Impact of radiologic variables on item responses of ODI, SRS22 and SF-36. in adult spinal deformity patients: differential item functioning (DIF) analysis results from a multi-center database.

PURPOSE: To determine if responses given to each question of the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS22), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires are influenced by the radiological parameters. METHODS: Patients enrolled in a multi-centre prospectively collected adult spinal deformity database who had complete SRS22, ODI and SF-36 data at baseline and at one-year follow-up were analysed. The presence of a differential item function of each question within each score in relation to radiological parameters was analysed using a mixed Rasch model with the radiological threshold value(s) determined. RESULTS: Of those patients analysed (n = 1745; 1406 female, average age 51.0 ± 19.8 years), 944 were surgically and 801 were non-surgically treated. For the SRS22, questions (Q) 3, 5 and 18 were sensitive to almost all radiological parameters and the overall score was found sensitive to the Cobb angle. For the ODI, Q3, 6, 9 and 10 were not sensitive to any radiologic parameters whereas Q4 and 5 were sensitive to most. In contrast, only 3 of the SF-36 items were sensitive to radiological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: 78% of the SRS-22, 60% of the ODI and 8% of the questions in the SF-36 are sensitive to radiological parameters. Sagittal imbalance is independently associated with a poor overall outcome, but affects mental status and function more than pain and self-image. The assembly of questions responsive to radiological parameters may be useful in establishing a connection between changes in radiologic parameters and HRQL.

The Impact of Corrective Surgery on Health-Related Quality of Life Subclasses in Adult Scoliosis: Will Degree of Correction Prognosticate Degree of Improvement?

PURPOSE: Objectives in scoliosis corrective surgery include restoration of normal sagittal and coronal parameters to achieve patient satisfaction. HRQLs improvements remain limited after corrective surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HRQL subclass variability specific to the sagittal and coronal correction in adult scoliosis surgery. METHODS: This multi-centre prospective analysis of consecutive adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients, from five European centres, only included multilevel instrumentation for scoliosis. d-(delta) values for each parameter represented pre to post-operative changes. Parameters included demographics, baseline, 1- and 2-year. HRQL outcomes (Oswestry disability index (ODI), Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 and Short Form (SF36)), sagittal correction including relative spinopelvic alignment (dRSA) and coronal correction including major Cobb (dCobb) angles. RESULTS: A total of 353 patients reached 1-year and 2-year follow up. All HRQL total scores significantly improved postoperatively, including ODI, SRS-22 and SF36. HRQL subclasses which displayed persistent improvements correlated to dRSA included sex-life, self-image, fatigue, vitality, social functioning. The only HRQL subclass improvement that correlated with dCobb was self-image. CONCLUSION: Adult scoliosis surgery improves overall HRQL, having a minimal effect on each variable. Importantly, greater coronal deformity correction affects only greater self-image scores, whereas with greater sagittal correction there are many greater HRQL sub-class impacts. Correction and restoration of coronal balance is one of the surgical goals in adult scoliosis but the degree to which Cobb angle is corrected, apart from self-image, does not correlate with gains in sub-classes of HRQL. These results need to be taken into account when planning surgery.

Impact of COVID-19 on the pain and disability of patients with adult spinal deformity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the pain and functional effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with ASD reflected by their response to SRS-22, ODI, and SF-36 questionnaires. METHODS: Patients who had stable pain and functional outcome scores over the preceding 2 years were enrolled in a local prospectively collected adult spinal deformity (ASD) database. A reanalysis of their SRS22, ODI and SF-36 data 14 days into confinement were compared to their last pre-confinement scores. RESULTS: 89 patients were included in this study (average age 60.7 years, 91% female) with an average time from last FU until confinement of 9.6 months. The ODI total score worsened by 5 points post-confinement with no difference seen in personal care, walking and social life. In contrast, the SRS-22 score showed small improvements in function/activity and satisfaction, but no significant differences for the other domains. Similarly, the SF-36 showed small improvements in physical function, physical and emotional role, vitality and PCS. CONCLUSION: The global COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing confinement had variable overall effects on ASD patients, without the expected marked worsening. In addition, this study illustrates that the SRS-22 questionnaire is less influenced by environmental and psychological factors than the ODI supporting its objectivity and accuracy in the evaluation of the QoL of ASD patients.

Revision surgery of spinal dynamic implants: a literature review and algorithm proposal.

INTRODUCTION: Dynamic stabilization of the spine has been performed since the 1990s with the double purpose of restoring spinal segmental stability and allowing residual movement at the operated level. When we take into account the different motion-preserving devices and the spinal areas where they are applied, we can identify three categories of spinal implants: anterior cervical, anterior lumbar, and posterior lumbar. However, as in all prosthetic procedures performed in orthopedic surgery, the life span of a joint replacement device is a central topic of discussion, and this is true also for spinal dynamic devices, being revision surgery a complex procedure in specific cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a literature review on the different dynamic spinal implants and the most common causes of failure, providing clinical cases as illustrative options for revision surgery. RESULTS: The review of the literature showed a 11.3% to 22.6% revision rate in posterior lumbar dynamic systems, with a peak of 40.6% in case of adjacent segment disease. In lumbar TDRs, infection and severe dislocations are the most frequent causes of anterior revisions, while posterior pedicle screw fixation could be a suitable option in minimal subsidence or TDR displacement. An algorithm for the planning of revision surgery is proposed. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical revision of spinal dynamic implants could be a demanding surgery especially in anterior approaches. Anterior cervical revision remains globally safe, but careful preoperative evaluation of vessels and ureter are suggested to avoid intraoperative complications in the lumbar spine. In posterior revision, a proper sagittal alignment of the spine should be restored. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Global tilt: a single parameter incorporating spinal and pelvic sagittal parameters and least affected by patient positioning.

PURPOSE: Regarding the close interaction between the spinal alignment and the pelvis orientation, no parameter is routinely used to describe and to evaluate the global spinopelvic balance, taking into account simultaneously the spinal part and the pelvic part of the global alignment. We described the global tilt (GT) that could analyze malalignment considering the spine and the pelvis simultaneously. From a geometrical point of view, the global tilt is the sum of the pelvic tilt (PT) and the C7 vertical tilt (angular value of sagittal vertical axis). The aim of this study is to evaluate the global tilt with comparison to PT and sagittal vertical axis (SVA), with the hypothesis that GT would be the least sensitive to positional changes. METHODS: A cohort of 22 patients with sagittal malalignment was identified from a multicentric database of adult spinal deformities (ASD). Inclusion criteria were age >30 years, SVA > 40 mm and/or PT > 20°. All patients had full spine EOS radiographs in positions 1 and 2 (P1 and P2), in which the patient was asked to stand and put his hands on his shoulders without any effort (P1), or to make an effort to be as straight as possible (P2). PT, SVA and GT were measured in both positions and changes between P1 and P2 were calculated and compared using Student's t test with significance level at p < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant changes were observed for GT; SVA and PT were significantly influenced by patient positioning. SVA decreased and PT increased for all cases in P2 whereas the changes in GT were in either direction. The average increase in PT was 7.1° (±5.4) or 30.8 % (±24.9); decrease in SVA was 45.1 mm (±25.6) or 60.0 % (±44.2) while the change in GT was 4.4° (±3.3) or 12.6 % (±9.3). DISCUSSION: GT appears to be less affected by the patient's position compared to SVA and PT. This seems logical because GT contains both spinal alignment and pelvic compensation; it is not affected by their changes in opposing directions. CONCLUSION: GT appears to be the most reliable single sagittal plane parameter in ASD. It is the least affected by patient position and incorporates both the pelvic and the spinal alignment within one measure.

Proximal end clavicle fracture from a parachute jumping injury.

Fractures of the medial end of the clavicle are the least common type of clavicle fracture. We report a 29-year-old military parachutist who presented with medial end clavicle fracture after a bad landing. He was first treated non-operatively in a tertiary center and was then referred to our center by his general practitioner. Surgery was indicated since the fracture was displaced and the patient needed anatomical reconstruction to promote rapid bone healing and a prompt return to work. The medial fragment being comminuted, K-wires were used for internal fixation instead of a plate. The two K-wires were bent 180° to avoid risk of migration and were removed 3 months after surgery when the patient had begun to perform all activities without pain. Aggressive treatment is recommended for medial end clavicle fracture in case of displacement and facilitates rapid functional recovery, notably in patients with considerable clavicular demand.

Correlation of clinical outcome and spinopelvic sagittal alignment after surgical treatment of low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis before and after surgical treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis with flat sacrum. At the same time, the functional outcome was analyzed and correlation examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study comprises analysis of 30 subjects (mean age 43 years) with isthmic spondylolisthesis and an average follow-up of 2.5 years after posterior spinal fusion. Radiological spinopelvic parameters were measured and functional evaluation was made using the Oswestry Disability Index. RESULTS: Significant improvement toward more normal values for PT and SS in relation to PI was observed after surgery. Pelvic incidence was unaffected by surgery. Correction of the spinosacral angle shows that the anterior tilt with anterior sagittal imbalance due to spondylolisthesis may be corrected by reduction and fusion of the slipped level. Functional outcome was satisfactory with a statistically significant difference between preoperative values and final follow-up values. The sub-group of patients with insufficient restoration of sagittal balance parameters had less good outcomes than the others. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Surgical management of low- and mid-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis showed good clinical outcome with restoration of correct values for the pelvic position-dependent parameters, i.e., pelvis tilt, sacral slope, C7 plumb line position and SSA.

Total hip replacement pseudotumoral osteolysis.

We report three cases of pseudotumoral lesion secondary to total hip replacement using metal on polyethylene bearings, presenting two distinct macroscopic aspects: (a) classic inflammatory granuloma and, in one case, (b) onset of hematoma associated with gluteal vessel lesions, probably affected by the pseudotumoral process. Diagnosis was radiographic, with CT-scan serving to confirm and, more importantly, to reveal extension and analyze surrounding tissue. Arteriography is needed when the lesion is liquid, and biopsy may be envisaged depending upon the clinical situation. In all three cases, histology was typically that of granulomatous lesions related to wear debris. Once diagnosis could be established, treatment was similar in both presentations, with surgical revision, which should be as early as possible in case of cortical bone involvement, to prevent pathologic fracture.

[The injured cervical spine with and without lesions of the nerve structures. Clinical results of surgical therapy]. / Die verletzte Halswirbelsäule mit und ohne Läsionen nervaler Strukturen. Klinische Ergebnisse nach operativer Therapie.

The operative treatment of the cervical spine injuries with and without neurological deficit was active developed in the last 25 years. The surgical management has been determined by the type of deformity, and also by the anatomical and functional specialties. The indication, the diagnostical and therapeutical strategy and the results of surgical treatment of 304 cases are discussed.

Cranioplasty with acrylic methyl methacrylate resin. Modified procedure--technical note.

A modified methylmethacrylate cranioplasty is presented. After preparation of the skull defect, a Teflon net is placed and fitted over it, overlapping the border by one centimeter. The plastic material is spread over the Teflon net in the skull defect and is removed as soon as it becomes firm. Next, the plate is perforated at several points and then is fixed with Vicryl stiches between the Teflon net and the epicranium. This procedure is simple and fast. The fixation is firm; the result is good.

Lipoma in the cerebellopontine angle.

A case of lipoma in the cerebellopontine angle is reported. Intracranial lipomas are very rare, especially in the cerebellopontine angle. To our knowledge, only four cases, including our own, have been operated upon. Until now, total extirpation has not been possible. The singular appearance on computed tomography scanning of this dysembryoplasia is presented together with a bibliography of this subject.

[Nerve regeneration through a venous graft in the rat. Preliminary results]. / Régénérescence nerveuse à travers un greffon veineux chez le rat. Résultats préliminaires.

An experimental study of nerve regeneration in rats was realized after sectioning 8 mm of the sciatic nerve and interpositioning a vein-graft to replace the portion of nerve which has been removed. The vein-graft was taken at the neck level, far away from the point of suture between vein and nerve, a procedure which seems to prevent the problems of scabbing. A histological and electrophysiological analysis was carried out on 16 grafts, over periods ranging from 4 weeks to 4 months. The nerve and venous dissections were realized under a stereoscopic microscope. A certain degree of amyotrophy appeared in the external-posterior region of the thigh, directly related to the muscular dissection and the partial paralysis caused by the section of the common peroneal nerve. The electrophysiological recordings in vivo provide proof of nerve regeneration but reveal the absence of any correlation between the time of recovery and the time of induction. Examination under the light microscope confirms the regeneration of the nerve inside of the vein-graft, with an augmentation of myelin sheaths, which increase with time both in number and in thickness. The vein-wall acts as a guide but the passage of a few nervous filaments outside of the graft itself is observed. Examination under the electron microscope furnishes important information on myelin sheaths. The results are of excellent quality, but to better appreciate and evaluate them, we envisage a further study, this time to be carried out on another animal species.

Suprasellar choristoma.

A case of choristoma of the posterior lobe of the pituitary is presented. The clinical presentation suggested chromophobe pituitary adenoma and the true diagnosis was only established on histological esamination. Despite the patient's advanced age her-operative course was satisfactory, but the disturbances of endocrine and visual function remained virtually unchanged. Perusal of the literature shows that this is the twentieth case of suprasellar or neurohypophyseal choristoma so far published. It provides an opportunity to review the clinical presentation, radiology and treatment, as well as to discuss the histiogenesis and nature of this rare pituitary tumor.