Prognostic factors for surgical site infection in patients with spinal metastases and following surgical treatment.

There were few articles reviewed prognostic factors of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with spinal metastases following surgery. The purpose of the present study was to systematically: (1) investigate the incidence rates of SSI following spinal metastases surgery; (2) identify the factors which were independently associated with postoperative wound infection. One hundred sixty-seven consecutive adult patients with spinal metastases and underwent surgical treatment were retrospectively enrolled from January 2011 to February 2022. Demographic data, disease and operation-related indicators were extracted and analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis model were performed respectively to determine independent risk factors of SSI. 17 cases infection were collected in this study. The overall incidence of SSI after surgery of spinal metastases patients was 10.2%. Univariate regression analysis showed that age (P = .028), preoperative ALB level (P = .024), operation time (P = .041), intraoperative blood loss (P = .030), Karnofsky Performance Status score (P = .000), body mass index (P = .013), American Society of Anesthesiologists > 2 (P = .010), Tobacco consumption (P = .035), and number of spinal levels involved in surgical procedure (P = .007) were associated with wound infection. Finally, the multivariate logistic model demonstrated that body mass index (P = .043; OR = 1.038), preoperative ALB level (P = .018; OR = 1.124), and number of spinal levels (P = .003; OR = 1.753) were associated with SSI occurrence. Surgery on multiple vertebral levels for spinal metastases significantly increases the risk of SSI and weight management, nutritional support and palliative surgery have the positive significance in reducing wound complications. Orthopedist should focus on identifying such high-risk patients and decrease the incidence of wound infection by formulating comprehensive and multi-disciplinary care strategy.

Intramedullary spinal capillary hemangioma with secondary neurulation defect in children.

Intramedullary spinal capillary hemangioma is a rare occurrence in pediatric patients, and only limited cases have been reported. This study presents the first two cases of spinal capillary hemangioma co-present with retained medullary cord and one case of spinal capillary hemangioma with lumbosacral lipomatous malformation. Previous literature on ten patients with this pathology was reviewed. We speculated pathogenesis, imaging features, and histopathologic findings of the disease.

Incidence of Cement Leakage and Potential Risk Factors in Surgery for Spinal Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The current meta-analysis was performed to gather available evidence regarding the incidence and risk factors of cement leakage (CL) in patients undergoing surgical procedures for spinal metastasis. METHODS: Two authors independently searched the PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases. Clinical studies reporting the incidence or risk factors of CL were included for analysis. The primary outcome analyzed was the incidence of various types of CL. Random-effects or fixed-effects single-proportion meta-analyses were conducted to pool the available evidence, based on the heterogeneity test. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on surgical procedures (percutaneous vertebroplasty, percutaneous kyphoplasty, and others). Risk factors of CL were synthesized narratively to identify the most commonly accepted factors. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies, involving 2551 patients, were included. The number of operated spine segments was reported in 23 studies, accounting for 4101 vertebrae. The pooled incidences of general, intradiscal, paravertebral, spinal canal, and intravascular CLs were 0.18 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11-0.28), 0.14 (95% CI, 0.08-0.21), 0.13 (95% CI, 0.06-0.21), 0.11 (95% CI, 0.05-0.19), and 0.12 (95% CI, 0.08-0.17), respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed significantly different incidences of general CL (0.37 vs. 0.06 vs. 0.09, P < 0.01), intradiscal CL (0.22 vs. 0.06 vs. 0.12, P < 0.01), paravertebral CL (0.25 vs. 0.03 vs. 0.06, P < 0.01), and vascular CL (0.14 vs. 0.03 vs. 0.15, P < 0.01) among the three groups. Posterior wall disruption, pathologic fracture, and the number of treated vertebral levels were the most commonly identified independent risk factors for general CL. Posterior wall disruption was determined as a common significant risk factor for spinal canal CL. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides insights into the incidence and risk factors associated with CL in surgical procedures for spinal metastasis. Understanding these risk factors can contribute to the development of tailored strategies aimed at minimizing CL occurrence and optimizing surgical outcomes for patients undergoing spinal metastatic surgery.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Cervical Symptomatic Hemangiomas and Spinal Metastases: A Case Series and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is a commonly used technique for the treatment of spinal diseases, but it is rarely employed for cervical lesions. This study presents a case series and a literature review to evaluate the efficacy of cervical PVP. METHODS: From August 2013 to January 2023, 14 patients underwent cervical PVP in the author's institution. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 20.3 ± 12.1 months (ranging from 5 to 41 months). The pain status and quality of life were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and during follow-up using the Visual Analog Scale and Neck Disability Index. Additionally, complications that occurred during the study period were documented. RESULTS: The series of cases included 9 cases of hemangiomas and 5 cases of spinal metastases. The common symptom was axial pain in the neck. All patients were successfully treated with PVP. Visual analog scale scores decreased from 6.6 ± 0.8 preoperatively to 1.9 ± 0.8 at 24 hours postoperatively and to 2.4 ± 1.2 at the last follow-up (P < 0.01). Neck Disability Index decreased from 22.3% ± 8.9% preoperatively to 7.6% ± 8.1% at 24 hours postoperatively and to 6.0% ± 7.2% at 12-month follow-up (P < 0.01). After the operation, a case of dysphagia occurred, but no major complications were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical PVP via the anterolateral approach is a safe option for the treatment of cervical symptomatic hemangiomas and spinal metastases with limited invasiveness. It is effective in relieving pain and improving quality of life.

Chronic neck pain in a child: a case of osteoblastoma of the C5 cervical vertebra.

Osteoblastoma is a primary bone-forming tumour that usually occurs in the second decade with an affinity to the posterior elements when found in the spine. Its occurrence in the early first decade is uncommon and often causes a diagnostic dilemma. It usually has a late presentation and the symptoms may be non-specific which may lead the clinician to overlook this particular entity. We present a case of osteoblastoma of the posterior elements of the C5 vertebra in a pre-adolescent child who was diagnosed and successfully managed with surgical resection in a timely fashion that led to favourable recovery postoperatively.

Medullary Compression by a Cervical Osteochondroma in a Patient with Multiple Hereditary Exostoses: A Case Report.

CASE: A 19-year-old man with Multiple Hereditary Exostoses presented with cervical pain without neurological symptoms and/or signs. Magnetic resonance revealed a large C2 osteochondroma, occupying a part of the medullary canal. He was submitted to an en bloc resection with hemilaminectomy without fusion. At the 1-year follow-up, he presented resolution of pain and no neurological symptoms or signs, without cervical instability or radiological signs of disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: Cervical osteochondroma is usually asymptomatic. Neurological compression and differentiation to chondrosarcoma are the main concerns. Surgical excision allows the local cure of the disease and is usually performed without fusion.

Machine learning-based detection of sarcopenic obesity and association with adverse outcomes in patients undergoing surgical treatment for spinal metastases.

OBJECTIVE: The distributions and proportions of lean and fat tissues may help better assess the prognosis and outcomes of patients with spinal metastases. Specifically, in obese patients, sarcopenia may be easily overlooked as a poor prognostic indicator. The role of this body phenotype, sarcopenic obesity (SO), has not been adequately studied among patients undergoing surgical treatment for spinal metastases. To this end, here the authors investigated the role of SO as a potential prognostic factor in patients undergoing surgical treatment for spinal metastases. METHODS: The authors identified patients who underwent surgical treatment for spinal metastases between 2010 and 2020. A validated deep learning approach evaluated sarcopenia and adiposity on routine preoperative CT images. Based on composition analyses, patients were classified with SO or nonsarcopenic obesity. After nearest-neighbor propensity matching that accounted for confounders, the authors compared the rates and odds of postoperative complications, length of stay, 30-day readmission, and all-cause mortality at 90 days and 1 year between the SO and nonsarcopenic obesity groups. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients with obesity underwent surgical treatment for spinal metastases during the study period. Of these, 37 patients had nonsarcopenic obesity and 25 had SO. After propensity matching, 50 records were evaluated that were equally composed of patients with nonsarcopenic obesity and SO (25 patients each). Patients with SO were noted to have increased odds of nonhome discharge (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.69-21.26), 30-day readmission (OR 3.27, 95% CI 1.01-10.62), and 90-day (OR 4.85, 95% CI 1.29-18.26) and 1-year (OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.17-12.19) mortality, as well as increased time to mortality after surgery (12.60 ± 19.84 months vs 37.16 ± 35.19 months, p = 0.002; standardized mean difference 0.86). No significant differences were noted in terms of length of stay or postoperative complications when comparing the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The SO phenotype was associated with increased odds of nonhome discharge, readmission, and postoperative mortality. This study suggests that SO may be an important prognostic factor to consider when developing care plans for patients with spinal metastases.

Comparison of Hounsfield units and vertebral bone quality score for the prediction of time to pathologic fracture in mobile spine metastases treated with radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Spine metastases are commonly treated with radiotherapy for local tumor control; pathologic fracture is a potential complication of spinal radiotherapy. Both Hounsfield units (HUs) on CT and vertebral bone quality (VBQ) on MRI have been argued to predict stability as measured by odds of pathologic fracture, although it is unclear if there is a difference in the predictive power between the two methodologies. The objective of the present study was to examine whether one methodology is a better predictor of pathologic fracture following radiotherapy for mobile spine metastases. METHODS: Patients who underwent radiotherapy (conventional external-beam radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, or intensity-modulated radiation therapy) for mobile spine (C1-L5) metastases at a tertiary care center were retrospectively identified. Details regarding underlying pathology, patient demographics, and tumor morphology were collected. Vertebral involvement was assessed using the Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini (WBB) system. Bone quality of the non-tumor-involved bone was assessed on both pretreatment CT and MRI. Univariable analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of fracture, and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to identify significant predictors of time to pathologic fracture. Stepwise Cox regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of time to fracture. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included (mean age 62.7 ± 11.9 years; 61% male), of whom 35 experienced postradiotherapy pathologic fractures. The most common histologies were lung (22%), prostate (21%), breast (14%), and renal cell (13%). On univariable analysis, the mean HUs of the vertebrae adjacent to the fractured vertebra were significantly lower among those experiencing fracture; VBQ was not significantly associated with fracture odds. Survival analysis showed that average HUs ≤ 132, nonprostate pathology, involvement of ≥ 3 vertebral body segments on the WBB system, Spine Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) ≥ 7, and the presence of axial pain all predicted increased odds of fracture (all p < 0.001). Cox regression found that HUs ≤ 132 (OR 2.533, 95% CI 1.257-5.103; p = 0.009), ≥ 3 WBB vertebral body segments involved (OR 2.376, 95% CI 1.132-4.987; p = 0.022), and axial pain (OR 2.036, 95% CI 0.916-4.526; p = 0.081) predicted increased fracture odds, while prostate pathology predicted decreased odds (OR 0.076, 95% CI 0.009-0.613; p = 0.016). Sensitivity analysis suggested that an HU threshold of ≤ 132 and a SINS of ≥ 7 identified patients at increased risk of fracture. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that bone density surrogates as measured on CT, but not MRI, can be used to predict the risk of pathologic fracture following radiotherapy for mobile spine metastases. More extensive vertebral body involvement and the presence of mechanical axial pain additionally predict increased fracture odds.

Effectiveness of gelatin matrix with human thrombin for reducing blood loss in palliative decompressive surgery with posterior spinal fusion for metastatic spinal tumors.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of gelatin matrix with human thrombin (GMHT) on blood loss and survival time in patients with metastatic spinal tumors treated with palliative decompression surgery with posterior spinal fusion. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 67 consecutive patients with metastatic spinal tumors who underwent palliative decompression surgery with posterior spinal fusion. We compared patients in whom GMHT was not used during surgery with those in whom GMHT was used. The following baseline characteristics were evaluated: age, height, weight, sex, metastatic tumor diagnosis, medical history, use of antiplatelet drug, use of anticoagulant drug, use of NSAIDs, smoking, preoperative PLT value, preoperative APTT, preoperative PT-INR, Karnofsky Performance Status score, Charlson comorbidities index score, the percentage of patients who received perioperative chemotherapy, main tumor level, Frankel category, revised Tokuhashi score, spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS), number of fusion segments, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, drainage blood loss, red blood cell transfusion, hemoglobin level, total protein (TP), albumin values, total blood loss (TBL), hidden blood loss, postoperative bed rest and postoperative survival time. Perioperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: Age, height, weight, sex, metastatic tumor diagnosis, medical history, use of antiplatelet drug, use of anticoagulant drug, use of NSAIDs, smoking, preoperative PLT value, preoperative APTT, preoperative PT-INR, CCI score, main level of tumors, SINS score, preoperative Tokuhashi score and number of fusion segments did not differ significantly between the two groups. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage blood loss, and TBL were significantly decreased in the group with GMHT than in the group without GMHT. The total number of perioperative complications was significantly lesser in the group with GMHT than in the group without GMHT. The median postoperative survival time was significantly longer in the GMHT group than in the group without GMHT. CONCLUSION: GMHT should be considered a valid option for the treatment of patients with metastatic spinal tumors with a short life expectancy.

[Acute spinal cord compression under systemic therapy - radiotherapy or surgery?] / Akuter Querschnitt unter Systemtherapie ­ Radiotherapie oder OP?

Vertebral bodies are one of the most common metastasis sites found in advanced prostate cancer and have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Spinal metastases frequently cause severe back pain and in some occasions can lead to secondary complications, with serious neurological deficits and loss of function. The main treatment goals include adequate pain management, controlling tumour growth and restoring spinal stability. Publications on the role of surgery - both conventional and stereotactic radiotherapy, and either as an individual modality or in combination - have been inconclusive. The NOMS score has proven to be useful in making treatment decisions. Existing data show better outcomes in patients with surgical therapy, both when performed in isolation and also combined with radiotherapy, in which some of the cohorts studied including patients with primary cancer other than prostate cancer. Comparative studies that specifically investigate the superiority of specific therapy modalities for metastatic prostate carcinoma are scarce. Similarly, there are limited data on microsurgical interventions for spinal metastases. Radiotherapy alone is crucial in the setting of palliation, especially for pain relief, and its effectiveness has been shown in many studies. The patient's life expectancy plays a crucial role in deciding the most appropriate treatment approach. Given the complexity of the patient population, a multimodal therapy approach is necessary. Current trends in therapy favour greater use of surgical interventions, particularly in the early detection of spinal metastases.

The role of diffusion-weighted MRI in the accurate diagnosis of vertebral compression fractures: A comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: Accurately distinguishing between benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures is crucial for clinical management. This study evaluated the predictive accuracy of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating the cause of vertebral fractures using MRI. METHODS: A longitudinal cross-over study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Karachi from July 2018 to January 2021. Patients with vertebral compression fractures underwent T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and DWI imaging with ADC mapping on a 1.5 T MRI scanner. Imaging findings were compared with histopathologic results and clinical follow-up. Sensitivity, specificity, and ROC curve analyses were performed. RESULTS: The study enrolled 303 patients with a mean age of 43.6 ± 10.9 years, of whom 118 were male. DWI demonstrated high accuracy in predicting the cause of vertebral compression fractures, with a sensitivity of 96.2 %, a specificity of 76.2 %, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.857. The optimal ADC cut-off value was 0.82 × 10˄-3 mm˄2/s, which yielded a positive predictive value of 79.7 % and a negative predictive value of 95.4 %. CONCLUSIONS: DWI is a safe and non-invasive imaging modality with excellent predictive accuracy in differentiating between benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures. Iso- or hypointensity of collapsed vertebral bodies on DWI suggests a benign lesion, while T2-weighted hyperintensity is highly indicative of malignancy. Low signal on ADC is also highly indicative of malignant vertebral fractures. Incorporating DWI improves accuracy in assessing vertebral lesions, especially when standard sequences are inconclusive. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: DWI revolutionizes vertebral compression fracture diagnosis, distinguishing between benign and malignant cases. This precision guides treatment decisions, minimizing the necessity for invasive procedures like biopsy. As a safe and reliable imaging method, DWI elevates patient care, ensuring accurate diagnostics and improved outcomes.

Antibiotic-loaded bone cement combined with negative pressure wound therapy for treating sacrococcygeal wound following sacral chordoma resection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Sacral chordoma is a rare, malignant primary bone tumor with subtle clinical manifestations. The extensive cavity and soft tissue defect after radical resection of the tumor can lead to complications such as sacrococcygeal skin necrosis, infection, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, and delayed healing or nonhealing. PURPOSE: To describe the treatment effect of the combination use of antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC), a gluteus maximus muscle flap, and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on the nonhealing sacrococcygeal wound after sacral chordoma resection. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old woman with a sacrococcygeal wound following sacral chordoma resection was admitted to the hospital. In the 2-stage surgery, the internal fixation and synthetic dura substitute were exposed and CSF leakage was found after debridement, a gluteus maximus muscle flap was used to cover the synthetic dura substitute to address the CSF leakage, ALBC was used to cover the internal fixation, and a modified NPWT system was fixed to the wound for improved flushing and drainage. RESULTS: The previously nonhealing wound healed 3 weeks postoperatively, and satisfactory recovery was achieved by 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: This case report suggests that the combination use of ALBC, gluteus maximus muscle flap, and NPWT can effectively promote sacrococcygeal wound healing after chordoma resection.

Is perioperative blood transfusion associated with postoperative thromboembolism or infection after metastatic spinal tumor surgery?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Patients with metastatic spine disease who undergo surgical intervention have a high risk of requiring red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Perioperative transfusion has been independently associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) and infectious complications following orthopedic procedures and degenerative spinal intervention; however, literature within spine oncology is limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between perioperative RBC transfusion and postoperative VTE or infection following spinal tumor surgery. METHODS: A total of 153 patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastases between April 2012 and April 2022 were included. Medical records were reviewed to identify RBC transfusion administered either intraoperatively or within 96 h following surgery. The primary endpoints were: 1) development of any VTE or 2) development of any infection within 30 days following surgery. Any VTE was defined as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and any infection was defined as pneumonia, meningitis, Clostridium difficile infection, urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, or sepsis. Logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of the 153 patients included in the study, 43 % received a perioperative RBC transfusion. The overall incidence of postoperative VTE and infection was 15 % and 22 %, respectively. In univariate analysis, perioperative transfusion was not associated with postoperative VTE (odds ratio [OR] 2.41; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.97-6.00; p = 0.058) but was associated with infection (OR 3.02; 95 % CI 1.36-6.73; p = 0.007). After adjusting for confounders such as performance status, operative time, and surgical extent, transfusion was not associated with both VTE (OR 1.25; 95 % CI 0.36-4.32; p = 0.727) or infection (OR 1.86; 95 % CI 0.70-4.92; p = 0.210). While not statistically significant, sub-analyses demonstrated a trend towards increased VTE incidence in patients requiring transfusion earlier (within 24 h) as opposed to later postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: We found that perioperative transfusion was not an independent predictor of 30-day postoperative VTE or infection in patients undergoing metastatic spinal surgery. Further exploration of time-dependent transfusion outcomes is warranted.

Transient spinal cord dysfunction after surgery for intraspinal tumors: A case report.

RATIONALE: Limb dysfunction is not uncommon clinically after intramural tumor surgery. However, there are no relevant literature reports on the recovery of unilateral motor function caused by spinal cord dysfunction after short-term observation and treatment. The report of such cases is of great value for improving the cognition of postoperative complications of meningioma reducing misdiagnosis and providing reference for clinical treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 73-year-old female patient with numbness and weakness in both lower limbs accompanied by unstable walking for 2 months. Combined with imaging data and postoperative pathological diagnosis, it was diagnosed as thoracic spinal meningioma. The patient experienced transient unilateral limb dysfunction after surgery. DIAGNOSES: Magnetic resonance imaging and its enhanced magnetic resonance imaging suggest a space occupying lesion on the left side of the spinal canal at the level of the thoracic 3 to 4 vertebral body, possibly a meningioma. The postoperative pathology was grade I meningioma. INTERVENTION: Administer 10 mL of dexamethasone, 1 g of methylprednisolone, and 250 mL of mannitol for treatment. OUTCOMES: After 3 hours, the patient's muscle strength gradually recovered, and after 12 hours, it was better than the preoperative level. CONCLUSION: Spinal cord dysfunction may occur after surgery for intraspinal meningioma in the upper thoracic spine. Unlike spinal cord dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury, this dysfunction is short-term and transient. The use of hormones and diuretics is a feasible solution that can quickly restore patient limb function.

Emergent radiotherapy for spinal cord compression/impingement-a narrative review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Malignant epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC), often presenting with back pain and motor/sensory deficits, is associated with poor survival, particularly when there is loss of ambulation. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the literature and discuss appropriate workup and management of MESCC, specifically in the emergent setting. METHODS: A PubMed search was conducted on "spinal cord compression" and "radiation therapy." Articles were analyzed for the purpose of this narrative review. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: If MESCC is suspected, neurologic examination and complete spine imaging are recommended. Emergent treatment is indicated if there is radiographic evidence of high-grade compression and/or clinically significant motor deficits. Treatment involves a combination of medical management, surgical decompression, radiation therapy (RT), and rehabilitation. For motor deficits, emergent initiation of high dose steroids is recommended. Circumferential surgical decompression ± stabilization followed by RT provides superior clinical outcomes than RT alone. For patients whom surgery is not reasonable, RT alone may provide significant treatment response which depends on radioresponsiveness of the pathology. Systemic therapy, if indicated, is typically reserved till after primary treatment of MESCC, but patients with chemoresponsive tumors may receive primary chemotherapy. The selected RT schedule should be personalized to each patient and commonly is 30 Gy in 10 fractions (fx), 20 Gy in 5 fx, or 8 Gy in 1 fx. MESCC recurrence may be treated with additional RT, if within the spinal cord tolerance, or surgery. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has been used for high grade MESCC in patients with relatively intact neurologic function at a few centers with a very robust infrastructure to support rapid initiation of treatment within a short period of time, but is generally not feasible for most clinical practices. SBRT may be advantageous for low grade MESCC, recurrence, or in the post-operative setting. Detection of MESCC prior to development of high-grade compression or deterioration of neurologic function may allow patients to benefit more from advanced therapies and improve prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: MESCC is a devastating condition; optimal treatment should be personalized to each patient and approached collaboratively by a multidisciplinary team.

A precision-based exercise program for patients with multiple myeloma.

OBJECTIVES: Aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate an interdisciplinary consultation followed by a precision-based exercise program (PEP) for myeloma patients with stable and unstable bone lesions. METHODS: Data of myeloma patients (n = 100) who received a PEP according to an orthopedic evaluation were analyzed. Bone stability was assessed by established scoring systems (Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score [SINS], Mirels' score). All patients with stable and unstable osteolyses received a PEP and n = 91 were contacted for a follow-up interview. RESULTS: In 60% of patients at least one osteolysis of the spine was considered potentially unstable or unstable. Following consultation, the number of patients performing resistance training could be significantly increased (≥2 sessions/week, 55%). Musculoskeletal pain was reported frequently. At the follow-up interview, 75% of patients who performed PEP stated that painful symptoms could be effectively alleviated by exercise. Moreover, only patients who exercised regularly discontinued pain medication. No injuries were reported in association with PEP. CONCLUSION: We were able to demonstrate that individualized resistance training is implementable and safe for myeloma patients. By means of a PEP, patients' self-efficacy in managing musculoskeletal pain was enhanced and pain medication could be reduced.

Patients with progression of spinal metastases who present to the clinic have better outcomes compared to those who present to the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: As cancer therapies have improved, spinal metastases are increasingly common. Resulting complications have a significant impact on patient's quality of life. Optimal methods of surveillance and avoidance of neurologic deficits are understudied. This study compares the clinical course of patients who initially presented to the emergency department (ED) versus a multidisciplinary spine oncology clinic and who underwent stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) secondary to progression/presentation of metastatic spine disease. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of adult oncologic patients who underwent spinal SBRT at a single hospital from 2010 to 2021. Descriptive statistics and survival analyses were performed. RESULTS: We identified 498 spinal radiographic treatment sites in 390 patients. Of these patients, 118 (30.3%) presented to the ED. Patients presenting to the ED compared to the clinic had significantly more severe spinal compression (52.5% vs. 11.7%; p < 0.0001), severe pain (28.8% vs. 10.3%; p < 0.0001), weakness (24.5% vs. 4.5%; p < 0.0001), and difficulty walking (24.5% vs. 4.5%; p < 0.0001). Patients who presented to the ED compared to the clinic were significantly more likely to have surgical intervention followed by SBRT (55.4% vs. 15.3%; p < 0.0001) compared to SBRT alone. Patients who presented to the ED compared to the clinic had a significantly quicker interval to distant spine progression (5.1 ± 6.5 vs. 9.1 ± 10.2 months; p = 0.004), systemic progression (5.1 ± 7.2 vs. 9.2 ± 10.7 months; p < 0.0001), and worse overall survival (9.3 ± 10.0 vs. 14.3 ± 13.7 months; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The establishment of multidisciplinary spine oncology clinics is an opportunity to potentially allow for earlier, more data-driven treatment of their spinal metastatic disease.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Surgical Site Infection in Patients Undergoing Spinal Tumor Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective comparative case-control study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with spinal tumors requiring reoperation during the perioperative period. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: SSI is a common postoperative complication of spinal surgery. The occurrence of SSI not only increases the mortality rate but prolongs the patient's hospital stay and increases the medical cost. METHODS: Included in this study were 202 patients with spinal tumors who received surgical treatment between January 2008 and December 2018, of whom 101 patients who developed SSI and underwent secondary surgery were used as the SSI group, and the other 101 patients with no SSI who were matched with the SSI group by age (±10), pathologic diagnosis (malignant/no-malignant), tumor site (C/T/L/S), surgical approach (anterior/posterior/combined), and surgical team were used as the control group. The clinical data of the 202 patients in both groups were analyzed by logistic regression modeling to identify SSI-associated risk factors. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the revision status ( B =1.430, P =0.028), the number of spinal levels fused ≥4 ( B =0.963, P =0.006), and the use of bone cement ( B =0.739, P =0.046) were significantly associated with the increased risk of developing postoperative SSI. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the revision status, the number of spinal levels fused ≥4, and the use of bone cement as independent risk factors for SSI in patients with spinal tumors who underwent reoperation during the perioperative period.