Patient-reported outcomes in Primary Spinal Intradural Tumours: a systematic review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVES: Primary Spinal Intradural Tumours (PSITs) are rare pathologies that can significantly impact quality of life. This study aimed to review patient reported outcomes (PROs) in PSITs. METHODS: A systematic search of Pubmed and Embase was performed to identify studies measuring PROs in adults with PSITs. PRO results were categorised as relating to Global, Physical, Social, or Mental health. Outcomes were summarised descriptively. RESULTS: Following review of 2382 records, 11 studies were eligible for inclusion (737 patients). All studies assessed surgically treated patients. Schwannoma was the commonest pathology (n = 190). 7 studies measured PROs before and after surgery, the remainder assessed only post-operatively. For eight studies, PROs were obtained within 12 months of treatment. 21 PRO measurement tools were used across included studies, of which Euro-Qol-5D (n = 8) and the pain visual/numerical analogue scale (n = 5) were utilised most frequently. Although overall QoL is lower than healthy controls in PSITs, improvements following surgery were found in Extramedullary tumours (EMT) in overall physical, social, and mental health. Similar improvements were not significant across studies of Intramedullary tumours (IMT). Overall QoL and symptom burden was higher in IMT patients than in brain tumour patients. No studies evaluated the effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with PSITs suffer impaired PROs before and after surgery. This is particularly true for IMTs. PRO reporting in PSITs is hindered by a heterogeneity of reporting and varied measurement tools. This calls for the establishment of a standard set of PROs as well as the use of registries.

Anterolateral thoracic approach for thoracic discectomy using pedicle marking and 3D intraoperative imaging system.

Thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is a rare occurrence comprising of only 0.25-0.75% of all herniated discs in any region. Limitations in direct visualization remains a surgical challenge for complete and safe resection of TDH. In this case report, we describe the use of a 3D intraoperative imaging system (O-arm system TM) coupled with percutaneous pedicle markers placed under fluoroscopic guidance to circumvent the current limitations in visualisation for a patient with a giant calcified TDH using an anterolateral approach. There was an improvement in overall visualisation and ease of procedure, leading to a successful surgery. Post-op, there was a significant improvement in the motor power of the patient.

Primary lumbar decompression using ultrasonic bone curette compared to conventional technique.

PURPOSE: The ultrasonic bone curette (Bone Scalpel) is a novel technique in neurosurgery for bony dissection. This study aimed to evaluate its use against conventional techniques for primary lumbar decompression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort comparison, using Spine Tango Registry data. All patients undergoing a primary procedure for lumbar decompression secondary to degenerative disease during a 2-year period (2014-2016) were identified, split into age and gender matched cohorts utilising either bone scalpel or conventional techniques intra-operatively. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were identified within each cohort, which did not differ significantly in terms of age, gender, BMI, number of operative vertebral levels or seniority of the principal surgeon. The incidence of intra-operative blood loss >100 ml was significantly reduced within the bone scalpel cohort (16.1% bone scalpel, 34.4% conventional, p = 0.04). There was no difference in the incidence of iatrogenic dural breach (9.7% bone scalpel, 16.1% conventional, p = 0.27). There was no significant difference in pre-operative Core Outcomes Measures Index (COMI) between the cohorts (7.91 bone scalpel, 8.02 conventional, p = 0.67) and both cohorts demonstrated a significant reduction in mean COMI at 24 months (bone scalpel p = 0.004, conventional p = <0.001). No difference in mean COMI existed between either cohort at any point across the 24-month post-operative period (p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: The use of ultrasonic bone curette for primary lumbar decompression is associated with reduced intra-operative blood loss compared to conventional techniques, alongside a comparable safety profile and equivalent patient reported outcomes.

Correction to: Incidental intracranial meningiomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic factors and outcomes.

Issues with data analysis have recently been highlighted by a reader of our article. These have been addressed with changes to Tables 2&4, as shown below, and Online Resources 5-7. T2 and peritumoral signal are no longer prognostic factors on simple pooled (Online Resource 5) and IPD (Table 4) analyses respectively. In Table 5, the number of patients which informed the outcomes symptom development and intervention were 575 and 947 respectively; 69 developed symptoms (pooled proportion %8.4 [95% CI 2.8-16.7], I2 = 88.9%). These included motor and cognitive deficits (n = 1). We apologise to the readership of the Journal of Neuro-Oncology for these errors and thank the reader for helping us identify them.

Incidental intracranial meningiomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic factors and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Incidental discovery accounts for 30% of newly-diagnosed intracranial meningiomas. There is no consensus on their optimal management. This review aimed to evaluate the outcomes of different management strategies for these tumors. METHODS: Using established systematic review methods, six databases were scanned up to September 2017. Pooled event proportions were estimated using a random effects model. Meta-regression of prognostic factors was performed using individual patient data. RESULTS: Twenty studies (2130 patients) were included. Initial management strategies at diagnosis were: surgery (27.3%), stereotactic radiosurgery (22.0%) and active monitoring (50.7%) with a weighted mean follow-up of 49.5 months (SD = 29.3). The definition of meningioma growth and monitoring regimens varied widely impeding relevant meta-analysis. The pooled risk of symptom development in patients actively monitored was 8.1% (95% CI 2.7-16.1). Associated factors were peritumoral edema (OR 8.72 [95% CI 0.35-14.90]) and meningioma diameter ≥ 3 cm (OR 34.90 [95% CI 5.17-160.40]). The pooled proportion of intervention after a duration of active monitoring was 24.8% (95% CI 7.5-48.0). Weighted mean time-to-intervention was 24.8 months (SD = 18.2). The pooled risks of morbidity following surgery and radiosurgery, accounting for cross-over, were 11.8% (95% CI 3.7-23.5) and 32.0% (95% CI 10.6-70.5) respectively. The pooled proportion of operated meningioma being WHO grade I was 94.0% (95% CI 88.2-97.9). CONCLUSION: The management of incidental meningioma varies widely. Most patients who clinically or radiologically progressed did so within 5 years of diagnosis. Intervention at diagnosis may lead to unnecessary overtreatment. Prospective data is needed to develop a risk calculator to better inform management strategies.

Indications for intracranial reservoirs: a six-year study.

OBJECTIVES: For patients with intracranial recurrent cysts, reservoir placement can offer symptomatic control at relatively low risk, allowing repeated outpatient aspiration. Predicting which patients will require repeated drainage is not always straightforward. The aim of this study was to examine a series of patients treated with reservoir system placement, and examine the factors that may be relevant to repeated drainage and morbidity. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all adult patients who had intracranial reservoir placement between 2005 and 2011 at a single neurosurgical centre. Information was gathered on the indications for placement, demographics, diagnosis, imaging, disease characteristics, complications and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Forty-one adult patients had reservoir placement over the 6-year period, of which 31 had cystic lesions, 4 had hydrocephalus, and 6 were for intrathecal therapy. Of the 31 cystic lesions, 14 were high-grade gliomas, 6 craniopharyngiomas, 4 low-grade gliomas, 5 cystic metastases, 1 acoustic neuroma, and 1 arachnoid cyst. The 30 patients with malignant disease had 1-6 postoperative aspirations at a median of 290 days after surgery. In patients with hydrocephalus the reservoir was not used postoperatively. Eighty-three per cent of patients with cystic lesions who had recurrent aspirations (26/36) resulted in clinical improvement. For the three categories of cystic lesions with the most number of aspirations; 100% showed clinical improvement in low-grade lesions, 68.4% in high-grade lesions, and 66.7% in craniopharyngiomas. Four patients experienced complications, including reservoir malfunction (2), infection (1), and misplacement (1). CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial reservoirs provide significant clinical improvement when used for recurrent aspiration in patients with cystic tumours. In particular, it is clear that ommaya reservoirs are of significant advantage in high-grade lesions, where the majority of patients undergo recurrent aspirations with clinical improvement.

Distal Lumbar Lordosis is Associated With Reoperation for Adjacent Segment Disease After Lumbar Fusion for Degenerative Conditions.

STUDY DESIGN: A single centre retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have suggested that distal lordosis (L4-S1, DL) remains constant across all pelvic incidence (PI) subgroups, whilst proximal lordosis (L1-L4, PL) varies. We sought to investigate the impact of post-operative DL on adjacent segment disease (ASD) requiring reoperation in patients undergoing lumbar fusion for degenerative conditions. METHODS: Patients undergoing 1-3 level lumbar fusion with the two senior authors between 2007-16 were included. Demographic and radiographic data were recorded. Univariate, multivariate binary logistic regression, and Kaplan Meier survivorship analyses were performed. RESULTS: 335 patients were included in the final analysis. Most had single (67%) or two (31%) level fusions. The mean follow-up was 64-month. Fifty-seven patients (17%) underwent reoperation for ASD at an average of 78-month post-operatively (R group). The R group had a significantly lower mean post-operative DL (27.3 vs 31.1 deg, P < .001) and mean PI (55.5 vs 59.2 deg, P < .05). On univariate analysis, patients with a post-operative DL of <35 deg had higher odds of reoperation for ASD than those with a post-operative DL of ≥35 deg (OR 2.7, P = .016). In the multivariate model, post-operative DL, low/average PI, and spondylolisthesis were all significantly associated with reoperation for ASD. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary support to an association between post-operative distal lumbar lordosis and risk of reoperation for ASD in patients undergoing fusions for degenerative conditions. Further multicentre prospective study is needed to independently confirm this association and identify the impact of restoration of physiological distal lumbar lordosis on long term patient outcomes.

Identification and Assessment of Outcome Measurement Instruments in Cauda Equina Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a systematic review of surgically managed Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) Outcome Measurement Instruments (OMI). OBJECTIVE: A core outcome set (COS) defines agreed outcomes which should be reported as a minimum in any research study for a specific condition. This study identified OMIs used in the wider CES literature and compare these to the established CESCOS. METHODS: To identify measurement methods and instruments in the CES surgical outcome evidence base, a systematic review was performed. Medline, Embase and CINAHL plus databases were queried. In addition, a secondary search for validation studies of measurement instruments in CES was undertaken. Identified studies from this search were subject to the COSMIN risk of bias assessment. RESULTS: In total, 112 studies were identified investigating surgical outcomes for CES. The majority (80%, n = 90) of these OMI studies were retrospective in nature and only 55% (n = 62) utilised a measurement method or instrument. The remaining 50 studies used study specific definitions for surgical outcomes defined within their methods. Of the 59 measurement instruments identified, 60% (n = 38 instruments) were patient reported outcome measures. Only one validated instrument was identified, which was a patient reported outcome measure. The validated instrument was not used in any study identified in the initial search (to identify measurement instruments). CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the wide heterogeneity of measurement instruments used in surgically managed CES research. Subsequently, there is need for consensus agreement on which instrument or instruments should be used to measure each core outcome for CES surgical outcomes.

Definition, Frequency and Risk Factors for Intra-Operative Spinal Cord Injury: A Knowledge Synthesis.

STUDY DESIGN: Mixed-methods approach. OBJECTIVES: Intra-operative spinal cord injury (ISCI) is a devastating complication of spinal surgery. Presently, a uniform definition for ISCI does not exist. Consequently, the reported frequency of ISCI and important risk factors vary in the existing literature. To address these gaps in knowledge, a mixed-methods knowledge synthesis was undertaken. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to review the definitions used for ISCI and to ascertain the frequency of ISCI. The definition of ISCI underwent formal review, revision and voting by the Guidelines Development Group (GDG). A systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the risk factors for ISCI. Based on this systematic review and GDG input, a table was created to summarize the factors deemed to increase the risk for ISCI. All reviews were done according to PRISMA standards and were registered on PROSPERO. RESULTS: The frequency of ISCI ranged from 0 to 61%. Older age, male sex, cardiovascular disease including hypertension, severe myelopathy, blood loss, requirement for osteotomy, coronal deformity angular ratio, and curve magnitude were associated with an increased risk of ISCI. Better pre-operative neurological status and use of intra-operative neuromonitoring (IONM) were associated with a decreased risk of ISCI. The risk factors for ISCI included a rigid thoracic curve with high deformity angular ratio, revision congenital deformity with significant cord compression and myelopathy, extrinsic intradural or extradural lesions with cord compression and myelopathy, intramedullary spinal cord tumor, unstable spine fractures (bilateral facet dislocation and disc herniation), extension distraction injury with ankylosing spondylitis, ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with severe cord compression, and moderate to severe myelopathy. CONCLUSIONS: ISCI has been defined as "a new or worsening neurological deficit attributable to spinal cord dysfunction during spine surgery that is diagnosed intra-operatively via neurophysiologic monitoring or by an intraoperative wake-up test, or immediately post-operatively based on clinical assessment". This paper defines clinical and imaging factors which increase the risk for ISCI and that could assist clinicians in decision making.

Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Intraoperative Spinal Cord Injury in the Setting of Spine Surgery: A Proposed Care Pathway.

STUDY DESIGN: This study is a mixed methods approach. OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative spinal cord injury (ISCI) is a challenging complication in spine surgery. Intra-operative neuromonitoring (IONM) has been developed to detect changes in neural function. We report on the first multidisciplinary, international effort through AO Spine and the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute to develop a comprehensive guideline and care pathway for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of ISCI. METHODS: Three literature reviews were registered on PROSPERO (CRD 42022298841) and performed according to PRISMA guidelines: (1) Definitions, frequency, and risk factors for ISCI, (2) Meta-analysis of the accuracy of IONM for diagnosis of ISCI, (3) Reported management approaches for ISCI and related events. The results were presented in a consensus session to decide the definition of IONM and recommendation of its use in high-risk cases. Based on a literature review of management strategies for ISCI, an intra-operative checklist and overall care pathway was developed by the study team. RESULTS: An operational definition and high-risk patient categories for ISCI were established. The reported incidence of deficits was documented to be higher in intramedullary tumour spine surgery. Multimodality IONM has a high sensitivity and specificity. A guideline recommendation of IONM to be employed for high-risk spine cases was made. The different sections of the intraoperative checklist include surgery, anaesthetic and neurophysiology. The care pathway includes steps (1) initial clinical assessment, (2) pre-operative planning, (3) surgical/anaesthetic planning, (4) intra-operative management, and (5) post-operative management. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first evidence based comprehensive guideline and care pathway for ISCI using the GRADE methodology. This will facilitate a reduction in the incidence of ISCI and improved outcomes from this complication. We welcome the wide implementation and validation of these guidelines and care pathways in prospective, multicentre studies.

The Management of Intraoperative Spinal Cord Injury - A Scoping Review.

STUDY DESIGN: Scoping Review. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature and summarize information on checklists and algorithms for responding to intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) alerts and management of intraoperative spinal cord injuries (ISCIs). METHODS: MEDLINE® was searched from inception through January 26, 2022 as were sources of grey literature. We attempted to obtain guidelines and/or consensus statements from the following sources: American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), American Academy of Neurology (AAN), American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, NASS (North American Spine Society), and other spine surgery organizations. RESULTS: Of 16 studies reporting on management strategies for ISCIs, two were publications of consensus meetings which were conducted according to the Delphi method and eight were retrospective cohort studies. The remaining six studies were narrative reviews that proposed intraoperative checklists and management strategies for IONM alerts. Of note, 56% of included studies focused only on patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery. Intraoperative considerations and measures taken in the event of an ISCI are divided and reported in three categories of i) Anesthesiologic, ii) Neurophysiological/Technical, and iii) Surgical management strategies. CONCLUSION: There is a paucity of literature on comparative effectiveness and harms of management strategies in response to an IONM alert and possible ISCI. There is a pressing need to develop a standardized checklist and care pathway to avoid and minimize the risk of postoperative neurologic sequelae.

The outcomes measured and reported in observational studies of incidental and untreated intracranial meningioma: A systematic review.

Background: The clinical management of patients with incidental intracranial meningioma varies markedly and is often based on clinician choice and observational data. Heterogeneous outcome measurement has likely hampered knowledge progress by preventing comparative analysis of similar cohorts of patients. This systematic review aimed to summarize the outcomes measured and reported in observational studies. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify published full texts describing active monitoring of adult cohorts with incidental and untreated intracranial meningioma (PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINAHL via EBSCO, completed January 24, 2022). Reported outcomes were extracted verbatim, along with an associated definition and method of measurement if provided. Verbatim outcomes were de-duplicated and the resulting unique outcomes were grouped under standardized outcome terms. These were classified using the taxonomy proposed by the "Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials" (COMET) initiative. Results: Thirty-three published articles and 1 ongoing study were included describing 32 unique studies: study designs were retrospective n = 27 and prospective n = 5. In total, 268 verbatim outcomes were reported, of which 77 were defined. Following de-duplication, 178 unique verbatim outcomes remained and were grouped into 53 standardized outcome terms. These were classified using the COMET taxonomy into 9 outcome domains and 3 core areas. Conclusions: Outcome measurement across observational studies of incidental and untreated intracranial meningioma is heterogeneous. The standardized outcome terms identified will be prioritized through an eDelphi survey and consensus meeting of key stakeholders (including patients), in order to develop a Core Outcome Set for use in future observational studies.

The outcomes measured and reported in intracranial meningioma clinical trials: A systematic review.

Background: Meningioma clinical trials have assessed interventions including surgery, radiotherapy, and pharmacotherapy. However, agreement does not exist on what, how, and when outcomes of interest should be measured. To do so would allow comparative analysis of similar trials. This systematic review aimed to summarize the outcomes measured and reported in meningioma clinical trials. Methods: Systematic literature and trial registry searches were performed to identify published and ongoing intracranial meningioma clinical trials (PubMed, Embase, Medline, CINAHL via EBSCO, and Web of Science, completed January 22, 2022). Reported outcomes were extracted verbatim, along with an associated definition and method of measurement if provided. Verbatim outcomes were deduplicated and the resulting unique outcomes were grouped under standardized outcome terms. These were classified using the taxonomy proposed by the "Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials" (COMET) initiative. Results: Thirty published articles and 18 ongoing studies were included, describing 47 unique clinical trials: Phase 2 n = 33, phase 3 n = 14. Common interventions included: Surgery n = 13, radiotherapy n = 8, and pharmacotherapy n = 20. In total, 659 verbatim outcomes were reported, of which 84 were defined. Following de-duplication, 415 unique verbatim outcomes remained and were grouped into 115 standardized outcome terms. These were classified using the COMET taxonomy into 29 outcome domains and 5 core areas. Conclusions: Outcome measurement across meningioma clinical trials is heterogeneous. The standardized outcome terms identified will be prioritized through an eDelphi survey and consensus meeting of key stakeholders (including patients), in order to develop a core outcome set for use in future meningioma clinical trials.

A Clinical Practice Guideline for Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Intraoperative Spinal Cord Injury: Recommendations for Use of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring and for the Use of Preoperative and Intraoperative Protocols for Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Development of a clinical practice guideline following the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) process. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to develop guidelines that outline the utility of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) to detect intraoperative spinal cord injury (ISCI) among patients undergoing spine surgery, to define a subset of patients undergoing spine surgery at higher risk for ISCI and to develop protocols to prevent, diagnose, and manage ISCI. METHODS: All systematic reviews were performed according to PRISMA standards and registered on PROSPERO. A multidisciplinary, international Guidelines Development Group (GDG) reviewed and discussed the evidence using GRADE protocols. Consensus was defined by 80% agreement among GDG members. A systematic review and diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) meta-analysis was performed to synthesize pooled evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of IONM to detect ISCI among patients undergoing spinal surgery. The IONM modalities evaluated included somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), motor evoked potentials (MEPs), electromyography (EMG), and multimodal neuromonitoring. Utilizing this knowledge and their clinical experience, the multidisciplinary GDG created recommendations for the use of IONM to identify ISCI in patients undergoing spine surgery. The evidence related to existing care pathways to manage ISCI was summarized and based on this a novel AO Spine-PRAXIS care pathway was created. RESULTS: Our recommendations are as follows: (1) We recommend that intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring be employed for high risk patients undergoing spine surgery, and (2) We suggest that patients at "high risk" for ISCI during spine surgery be proactively identified, that after identification of such patients, multi-disciplinary team discussions be undertaken to manage patients, and that an intraoperative protocol including the use of IONM be implemented. A care pathway for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of ISCI has been developed by the GDG. CONCLUSION: We anticipate that these guidelines will promote the use of IONM to detect and manage ISCI, and promote the use of preoperative and intraoperative checklists by surgeons and other team members for high risk patients undergoing spine surgery. We welcome teams to implement and evaluate the care pathway created by our GDG.

Current insights into the management of spinal cord injury.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious disorder that results in severe impairment of neurological function as well as disability, ultimately reducing a patient's quality of life. The pathophysiology of SCI involves a primary and secondary phase, which causes neurological injury. Methods: Narrative review on current clinical management of spinal cord injury and emerging therapies. Results: This review explores the management of SCI through early decompressive surgery, optimizing mean arterial pressure, steroid therapy and focused rehabilitation. These management strategies reduce secondary injury mechanisms to prevent the propagation of further neurological damage. The literature regarding emerging research is also explored in cell-based, gene, pharmacological and neuromodulation therapies, which aim to repair the spinal cord following the primary injury mechanism. Conclusions: Outcomes for patients with SCI can be enhanced and improved if primary and secondary phases of SCI can be addressed.

Role of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Imaging in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Neck or Back Pain Caused by Spinal Degeneration: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Chronic neck or back pain is a common clinical problem. The most likely cause is degenerative change, whereas other causes are relatively rare. There is increasing evidence on using hybrid single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to identify the pain generator in spine degeneration. This systematic review explores the diagnostic and therapeutic evidence on chronic neck or back pain examined by SPECT. METHODS: This review is reported in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. In October 2022, we searched the following sources: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and 3 other sources. Titles and abstracts were screened and classified into diagnostic studies, facet block studies, and surgical studies. We synthesized the results narratively. RESULTS: The search yielded 2347 records. We identified 10 diagnostic studies comparing SPECT or SPECT/computed tomography (CT) with magnetic resonance imaging, CT, scintigraphy, or clinical examination. Furthermore, we found 8 studies comparing the effect of facet block intervention in SPECT-positive and SPECT-negative patients with cervicogenic headache, neck pain, and lower back pain. Five surgical studies describing the effect of fusion for facet arthropathy in the craniocervical junction, subaxial cervical spine, or the lumbar spine were identified. CONCLUSIONS: According to the available literature, a positive finding on SPECT in facet arthropathy is associated with a significantly higher facet blockade effect. Surgical treatment of positive findings has a good effect, but this has not been confirmed by controlled studies. SPECT/CT might therefore be a useful method in the evaluation of patients with neck or back pain, especially in cases of unclear findings or multiple degenerative changes.

Definition and surgical timing in cauda equina syndrome-An updated systematic review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a systematic review identifying existing definitions of cauda equina syndrome (CES) and time to surgery in the literature for patients with CES. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Ovid Medline, Embase, CINAHL Plus, and trial registries were searched from October 1st, 2016, to 30th December 2022, and combined with articles identified from a previous systematic review by the same authors (studies published 1990-2016). RESULTS: A total of 110 studies (52,008 patients) were included. Of these only 16 (14.5%) used established definitions in defining CES, including Fraser criteria (n = 6), British Association of Spine Surgeons (BASS) (n = 5), Gleave and MacFarlane (n = 2), and other (n = 3). Most reported symptoms were urinary dysfunction (n = 44, 40%%), altered sensation in the perianal region (n = 28, 25.5%) and bowel dysfunction (n = 20, 18.2%). Sixty-eight (61.8%) studies included details on time to surgery. There was an increase in percentage of studies defining CES published in the last 5 years compared to ones from 1990-2016 (58.6% vs 77.5.%, P = .045). CONCLUSIONS: Despite Fraser recommendations, substantial heterogeneity exists in reporting of CES definitions, and a start point for time to surgery, with most authors using self-defined criteria. A consensus is required to define CES and time to surgery, to allow consistency in reporting and study analysis.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Vertebral Artery Injury After Cervical Spine Trauma.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. OBJECTIVE: Identify the incidence, mechanism of injury, investigations, management, and outcomes of Vertebral Artery Injury (VAI) after cervical spine trauma. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO-ID CRD42021295265). Three databases were searched (PubMed, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, CINAHL PLUS). Incidence of VAI, investigations to diagnose (Computed Tomography Angiography, Digital Subtraction Angiography, Magnetic Resonance Angiography), stroke incidence, and management paradigms (conservative, antiplatelets, anticoagulants, surgical, endovascular treatment) were delineated. Incidence was calculated using pooled proportions random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 44 studies were included (1777 patients). 20-studies (n = 503) included data on trauma type; 75.5% (n = 380) suffered blunt trauma and 24.5% (n = 123) penetrating. The overall incidence of VAI was .95% (95% CI 0.65-1.29). From the 16 studies which reported data on outcomes, 8.87% (95% CI 5.34- 12.99) of patients with VAI had a posterior stroke. Of the 33 studies with investigation data, 91.7% (2929/3629) underwent diagnostic CTA; 7.5% (242/3629) underwent MRA and 3.0% (98/3629) underwent DSA. Management data from 20 papers (n = 475) showed 17.9% (n = 85) undergoing conservative therapy, anticoagulation in 14.1% (n = 67), antiplatelets in 16.4% (n = 78), combined therapy in 25.5% (n = 121) and the rest (n = 124) managed using surgical and endovascular treatments. CONCLUSION: VAI in cervical spine trauma has an approximate posterior circulation stroke risk of 9%. Optimal management paradigms for the prevention and management of VAI are yet to be standardized and require further research.

Cauda equina syndrome.

Aims: Patients with cauda equina syndrome (CES) require emergency imaging and surgical decompression. The severity and type of symptoms may influence the timing of imaging and surgery, and help predict the patient's prognosis. Categories of CES attempt to group patients for management and prognostication purposes. We aimed in this study to assess the inter-rater reliability of dividing patients with CES into categories to assess whether they can be reliably applied in clinical practice and in research. Methods: A literature review was undertaken to identify published descriptions of categories of CES. A total of 100 real anonymized clinical vignettes of patients diagnosed with CES from the Understanding Cauda Equina Syndrome (UCES) study were reviewed by consultant spinal surgeons, neurosurgical registrars, and medical students. All were provided with published category definitions and asked to decide whether each patient had 'suspected CES'; 'early CES'; 'incomplete CES'; or 'CES with urinary retention'. Inter-rater agreement was assessed for all categories, for all raters, and for each group of raters using Fleiss's kappa. Results: Each of the 100 participants were rated by four medical students, five neurosurgical registrars, and four consultant spinal surgeons. No groups achieved reasonable inter-rater agreement for any of the categories. CES with retention versus all other categories had the highest inter-rater agreement (kappa 0.34 (95% confidence interval 0.27 to 0.31); minimal agreement). There was no improvement in inter-rater agreement with clinical experience. Across all categories, registrars agreed with each other most often (kappa 0.41), followed by medical students (kappa 0.39). Consultant spinal surgeons had the lowest inter-rater agreement (kappa 0.17). Conclusion: Inter-rater agreement for categorizing CES is low among clinicians who regularly manage these patients. CES categories should be used with caution in clinical practice and research studies, as groups may be heterogenous and not comparable.

Presentation, management, and outcomes of cauda equina syndrome up to one year after surgery, using clinician and participant reporting: A multi-centre prospective cohort study.

Background: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) results from nerve root compression in the lumbosacral spine, usually due to a prolapsed intervertebral disc. Evidence for management of CES is limited by its infrequent occurrence and lack of standardised clinical definitions and outcome measures. Methods: This is a prospective multi-centre observational cohort study of adults with CES in the UK. We assessed presentation, investigation, management, and all Core Outcome Set domains up to one year post-operatively using clinician and participant reporting. Univariable and multivariable associations with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and urinary outcomes were investigated. Findings: In 621 participants with CES, catheterisation for urinary retention was required pre-operatively in 31% (191/615). At discharge, only 13% (78/616) required a catheter. Median time to surgery from symptom onset was 3 days (IQR:1-8) with 32% (175/545) undergoing surgery within 48 h. Earlier surgery was associated with catheterisation (OR:2.2, 95%CI:1.5-3.3) but not with admission ODI or radiological compression. In multivariable analyses catheter requirement at discharge was associated with pre-operative catheterisation (OR:10.6, 95%CI:5.8-20.4) and one-year ODI was associated with presentation ODI (r = 0.3, 95%CI:0.2-0.4), but neither outcome was associated with time to surgery or radiological compression. Additional healthcare services were required by 65% (320/490) during one year follow up. Interpretation: Post-operative functional improvement occurred even in those presenting with urinary retention. There was no association between outcomes and time to surgery in this observational study. Significant healthcare needs remained post-operatively. Funding: DCN Endowment Fund funded study administration. Castor EDC provided database use. No other study funding was received.