Epidemiology of Spinal Trauma and Related Complication.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic spinal injury is leading cause of mortality and morbidity among the people of productive age group. This study aim to find the cause of spinal injury, site ,and mode of injury, treatment option given so that a preventive measures and create awareness among people of this region. METHODS: This is a prospective observation study done in Karnali Academy of Health Sciences from December 2021 to January 2023. Performa was filled to collect data. Data were entered in excel sheet and transported to SPSS 16.0 and statistical analysis was done . RESULTS: Out of 117 patients male population had higher incidence of spinal trauma (69.2%) with average age 43.9 years . Fall injury was the commonest mode of injury. 65.8% had injury at the thoracolumbar junction followed by lumbar, thoracic and cervical respectively. Cervical injury patients had higher incidence of neurological deficit. The average duration of trauma to hospital presentation was 10.9±11.2 hours. 19.7 % were operated and 6.8 % of patients were referred to other center. CONCLUSIONS: Fall injury being the commonest mode of injury in this art of world, prevention and awareness should be raised about the spinal trauma and its consequences. Adequate equipment with health facilities to the distant hospital may reduce the referral rate and duration of presentation to the hospital which ultimately prevent the further damage to the cord.

Respiratory Morbidity and Mortality of Traumatic Cervical Spinal Injury.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic cervical spinal injuries can severely affect respiratory function and cause significant morbidity and mortality. The typical respiratory morbidity in cervical spine injury is Atelectasis, Ventilator-associated pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and delayed weaning, etc. The study aims to see the prevalence of respiratory morbidity as well as mortality associated with cervical spine injury. METHODS: Cross sectional study based on retrospective data was conducted on the X Sciences with the existing hospital record during the period of 3 years to find out the prevalence respiratory morbidity like Ventilatory Associated Pneumonia, delayed weaning, ARDS, atelectasis of traumatic cervical spine injury, determine the prevalence, type, and impact of respiratory morbidity and mortality in this population. RESULTS: Total no 76 patients data meeting the inclusion criteria included in study. Male patients were more prone to develop traumatic cervical spinal injuries (SCI). The prevalence of respiratory morbidity in term of VAP(57.89), delayed weaning(46.05) and Atelectasis(22.36) was high. Patients with Asia A Neurology has higher association for VAP and delayed weaning, while Asia E Neurology patients had no respiratory morbidity. The study found a significant positive association between respiratory morbidity with hospital stay, and ventilator days (p-value: 0.019 and 0.048). A total of 15 patients died, 28.95% were discharged on request and 40.8% leaving the hospital against medical advice. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of respiratory morbidity higher in cervical spine injury. Furthermore, it has associated with prolonged ICU and ventilator days and increase in mortality.

Non-traumatic complete cervical spine dislocation with severe fixed kyphosis: successful multidisciplinary approach to a challenging case.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, there is no previous report in the literature of non-traumatic neglected complete cervical spine dislocation characterized by anterior spondyloptosis of C4, extreme head drop, and irreducible cervicothoracic kyphosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 33-year-old Caucasian man with a 17-year history of severe immune polymyositis and regular physiotherapy who presented with severe non-reducible kyphosis of the cervicothoracic junction and progressive tetraparesia for several weeks after a physiotherapy session. Radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a complete dislocation at the C4-C5 level, with C4 spondyloptosis, kyphotic angulation, spinal cord compression, and severe myelopathy. Due to recent worsening of neurological symptoms, an invasive treatment strategy was indicated. The patient's neurological status and spinal deformity greatly complicated the anesthetic and surgical management, which was planned after extensive multidisciplinary discussion and relied on close collaboration between the orthopedic surgeon and the anesthetist. Regarding anesthesia, difficult airway access was expected due to severe cervical angulation, limited mouth opening, and thyromental distance, with high risk of difficult ventilation and intubation. Patient management was further complicated by a theoretical risk of neurogenic shock, motor and sensory deterioration, instability due to position changes during surgery, and postoperative respiratory failure. Regarding surgery, a multistage approach was carefully planned. After a failed attempt at closed reduction, a three-stage surgical procedure was performed to reduce displacement and stabilize the spine, resulting in correct spinal realignment and fixation. Progressive complete neurological recovery was observed. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the successful management of a critical situation based on a multidisciplinary collaboration involving radiologists, anesthesiologists, and spine surgeons.

The role of payment sources in the continuation of rehabilitation therapy in tertiary hospitals for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: a study in Southwest China.

Medical security support for rehabilitation therapy in China is different from that in other countries. We investigated whether the discharge plan to continue rehabilitation therapy in tertiary hospitals for patients after traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) was influenced by payment sources or other conditions. This was a cross-sectional, observational study. Information was collected on the general condition, caregiver, types of payment sources for continued rehabilitation, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) scores, and discharge plans. In total, 135 patients with TSCI (107 male, mean age 41.00 ± 13.73 years, mean spinal cord injury duration 238.43 ± 345.54 days) were enrolled. Medical insurance (43%) and out-of-pocket payments (27.4%) were the primary payment sources. Although most patients were beyond the acute phase, 40% continued rehabilitation therapy at other tertiary hospitals. The caregiver, payment sources, injury level, AIS level, and complete urinary tract infection (UTI) were different due to discharge plans (p > .05). Patients seemingly consider a higher AIS level and co-UTI as the requirement for tertiary hospital therapy. In non-medical insurance payment source patients, the discharge plan also differed due to the AIS level and co-UTI (p > .05). However, in medical insurance patients, the discharge plan differed only in terms of TSCI duration (p > .05). The restricted duration of medical coverage restricted the continuation of rehabilitation therapy and influenced the discharge plan of most patients with TSCI.

Intrathecal delivery of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in traumatic spinal cord injury: Phase I trial.

Intrathecal delivery of autologous culture-expanded adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) could be utilized to treat traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). This Phase I trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03308565) included 10 patients with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A or B at the time of injury. The study's primary outcome was the safety profile, as captured by the nature and frequency of adverse events. Secondary outcomes included changes in sensory and motor scores, imaging, cerebrospinal fluid markers, and somatosensory evoked potentials. The manufacturing and delivery of the regimen were successful for all patients. The most commonly reported adverse events were headache and musculoskeletal pain, observed in 8 patients. No serious AEs were observed. At final follow-up, seven patients demonstrated improvement in AIS grade from the time of injection. In conclusion, the study met the primary endpoint, demonstrating that AD-MSC harvesting and administration were well-tolerated in patients with traumatic SCI.

Efficacy and safety of halo-gravity traction in the treatment of spinal deformities: A systematic review of the literature / Eficacia y seguridad de la tracción de halo-gravedad en el tratamiento de las deformidades de columna: una revisión sistemática de la literatura

Objective: To determine, through a systematic review, the effects of halo gravity traction in spinal deformity. Methods: Prospective studies or case series of patients with scoliosis or kyphosis treated with cranial halo gravity traction (HGT) were included. Radiological outcomes were measured in the sagittal and/or coronal planes. Pulmonary function was also assessed. Perioperative complications were also collected. Results: Thirteen studies were included. Congenital etiology was the most frequent etiology observed. Most studies provided clinically relevant curve correction values in the sagittal and coronal planes. Pulmonary values improved significantly after the use of HGT. Finally, there were a pool of 83 complications in 356 patients (23.3%). The most frequent complications were screw infection (38 cases). Conclusions: Preoperative HGT appears to be a safe and effective intervention for deformity that allows correction prior to surgery. However, there is a lack of homogeneity in the published studies.(AU)

Objetivo: Determinar, mediante una revisión sistemática, los efectos de la tracción de halo-gravedad (HGT) en las deformidades de columna. Métodos: Se incluyeron estudios prospectivos o series de casos de pacientes con escoliosis o cifosis tratados con HGT. Los resultados radiológicos se midieron en los planos sagital y/o coronal. También se evaluó la función pulmonar. Finalmente, se recogieron las complicaciones perioperatorias. Resultados: Se incluyeron 13 estudios. La etiología congénita fue la más frecuente. La mayoría de los estudios proporcionaron valores de corrección de la curva clínicamente relevantes en los planos sagital y coronal. Los valores pulmonares mejoraron significativamente tras el uso de HGT. Por último, existieron 83 complicaciones en 356 pacientes, siendo la infección la más frecuente (38 casos). Conclusiones: La HGT mostró ser una intervención segura y eficaz para la deformidad, que permite la corrección antes de la cirugía. Sin embargo, existe una falta de homogeneidad en los estudios publicados.(AU)

[Artículo traducido] Eficacia y seguridad de la tracción de halo-gravedad en el tratamiento de las deformidades de columna: una revisión sistemática de la literatura / Efficacy and safety of halo-gravity traction in the treatment of spinal deformities: A systematic review of the literature

Objective: To determine, through a systematic review, the effects of halo gravity traction in spinal deformity. Methods: Prospective studies or case series of patients with scoliosis or kyphosis treated with cranial halo gravity traction (HGT) were included. Radiological outcomes were measured in the sagittal and/or coronal planes. Pulmonary function was also assessed. Perioperative complications were also collected. Results: Thirteen studies were included. Congenital etiology was the most frequent etiology observed. Most studies provided clinically relevant curve correction values in the sagittal and coronal planes. Pulmonary values improved significantly after the use of HGT. Finally, there were a pool of 83 complications in 356 patients (23.3%). The most frequent complications were screw infection (38 cases). Conclusions: Preoperative HGT appears to be a safe and effective intervention for deformity that allows correction prior to surgery. However, there is a lack of homogeneity in the published studies.(AU)

Objetivo: Determinar, mediante una revisión sistemática, los efectos de la tracción de halo-gravedad (HGT) en las deformidades de columna. Métodos: Se incluyeron estudios prospectivos o series de casos de pacientes con escoliosis o cifosis tratados con HGT. Los resultados radiológicos se midieron en los planos sagital y/o coronal. También se evaluó la función pulmonar. Finalmente, se recogieron las complicaciones perioperatorias. Resultados: Se incluyeron 13 estudios. La etiología congénita fue la más frecuente. La mayoría de los estudios proporcionaron valores de corrección de la curva clínicamente relevantes en los planos sagital y coronal. Los valores pulmonares mejoraron significativamente tras el uso de HGT. Por último, existieron 83 complicaciones en 356 pacientes, siendo la infección la más frecuente (38 casos). Conclusiones: La HGT mostró ser una intervención segura y eficaz para la deformidad, que permite la corrección antes de la cirugía. Sin embargo, existe una falta de homogeneidad en los estudios publicados.(AU)

Menor síndrome adyacente superior y menor tasa de reoperación. Resultados a mediano y largo plazo de la artroplastia cervical frente a la artrodesis cervical anterior: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados / Less superior adjacent syndrome and lower reoperation rate. Medium- and long-term results of cervical arthroplasty versus anterior cervical arthrodesis: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Objetivo: Comparar a mediano y largo plazo los resultados quirúrgicos postoperatorios, sobre todo la tasa del síndrome adyacente, tasa de eventos adversos y tasa de reoperación, de los pacientes operados con artroplastia cervical o artrodesis cervical anterior en los ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) publicados de un nivel cervical. Métodos: Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis. Se seleccionaron 13 ECA. Se analizaron los resultados clínicos, radiológicos y quirúrgicos, tomando como variables primarias la tasa del síndrome adyacente, tasa de eventos adversos y tasa de reoperación. Resultados: Fueron 2.963 los pacientes analizados. El grupo de artroplastia cervical mostró una menor tasa de síndrome adyacente superior (p<0,001), menor tasa de reoperación (p<0,001), menor dolor radicular (p=0,002) y una mejor puntuación en el índice de discapacidad cervical (p=0,02) y en el componente físico SF-36 (p=0,01). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la tasa del síndrome adyacente inferior, tasa de eventos adversos, dolor cervical ni componente mental SF-36. Se halló en la artroplastia cervical un rango de movilidad medio de 7,91 grados en el seguimiento final y una tasa de osificación heterotópica de 9,67%. Conclusión: En el seguimiento a mediano y largo plazo, la artroplastia cervical mostró menor tasa de síndrome adyacente superior y menor tasa de reintervención. No se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la tasa del síndrome adyacente inferior ni en la tasa de eventos adversos.(AU)

Objective: To compare medium- and long-term postoperative surgical results, especially the adjacent syndrome rate, adverse event rate, and reoperation rate, of patients operated on with cervical arthroplasty or anterior cervical arthrodesis in published randomized clinical trials (RCTs), at one cervical level. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Thirteen RCTs were selected. The clinical, radiological and surgical results were analyzed, taking the adjacent syndrome rate and the reoperation rate as the primary objective of the study. Results: Two thousand nine hundred and sixty three patients were analyzed. The cervical arthroplasty group showed a lower rate of superior adjacent syndrome (P<0.001), lower reoperation rate (P<0.001), less radicular pain (P=0.002), and a better score of neck disability index (P=0.02) and SF-36 physical component (P=0.01). No significant differences were found in the lower adjacent syndrome rate, adverse event rate, neck pain scale, or SF-36 mental component. A range of motion of 7.91 degrees was also found at final follow-up, and a heterotopic ossification rate of 9.67% in patients with cervical arthroplasty. Conclusion: In the medium and long-term follow-up, cervical arthroplasty showed a lower rate of superior adjacent syndrome and a lower rate of reoperation. No statistically significant differences were found in the rate of inferior adjacent syndrome or in the rate of adverse events.(AU)

[Translated article] Less superior adjacent syndrome and lower reoperation rate. Medium- and long-term results of cervical arthroplasty versus anterior cervical arthrodesis: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials / Menor síndrome adyacente superior y menor tasa de reoperación. Resultados a mediano y a largo plazo de la artroplastia cervical frente a la artrodesis cervical anterior: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados

Objetivo: Comparar a mediano y largo plazo los resultados quirúrgicos postoperatorios, sobre todo la tasa del síndrome adyacente, tasa de eventos adversos y tasa de reoperación, de los pacientes operados con artroplastia cervical o artrodesis cervical anterior en los ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) publicados de un nivel cervical. Métodos: Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis. Se seleccionaron 13 ECA. Se analizaron los resultados clínicos, radiológicos y quirúrgicos, tomando como variables primarias la tasa del síndrome adyacente, tasa de eventos adversos y tasa de reoperación. Resultados: Fueron 2.963 los pacientes analizados. El grupo de artroplastia cervical mostró una menor tasa de síndrome adyacente superior (p<0,001), menor tasa de reoperación (p<0,001), menor dolor radicular (p=0,002) y una mejor puntuación en el índice de discapacidad cervical (p=0,02) y en el componente físico SF-36 (p=0,01). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la tasa del síndrome adyacente inferior, tasa de eventos adversos, dolor cervical ni componente mental SF-36. Se halló en la artroplastia cervical un rango de movilidad medio de 7,91 grados en el seguimiento final y una tasa de osificación heterotópica de 9,67%. Conclusión: En el seguimiento a mediano y largo plazo, la artroplastia cervical mostró menor tasa de síndrome adyacente superior y menor tasa de reintervención. No se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la tasa del síndrome adyacente inferior ni en la tasa de eventos adversos.(AU)

Objective: To compare medium- and long-term postoperative surgical results, especially the adjacent syndrome rate, adverse event rate, and reoperation rate, of patients operated on with cervical arthroplasty or anterior cervical arthrodesis in published randomized clinical trials (RCTs), at one cervical level. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Thirteen RCTs were selected. The clinical, radiological and surgical results were analyzed, taking the adjacent syndrome rate and the reoperation rate as the primary objective of the study. Results: Two thousand nine hundred and sixty three patients were analyzed. The cervical arthroplasty group showed a lower rate of superior adjacent syndrome (P<0.001), lower reoperation rate (P<0.001), less radicular pain (P=0.002), and a better score of neck disability index (P=0.02) and SF-36 physical component (P=0.01). No significant differences were found in the lower adjacent syndrome rate, adverse event rate, neck pain scale, or SF-36 mental component. A range of motion of 7.91 degrees was also found at final follow-up, and a heterotopic ossification rate of 9.67% in patients with cervical arthroplasty. Conclusion: In the medium and long-term follow-up, cervical arthroplasty showed a lower rate of superior adjacent syndrome and a lower rate of reoperation. No statistically significant differences were found in the rate of inferior adjacent syndrome or in the rate of adverse events.(AU)

Incidence, prevalence, and causes of spinal injuries in China, 1990-2019: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

BACKGROUND: Spinal injuries are an urgent public health priority; nevertheless, no China-wide studies of these injuries exist. This study measured the incidence, prevalence, causes, regional distribution, and annual trends of spinal injuries in China from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: We used data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 to estimate the incidence and prevalence of spinal injuries in China. The data of 33 provincial-level administrative regions (excluding Taiwan, China) provided by the National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were use to systematically analyze the provincial etiology, geographical distribution, and annual trends of spinal injuries. The Bayesian meta-regression tool DisMod-MR 2.1 was used to ensure the consistency among incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates in each case. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2019, the number of living patients with spinal injuries in China increased by 138.32%, from 2.14 million to 5.10 million, while the corresponding age-standardized prevalence increased from 0.20% (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 0.18-0.21%) to 0.27% (95% UI: 0.26-0.29%). The incidence of spinal injuries in China increased by 89.91% (95% UI: 72.39-107.66%), and the prevalence increased by 98.20% (95% UI: 89.56-106.82%), both the most significant increases among the G20 countries; 71.00% of the increase could be explained by age-specific prevalence. In 2019, the incidence was 16.47 (95% UI: 12.08-22.00, per 100,000 population), and the prevalence was 358.30 (95% UI: 333.96-386.62, per 100,000 population). Based on the data of 33 provincial-level administrative regions provided by CDC, age-standardized incidence and prevalence were both highest in developed provinces in Eastern China. The primary causes were falls and road injuries; however, the prevalence and specific causes differed across provinces. CONCLUSIONS: In China, the overall disease burden of spinal injuries increased significantly during the past three decades but varied considerably according to geographical location. The primary causes were falls and road injuries; however, the prevalence and specific causes differed across provinces.

Analysis of Neurosurgical Injuries and The Lessons Learned After the Catastrophic Double Earthquakes in Turkey.

AIM: To identify the patterns and types of neuorosurgical injuries sustained by victims of the double earthquakes affected ten cities with a population of 15 million in southern and central Türkiye. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this descriptive observational study, we retrospectively analyzed the medical records of a university hospital located in one of the ten cities affected by the earthquake. RESULTS: A total of 1,612 patients with earthquake-related injuries were admitted during the study period, of which 139 (8.6%) had neurosurgical injuries. The mean age of the patients was 42.4 ± 21.1 years (median, 42 years), and 53.2% of them were female. Of the 139 patients with neurosurgical injuries, 41 (29.5%) had craniocerebral injuries, 95 (68.3%) had spinal injuries, and three (2.2%) had both craniocerebral and spinal injuries. A total of 31 surgeries were performed (22.3%) (five [3.6%] for craniocerebral injuries and 26 [18.7 %] for spinal injuries). Ninety-eight patients (70.5%) had concomitant systemic traumas. The overall mortality rate was 5.75%, with crush syndrome (n=4, 50%), being the leading cause of death, followed by neurosurgical pathologies (n=3, 37.5%) and pneumonia with septic shock (n=1, 12.5%). CONCLUSION: Neurosurgical injury is an important cause of post-earthquake mortality and morbidity. To ensure efficient medical rescue and judicious resource allocation, it is essential to recognize the characteristics of earthquake-related neurosurgical injuries. This study provides valuable information regarding the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of neurosurgical injuries in earthquake-affected patients. Our findings highlight the need for prompt diagnosis and management of such injuries, particularly in those with concomitant systemic trauma.

Triage tools for detecting cervical spine injury in paediatric trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric cervical spine injury (CSI) after blunt trauma is rare but can have severe consequences. Clinical decision rules (CDRs) have been developed to guide clinical decision-making, minimise unnecessary tests and associated risks, whilst detecting all significant CSIs. Several validated CDRs are used to guide imaging decision-making in adults following blunt trauma and clinical criteria have been proposed as possible paediatric-specific CDRs. Little information is known about their accuracy. OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy of CDRs or sets of clinical criteria, alone or in comparison with each other, for the evaluation of CSI following blunt trauma in children. SEARCH METHODS: For this update, we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and six other databases from 1 January 2015 to 13 December 2022. As we expanded the index test eligibility for this review update, we searched the excluded studies from the previous version of the review for eligibility. We contacted field experts to identify ongoing studies and studies potentially missed by the search. There were no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included cross-sectional or cohort designs (retrospective and prospective) and randomised controlled trials that compared the diagnostic accuracy of any CDR or clinical criteria compared with a reference standard for the evaluation of paediatric CSI following blunt trauma. We included studies evaluating one CDR or comparing two or more CDRs (directly and indirectly). We considered X-ray, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine, and clinical clearance/follow-up as adequate reference standards. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts for relevance, and carried out eligibility, data extraction and quality assessment. A third review author arbitrated. We extracted data on study design, participant characteristics, inclusion/exclusion criteria, index test, target condition, reference standard and data (diagnostic two-by-two tables) and calculated and plotted sensitivity and specificity on forest plots for visual examination of variation in test accuracy. We assessed methodological quality using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies Version 2 tool. We graded the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: We included five studies with 21,379 enrolled participants, published between 2001 and 2021. Prevalence of CSI ranged from 0.5% to 1.85%. Seven CDRs were evaluated. Three studies reported on direct comparisons of CDRs. One study (973 participants) directly compared the accuracy of three index tests with the sensitivities of NEXUS, Canadian C-Spine Rule and the PECARN retrospective criteria being 1.00 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48 to 1.00), 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00), respectively. The specificities were 0.56 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.59), 0.52 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.55) and 0.32 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.35), respectively (moderate-certainty evidence). One study (4091 participants) compared the accuracy of the PECARN retrospective criteria with the Leonard de novo model; the sensitivities were 0.91 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.96) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.83 to 0.97), respectively. The specificities were 0.46 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.47) and 0.50 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.52) (moderate- and low-certainty evidence, respectively). One study (270 participants) compared the accuracy of two NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) head injury guidelines; the sensitivity of the CG56 guideline was 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00) compared to 1.00 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.00) with the CG176 guideline. The specificities were 0.46 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.52) and 0.07 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.11), respectively (very low-certainty evidence). Two additional studies were indirect comparison studies. One study (3065 participants) tested the accuracy of the NEXUS criteria; the sensitivity was 1.00 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.00) and specificity was 0.20 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.21) (low-certainty evidence). One retrospective study (12,537 participants) evaluated the PEDSPINE criteria and found a sensitivity of 0.93 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.99) and specificity of 0.70 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.72) (very low-certainty evidence). We did not pool data within the broader CDR categories or investigate heterogeneity due to the small quantity of data and the clinical heterogeneity of studies. Two studies were at high risk of bias. We identified two studies that are awaiting classification pending further information and two ongoing studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to determine the diagnostic test accuracy of CDRs to detect CSIs in children following blunt trauma, particularly for children under eight years of age. Although most studies had a high sensitivity, this was often achieved at the expense of low specificity and should be interpreted with caution due to a small number of CSIs and wide CIs. Well-designed, large studies are required to evaluate the accuracy of CDRs for the cervical spine clearance in children following blunt trauma, ideally in direct comparison with each other.

Subject-Specific Geometry of FE Lumbar Spine Models for the Replication of Fracture Locations Using Dynamic Drop Tests.

For traumatic lumbar spine injuries, the mechanisms and influence of anthropometrical variation are not yet fully understood under dynamic loading. Our objective was to evaluate whether geometrically subject-specific explicit finite element (FE) lumbar spine models based on state-of-the-art clinical CT data combined with general material properties from the literature could replicate the experimental responses and the fracture locations via a dynamic drop tower-test setup. The experimental CT datasets from a dynamic drop tower-test setup were used to create anatomical details of four lumbar spine models (T12 to L5). The soft tissues from THUMS v4.1 were integrated by morphing. Each model was simulated with the corresponding loading and boundary conditions from the dynamic lumbar spine tests that produced differing injuries and injury locations. The simulations resulted in force, moment, and kinematic responses that effectively matched the experimental data. The pressure distribution within the models was used to compare the fracture occurrence and location. The spinal levels that sustained vertebral body fracture in the experiment showed higher simulation pressure values in the anterior elements than those in the levels that did not fracture in the reference experiments. Similarly, the spinal levels that sustained posterior element fracture in the experiments showed higher simulation pressure values in the vertebral posterior structures compared to those in the levels that did not sustain fracture. Our study showed that the incorporation of the spinal geometry and orientation could be used to replicate the fracture type and location under dynamic loading. Our results provided an understanding of the lumbar injury mechanisms and knowledge on the load thresholds that could be used for injury prediction with explicit FE lumbar spine models.

Musculoskeletal Injury in Australian Professional Musical Theatre Shows: A 5-Year Retrospective Observation Study of 2,249 Medical Attention Injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency and trends of musculoskeletal medical attention injuries occurring in Australian professional musical theatre performers over two consecutive Australian city tours. METHODS: Medical attention performance-related injuries were prospectively reported from 269 professional Australian music theatre performers across nine professional music theatre productions from 2015 to 2020. Medical attention injuries were defined as a presentation to physiotherapy for assessment or treatment of a body region that may or may not have resulted in time lost on stage. RESULTS: 844 injuries were reported in City 1 and 776 injuries were reported in the City 2. The proportion of performers reporting injuries in City 1 ranged from 39.5% to 96.4% and in City 2, from 15.4% to 92.9%. Cervical spine injuries (ncity1 = 194, ncity2 = 187) were the most prevalent musculoskeletal presentation to physiotherapy followed by lumbar spine (ncity1 = 124, ncity2 = 117) and thoracic spine (ncity1 = 124, ncity2 = 90). There were more acute injuries reported in City 1 than City 2 (adj residuals = -4.09, p < 0.001) and more persistent injuries in City 2 (adj residuals = 4.09, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Almost half of all injuries requiring medical attention in Australian professional music theatre performers were related to the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, with an increasing trend of cervical spine injury frequency across show durations. The study suggests a need for targeted injury prevention strategies in this population.

Repair effect of neurotrophic factor III (NT-3) on rats with spinal injury model and its mechanism.

The present study aimed to study the repair effect of neurotrophic factor III (NT-3) on spinal injury model rats and its mechanism. Wistar rats with spinal injury were established by accelerated compression stroke after the operation and divided into control group, model group, and NT-3 intervention group. The motor function of rats in each group was evaluated at different postoperative time points (3, 7, 14 d). HE staining was used to detect the changes in tissue structure and morphology of the injured spinal column in each group. The changes of SOD, MDA and GSH in serum of rats were detected. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was used to detect the expression changes of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) and pro-apoptotic protein (Bax) in injured spinal tissue of rats in each group. Compared with model group, motor function score of NT-3 intervention group increased gradually, and had statistical significance at 7 and 14 days (5.29±1.62 vs 9.33±2.16, 5.92±1.44 vs 14.56±2.45, T =7.386, 9.294, P =0.004, 0.000). The levels of SOD and GSH in serum of NT-3 intervention group were significantly increased (t=9.117, 12.207, P=0.000, 0.000), while the level of MDA was significantly decreased (t=5.089, P=0.011). Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α in NT-3 intervention group were significantly decreased (T =6.157, 7.958, 6.339, 6.288, P=0.008, 0.005, 0.005, 0.007). In the NT-3 treatment group, Bax protein was significantly decreased (0.24±0.05 vs 0.89±0.12, T =8.579, P=0.001), and the relative expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly increased (0.75±0.06 vs 0.13±0.05, T =9.367, P=0.001). Neurotrophic factor III can promote spinal injury repair in spinal injury model rats, and play a role by enhancing antioxidant stress ability, inhibiting inflammatory factors, promoting Bcl-2 and decreasing Bax expression.

Post-traumatic lumbar nerve root entrapment into the spinous process of the lumbar spine.

Thoracolumbar fractures constitute a significant portion of spinal trauma, accounting for 15-20% of the cases. These fractures, caused by high-impact injuries, may involve tears of the posterior ligamentous complex, presenting a high chance of neurological injury ranging from dural tears to spinal root avulsion. This case report discusses a rare occurrence of avulsion of lumbosacral nerve roots posteriorly, becoming entrapped in the fractured spinous process of the L2 lumbar vertebra, leading to cauda equina syndrome following trauma and its implications during surgery.

Al-Zahrawi (936-1013 AD): On the Surgical Treatment of Neurological Disorders by the Father of Operative Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Medical knowledge during the medieval ages flourished under the influence of great scholars of the Islamic Golden age such as Ibn Sina (Latinized as Avicenna), Abu Bakr al-Razi (Rhazes), and Abu al-Qasim Khalaf ibn al-Abbas al-Zahrawi, known as Albucasis. Much has been written on al-Zahrawi's innovation in various disciplines of medicine and surgery. In this article, we focus for on the contributions of al-Zahrawi toward the treatment of neurological disorders in the surgical chapters of his medical encyclopedia, Kitab al-Tasrif (The Method of Medicine). METHODS: Excerpts from a modern copy of volume 30 of al-Zahrawi's Kitab al-Tasrif were reviewed and translated by the primary author from Arabic to English, to further provide specific details regarding his neurosurgical knowledge. In addition, a literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar to review prior reports on al-Zahrawi's neurosurgical instructions. RESULTS: In addition to what is described in the literature of al-Zahrawi's teachings in cranial and spine surgery, we provide insight into his diagnosis and management of cranial and spinal trauma, the devices he used, and prognostication of various traumatic injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Al-Zahrawi was a renowned physician during the Islamic Golden age who made significant contributions to the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions, particularly cranial and spinal cord injuries. He developed innovative surgical techniques for trephination and spinal traction, which are still used in modern neurosurgery. His insights make him worthy of recognition as an important figure in the history of neurological surgery.

Validation of the AO Spine CROST (Clinician Reported Outcome Spine Trauma) in the clinical setting.

PURPOSE: To evaluate feasibility, internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and prospective validity of AO Spine CROST (Clinician Reported Outcome Spine Trauma) in the clinical setting. METHODS: Patients were included from four trauma centers. Two surgeons with substantial amount of experience in spine trauma care were included from each center. Two separate questionnaires were administered at baseline, 6-months and 1-year: one to surgeons (mainly CROST) and another to patients (AO Spine PROST-Patient Reported Outcome Spine Trauma). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze patient characteristics and feasibility, Cronbach's α for internal consistency. Inter-rater reliability through exact agreement, Kappa statistics and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Prospective analysis, and relationships between CROST and PROST were explored through descriptive statistics and Spearman correlations. RESULTS: In total, 92 patients were included. CROST showed excellent feasibility results. Internal consistency (α = 0.58-0.70) and reliability (ICC = 0.52 and 0.55) were moderate. Mean total scores between surgeons only differed 0.2-0.9 with exact agreement 48.9-57.6%. Exact agreement per CROST item showed good results (73.9-98.9%). Kappa statistics revealed moderate agreement for most CROST items. In the prospective analysis a trend was only seen when no concerns at all were expressed by the surgeon (CROST = 0), and moderate to strong positive Spearman correlations were found between CROST at baseline and the scores at follow-up (rs = 0.41-0.64). Comparing the CROST with PROST showed no specific association, nor any Spearman correlations (rs = -0.33-0.07). CONCLUSIONS: The AO Spine CROST showed moderate validity in a true clinical setting including patients from the daily clinical practice.