Kyphoplasty versus vertebroplasty in vertebral compression fractures: a meta-analysis / Cifoplastia vs. vertebroplastia em fraturas por compressão vertebral: uma metanálise / Cifoplastia versus vertebroplastia en fracturas por compresión vertebral: un metaanálisis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Vertebral fracture is the main complication of osteoporosis and is common among the elderly. Conservative treatment is the first choice for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) but for persistent painful cases, percutaneous vertebral cement augmentation techniques, such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, are indicated. We performed a systematic review to compare clinical and radiological outcomes of both methods. Methods: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA and Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The PICO search strategy consisted of the following terms: Population- Patients with OVCFs; Intervention- Kyphoplasty; Control- Vertebroplasty; Outcomes- Pain, Cement Leakage, Vertebral Body Height, Adjacent level fractures, Oswestry (ODI) and SF36. Results: Seven articles were included in the qualitative analysis, selecting only randomized controlled trials. Four hundred and fifty patients were treated with vertebroplasty (VP) and 469 with kyphoplasty (KP). The leakage rate of the VP group was 63% versus 14% for the KP group. However, these results were without statistical significance. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ODI and SF-36 outcomes were evaluated based on the 6-month and 1-year follow-up results, and we were unable to find any significant differences between treatments. For restoration of vertebral height, the values of the KP group were, on average, 0.71 cm higher than those of the VP group, with 95% CI. Conclusion: Based on this systematic review, kyphoplasty is superior to vertebroplasty for achieving gains in vertebral body height. As regards cement leakage and other clinical outcomes, neither method showed statistically significant superiority. Level of Evidence I; Systematic review.

RESUMO Introdução: A fratura vertebral é a principal complicação da osteoporose e ocorre com frequência em idosos. O tratamento conservador é a primeira escolha para fraturas compressivas vertebrais por osteoporose (FCVO), mas para casos dolorosos persistentes, as técnicas de cimentação vertebral, como vertebroplastia e cifoplastia, são indicadas. Realizamos uma revisão sistemática para comparar os resultados clínicos e radiológicos de ambos os métodos. Métodos: Uma revisão sistemática foi realizada de acordo com o PRISMA e o Manual Cochrane de Revisões Sistemáticas. A estratégia de busca PICO foi: População - Pacientes com FCVOs; Intervenção - Cifoplastia; Controle - Vertebroplastia; Resultados - Dor, Extravazamento de Cimento, Altura do Corpo Vertebral, Fraturas em Nível Adjacente, Oswestry (ODI) e SF36. Resultados: Sete artigos foram incluídos na análise qualitativa, somente ensaios clínicos randomizados. Quatrocentos e cinquenta pacientes foram tratados com vertebroplastia (VP) e 469 com cifoplastia (CP). A taxa de extravazamento de cimento do grupo VP foi de 63% contra 14% do CP, no entanto, não atingiu significância estatística. Os desfechos da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), ODI e SF-36 foram avaliados considerando os resultados de seis meses e um ano de seguimento e não pudemos apontar diferenças entre os tratamentos. Por fim, a CP apresenta valores médios 0,71 cm maiores do que a VP para a restauração da altura do corpo vertebral, com IC de 95%. Conclusão: Nesta revisão sistemática a cifoplastia foi superior à vertebroplastia para ganho de altura do corpo vertebral. Não houve superioridade estatisticamente significativa entre os dois métodos para extravazamento de cimento e outros resultados clínicos. Nível de Evidência I; Revisão sistemática

RESUMEN Introducción: La fractura vertebral es la principal complicación de la osteoporosis y ocurre con frecuencia en los ancianos. El tratamiento conservador es la primera opción para las fracturas vertebrales por compresión debidas a la osteoporosis (FCVO), pero para los casos de dolor persistente están indicadas las técnicas de cementación vertebral, como la vertebroplastia y la cifoplastia. Se realizó una revisión sistemática para comparar los resultados clínicos y radiológicos de ambos métodos. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática de acuerdo con la declaración PRISMA y el Manual Cochrane de Revisiones Sistemáticas. La estrategia de búsqueda PICO fue: Población: Pacientes con FCVO; Intervención: Cifoplastia; Control- Vertebroplastia; Resultados: Dolor, Extravasación del cemento, Altura del Cuerpo Vertebral, Fracturas de Nivel Adyacente, Oswestry (ODI) y SF36. Resultados: Se incluyeron siete artículos en el análisis cualitativo, sólo ensayos clínicos aleatorios. Cuatrocientos cincuenta pacientes fueron tratados con vertebroplastia (VP) y 469 con cifoplastia (CP). La tasa de extravasación de cemento en el grupo VP fue del 63% frente al 14% en el CP, sin embargo, no alcanzó significancia estadística. Los resultados de la Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), ODI y SF-36 se evaluaron teniendo en cuenta los resultados de 6 meses y 1 año de seguimiento y no pudimos señalar diferencias entre los tratamientos.. Finalmente, el CP presenta valores promedios 0,71 cm superiores al VP para restaurar la altura del cuerpo vertebral, con un IC del 95%. Conclusión: En esta revisión sistemática, la cifoplastia fue superior a la vertebroplastia para el aumento de altura del cuerpo vertebral. No hubo una superioridad estadísticamente significativa entre los dos métodos para la extravasación del cemento y otros resultados clínicos. Nivel de Evidencia I; Revisión sistemática.

Nonspecific spondylodiscitis in adults: retrospective study / Espondilodiscites inespecíficas em adultos: estudo retrospectivo / Espondilodiscitis inespecíficas en adultos: estudio retrospectivo

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis treated in a Brazilian hospital. Methods This is a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with nonspecific spondylodiscitis. Patients of both sexes, above 18 years of age with a minimum follow-up time of 6 months were included. Epidemiological, laboratory, and clinical data were analyzed. Results Nine patients were included. The mean age was 64 years, with seven men (77.7%) and two women (22.2%). All patients evaluated had back pain. The most affected location was the lumbar spine (44.4%). Only three patients (33.3%) had fever and five (55%) had constitutional symptoms. The mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 2.5 (± 1.5) weeks. Only four patients (44.4%) had positive cultures. As for neurological status, five patients (55.5%) presented neurological change. At the end of treatment, two patients improved one level in the Frankel score and two patients improved two levels. The main indication for surgery was neurological deficit (55.5%). Two of the patients evaluated died as a result of an infectious condition. Conclusions Less than half of the patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis had fever or constitutional symptoms. Back pain was present in all cases. In less than half of the patients it was possible to isolate the responsible microorganism. Most patients underwent surgical treatment, although not all improved from the neurological deficit. Level of evidence II; Retrospective study.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever as características epidemiológicas e clínicas de pacientes com espondilodiscite piogênica tratados em um hospital brasileiro. Métodos Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com diagnóstico de espondilodiscite inespecífica. Foram incluídos pacientes de ambos os sexos, acima de 18 anos, com tempo de seguimento mínimo de seis meses. Foram analisados dados epidemiológicos, laboratoriais e clínicos. Resultados Nove pacientes foram incluídos. A média de idade foi de 64 anos, sendo sete homens (77,7%) e duas mulheres (22,2%). Todos os pacientes avaliados tinham dorsalgia. O local mais acometido foi a coluna lombar (44,4%). Apenas três pacientes (33,3%) apresentaram febre e cinco (55%), sintomas constitucionais. O tempo médio de sintomas antes do diagnóstico foi de 2,5 (± 1,5) semanas. Apenas quatro pacientes (44,4%) tiveram culturas positivas. Cinco pacientes (55,5%) apresentaram alteração neurológica. Ao término do tratamento, dois pacientes melhoraram um nível no escore de Frankel, dois pacientes melhoraram dois níveis. A principal indicação para cirurgia foi déficit neurológico (55,5%). Dois pacientes avaliados foram a óbito em decorrência do quadro infeccioso. Conclusões Menos da metade dos pacientes com espondilodiscite piogênica tiveram febre ou sintomas constitucionais. A dorsalgia estava presente em todos os casos. Em menos da metade dos pacientes foi possível isolar o microrganismo responsável. A maioria dos pacientes foi submetida a tratamento cirúrgico, embora nem todos tiveram melhora do déficit neurológico. Nível de evidência II; Estudo Retrospectivo.

RESUMEN Objetivo Describir las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de pacientes con espondilodiscitis piógena tratados en un hospital brasileño. Métodos Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con diagnóstico de espondilodiscitis inespecífica. Fueron incluidos pacientes de ambos sexos, mayores de 18 años, con tiempo de seguimiento mínimo de seis meses. Fueron analizados datos epidemiológicos, de laboratorio y clínicos. Resultados Se incluyeron nueve pacientes. El promedio de edad fue de 64 años, siendo siete hombres (77,7%) y dos mujeres (22,2%). Todos los pacientes evaluados tenían dolor de espalda. El local más acometido fue la columna lumbar (44,4%). Sólo tres pacientes (33,3%) presentaron fiebre y cinco (55%) síntomas constitucionales. El tiempo promedio de síntomas antes del diagnóstico fue de 2,5 (± 1,5) semanas. Sólo cuatro pacientes (44,4%) tuvieron cultivos positivos. Cinco pacientes (55,5%) presentaron alteración neurológica. Al término del tratamiento, dos pacientes mejoraron un nivel en la escala de Frankel, dos pacientes mejoraron dos niveles. La principal indicación para cirugía fue el déficit neurológico (55,5%). Dos pacientes evaluados fueron a óbito como consecuencia del cuadro infeccioso. Conclusiones Menos de la mitad de los pacientes con espondilodiscitis piógena tuvieron fiebre o síntomas constitucionales. El dolor de espalda estuvo presente en todos los casos. En menos de la mitad de los pacientes fue posible aislar el microorganismo responsable. La mayoría de los pacientes fue sometida a tratamiento quirúrgico, aunque no todos tuvieron mejora del déficit neurológico. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudio retrospectivo.

Impact of Scoliosis Severity on Functional Capacity in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the walked distance and physiological responses during incremental shuttle walk test in patients with different degrees of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: We evaluated 20 healthy teenagers and 46 patients with AIS; they were divided into 2 groups: AIS > 45° and AIS < 45°. The volunteers performed an incremental shuttle walk test, and the following physiological responses were quantified: oxygen consumption, tidal volume, ventilation, and the incremental shuttle walked distance. Respiratory muscle strength was quantified, pulmonary function test was performed, and the forced vital capacity and expiratory volume in the first second were obtained. RESULTS: Patients with AIS > 45° presented significant reduced incremental shuttle walked distance compared with the AIS < 45° and control group [447 (85), 487 (95), and 603 (85), respectively]. Patients with AIS also showed reduced forced vital capacity (P = .001) and expiratory volume in the first second (P = .005) compared with control group. Moderate correlations between forced vital capacity (r = -.506) and tidal volume (r = -.476) with scoliosis angles were found. CONCLUSIONS: The incremental shuttle walk test was capable of identifying reduced functional capacity in patients with different degrees of AIS. Moreover, the severity of spinal curvature may exert influence on ventilatory and metabolic variables.

Predictors for Postoperative Shoulder Balance in Lenke 1 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort. OBJECTIVES: To determine the predictors of the shoulder balance after main thoracic (MT) fusion in patients with Lenke 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Imbalanced shoulders are a major cause of dissatisfaction in AIS patients. In Lenke 1 curves, MT curve fusion is supposed to lead to spontaneous correction of the proximal thoracic (PT) curve and thereby promote shoulder balance. However, this is not always observed. METHODS: Fifty-two Lenke 1 AIS patients who underwent MT fusion by a posterior approach were prospectively evaluated preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and two years after the surgical procedure. The shoulder balance was determined using the biacromial angle. The clinical results were examined for their correlation with several radiographic measurements. RESULTS: Spontaneous correction of the PT Cobb angle after MT fusion was noted in 52% of cases, similar to that observed on preoperative bending films. A total of 51% of patients had unbalanced shoulders before surgery (right side higher). Two years after surgery, 30.77% showed unbalanced shoulders (p < .001). However, 17.1% of patients presented with a higher left shoulder, a reversion of the initial deformity. This phenomenon was more common among the patients with mild or no shoulder asymmetry (biacromial angle inferior to 1°) before surgery (p < .001). It was also determined that for each degree measured for the clavicle angle, there was an elevation of 0.14° for the ipsilateral shoulder. CONCLUSIONS: In Lenke 1 cases with higher right shoulder and absence of abnormalities in the sagittal plane view, the correction of the main right thoracic curve could be enough to balance the shoulders. No correlation was found between shoulder balance and the amount of correction of the PT and MT curves.

Radiographic and functional evaluation of the iliac bone graft in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

This study aimed to assess the impact of the use of an additional iliac bone graft on functional and radiographic results after thoracic spine arthrodesis with pedicle screws in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Participants were divided into two groups: a control group that received only local bone (n=19) and a second group that, in addition to this procedure, received an iliac graft (n=22). The evaluations were performed on preoperative, immediate postoperative, and last follow-up (mean 29.7 months; minimum 12 months). Radiographic evaluations included the loss of correction and the presence of nonunion. The functional outcome was evaluated using the Scoliosis Research Society-30 questionnaire. Surgical complications and the presence of iliac donor site pain were also described. There were no significant differences between groups in the pseudoarthrosis rate, loss of correction over time, and quality of life. We concluded that the addition of bone graft from the iliac yielded no benefit in terms of the fusion rate and functional outcomes. The appropriate facetectomy, bed preparation, and filling with a local bone graft must be adequate to achieve an adequate fusion on surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Functional aerobic exercise capacity limitation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Exercise limitation has been described in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS); however, whether the walking performance is impaired in these patients should be elucidated. PURPOSE: Thus, we aimed to evaluate the physiologic responses to the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) in patients with AIS. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Cross-sectional study. PATIENT SAMPLE: Twenty-nine patients with AIS and 20 healthy adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years old. OUTCOME MEASURES: Oxygen uptake (VO2), incremental shuttle walk distance (ISWD), ΔVO2/Δwalking velocity, ΔHR/ΔVO2, ΔVE/ΔVCO2, and linearized Δtidal volume (VT)/ΔlnVE, forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC). METHODS: We performed two ISWTs, and the data used were acquired in the second test. We also evaluated the lung function and respiratory muscle strength through spirometry test and manovacuometry, respectively. All authors confirm that there are no conflicts of interest. To compare the means or medians of variables between patients and healthy subjects, we used the unpaired t test or Mann-Whitney U test, respectively. The correlations were assessed by Pearson or Spearman coefficients according to the distribution of the studied variables. The probability of alpha error was set at 5% for all analyses. RESULTS: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients showed significant lower values of ISWD, VO2, and ventilation at the end of the ISWT, as well as lower FEV1 and FVC; they also presented significantly shallower slope of ΔVT/ΔlnVE, whereas VO2 related significantly with ISWD (r=0.80), FVC (r=0.78), FEV1 (r=0.73), and ΔVT/ΔlnVE (r=0.58). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis correlated to walking limitation and was associated to reduced pulmonary function and worse breathing pattern during exercise. Our results suggest that walking-based aerobic exercises should be encouraged in these patients.