High frequency of lumbar fusion in patients denied surgical treatment of the sacroiliac joint.

PURPOSE: Effective treatment of medical conditions relies on proper diagnosis. Clinical trials show the safety and effectiveness of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion in patients with chronic SI joint dysfunction. To what extent is the condition under recognised? OBJECTIVE: To determine whether under recognition of SIJ pain affects healthcare trajectories in Spanish patients with low back pain. METHODS: Retrospective study of characteristics and consequences of 189 patients with persistent SIJ pain seen in an outpatient neurosurgery clinic. RESULTS: Patients with SIJ pain who were denied surgical treatment had a longer pain duration, higher likelihood of prior lumbar fusion, and a high rate (63%) of lumbar fusion within 2 years prior to SIJ pain diagnosis, which, in most cases, provided little benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of knowledge of the role of the SIJ in chronic low back pain probably results in diagnostic confusion and may lead to misdirected treatment.

Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion, Radiofrequency Denervation, and Conservative Management for Sacroiliac Joint Pain: 6-Year Comparative Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is an under-recognized condition. Substantial information supports the safety and effectiveness of SIJ fusion (SIJF). Long-term follow-up after SIJF has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: To determine responses to conservative management (CM), SIJ denervation, and SIJF in patients with SIJ pain unresponsive to CM. METHODS: Retrospective study with long-term (up to 6 yr) follow-up of 137 patients with SIJ pain seen in an outpatient neurosurgery clinic who received either CM (n = 63), sacroiliac denervation (n = 47), or minimally invasive SIJF (n = 27). At each routine clinic visit, patients completed pain scores and Oswestry Disability Index. Additional data were extracted from medical charts. RESULTS: Patients treated with continued CM had no long-term improvement in pain (mean worsening of 1 point) or disability (mean Oswestry Disability Index worsened by 4-6 points), increased their use of opioids, and had poor long-term work status. SIJF patients had large improvements in SIJ pain (mean 6 points), large improvements in disability (mean 25 points), a decrease in opioid use, and good final work status. Sacroiliac denervation patients had intermediate responses (0-1 and 1-2 points, respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with SIJ pain unresponsive to CM, SIJF resulted in excellent long-term clinical responses, with low opioid use and better work status compared to other treatments.

Can we safely monitor posterior fossa intracranial pressure? A cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: measuring intracranial pressure (ICP) is considered the gold standard of care for brain injury. While supratentorial ICP monitoring has been adopted everywhere, posterior fossa ICP monitoring is rarely performed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of inserting ICP sensors into the posterior fossa of cadavers, to measure ICP in the posterior fossa. METHODS: An ICP sensor was transcranially implanted into the posterior fossa of fifteen fresh adult cadavers. An extracranial point was defined in the retroauricular area 2 cm behind the tip of the mastoid process and 2 cm below the transverse sinus, in order to implant an ICP probe. The cranial cavity was opened and measures were taken of the distance that the ICP sensor had penetrated inside the posterior fossa, as well as the distance to nearby venous sinuses (lateral, transverse, sigmoid, inferior petrosal sinus, and jugular bulb). The cerebellar hemisphere was searched for any possible damage. RESULTS: the selected extracranial point (2 cm behind the tip of the mastoid process and 2 cm below the transverse sinus) was a safe location. Intracranial structures such as the brainstem and the cerebellar hemisphere were not damaged. The implanted ICP probe was at least 2 cm away from the venous sinuses, which were not damaged. CONCLUSION: ICP monitoring is safe and reliable at the described ICP probe placement site of the posterior fossa.

Minimally invasive spine surgery in spinal infections.

INTRODUCTION: Although spinal infections have always been present recently their incidence has increased, in partly fostered by the advances in medicine (i.e. compromised immunity, chronic diseases, increasingly complex spinal procedures, etc.) and increased life expectancy. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Using PubMed for this systematic review, the main spine infections types will be addressed focusing in the minimally invasive surgical techniques that can be used in their treatment. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Spontaneous and iatrogenic pyogenic and non-pyogenic spine infections can be treated in many different ways depending on their extension and location as well as on their causative microorganisms. The indications of percutaneous image-guided, endoscopic and microsurgical treatment techniques will be updated. CONCLUSIONS: In spine infections minimally invasive surgical techniques show a great potential as to be safe, effective, with low surgical morbidity and fast patients' recovery.

Biplanar x-ray fluoroscopy for sacroiliac joint fusion.

Chronic pain originating from the sacroiliac joint (SI) can cause severe dysfunction. Although many patients respond to conservative management with NSAIDs, some do need further treatment in the form of SI joint fusion (SIJF). To achieve safe and successful SIJF, intraoperative x-ray fluoroscopy is mandatory to avoid serious damages to nearby vascular and neural structures. Each step of the procedure has to be confirmed by anteroposterior (AP) and lateral projections. With a single-arm x-ray, the arch has to be moved back and forth for the AP and lateral projections, and this lengthens the procedure. To achieve the same results in less time, the authors introduced simultaneous biplanar fluoroscopy with 2 x-ray arches. After the patient is positioned prone with the legs spread apart in the so-called Da Vinci position, one x-ray arch for the lateral projection is placed at a right angle to the patient, and a second x-ray machine is placed with its arch between the legs of the patient. This allows simultaneous AP and lateral x-ray projections and, in the authors' hands, markedly speeds up the procedure. Biplanar fluoroscopy allows excellent AP and lateral projections to be made quickly at any time during the surgical procedure. This is particularly useful in cases of bilateral SI joint fusion if both sides are done at the same time. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/TX5gz8c765M .

Transdiscal C6-C7 contralateral C7 nerve root transfer in the surgical repair of brachial plexus avulsion injuries.

BACKGROUND: Repair of complete brachial plexus avulsion injuries may require contralateral C7 nerve root transfer. The available techniques might allow direct neuroraphy in about 50 % of cases but the others require interposing nerve grafts or humeral shaft shortening. We aimed to see if transdiscal C6-C7 contralateral C7 nerve root transfer is technically feasible and if it allows direct coaptation with the contralateral nerve roots in 100 % of cases. METHODS: In ten fresh-frozen adult cadavers, the C7 nerve root was sectioned just before it connects with other brachial plexus branches and re-routed though the C6-C7 disc space to the contralateral side. A complete C6-C7 discectomy was performed and the disc space kept open with the aid of an autologous iliac crest bone graft. RESULTS: Transdiscal C6-C7 contralateral C7 nerve root transfer is technically feasible. In our cadavers, it provided 5.3 ± 1.2 SDcm of extra length that allowed direct coaptation with the contralateral nerve roots, mainly C8 and T1. CONCLUSIONS: Transdiscal C6-C7 contralateral C7 nerve root transfer is technically feasible. In our dissections it lengthens the available C7 nerve root stump by 5.3 ± 1.2SDcm. The increase was 4 cm versus the retropharyngeal route making direct coaptation with the contralateral C8 and T1 nerve roots possible.

Situación actual de la cirugía toracoscópica del raquis torácico y lumbar. Parte 2: Tratamiento de la hernia de disco torácica, de las deformidades, de la patología tumoral e infecciosa, y miscelánea / Current status of thoracoscopic surgery for thoracic and lumbar spine. Part 2: Treatment of the thoracic disc hernia, spinal deformities, spinal tumors, infections and miscellaneous

INTRODUCCIÓN: La cirugía toracoscópica o torácica videoasistida (VATS) de la región torácica y lumbar ha evolucionado desde su aparición hace menos de 20 años y hoy en día puede estar indicada su utilización en una gran cantidad de procesos y lesiones. El objetivo del siguiente trabajo (en sus 2 partes) es hacer una revisión de la situación actual de la VATS de la región torácica y lumbar en todo su espectro. DESARROLLO: Se realiza una revisión de la literatura desarrollándose uno por uno los grandes grupos de indicaciones donde la VATS tiene lugar. En esta segunda parte se realiza la revisión y discusión en el manejo, el tratamiento y la técnica específica mediante toracoscopia de la hernia de disco torácica, de las deformidades raquídeas, de la patología tumoral, de los procesos infecciosos de la columna y del resto de indicaciones posibles para la VATS. CONCLUSIONES: La cirugía toracoscópica es en muchos casos una alternativa a la cirugía abierta convencional. El uso del abordaje transdiafragmático ha hecho posible el tratamiento toracoscópico de gran cantidad de procesos de la unión toracolumbar. Se ha ampliado el abanico de indicación terapéutica, que incluye el tratamiento de deformidades, tumores, infecciones y otros procesos patológicos, así como la reconstrucción de los segmentos raquídeos lesionados y la descompresión del canal raquídeo si la disposición de la lesión es favorable al abordaje anterolateral. Los buenos resultados clínicos de la VATS están avalados por una creciente experiencia plasmada en un elevado número de trabajos. El grado de complicaciones de la cirugía toracoscópica es comparable al de la cirugía abierta, con ventajas respecto a la morbilidad del abordaje y a la recuperación posterior de los pacientes

INTRODUCTION: Thoracoscopic surgery or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) of the thoracic and lumbar spine has evolved greatly since it appeared less than 20 years ago. It is currently used in a large number of processes and injuries. The aim of this article, in its two parts, is to review the current status of VATS of the thoracic and lumbar spine in its entire spectrum. DEVELOPMENT: After reviewing the current literature, we developed each of the large groups of indications where VATS takes place, one by one. This second part reviews and discusses the management, treatment and specific thoracoscopic technique in thoracic disc herniation, spinal deformities, tumour pathology, infections of the spine and other possible indications for VATS. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic surgery is in many cases an alternative to conventional open surgery. The transdiaphragmatic approach has made endoscopic treatment of many thoracolumbar junction processes possible, thus widening the spectrum of therapeutic indications. These include the treatment of spinal deformities, spinal tumours, infections and other pathological processes, as well as the reconstruction of injured spinal segments and decompression of the spinal canal if lesion placement is favourable to antero-lateral approach. Good clinical results of thoracoscopic surgery are supported by growing experience reflected in a large number of articles. The degree of complications in thoracoscopic surgery is comparable to open surgery, with benefits in regard to morbidity of the approach and subsequent patient recovery

Situación actual de la cirugía toracoscópica del raquis torácico y lumbar. Parte 1: Aspectos generales y tratamiento de las fracturas / Current status of thoracoscopic surgery for thoracic and lumbar spine. Part 1: General aspects and treatment of fractures

INTRODUCCIÓN: La cirugía toracoscópica o torácica videoasistida (VATS) de la región torácica y lumbar ha evolucionado desde su aparición hace menos de 20 años y hoy en día puede estar indicada su utilización en una gran cantidad de procesos y lesiones. El objetivo del siguiente trabajo (en sus 2 partes) es hacer una revisión de la situación actual de la VATS de la región torácica y lumbar en todo su espectro. DESARROLLO: Se realiza una revisión de la literatura desarrollándose uno por uno los grandes grupos de indicaciones donde la VATS tiene lugar. En esta primera parte se realiza una descripción de la técnica quirúrgica general toracoscópica que incluye los requerimientos previos necesarios, el abordaje transdiafragmático, las técnicas utilizadas en la instrumentación y reconstrucción de la columna, y la revisión del tratamiento y de la técnica específica en el manejo de las fracturas raquídeas. CONCLUSIONES: La cirugía toracoscópica es en muchos casos una alternativa a la cirugía abierta convencional. El uso del abordaje transdiafragmático ha hecho posible el tratamiento toracoscópico de gran cantidad de procesos de la unión toracolumbar. Se ha ampliado el abanico de indicación terapéutica, que incluye el tratamiento de fracturas y deformidades así como la reconstrucción de los segmentos raquídeos lesionados y la descompresión del canal raquídeo si la disposición de la lesión es favorable al abordaje anterolateral. Los buenos resultados clínicos de la VATS están avalados por una creciente experiencia plasmada en un elevado número de trabajos. El grado de complicaciones de la cirugía toracoscópica es comparable al de la cirugía abierta, con ventajas respecto a la morbilidad del abordaje y a la recuperación posterior de los pacientes

INTRODUCTION: Thoracoscopic surgery or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) of the thoracic and lumbar spine has greatly evolved since it appeared less than 20 years ago. Nowadays, it is indicated in a large number of processes and injuries. The aim of this article, in its 2 parts, is to review the current status of VATS in treatment of the thoracic and lumbar spine in its entire spectrum. DEVELOPMENT: After reviewing the current literature, we develop each of the large groups of indications where VATS is used, one by one. This first part contains a description of general thoracoscopic surgical technique including the necessary prerequisites, transdiaphragmatic approach, techniques and instrumentation used in spine reconstruction, as well as a review of treatment and specific techniques in the management of spinal fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic surgery is in many cases an alternative to conventional open surgery. The transdiaphragmatic approach has made endoscopic treatment of many thoracolumbar junction processes possible, thus widening the spectrum of therapeutic indications. These include the treatment of fractures and deformities, as well as the reconstruction of injured spinal segments and decompression of the spinal canal in any etiological processes if the lesion placement is favourable to antero-lateral approach. Good clinical results of thoracoscopic surgery are supported by the growing experience reflected in a large number of articles. The degree of complications in thoracoscopic surgery is comparable to open surgery, with benefits in morbidity of the approach and subsequent patient recovery

[Current status of thoracoscopic surgery for thoracic and lumbar spine. Part 2: treatment of the thoracic disc hernia, spinal deformities, spinal tumors, infections and miscellaneous]. / Situación actual de la cirugía toracoscópica del raquis torácico y lumbar. Parte 2: Tratamiento de la hernia de disco torácica, de las deformidades, de la patología tumoral e infecciosa, y miscelánea.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracoscopic surgery or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) of the thoracic and lumbar spine has evolved greatly since it appeared less than 20 years ago. It is currently used in a large number of processes and injuries. The aim of this article, in its two parts, is to review the current status of VATS of the thoracic and lumbar spine in its entire spectrum. DEVELOPMENT: After reviewing the current literature, we developed each of the large groups of indications where VATS takes place, one by one. This second part reviews and discusses the management, treatment and specific thoracoscopic technique in thoracic disc herniation, spinal deformities, tumour pathology, infections of the spine and other possible indications for VATS. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic surgery is in many cases an alternative to conventional open surgery. The transdiaphragmatic approach has made endoscopic treatment of many thoracolumbar junction processes possible, thus widening the spectrum of therapeutic indications. These include the treatment of spinal deformities, spinal tumours, infections and other pathological processes, as well as the reconstruction of injured spinal segments and decompression of the spinal canal if lesion placement is favourable to antero-lateral approach. Good clinical results of thoracoscopic surgery are supported by growing experience reflected in a large number of articles. The degree of complications in thoracoscopic surgery is comparable to open surgery, with benefits in regard to morbidity of the approach and subsequent patient recovery.

[Current status of thoracoscopic surgery for thoracic and lumbar spine. Part 1: general aspects and treatment of fractures]. / Situación actual de la cirugía toracoscópica del raquis torácico y lumbar. Parte 1: Aspectos generales y tratamiento de las fracturas.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracoscopic surgery or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) of the thoracic and lumbar spine has greatly evolved since it appeared less than 20 years ago. Nowadays, it is indicated in a large number of processes and injuries. The aim of this article, in its 2 parts, is to review the current status of VATS in treatment of the thoracic and lumbar spine in its entire spectrum. DEVELOPMENT: After reviewing the current literature, we develop each of the large groups of indications where VATS is used, one by one. This first part contains a description of general thoracoscopic surgical technique including the necessary prerequisites, transdiaphragmatic approach, techniques and instrumentation used in spine reconstruction, as well as a review of treatment and specific techniques in the management of spinal fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic surgery is in many cases an alternative to conventional open surgery. The transdiaphragmatic approach has made endoscopic treatment of many thoracolumbar junction processes possible, thus widening the spectrum of therapeutic indications. These include the treatment of fractures and deformities, as well as the reconstruction of injured spinal segments and decompression of the spinal canal in any etiological processes if the lesion placement is favourable to antero-lateral approach. Good clinical results of thoracoscopic surgery are supported by the growing experience reflected in a large number of articles. The degree of complications in thoracoscopic surgery is comparable to open surgery, with benefits in morbidity of the approach and subsequent patient recovery.

Microsurgical Relations between Internal Carotid Artery-Posterior Communicating Artery (ICA-PComA) Segment Aneurysms and Skull Base: An Anatomoclinical Study.

Purpose The study of the clinical, anatomic, imaging, and microsurgical characteristics of the aneurysms of the internal carotid-posterior communicating artery (ICA-PComA) segment and their relationships with the skull base structures. Methods The anatomic relationships of PComA with neurovascular elements and skull base structures were studied in cadavers. The clinical, imaging, and microsurgical findings of 84 microsurgically treated ICA-PComA aneurysms compiled in a prospective database were reviewed. Results The most important anatomic relations of the PComA and ICA-PComA aneurysms are with the oculomotor nerve around the oculomotor triangle that forms the roof of the cavernous sinus. Aneurysms of the ICA-PComA are classified according to the orientation of the aneurysmal sac in infratentorial, supratentorial, and tentorial. Infratentorial aneurysms frequently present with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and oculomotor nerve paralysis. They have relations with skull base structures that often make it necessary to totally or partially resect the anterior clinoid process (6.7%) or anterior petroclinoid dural fold (15%). Supratentorial aneurysms course with SAH and without oculomotor nerve involvement, but they often are associated with intracranial hematoma. Conclusion ICA-PComA aneurysms have complex anatomic relations. The orientation of the aneurysmal fundus induces relevant differences in the anatomic relations, clinical presentation, and microsurgical approach to ICA-PComA aneurysms.