SPINE20 Recommendations 2024 -Spinal Disability: Social Inclusion as a Key to Prevention and Management.

Spine disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. To promote social inclusion, it is essential to ensure that people can participate in their societies by improving their ability, opportunities, and dignity, through access to high-quality, evidence-based, and affordable spine services for all.To achieve this goal, SPINE20 recommends six actions.- SPINE20 recommends that G20 countries deliver evidence-based education to the community health workers and primary care clinicians to promote best practice for spine health, especially in underserved communities.- SPINE20 recommends that G20 countries deliver evidence-based, high-quality, cost-effective spine care interventions that are accessible, affordable and beneficial to patients.- SPINE20 recommends that G20 countries invest in Health Policy and System Research (HPSR) to generate evidence to develop and implement policies aimed at integrating rehabilitation in primary care to improve spine health.- SPINE20 recommends that G20 countries support ongoing research initiatives on digital technologies including artificial intelligence, regulate digital technologies, and promote evidence-based, ethical digital solutions in all aspects of spine care, to enrich patient care with high value and quality.- SPINE20 recommends that G20 countries prioritize social inclusion by promoting equitable access to comprehensive spine care through collaborations with healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations.- SPINE20 recommends that G20 countries prioritize spine health to improve the well-being and productivity of their populations. Government health systems are expected to create a healthier, more productive, and equitable society for all through collaborative efforts and sustained investment in evidence-based care and promotion of spine health.

Streamlining the Journey of Research Into Clinical Practice: Making Your Patients and Practice Flourish Optimizing Management and Minimizing Risk of Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures - Perspectives of the AO Spine KF Trauma and Infection Group Key Opinion Leaders.

STUDY DESIGN: Literature review with clinical recommendations. OBJECTIVE: To highlight important studies about osteoporotic spinal fractures (OF) that may be integrated into clinical practice based on the assessment of the AO Spine KF Trauma and Infection group key opinion leaders. METHODS: 4 important studies about OF that may affect current clinical practice of spinal surgeons were selected and reviewed with the aim of providing clinical recommendations to streamline the journey of research into clinical practice. Recommendations were graded as strong or conditional following the GRADE methodology. RESULTS: 4 studies were selected. Article 1: a validation of the Osteoporotic Fracture (OF)-score to treat OF fractures. Conditional recommendation to incorporate the OF score in the management of fractures to improve clinical results. Article 2: a randomized multicenter study comparing romosozumab/alendronate vs alendronate to decrease the incidence of new vertebral fractures. Strong recommendation that the group receiving romosozumab/alendronate had a decreased risk of new OF when compared with the alendronate only group only. Article 3: a systematic literature review of spinal orthoses in the management of. Conditional recommendation to prescribe a spinal orthosis to decrease pain and improve quality of life. Article 4: post-traumatic deformity after OF. A conditional recommendation that middle column injury and pre-injury use of steroids may lead to high risk of post-traumatic deformity after OF. CONCLUSIONS: Management of patients with OF is still complex and challenging. This review provides some recommendations that may help surgeons to better manage these patients and improve their clinical practice.

Predicting early complications in patients with spinal gunshot wounds: A multicenter study.

Introduction: There is a wide variation in the clinical presentation of spinal gunshot wounds ranging from isolated minor stable fractures to extremely severe injuries with catastrophic neurological damage. Research question: we aim to analyze the risk factors for early complications and impact of surgical treatment in patients with spinal gunshot wounds. Material and methods: This is a multicentre retrospective case-control study to compare patients with spinal gunshot wounds who had early complications with those who did not. The following matching criteria were used: sex (1:1), injury level (1:1) and age (±5 years). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. Results: Results: Among 387 patients, 36.9 % registered early complications, being persistent pain (n = 32; 15 %), sepsis/septic shock (n = 28; 13 %), pneumonia (n = 27; 13 %) and neurogenic bladder (n = 27; 12 %) the most frequently reported. After case-control matched analysis, we obtained 133 patients who suffered early complications (cases) and 133 patients who did not as control group, not differing significantly in sex (p = 1000), age (p = 0,535) and injury level (p = 1000), while the 35 % of complications group required surgical treatment versus 15 % of the non-complication group (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, significant predictors of complications were surgical treatment for spinal injury (OR = 3.50, 95 % CI = 1.68-7.30), dirty wound (3.32, 1.50-7.34), GCS ≤8 (3.56, 1.17-10.79), hemodynamic instability (2.29, 1.07-4.88), and multiple bullets (1.97, 1.05-3.67). Discussion and conclusion: Spinal gunshot wounds are associated with a high risk of early complications, especially when spinal surgery is required, and among patients with dirty wound, low level of consciousness, hemodynamic instability, and multiple bullets.

Treatment of unilateral cervical facet fractures without evidence of dislocation or subluxation: a narrative review and proposed treatment algorithm.

Isolated cervical spine facet fractures are often overlooked. The primary imaging modality for diagnosing these injuries is a computed tomography scan. Treatment of unilateral cervical facet fractures without evidence of dislocation or subluxation remains controversial. The available evidence regarding treatment options for these fractures is of low quality. Risk factors associated with the failure of nonoperative treatment are: comminution of the articular mass or facet joint, acute radiculopathy, high body mass index, listhesis exceeding 2 mm, fragmental diastasis, acute disc injury, and bilateral fractures or fractures that adversely affect 40% of the intact lateral mass height or have an absolute height of 1 cm.

International and Multicenter Prospective Controlled Study of Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery.

BACKGROUND: In the context of anterior approach to the cervical spine, dysphagia is a common complication and still without a clear distinction of risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors of dysphagia after cervical spine surgery. METHODS: Multicenter prospective study evaluated patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery for degenerative pathologies, studying surgical, anesthesia, base disease, and radiological variables (preoperatively, 24 hours, 1 and 3 weeks, and 6 months after surgery), with control group matched. Postoperative dysphagia was assessed by Swallowing Satisfaction Index and Swallowing Questionnaire; besides, based on multiple logistic regression model, a risk factor analysis correlation was applied. RESULTS: In total, 233 cervical patients were evaluated; most common level approached was C5-C6 (71.8%). All showed same decreasing trade for dysphagia incidence-with more cases on cervical group ( P < .05); severe cases were rare. At postoperative day 1, identified risk factors were approach to C3-C4 (4.11, P < .01), loss of preoperative cervical lordosis (2.26, P < .01), intubation attempts ≥2 (3.10, P < .01), and left side approach (1.85, P = .02); at day 7, body mass index ≥30 (2.29, P = .02), C3-C4 (3.42, P < .01), and length of surgery ≥90 minutes (2.97, P = .005); and at day 21, C3-C4 were kept as a risk factor (3.62, P < .01). CONCLUSION: A high incidence level of dysphagia was identified, having a clear decreasing trending (number of cases and severity) through postoperative time points; considering possible risk factors, strongest correlation was the approach at the C3-C4 level-statistically significant at the 24 hours, 7 days, and 21 days assessment.

Unplanned Readmission Following Early Postoperative Complications After Fusion Surgery in Adult Spine Deformity: A Multicentric Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Multicentric retrospective study, Level of evidence III. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this multicentric study was to analyze the prevalence and risk factors of early postoperative complications in adult spinal deformity patients treated with fusion. Additionally, we studied the impact of complications on unplanned readmission and hospital length of stay. METHODS: Eight spine centers from 6 countries in Latin America were involved in this study. Patients with adult spinal deformity treated with fusion surgery from 2017 to 2019 were included. Baseline and surgical characteristics such as age, sex, comorbidities, smoking, number of levels fused, number of surgical approaches were analyzed. Postoperative complications at 30 days were recorded according to Clavien-Dindo and Glassman classifications. RESULTS: 172 patients (120 females/52 males, mean age 59.4 ± 17.6) were included in our study. 78 patients suffered complications (45%) at 30 days, 43% of these complications were considered major. Unplanned readmission was observed in 35 patients (20,3%). Risk factors for complications were: Smoking, previous comorbidities, number of levels fused, two or more surgical approaches and excessive bleeding. Hospital length of stay in patients without and with complications was of 7.8 ± 13.7 and 17 ± 31.1 days, respectively (P 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of early postoperative complications in adult spinal deformity patients treated with fusion was of 45% in our study with 20% of unplanned readmissions at 30 days. Presence of complications significantly increased hospital length of stay.

CT Scan in Subaxial Cervical Facet Injury: Is It Enough for Decision-Making?

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. OBJECTIVES: Assessment of subaxial cervical facet injuries using the AO Spine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System is based on CT scan findings. However, additional radiological evaluations are not directly considered. The aim of this study is to determine situations in which spine surgeons request additional radiological exams after a facet fracture. METHODS: A survey was sent to AO Spine members from Latin America. The evaluation considered demographic variables, routine use of the Classification, as well as the timepoint at which surgeons requested a cervical MRI, a vascular study, and/ or dynamic radiographs before treatment of facet fractures. RESULTS: There was 229 participants, mean age 42.9 ± 10.2 years; 93.4% were men. Orthopedic surgeons 57.6% with 10.7 ± 8.7 years of experience in spine surgery. A total of 86% used the Classification in daily practice. An additional study (MRI/vascular study/and dynamic radiographs) was requested in 53.3%/9.6%/43.7% in F1 facet injuries; 76.0%/20.1%/50.2% in F2; 89.1%/65.1%/28.4% in F3; and 94.8%/66.4%/16.6% in F4. An additional study was frequently required: F1 72.5%, F2 86.9%, F3 94.7%, and F4 96.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Spine surgeons generally requested additional radiological evaluations in facet injuries, and MRI was the most common. Dynamic radiographs had a higher prevalence for F1/F2 fractures; vascular studies were more common for F3/F4 especially among surgeons with fewer years of experience. Private hospitals had a lower spine trauma cases/year and requested more MRI and more dynamic radiographs in F1/F2. Neurosurgeons had more vascular studies and dynamic radiographs than orthopedic surgeons in all facet fractures.

[Degenerative cervical myelopathy]. / Mielopatía cervical degenerativa: una patología cada vez más frecuente y que requiere diagnóstico y manejo precoz.

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in adults. Its prevalence is increasing as a result of population aging. The diagnosis of DCM is often delayed or overlooked, resulting in secondary neurologic morbidity. The natural course of DCM typically presents as a gradual neurological deterioration, with symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to complete paralysis, with variable degrees of sensory deficits and sphincter dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrophysiological studies allow the assessment of spinal cord function and its structural damage to determine treatment and clinical outcomes. All patients with signs and symptoms consistent with DCM should be referred to a spine surgeon for assessment and tailored treatment. Those patients with mild DCM can be managed non-operatively but require close monitoring and education about potentially alarming signs and symptoms. Surgery is not currently recommended for asymptomatic patients with evidence of spinal cord compression or cervical spinal stenosis on MRI, but they require a structured follow-up. Patients with moderate or severe DCM require surgical decompression to avoid further progression. The objective of this review is to raise awareness of degenerative cervical myelopathy and its increasing prevalence as well as to aid non-surgical healthcare workers for a timely diagnosis and management of this disabling condition.

Unstable Thoracolumbar Injuries: Factors Affecting the Decision for Short-Segment vs Long-Segment Posterior Fixation.

BACKGROUND: Factors influencing the length of spinal instrumentation have been mostly evaluated in burst fractures, receiving more attention than other unstable thoracolumbar injuries. We aimed to evaluate clinical factors affecting surgical decision-making and associated complications. METHODS: This was a multicentric retrospective cohort study. Outcomes of patients with AO Spine injury classification types B2, B3, and C operated through an open posterior-only approach were analyzed. Length of instrumentation was correlated with age, type of injury, comorbidities, level of injury, neurological status, and complications. RESULTS: Among 439 patients, 30.3% underwent short-segment fixation (SSF) and 69.7% underwent long-segment fixation (LSF). Type C injuries were treated with LSF in 89.4% of cases (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, age ≤39 years (OR: 2.06), AO spine type B2 (OR: 3.58), and type B3 (OR: 7.48) were statistically significant predictors for SSF, while hypertension (OR: 4.07), upper thoracic injury (OR: 9.48), midthoracic injury (OR: 6.06), and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A (OR: 3.14) were significantly associated with LSF. Patients with SSF had fewer overall complications (27.1% vs 50.9%, P < 0.001) and were less likely to develop pneumonia (6.0% vs 18.3%, P < 0.001) and urinary tract infections (6.8% vs 16.3%, P < 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Unstable thoracolumbar injuries were mostly treated by LSF. Length of instrumentation was affected by the type of spinal injury, location of the injury, and neurological status. SSF was associated with lower rates of early complications than LSF. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The decision on the length of fixation in the surgical treatment of unstable thoracolumbar injuries is affected by different factors, and it will impact the rate of postoperative complications.

Granuloma eosinofílico cervical en el adolescente: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Cervical eosinophilic granuloma in adolescents: case report and literature review

INTRODUCCIÓN El granuloma eosinofílico (GE) es una patología infrecuente, sobre todo en adultos, que puede afectar la columna cervical. A pesar de la vasta literatura, esta enfermedad afecta principalmente a la población infantil, y no hay un consenso sobre el manejo en adultos. Con el objetivo de aportar conocimiento respecto a esta patología poco frecuente, se presenta un caso clínico de GE cervical en un paciente de 16 años, a quien se trató de manera conservadora, con buenos resultados y retorno completo a sus actividades. CASO CLÍNICO Un hombre de 16 años, seleccionado de rugby, consultó por dolor cervical axial persistente y nocturno de 6 semanas de evolución, sin trauma evidente. Al examen, destacó dolor a la compresión axial sin compromiso neurológico asociado. Los exámenes de tomografía computarizada (TC) y resonancia magnética (RM) revelaron lesión lítica en el cuerpo de C3 de características agresivas, de presentación monostótica en tomografía por emisión de positrones-tomografía computada (TEP-TC) compatible con tumor primario vertebral. Se decidió realizar biopsia percutánea bajo TC, para definir el diagnóstico y manejo adecuado, la cual fue compatible con células de Langerhans. Al no presentar clínica ni imagenología de inestabilidad ósea evidente o compromiso neurológico, se manejó con tratamiento conservador, inmovilización cervical, analgesia oral, y seguimiento estrecho. A los cuatro meses de evolución, se presentó con una TC con cambios reparativos del cuerpo vertebral y sin dolor, y logró retomar sus actividad habituales. CONCLUSIONES El diagnóstico de GE es infrecuente a esta edad, y se debe plantear entre diagnósticos diferenciales de lesiones líticas agresivas primarias vertebrales. Es necesario el uso de imágenes, y la biopsia vertebral es fundamental para confirmar el diagnóstico. Su manejo va a depender de la sintomatología, del compromiso de estructuras vecinas, y de la estabilidad de la vértebra afectada. El manejo conservador con seguimiento clínico e imagenológico es una opción viable.

INTRODUCTION Eosinophilic granuloma (EG) is a rare, tumor-like lesion, infrequently affecting the cervical spine, particularly in adults. Although vastly described in literature, this pathology mainly affects children, and there is still no consensus on its treatment in older patients. With the goal of contributing to increase the knowledge regarding this infrequent pathology, we present a case of a C3 eosinophilic granuloma in a 16-year-old patient, who was treated conservatively, with good results, including complete return to his previous activities. CLINICAL CASE a 16-year-old male, elite rugby player, presented with a history of persistent neck pain, mainly at night, with no previous trauma. Upon physical examination, he reported neck pain with axial compression of the head, without neurological impairment. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed an aggressive lytic lesion in the C3 vertebral body, a with monostotic presentation on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) compatible with a primary spine tumor. A CT-guided percutaneous biopsy was obtained to establish the diagnosis and provide the proper management. The results were compatible with Langerhans cells. As he presented no symptoms or imaging findings of evident bone instability, as well as no neurological impairment, the patient was treated conservatively, with a cervical brace, oral pain medication and close followup. A CT obtained after four months of treatment showed reparative changes of the C3 vertebral body; at this point, the patient reported no neck pain, so he was able to return to his previous activities. CONCLUSIONS Although an EG is rare at this age, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of primary vertebral aggressive lytic lesions. Imaging and a vertebral biopsy are paramount to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment modality depends on the symptoms, the involvement of adjacent structures, and the stability of the affected vertebra. Conservative management including clinical and imaging followup is a viable option.

Espondilodiscitis por haemophilus parainfluenzae: un reporte de caso / Spondylodiscitis due to haemophilus parainfluenzae: a case report

INTRODUCCIÓN Haemophilus parainfluenzae (HP) es un cocobacilo gram negativo y un patógeno oportunista. Rara vez se asocia a infecciones vertebrales o musculoesqueléticas, y está muy poco reportado en la literatura. PRESENTACIÓN DELO CASO Una mujer de 45 años, sana, que presentaba un historial de dos semanas de lumbalgia progresiva, fiebre, coriza y congestión nasal, y que tenía discitis intervertebral causada por HP, confirmada por dos hemocultivos positivos y hallazgos progresivos de resonancia magnética (RM) de columna lumbar. Los hallazgos de la RM fueron atípicos, y consistían en un absceso del psoas y pequeñas colecciones de líquido epidural e intraespinal anterior asociadas con espondilodiscitis. El diagnóstico inicial se retrasó debido a que la RM inicial no reveló hallazgos que sugirieran un proceso infeccioso. El tratamiento consistió en un ciclo prolongado de administración intravenosa seguida de antibióticos orales, lo que finalmente produjo una buena respuesta clínica. DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIÓN El HP es un patógeno muy raro en la espondilodiscitis. No obstante, debe tenerse en cuenta, especialmente en pacientes que presentan lumbalgia y fiebre y/o bacteriemia por microorganismos gram negativos. El estudio inicial debe incluir una RM de la columna con contraste. Aunque es poco común, la espondilodiscitis y un absceso del psoas pueden presentarse concomitantemente. Los antibióticos prolongados son el pilar del tratamiento.

INTRODUCTION Haemophilus parainfluenzae (HP) is a gram-negative coccobacillus and an opportunistic pathogen. It is rarely associated with spinal- and musculoskeletal-site infections, and very little reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION An otherwise healthy, 45-year-old woman who presented with a two-week history of progressive low back pain, fever, coryza and nasal congestion, was found to have intervertebral discitis caused by HP, confirmed by two positive blood cultures and progressive lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The MRI findings were atypical, consisting of a psoas abscess and small anterior epidural and intraspinal fluid collections associated with spondylodiscitis. The initial diagnosis was delayed because the initial MRI failed to reveal findings suggestive of an infectious process. The treatment consisted of a long course of intravenous followed by oral antibiotics, ultimately yielding a good clinical response. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Haemophilus parainfluenzae is a very rare pathogen in spondylodiscitis. Nonetheless, it should be considered, especially in patients presenting with low back pain and fever and/or gram negative bacteremia. The initial work-up should include contrast-enhanced MRI of the spine. Although rare, spondylodiscitis and a psoas abscess can present concomitantly. Prolonged antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment.

Traumatic cervical spine injury due to pole dance accident: A potentially catastrophic unreported injury with a happy ending. Case report and literature review.

Background: Pole dancing is a sport that has become very popular. However, there is scarce literature on injuries associated with this sport. Here, we present a 23-year-old female who sustained a traumatic C4-C5 vertex cervical spine injury caused by a fall of 1 m while practicing pole dancing in an inverted position, requiring a 360 decompression/fusion. Case Description: A 23-year-old female sustained a 1 m fall in an inverted position while pole dancing resulting in a direct axial impact to the head. She developed the rapid onset of quadriparesis that was attributed to the emergent CT/MR-documented cervical flexodisruptive luxofracture (AOSpine C4-C5 fracture: C, F4 unilateral, N3, M2). Four hours post injury, she underwent a C4-C5 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Four days later, a posterior fusion was performed to add to the stabilization. Six years later, the patient remains neurologically intact. Conclusion: Pole dance is an emerging sport which carries a risk of cervical spine injury.

Mielopatía cervical degenerativa: una patología cada vez más frecuente y que requiere diagnóstico y manejo precoz / Degenerative cervical myelopathy

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in adults. Its prevalence is increasing as a result of population aging. The diagnosis of DCM is often delayed or overlooked, resulting in secondary neurologic morbidity. The natural course of DCM typically presents as a gradual neurological deterioration, with symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to complete paralysis, with variable degrees of sensory deficits and sphincter dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrophysiological studies allow the assessment of spinal cord function and its structural damage to determine treatment and clinical outcomes. All patients with signs and symptoms consistent with DCM should be referred to a spine surgeon for assessment and tailored treatment. Those patients with mild DCM can be managed non-operatively but require close monitoring and education about potentially alarming signs and symptoms. Surgery is not currently recommended for asymptomatic patients with evidence of spinal cord compression or cervical spinal stenosis on MRI, but they require a structured follow-up. Patients with moderate or severe DCM require surgical decompression to avoid further progression. The objective of this review is to raise awareness of degenerative cervical myelopathy and its increasing prevalence as well as to aid non-surgical healthcare workers for a timely diagnosis and management of this disabling condition.

An analytical review of contributory factors in intervertebral disc degeneration / Revisão analítica dos fatores contribuintes para degeneração de disco intervertebral / Revisión analítica de los factores que contribuyen a la degeneración del disco intervertebral

ABSTRACT Objective: To summarize current trends in the pathogenesis and management of disc degeneration and suggest areas where more research would be of benefit. Methods: The available literature relevant to Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) was reviewed. PubMed, MEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases were used to review the literature. Institutional Review Board approval was not applicable for this study. Results: This article summarizes trends in the pathogenesis and factors associated with disc degeneration. Conclusions: The genetic contribution to lumbar disc degeneration is a newer concept, still being researched in different populations around the world. Investigators have demonstrated a familial predisposition in the etiology of lumbar disc degeneration. The effect sizes of most genetic variants are small and, thus, individual gene-environment studies must have very large sample sizes to provide compelling evidence of any interaction. Level of evidence; Narrative review of available literature.

RESUMO Objetivo: Resumir as tendências atuais da patogênese e do tratamento da degeneração do disco e sugerir quais áreas de pesquisa seriam benéficas. Métodos: A literatura disponível relevante para degeneração do disco lombar foi revisada. Os bancos de dados PubMed, MEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, Cochrane e Google Scholar foram usados para revisar a literatura. A aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa não se aplica a este estudo. Resultados: Este artigo resume as tendências da patogênese e os fatores associados à degeneração do disco. Conclusões: A contribuição genética para a degeneração do disco lombar é um conceito mais recente, que ainda é pesquisado em diferentes populações ao redor do mundo. Os investigadores demonstraram uma predisposição familiar na etiologia da degeneração de disco lombar. Os tamanhos de efeito da maioria das variantes genéticas são pequenos e, portanto, os estudos individuais de ambiente genético devem ter tamanhos de amostra suficientemente grandes para fornecer evidências convincentes de qualquer interação. Nível de evidência; Revisão narrativa da literatura.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Resumir las tendencias actuales de la patogénesis y del tratamiento de la degeneración discal y sugerir qué áreas de investigación serían beneficiosas. Métodos: Se revisó al literatura dispobible sobre degeneración discal. Se utilizaron las bases de datos PubMed, MEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, Cochrane y Google Scholar para revisar la literatura. La aprobación del Comité de Ética en Investigación no se aplica a este estudio. Resultados: Este artículo resume las tendencias de la patogénesis y los factores asociados a la degeneración discal. Conclusiones: La contribución genética a la degeneración del disco lumbar es un concepto reciente, que todavía se encuentra en estudio en diferentes poblaciones de todo el mundo. Los investigadores han demostrado una predisposición familiar en la etiología de la degeneración del disco lumbar. Los tamaños de efectos de la mayoría de las variantes genéticas son pequeños y, por lo tanto, los estudios individuales del entorno genético deben disponer de tamaños de muestra lo suficientemente grandes como para proporcionar pruebas convincentes de cualquier interacción. Nivel de evidencia; Revisión narrativa de la literatura.

Management of lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy: Results of an Iberian-Latin American survey.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH)/radiculopathy is the most frequent cause of lost workdays in people under 50 years of age. Although there is consensus about how to assess these patients, the optimal management strategy is still debated. METHODS: An online survey was sent to spine surgeons who are members of the Iberian-Latin American Spine Society to assess how they treat LDH with radiculopathy. RESULTS: There were 718 surgeons who answered the survey; 66% reported that 76-100% of their monthly clinic work was due to spine issues. The most frequently used conservative treatment modalities included non-opioid analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (90.5%), followed by physical therapy (55.2%) and pregabalin (41.4%). Notably, 40% of surgeons in the public sector believed that conservative treatment failed if symptoms persisted beyond 6-12 weeks, while 39% of private surgeons deemed conservative management insufficient if it had failed to provide symptomatic relief with 3-6 weeks. Of interest, 78% utilized epidural steroid injections (ESI); 51.7% preferred the transforaminal, 27.2% the interlaminar, and 7.5% the caudal approaches. The most frequent indications for surgery included: cauda equina syndrome, progressive neurological deficits, and intractable pain. Traditional microdiscectomy was the most common technique (68.5%) utilized, followed by 7.5% advocating endoscopic disc resection, and just 6.4% favoring the tubular discectomy. CONCLUSION: There is considerable heterogeneity among Iberian and Latin American spine surgeons in the treatment of LDH/radiculopathy. Although most begin with the utilization of NSAIDs and non-opioid analgesics, followed by ESI (88%), surgery was recommended for persistent symptoms/signs for those failing between 3 and 6 weeks (private sector) versus 6-12 weeks (public sector) of conservative therapy.

Manejo actual de las metástasis vertebrales: un trabajo en equipo / Current management of vertebral metastases: teamwork

La enfermedad metastásica vertebral es frecuente en los pacientes con cáncer avanzado, y conlleva a complicaciones inherentes a su progresión, como lo son la fractura patológica vertebral y la compresión neural metastásica. Se realizó una revisión de los aspectos terapéuticos actuales del manejo de la progresión y de las complicaciones de la enfermedad metastásica vertebral, enfatizando su enfrentamiento sistémico y personalizado. Nuestro objetivo principal es proporcionar información sobre el tratamiento actual de esta afección y la utilidad del manejo sistémico y multidisciplinario.

Metastatic spinal disease is common in patients with advanced cancer, and leads to complications inherent in its progression, such as pathological vertebral fracture and metastatic neural compression. A review of the current therapeutic aspects regarding the progression and complications of metastatic spinal disease was performed, highlighting its systemic, personalized approach. Our aim is to provide information about the current treatment of this condition and the usefulness of its systemic and multidisciplinary management.

Minimally Invasive Versus Open Surgery for the Treatment of Types B and C Thoracolumbar Injuries: A PRISMA Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic and lumbar spine injuries may require surgical management, particularly AO Spine types B and C injuries. Open reduction and fixation using pedicle screws, with or without fusion and/or decompression, is the gold standard surgical treatment for unstable injuries. Recent advances in instrumentation design have resulted in less-invasive surgeries. However, the literature is sparse about the effectiveness of these procedures for types B and C injuries. The objective is to compare the outcomes of conventional open surgery versus minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) for the treatment of AO Spine types B and C thoracolumbar injuries. METHODS: A systematic review of published literature in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus was performed to identify studies comparing outcomes achieved with open versus minimally invasive surgery in AO Spine types B and C thoracolumbar injury patients. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used. RESULTS: Five retrospective case-control studies and 3 prospective studies met selection criteria. In general, most of the studies demonstrated that minimally invasive spine surgery is feasible for types B and C injuries, and associated with potential advantages like reduced blood loss, postoperative pain, and muscle injury, and shorter hospital stays. However, no differences were detected in major outcomes, like neurological status or disability. CONCLUSIONS: Published literature currently suggests that minimally invasive spine surgery is a valid alternative for treating types B and C thoracolumbar injuries. However, further comparative prospective randomized clinical trials are necessary to establish the superiority of one approach over the other. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Pathological axis fracture secondary to a solitary bone plasmacytoma: Two cases and a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Solitay bone plasmocytoma (SBP) account for just 5-10% of all plasma cell neoplasms. They are infrequent in the cervical spine, especially involving the C0-C2 segment. In this article we conducted a literature review and present the diagnosis, management and long term course of two patients with SBP of C2 causing cervical instability. METHODS: We assessed the clinical records of two patients with SBP in C2 and cervical instability attributed to SP-B involving C2. Both patients presented with progressive, severe cervicalgia, and the "sensation" of skull instability. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extensive, infiltrative lesion involving C2 vertebral body and lateral masses, consistent with a plasmacytoma. RESULTS: Both patients underwent emergency posterior surgical stabilization with craniocervical fixation; this was accompanied by a C2 transpedicular biopsy. Postoperatively, patients exhibited no focal neurological deficits and rapidly became pain free. They additional recieved 25 sessions of local conventional radiation therapy. Both patients are doing well as respective 2 and 7-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although rare, unstable SBP may present atypical cervical location that readily responds to surgical descompression/fusion and radiotherapy.

Accuracy and reliability of the AO Spine subaxial cervical spine classification system grading subaxial cervical facet injury morphology.

PURPOSE: A classification system was recently developed by the international association AO Spine for assessing subaxial cervical spine fractures. Significant variability exists between users of the facet component, which consists of four morphological types (F1-F4). The primary aims of this study were to assess the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of this new system's facet injury morphological classifications. METHODS: A survey consisting of 16 computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with cervical facet fractures was distributed to spine surgeon members of AO Spine Latin America. To provide a gold standard diagnosis for comparison, all 16 injuries had been classified previously by six co-authors and only were included after total consensus was achieved. Demographic and surgical practice characteristics of all respondents were analyzed, and diagnostic accuracy calculated. Inter- and intra-observer agreement rates were calculated across two survey rounds, conducted one month apart. RESULTS: A total of 135 surgeons completed both surveys, among whom the mean age was 41.6 years (range 26-71), 130 (96.3%) were men, and 83 (61.5%) were orthopedic surgeons. The mean time in practice as a spine surgeon was 9.7 years (1-30). The overall diagnostic accuracy of all responses was 65.4%. Inter-observer and intra-observer agreement rates for F1/F2/F3/F4 were 55.4%/47.6%/64.0%/94.7% and 60.0%/49.1%/58.0%/93.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study evaluates the AO Spine Classification System specifically for facet injuries involving the subaxial cervical spine in a large sample of spine surgeons. There was significant variability in diagnostic accuracy for F1 through F3-type fractures, whereas almost universal agreement was achieved for F4-type injuries.