Limitations of administrative databases in spine research: a study in obesity

Background contextThe use of national inpatient databases for spine surgery research has been increasing. Unfortunately, without firsthand knowledge of each specific database, it can be difficult to judge the validity of such studies. Large databases that rely on administrative data, such as International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes, may misrepresent patient information and could thus affect the results of studies that use these data.PurposeThe present study uses obesity, an easily quantified and objective variable, as an example comorbidity to assess the accuracy of ICD-9 codes in the setting of their continued use in spine database studies.Study design/settingA cross-sectional study at a large academic medical center.Patient sampleAll patients spending at least one night in the hospital as an inpatient between April 1, 2013 and April 16, 2013. Obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and pediatric patients were excluded.Outcome measuresProportion of patients for whom ICD-9 obesity diagnosis codes assigned at hospital discharge match chart-documented body mass index (BMI).MethodsThe medical record was reviewed for each patient, and obesity ICD-9 codes were directly compared with documented BMI.ResultsThe study included 2,075 patients. Of 573 “obese” patients (calculated BMI 30–39.9), only 109 received the correct code (278.00), giving this ICD-9 code a sensitivity of 0.19. Of 174 “morbidly obese” patients (calculated BMI >40), only 84 received the correct code (278.01), giving this ICD-9 code a sensitivity of 0.48.ConclusionsUsing obesity as an example, this study highlights the potential errors inherent to using ICD-9–coded databases for spine surgery research. Should a study based on such data use “obesity” as a variable in any analyses, the reader should interpret these results with caution. We further suggest that obesity is likely not the only comorbidity to which these results apply. As database research continues to represent an increasing proportion of publications in the field of spine surgery, it is important to realize that study outcomes can be skewed by data accuracy, and, thus, should not be blindly accepted simply by virtue of large sample sizes.     

The role and safety of the sitting position in instrumented cervical surgery

Placing patients who are undergoing neurosurgical procedures to the cervical spine in the sitting position offers significant advantages. These must be counterbalanced against the risk of venous and paradoxical air embolism. This study addresses the role and safety of the sitting position for instrumented cervical surgery. Twenty-five consecutive patients who underwent instrumented cervical surgery in the sitting position were recruited via retrospective analysis. Complications arising from the surgical procedure – specifically venous air embolism – were recorded, as well as pre- and post-operative haemoglobin levels. The incidence of venous air embolism was 0% (97.5% one-sided confidence interval: 0–13.7%). However, five other complications occurred (incidence rate of 20% with a 95% confidence interval of 6.8–40.7%). With appropriate precautions, screening and specific indications, the sitting position can be safely used in more complex instrumented cervical surgery.     

VSD闭式冲洗引流技术在治疗脊柱后路内固定术后感染中的应用

目的：评价VSD闭式冲洗引流技术应用于脊柱后路内固定术后感染的治疗效果。方法回顾性分析南昌大学第二附属医院2010年1月至2014年6月脊柱后路内固定手术后发生感染的15例患者的治疗过程,全部病例均早期进行清创,术中安装VSD装置进行闭式冲洗引流,根据细菌培养结果给予敏感抗生素,7d后拆除VSD装置,根据伤口情况及引流液细菌培养情况,决定是否直接闭合伤口或更换VSD继续冲洗引流,直至伤口可以闭合为止。结果15例患者冲洗7-21d （平均13.5d）后二期关闭伤口,全部获得愈合,C反应蛋白、血沉降至正常水平,随访5-48个月,无感染复发病例。结论 VSD闭式冲洗引流技术是治疗脊柱后路内固定术后感染的有效治疗方式。     

后路半椎体切除术治疗不同年龄先天性脊柱侧凸疗效比较

目的探讨后路半椎体切除术治疗5岁以下与5~10岁单个半椎体所致先天性脊柱侧凸的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2003年1月至2012年1月在本院接受手术治疗的60例10岁以下单发半椎体所致先天性脊柱侧凸患儿临床资料,其中男37例,女23例,根据年龄将患儿分为两组:婴幼儿组(≤5岁)35例,儿童组(6~10岁)25例。两组均采用后路半椎体切除、椎弓根螺钉固定及植骨融合术。通过复习病历及术前、术后及末次随访时全脊柱正侧位X光片,记录手术时间、融合节段、出血量、术前、术后及末次随访冠状面节段性Cobb角、术前、术后及末次随访矢状面节段性后凸角。结果患儿术后均获得规律随访,随访时间:婴幼儿组平均65.0(29~127)个月,儿童组平均80.3(32~148)个月,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。平均出血量:婴幼儿组285.8(100~700)mL,儿童组512.6(80~1 400)mL。融合节段数:婴幼儿组平均3.3(2~7)个,儿童组平均4.9(2~11)个。术前冠状面节段性侧凸Cobb角:婴幼儿组平均37.9°(21°~71°),儿童组平均45.8°(25°~94°)。不同年龄组间术中出血量、融合节段数、术前冠状面节段性Cobb角比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。术前、术后及末次随访矢状面后凸角、术后及末次随访冠状面Cobb角、术前及术后冠状面及矢状面畸形率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。婴幼儿组采用短节段融合比例与儿童组比较,差异有统计学意义(57.1%vs28%,P0.05)。婴幼儿组有2例围手术期及随访过程中发生并发症(椎弓根骨折1例,术后畸形失代偿行翻修术1例),儿童组有1例出现伤口脂肪液化,两组并发症的发生率比较无统计学意义(5.7%vs4.0%,P0.05)。结论后路半椎体切除术是治疗完全分节的半椎体所致先天性脊柱侧凸安全、有效的手术方式,可取得满意的术后及随访效果。但与婴幼儿组相比,儿童组畸形重,术中需要融合的节段更多,创伤更大;建议对于具有生长潜力的非嵌合型半椎体畸形,应在患儿能耐受手术的情况下尽早手术治疗。     

Criteria to Screen for Traumatic Cervical Spine Instability: A Consensus of Chiropractic Radiologists

Objective

The purpose of this study was to establish consensus on a radiographic definition for cervical instability for routine use in chiropractic patients who sustain trauma to the cervical spine.

Intrarater and Inter-rater Reliability of Maximal Voluntary Neck Muscle Strength Assessment Using a Handheld Dynamometer in Women With Headache and Healthy Women

Objective

This study aimed to determine the inter-rater and intrarater reliability, agreement, and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the neck muscle strength test using a handheld dynamometer in healthy women and women with headaches.

Immediate Effects of Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation on Neurodynamic Mobility

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of thoracic spine thrust manipulation (TSM) on the upper limb provocation test (ULPT) and seated slump test (SST) in individuals with identified neurodynamic mobility impairments. A secondary aim was to determine if correlation existed between the perception of effect and improvements in neurodynamic mobility following a thrust manipulation compared with mobilization.

Relationship Between Proprioception and Endurance Functionality of the Cervical Flexor Muscles in Chronic Neck Pain and Asymptomatic Participants

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship between flexion endurance capacity and joint position error in participants with or without chronic neck pain (CNP).

Imaging of the spine and spinal cord: An overview of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques

This review will discuss conventional and advanced magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging techniques used to study the spine and spinal cord according to the anatomical structures and clinical indications. Clinical challenges that neuroradiologists may face are also discussed, such as the “when” and “where” concerning the use of each technique, and in which pathology or clinical scenario each technique is useful. Finally, some “tips and tricks” to overcome the challenges are provided with clinical examples.     

The comparison of regional spinal curvatures and movements in sitting posture in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy having minimal-to-moderate functional limitations

AimTo examine the regional spinal curvatures and movements in the sagittal and frontal planes during sitting position, and the ability to act independently in patients with CP and to compare the differences between children and adolescents with minimal-to-moderate functional limitations.MethodTwenty-one participants diagnosed with CP aged 5–16 years were included. The participants’ Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels were determined and those at levels I (minimal functional limitation group: minFLG) or II-III (moderate functional limitation group: modFLG) were included. Spinal curvatures, mobilities, and inclinations in the sagittal and frontal planes were evaluated in the sitting position using a hand-held, computer-assisted non-invasive electromechanical device. Participants’ functional independence levels were assessed with the Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM).ResultsIn the sagittal plane, there were no differences in terms of spinal curvatures between the minFLG and modFLG (p > 0.05). Spinal mobility degrees for flexion (thoracic and lumbar regions and total spine), extension (sacral region), and total spine mobility scores were significantly greater in the minFLG (p < 0.05). In the frontal plane, lumbar spinal curvature significantly increased, and total spine mobility in the right/left lateral motions and functional independence decreased in the modFLG (p < 0.05).InterpretationThe children/adolescents with minimal functional limitations had greater spinal mobility during flexion, extension, and lateral flexions. Spinal curvatures were similar between groups in the sagittal plane. The lumbar region posture scores in the frontal plane observed as lordoscoliosis were higher, and functional independence was lower in the modFLG.