The Influence of Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation Techniques on Recompression in Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures. Percutaneous Vertebroplasty versus Balloon Kyphoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and balloon kyphoplasty (BK) have any mid-term to long-term effects on the structural integrity of augmented vertebrae. METHODS: According to our hospital records, 351 patients underwent BK and PVP as a result of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures between 2010 and 2020. The demographic, surgical, and radiologic characteristics of the patients were analyzed retrospectively using the electronic hospital records and PACS (picture archiving and communication system). In our study, 55 patients who had a single level of PVP or BK filled with at least 6 mL og polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for T11-L5 levels and 3 mL of PMMA for T6-T10 levels via a bipedicular approach and who had only 1 vertebral fracture in a 10-year follow-up period were included in our study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: BK (n = 40) and PVP (n = 15). All measurements were performed on standing lateral radiographs from the postoperative first day and the last radiographs that were obtained during the follow-up. The anterior and posterior heights of the fractured vertebral body and local kyphosis angles were measured. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 2.53 ± 1.78 years in the BK group and 3.07 ± 2.02 years in the PVP group. The decrease in the vertebral height and increasing kyphosis that develop from the early to late postoperative periods were found to be statistically significant in the BK group (P < 0.05). In the PVP group, vertebral height and kyphosis angle measurements did not differ significantly between the early and late postoperative periods. In addition, in terms of the percentage change, anterior parts of the vertebral bodies are more affected. However, the absolute difference for the measurement of the vertebral heights did not confirm this finding. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, our study is unique because it has the longest follow-up in the literature comparing BK and PVP in terms of recollapse of the augmented vertebrae. Our study shows that BK does not prevent height loss of the augmented vertebral bodies in the mid- to long term.

Cervical Spinal Ependymoma With Hemorrhage in a Renal Transplant Patient.

Ependymomas are the most common intramedullary spinal tumors in adults and constitute around 20% of all spinal tumors in adults. There are 3 subgroups of ependymomas according to World Health Organization classification: subependymoma or myxopapillary (grade 1), ependymoma (grade 2), and anaplastic (grade 3). Therapy for patients is aimed at safe and total surgical removal and, in selected cases, postoperative radiotherapy. Bleeding from a spinal ependymoma, with subsequent urgent surgery, is extremely rare. Here, we present a case of a renal transplant patient who had a cervical ependymoma. Although a considerable volume of peritumoral blood was observed during surgery, the patient had no neurologic deficits and no signs of deterioration.

Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in a Renal Transplant Patient.

Aneurysmal bone cysts constitute 1% to 2% of all primary bone tumors.They are rapidly growing benign bone tumors. Nearly 80% of aneurysmal bone cysts occur in the first 20 years of life, and most are primary tumors. Aneurysmal bone cysts are mostly benign, locally aggressive, and highly vascularized tumors. Generally, the period required for postoperative recovery and new bone formation is long. The relapse rate can be up to 50%. Although computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans are the preferred diagnostic methods, biopsy is the most necessary prerequisite to confirm diagnosis, as aspects of these cysts can show similarity to many other bone lesions. Correct histopathologic diagnosis is important since malignancies may be seen in transplant recipients.

Balloon Kyphoplasty Is a Safe and Effective Option for the Treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractures in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Solid-organ transplant recipients are at great risk for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures because of both underlying pretransplant bone diseases and posttransplant immunosuppressive treatments. Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. It involves injection of polymethylmethacrylate into the vertebral body to stabilize the fracture and to alleviate the pain immediately. In this study, we report the results of balloon kyphoplasty for treatment of vertebral compression fractures in solid-organ transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 512 liver transplant and 2248 kidney transplant procedures that were performed in our center between 1985 and 2015. Seven transplant recipients with a total of 10 acute, symptomatic vertebral compression fractures who were unresponsive to conservative treatment for 3 weeks underwent balloon kyphoplasty. Clinical outcome was graded using the visual analog scale. Radiographic evaluation included measurement of the segmental kyphosis by the Cobb method. RESULTS: There were 4 female and 3 male patients in our study group. Ages of patients ranged from 56 to 63 years with an average age of 58.8 years. The affected vertebral levels varied from T12 to L4. Mean follow-up after balloon kyphoplasty was 3.4 years, and mean time interval from transplant to balloon kyphoplasty was 8.6 years. Statistically significant difference is evident 3 years after transplant surgery (P < .05). Sagittal alignment improved (> 5 degrees) in 2 of 7 patients (28%). CONCLUSIONS: Transplant recipients are at great risk in terms of vertebral compression fracture development, especially within 1 year after transplant. Although conservative treatment has been the first treatment choice for vertebral compression fracture, long treatment time and high costs may be needed to achieve cure. Experience with our small patient population showed that balloon kyphoplasty was effective and safe for obtaining rapid pain relief and earlier mobilization with fewer complications.

Vertebral Body Lipoma: An Unusual Pathology Treated With Kyphoplasty.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: This case report is unique since this is the first vertebral lipom case that was treated by kyphoplasty alone. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Vertebral lipoma is extremely rare and our search of the English literature has revealed 20 patients in 16 reports. METHODS: A 32-year-old female patient was admitted to our neurosurgery department with the chief complaint of low back pain that had lasted nearly 1 year. A lumbar MR suggested a hemangioma and the patient was operated on. RESULTS: On microscopic examination, the lesion was seen to have a widely infiltrating appearance of mature fat tissue between bone trabeculae diagnosis was intraosseous lipoma. CONCLUSION: We believe that the management should be surgical total removal of the lesion even in incidentally found cases in order to obtain histologic diagnosis and pain relief. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

The Global Spine Care Initiative: classification system for spine-related concerns.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to describe the development of a classification system that would apply to anyone with a spine-related concern and that can be used in an evidence-based spine care pathway. METHODS: Existing classification systems for spinal disorders were assembled. A seed document was developed through round-table discussions followed by a modified Delphi process. International and interprofessional clinicians and scientists with expertise in spine-related conditions were invited to participate. RESULTS: Thirty-six experts from 15 countries participated. After the second round, there was 95% agreement of the proposed classification system. The six major classifications included: no or minimal symptoms (class 0); mild symptoms (i.e., neck or back pain) but no interference with activities (class I); moderate or severe symptoms with interference of activities (class II); spine-related neurological signs or symptoms (class III); severe bony spine deformity, trauma or pathology (class IV); and spine-related symptoms or destructive lesions associated with systemic pathology (class V). Subclasses for each major class included chronicity and severity when different interventions were anticipated or recommended. CONCLUSIONS: An international and interprofessional group developed a comprehensive classification system for all potential presentations of people who may seek care or advice at a spine care program. This classification can be used in the development of a spine care pathway, in clinical practice, and for research purposes. This classification needs to be tested for validity, reliability, and consistency among clinicians from different specialties and in different communities and cultures. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

The Global Spine Care Initiative: care pathway for people with spine-related concerns.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to describe the development of an evidence-based care pathway that can be implemented globally. METHODS: The Global Spine Care Initiative (GSCI) care pathway development team extracted interventions recommended for the management of spinal disorders from six GSCI articles that synthesized the available evidence from guidelines and relevant literature. Sixty-eight international and interprofessional clinicians and scientists with expertise in spine-related conditions were invited to participate. An iterative consensus process was used. RESULTS: After three rounds of review, 46 experts from 16 countries reached consensus for the care pathway that includes five decision steps: awareness, initial triage, provider assessment, interventions (e.g., non-invasive treatment; invasive treatment; psychological and social intervention; prevention and public health; specialty care and interprofessional management), and outcomes. The care pathway can be used to guide the management of patients with any spine-related concern (e.g., back and neck pain, deformity, spinal injury, neurological conditions, pathology, spinal diseases). The pathway is simple and can be incorporated into educational tools, decision-making trees, and electronic medical records. CONCLUSION: A care pathway for the management of individuals presenting with spine-related concerns includes evidence-based recommendations to guide health care providers in the management of common spinal disorders. The proposed pathway is person-centered and evidence-based. The acceptability and utility of this care pathway will need to be evaluated in various communities, especially in low- and middle-income countries, with different cultural background and resources. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Intracranial Fungal Infection After Solid-Organ Transplant.

Neurologic complications after solid-organ transplant reveal a great spectrum of pathologies. Intracranial hemorrhages, cerebral ischemic lesions, infarctions, lymphoproliferative disorders, and infections, including aspergillosis, have been observed after liver transplant. Fungi constitute nearly 5% of all central nervous system infections, mainly occurring in immunocompromised patients. The most common causative agent is Aspergillus species. It presents either as maxillary sinusitis or pulmonary infection. Brain involvement of Aspergillus carries a high rate of mortality. Aspergillosis presents in the forms of meningitis, mycotic aneurysms, infarctions, and mass lesions. Aspergillosis does not have a specific radiologic appearance. Parenchymal aspergillosis has heterogenous signal intensity (hypointense on T1-weighted and hyperintense on T2-weighted images). Here, we present 3 patients who underwent solid-organ transplant and developed central nervous system aspergillosis. Different modalities of neurosurgical intervention were performed in combination with chemotherapy as part of their fungal therapy.

The Global Spine Care Initiative: a systematic review for the assessment of spine-related complaints in populations with limited resources and in low- and middle-income communities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic literature review was to develop recommendations for the assessment of spine-related complaints in medically underserved areas with limited resources. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and best evidence synthesis of guidelines on the assessment of spine-related complaints. Independent reviewers critically appraised eligible guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation-II criteria. Low risk of bias clinical practice guidelines was used to develop recommendations. In accordance with the mandate of the Global Spinal Care Initiative (GSCI), recommendations were selected that could be applied to medically underserved areas and low- and middle-income countries by considering the limited access and costs of diagnostic technologies. RESULTS: We screened 3069 citations; 20 guidelines were eligible for critical appraisal. We used 13 that had a low risk of bias that targeted neck and back pain. CONCLUSIONS: When assessing patients with spine-related complaints in medically underserved areas and low- and middle-income countries, we recommend that clinicians should: (1) take a clinical history to determine signs or symptoms suggesting serious pathology (red flags) and psychological factors (yellow flags); (2) perform a physical examination (musculoskeletal and neurological); (3) do not routinely obtain diagnostic imaging; (4) obtain diagnostic imaging and/or laboratory tests when serious pathologies are suspected, and/or presence of progressive neurologic deficits, and/or disabling persistent pain; (5) do not perform electromyography or nerve conduction studies for diagnosis of intervertebral disc disease with radiculopathy; and (6) do not perform discography for the assessment of spinal disorders. This information can be used to inform the GSCI care pathway and model of care. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Prognostic Impact of Histologic Subtype in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: Retrospective Analysis of 104 Patients.

AIM: In this study, factors affecting survival, local failure, distant brain failure, whole brain failure and whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) free survival according to histological subtypes were investigated in patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with positive pathology reports for adenocarcinoma (ACA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were included in the study. Seventy-eight ACA and 26 SCC patients were included in the study. Patients with previous history of cerebral metastasis surgery and WBRT were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The median survival was calculated as 12.6 months for patients with ACA and 5.9 months for patients with SCC. One-year distant brain failure was calculated as 65.1% in ACA patients and 39.6% in SCC patients. One-year whole brain failure was calculated as 58.1% in ACA patients and 39.6% in SCC patients. The one-year freedom from WBRT rate was calculated as 72.8% in ACA patients and 56.3% in SCC patients. SCC histology was considered as a significant factor in deterioration of overall survival in multivariate analysis. SCC histology, the increase in the number of metastases and RPA class were factors that caused an increase in distant brain failure. Also, SCC histology, the increase in the number of metastases and RPA class were factors that caused an increase in whole brain failure. CONCLUSION: SCC histology may be an important prognostic factor for overall survival. Also, due to high distant brain failure rate in SCC histology, WBRT can be added to treatment early.

Patient Selection and Efficacy of Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy with Respect to the Dallas Discogram Score.

AIM: Intervertebral disc degeneration can cause severe low back pain. Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with symptomatic internal disc disruption unresponsive to conservative medical care. We aimed to evaluate 12-month pain and functional outcomes and predictors of clinical success in patients with discogenic back pain treated with IDET with respect to the Dallas Discogram Scale (DDS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing IDET for low back pain from 2009 through 2014 at Baskent University, Department of Neurosurgery. A total number of 120 consecutive patients data were collected retrospectively. The degree of disc degeneration was graded using the DDS during discography, and the presence of a high intensity zone (HIZ) on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was noted. The primary outcome measure was assessment of back pain severity based on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); function was assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Follow-up examinations for ODI and VAS scores were assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Outcomes were discussed with respect to morphological changes in intervertebral discs on discogram. RESULTS: There was an average 57.39% and 47.16% improvement in VAS and ODI scores, respectively, between pretreatment and 12 months follow-up (p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Predictors of 12-month clinical success was depended on DDS (p < 0.0001), a HIZ on MR imaging (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Durable clinical improvements can be realized after IDET in select surgical candidates with mild disc degeneration and HIZ, discography, and low-grade DDS, with more effective treatment results.

Turkish Contribution to Journal of Neurosurgery and Acta Neurochirurgica.

AIM: To evaluate the contribution of Turkish scientists to four journals published by Journal of Neurosurgery (JNS) Publishing Group and to Acta Neurochirurgica (AN) and to its Supplement (ANS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed every issue of those journals to December 2015 for the total number of articles, articles produced from studies performed entirely in Turkey, and for publications overseas co-authored by the Turkish scientists using the websites of these journals. Citations were searched using "Web of Science" and "Google Scholar" databases. RESULTS: The total number of articles published was 19822 for JNS, 3227 for JNS Spine, 2526 for JNS Pediatrics and 2997 for Neurosurgical Focus. Turkish contribution was 556 articles. 337 (60.61%) articles were the products of studies performed entirely in Turkey, while 219 (39.38%) articles came from overseas, co-authored by Turkish scientists. Overall contribution was 1.94%. A total of 6469 articles were published in AN. 340 papers were the products of studies performed entirely in Turkey. Turkish scientists working overseas co-authored 37 articles. Total contribution was 377 articles (5.82%). 4134 papers had been published in ANS. Contribution was 69 articles (1.66%). CONCLUSION: Turkish contribution to these journals has started late. The gap has been compensated with publications in the last two decades. Manuscripts of higher scientific level with greater number of citations are needed to increase Turkish contribution to such journals.

Brown Tumor of the Thoracic Spine: First Manifestation of Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Brown tumors also called as osteoclastomas, are rare nonneoplastic lesions that arise in the setting of primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid adenomas or hyperplasia constitute the major Brown tumor source in primary hyperparathyroidism while chronic renal failure is the leading cause in secondary hyperparathyroidism. Most of the patients with the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism present with kidney stones or isolated hypercalcemia. However, nearly one third of patients are asymptomatic and hypercalcemia is found incidentally. Skeletal involvement such as generalized osteopenia, bone resorption, bone cysts and Brown tumors are seen on the late phase of hyperparathyroidism. The symptoms include axial pain, radiculopathy, myelopathy and myeloradiculopathy according to their locations. Plasmocytoma, lymphoma, giant cell tumors and metastates should be ruled out in the differential diagnosis of Brown tumors. Treatment of Brown tumors involve both the management of hyperparathyroidism and neural decompression. The authors report a very rare spinal Brown tumor case, arisen as the initial manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism that leads to acute paraparesis.

Unilateral percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation with minimally invasive TLIF for the treatment of recurrent lumbar disk disease: 2 years follow-up.

AIM: To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of recurrent disk disease in patients who underwent unilateral and bilateral percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation with Mis-TLIF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 10 patients treated with unilateral percutaneous instrumentation plus Mis-TLIF formed Group 1 while the other 10 patients treated with bilateral percutaneous instrumentation plus Mis-TLIF formed Group 2. Clinical outcomes were graded using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores. Peroperative and 2-year follow-up scores were obtained. Postoperative imaging techniques were used for the assessment of fusion, subsidence and spinal alignment. RESULTS: According to preoperative and postoperative VAS/ODI scores, statistically significant differences were noted in the unilaterally and bilaterally instrumented group. However, a statistically significant difference was not observed between the unilateral and bilateral groups. Radiological evidence of successful arthrodesis was noted in 8 of 10 patients (80%) in the unilaterally instrumented group and in 9 of 10 patients (90%) in the bilaterally instrumented group at the 2 years follow-up. No metal failure, cage migration, vertebral fracture, subsidence or adjacent level disease was experienced. CONCLUSION: Mis-TLIF with unilateral percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation is an excellent option in the treatment of selected recurrent disk disease patients.

Minocycline treatment inhibits lipid peroxidation, preserves spinal cord ultrastructure, and improves functional outcome after traumatic spinal cord injury in the rat.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized experimental research. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short- and long-term neuroprotective effects of minocycline on the secondary injury process of an experimental traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) model. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Traumatic SCI is a devastating problem of health that results in high morbidity and mortality rates. The loss of function after SCI results from both the primary mechanical insult and the subsequent, multifaceted secondary response. METHODS: A total of 80 adult male Spraque-Dawley rats (breeded by the Baskent University Animal Research Center) were randomly divided into 4 groups. A T10 contusion injury was produced by using modified Allen technique in all groups except the control group. No medication was administered to the rats in the trauma group. Minocycline was administered intraperitoneally and intravenously to the treatment groups. Short-term and/or long-term neuroprotective effects of minocycline on the lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, glutathione), apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling), ultrastructure of spinal cord (tissue electron microscopy), and behavioral assessments (Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan) were evaluated. RESULTS: As compared with the trauma group, tissue malondialdehyde and glutathione levels demonstrated that minocycline significantly diminishes lipid peroxidation. Electromicroscopic study showed that minocycline preserves the ultrastructure of spinal cord tissue in the early post-traumatic period. Minocycline treatment significantly reduced the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling positive cells both 1 day and 28 days after SCI. Behavioral assessments showed significant improvement in the hind limb functions of minocycline receiving rats starting 7 days after the SCI. Any statistically significant difference was not found between intraperitoneal or intravenous routes for minocycline injection. CONCLUSION: Minocycline is neuroprotective and contributes to functional improvement after traumatic SCI by eliminating the destructive process of secondary injury. Having both satisfying anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects in experimental models, it promises to be of therapeutic use in human SCI.

An iron rod stuck in the right motor cortex.

Non-missile intracranial injuries caused by foreign bodies are quite uncommon in civilian practice. Nails, knives, screwdrivers and sewing needles are the most commonly reported agents. The authors report a unique case of an adult male patient who suffered a penetrating craniocerebral injury caused by a falling concrete reinforcing iron (rebar) from the fourth floor of a building under construction. The foreign body was safely removed by a right parietal craniectomy as a result of detailed radiological evaluation and preoperative planning. To the best of authors' knowledge, the successful surgical treatment of a penetrating brain injury caused by a rebar has not been reported previously.

Antithrombin III and enoxaparin treatment inhibit contusion-triggered cell death, inflammation, hemorrhage and apoptosis after severe traumatic brain injury in rats.

AIM: In this study, we aimed to show the neuroprotective effects of AT III and Enoxaparin after severe traumatic brain injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The animals were divided into four groups as Group 1; control group, Group 2; trauma group, Group 3; AT III group and Group 4; Enoxaparin group. Severe trauma was performed by the weight dropping technique. These animals were killed 48 hours after injury. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed. Specimens were graded for cell death, inflammation, hemorrhage and apoptosis. RESULTS: The control group showed normal ultrastructure of brain tissue. Trauma produced obvious damage. 8 rats (80%) in the trauma group demonstrated minimal inflammation and grade 5 cell death. Trauma increased hemorrhage and apoptosis scores to statistically significant levels (p < 0.001). Enoxaparin was found to reduce neuronal cell death but not as effectively as AT III. A statistically significant difference was observed between the AT III and Enoxaparin group according to inflammation grades. Significant antiapoptotic properties of AT III were observed while hemorrhage was more common in the Enoxaparin group. CONCLUSION: Anticoagulants such as AT III and enoxaparin are promising drugs in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries.

Extraabdominal desmoid tumor appearing following resection of thoracolumbar schwannoma.

The authors report the case of an adult female patient who developed a thoracic paraspinous desmoid tumor (aggressive fibromatosis) located just cranially to the incision scar of the previous surgery for resection of a spinal schwannoma. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an extraabdominal desmoid tumor occurring after resection of a spinal schwannoma. Desmoid tumors develop from muscle connective tissue, fasciae and aponeuroses. They are known to occur in association with surgical scars or implants. Incidence of this tumor is low. The etiology is still uncertain. Although rare, this distinctive tumor should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of palpable masses and especially those occurring around the previous skin incisions.