Safety and Efficacy of Riluzole in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a cause of significant morbidity, often resulting in long-term disability. We aimed to compare outcomes after riluzole versus patients who received placebo or standard of care with no specific intervention. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library database searches yielded 92 records, and five met the study inclusion criteria. Fixed-effect and random-effects models were used to establish odds ratios (ORs) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each outcome. The results of the pooled analysis showed that in patients with acute traumatic SCI, riluzole resulted in increased American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor scores at 3 months (MD 0.26, 95% CI [-0.10,0.61], I2 = 0%; p = 0.157) and 6 months (MD 0.21, 95% CI [-0.17,0.60], I2 = 0%; p = 0.280) and change in ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) at 3 months (OR 0.59, 95% CI [-0.12,1.30], I2 = 0%, p = 0.101) and 6 months (OR 0.28, 95% CI [-0.50,1.06], I2 = 0%, p = 0.479) in comparison to the control groups, though not to a level of statistical significance. Riluzole resulted in fewer adverse events than the control groups (OR -0.12, 95% CI [-1.59,1.35], I2 = 0%, p = 0.874) and lower mortality (OR -0.20, 95% CI [-1.03,0.63], I2 = 0%, p = 0.640), though also not to a level of statistical significance. These meta-analyses suggest that riluzole for the treatment of traumatic SCI is safe and results in improved neurological outcomes when compared to controls, though not to a level of statistical significance. More robust prospective, randomized studies are necessary to help inform the safety and efficacy of riluzole for traumatic SCI.

Posterior Oblique Approach for Sacroiliac Joint Fusion.

Introduction Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is a common source of low back pain. Though this condition can be treated with conservative measures, there is a subset of patients who fail to respond to conservative treatment. For them, surgical treatment using minimally invasive techniques could be considered. There are currently a number of SIJ fixation methods described. However, there is no case series reported on posterior oblique approach. Therefore, in this paper, the authors report their experience with the Sacrix system via the posterior oblique approach. Method In this series, 19 patients aged 44-84 years, with a median of 58 years, underwent SIJ fusion using this technique. This is a posterior oblique approach in which two screws are inserted into the ilium through the posterior part of the iliac crest and then advanced into the sacrum through the SIJ. Results The follow-up is between 7 and 30 months, with a median of 12 months. Eighteen patients had excellent pain relief. There was no complication from the procedure, and the blood loss was minimal. All eight patients who had follow-up radiographs showed solid fusion. Conclusion Posterior oblique approach for SIJ fusion is a minimally invasive procedure that proved to be effective and safe in this series. It also resulted in solid radiographic fusion, decreased pain, and improved function.

Effects of Socioeconomic and Geographic Factors on Outcomes in Ewing Sarcoma: A National Cancer Database Review.

PURPOSE: Ewing sarcoma is a primary malignant bone tumor that manifests predominantly in the proximal long bones and pelvis and traditionally presents with nonspecific symptoms. This tumor preferentially affects children and young adults, occurring most often in patients of European descent. The most important established prognostic factor is the presence of metastasis at the time of diagnosis followed by primary site, size of the primary neoplasm, patient age, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study focused on the effects of socioeconomic and geographic factors on overall survival in Ewings sarcoma. METHODS: A total of 3,920 patients diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma were identified in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition (ICD-O-3) code 9260. Of these, 3,238 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and Cox regression tables were all performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0 (Released 2020; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed greater mortality for patients of increasing age at the time of diagnosis, at two, five, and 10 years of follow-up, Black race patients at two years, Medicare insurance status at two years, urban or rural residence at two and 10 years, more advanced tumor stage at two and five years, and patients with a comorbidity score of ≥2 at two years. Multivariate analysis showed greater mortality at two years with increasing age, Black race, uninsured status, urban or rural residence, and increasing tumor stage. Mortality also increased for patients at five years of follow-up in patients with increasing age or more advanced tumor stage.  Conclusion: Patient mortality in the first two years after diagnosis is increased for patients of the Black race, those living in urban or rural areas, and for patients that are uninsured or using Medicare as their primary payor at the time of diagnosis. To improve patient outcomes, clinicians should recognize and address not only the unique biology of patients but also their unique challenges in access to healthcare. Patients and providers should work to elicit changes on an individual and community level to improve their personal health and the health of those around them.

YouTube and the Achilles Tendon: An Analysis of Internet Information Reliability and Content Quality.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the educational content, quality, and reliability of YouTube videos regarding the Achilles tendon and Achilles tendon injuries. METHODS: The first 50 videos found on YouTube after searching "Achilles tendon" were evaluated and classified by content type and uploader source. Reliability and accuracy were assessed using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, nonspecific educational content was assessed via the Global Quality Score (GQS), and specific educational content was assessed using the Achilles Tendon Specific Score (ATSS). ANOVA was performed to determine differences in video reliability and educational content quality by video content type and source. Multivariate stepwise regressions were used to evaluate the effects of specific video characteristics on JAMA benchmark criteria, GQS, and ATSS. RESULTS: The 50 videos evaluated had a cumulative view total of 53,323,307, a mean of 1,066,466, and a range of 1,009 to 42,663,665 views per video. Most videos focused on disease-specific information (38%) and exercise training (22%). Most videos were uploaded by non-physicians (34%) or medical sources (health websites) (32%). A higher view ratio was an independent predictor of lower JAMA scores (lower reliability and accuracy) (standardized beta = -0.281, P = 0.048) and increased video duration was an independent predictor of greater GQS (standardized beta = 0.380, P = 0.007) and ATSS scores (standardized beta = 0.364, P = 0.009) (increased quality of nonspecific and specific educational content). CONCLUSION: Videos on YouTube regarding the Achilles tendon were viewed numerous times, but their educational content and reliability were poor. Providers treating patients for Achilles tendon-related pathologies should initiate a dialogue with patients about their use of internet sources and should educate them on their optimal usage. They should warn them of the low quality of YouTube-derived information and provide them with reliable sources that may better give them control over their own care.

Stereotactic Ventriculostomy Guide.

Introduction Based on the anatomy of the frontal horn, a stereotactic ventriculostomy guidance system that does not need an elaborate setup and is suitable for ventricles of all sizes was developed. The objective of this paper is to describe this system and present the results of a cadaveric study in which this system was used. Method The system has a midline-based plate that is contoured to snugly fit the top of the head. It has two probe holders, one on each side at pre-set angles in coronal and sagittal planes, which enables the probe holders to point at the foramen of Monro. A cadaver study was done on eight donors. First, using the guidance system a 1.4 mm endoscope was inserted into the right frontal horn through a twist drill hole. Next, the scope was inserted into the right frontal horn on the same donors using the freehand method. Result With the guide, all eight ventricles were entered into on the first trial, and the foramen of Monro was visible end-on. With freehand technique: six ventricles were entered on the first try; however, the foramen of Monro was visible end-on only in one. In the other two, two to three attempts were needed. The guide facilitated 100% visibility for the end-on visibility of the foramen of Monro upon insertion and the results were statistically significant with t=7, df=7, p-value=0.000106. Conclusion This is a simple system, which is easy to use. The cadaveric study showed a high degree of accuracy to access the ventricles. The data shows significant improvement compared to the freehand technique.