Surgical Management of Thoracolumbar Adjacent Segment Disease: Techniques and Outcomes in 107 Patients Undergoing Surgical Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a known sequela of thoracolumbar instrumented fusions. Various surgical options are available to address ASD in patients with intractable symptoms who have failed conservative measures. However, the optimal treatment strategy for symptomatic ASD has not been established. We examined several clinical outcomes utilizing different surgical interventions for symptomatic ASD. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for a consecutive series of patients undergoing revision surgery for thoracolumbar ASD between October 2011 and February 2022. Patients were treated with endoscopic decompression (N = 17), microdiscectomy (N = 9), lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF; N = 26), or open laminectomy and fusion (LF; N = 55). The primary outcomes compared between groups were re-operation rates and numeric pain scores for leg and back at 2 weeks, 10 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postoperation. Secondary outcomes included time to re-operation, estimated blood loss, and length of stay. RESULTS: Of the 257 patients who underwent revision surgery for symptomatic ASD, 107 patients met inclusion criteria with a minimum of 1-year follow-up. The mean age of all patients was 67.90 ± 10.51 years. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in age, gender, preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists scoring, number of previously fused levels, or preoperative numeric leg and back pain scores. The re-operation rates were significantly lower in LF (12.7%) and LLIF cohorts (19.2%) compared with microdiscectomy (33%) and endoscopic decompression (52.9%; P = 0.005). Only LF and LLIF cohorts experienced significantly decreased pain scores at all 4 follow-up visits (2 weeks, 10 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months; P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) relative to preoperative scores. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic ASD often requires treatment with revision surgery. Fusion surgeries (either stand-alone lateral interbody or posterolateral with instrumentation) were most effective and durable with respect to alleviating pain and avoiding additional revisions within the first 12 months following revision surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study emphasizes the importance of risk-stratifying patients to identify the least invasive approach that treats their symptoms and reduces the risk of future surgeries.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with cervical spine fusion at high volume hospitals.

BACKGROUND: High volume (HV) has been associated with improved outcomes in various neurosurgical procedures. The objective of this study was to explore the regional distribution of HV spine centers for cervical spine fusion, and compare characteristics and outcomes or patients treated at HV centers versus lower volume centers. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2016-2020 was queried for patients undergoing cervical spine fusion for degenerative pathology. High volume (HV) was defined as case-loads greater than two standard deviations above the mean. Patient characteristics, procedures, and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Of 3,895 hospitals performing cervical spine fusion, 28 (0.76%) were HV. The Mid-Atlantic and West South Central region had the highest number of HV hospitals. HV hospitals were more likely to perform open anterior fusion surgeries (p < 0.01). Patients treated at HV hospitals were less likely to have severe symptomatology or comorbidities (p < 0.01 for all). When controlling for severity and demographics on multivariate analysis, HV centers had higher odds of length of stay ≤ 1 day, favorable discharge, and decreased total charges. CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent cervical spine fusion surgery at high-volume hospitals were less complex and had increased odds of LOS ≤ 1, favorable discharge, and total charges in the lower 25th percentile than patients treated at non high-volume hospitals. Physician comfort, patient selection, institutional infrastructure, and geographic characteristics likely play a role.

Surgical resection of an intradural extramedullary spinal tumor.

Large ventrally located spinal meningiomas are typically resected via a posterolateral or lateral approach. Optimal outcomes are associated with good preoperative functional status (i.e., modified McCormick grade < 4), while recurrence rates may be predicted by degree and quality of resection (i.e., low Simpson grade). This video describes the operative techniques for resection of a large ventral C2 intradural extramedullary meningioma in a 71-year-old male presenting with hemibody sensory loss and abnormal gait. A paramedian approach was performed, allowing for adequate exposure and gross-total resection. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 2 and showed near-complete resolution of sensory deficits.

Recurrent Osteomyelitis Caused by Mycobacterium abscessus Necessitating Surgical Decompression and Revision Surgery With Interbody Fusion.

Epidural abscesses can be caused by a number of different organisms, including atypical Mycobacterium. This is a rare case report of an atypical Mycobacterium epidural abscess requiring surgical decompression. Here, we present Mycobacterium abscessus causing a nonpurulent epidural collection surgically treated with laminectomy and washout and discuss clinical clues and radiologic characteristics associated with this condition. A 51-year-old male with a past medical history of chronic intravenous (IV) drug use presented with a three-day history of falls and three-month history of progressively worsening bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, paresthesias, and numbness. MRI demonstrated an enhancing collection at L2-3 ventral and to the left of the spinal canal causing severe compression of the thecal sac, along with heterogenous contrast enhancement of the L2-3 vertebral bodies and intervertebral disc. The patient was taken for an L2-3 laminectomy and left medial facetectomy, where a fibrous, nonpurulent mass was discovered. Cultures ultimately demonstrated Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies massiliense, and the patient was discharged on IV levofloxacin, azithromycin, and linezolid with complete symptomatic relief. Unfortunately, despite surgical washout and antibiotic coverage, the patient presented twice more, the first time with a recurrent epidural collection requiring repeat drainage and the second time with a recurrent epidural collection with discitis and osteomyelitis with pars fractures requiring repeat epidural drainage and interbody fusion. It is important to recognize that atypical Mycobacterium abscessus can cause a nonpurulent epidural collection, especially in high-risk patients such as those with a history of chronic IV drug use. Additionally, our initial intraoperative findings of a fibrous, adherent mass suggest that in cases where this entity is suspected, surgical decompression should be carefully considered. To this end, the radiologic findings associated with this condition, namely, an enhancing ventral epidural mass involving the disc space, should also be recognized. The notable postoperative course consisting of recurrent collections and osteomyelitis with a pars fracture suggests that early fusion should be considered as an option in these patients. This case report presents clinical and radiologic findings associated with an atypical Mycobacterium discitis and osteomyelitis. The clinical course described herein suggests that early fusion in these patients may provide superior results to decompression alone.

Revisiting anterior longitudinal ligament release: Are we ready for an endoscopic approach?

Anterior longitudinal ligament release is a proven method for restoring spinopelvic parameters. This technique is mostly described using either lateral or anterior approaches with paucity regarding a posterior method. This paper is the first to provide descriptive analysis of the neurovascular anatomy in the context of planning for a posterior endoscopic ALL release. A retrospective chart review was performed on patients underwent any lumbar surgery by a single surgeon. Anatomical data was obtained from pre-operative CT to describe the location of key neurovascular structures in relation to the ALL with focus on posterior approach. A total of 20 patients were included in data analysis. A posterior approach with endoscopic assistance would be feasible at L4/5 and L5/S1, where the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta has occurred with a vessel window that ranges from 18.85 mm to 33.45 mm with at least 2 mm space between the vessels and the corresponding disc spaces in the anterior-posterior dimension with slight predilection of the left side at the L5/S1 level to avoid any neurovascular structures. Our study confirmed the findings of previous studies examining the vascular anatomy associated with the lumbar spine. Interestingly, we found that direct midline would likely not be the best location for a posterior annulotomy, and that both the window between the iliac vessels as well as the distance in AP dimension between the spine and vessels increases as you descend the lumbar spine. This information will help guide future efforts to fully develop a safe and reproducible posterior endoscopic ALL release.

Optimizing Visualization in Endoscopic Spine Surgery.

Given the inherent limitations of spinal endoscopic surgery, proper lighting and visualization are of tremendous importance. These limitations include a small field of view, significant potential for disorientation, and small working cannulas. While modern endoscopic surgery has evolved in spite of these shortcomings, further progress in improving and enhancing visualization must be made to improve the safety and efficacy of endoscopic surgery. However, in order to understand potential avenues for improvement, a strong basis in the physical principles behind modern endoscopic surgery is first required. Having established these principles, novel techniques for enhanced visualization can be considered. Most compelling are technologies that leverage the concepts of light transformation, tissue manipulation, and image processing. These broad categories of enhanced visualization are well established in other surgical subspecialties and include techniques such as optical chromoendoscopy, fluorescence imaging, and 3-dimensional endoscopy. These techniques have clear applications to spinal endoscopy and represent important avenues for future research.

Reduction in complication and revision rates for robotic-guided short-segment lumbar fusion surgery: results of a prospective, multi-center study.

Studies evaluating robotic guidance in lumbar fusion are limited primarily to evaluation of screw accuracy and perioperative complications. This is the first study to evaluate granular differences in short and long-term complication and revision rate profiles between robotic (RG) fluoroscopic (FG) guidance for minimally invasive short-segment lumbar fusions. A retrospective analysis of a prospective, multi-center database was performed. Complications were subdivided into surgical (further subcategorized into adjacent segment disease, new-onset back pain, radiculopathy, motor-deficit, hardware failure, pseudoarthrosis), wound, and medical complications. Complication and revision rates were compared between RG and FG groups cumulatively at 30, 90 days, and 1 year. 374 RG and 111 FG procedures were performed. RG was associated with an 86.25, 83.20, and 69.42% cumulative reduction in complication rate at 30, 90 days, and 1 year, respectively, compared to FG (p < 0.001). At all follow-up points, new-onset radiculopathy and medical complications were most prevalent in both groups. The greatest reductions in complication rates were seen for new-onset back pain (88.13%; p = 0.001) and wound complications (95.05%; p < 0.001) at 30 days, new-onset motor deficits (90.11%; p = 0.004) and wound complications (85.16%; p < 0.001) at 90 days, and new-onset motor deficits (85.16%; p = 0.002), wound (85.16%; p < 0.001), and medical complications (75.72%; p < 0.001) at 1 year. RG was associated with a 92.58% (p = 0.002) reduction in revision rate at 90 days and a 66.08% (p = 0.026) reduction at 1 year. RG was associated with significant reductions in postoperative complication rates at all follow-up time points and significant reductions in revision rates at 90 days and 1 year.

The Effects of Lockdown During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic on Neurotrauma-Related Hospital Admissions.

BACKGROUND: The response to the global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic culminated in mandatory isolation throughout the world, with nationwide confinement orders issued to decrease viral spread. These drastic measures were successful in "flattening the curve" and maintaining the previous rate of coronavirus disease 2019 infections and deaths. To date, the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on neurotrauma has not been reported. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed hospital admissions from Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, during the months of March and April from 2016 to 2020. Specifically, we identified all patients who had cranial neurotrauma consisting of traumatic brain injury and/or skull fractures, as well as spinal neurotrauma consisting of vertebral fractures and/or spinal cord injury. We then performed chart review to determine mechanism of injury and if emergent surgical intervention was required. RESULTS: Compared with previous years, we saw a significant decline in the number of neurotraumas during the pandemic, with a 62% decline after the lockdown began. The number of emergent neurotrauma surgical cases also significantly decreased by 84% in the month of April. Interestingly, although the number of vehicular traumas decreased by 77%, there was a significant 100% increase in the number of gunshot wounds. CONCLUSIONS: Population seclusion had a direct effect on the frequency of neurotrauma, whereas the change in relative proportion of certain mechanisms may be associated with the psychosocial effects of social distancing and quarantine.

Safety of Deep Brain Stimulation Lead Placement on Patients Requiring Anticlotting Therapies.

BACKGROUND: Limited studies exist to support the safety of performing neuromodulation surgeries in patients whose anticlotting medication has been held. Here, we assess the safety of performing deep brain stimulation (DBS) in this patient population. METHODS: All consecutive DBS patients who underwent lead and battery placement/revision at our institution between 2011 and 2020 were included in this Institutional Review Board-approved prospective outcomes database. We retrospectively recorded adverse events occurring within 90 days of surgery. RESULTS: The study included 226 patients who underwent 381 lead placements in 267 surgeries. Of the 267 surgeries included in this study, 176 (66%) were performed on patients not on anticoagulants and 89 (33%) cases were on patients on 1 drug. Two (0.7%) cases involved a patient taking 2 drugs. A total of 49 adverse events were seen. Thirteen occurred in patients taking anticoagulants. There was no difference in adverse event rate between patients on anticlotting medication and those not (χ2 [1] = 1.523, P = 0.2171). No clot-related sequelae occurred in any patient. Three hemorrhages occurred, all in patients not on anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS: We found no increased risk of complications in patients routinely on anticlotting medication undergoing DBS lead placement. We show that our protocol was successful in balancing increased risks of bleeding and of thromboembolic events in this patient group.

Reduction and Open Fixation of a Cervical Teardrop Fracture: A Technical Note.

BACKGROUND: Cervical teardrop fractures are hyperflexion and axial loading injuries associated with significant ligamentous disruption. Patients sustaining these types of injury are classically treated with a cervical corpectomy and anterior fusion. However, there are notable disadvantages of this approach, namely, disruption of the patient's true anatomic alignment and a reduction in the number of fixation points available for cervical fusion. Here we present a novel method of open reduction and internal fixation in a neurologically intact patient with cervical teardrop fracture. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 34-year-old man presented to Ryder Trauma Center after a helmeted motorcycle accident. The patient was found to be neurologically intact on arrival, and imaging demonstrated a C5 teardrop fracture without bony retropulsion. The patient was taken to the operating room for an open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture using a novel technique. This technique used traditional diskectomies at the C4-5 and C5-6 levels, along with a temporary, unicortical screw into the C5 body to capture the anteriorly displaced fragment. A bicortical screw was then placed into the contralateral side, and now, having fully reduced the fracture, the first (temporary) screw was replaced with a bicortical screw. The patient was neurologically intact postoperatively, with 2-month follow-up computed tomography scan demonstrating stable reduction of the fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Here we present a novel technique for open reduction and internal fixation of a cervical teardrop fracture that does not require cervical corpectomy. This technique is particularly useful in patients with an anteriorly displaced fragment and without neurologic deficit or compromise.

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring in Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulator Placement.

INTRODUCTION: Placement of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) paddles under general anesthesia using intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) has been shown to be associated with equivocal or superior clinical outcomes in comparative studies. The value of IONM in percutaneous permanent SCS placement has not been demonstrated. METHODS: Outcomes for patients under percutaneous SCS placement performed with IONM were prospectively collected. Descriptive outcomes included numerical rating scale (NRS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), McGill pain questionnaire, pain catastrophizing scale score (PCS), and Beck Depression Inventory. We also assessed satisfaction, willingness to repeat surgery, complication rates, and opioid use at baseline and follow-up using chart data and the New York Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing data base. RESULTS: The mean follow-up for our 46 patients was 22.04 ± 15.03 months (range 6-52 months). There were 10 patients (21.3%) who underwent revisions or removals with a mean time to revision/explant of 11.4 ± 11.7 months. About 85% of patients were satisfied with surgery. A total of 24 of 46 patients were on opioids at baseline. Following surgery, 17 of 24 (70.83%) patients demonstrated decreased opioid use in Morphine Milligram Equivalents. Of the 17 patients that reduced opioid use, 14 (82.35%) ceased opioid use entirely. Improvement from baseline was noted in NRS, ODI, and PCS (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Permanent percutaneous implantation of a SCS system using IONM with general anesthesia demonstrates results within range to those in the literature. Patients demonstrated statistically significant improvement in outcomes and opioid use was reduced in 71% of patients who were using opioids at baseline. We recommend its use in patients with morbid obesity, sleep apnea, and considerable anxiety. Further research is warranted to define the possible future role for percutaneous SCS implantation under IONM.

Use of a Psychological Evaluation Tool as a Predictor of Spinal Cord Stimulation Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative work-up for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) includes a psychological assessment; however, no one psychological factor has correlated with poor outcomes across studies. We developed a Psychological Evaluation Tool for Spinal Cord Stimulation Candidacy (PETSCSC), which includes all factors in the literature found to correlate with outcomes. In this study, we examine whether PETSCSC correlates with postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Patients undergoing SCS were prospectively enrolled in this study. PETSCSC scores were obtained preoperatively. Numeric rating scale (NRS), global impression of change (GIC), pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Beck Depression Inventory were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Outcomes were correlated with PETSCSC scores. RESULTS: Thirty-four SCS patients had a mean follow-up of 9.88 ± 2.91 months. At latest follow-up, we observed significant improvement in NRS, PCS, MPQ, and ODI. Total PETSCSC score exhibited significant correlation with GIC (p = 0.026, r = 0.380) and improvement in PCS total (p = 0.041, r = 0.351), and MPQ affective (p = 0.002, r = 0.517) scores. The PETSCSC emotive subset significantly correlated with GIC (p = 0.020, r = 0.395). The PETSCSC depression subset significantly correlated with improvement in PCS rumination (p = 0.009, r = 0.439), PCS helplessness (p = 0.021, r = 0.393), PCS total (p = 0.021, r = 0.394), and MPQ affective (p = 0.002, r = 0.501). The PETSCSC therapy subset significantly correlated with improvement in MPQ sensory (p = 0.026, r = -0.381) and MPQ affective (p < 0.001, r = 0.583). DISCUSSION: PETSCSC scores and subscores demonstrate significant correlation with pain outcomes used in assessment of SCS efficacy. Higher PETSCSC scores correlate with greater improvement in GIC, MPQ affective, and PCS scores. Stratification of these patients based on PETSCSC total and subset scores could help with prognostication.

The use of focused ultrasound for the treatment of cutaneous allodynia associated with chronic migraine.

Chronic migraines (CM) are the third most common disease and are refractory to medical treatment in 15% of patients. Currently, temporary relief is achieved with steroid blocks or pulsed radiofrequency ablation, which have short-term benefits. Our project aims to develop a non-invasive treatment for medically refractory chronic migraine, which does not require a permanent implant. This project investigates the safety and effectiveness of pulsed focused ultrasound (FUS) in a validated rodent headache model of cutaneous allodynia associated with chronic migraine (CM) as compared to sumatriptan and ablative lesioning. We demonstrate a significant reduction in mechanical thresholds as measured through Von Frey filaments in CM in the forepaw and periorbital region (p < 0.001). Sumatriptan and pulsed FUS both significantly improve thresholds at day 3 after treatment in the periorbital region. Ablative lesioning has no effect. This study provides initial evidence that FUS may provide an important therapeutic option for patients suffering from CM.

Efficacy of Alternating Conventional Stimulation and High Frequency Stimulation in Improving Spinal Cord Stimulation Outcomes: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established, effective method of treating chronic pain. High frequency stimulation (HFS) is an alternative SCS waveform that has been shown to alleviate pain but also necessitates more frequent recharging. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate efficacy of alternating conventional stimulation and HFS (termed "shuffle" stimulation) in improving SCS outcomes. METHODS: Shuffle stimulation was designed to deliver conventional stimulation in upright positions with relative HFS in lying positions, automated through accelerometer technology. In this 13-week cross-over study, patients were randomized to receiving conventional and shuffle stimulation in four-week blocks. Pain outcomes and sensory testing were compared from preoperative baseline and at the conclusion of each study period. RESULTS: Twelve patients completed this study. Two patients showed no change from baseline visual analogue scale (VAS) with either type of stimulation and were excluded from statistical analysis of pain outcomes. Mean numerical rating scale (NRS) scores assessing current pain were significantly lower in shuffle stimulation (4.0 ± 1.6) compared to conventional stimulation (5.8 ± 2.3) (p = 0.024). In the total cohort, 7 of 11 patients preferred shuffle over conventional stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: This study generated preliminary evidence showing improved NRS current pain scores in shuffle stimulation compared to conventional stimulation. More patients preferred shuffle stimulation compared to conventional stimulation. Optimizing stimulation when patients are recumbent may increase patient satisfaction and pain control. The potential advantages of shuffle stimulation may warrant further investigation.

Safety of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients Who Routinely Use Anticoagulants.

Objective: We assess the safety of performing the epidural placement or revision of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in patients whose anticoagulation has been held (termed "anticoagulant-suspended" patients) in accordance with the 2017 Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) guidelines. Subjects: Patients undergoing SCS were included in this institutional review board-approved study. Design: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database was performed. Any adverse event occurring within 90 days after SCS lead placement/revision was included. Results: A total of 225 patients who had a total of 239 surgeries including lead placement or lead revision were included; 182 patients were not on anticoagulants, 37 patients used one anticoagulant, and six patients used two or more anticoagulants. There were 13 adverse events. Anticoagulant use as a whole had no significant relationship to operative or postoperative adverse effects (χ2(1) = 1.613, P > 0.05). No anticoagulant on its own contributed significantly to adverse events; however, a small set of surgical cases showed a significantly greater incidence of adverse events for patients on enoxaparin used in combination with other anticoagulants (P < 0.05, N = 4). Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate that anticoagulant-suspended patients have no increased risk of perioperative hemorrhagic or thromboembolic adverse effects following SCS surgery compared with nonanticoagulated patients. The findings of this study validate the safety of neuromodulation in anticoagulation-suspended patients, concurring with the findings of previously described case studies, which anecdotally described neuromodulation outcomes in patients whose anticoagulation regimen had been temporarily held.

Establishing Minimal Clinically Important Difference of Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy in Post-Laminectomy Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The concept of minimum clinically important difference (MCID) has been shown to be effective in spine surgery to differentiate between clinically insignificant and significant improvements as determined by the patient. OBJECTIVE: The MCID for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to date has not been established. We sought to determine the MCID for SCS therapy for failed laminectomy syndromes. METHODS: Preoperative and 6-mo outcomes were assessed prospectively, including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and McGill and Visual Analog Survey questionnaires. Patients were asked: (1) are you satisfied with SCS therapy and (2) would you have the surgery again. Four methods of calculating the MCID were utilized. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients who underwent placement of an SCS between 2012 and 2014 were reviewed. The 4 calculation methods yielded a range of outcome scores (ODI 8.2-13.3, BDI 3.2-7, McGill 0.3-1.3, and Visual Analog Scale [VAS] 1.2-3.7). The maximum area under the curve was observed for the ODI, BDI, and VAS (0.73, 0.81, and 0.89, respectively), which signifies acceptable accuracy in distinguishing responders from nonresponders with the receiver operating characteristic method and suggests that VAS may be the most sensitive in determining meaningful change for the patient. CONCLUSION: The MCID for SCS placement was calculated using 4 different methods. The results are similar to calculations for the MCID for many lumbar and cervical procedures done for pain. Our results suggest that an improvement of 1.2 to 3.7 points on the VAS scale and 8.2 to 13.3 points on the ODI is clinically meaningful to the patient. Further defining the MCID for SCS therapy will remain of utmost importance in order to justify the cost of the procedure.

BMI as a Predictor of Spinal Cord Stimulation Success in Chronic Pain Patients.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective method of treating chronic pain. Obese patients are overrepresented in chronic pain cases. We examine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on SCS success. METHODS: We prospectively follow outcome measures including visual analog score, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), McGill Pain Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and the Insomnia Severity Index at baseline, six months, and one year postoperatively. Retrospectively, we examined whether our patients with a BMI above the 75th percentile (BMI ≥36.5) had worse outcomes. RESULTS: Our analysis included thoracic and cervical SCS patients-19 with a BMI ≥36.5 and 58 with a BMI <36.5. High BMI patients experienced less BDI improvement at 6 months (T(df) 2.257(36); p = 0.030; 95% CI [4.7%, 87.4%]) and one year (2.74(28); p = 0.011; 95% CI [18.1%, 125.0%]) post-SCS. High BMI patients had less improvement in pain as measured by the PCS at one year (U = 79.5; p = 0.045; 95% CI [-116.0%, 0.0%]). DISCUSSION: Each group experienced successful surgical outcomes. High BMI patients had less BDI improvement at six months and one year and less PCS improvement at one year. These data aid us in counseling our patients preoperatively.

Evolving Concepts in Posterior Subthalamic Area Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment of Tremor: Surgical Neuroanatomy and Practical Considerations.

BACKGROUND: Although thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been established as an effective therapy for refractory tremor in Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, reports investigating the efficacy of posterior subthalamic area (PSA) DBS for severe, debilitating tremors continue to emerge. However, questions regarding the optimal anatomical target, surgical approach, programming paradigms and effectiveness compared to other targets remain. OBJECTIVES: In this report, we aimed to review the current literature to assess different stereotactic techniques, anatomical considerations, adverse effects and stimulation settings in PSA DBS. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was performed searching for articles discussing tremors and PSA stimulation. We performed a quantitative analysis comparing different DBS tremor targets. RESULTS: Tremor improvement is consistently documented in most reports with an average reduction in tremor of 79% depending on the specific tremor syndrome. Tremor benefit in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) tremor was significantly higher than for other stimulation targets. Transient paresthesias, imbalance, dizziness and dysarthria are the most common side effects with PSA DBS. CONCLUSIONS: PSA DBS is an effective and safe treatment for tremor control and should be considered in patients with refractory tremors with associated cerebellar or dystonic features, proximal tremors and MS tremor.

MRI Conditionality in Patients with Spinal Cord Stimulation Devices.

BACKGROUND: Because of the commonality of diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MRI conditional technology has increased throughout the device industry. It is often difficult to be aware of MRI specifications for each device. OBJECTIVES: We provide a review of the clinical experience with MRI and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) devices and develop a general reference of current device/MRI specifications. METHODS: We reviewed the available literature on the clinical experience with SCS devices and examined its specifications. RESULTS: We developed a user-friendly table of the specific compatibility of SCS devices in the USA and the European Union, and examined the existing literature on the clinical experience with MRI and SCS devices. We share our experience with obtaining spine MRI with MRI conditional SCS leads. CONCLUSION: By describing SCS device specifications and reviewing the literature, we provide a guide to implanting and treating physicians on obtaining MRIs in patients who have SCS devices.

The Use of Preoperative Psychological Evaluations to Predict Spinal Cord Stimulation Success: Our Experience and a Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Pre-operative psychological assessment is commonly used to assess patients for spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Though often times mandated by insurance, its value is frequently questioned. METHODS: We review the literature on the predictive value of psychological testing prior to SCS and retrospectively examine our prospective database of SCS patients. We examine associations of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) findings and outcomes on the visual analog scale (VAS), McGill Pain Questionnaire - Short Form (MPQ), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at 6 and 12 months post-implantation. RESULTS: The nine studies examining psychological predictors of SCS outcomes collectively showed that substance abuse or feelings of demoralization or less joy correlated with worse outcomes. Though not statistically significant, our data show that at one year follow-up, patients without psychiatric disorders improved 1.5 times as much on ODI and 2.4 times as much on PCS as compared to patients with psychiatric disorders. Further, depressed patients concurrently treated with anti-depressants had greater improvement in BDI than non-medicated depressed patients (p = 0.009). We develop a tool for pain psychologists based on the existing literature to aid in identifying possible concerns and treating these patients peri-operatively. DISCUSSION: The predictive value of psychological testing depends on which psychiatric factors are used and which outcomes are measured. The predictive capacity of psychological indications can be used to holistically treat patients, specifically to recommend psychiatric medication and consulting to supplement SCS treatment as needed.