Does obesity impact lumbar sagittal alignment and clinical outcomes after a posterior lumbar spine fusion?

European Spine Journal - The purpose of this study is to compare clinical patient-reported outcomes and radiographic sagittal parameters between obese and non-obese patients following open...     

Cefuroxime concentrations in the anterior and posterior column of the lumbar spine – an experimental porcine study

BACKGROUND CONTEXTSurgical site infection following spine surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is a key factor in lowering the risk of acquiring an infection. Previous studies have assessed perioperative cefuroxime concentrations in the anterior column of the cervical spine with an anterior surgical approach. However, the majority of surgeries are performed in the posterior column and many surgeries involve the lumbar spine.PURPOSEThe objective of this study was to compare the perioperative tissue concentrations of cefuroxime in the anterior and posterior column during lumbar spine surgery with a posterior surgical approach.STUDY DESIGNIn vivo experimental pharmacokinetic study of cefuroxime concentrations in an acute preclinical porcine model.METHODSThe lumbar vertebral column was exposed from L1 to L5 in 8 female pigs. Microdialysis catheters were placed for sampling in the anterior column (vertebral body) and posterior column (posterior arch) within the same vertebra (L5). Cefuroxime (1.5 g) was administered intravenously. Microdialysates and plasma samples were continuously obtained over 8 hours. Cefuroxime concentrations were quantified by Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry. The primary endpoint was the time above the cefuroxime clinical breakpoint minimal inhibitory concentration (T>MIC) for Staphylococcus aureus of 4 µg/mL. The secondary endpoint was tissue penetration (AUC_tissue/AUC_plasma).RESULTSMean T>MIC 4 µg/mL (95% confidence interval) was 123 min (105–141) in plasma, 97 min (79–115) in the anterior column and 93 min (75–111) in the posterior column. Tissue penetration (95% confidence interval) was incomplete for both the anterior column 0.48 (0.40–0.56) and posterior column 0.40 (0.33–0.48).CONCLUSIONST>MIC was comparable between the anterior and posterior column. Mean cefuroxime concentrations decreased below the clinical breakpoint minimal inhibitory concentration for S. aureus of 4 µg/mL after 123 minutes (plasma), 97 minutes (anterior column) and 93 minutes (posterior column). This is shorter than the duration of most lumbar spine surgeries, and therefore alternative dosing regimens should be considered in posterior open lumbar spine surgeries lasting more than 1.5 hours.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEOpen lumbar spine surgery often involves extensive soft tissue dissection, stripping and retraction of the paraspinal muscles which may impair the local blood flow exposing the lumbar vertebra to postoperative infections. A single intravenous administration of 1.5 g cefuroxime only provided sufficient prophylactic target tissue concentrations in the vertebra of the lumbar spine for up to 1.5 hours.     

CT for thoracic and lumbar spine fractures: Can CT findings accurately predict posterior ligament complex injury?

Purpose

This study aims to determine whether secondary CT findings can predict posterior ligament complex (PLC) injury in patients with acute thoracic (T) or lumbar (L) spine fractures.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 105 patients with acute thoracic and lumbar spine fractures on CT, with MRI as the reference standard for PLC injury. Three readers graded CT for facet joint alignment (FJA), widening (FJW), pedicle or lamina fracture (PLF), spinous fracture (SPF), interspinous widening (ISW), vertebral translation (VBT), and posterior endplate fracture (PEF). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed separately for each reader to test for associations between CT and PLC injury, and diagnostic performance of CT was calculated.

Results

Fifty-three of 105 patients had PLC injury by MRI. Statistically significant predictors of PLC injury were VBT, PLF, ISW, and SPF. Using these four CT findings, odds of PLC injury ranged from 3.8 to 5.6 for one positive finding, but increased to 13.6–25.1 for two or more. At least one positive CT finding was found to yield average sensitivity of 82% and specificity 59%, while two or more yielded sensitivity 46% and specificity 88%.

Conclusion

While no individual CT finding is sufficiently accurate to diagnose or exclude PLC injury, greater the number of positive CT findings (VBT, PLF, ISW, and SPF), the higher the odds of PLC injury. The presence of a single abnormal CT finding may warrant confirmatory MRI for PLC injury, while two or more CT findings may have adequate specificity to avoid need for MRI prior to surgical intervention.

Graphical abstract

These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Open image in new window

     

How much do we know about the prevention of diseases of the joints and spine?

The questioner "How much do we know about prevention of joint and spine diseases" are presented. Questioner contained 10 questions and two possible answers. This investigation involved 120 medical stuff members, 187 patients on physical therapy and 204 patients with same medical problems without physical therapy. Results are showing no statistically important difference between that two group of patients. More interesting is that there is no difference between medical doctors, physiotherapists and medical technicians comparing to patients. To improve those bad results of medical stuff we suggest that it should be organized in physiatrist ordinations consultations and continuous education with practical examples and advices separately for medical stuff members and patients.     

Are plain radiographs of the spine necessary during evaluation after blunt trauma? Accuracy of screening torso computed tomography in thoracic/lumbar spine fracture diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Fracture of the thoracolumbar (TL) spine is reported in 8 to 15% of victims of blunt trauma. Current screening of these patients is done with conventional radiography. This may require repeated sets of films and take hours to days. It is imperative that these patients get timely, accurate evaluation to allow for treatment planning and early mobilization; alternatives to plain films would aid in this. The objective of this study is to determine whether the data obtained from admission chest/abdomen/pelvis (CAP) computed tomography (CT) scans after blunt trauma has utility in thoracolumbar spine evaluation. METHODS: The records of all patients admitted to a Level I trauma center over a 2-month period who underwent CAP CT were reviewed for the presence of TL spine fracture, time to completion of plain film evaluation, and clinical course. Admission CT scans were reviewed by an attending radiologist who was blinded to any previously diagnosed spine fractures. The two tests were compared for diagnostic accuracy and their discriminatory ability was compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: In all, 103 patients were admitted from January 1, 2003 to February 28, 2003 and underwent CAP CT scan as part of their initial trauma evaluation. Of these, 26 (25%) had thoracolumbar fractures. Seven (27%) thoracolumbar fractures were not seen on plain radiographs taken during the trauma evaluation. Average time until plain film completion in this group was 8 hours (range, 44 minutes to 38 hours). All 26 (100%) patients with fractures, however, were diagnosed on CT scan performed shortly after admission. Of the remaining 77 patients, two (2.6%) were falsely read as positive for fracture on CT. Sensitivity and specificity of CT scan for thoracolumbar fracture were excellent at 100% and 97%, respectively, with a negative predictive value of 100%. Plain radiographs were 73% sensitive, 100% specific, and had a negative predictive value of 92%. Area under the ROC curve for CT was 0.98, but for plain film was 0.86 (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: Admission CAP CT obtained as part of the routine trauma evaluation in these high-risk patients is more sensitive than plain radiographs for evaluation of the TL spine after blunt trauma. In addition, CAP CT can be performed faster. Omission of plain radiographs will expedite accurate evaluation allowing earlier treatment and mobilization.     

How do lupus glomerulonephritis and its treatment affect the renal reserve?

International Urology and Nephrology -     

Does the choice of suture material matter in anterior and posterior colporrhaphy?

Introduction and hypothesis

The optimal suture material in traditional prolapse surgery is still controversial. Our aim was to investigate the effect of using sutures with rapid (RA) or slow (SA) absorption, on symptomatic recurrence after anterior and posterior colporrhaphy.

Methods

A population-based longitudinal cohort study with data from the Swedish National Quality Register for Gynecological Surgery. A total of 1,107 women who underwent primary anterior colporrhaphy and 577 women who underwent primary posterior colporrhaphy between September 2012 and September 2013 were included. Two groups in each cohort were created based on which suture material was used. Pre- and postoperative prolapse-related symptoms and patient satisfaction were assessed.

Results

We found a significantly lower rate of symptomatic recurrence 1 year after anterior colporrhaphy in the SA suture group compared with the RA suture group, 50 out of 230 (22 %) vs 152 out of 501 (30 %), odds ratio 1.6 (CI 1.1–2.3; p?=?0.01). The SA group also had a significantly higher patient satisfaction rate, 83 % vs 75 %, odds ratio 1.6 (CI 1.04–2.4), (p?=?0.03). Urgency improved significantly more in the RA suture group (p?<?0.001). In the posterior colporrhaphy cohort there was no significant difference between the suture materials.

Conclusions

This study indicates that the use of slowly absorbable sutures decreases the odds of having a symptomatic recurrence after an anterior colporrhaphy compared with the use of rapidly absorbable sutures. However, the use of RA sutures may result in less urgency 1 year postoperatively. In posterior colporrhaphy the choice of suture material does not affect postoperative symptoms.

     

Indirect posterior decompression with corrective fusion for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the thoracic spine: is it possible to predict the surgical results?

To investigation of the outcomes of indirect posterior decompression with corrective fusion for myelopathy associated with thoracic ossification of the longitudinal ligament, and prognostic factors. Conservative treatment for myelopathy associated with thoracic ossification of the longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is mostly ineffective, and treatment is necessary. However, many authors have reported poor surgical outcomes, and no standard surgical procedure has been established. We have been performing indirect spinal cord decompression by posterior laminectomy and simultaneous corrective fusion of the thoracic kyphosis. Twenty patients underwent indirect posterior decompression with corrective fusion, and were included in this study. The follow-up period was minimum 2 years and averaged 2 years and 9 months (2–5 years 6 months). Operative results were examined using JOA scoring system (full marks: 11 points) and Hirabayashi’s recovery rate, as excellent (100–75%), good (74–50%), fair (49–25%), unchanged (24–0%) and deteriorated (i.e., decrease in score less than 0%). Cases in which the spinal cord is floating from OPLL on intraoperative ultrasonography were defined as the floating (+) group, and those without floating as the floating (−) group. In addition, we used compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) as intraoperative spinal cord monitoring and the cases were divided into three groups: Group A, no change in potential; Group B, potential decreased, and Group C, potential improved. The mean pre- and postoperative JOA scores were 6.2 and 8.9 points, respectively, and the recovery rate was 56%. The outcome was rated excellent in three, good in eight, fair in six, unchanged in two, and deteriorated in one. The mean preoperative thoracic kyphosis measured 58°, and was corrected to 51° after surgery. On intraoperative ultrasonography, 12 cases were included in the floating (+) and 8 in the floating (−) groups; the recovery rates were 58 and 52%, respectively, showing no significant difference between the recovery rates of the two groups. Regarding intraoperative CMAP, the outcome was excellent in one, good in seven, fair in four, and unchanged in one in Group A; fair in one, unchanged in one, and deteriorated in one in Group B, and excellent in two and good in one in Group C. The recovery rates were 50, 48 and 68.3% in Groups A, B and C, respectively, showing that the postoperative outcome was significantly poorer in Group B. Although indirect posterior decompression with corrective fusion using instruments obtained satisfactory outcomes, not all cases achieved good outcomes using this procedure. We consider that additional application of anterior decompressive fusion is preferable when improvement of symptoms occurs not satisfactory after indirect posterior decompression with corrective fusion using instruments. Intraoperative spinal cord monitoring of CMAP demonstrated that the spinal cord was already impaired during the laminectomy via the posterior approach. Concomitant intraoperative monitoring of CMAP to avoid impairment of the vulnerable spinal cord and corrective posterior spinal fusion with indirect spinal cord decompression is recommendable as a method capable of preventing postoperative neurological aggravation.     

Restoration of thoracic kyphosis in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with patient-specific rods: did the preoperative plan match postoperative sagittal alignment?

European Spine Journal - To determine if the planned sagittal profile for thoracic kyphosis (TK) restoration was achieved after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery using a novel hybrid...     

How do vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty affect the quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma spinal metastasis?

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology - Metastatic spinal lesions are diseases that impair the quality of life and require early diagnosis and treatment. The count of spinal...     

Surgical outcomes of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with anterior vacuum disc: Can the intervertebral cage overcome intradiscal vacuum phenomenon and enhance posterolateral fusion?

Background The vacuum phenomenon within an intervertebral disc is not an uncommon radiographic finding in the elderly. However, no reports in the English literature have focused on the effect of an anterior vacuum disc in relation to surgical outcome of same-segment spondylolisthesis. We hypothesized that instrumented posterolateral fusion is not adequate in this situation and that additional interbody fusion with cages would provide better radiographic and clinical outcomes.Methods The medical records of 72 patients who underwent instrumented fusion for one-segment degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with a vacuum disc were reviewed. Thirty-three patients were placed in the noncage group and 39 in the cage group based on whether or not augmentation with an intervertebral cage was carried out. Radiographic parameters (disc height, translation, intradiscal angle, segmental angle, and fusion) on preoperative, postoperative, and final radiographs were compared between groups. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Brosky criteria were used to evaluate clinical outcomes.Results Blood loss and operation time were greater in the cage group but without a significant difference (p = 0.271, p = 0.108, respectively). Preoperative radiographic data were similar between groups, but the cage group had more intradiscal lordosis, less translation, a higher disc height after surgery, and maintained these advantages at the final follow-up. In addition, the posterolateral fusion rate was significantly higher in the cage group (92.3 % vs. 56.1 %, p < 0.001), and they obtained more ODI improvement (30.62 vs. 26.39, p = 0.369) and a higher final satisfaction rate (79.5 % vs. 57.6 %, p = 0.044). There was no decrease in the incidence of developed adjacent segmental disease in the noncage group.Conclusions The vacuum sign at the spondylolisthesis segment should be regarded as another sign of instability. We suggest that instrumented posterolateral fusion simultaneous with intervertebral fusion with a cage can overcome this situation.     

How preparation and preservation procedures affect the properties of amniotic membrane? How safe are the procedures?

Human amniotic membrane (AM) has been widely used for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. AM has many favorable characteristics such as high biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, anti-scarring property, immunomodulatory effects, anti-cancer behavior and contains several growth factors that make it an excellent natural candidate for wound healing. To date, various methods have been developed to prepare, preserve, cross-link and sterilize the AM. These methods remarkably affect the morphological, physico-chemical and biological properties of AM. Optimization of an effective and safe method for preparation and preservation of AM for a specific application is critical. In this review, the isolation, different methods of preparation, preservation, cross-linking and sterilization as well as their effects on properties of AM are well discussed. For each section, at least one effective and safe protocol is described in detail.     

How does sagittal imbalance affect the appropriateness of surgical indications and selection of procedure in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis? Findings from the RAND/UCLA Appropriate Use Criteria study

Background Context

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) is often associated with sagittal imbalance, which may affect patients' health outcomes before and after surgery. The appropriateness of surgery and preferred operative approaches has not been examined in detail for patients with DLS and sagittal imbalance.

How do C2 tilt and C2 slope correlate with patient reported outcomes in patients after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion?

BACKGROUND/CONTEXTC2 tilt and C2 slope are quick and easy measurements to obtain on lateral radiographs and may be used to determine overall cervical sagittal alignment; however, the influence of these measurements on patient outcomes has not been well established in literature.PURPOSETo determine if C2 tilt and/or C2 slope predict patient outcomes better compared with conventional radiographic measures after an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).STUDY DESIGN/SETTINGRetrospective cohort study.PATIENT SAMPLEA total of 249 patients who underwent 1 to 3 level ACDF to address radiculopathy and/or myelopathy at a single academic institution between 2011 and 2015 were identified. Patients with less than 1 year of follow-up were excluded.OUTCOME MEASURESPatient Reported Outcomes: Neck Disability Index (NDI), Physical Component Score-12 (PCS-12), and Mental Component Score (MCS-12), Visual Analog Score (VAS) Neck and Arm scoresCervical radiographic measurements: C2 tilt, C2 slope, C2–C7 lordosis, cervical SVA, T1 slope, T1 slope minus cervical lordosis (TS-CL), and C2–C7 ROMMETHODSPearson correlation tests were performed to assess for significant associations between radiographic measurements and patient outcomes. Multiple linear regression models were developed adjusting for demographics and radiographic parameters to determine which factors were predictive of patient outcomes.RESULTSC2 tilt and TS-CL correlated with all postoperative physical outcome scores (NDI, PCS-12, VAS Neck and ARM; p<.05), however no association was seen between C2 slope and postoperative outcomes. After accounting for the presence of subaxial deformity, C2 tilt and TS-CL remained strongly correlated to patient outcome scores. With multiple linear regression, C2 tilt was a significant predictor for NDI, whereas TS-CL was a significant predictor for PCS-12, VAS Neck and VAS Arm.CONCLUSIONSC2 tilt significantly correlated with well-described conventional cervical parameters as well as postoperative physical outcomes measures, especially NDI, on multivariate analysis. C2 tilt may provide an easy and practical tool for predicting physical outcomes after ACDF.     

How do medications used to treat urinary incontinence affect the cerebral function of the elderly?

Anticholinergic agents are used for treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) by competitive blockade of acetylcholine at the muscarinic receptor. At present five different subtypes of M-receptors can be differentiated. Primary detrusor effects are mediated by M3-receptors as are side effects like dry mouth and constipation. Cardiac and central nervous system side effects appear to be M2 or M1 related. OAB symptom relief by the unselective drugs tolterodine, oxybutynin or trospium chloride and by M3-selective agents like darifenacin or solifenacin seems to be rather similar. Central side effects are different depending on gastrointestinal reabsorption, serum metabolism and penetration of the blood-brain barrier. Slow release formulations may be better tolerated. Anticholinergics that penetrate the blood-brain barrier may cause cognitive imbalance in older patients, as recent studies have shown for oxybutynin. Here M3-selective agents may offer an advantage.