What level of symptoms are patients with adult spinal deformity prepared to live with? A cross-sectional analysis of the 12-month follow-up data from 1043 patients

European Spine Journal - Previous studies suggest that a meaningful and easily understood measure of treatment outcome may be the proportion of patients who are in a “patient acceptable...     

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European Spine Journal - Depression, anxiety, catastrophising, and fear-avoidance beliefs are key "yellow flags" (YFs) that predict a poor outcome in back patients. Most surgeons...     

Fracture of the vertebral endplates, but not equienergetic impact load, promotes disc degeneration in vitro

Vertebral endplate damage is associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (DD) in vivo as confirmed by in‐vitro investigations. Our aims were to further characterize the process of DD using an in vitro full‐organ culture model and to elucidate whether significant endplate damage or impact loading alone is pivotal for the initiation of DD. Rabbit spinal segments (n = 80) were harvested, subjected to pure axial impact loading (n = 40) using a custom‐made device, and cultured for 28 days. The applied threshold energy (0.76 J) induced endplate fractures in 21 specimens (group A); 19 remained intact (group B). Markers for DD (cell viability, apoptosis, necrosis, matrix remodeling, and inflammation) were monitored for 28 days post‐trauma in the annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus and compared to non‐impacted control discs. Cell viability in both groups stayed at a control level. Group A compared to group B showed enhanced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and caspase‐3/7 activity, reduced glycosaminoglycan content, reduced aggrecan mRNA, but elevated mRNA for collagen‐2, catabolic enzymes (MMP‐1/‐3/‐13), and pro‐inflammatory (TNFα, IL‐6, IL‐8, MCP‐1) and pro‐apoptotic (fas ligand, caspase‐3) proteins. Group B compared to control only showed small changes in mRNA levels. Our findings demonstrate that burst endplates, but not equienergetic loading, promotes DD. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:809–816, 2012     

Outcome of L5 radiculopathy after reduction and instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion of high-grade L5–S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis and the role of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring

Purpose

To evaluate the incidence and course of iatrogenic L5 radiculopathy after reduction and instrumented fusion of high-grade L5–S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis and the role of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM).

Methods

Consecutive patients treated for high-grade spondylolisthesis with IONM from 2005 to 2013 were screened for eligibility. Prospectively collected clinical and surgical data as well as radiographic outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Patients completed the multidimensional Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) before and at 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery.

Results

Seventeen patients were included, with a mean age of 26.3 (±9.5) years. Mean preoperative L5–S1 slip was 72% (±21%) and was reduced to 19% (±13%) postoperatively. Mean loss of reduction at last follow-up [mean 19 months (±14, range 3–48 months)] was 3% (±4.3%). Rate of new L5 radiculopathy with motor deficit (L5MD) after surgery was 29% (five patients). Four patients fully recovered after 3 months, one patient was lost to neurologic follow-up. IONM sensitivity and specificity for postoperative L5MD was 20 and 100%, respectively. COMI, back pain and leg pain scores showed significant (p < 0.001) improvements at 3 months postoperatively, which were retained up to 24 months postoperatively.

Conclusions

Transient L5 radiculopathy after reduction and instrumented fusion of high-grade spondylolisthesis is frequent. With IONM the risk of irreversible L5 radiculopathy is minimal. If IONM signal changes recover, full clinical recovery is expected within 3 months. Overall, patient-reported outcome of reduction and instrumented fusion of high-grade spondylolisthesis showed clinically important improvement.

     

Influence of diurnal hyperosmotic loading on the metabolism and matrix gene expression of a whole-organ intervertebral disc model.

It is generally agreed that the mechanical environment of intervertebral disc cells plays an important role in maintaining a balanced matrix metabolism. The precise mechanism by which the signals are transduced into the cells is poorly understood. Osmotic changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) are thought to be involved. Current in-vitro studies on this topic are mostly short-term and show conflicting data on the reaction of disc cells subjected to osmotic changes which is partially due to the heterogenous and often substantially-reduced culture systems. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate the effects of cyclic osmotic loading for 4 weeks on metabolism and matrix gene expression in a full-organ intervertebral disc culture system. Intervertebral disc/endplate units were isolated from New Zealand White Rabbits and cultured either in iso-osmotic media (335 mosmol/kg) or were diurnally exposed for 8 hours to hyper-osmotic conditions (485 mosmol/kg). Cell viability, metabolic activity, matrix composition and matrix gene expression profile (collagen types I/II and aggrecan) were monitored using Live/Dead cell viability assay, tetrazolium reduction test (WST 8), proteoglycan and DNA quantification assays and quantitative PCR. The results show that diurnal osmotic stimulation did not have significant effects on proteoglycan content, cellularity and disc cell viability after 28 days in culture. However, hyperosmolarity caused increased cell death in the early culture phase and counteracted up-regulation of type I collagen gene expression in nucleus and annulus cells. Moreover, the initially decreased cellular dehydrogenase activity recovered with osmotic stimulation after 4 weeks and aggrecan gene down-regulation was delayed, although the latter was not significant according to our statistical criteria. In contrast, collagen type II did not respond to the osmotic changes and was down-regulated in both groups. In conclusion, diurnal hyper-osmotic stimulation of a whole-organ disc/endplate culture partially inhibits a matrix gene expression profile as encountered in degenerative disc disease and counteracts cellular metabolic hypo-activity.     

Association between sagittal alignment and loads at the adjacent segment in the fused spine: a combined clinical and musculoskeletal modeling study of 205 patients with adult spinal deformity

Purpose

Sagittal malalignment is a risk factor for mechanical complications after surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD). Spinal loads, modulated by sagittal alignment, may explain this relationship. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between: (1) postoperative changes in loads at the proximal segment and realignment, and (2) absolute postoperative loads and postoperative alignment measures.

Methods

A previously validated musculoskeletal model of the whole spine was applied to study a clinical sample of 205 patients with ASD. Based on clinical and radiographic data, pre-and postoperative patient-specific alignments were simulated to predict loads at the proximal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion.

Results

Weak-to-moderate associations were found between pre-to-postop changes in lumbar lordosis, LL (r =  − 0.23, r =  − 0.43; p < 0.001), global tilt, GT (r = 0.26, r = 0.38; p < 0.001) and the Global Alignment and Proportion score, GAP (r = 0.26, r = 0.37; p < 0.001), and changes in compressive and shear forces at the proximal segment. GAP score parameters, thoracic kyphosis measurements and the slope of upper instrumented vertebra were associated with changes in shear. In patients with T10-pelvis fusion, moderate-to-strong associations were found between postoperative sagittal alignment measures and compressive and shear loads, with GT showing the strongest correlations (r = 0.75, r = 0.73, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Spinal loads were estimated for patient-specific full spinal alignment profiles in a large cohort of patients with ASD pre-and postoperatively. Loads on the proximal segments were greater in association with sagittal malalignment and malorientation of proximal vertebra. Future work should explore whether they provide a causative mechanism explaining the associated risk of proximal junction complications.

     

Factors associated with an increased risk of developing postoperative symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis after decompression surgery: an explorative two-centre international cohort study

Purpose

Symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis can be treated with decompression surgery. A recent review reported that, after decompression surgery, 1.6–32.0% of patients develop postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis and may therefore be indicated for lumbar fusion surgery. The latter can be more challenging due to the altered anatomy and scar tissue. It remains unclear why some patients get recurrent neurological complaints due to postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis, though some associations have been suggested. This study explores the association between key demographic, biological and radiological factors and postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis after lumbar decompression.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients who had undergone lumbar spinal decompression surgery between January 2014 and December 2016 at one of two Spine Centres in the Netherlands or Switzerland and had a follow-up of two years. Patient characteristics, details of the surgical procedure and recurrent neurological complaints were retrieved from patient files. Preoperative MRI scans and conventional radiograms (CRs) of the lumbar spine were evaluated for multiple morphological characteristics. Postoperative spondylolisthesis was evaluated on postoperative MRI scans. For variables assessed on a whole patient basis, patients with and without postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis were compared. For variables assessed on the basis of the operated segment(s), surgical levels that did or did not develop postoperative spondylolisthesis were compared. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify associations with postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis.

Results

Seven hundred and sixteen patients with 1094 surgical levels were included in the analyses. (In total, 300 patients had undergone multilevel surgery.) ICCs for intraobserver and interobserver reliability of CR and MRI variables ranged between 0.81 and 0.99 and 0.67 and 0.97, respectively. In total, 66 of 716 included patients suffered from postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis (9.2%). Multivariable regression analyses of patient-basis variables showed that being female [odds ratio (OR) 1.2, 95%CI 1.07–3.09] was associated with postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis. Higher BMI (OR 0.93, 95%CI 0.88–0.99) was associated with a lower probability of having postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis.

Multivariable regression analyses of surgical level-basis variables showed that levels with preoperative spondylolisthesis (OR 17.30, 95%CI 10.27–29.07) and the level of surgery, most importantly level L4L5 compared with levels L1L3 (OR 2.80, 95%CI 0.78–10.08), were associated with postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis; greater facet joint angles (i.e. less sagittal-oriented facets) were associated with a lower probability of postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.95–0.99).

Conclusion

Being female was associated with a higher probability of having postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis, while having a higher BMI was associated with a lower probability. When looking at factors related to postoperative symptomatic spondylolisthesis at the surgical level, preoperative spondylolisthesis, more sagittal orientated facet angles and surgical level (most significantly level L4L5 compared to levels L1L3) showed significant associations. These associations could be used as a basis for devising patient selection criteria, stratifying patients or performing subgroup analyses in future studies regarding decompression surgery with or without fusion.

     

Multiple revisions of a L2 burst fracture in a suicide jumper: a retrospective analysis of what went wrong

A 35-year-old female patient sustained three contiguous vertebral fractures at the thoracolumbar junction while jumping off the third floor in a suicide attempt. Initial fracture treatment occurred in the setting of a multiple injury scenario. While the Th12 and the L1 vertebral fractures were considered stable, the L2 fracture exhibited a complete burst configuration with 80% canal compromise due to a posterior wall fragment causing paraplegia. A posterior pedicle screw stabilisation with indirect fracture reduction was carried out initially from T12 to L3. At 1 year follow-up the patient presented to us for new onset radiculopathy L2, and loss of correction. A circumferential revision surgery with an expandable cage was carried out to restore the anterior and posterior columns. Unfortunately again loss of reduction with kyphosis occurred, this time at the upper instrumented vertebra, which made another revision necessary. In this situation a longer construct was chosen using a combined approach and a Mesh cage. This later procedure was complicated by a postoperative paraparesis believed to be vascular in origin. Six months later a further complication involving MSSA deep wound infection required a series of irrigation debridement for healing. At the 2.5 years follow up the spine was stable and the patient had a neurologic recovery allowing her to ambulate with crutches. This Grand Round Case raises the question on the initial management of multiply injured patients with spine fracture, the classification of these fractures, the optimal initial internal fixation, the need for complementary anterior column reconstruction and the strategy when all these fails. A comment on this article Grand Rounds is available at doi:.     

The influence of comorbidity on the risks and benefits of spine surgery for degenerative lumbar disorders

Purpose

The ageing of the population will see a growing number of patients presenting for spine surgery with appropriate indications but numerous medical comorbidities. This complicates decision-making, requiring that the likely benefit of surgery (outcome) be carefully weighed up against the potential risk (complications). We assessed the influence of comorbidity on the risks and benefits of spine surgery.

Methods

3,549/4,053 patients with degenerative lumbar disorders, undergoing surgery with the goal of pain relief, completed the multidimensional Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI; scored 0–10) before and 12 months after surgery. At 12 months postoperatively, they also rated the global treatment outcome and their satisfaction with care. Using the Eurospine Spine Tango Registry, surgeons documented surgical details, American Society of Anesthesiologists comorbidity (ASA) grades and perioperative surgical and general complications.

Results

29.0 % patients were rated as ASA1 (normal healthy), 45.7 % as ASA2 (mild/moderate systemic disease), 24.9 % as ASA3 (severe), and just 0.4 % as ASA4 (life-threatening). In going from ASA1 to ASA3 (ASA4 group too small), surgical complications increased significantly from 5.0 to 14.5 % and general complications increased from 2.9 to 15.7 %; 12-month outcomes showed a corresponding decline, with a good global outcome being reported by 79 % ASA1 patients, 76 % ASA2, and 68 % ASA3. Satisfaction with treatment was 87, 85, and 79 %, respectively, and reduction in COMI was 4.2 ± 2.9, 3.7 ± 3.0, and 3.4 ± 3.0 points, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant (p < 0.0001) independent effect of ASA grade on both complications and outcome.

Conclusion

The negative impact of comorbidity on the outcome of spine surgery has not been well investigated/quantified to date. The ASA grade may be helpful in producing algorithms for decision-making and preoperative counselling regarding the corresponding risks and benefits of surgery.