Sequential Depth Stimulation Within the Psoas Offers No Benefit for Localization of the Lumbar Plexus During Lateral Lumbar Fusion Surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES

In this study we aim to assess the difference in triggered EMG readings throughout different depths in the psoas muscle during the lateral approach to the lumbar spine and their effect on surgeon decision making.

METHODS

Three surgeons, practicing at different institutions, assessed triggered EMG readings during the trans psoas approach at the level of the disc and 5,10 and 15 millimeters into the psoas muscle with sequential dilators. Measurement of distance into the psoas muscle was done with a specially designed instrument. Results of anterior and posterior directed stimulation as well as the delta value between these were recorded and underwent statistical analysis. Patients who had partial readings were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

A total of 40 levels in 35 patients were included in the study. There was no significant difference found between means of anterior or posterior threshold readings along the different distance groups. A significant difference was found (P = .024) in the mean difference between the distance groups with a decrease in the difference between anterior and posterior threshold values found as the distance from the disc space increased. None of the surgeons reported a decision to abort the fusion of a spinal level.

CONCLUSIONS

In the trans-psoas approach to the lumbar spine, the assessment of the location of the femoral nerve using directional neuromonitoring when advancing in the psoas muscle shows no clear benefit as opposed to stimulating solely when adjacent to the disc space.

C5 nerve root palsy (without prior cervical decompression) case series: 9 patients with critical delay to presentation

BACKGROUND

Distinguishing between cervical nerve root and intrinsic shoulder pathology can be a difficult task given the overlapping and often coexisting symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to highlight the often-complicated presentation of these symptoms and the subsequent potential for delay in care regarding this subset of patients.

METHODS

A total of 9 patients, managed by one of two different surgeons, were identified with a history of C5 nerve root palsy. A chart review was conducted, and the following information was recorded: presenting complaint, time from symptom onset to diagnosis, time from symptom onset to presentation to a spine surgeon, first specialist seen for symptoms, non-spinal advanced imaging and treatment conducted before diagnosis, preoperative and postoperative exam, time to recovery, and type of surgery.

RESULTS

We observed an average time from onset of symptoms to presentation to a spine surgeon to be 31.6 weeks. These patients' time to full recovery after cervical decompression was 15 weeks.

CONCLUSION

: We observed a critical delay to presentation in this series of patients with C5 nerve palsy. C5 nerve palsy should remain an elemental part of the differential diagnosis in the setting of any shoulder or neck pain presenting with weakness.

The effect of cannabis use on postoperative complications in patients undergoing spine surgery: A national database study

Background

With the increased use of cannabis in the US, there is a significant need to understand the medical complications associated with its use in relationship to a surgical population. Cannabis has mainly been studied with respect to its qualities of pain treatment, yet few studies have investigated post-surgical complications associated with its use. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the effect of cannabis use on complications in spine surgery, and compare these complications rates to opioid-related complications.

Methods

This was a retrospective study conducted using the PearlDiver Database. Using ICD codes 40,989 patients that underwent lumbar spine fusion between January 2010 and October 2020 were identified and divided into 3 study groups (i.e., control, patients with known opioid use disorder, and patients identified as cannabis users). Differences in the incidence of complications within 30 days of the index procedure and pseudarthrosis rates at 18 months postindex procedure were assessed among study groups using a multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Of 12.4% study population used cannabis and 38.8% had a known opioid use disorder. Results indicated increased odds of experiencing a VTE, hypoxia, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmia for both opioid and cannabis users compared to controls; however, when controlling for tobacco use there were no increased odds of complications within the cannabis group. The pseudarthrosis rate was greater in cannabis users (2.4%) than in controls (1.1%).

Conclusions

The pseudarthrosis rate was significantly greater in patients using cannabis and opioids compared to the control group. However, when controlling for tobacco use, results suggested a possible negative synergistic between cannabis use and concomitant tobacco use that may influence bone fusion.

Femoral metastatic pathological fractures, impending and actual fractures - A patient survival study

INTRODUCTION

The skeleton is a common site for metastases. Prostate, breast, lung, renal and thyroid carcinomas account for 80 % of the original cancers, with the femur being the most affected long bone. With improved oncological treatments, prolonged patient survival leads to an increased prevalence of osseous metastases. This study examines the impact of preventive surgery for impending femoral pathological fracture (IFF), versus treatment of pathological femur fracture (PFF) on patient mortality and morbidity.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort of 174 patients undergoing surgery due to femoral metastases (2004-2015). Eighty-two patients were with PFF, and 92 were with IFF based on the Mirels' score. The followed-up period was until 2016. Demographic data, oncological, pathological, radiation, surgical reports, outpatient clinical records, and imaging studies were examined. Exclusion criteria included primary tumours and Multiple Myeloma.

RESULTS

The mean age was 64.8 ± 13.3 and 60.2 ± 11.9 years (p = 0.02) in the PFF and the IFF cohorts, with 62.1 % women and 57 % men. The breast was the most common source of femoral metastases. The average Mirels' score was 10 ± 1.2. There was an association between tumour origin and survival. Carcinoma of the lung had the worst survival, while the prostate had the most prolonged survival. Survival rates differed between IFF and PFF (p = 0.03). Postoperative complications occurred in 26 % of the patient, with no difference between IFF & PFF.

CONCLUSION

Breast and lung are the most common tumours to metastasize the femur. Our study revalidates that pathological femoral fractures impede patient survival compared to impending fractures and should undergo preventive surgery. Postoperative complications do not differ between IFF and PFF but remain relatively high. Overall, patients with proximal femoral metastatic disease survive longer than previously published, probably due to improved treatment modalities.

Hemiarthroplasty for Hip Fractures: Posterior or Direct Lateral Approach? Advantages and Disadvantages

BACKGROUND

Several approaches are used to access the hip joint; most common are the direct lateral and posterior. Little consensus exists on which to use when treating hip fractures.

OBJECTIVES

To compare short-term complications, postoperative ambulation, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) of direct lateral vs. posterior approaches in hemiarthroplasty for acute hip fractures.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective clinical trial with 260 patients who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty in the direct lateral or posterior approach (166 and 94, respectively) between January 2017 and December 2018. The clinical data included short-term complications: prosthetic dislocation, periprosthetic fractures, and infection. Postoperative ambulation was collected 6 weeks postoperatively; PROMS were collected for 173 patients at 2 years follow-up.

RESULTS

There were six dislocations overall, average time to dislocation was 22 days postoperative (range 4-34). Five dislocations were after the posterior approach (5.3%) and one after direct lateral (0.6%) (P = 0.01). At 6 weeks follow-up, inability to walk was found in 16.9% of the direct lateral group and 6.4% of the posterior approach group (P = 0.02). In the posterior approach group, 76% could walk more than 20 meters; only half of the direct lateral group could (P = 0.0002). At 2 years follow-up, PROMS did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Posterior approach for hemiarthroplasty following femoral neck fractures allows superior ambulation to the direct lateral approach only for the short-term. However, no long-term clinical advantage was found. This short-term benefit does not justify the increased dislocation rate in the posterior approach.

Limitations of Plain Film Radiography in Identification of Hyperextension Fractures in Patients With Ankylosing Spinal Disorders

STUDY DESIGN

Efficacy study.

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate the limitations of radiography in patients with spinal ankylosing disorders (SAD) with an emphasis on thoracolumbar injuries, which have been less focused upon.

METHODS

We searched our hospital's emergency room database for patients who underwent a total spine computed tomography (CT) following a diagnosis of SAD on radiographs following a minor fall. A high-quality presentation containing 50 randomly situated anteroposterior + lateral radiographs was created. Of these, 24 contained a hyperextension type fracture diagnosed by CT. Twelve physicians-4 spine surgeons, 4 senior orthopedic residents and 4 junior orthopedic residents were requested to identify the pathologic radiographs and note the fracture level.

RESULTS

Fracture diagnosis stood at 65% for the best reader. When examining the different subgroups, the mean rate of diagnosis for spine surgeons was 55% and for orthopedic residents 32%. Mean diagnosis of thoracic fractures was 26%, of lumbar fractures was 55%, and for the entire thoracolumbar spine was 40%. The interobserver agreement (kappa coefficient) was found to be 0.37 for the entire group and 0.39 for spine surgeons. This finding was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The simple radiograph is an inefficient modality for diagnosis of hyperextension type thoracolumbar fractures in patients with SAD. The poor interobserver agreement rate further amplifies this finding. Advanced imaging is recommended in these patients.

Diabetes Mellitus Is Not a Negative Prognostic Factor for Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been associated with inferior clinical outcomes and comorbidities in general. The authors sought to compare the outcomes of hip arthroscopy at minimum 2-year follow-up for patients with DM with those of patients without DM. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed for patients who underwent hip arthroscopy between February 2008 and December 2014. The inclusion criteria were patients with DM who underwent hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement and labral tears and had preoperative patient- reported outcomes. The exclusion criteria were preoperative Tönnis grade greater than 1, previous ipsilateral hip surgery, and/or previous conditions. All patients with DM were matched in a 1:2 ratio to control patients without DM. The matching criteria were age at surgery, sex, body mass index, workers' compensation, capsular treatment, and acetabular Outerbridge grade 0 or 1 vs 2, 3, or 4. Of 29 eligible patients with DM, 26 (89.7%) had minimum 2-year follow-up. Twenty-six patients with DM were matched and compared with 52 patients without DM. Acetabuloplasty was performed more frequently in the control group (P=.01). There were no other statistically significant differences detected in terms of demographics, preoperative radiographic imaging, intraoperative findings, procedures, preoperative scores, follow-up scores, revision rates, rates of conversion to total hip arthroplasty, or complication rates. Patients with DM demonstrated favorable improvements at 2 or more years after arthroscopic labral treatment when compared with a matched control group without DM. The DM group demonstrated a non-statistically significant trend toward inferior outcomes in all patient-reported outcomes, visual analog scale score, and satisfaction. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(4):241-248.].

Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Upper Extremity: Clinical Outcomes Following Surgical Treatment. A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Acute extremity compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency for which timely diagnosis is essential.

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether the time from the initial insult to the fasciotomy of compartment syndrome of the upper extremity affects outcomes and to examine the differences between compartment syndrome secondary to fractures and that resulting from a non-fracture etiology with regard to the time from insult to fasciotomy and the long-term patient outcomes.

METHODS

Patients presented with documented fasciotomy treatment following acute upper extremity compartment syndrome and a minimum of 6 months follow-up. Patient information included demographics, cause of compartment syndrome, method of diagnosis, and outcome on follow-up.

RESULTS

Our study was comprised of 25 patients. Fasciotomies were performed for compartment syndrome caused by fracture in 11 patients (44%), and due to insults other than fractures in 14 patients (56%). The average time to fasciotomy in patients without a fracture was 10.21 hours and 16.55 hours with a fracture. Fasciotomy performed more than 24 hours from the initial insult was not found to significantly affect long-term sequelae compared to fasciotomy performed earlier than 24 hours from the initial insult. The non-fracture group had more long-term sequelae than the fracture group (13/15 patients and 5/11 patients, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Most injuries treated for fasciotomy of compartment syndrome were non-fracture related, with more complications found in patients with non-fracture related injuries. Time interval from insult to fasciotomy did not affect outcome and was longer in the fracture group, suggesting longer monitoring in this group and supporting fasciotomy even with late presentation.

Elaborate mapping of the posterior visual pathway in awake craniotomy

OBJECTIVE Resection of intraaxial tumors adjacent to the optic radiation (OR) may be associated with postoperative visual field (VF) deficits. Intraoperative navigation using MRI-based tractography and electrophysiological monitoring of the visual pathways may allow maximal resection while preserving visual function. In this study, the authors evaluated the value of visual pathway mapping in a series of patients undergoing awake craniotomy for tumor resection. METHODS A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted in 18 patients who underwent an awake craniotomy for resection of intraaxial tumors involving or adjacent to the OR. Preoperative MRI-based tractography was used for intraoperative navigation, and intraoperative acquisition of 3D ultrasonography images was performed for real-time imaging and correction of brain shift. Goggles with light-emitting diodes were used as a standard visual stimulus. Direct cortical visual evoked potential (VEP) recording, subcortical recordings from the OR, and subcortical stimulation of the OR were used intraoperatively to assess visual function and proximity of the lesion to the OR. VFs were assessed pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS Baseline cortical VEP recordings were available for 14 patients (77.7%). No association was found between preoperative VF status and baseline presence of cortical VEPs (p = 0.27). Five of the 14 patients (35.7%) who underwent subcortical stimulation of the OR reported seeing phosphenes in the corresponding contralateral VF. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.899, p = 0.04) between the subcortical threshold stimulation intensity (3-11.5 mA) and the distance from the OR. Subcortical recordings from the OR demonstrated a typical VEP waveform in 10 of the 13 evaluated patients (76.9%). These waveforms were present only when recordings were obtained within 10 mm of the OR (p = 0.04). Seven patients (38.9%) had postoperative VF deterioration, and it was associated with a length of < 8 mm between the tumor and the OR (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring of the visual pathways is feasible but may be of limited value in preserving the functional integrity of the posterior visual pathways. Subcortical stimulation of the OR may identify the location of the OR when done in proximity to the pathways, but such proximity may be associated with increased risk of postoperative worsening of the VF deficit.

Tuberculum sellae meningiomas: surgical technique, visual outcome, and prognostic factors in 51 cases

Complete tumor resection with preservation or improvement of visual function is the goal of tuberculum sellae meningioma (TSM) treatment. The authors retrospectively reviewed 51 patients treated surgically for TSM between 2003 and 2010, with special attention to surgical technique, visual outcomes, and prognostic factors for treatment outcome. All patients were operated via the lateral subfrontal approach. The cohort mean age and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) on admission was 57.1 ± 13.6 and 84.3 ± 11.7, respectively. The most common presenting sign was visual impairment. The mean tumor size was 29.4 ± 10.7 mm. In 45 of the patients (88.2%), gross total resection was achieved. Improvement and/or preservation of visual acuity and visual field were achieved in 95.9% and 85.3%, respectively. Visual functions on admission were found to be the strongest predictors for postoperative improvement in visual outcome, followed by better KPS on admission, smaller tumor size, and young age. Postoperative neurological complications included cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, meningitis, and postoperative seizures. TSM can be safely operated on through the lateral subfrontal approach. A high percentage of complete tumor resection and excellent visual outcomes are achieved using this technique. Surgical treatment in the early stage of the disease may result in a better visual outcome.

[Delay in diagnosis of meningiomas involving the optic apparatus: conclusions and guidelines for early imaging based on our experience in 100 patients]

INTRODUCTION

Early diagnosis of tumors which compress the anterior optic apparatus is important in order to prevent visual functional damage. Pre-operative visual function is correlated with post operative visuaL results, therefore, delay in diagnosis leading to deterioration in vision may cause irreversible damage.

OBJECTIVES

Reviewing our experience with 100 patients with meningiomas involving the optic apparatus and establishing guidelines for early imaging in patients with visual impairment to prevent delays in diagnosis.

METHODS

Data was retrospectively collected for 100 patients with a meningioma involving the anterior optic apparatus, who underwent surgery between the years 2003-2011. Data was collected from hospital inpatient and outpatient files, as well as eye exams from the outset of the patient's symptoms and other exams that were carried out in the community.

RESULTS

In 14 patients there was a delay of one year or more in the diagnosis of meningioma. Of these, 3 were initially diagnosed with glaucoma, 3 with cataracts, 2 with migraines, in 5 patients no further investigation was conducted in spite of their ongoing complaints and in 1 patient, brain imaging was reported as normal.

CONCLUSIONS

In a distinct number of patients there was a delay in diagnosis of over a year. A patient with complaints of deterioration in visual acuity which is not corrected by glasses, with examination findings of an afferent pupil and visual field defects, should undergo neuro-imaging in order to rule out a space-occupying lesion. This should be the case even if the patient has findings of a cataract which may partially explain deterioration in visual acuity.

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor and interleukin-2 in human amniotic fluid of normal and abnormal pregnancies

In the present study, 63 specimens of human amniotic fluid were tested for the presence of free soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R). Thirty-two of these were also tested for the presence of IL-2. Significant reduction in free soluble IL-2R (IU/ml) or free IL-2R (IU/mg albumin) levels were found in the amniotic fluid obtained from pregnant women with Down's syndrome fetuses as compared with normal pregnancies. In addition normal amniotic fluid was found to contain low levels of IL-2, while no IL-2 was found in amniotic fluid from pregnant women with Down's syndrome fetuses when tested by two different tests.