RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Depression is common in spine surgery candidates and may influence postoperative outcomes. Ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) can overcome limitations of existing depression screening methods (e.g., recall bias, inaccuracy of historical diagnoses) by longitudinally monitoring depression symptoms in daily life. In this study, we compared EMA-based depression assessment with retrospective self-report (a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]) and chart-based depression diagnosis in lumbar spine surgery candidates. We further examined the associations of each depression assessment method with surgical outcomes. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery (n = 122) completed EMAs quantifying depressive symptoms up to 5 times daily for 3 weeks preoperatively. Correlations (rank-biserial or Spearman) among EMA means, a chart-based depression history, and 1-time preoperative depression surveys (PHQ-9 and Psychache Scale) were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to categorize PHQ-9 questions as somatic or non-somatic; subscores were compared with a propensity score-matched general population cohort. The associations of each screening modality with 6-month surgical outcomes (pain, disability, physical function, pain interference) were analyzed with multivariable regression. RESULTS: The association between EMA Depression scores and a depression history was weak (rrb = 0.34 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14 to 0.52]). Moderate correlations with EMA-measured depression symptoms were observed for the PHQ-9 (rs = 0.51 [95% CI, 0.37 to 0.63]) and the Psychache Scale (rs = 0.68 [95% CI, 0.57 to 0.76]). Compared with the matched general population cohort, spine surgery candidates endorsed similar non-somatic symptoms but significantly greater somatic symptoms on the PHQ-9. EMA Depression scores had a stronger association with 6-month surgical outcomes than the other depression screening modalities did. CONCLUSIONS: A history of depression in the medical record is not a reliable indication of preoperative depression symptom severity. Cross-sectional depression assessments such as PHQ-9 have stronger associations with daily depression symptoms but may conflate somatic depression symptoms with spine-related disability. As an alternative to these methods, mobile health technology and EMAs provide an opportunity to collect real-time, longitudinal data on depression symptom severity, potentially improving prognostic accuracy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: A major shortcoming in optimizing care for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the lack of robust quantitative imaging tools offered by conventional MRI. Advanced MRI modalities, such as diffusion MRI (dMRI), including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI), may help address this limitation by providing granular evaluations of spinal cord microstructure. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with CSM underwent comprehensive clinical assessments and dMRI, followed by DTI and DBSI modeling. Conventional MRI metrics included 10 total qualitative and quantitative assessments of spinal cord compression in both the sagittal and axial planes. The dMRI metrics included 12 unique measures including anisotropic tensors, reflecting axonal diffusion, and isotropic tensors, describing extraaxonal diffusion. The primary outcome was the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score measured at 2 years postoperatively. Extreme gradient boosting-supervised classification algorithms were used to classify patients into disease groups and to prognosticate surgical outcomes at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients with CSM, including 24 (51%) with a mild mJOA score, 12 (26%) with a moderate mJOA score, and 11 (23%) with a severe mJOA score, as well as 21 control subjects were included. In the classification task, the traditional MRI metrics correctly assigned patients to healthy control versus mild CSM versus moderate/severe CSM cohorts, with an accuracy of 0.647 (95% CI 0.64-0.65). In comparison, the DTI model performed with an accuracy of 0.52 (95% CI 0.51-0.52) and the DBSI model's accuracy was 0.81 (95% CI 0.808-0.814). In the prognostication task, the traditional MRI metrics correctly predicted patients with CSM who improved at 2-year follow-up on the basis of change in mJOA, with an accuracy of 0.58 (95% CI 0.57-0.58). In comparison, the DTI model performed with an accuracy of 0.62 (95% CI 0.61-0.62) and the DBSI model had an accuracy of 0.72 (95% CI 0.718-0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Conventional MRI is a powerful tool to assess structural abnormality in CSM but is inherently limited in its ability to characterize spinal cord tissue injury. The results of this study demonstrate that advanced imaging techniques, namely DBSI-derived metrics from dMRI, provide granular assessments of spinal cord microstructure that can offer better diagnostic and prognostic utility.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Advanced diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) modeling, such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI), may help guide rehabilitation strategies after surgical decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Currently, however, postoperative DWI is difficult to interpret, owing to signal distortions from spinal instrumentation. Therefore, we examined the relationship between postoperative DTI/DBSI-extracted from the rostral C3 spinal level-and clinical outcome measures at 2-year follow-up after decompressive surgery for CSM. METHODS: Fifty patients with CSM underwent complete clinical and DWI evaluation-followed by DTI/DBSI analysis-at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Clinical outcomes included the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score and comprehensive patient-reported outcomes. DTI metrics included apparent diffusion coefficient, fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity. DBSI metrics evaluated white matter tracts through fractional anisotropy, fiber fraction, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity as well as extra-axonal pathology through restricted and nonrestricted fraction. Cross-sectional Spearman's correlations were used to compare postoperative DTI/DBSI metrics with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with CSM, including 15, 7, and 5 with mild, moderate, and severe disease, respectively, possessed complete baseline and postoperative DWI scans. At 2-year follow-up, there were 10 significant correlations among postoperative DBSI metrics and postoperative clinical outcomes compared with 3 among postoperative DTI metrics. Of the 13 significant correlations, 7 involved the neck disability index (NDI). The strongest relationships were between DBSI axial diffusivity and NDI (r = 0.60, P < .001), DBSI fiber fraction and NDI (rs = -0.58, P < .001), and DBSI restricted fraction and NDI (rs = 0.56, P < .001). The weakest correlation was between DTI apparent diffusion coefficient and NDI (r = 0.35, P = .02). CONCLUSION: Quantitative measures of spinal cord microstructure after surgery correlate with postoperative neurofunctional status, quality of life, and pain/disability at 2 years after decompressive surgery for CSM. In particular, DBSI metrics may serve as meaningful biomarkers for postoperative disease severity for patients with CSM.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neurosurgeons and hospitals devote tremendous resources to improving recovery from lumbar spine surgery. Current efforts to predict surgical recovery rely on one-time patient report and health record information. However, longitudinal mobile health (mHealth) assessments integrating symptom dynamics from ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and wearable biometric data may capture important influences on recovery. Our objective was to evaluate whether a preoperative mHealth assessment integrating EMA with Fitbit monitoring improved predictions of spine surgery recovery. METHODS: Patients age 21-85 years undergoing lumbar surgery for degenerative disease between 2021 and 2023 were recruited. For up to 3 weeks preoperatively, participants completed EMAs up to 5 times daily asking about momentary pain, disability, depression, and catastrophizing. At the same time, they were passively monitored using Fitbit trackers. Study outcomes were good/excellent recovery on the Quality of Recovery-15 (QOR-15) and a clinically important change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference 1 month postoperatively. After feature engineering, several machine learning prediction models were tested. Prediction performance was measured using the c-statistic. RESULTS: A total of 133 participants were included, with a median (IQR) age of 62 (53, 68) years, and 56% were female. The median (IQR) number of preoperative EMAs completed was 78 (61, 95), and the median (IQR) number of days with usable Fitbit data was 17 (12, 21). 63 patients (48%) achieved a clinically meaningful improvement in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System pain interference. Compared with traditional evaluations alone, mHealth evaluations led to a 34% improvement in predictions for pain interference (c = 0.82 vs c = 0.61). 49 patients (40%) had a good or excellent recovery based on the QOR-15. Including preoperative mHealth data led to a 30% improvement in predictions of QOR-15 (c = 0.70 vs c = 0.54). CONCLUSION: Multimodal mHealth evaluations improve predictions of lumbar surgery outcomes. These methods may be useful for informing patient selection and perioperative recovery strategies.
Asunto(s)
Vértebras Lumbares , Telemedicina , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Femenino , Masculino , Anciano , Adulto , Vértebras Lumbares/cirugía , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Recuperación de la Función/fisiología , Adulto Joven , Medición de Resultados Informados por el Paciente , Cuidados Preoperatorios/métodosRESUMEN
There is no standard of care for management of Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs), and protocol for spontaneous rupture or residual capsule fragments is not well documented.Our case involves a Caucasian man in his 80s who presented with muscle weakness, fatigue, bitemporal hemianopia and pain. Further examination demonstrated decreased thyroid and cortisol levels. MRI revealed a 1.6×1.5×1.3 cm sellar homogenous mass with extension into the suprasellar cistern. While the size of the cyst was rather large, a decision was made to follow conservatively with serial MRI. At 3 years, the mass had spontaneously regressed. The patient was asymptomatic without imaging evidence of RCC recurrence at 4-year follow-up.Classic indications for surgical intervention in suprasellar cysts were subtle in our patient and his advanced age made us take a conservative approach. Current data are lacking regarding management of RCCs presenting with endocrine dysfunction. Our case suggests that RCCs presenting with endocrine dysfunction may be managed conservatively with serial imaging-based monitoring.
Asunto(s)
Quistes del Sistema Nervioso Central , Humanos , Masculino , Quistes del Sistema Nervioso Central/cirugía , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Rotura , Anciano de 80 o más AñosRESUMEN
Importance: Comorbid depression is common among patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease. Although a well-researched topic, the evidence of the role of depression in spine surgery outcomes remains inconclusive. Objective: To investigate the association between preoperative depression and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after lumbar spine surgery. Data Sources: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, Scopus, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed from database inception to September 14, 2023. Study Selection: Included studies involved adults undergoing lumbar spine surgery and compared PROMs in patients with vs those without depression. Studies evaluating the correlation between preoperative depression and disease severity were also included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: All data were independently extracted by 2 authors and independently verified by a third author. Study quality was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to synthesize data, and I2 was used to assess heterogeneity. Metaregression was performed to identify factors explaining the heterogeneity. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the standardized mean difference (SMD) of change from preoperative baseline to postoperative follow-up in PROMs of disability, pain, and physical function for patients with vs without depression. Secondary outcomes were preoperative and postoperative differences in absolute disease severity for these 2 patient populations. Results: Of the 8459 articles identified, 44 were included in the analysis. These studies involved 21 452 patients with a mean (SD) age of 57 (8) years and included 11 747 females (55%). Among these studies, the median (range) follow-up duration was 12 (6-120) months. The pooled estimates of disability, pain, and physical function showed that patients with depression experienced a greater magnitude of improvement compared with patients without depression, but this difference was not significant (SMD, 0.04 [95% CI, -0.02 to 0.10]; I2 = 75%; P = .21). Nonetheless, patients with depression presented with worse preoperative disease severity in disability, pain, and physical function (SMD, -0.52 [95% CI, -0.62 to -0.41]; I2 = 89%; P < .001), which remained worse postoperatively (SMD, -0.52 [95% CI, -0.75 to -0.28]; I2 = 98%; P < .001). There was no significant correlation between depression severity and the primary outcome. A multivariable metaregression analysis suggested that age, sex (male to female ratio), percentage of comorbidities, and follow-up attrition were significant sources of variance. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that, although patients with depression had worse disease severity both before and after surgery compared with patients without depression, they had significant potential for recovery in disability, pain, and physical function. Further investigations are needed to examine the association between spine-related disability and depression as well as the role of perioperative mental health treatments.
Asunto(s)
Depresión , Dolor , Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Depresión/epidemiología , Depresión/complicaciones , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos , Columna VertebralRESUMEN
Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) causes devastating loss of upper limb function and independence. Restoration of upper limb function can have a profound impact on independence and quality of life. In low-cervical SCI (level C5-C8), upper limb function can be restored via reinnervation strategies such as nerve transfer surgery. The translation of recovered upper limb motor function into functional independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), however, remains unknown in low cervical SCI (i.e., tetraplegia). The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of patterns in upper limb motor recovery with functional independence in ADLs. This will then inform prioritization of reinnervation strategies focused to maximize function in patients with tetraplegia. This retrospective study performed a secondary analysis of patients with low cervical (C5-C8) enrolled in the SCI Model Systems (SCIMS) database. Baseline neurological examinations and their association with functional independence in major ADLs-i.e., eating, bladder management, and transfers (bed/wheelchair/chair)-were evaluated. Motor functional recovery was defined as achieving motor strength, in modified research council (MRC) grade, of ≥ 3 /5 at one year from ≤ 2/5 at baseline. The association of motor function recovery with functional independence at one-year follow-up was compared in patients with recovered elbow flexion (C5), wrist extension (C6), elbow extension (C7), and finger flexion (C8). A multi-variable logistic regression analysis, adjusting for known factors influencing recovery after SCI, was performed to evaluate the impact of motor function at one year on a composite outcome of functional independence in major ADLs. Composite outcome was defined as functional independence measure score of 6 or higher (complete independence) in at least two domains among eating, bladder management, and transfers. Between 1992 and 2016, 1090 patients with low cervical SCI and complete neurological/functional measures were included. At baseline, 67% of patients had complete SCI and 33% had incomplete SCI. The majority of patients were dependent in eating, bladder management, and transfers. At one-year follow-up, the largest proportion of patients who recovered motor function in finger flexion (C8) and elbow extension (C7) gained independence in eating, bladder management, and transfers. In multi-variable analysis, patients who had recovered finger flexion (C8) or elbow extension (C7) had higher odds of gaining independence in a composite of major ADLs (odds ratio [OR] = 3.13 and OR = 2.87, respectively, p < 0.001). Age 60 years (OR = 0.44, p = 0.01), and complete SCI (OR = 0.43, p = 0.002) were associated with reduced odds of gaining independence in ADLs. After cervical SCI, finger flexion (C8) and elbow extension (C7) recovery translate into greater independence in eating, bladder management, and transfers. These results can be used to design individualized reinnervation plans to reanimate upper limb function and maximize independence in patients with low cervical SCI.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) has shown promise in evaluating cervical spinal cord structural changes in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). DBSI may also be valuable in the postoperative setting by serially tracking spinal cord microstructural changes following decompressive cervical spine surgery. Currently, there is a paucity of studies investigating this topic, likely because of challenges in resolving signal distortions from spinal instrumentation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of DBSI metrics extracted from the C3 spinal level to evaluate CSM patients postoperatively. METHODS: Fifty CSM patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in a single-center prospective study between 2018 and 2020. All patients and healthy controls underwent preoperative and postoperative diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) at a 2-year follow-up. All CSM patients underwent decompressive cervical surgery. The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score was used to categorize CSM patients as having mild, moderate, or severe myelopathy. DBSI metrics were extracted from the C3 spinal cord level to minimize image artifact and reduce partial volume effects. DBSI anisotropic tensors evaluated white matter tracts through fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and fiber fraction. DBSI isotropic tensors assessed extra-axonal pathology through restricted and nonrestricted fractions. RESULTS: Of the 50 CSM patients, both baseline and postoperative dMR images with sufficient quality for analysis were obtained in 27 patients. These included 15 patients with mild CSM (mJOA scores 15-17), 7 with moderate CSM (scores 12-14), and 5 with severe CSM (scores 0-11), who were followed up for a mean of 23.5 (SD 4.1, range 11-31) months. All preoperative C3-level DBSI measures were significantly different between CSM patients and healthy controls (p < 0.05), except DBSI fractional anisotropy (p = 0.31). At the 2-year follow-up, the same significance pattern was found between CSM patients and healthy controls, except DBSI radial diffusivity was no longer statistically significant (p = 0.75). When assessing change (i.e., postoperative - preoperative values) in C3-level DBSI measures, CSM patients exhibited significant decreases in DBSI radial diffusivity (p = 0.02), suggesting improvement in myelin integrity (i.e., remyelination) at the 2-year follow-up. Among healthy controls, there was no significant difference in DBSI metrics over time. CONCLUSIONS: DBSI metrics derived from dMRI at the C3 spinal level can be used to provide meaningful insights into representations of the spinal cord microstructure of CSM patients at baseline and 2-year follow-up. DBSI may have the potential to characterize white matter tract recovery and inform outcomes following decompressive cervical surgery for CSM.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de la Médula Espinal , Humanos , Estudios de Factibilidad , Estudios Prospectivos , Vértebras Cervicales/diagnóstico por imagen , Vértebras Cervicales/cirugíaRESUMEN
In 1934, Dr. John Robert Cobb moved to New York to serve as the Gibney Orthopedic Fellow at the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled, now known as the Hospital for Special Surgery. In this role, Cobb was faced with a unique task that would shape not only his personal career but also the fields of scoliosis and spine care: to design the first scoliosis specialty clinic. He critically reviewed the treatment methods for scoliosis outlined by prior pioneers in spine surgery and kept his own meticulous records of diagnoses, treatments, and radiographs. Cobb's work culminated in major contributions to spine surgery that are highly relevant to this day, including the Cobb angle and the Cobb elevator. In this detailed analysis of the career and academic legacy of Dr. John R. Cobb, the authors examine in detail the historical events surrounding Cobb's great contributions to spine surgery and their lasting impact on our specialty, as well as unique aspects of his personal life. This historical vignette constitutes the first comprehensive analysis of the life, career, and academic legacy of Dr. John R. Cobb, the man behind the angle.
Asunto(s)
Escoliosis , Masculino , Humanos , Escoliosis/diagnóstico por imagen , Escoliosis/cirugía , Columna Vertebral , RadiografíaRESUMEN
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Case-Series. OBJECTIVES: Due to heterogeneity in previous studies, the effect of MI-TLIF on postoperative segmental lordosis (SL) and lumbar lordosis (LL) remains unclear. Therefore, we aim to identify radiographic factors associated with lordosis after surgery in a homogenous series of MI-TLIF patients. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review identified consecutive patients who underwent single-level MI-TLIF for grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis from 2015-2020. All surgeries underwent unilateral facetectomies and a contralateral facet release with expandable interbody cages. PROs included the ODI and NRS-BP for low-back pain. Radiographic measures included SL, disc height, percent spondylolisthesis, cage positioning, LL, PI-LL mismatch, sacral-slope, and pelvic-tilt. Surgeries were considered "lordosing" if the change in postoperative SL was ≥ +4° and "kyphosing" if ≤ -4°. Predictors of change in SL/LL were evaluated using Pearson's correlation and multivariable regression. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients with an average follow-up of 22.5 (range 12-61) months were included. Patients experienced significant improvements in ODI (29% ± 22% improvement, P < .001) and NRS-BP (3.3 ± 3 point improvement, P < .001). There was a significant increase in mean SL (Δ3.43° ± 4.37°, P < .001) while LL (Δ0.17° ± 6.98°, P > .05) remained stable. Thirty-eight (52%) patients experienced lordosing MI-TLIFs, compared to 4 (5%) kyphosing and 31 (43%) neutral MI-TLIFs. A lower preoperative SL and more anterior cage placement were associated with the greatest improvement in SL (ß = -.45° P = .001, ß = 15.06° P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In our series, the majority of patients experienced lordosing or neutral MI-TLIFs (n = 69, 95%). Preoperative radiographic alignment and anterior cage placement were significantly associated with target SL following MI-TLIF.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: High cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in complete loss of upper-limb function, resulting in debilitating tetraplegia and permanent disability. Spontaneous motor recovery occurs to varying degrees in some patients, particularly in the 1st year postinjury. However, the impact of this upper-limb motor recovery on long-term functional outcomes remains unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize the impact of upper-limb motor recovery on the degree of long-term functional outcomes in order to inform priorities for research interventions that restore upper-limb function in patients with high cervical SCI. METHODS: A prospective cohort of high cervical SCI (C1-4) patients with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A-D injury and enrolled in the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Database was included. Baseline neurological examinations and functional independence measures (FIMs) in feeding, bladder management, and transfers (bed/wheelchair/chair) were evaluated. Independence was defined as score ≥ 4 in each of the FIM domains at 1-year follow-up. At 1-year follow-up, functional independence was compared among patients who gained recovery (motor grade ≥ 3) in elbow flexors (C5), wrist extensors (C6), elbow extensors (C7), and finger flexors (C8). Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the impact of motor recovery on functional independence in feeding, bladder management, and transfers. RESULTS: Between 1992 and 2016, 405 high cervical SCI patients were included. At baseline, 97% of patients had impaired upper-limb function with total dependence in eating, bladder management, and transfers. At 1 year of follow-up, the largest proportion of patients who gained independence in eating, bladder management, and transfers had recovery in finger flexion (C8) and wrist extension (C6). Elbow flexion (C5) recovery had the lowest translation to functional independence. Patients who achieved elbow extension (C7) were able to transfer independently. On multivariable analysis, patients who gained elbow extension (C7) and finger flexion (C8) were 11 times more likely to gain functional independence (OR 11, 95% CI 2.8-47, p < 0.001) and patients who gained wrist extension (C6) were 7 times more likely to gain functional independence (OR 7.1, 95% CI 1.2-56, p = 0.04). Older age (≥ 60 years) and motor complete SCI (AIS grade A-B) reduced the likelihood of gaining independence. CONCLUSIONS: After high cervical SCI, patients who gained elbow extension (C7) and finger flexion (C8) had significantly greater independence in feeding, bladder management, and transfers than those with recovery in elbow flexion (C5) and wrist extension (C6). Recovery of elbow extension (C7) also increased the capability for independent transfers. This information can be used to set patient expectations and prioritize interventions that restore these upper-limb functions in patients with high cervical SCI.
Asunto(s)
Médula Cervical , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal , Humanos , Estudios Prospectivos , Extremidad Superior , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/complicaciones , Cuadriplejía/complicaciones , Recuperación de la FunciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Most professional spine societies have enacted formal guidelines for spine surgeons providing expert witness services. However, there is significant heterogeneity in existing recommendations, with most societies providing information that is limited in detail and scope. OBJECTIVE: To provide a review of guidelines published by professional spine societies for spine surgeons serving as expert witnesses. METHODS: The Gale Directory Library, PubMed, and the grey literature were queried for national or international professional societies related to spine surgery. The search was focused on societies in the United States and North America, but also included well recognized international organizations in the field of spine surgery. Included societies with publicly available guidelines regarding expert witness services were extracted for 4 domains: (1) qualifications, (2) preparations, (3) testimony, and (4) compensation as well as the presence of a professional compliance program, defined as any official subcommittee aimed toward investigating claims of unethical behavior. RESULTS: Although most professional spine societies share general themes with respect to expert witness guidelines, important differences exist. Of the 26 societies included, 10 included publicly available guidelines: 4 of which were general neurosurgery societies, 2 general orthopedic surgery, and 4 spine specific. Three societies included the guidelines on all 4 domains (ie, qualifications, preparations, testimony, and compensation), and 2 societies included only 1 of the 4 domains. Eight societies possess a professional compliance program. CONCLUSION: There remains a paucity in expert witness guidelines provided by professional spine societies. Although existing recommendations are useful, there is a lack of standardized and comprehensive materials for spine surgeons providing expert witness testimony to reference. Moving forward, joint committees comprising surgeons, attorneys, and patient stakeholders may help improve the guidelines.
Asunto(s)
Testimonio de Experto , Mala Praxis , Humanos , América del Norte , Sociedades Médicas , Estados Unidos , Guías como AsuntoRESUMEN
Blast-related traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is a significant cause of wartime morbidity and mortality. In recent decades, thermobaric explosives have emerged as particularly devastating weapons associated with bTBI. With recent documentation of the use of these weapons in the war in Ukraine, clinicians and laypersons alike could benefit from an improved understanding behind the dynamic interplay between explosive weaponry, its potential for bTBI, and the subsequent long-term consequences of these injuries. Therefore, we provide a general overview of the history and mechanism of action of thermobaric weapons and their potential to cause bTBI. In addition, we highlight the long-term cognitive and neuropsychiatric sequelae following bTBI and discuss diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation strategies, with the aim of helping to guide mitigation strategies and humanitarian relief in Ukraine. Thermobaric weapons produce a powerful blast wave capable of causing bTBIs, which can be further classified from primary to quaternary injuries. When modeling the hypothetical use of thermobaric weapons in Odessa, Ukraine, we estimate that the detonation of a salvo of thermobaric rockets has the potential to affect approximately 272 persons with bTBIs. In addition to the short-term damage, patients with bTBIs can present with long-term symptoms (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder), which incur substantial financial costs and social consequences. Although these results are jarring, history has seen radical advancements in the understanding, diagnosis, and management of bTBI. Moving forward, a better understanding of the mechanism and long-term sequelae of bTBIs could help guide humanitarian relief to those affected by the war in Ukraine.
Asunto(s)
Traumatismos por Explosión , Lesiones Traumáticas del Encéfalo , Lesiones Encefálicas , Sustancias Explosivas , Humanos , Lesiones Encefálicas/etiología , Sustancias Explosivas/efectos adversos , Ucrania/epidemiología , Traumatismos por Explosión/terapia , Traumatismos por Explosión/complicaciones , Lesiones Traumáticas del Encéfalo/epidemiología , Lesiones Traumáticas del Encéfalo/etiología , Lesiones Traumáticas del Encéfalo/terapiaRESUMEN
On the morning of July 11, 1804, Major General Alexander Hamilton, an American statesman and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, boarded a barge from Manhattan to the New Jersey shore. There, he met his personal and political opponent, Aaron Burr, for a duel during which Burr shot a bullet that entered Hamilton's torso, fractured a false rib, passed through internal organs, and lodged itself in one of his upper lumbar vertebrae. In this unique historical analysis of a pivotal event in American history, we provide a comprehensive discussion of the spinal injuries sustained by Alexander Hamilton, with special consideration of anatomic details and the ballistics of the time. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first thorough examination of the spinal injuries sustained by the prolific Founding Father and great mind behind the American financial system, Alexander Hamilton.