personnel to be use in the COVID-19 emergency. Non-urgent outpatient orthopaedic activity and elective surgery was also suspended. A training programme for healthcare personnel started immediately. Orthopaedic and radiological pathways dedicated to COVID-19 patients, or with possible infection, have been established. In our orthopaedic department, we passed from 70 to 26 beds. Our goal is to treat trauma surgery's patient in the "golden 72 hours" in order to reduce the overall hospital length of stay. We applied an objective priority system to manage the flow of surgical procedures in the emergency room based on clinical outcomes and guidelines. Organizing the present to face the emergency is a challenge, but in the global plan of changes in hospital management one must also think about the near future. We reported the Milan metropolitan area orthopaedic surgery management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our decisions are not based on scientific evidence; therefore, the decision on how reorganize hospitals will likely remain in the hands of individual countries.

A new bioinspired collagen-hydroxyapatite bone graft substitute in adult scoliosis surgery: results at 3-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Spinal fusion is a common procedure used for surgical treatment of spinal deformity. In recent years, many bone graft substitutes (BGS) have been developed to provide good arthrodesis when the available autologous bone harvested from the patient is not enough. The aim of this study was to analyze the use of a new-generation composite material (RegenOss) made of Mg-hydroxyapatite nanoparticles nucleated on type I collagen to obtain long posterolateral fusion in adult scoliosis surgery. METHODS: A total of 41 patients who underwent spinal fusion for the treatment of adult scoliosis were retrospectively analyzed. According to Lenke classification, visual analog scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, radiographic rates of bone union were evaluated before surgery and at 6, 12 and 36 months of follow-up. Fusion was considered to be successful when criteria for Lenke grade A or B were satisfied. Patient-related risk factors were considered for the evaluation of the final outcome. RESULTS: At 36-month follow-up, radiographic evidence of spinal fusion was present in the majority of patients (95.1%). A time-dependent statistically significant improvement was evidenced after surgery for all clinical outcomes evaluated. Based on the demographic data collected, there were no statistically significant factors determining fusion. The correction of deformity was maintained at different time points. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that RegenOss can safely be used to achieve good arthrodesis when associated with autologous bone graft to obtain long spinal fusion in the treatment of adult scoliosis.