Quality of life of patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis: minimum 2-year follow-up after surgical and nonsurgical treatments

Background contextSurgical intervention is generally indicated in a pediatric high-grade spondylolisthesis to prevent the progression of deformity or neurologic deterioration and improve the quality of life. However, the outcome of the treatment on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis remains largely unknown.PurposeTo describe the changes in the HRQOL of patients with pediatric high-grade spondylolisthesis after surgical and nonsurgical managements.Study designObservational case series with a minimal of 2-year follow-up.Patient sampleTwenty-eight pediatric patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis from a single institution filled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-three patients were managed surgically and five were managed nonsurgically.Outcome measuresSelf-report measures: Scoliosis Research Society questionnaires (SRS-22). Neurologic examination, radiographic evaluation of slip grade.MethodsThe SRS-22 questionnaire was collected at the baseline (initial presentation for the nonsurgical group and preoperative visit for the surgical group) and at the last follow-up. Differences between baseline and last follow-up were evaluated in both groups. Correlation between the baseline score of SRS-22 score and improvement in the SRS-22 score was determined in surgical patients.ResultsIn surgical patients, total SRS-22 scores were 3.31±0.50 at the baseline and 4.26±0.50 at the last follow-up. In nonsurgical patients, total SRS-22 scores were 4.12±0.16 at the baseline and 4.14±0.38 at the last follow-up. Therefore, variation in the SRS-22 total score was +0.94±0.77 (p<.001) for surgical patients and +0.02 ± 0.35 (p=.854) for nonsurgical patients. Improvement of the SRS-22 score was correlated with a low baseline value of SRS-22 (R²=0.61; p<.001). There was no neurologic or slip deterioration during the follow-up for patients treated nonsurgically.ConclusionsThe HRQOL improves after a surgical intervention for high-grade spondylolisthesis. Patients with lower baseline HRQOL scores are those who benefit the most from surgery. Close observation is a safe and feasible option in selected patients with a good baseline HRQOL and no neurologic impairment.     

Assessment of lumbosacral kyphosis in spondylolisthesis: a computer-assisted reliability study of six measurement techniques

Although recognized as an important aspect in the management of spondylolisthesis, there is no consensus on the most reliable and optimal measure of lumbosacral kyphosis (LSK). Using a custom computer software, four raters evaluated 60 standing lateral radiographs of the lumbosacral spine during two sessions at a 1-week interval. The sample size consisted of 20 normal, 20 low and 20 high grade spondylolisthetic subjects. Six parameters were included for analysis: Boxall’s slip angle, Dubousset’s lumbosacral angle (LSA), the Spinal Deformity Study Group’s (SDSG) LSA, dysplastic SDSG LSA, sagittal rotation (SR), kyphotic Cobb angle (k-Cobb). Intra- and inter-rater reliability for all parameters was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Correlations between parameters and slip percentage were evaluated with Pearson coefficients. The intra-rater ICC’s for all the parameters ranged between 0.81 and 0.97 and the inter-rater ICC’s were between 0.74 and 0.98. All parameters except sagittal rotation showed a medium to large correlation with slip percentage. Dubousset’s LSA and the k-Cobb showed the largest correlations (r = −0.78 and r = −0.50, respectively). SR was associated with the weakest correlation (r = −0.10). All other parameters had medium correlations with percent slip (r = 0.31–0.43). All measurement techniques provided excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability. Dubousset’s LSA showed the strongest correlation with slip grade. This parameter can be used in the clinical setting with PACS software capabilities to assess LSK. A computer-assisted technique is recommended in order to increase the reliability of the measurement of LSK in spondylolisthesis.     

Classification et prise en charge du spondylolisthésis lombosacré chez les jeunes athlètes

Spondylolisthesis can occur in children and adolescents involved in certain sport activities. A classification was recently developed in order to guide the management of patients with lumbosacral spondylolisthesis.     

Decreasing pressure injuries and acute care length of stay in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury

ObjectivesIdentifying factors associated with the occurrence of pressure injuries (PI) during acute care and with longer length of stay (LOS), focusing on modifiable factors that can be addressed and optimized by the acute rehabilitation team.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingA single Level-1 trauma center specialized in SCI care.ParticipantsA cohort of 301 patients with acute TSCI was studied.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the occurrence of PI during acute care stay. The secondary outcome was acute care LOS. Bivariate and multivariate logistic or linear regression analyses were performed to determine the association between non-modifiable factors and outcomes (PI of any stage and acute LOS), whereas bivariate and hierarchical multivariate logistic or linear regression analyses were used for modifiable factors.ResultsWhen controlling for the level and severity of the TSCI, the occurrence of pneumonia (OR = 2.1, CI = 1.1–4.1) was significantly associated with the occurrence of PI. When controlling for the level and severity of the TSCI, the occurrence of medical complications (PI, urinary tract infection and pneumonia) and lesser daily therapy resulted in significantly longer acute care LOS (P < .001).ConclusionsPrevention of PI occurrence and the optimization of the acute care LOS represent crucial challenges of the acute rehabilitation team, as they are significantly associated with higher functional outcomes. Patients who develop pneumonia may benefit from more aggressive prevention strategies to reduce PI occurrence. Systematic protocols for the prevention of complications as well as greater volume of therapy interventions should be considered to optimize the acute care LOS.     

Relation between the sagittal pelvic and lumbar spine geometries following surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Sagittal spinopelvic relations have been reported in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), but there is little information on their effect following surgery. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relation between the pelvic and lumbar spine geometries following posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion (PSIF). Sixty patients with AIS undergoing PSIF were studied retrospectively. Thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), LL within and below fusion, pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS) and pelvic tilt (PT) were measured on preoperative and postoperative standing lateral radiographs. Significant postoperative correlations were found between PI and LL (r = 0.67), SS and LL (r = 0.90), PI and LL below fusion (r = 0.40), SS and LL below fusion (r = 0.48). Pelvic parameters did not influence LL within fusion. A strong correlation was found between LL below and within fusion (r = −0.76). The close interdependence between lumbar lordosis and pelvic geometry preoperatively is maintained postoperatively following PSIF. In the planning of surgery for AIS, it may be helpful to evaluate the sagittal pelvic morphology (PI) in addition to the spinal curves. Preoperative evaluation of the pelvic morphology could be used to optimize intraoperative positioning of the patient and to determine the optimal amount of LL that needs to be restored or preserved by the instrumentation, so that LL remains congruent with the pelvic morphology.