Iatrogenic contralateral foraminal stenosis following lumbar spine fusion surgery: illustrative cases

BACKGROUND

Lumbar spine fusion is the mainstay treatment for degenerative spine disease. Multiple potential complications of spinal fusion have been found. Acute contralateral radiculopathy postoperatively has been reported in previous literature, with unclear underlying pathology. Few articles reported the incidence of contralateral iatrogenic foraminal stenosis after lumbar fusion surgery. The aim of current article is to explore the possible causes and prevention of this complication.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors present 4 cases in which patients developed acute postoperative contralateral radiculopathy requiring revision surgery. In addition, we present a fourth case in which preventive measures have been applied. The aim of this article was to explore the possible causes and prevention to this complication.

LESSONS

Iatrogenic foraminal stenosis of the lumbar spine is a common complication; preoperative evaluation and middle intervertebral cage positioning are needed to prevent this complication.

SPINE20 recommendations 2022: spine care-working together to recover stronger

PURPOSE

Globally, spine disorders are the leading cause of disability, affecting more than half a billion individuals. However, less than 50% of G20 countries specifically identify spine health within their public policy priorities. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness among policy makers of the disabling effect of spine disorders and their impact on the economic welfare of G20 nations. In 2019, SPINE20 was established as the leading advocacy group to bring global attention to spine disorders.

METHODS

Recommendations were developed through two Delphi methods with international and multi-professional panels.

RESULTS

In 2022, seven recommendations were delivered to the leaders of G20 countries, urging them to: Develop action plans to provide universal access to evidence-based spine care that incorporates the needs of minorities and vulnerable populations. Invest in the development of sustainable human resource capacity, through multisectoral and inter-professional competency-based education and training to promote evidence-based approaches to spine care, and to build an appropriate healthcare working environment that optimizes the delivery of safe health services. Develop policies using the best available evidence to properly manage spine disorders and to prolong functional healthy life expectancy in the era of an aging population. Create a competent workforce and improve the healthcare infrastructure/facilities including equipment to provide evidence-based inter-professional rehabilitation services to patients with spinal cord injury throughout their continuum of care. Build collaborative and innovative translational research capacity within national, regional, and global healthcare systems for state-of-the-art and cost-effective spine care across the healthcare continuum ensuring equality, diversity, and inclusion of all stakeholders. Develop international consensus statements on patient outcomes and how they can be used to define and develop pathways for value-based care. Recognize that intervening on determinants of health including physical activity, nutrition, physical and psychosocial workplace environment, and smoking-free lifestyle can reduce the burden of spine disabilities and improve the health status and wellness of the population. At the third SPINE20 summit 2022 which took place in Bali, Indonesia, in August 2022, 17 associations endorsed its recommendations.

CONCLUSION

SPINE20 advocacy efforts focus on developing public policy recommendations to improve the health, welfare, and wellness of all who suffer from spinal pain and disability. We propose that focusing on facilitating access to systems that prioritize value-based care delivered by a competent healthcare workforce will reduce disability and improve the productivity of the G20 nations.

Aggressive L3 vertebral hemangioma coexisting with adult thoracolumbar scoliosis: Case report

Vertebral hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that are commonly asymptomatic. A low percentage might become aggressive; however, they are not known to be associated with scoliosis. We present a case of a third lumbar vertebral lesion coexisting with a moderate thoracolumbar scoliosis. The patient's initial presentation was back pain with bilateral lower limb radiculopathy and neurogenic claudication. Diagnosis was established using CT and MRI, which showed classical findings of an aggressive vertebral hemangioma. The patient underwent Partial hemangioma excision and scoliosis correction, with satisfactory outcome at 1 year follow up.

The Use of Image-Guided Navigation Systems During Spine Surgeries in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

We used a cross-sectional study design (questionnaire) to investigate the use of image-guided navigation (IGN) in Saudi Arabia and explore possible differences in implementing IGN for daily practice.

METHODS

An internet-based survey was sent to all spine surgeons who are practicing in Saudi Arabia (orthopedics or neurosurgery). The survey is composed of 12 items that collected demographic and academic data.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine answered the questionnaire from 197; 80% were from Riyadh, the capital, and 50% were consultants (attending physicians). Orthopedic surgeons were almost 60% of responders compared to 40% neurosurgeons. The use of navigation in Saudi hospitals was high (76.8%). There was a significant difference between specialties in the preference of using navigation (23.2% for orthopedics versus 81.4% for neurosurgery, P < .001) and routine use in surgical spine cases (88.4% for neurosurgery versus 50.0% orthopedics, P < .001). The majority of responders from neurosurgery learned to use navigation during residency compared to orthopedics responders (51.2% versus 28.6%, P = .001). More than 30% of orthopedics responders expressed they never learned navigation compared to only 4% of neurosurgery responders. The comfort level of > 75% with performing surgery using navigation was significantly different between specialties (25% for orthopedics versus 46.5% for neurosurgery, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Saudi spine surgeons are among the highest users of IGN systems. The strong healthcare infrastructure and the availability of these devices across the country are among the most important factors for its prevalence. Enhancing surgical exposure and education of postgraduate trainees to use these tools, especially within orthopedics, could increase use and comfort level rates.

Letter to the Editor - Reply

Reply to the Letter to the Editor concerning “Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Arabic Version of the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain Questionnaire” Sports Med Int Open 2020; 4(01): E8–E12; DOI: 10.1055/a-1031-0947

Postoperative Paralumbar Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Report

Lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare adverse event that is presented in reports. It is associated with serious injuries such as in the retroperitoneal cavity and pelvis. Furthermore, infection and iatrogenic etiology were documented as well. This case report presents a patient with a chest stab wound and a fall from a 2-m height, which resulted in multiple spinal fractures that were treated surgically. However, he presented back with lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm 2 weeks postoperatively, which was treated successfully by endovascular embolization.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Arabic Version of the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain Questionnaire

This study aimed to translate and adapt the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain questionnaire into the Arabic language and evaluate the validity and reliability of this scale for participants with knee or hip osteoarthritis. This questionnaire was translated based on the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation protocol. The test-retest reliability was calculated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. Then, Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess the internal consistency of Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain questionnaire. After that, the criterion validity was evaluated against the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. A total of 90 participants were included in this study, of which 29 participants were re-evaluated for reliability testing. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient of the Knee Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain questionnaire were 0.841, 0.923 and 0.911 for the total, constant, and intermittent knee pain, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.88, 0.93 and 0.94 for the total score, the intermittent knee pain and the constant knee pain, respectively. Eventually, criterion validity was r=0.24(P<0.05). Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain in Arabic is a valid and reliable instrument to be used in Arabic-speaking patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis.

Reflectance confocal microscopy and dermoscopy aid in evaluating repigmentation within or adjacent to lentigo maligna melanoma surgical scars

BACKGROUND

Determining whether repigmentation within or adjacent to lentigo maligna or lentigo maligna melanoma (LM/LMM) scars represents recurrence of melanoma is challenging. The use of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and dermoscopy may aid in differentiating true melanoma recurrence from other causes of repigmentation.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the characteristics of repigmentation within or adjacent to LM/LMM scars observable on RCM and dermoscopy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed patients who presented with new pigmentation within or adjacent to scars from surgically treated LM/LMM between January 2014 and December 2018. Clinical and demographic characteristics and time to recurrence were recorded. RCM was used to evaluate areas of pigmentation before biopsy. If available, dermoscopic images were also evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 30 confocal studies in 29 patients were included in the study cohort. Twenty-one patients had biopsy-confirmed recurrent LM/LMM; the remainder had pigmented actinic keratosis (n = 4) or hyperpigmentation/solar lentigo (n = 5). RCM had sensitivity of 95.24% (95% CI, 76.18-99.88%), specificity of 77.7% (95% CI, 39.99-97.19%), positive predictive value of 90.91% (95% CI, 74.58-97.15%) and negative predictive value of 87.5% (95% CI, 50.04-98.0%). The most common dermoscopic feature observed among patients with recurrent LM/LMM was focal homogeneous or structureless areas of light-brown pigmentation (92.8% vs. 37.5% in patients with other diagnoses; P = 0.009). LM-specific dermoscopic criteria were present in only 28.5% of patients with recurrent LM/LMM.

CONCLUSIONS

Reflectance confocal microscopy and dermoscopy are valuable tools for the comprehensive evaluation of repigmentation within or adjacent to LM scars.

Atlas instrumentation guided by the medial edge of the posterior arch: An anatomic and radiologic study

STUDY DESIGN

This was an interventional human cadaver study and radiological study.

OBJECTIVES

Atlas instrumentation is frequently involved in fusion procedures involving the craniocervical junction area. Identification of the entry point at the center of atlas lateral mass (ALM) is challenging because of its rounded posterior surface and the surrounding venous plexus. This report examines using the medial edge of atlas posterior arch (MEC1) as a fixed and reliable anatomic reference to guide the entry point of ALM screws.

METHODS

Fifty, normal, cervical spine computed tomography studies were reviewed. ALM screw trajectories were planned at one point along MEC1 and another point 2 mm lateral to MEC1. Free-hand ALM instrumentation was performed in ten fresh human cadavers using the 2 mm entry point, with a sagittal trajectory parallel to atlas inferior arch (IAC1); three-dimensional imaging was then performed to confirm instrumentation accuracy.

RESULTS

The average ALM diameter was 12.35 mm. Inserting a screw using the entry point 2 mm lateral to MEC1 was closer to ALM midpoint than using the entry point along MEC1 (P < 0.0001). Twenty ALM screws were successfully inserted in the ten cadavers. No encroachments into the spinal canal or foramen transversarium occurred. However, two screws were superiorly directed and violated the occipitocervical joint; they were not parallel to IAC1.

CONCLUSION

MEC1 provides a fixed and reliable landmark for ALM instrumentation. An entry point 2 mm point lateral to MEC1 is close to ALM midpoint. IAC1 also provides a guide for the sagittal trajectory. Attention to anatomic landmarks may help reduce complications associated with atlas instrumentation but should be verified in future clinical studies.

Physician well-being: prevalence of burnout and associated risk factors in a tertiary hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This study is to determine level and factors associated with burnout among physicians in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.

DESIGN AND SETTINGS

This is a cross-sectional study, conducted at the King Fahad National Guard Hospital at in King Abdulaziz Medical City between October 2010 and November 2010.

METHODS

The Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire was used to measure burnout. Socio-demographic-, specialty-, and work-related characteristics were added to explore factors associated with burnout.

RESULTS

The study included 348 participants; 252 (72%) were males, 189 (54%) were consultants, and 159 (46%) were residents. The mean (SD) age was 35 (9.8) years. The burnout prevalence was 243/348 (70%); 136 (56%) of the 243 were residents and 107 (44%) were consultants. Age, female gender, marital status, number of years in practice, sleep deprivation, presence of back pain, and a negative effect of practice on family life were associated with burnout in the univariate logistic regression analysis. The factors independently associated with burnout in the final multivariate model were as follows: suffering from back pain (odds ratio [OR]=2.1, 95%CI 1.2-3.8, P=.01), sleep deprivation (OR=2.2, 95%CI 1.2-3.8, P=.009), being a resident physician/surgeon (OR=4.9, 95%CI 1.7-14.2, P=.004), and negative effect of practice on family life (OR=2.1, 95%CI 1.1-3.9, P=.02).

CONCLUSION

In this study, the prevalence of burnout was found to be higher than estimates documented in most other studies. Reported risk factors should be addressed to decrease the prevalence and consequences of burnout.

Deep wound infection following pediatric scoliosis surgery: incidence and analysis of risk factors

BACKGROUND

Deep wound infection after spinal surgery is a severe complication that often requires prolonged medical and surgical management. It can compromise the outcome of the deformity correction, especially in patients requiring surgical intervention with subsequent removal of implants. Ascertaining the incidence and risk factors leading to infection may help to prevent this problem.

METHODS

We reviewed the hospital charts of all patients who underwent spinal deformity correction from 1996 to 2005.

RESULTS

In all, 227 patients were identified (139 idiopathic, 57 neuromuscular, 8 syndromic, 6 congenital, 17 other); 191 patients were treated with posterior instrumentation and fusion, 11 with anterior-only procedures and 24 with combined anterior and posterior procedures. Final follow-up ranged from 1 to 9.5 years. Infection developed in 14 patients. The overall incidence of infection was 6.2%. Drainage and back pain were the most common presenting symptoms. The incidence of infection was higher among patients with nonidiopathic diagnoses (risk ratio [RR] 8.65, p < 0.001). Use of allograft bone was associated with a higher rate of infection (RR 9.66, p < 0.001) even when stratified by diagnosis (nonidiopathic diagnoses, RR 7.6, p = 0.012). Higher volume of instrumentation was also a risk factor for infection (p = 0.022). Coagulase-negative Staphyloccocus was the most commonly identified organism, followed by Propionibacterium acnes and Pseudomonas.

CONCLUSION

Development of infection following scoliosis surgery was found to be associated with several risk factors, including a nonidiopathic diagnosis, the use of allograft and a higher volume of instrumentation. Preventative measures addressing these factors may decrease the rate of infection.