Patients Follow-up for Spinal Epidural Abscess as a Critical Treatment Plan Consideration.

INTRODUCTION:  Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare process with significant risk for morbidity and mortality. Treatment includes an extended course of antibiotics with or without surgery depending on the clinical presentation. Both non-operative and surgically treated patients require close follow-up to ensure the resolution of the infection without recurrence and/or progression of neurologic deficits. No previous study has looked specifically at follow-up in the SEA population, but the review of the literature does show evidence of varying degrees of difficulty with follow-up for this patient population. METHODS:  This retrospective review looked at follow-up for 147 patients with SEA at a single institution from 2012 to 2021. Statistical analyses were performed to assess differences between groups of surgical versus non-surgical patients and those with adequate versus inadequate follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty-two of 147 (42.2%) patients had inadequate follow-up (less than 90 days) with their surgical team, and 112 of 147 (76.2%) patients had inadequate follow-up (less than 90 days) with infectious disease (ID). The primary statistically significant difference between patients with adequate versus inadequate follow-up was found to be surgical status with those treated surgically more likely to have adequate follow-up than those treated non-operatively. CONCLUSION: Improved follow-up in surgical patients should be considered as a factor when deciding on surgical versus non-operative treatment in the SEA patient population. Extra efforts coordinating follow-up care should be made for SEA patients.

Predicting Pedicle Screw Pullout and Fatigue Performance: Comparing Lateral Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, Anterior to Posterior Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, and Computed Tomography Hounsfield Units.

BACKGROUND: As the prevalence and associated health care costs of osteoporosis continue to rise in our aging population, there is a growing need to continue to identify methods to predict spine construct integrity accurately and cost-effectively. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in both anterior to posterior (AP) and lateral planes, as well as computed tomography (CT) Hounsfield units (HU), have all been investigated as potential preoperative predictive tools. The purpose of this study is to determine which of the 3 bone density analysis modalities has the highest potential for predicting pedicle screw biomechanics. METHODS: Lumbar spine specimens (L2, L3, and L4) from 6 fresh frozen cadavers were used for testing. AP-DEXA, lateral-DEXA, and CT images were obtained. Biomechanical testing of pedicle screws in each vertebrae was then performed including pullout strength and fatigue testing. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Pullout strength was best predicted by CT HU, followed by AP-DEXA, then lateral-DEXA (R 2 = 0.78, 0.70, and 0.40, respectively). Fatigue testing showed a significant correlation of relative rotation between HU value and AP-DEXA bone mineral density (R 2 = 0.54 and R 2 = 0.72, respectively), and there was a significant correlation between relative translation and HU value (R 2 = 0.43). There was a poor correlation between relative rotation and lateral-DEXA (R 2 = 0.13) as well as a poor correlation between relative translation and both AP- and lateral-DEXA (R 2 = 0.35 and R 2 = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: CT is the only modality with a statistically significant correlation to all biomechanical parameters measured (pullout strength, relative angular rotation, and relative translation). AP-DEXA also predicts the biomechanical measures of screw pullout and relative angular rotation and is superior to lateral-DEXA. CT may provide an incremental benefit in assessing fatigue strength, but this should be weighed against the disadvantages of cost and radiation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study can help to inform clinicians on different bone density analyses and their implications on pedicle screw failure.

Intra- and inter-observer reliability of the novel vertebral bone quality score.

PURPOSE: To assess the intra- and inter-observer reliability of the novel vertebral bone quality (VBQ) scoring system. METHODS: Four orthopedic surgery residents at various levels of training (PGY1-4) evaluated 100 noncontrast, T1-weighted MRIs of the lumbar spine. VBQ was calculated as quotient of the median of L1-L4 average signal intensity (SI) and the L3 cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) SI, as described by Ehresman et al. All measurements were repeated 2 weeks later. We performed a stratified analysis based on patient history of instrumentation, pathology, and MRI manufacturer/magnet strength to determine their effect on VBQ reliability. Spinal pathologies included compression fracture, burst fracture, vertebral osteomyelitis, epidural abscess, or neoplasm. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) two-way mixed model on absolute agreement was used to analyze inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. ICC less than 0.40 was considered poor, 0.40-0.59 as fair, 0.60-0.74 as good, and greater than 0.75 as excellent. RESULTS: Intra-observer reliability was excellent (≥ 0.75) for all four observers. When stratified by history of spinal instrumentation or spinal pathology, all raters showed excellent intra-observer reliability except one (0.71 and 0.69, respectively). When stratified by MRI manufacturer, intra-observer reliability was ≥ 0.75 for all raters. Inter-observer reliability was excellent (0.91) and remained excellent (≥ 0.75) when stratified by history of spinal instrumentation, spinal pathology, or MRI-manufacturer. CONCLUSIONS: VBQ scores from spine lumbar MRIs demonstrate excellent intra-observer and inter-observer reliability. These scores are reliably reproduced in patients regardless of previous instrumentation, spinal pathology, or MRI manufacturer/magnetic field strength.

Hemiepiphysiodesis Using a Transphyseal Screw at the Medial Malleolus for the Treatment of Ankle Valgus Deformity.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to report outcomes of transphyseal screw hemi-epiphysiodesis at the medial malleolus for the treatment of valgus ankle deformity. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective review was done of 24 patient charts. Lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) was measured preoperatively and at final follow-up. RESULTS: The average change in LDTA was 8.3 degrees (SD 4.9 degrees; range 0-19 degrees). The average rate of correction was 0.4 degrees per month (SD 0.3; range 0-1.4). CONCLUSION: Medial malleolar transphyseal screw hemiepiphysiodesis is a simple, effective, and safe treatment for valgus ankle deformity in skeletally immature children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Compartment Syndrome in Children With a Supracondylar Fracture: Not Everyone has Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the incidence, associated conditions, and timing of fasciotomy for compartment syndrome (CS) in children with a supracondylar (SC) fracture of the humerus. DESIGN: A retrospective trauma system database study. SETTING: Accredited trauma centers in Pennsylvania. PATIENTS: A statewide trauma database was searched for children 2-13 years of age admitted with a SC fracture between January 2001 and December 2015. Four thousand three hundred eight children met inclusion criteria. INTERVENTION: Treatment of a SC fracture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Diagnosis of CS/performance of a fasciotomy. RESULTS: During the study period, 21 (0.49%) children admitted with a SC fracture of the humerus were treated with fasciotomy. CS/fasciotomy was more likely in males (P = 0.031), those with a nerve injury (P = 0.049), and/or ipsilateral forearm fracture (P < 0.001). Vascular procedure, performed in 18 (0.42%) children, was strongly associated with CS/fasciotomy (P < 0.001). Closed reduction and fixation of a forearm fracture was associated with CS (P = 0.007). Timing of SC fracture treatment did not influence outcome. Fasciotomy was performed subsequent to reduction in 13 subjects; mean interval between procedures was 23.4 hours (r = 4.5-51.3). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for CS exist; however, they are not required for the condition to develop. CS may develop subsequent to admission and/or SC fracture treatment. In timing of operative management and hospitalization, the results support contemporary practice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Outcomes of Short Versus Long Leg Casts for Childhood Accidental Spiral Tibial CAST Fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was to analyze the outcomes of short versus long leg casts in the treatment of childhood accidental spiral tibial (CAST) fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of medical records at a single tertiary children's hospital from 2009 to 2014 of children with distal, spiral tibial fractures (CAST fractures). The following points were documented for each patient: sex, laterality of fracture, age at presentation, type of cast, length of time in cast, use of a controlled ankle motion boot after cast removal, suspicion for abuse, and complications including skin irritation, skin breakdown, infection, compartment syndrome, fracture displacement, and gait disturbances. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients with an age range of 12 to 62 months were found to have CAST fractures as confirmed by x-ray. Fourteen were treated with short leg casts, whereas 7 were treated with long leg casts. Both groups healed with equal outcomes, and there was no documented suspicion for abuse in any case. CONCLUSIONS: A short leg walking cast seems to be an effective and safe method of treatment for CAST fractures and could be considered as potentially preferable to long leg casts because of the added benefits of increased mobility and function. Follow-up to this preliminary study is warranted to better elucidate any differences in benefit between these treatment options, and clinical judgment should be used when considering immobilization options.

A mini-open technique for Achilles tenotomy in infants with clubfoot.

PURPOSE: A tendoachilles lengthening (TAL) is indicated in over 85 % of cases treated with the Ponseti technique. A percutaneous TAL is often performed in the clinic. Reported complications from a TAL performed in the clinic include: bleeding due to injury to the peroneal artery, posterior tibial artery, or lesser saphenous vein; injury to the tibial or sural nerves; and incomplete release. The purpose of the present study is to report the results and complications of a mini-open TAL performed in the operating room (OR). METHODS: The current study is a retrospective review performed among infants with idiopathic clubfoot who underwent a mini-open TAL from 2008 to 2015. RESULTS: Forty-one patients underwent 63 TALs via a mini-open technique in day surgery. The average Pirani score was 5.8 prior to casting. The average number of casts applied prior to surgery was 5.2. The average age at the time of the TAL was 12.5 weeks (range 5-48 weeks). The average weight at the time of surgery was 7.3 kg (range 3.6-13 kg). No child had a delay in discharge or stayed overnight in the hospital. No anesthesia-related complications or neurovascular injuries occurred. No child needed a repeat TAL due to an incomplete tenotomy. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, mini-open TAL performed in the OR is safe and effective in infants with clubfeet. No complications occurred and all patients were discharged on the day of surgery. Direct visualization of the Achilles tendon via a mini-open technique minimizes the risk of neurovascular injury and incomplete tenotomy.