Patient Positioning in Spine Surgery: What Spine Surgeons Should Know?

Spine surgery has advanced tremendously over the last decade. The number of spine surgeries performed each year has also been increasing constantly. Unfortunately, the reporting of position-related complications in spine surgery has also been steadily increasing. These complications not only result in significant morbidity for the patient but also raises the risk of litigation for the surgical and anesthetic teams. Fortunately, most position-related complications are avoidable with basic positioning knowledge. Hence, it is critical to be cautious and take all necessary precautions to avoid position-related complications. We discuss the various position-related complications associated with the prone position, which is the most commonly used position in spine surgery, in this narrative review. We also discuss the various methods for avoiding complications. Furthermore, we briefly discuss less commonly used positions in spine surgery, like the lateral and sitting positions.

Epidemiological Insights from 1,652 Patients with Spinal Tuberculosis Managed at a Single Center: A Retrospective Review of 5-Year Data

Methods@#Hospital records of spinal tuberculosis patients treated at a single center over a period of 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. A diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis was based on standard clinical, radiological, microbiological, and histopathological evidence. Patients were treated in accordance with the “middle-path” regimen; surgery was reserved for selective indications. @*Results@#A total of 1,652 patients were included. Their median age was 32.4 years, with 53% being male. Axial pain (98%) was the most common presenting symptom; 19% of patients had neurological deficit. Lumbar spine (37%) was the most common site of involvement, with a paradiscal pattern (82%) of involvement predominating. Multi-level involvement was seen in 19% of patients; skip lesions were noted in 2.8%. Transpedicular biopsy was performed in 667 patients; at least one tissue test was diagnostic of tuberculosis in 65% of patients. Forty-four patients had drug resistance to rifampicin. Surgery was required in 10.5% of patients. The “middle-path” regimen was associated with high compliance and significant improvements in pain (Visual Analog Scale score) and function (36-Item Short Form Health Survey). @*Conclusions@#Our findings confirm the widespread prevalence of spinal tuberculosis and describe various epidemiological characteristics of a large sample of spinal tuberculosis patients. Adoption of the “middle-path” regimen is associated with high compliance and favorable outcomes in spinal tuberculosis.

Morphological Changes in the Ligamentum Flavum in Degenerative Lumbar Canal Stenosis: A Prospective, Comparative Study

Methods@#Forty patients were prospectively recruited and divided into two groups: group 1 included 20 patients with degenerative LCS aged >55 years and group 2 included patients with LDH aged <35 years. The ligament flava were collected during the patients’ surgery. The features noted on histopathological examination included the fibrosis score, the loss of elastic fibers, calcification, chondroid metaplasia, mucinous degeneration, vascularization, long septa, clefts, granulation tissue, and ganglion-like cysts. The features noted on electron microscopic examination included the elastic fiber thickness, the quality of elastic fibers, the elastic:collagen ratio, calcification, melanin fibers, remnants of necrotic cells, and electron-dense material in the LF. All parameters were compared between group 1 and group 2. @*Results@#On histopathological examination, the two groups exhibited significant differences regarding three parameters: chondroid metaplasia, long septa, and ganglion-like cysts. On electron microscopy examination, significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding two parameters: the quality of elastic fibers and the elastic:collagen ratio. @*Conclusions@#Characteristic morphological changes may be noted on histopathological and electron microscopic examination that mark the degenerative changes in the LF that contribute to the occurrence and pathogenesis of degenerative LCS.

Morphological Changes in the Ligamentum Flavum in Degenerative Lumbar Canal Stenosis: A Prospective, Comparative Study

Methods@#Forty patients were prospectively recruited and divided into two groups: group 1 included 20 patients with degenerative LCS aged >55 years and group 2 included patients with LDH aged <35 years. The ligament flava were collected during the patients’ surgery. The features noted on histopathological examination included the fibrosis score, the loss of elastic fibers, calcification, chondroid metaplasia, mucinous degeneration, vascularization, long septa, clefts, granulation tissue, and ganglion-like cysts. The features noted on electron microscopic examination included the elastic fiber thickness, the quality of elastic fibers, the elastic:collagen ratio, calcification, melanin fibers, remnants of necrotic cells, and electron-dense material in the LF. All parameters were compared between group 1 and group 2. @*Results@#On histopathological examination, the two groups exhibited significant differences regarding three parameters: chondroid metaplasia, long septa, and ganglion-like cysts. On electron microscopy examination, significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding two parameters: the quality of elastic fibers and the elastic:collagen ratio. @*Conclusions@#Characteristic morphological changes may be noted on histopathological and electron microscopic examination that mark the degenerative changes in the LF that contribute to the occurrence and pathogenesis of degenerative LCS.

The Spectrum of Clinical and Urodynamic Findings in Patients with Spinal Tuberculosis Exhibiting Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, before and after Spinal Surgical Intervention with Antitubercular Treatment: A Prospective Study

STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the clinical and urodynamic parameters in patients with spinal tuberculosis (TB) exhibiting lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) at the time of presentation and after spinal surgical intervention. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Variable urodynamic findings in patients with spinal TB. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 10 patients with spinal TB exhibiting LUTS. Urinary symptoms were assessed by the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score. We performed a urodynamic study (UDS), including electromyography, in all patients before and 3 months after spinal surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 29.7 years (range, 15–52 years), and the mean AUA symptom score was 12.5 and 11.8 before and after spinal surgery, respectively. Overall, five patients exhibited improvement in the AUA symptom score, and three showed no change, while two patients’ condition worsened. We observed detrusor overactivity (DO) in two patients, and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) in four patients. In addition, high-pressure voiding (HPV) was noted in two patients. On follow-up after spinal surgery, DO and DSD exhibited no improvement. Although HPV resolved, two patients developed new-onset poor compliance with worsening DO and DSD. Furthermore, two patients had bilateral hydronephrosis before surgery, which resolved on follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with spinal TB exhibiting LUTS can display a spectrum of clinical presentations and variable UDS findings. As two patients exhibited new onset poor compliance with bilateral hydronephrosis in one of them, this study concludes that a close follow-up for upper tracts in these patients is required despite successful spinal surgery.

Isolated Spontaneous Primary Tubercular Erector Spinae Abscess: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Isolated spontaneous primary tubercular erector spinae abscess in an immunocompetent patient is very rare. Here, we report such a case of 21-year-old female, which was successfully managed with timely diagnosis and intervention. Isolated primary tubercular abscess of erector spinae is a rare differential diagnosis of low back pain; however, it must be suspected in an endemic region for tuberculosis, especially when raised erythrocytic sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein are present. Excision along with anti tubercular therapy proved to be a successful strategy in our patient.

Author Response: Isolated Spontaneous Primary Tubercular Erector Spinae Abscess: A Case Report and Review of Literature

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Ewing's Sarcoma of the Sacroiliac Joint Presenting as Tubercular Sacroiliitis: A Diagnostic Dilemma

We report a case of Ewing's sarcoma of the sacroiliac joint in a 21-year-old male mimicking tubercular sacroiliitis, a rare entity not reported in literature. He presented with pain in the lower back radiating to the right lower limb along with constitutional symptoms of 3 months duration. On examination, the right sacroiliac joint was tender. The laboratory investigations showed anaemia, leukocytosis and raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate. On X-ray, features of right sacroiliitis were seen. This was further investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which showed features consistent with tubercular sacroiliitis. Patient was then started on antitubercular treatment, but the improvement was not consistent. So, a contrast MRI was done, which indicated features of primary sarcoma. It was then further confirmed by a computed tomography-guided biopsy, which showed features consistent with Ewing's sarcoma of the sacroiliac joint.

Bilateral inferior dislocation of the hip---a case report / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Inferior dislocation of the hip is the ra- rest type in hip dislocation. Very few cases have been reported in the anglophonic literature, most of which involved the pediatric age group. Surprisingly, we came across a 30-year-old patient with a bilateral inferior hip dislocation. He had sustained a road traffic accident and the attitude of both hip joints was flexion and abduction. The diagnosis was confirmed by radiographs which revealed the long axis of the femur at an angle of 110 (right) degrees and 100 (left) degrees respectively away from the axis. Closed reduction under sedation was successfully performed. Skin traction for a period of 6 weeks was advised and the follow-up revealed an excellent result. We present the details of this case, the first of its kind along with a review of the literature, discussing the various modes and mechanisms of injury inducing inferior dislocation of the hip.