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Study Design: Retrospective., Objective: Assess the outcomes of single stage posterior transpedicular corpectomy with cement-based anterior column support for spinal metastasis at longer follow-ups., Summary of Background Data: Life expectancy of cancer patients is constantly increasing. Reliable anterior column reconstruction after posterior corpectomy becomes necessary., Methods: In this retrospective monocentric study, patients who underwent posterior transpedicular corpectomy and cement-based anterior reconstruction, with a minimum 6 months follow-up, were included. Ambulatory status and pain visual analog score(PVAS), complication rates and Local Sagittal Cobb angle (LSA) were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively and at the latest follow-up., Results: In total, 253 patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 21 months [6-132] and a median survival of 9 months. Pre-operatively, 202 patients(81%) were ambulant while 47 patients (19%) weren't. At the latest follow-up, 241 patients (95%) were ambulant while 12 patients(5%) weren't (P<0.001). Dorsal/lumbar PVAS went from 8.2±2.2 pre-operatively to 5.2(±1.7) post-operatively reaching 3.4±1.9 at the latest follow-up (P<0.001). Mean LSA decreased from 13.2⁰(±5.78) pre-operatively to 6.11⁰(±8.51)(P<0.001) post-operatively and reached 7.56⁰(±7.55) at the latest follow-up(P=0.59). Complications occurred in 39(15.4%) patients. One-third of those were mechanical(rod/screw fracture, cement displacement) needing re-intervention in 4 patients(1.6%)., Conclusions: The mechanical stability offered by the cement-based anterior reconstruction is maintained during the lifespan of patients operated for the spinal metastasis. Satisfying functional and radiological outcomes observed at the last follow-up show that this lasting, cost sparing, and relatively simple reconstruction technique, is a valid alternative for the costly and more complicated cage-based reconstruction., Competing Interests: Maroun Rizkallah, Ghassan Boubez, Jesse Shen, Fidaa Al-Shakfa, Philippe Phan, Van Tri Truong, Duy Phan and Zhi Wang declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: Retrospective review., Objective: To assess the change in pelvic incidence (PI) after lumbo-pelvic fixation and the differential impact of the type of pelvic fixation: S2-alar-iliac screws (S2AI) versus Iliac screws (IS) on postoperative PI., Summary of Background Data: Recent studies suggest that changes occur to the previously assumed fixed PI after spino-pelvic fixation., Methods: Adult spine deformity (ASD) patients who underwent spino-pelvic fixation with≥4 levels of fusion were included. Preoperative and postoperative PI, lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, PI-LL mismatch, and the Sagittal Vertical Axis (SVA) were analyzed on EOS imaging. A significant PI change was established at≥6°. Patients were categorized based on the type of pelvic fixation (S2AI vs. IS)., Results: One-hundred-forty-nine patients were included. Of these, 77(52%) had a>6° change in their PI postoperatively. In patients with high preoperative PI (>60°), 62% had a significant PI change compared with 33% of patients with normal PI (40°-60°) and 53% in patients with low PI (<40°; P =0.01). PI was likely to decrease in patients with high baseline PI (>60°) and to increase in patients with low baseline PI (<40°). Patients with a significant PI change had a higher PI-LL. Patients in the S2AI group (n=99) and those in the IS group (n=50) were comparable at baseline. In the S2AI group, 50 (51%) patients had>6° change in their PI compared with 27(54%) patients in the IS group( P =0.65). In both groups, patients with high preoperative PI were more prone to significant postoperative changes ( P =0.02 in IS, P =0.01 in S2AI)., Conclusion: PI changed significantly in 50% of patients postoperatively, especially in those with high/low preoperative PI and those with severe baseline sagittal imbalance. This occurs similarly in patients with S2AI and those with IS screws. Surgeons should keep in mind these anticipated changes while planning ideal LL, as this impacts postoperative PI-LL mismatch., Level of Evidence: 4., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: Retrospective single-center multi-surgeon cohort study., Objectives: Compare the post-operative changes in the compensatory mechanisms of the sagittal balance according to the type of pelvic fixation: S2-Alar-iliac screws (S2AI) vs iliac screws (IS) in patients with Adult spine deformity (ASD)., Methods: ASD patients who underwent spino-pelvic fixation and remained with a PI-LL >10° mismatch post-operatively were included. Pre-operative and 1-year-follow-up PI, Lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), thoracic kyphosis (TK), femur obliquity angle (FOA), knee flexion angle (KFA) and ankle flexion angle (AFA) were analyzed on EOS imaging. Patients were categorized based on their pelvic fixation type (S2AI vs IS), and the pre-operative to 1-year-post-operative changes (ΔX°) in the compensatory mechanisms were compared between groups., Results: Patients with S2AI ( n = 53) and those with IS ( n = 26) screws were comparable at baseline. ΔSS averaged 9.87° in the S2AI compared to 13.2° in the IS ( P = .001), whereas the ΔKFA reached 6.01° in the S2AI as opposed to 3.06° in the IS ( P = .02). The ΔPT was comparable between both groups (6.35°[S2AI group] vs 5.21°[ISgroup], P = .42). ΔTK, ΔLL, ΔFOA and ΔAFA were comparable between both groups., Conclusion: The type of pelvic fixation impacts significantly the post-operative compensatory mechanisms in patients with ASD. Patients with S2AI screws are more likely to compensate their remaining post-operative PI-LL mismatch through their knees and less likely through their pelvis compared to patients with IS, despite similar changes in PT. This could be explained by an increased SI joint laxity in ASD patient and the lower resistance of the iliac connectors to the junctional mechanical stresses, allowing for sacro-iliac joint motion in patients with IS., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Pneumorrhachis and pneumocephalus are rare conditions in which air is found within the spinal canal and brain, respectively. It is mostly asymptomatic and can be located in the intradural or extradural space. Intradural pneumorrhachis should prompt clinicians to search and treat any underlying injury of the skull, chest, or spinal column., Observations: A 68-year-old man presented with a history of cardiopulmonary arrest together with pneumorrhachis and pneumocephalus following a recurrent pneumothorax. The patient reported acute headaches with no other neurological symptoms. He was managed conservatively with bed rest for 48 hours following thoracoscopic talcage of his pneumothorax. Follow-up imaging showed regression of the pneumorrhachis, and the patient reported no other neurological symptoms., Lessons: Pneumorrhachis is an incidental radiological finding that self-resolves with conservative management. However, it can be a complication resulting from a serious injury. Therefore, close monitoring of neurological symptoms and complete investigations should be performed in patients with pneumorrhachis.

Objective: To compare different survival prognosis scores among patients operated on for spinal metastasis from lung cancer., Methods: A single-center retrospective review of patients with lung cancer and spinal metastases who underwent spinal surgery at our institution from January 2008 to October 2020 was conducted. We calculated the prognostic value of the following scoring systems: revised Tokuhashi, revised Bauer, Skeletal Oncology Research Group classic, and New England Spinal Metastatic Score. For each scoring system, discrimination was assessed by computing the area under the curve., Results: The study included 94 patients operated on for spinal metastasis from lung cancer. Mean patient age was 62 years (range, 32-79 years); 51% of patients were male. The 1-year survival rate was 18%, and the median survival time was 4 months. The 6- and 12-month area under the curve was 60% and 76%, respectively, for revised Tokuhashi, 55% and 58% for revised Bauer, 58% and 63% for Skeletal Oncology Research Group classic, and 61% and 69% for New England Spinal Metastatic Score., Conclusions: The revised Tokuhashi score seemed to be the most accurate scoring system for assessing survival prognosis in patients operated on for spinal metastasis from lung cancer. Newer scores including biological parameters did not add further precision among this specific population., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The incidence of multiple primary malignancies (MPM) has increased in recent decades. Our aim was to evaluate incidence, clinical features, and survival in cases of spinal metastases from MPM in which one of the malignancies is lung cancer., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed an institutional database of lung cancer patients with spinal metastasis and extracted all cases of MPM., Results: Among 275 patients who had spinal metastasis with lung cancer as one of the diagnoses, 21 (7.6%) patients with MPM were identified. Mean patient age was 68.5 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 65.3-71.7). The most common cancers diagnosed in addition to lung cancer were breast cancer (5 patients, 24%), upper aerodigestive tract cancer (4 patients, 19%), and prostate cancer (4 patients, 19%). Eighteen (86%) patients walked independently, and 3 (14%) patients walked with help. Seventeen (80.9%) patients had a good Karnofsky performance scale score. The median survivals from the date of first cancer diagnosis, last cancer diagnosis, and spinal metastasis diagnosis were 109.8 months (95% CI, 23.5-196.1), 17.8 months (95% CI, 5.8-29.8), and 10.3 months (95% CI, 5.4-15.2), respectively. Actual rates of survival at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months from the date of spinal metastasis diagnosis were 81%, 42.9%, and 23.8%, respectively., Conclusions: The present study is the first series to our knowledge to show that survival of patients with spinal metastasis and MPM involving lung cancer is not clearly inferior to that of patients with spinal metastasis and lung cancer alone., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study., Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients who had T4 Pancoast tumors invading the spine and underwent en bloc resection and spinal stabilization through a single-stage posterior approach., Overview of Literature: Surgical resection for Pancoast tumors affecting the spine has been successfully performed in two stages involving spinal reconstruction and tumor resection. However, reports have rarely presented the results of en bloc resection combined with spinal stabilization for T4 Pancoast tumors invading the spine through a single-stage posterior approach., Methods: Patients who had T4N0M0 Pancoast tumors invading the spine and underwent a single-stage posterior approach were retrospectively recruited. The following data were obtained and examined: demographics, tumor histology, preoperative and postoperative therapy, complications, spinal reconstruction technique, tumor resection extent, survival time, and disease recurrence., Results: Eighteen patients were included. The mean population age was 61±17 years, and the most common pathological type was adenocarcinoma (61.1%). Complete resection (R0) was obtained in 15 patients (83.3%), positive surgical margins (R1) were found in three patients (16.7%), and the 90-day mortality rate was 0%. Postoperative major complications were detected in 12 patients (66.7%), who required reoperation. The mean survival time was 67±24 months, but the median survival time was not reached. Among the patients, 10 (55.6%) are still alive at the end of the study. The 2- and 5-year actual survival rates were 59% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35.7%-82.3%) and 52.5% (95% CI, 28.4%-76.6%), respectively., Conclusions: En bloc resection and spinal stabilization through a single-stage posterior approach might be effective for T4 Pancoast tumors invading the spine.

Background: One of the main concerns of anterior lumbar spine approaches are vascular complications. The aim of our study is to provide technical details about a flap technique using the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) when approaching the lumbar spine via an anterior corridor. This can help decrease complications by protecting the adjacent vascular structures. We also include a retrospective cohort review., Methods: This is a retrospective bicentric study: 189 patients with a mean age of 44.2 years underwent anterior lumbar spine surgery using the ALL flap technique. Patients were diagnosed with degenerative pathologies. We treated 239 lumbar levels primarily at the L4-5 and L5-S1: 88 single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusions, 9 two-level ALIFs, 51 total disk replacements (TDR), and 41 hybrid constructs (i.e., ALIF L5S1 and TDR L4L5). Anterior approaches were performed by two senior spine surgeons. The ALL flap technique was utilized in all of these cases, by carefully dissecting the ALL, with the flap suspended using sutures. As such, this ALL flap provided a "safe corridor" to avoid any potential vascular laceration., Results: The operative and early surgical complication rate was 3.2%. There was no arterial injury. There were only 2 minor venous lacerations (1.05%). No blood transfusion was required. Neither lacerations happened during disk space preparation., Conclusions: Here, we provide technical details about a simple and reproducible technique using the ALL as a flap, which may help spine surgeons minimize vascular injuries during ALIF or even TDR surgeries., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS) is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by severe bone demineralization. In the spine, it is associated with the early onset of severe osteoporosis and can cause spondylolisthesis. Spinal instrumentation in the setting of severe osteoporosis is challenging because of poor resistance of vertebrae to biomechanical stress., Observations: A 59-year-old woman with known idiopathic HCS presented with a grade 4 L5-S1 spondylolisthesis and right L5 pedicle fracture associated with a left L5 pars fracture, causing a progressive L5 radiculopathy that was worse on the left side than the right side and bilateral foot drop. The authors performed decompressive lumbar surgery, which included a complete L5 laminectomy and resection of the left L5 pedicle. This was followed by multilevel lumbosacral instrumentation using cement-augmented fenestrated pedicle screws as well as transdiscal sacral screws and bilateral alar-iliac fixation. Postoperatively, the radicular pain resolved, and the left foot drop partially recovered., Lessons: Stabilization of high-grade spondylolisthesis in the setting of bone demineralization disorders is challenging. The use of different instrumentation techniques is important because it increases biomechanical stability of the overall instrumentation construct.

Background: The silastic tube technique, in which a chest tube is placed into the vertebral body defect and impregnated with polymethyl methacrylate, showed good results in patients with lumbar and thoracic neoplastic diseases. There has been only 1 study about the effectiveness and safety of this technique in patients with cervical metastases. We aimed to report our experience in using this technique to reconstruct the spine after corpectomy for cervical metastasis., Methods: All patients with cervical spinal metastasis who underwent surgical treatment using a chest tube impregnated with polymethyl methacrylate in conjunction with anterior cervical plate stabilization were retrospectively recruited. Demographics, tumor histology, revised Tokuhashi score, preoperative and postoperative American Spinal Injury Association score, preoperative and postoperative ambulatory status, perioperative complications, and survival time were collected., Results: This study included 16 patients. The most common primary tumor site was the lung (6 patients; 37.5%). The mean (SD) survival time was 408 (795) days (range, 1-2797 days), and the median survival time was 72 days (95% confidence interval 28-116 days). Four patients (25%) died within 30 postoperative days. There was no surgical site infection or instrument failure after the surgery. Five patients (31.2%) lived >180 days, and 3 patients (18.8%) lived >360 days. One patient (6.2%) was still alive at the end of the study., Conclusions: The silastic tube technique in conjunction with anterior cervical plate stabilization might be safe, effective, and cost-effective for patients with cervical spine metastasis., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Spinal metastases occur primarily in the thoracic spine (50%-60%), less commonly in the lumbar (30%-35%), and, infrequently, in the cervical spine (10%-15%). There has been only 1 study with a limited population comparing the postoperative outcome among cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine metastasis. The aim of this study is to identify whether the region of surgically treated spinal metastasis affects postoperative outcomes., Methods: A retrospective study of patients with spinal metastasis was performed. The collected data were as follows: age, gender, smoking history, tumor histology, revised Tokuhashi score, preoperative and postoperative American Spinal Injury Association score, region of spinal metastasis, ambulatory status, surgical approach, surgery time, blood loss, complications, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain relief, postoperative adjuvant therapy, and survival. Data were analyzed to identify the factors affecting the survival and postoperative functional outcome., Results: We studied 191 patients with spinal metastasis including 47 cervical spine metastases, 96 thoracic spine metastases, and 48 lumbar spine metastases, with a mean age of 60.91 ± 9.72 years. The overall median survival was 7 months (95% confidence interval, 2.9-20.63 months). Univariate analysis showed that region of the spine involved with metastasis did not significantly affect the survival and postoperative motor function improvement. Multivariate analysis showed that revised Tokuhashi score, postoperative radiotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy were independent factors affecting survival. The rate of 30-day complications among patients with different regions of spine metastasis did not reach significance., Conclusions: The postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for metastases are not affected by the region of the spine., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Various surgical techniques have been described to address intraforaminal/extraforaminal lumbar lesions. They vary from the classic posterior open approaches to minimally invasive techniques with tubular retractors and even endoscopy. These lesions have been approached from either an ipsilateral or a contralateral approach. Only a few reports have described a contralateral minimally invasive tubular approach to address these lesions. However, none of them have been able to address calcified pathologies., Method: We used a contralateral tubular approach to remove the calcified disc herniations in 2 patients presenting with radiculopathy secondary to a calcified intraforaminal L5-S1 disc herniation., Results: Early clinical and radiological outcomes were positive. No perioperative complications occurred., Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of the expanded use of fixed tubular retractors to address calcified lumbar intraforaminal disc herniations. This approach allows a satisfactory access and view of the contralateral foramen and offending lesion. It permits a wide decompression while preserving the facet joint and thus prevents iatrogenic instability. It can also avoid the iliac crest, which does not allow an ipsilateral extraforaminal approach at the L5-S1 level. This approach is a safe and effective way to treat this specific pathology., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: Retrospective case series., Objective: Posterior surgery for thoracic disc herniation was associated with increased morbidity and mortality and new minimally invasive approaches have been recommended for soft disc herniation but not for calcified central disc. The objective of this study is to describe a posterolateral microscopic transpedicular approach for central thoracic disc herniation., Methods: This is a single center retrospective review of all the cases of giant thoracic calcified disc herniation as defined by Hott et al. Presence of myelopathy, percentage of canal compromise, T2 hypersignal, ASIA score, and ambulatory status were recorded. This posterolateral technique using a tubular retractor was thoroughly described., Results: Eight patients were operated upon with a mean follow-up of 16 months. Mean canal compromise was 61%. Mean operative time was 228 minutes and mean operative bleeding was 250 mL. There were no cases of dural tear or neurologic degradation., Conclusion: This is the first report of posterior minimally invasive transpedicular approach for giant calcified disc herniation. There were neither cases of neurological deterioration nor increased rate of dural tears. This technique is thus safe and could be recommended for treatment of this rare disease.

Study Design: This was a retrospective study., Objective: Evaluate the prognosis and surgical outcomes of patients with spinal metastasis from lung cancer undergoing surgical treatment., Summary of Background Data: The spine is the most common site of metastatic lesions in patients with lung cancer. There have been a few studies, all small cohorts studying prognosis and surgical outcomes and the results were discordant., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study on a prospectively collected database was conducted. Data collected were the following: age, tobacco use, tumor histology, American Spinal Injury Association score, revised Tokuhashi score, ambulatory status, perioperative complications, postoperative adjuvant treatment, and survival time. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors of survival., Results: The authors studied 87 patients with a mean age of 61.3±1.9 years. Median survival was 4.1±0.8 months. Twenty-eight patients (32.2%) lived >6 months and 14 patients (16.1%) lived >12 months. The medical complication rate was 13.8% and the surgical complication rate was 5.7%. The 30-day mortality rate was 4.6%. Univariate analysis showed tobacco use, revised Tokuhashi score, preoperative and postoperative American Spinal Injury Association score, postoperative walking ability, postoperative radiotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy were prognostic factors. There was no significant difference in survival between adenoma lung cancers, nonadenoma lung cancers, and small cell lung cancers (P=0.51). Multivariate analysis revealed tobacco use, revised Tokuhashi score, postoperative walking ability, postoperative radiotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy affected the survival., Conclusions: This is the largest reported study of patients with spinal metastasis from lung cancer undergoing spinal surgery. It is the first study showing that tobacco use has a negative impact on survival. Spinal surgery improves the quality of life and offers nonambulatory patients a high chance of regaining walking ability with an acceptable risk of complications., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: A retrospective, matched cohort study of a prospective database., Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Cervision system (Spinologics, Montreal, Canada), a new shoulder traction device that improves the fluoroscopic visualization of the lower cervical spine using caudal traction of the shoulders out of the radiographic field., Overview of Literature: Operating at a wrong level is a common error that may be committed by nearly 50% of surgeons during their career. Intraoperative fluoroscopy of the cervical vertebrae is an extremely important step in cervical spine surgery. Optimal lateral cervical radiography of the C1-T1 vertebrae is not always possible due to overlap of the shoulders., Methods: In this study, a group of patients (n=33, device group) underwent surgery with the new device used to apply caudal traction to both shoulders, and another group of patients (n=33, matched control group) had surgery with the tape traction. Data about the lowest vertebra visible on lateral fluoroscopic view, installation time, skin irritation under the traction area, and postoperative brachial palsy were recorded, and these parameters were analyzed using the t-test., Results: The mean numbers of visible cervical vertebra were 6.3±0.41 in the device group and 5.6±0.32 in the matched control group (p <0.01, unpaired t-test). The mean installation times were 83.9±5.15 minutes in the device group and 73.7±6.32 minutes in the matched control group (p <0.02). Seven patients from the matched control group presented with skin irritation. However, none of the patients from the device group had the condition (p =0.005, Pearson chi-square test). Postoperative brachial palsy was not observed in both groups., Conclusions: The Cervision system is more effective and superior to tape traction in pulling the shoulders down to improve the visualization of the cervical vertebra on lateral fluoroscopic view during cervical spine surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study., Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare three widely used interbody fusion approaches in regard to their ability to correct sagittal balance, including pelvic parameters., Overview of Literature: Restoration of sagittal balance in lumbar spine surgery is associated with better postoperative outcomes. Various interbody fusion techniques can help to correct sagittal balance, with no clear consensus on which technique offers the best correction., Methods: The charts and imaging of patients who have undergone surgery through either open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), minimally invasive TLIF (MIS TLIF), or oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) were retrospectively reviewed. The following sagittal balance parameters were measured pre- and postoperatively: segmental lordosis, lumbar lordosis, disk height, pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence. Data on postoperative complications were gathered., Results: Only OLIF managed to significantly improve segmental lordosis (4.4°, p <0.001) and lumbar lordosis (4.8°, p =0.049). All approaches significantly augmented disk height, with OLIF having the greatest effect (3.7°, p <0.001). No approaches were shown to significantly correct pelvic tilt. Pelvic incidence remained unchanged in all approaches. Open TLIF was the only approach with a higher rate of postoperative complications (33%, p =0.009)., Conclusions: The OLIF approach might offer greater correction of sagittal balance over open and MIS TLIF, mainly in regard to segmental lordosis, lumbar lordosis, and disk height. MIS TLIF, although offering more limited access than open TLIF, was not inferior to open TLIF in regard to sagittal balance correction. A higher rate of complications was shown for open TLIF than the other approaches, possibly due to its more invasive nature.

Study Design: Retrospective case series., Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiological efficacy of anterolateral kyphoplasty for cervical spinal metastasis., Overview of Literature: Although the spine is the third most common site of tumor metastasis, the cervical spine is the least commonly affected (incidence, 10%-15%). Surgical decompression is highly challenging because of the proximity of neural and vascular elements. Kyphoplasty for cervical spine metastasis has been described in small case reports with promising results., Methods: Retrospective analysis of a prospective collected single-center spine metastasis database was done for cervical kyphoplasty cases. Data pertaining to age, sex, primary tumor diagnosis, modified Tokuhashi score, Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS), preoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, and analgesic medication were extracted. Postoperative data included VAS score at postoperative day 1, duration of hospitalization, self-reported functional outcome, and VAS score at the last follow-up., Results: Eleven patients (mean age, 62.5 years) with cervical spine metastases were treated with 15-level kyphoplasty. Mean Tokuhashi score was 8.1, and mean SINS was 7.85. Mean preoperative pain score was 7.1, and 82% of patients used opioid analgesics. Mean total bleeding volume was 100 mL. Mean complication-free length of stay was 2.6 days with a decrease in postoperative pain (VAS score=2.8, p <0.05). There was a 56% decrease in opioid dosage and the number of consumed analgesics (1.09, p =0.004). Eightytwo percent of the patients reported excellent improvement at the last follow-up self-assessment., Conclusions: To our knowledge, this case series represents the largest series of vertebral augmentation using balloon kyphoplasty for cervical spinal metastasis. This technique is associated with low postoperative complications as well as significant decrease in pain, use of opioids, and length of hospital stay. The main indications for vertebral kyphoplasty are lytic lesions of the cervical spine, painful lesions refractory to medical treatment, SINS score of 6-10, and absence of posterior wall defect.

Nonunion at the lumbosacral junction is a classic complication of long construct and deformity corrections. Iliac fixations have been extensively studied in the literature and have demonstrated superior biomechanical proprieties and lower complication rates. S2 alar iliac screws address the drawbacks of classical iliac screws but demonstrate similar biomechanical advantage. The main aim of this paper was to describe the S1 alar iliac (S1AI) screw fixation technique while evaluating our early results. S1AI screw fixation technique has the advantage of being able to achieve pelvic fixation without dissection to the S2 pedicle entry and is therefore a viable option for salvage of a failed S1 promontory screw.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) in spinal metastasis surgery represents the most common postoperative surgical complication with high morbidity and mortality., Objective: This study aims to evaluate the incidence of SSI in spinal metastasis surgery and its risk factors., Study Design: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data., Methods: Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were collected together with the modified Tokuhashi score and Frankel score at all time checkpoints. Surgical site infection was divided into superficial and deep SSI, as well as early (<90 days) and late SSI. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors, with p<.05 as significance threshold., Results: A total of 297 patients were included, with an incidence of SSI of 5.1% (superficial SSI: 3.4%; deep SSI: 1.7 %). Cervicothoracic surgery was associated with the highest incidence of SSI, whereas cervical surgery had the lowest incidence. Smoking, higher number of spinal metastasis, elevated body mass index (BMI), and higher ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologist) score were the preoperative factors associated with increased risk of SSI. Increased intraoperative blood loss and increased number of fixed vertebra increased the SSI incidence. SSI increased hospital stay by a mean of 12 days. When all these variables are analyzed in a multiple regression model, only surgical time≥4 hours and ASA≥3 were found to be independent risk factors for the occurrence of SSI., Conclusion: This paper represents the largest series of spinal metastasis with a mean incidence of SSI of 5.1%. Smoking, higher BMI, higher number of spinal metastasis, higher ASA score, higher number of fused vertebra, intraoperative bleeding≥2000 mL, and neurologic deterioration are risk factors for SSI occurrence. Only ASA≥3 and operative duration≥4 hours are independent risk factors for this complication occurrence. Finally, SSI occurrence is associated with increased hospital stay, increased 30-day mortality rate, and decreased survival rates., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The surgical management of dumbbell tumors of the lumbar spine remains controversial, because of their large volume and complex location, involving both the spinal canal and the retro peritoneum. While sporadically reported, our study aims to confirm the value of minimally invasive posterior access for the complete resection of large lumbar dumbbell tumors., Patients and Methods: In this prospective study, we included all consecutive patients who underwent the resection of a voluminous dumbbell tumor at the lumbar spine through a minimally invasive approach, between March 2015 and August 2017. There were 4 men and 4 women, with a mean age at diagnosis of 40.6 years (range 29-58 years). The resection was performed through a trans muscular tubular retractor by the same surgical team. Operative parameters and initial postoperative course were systematically reported. Clinical and radiological monitoring was scheduled at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years., Results: The mean operative time was 144 min (range 58-300 minutes) and the mean estimated blood loss was 250 ml (range 100-500 ml). Gross total resection was achieved in all patients. No major complication was reported. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.1 days (range 2 to 6 days). Histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of grade 1 schwannoma in all patients. The mean follow up period was 14.9 months (range 6 to 26 months), and 5 patients completed at least 1-year follow-up. At 6 months the Macnab was excellent in 6 patients, good in one patient and fair in one patient because of residual neuropathic pain requiring the maintenance of a long-term treatment. No tumor recurrence was noted to date., Conclusion: Lumbar dumbbell tumors can be safely and completely resected using a single-stage minimally invasive procedure, in a trained team., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Diffuse idiopathic hyperostosis (DISH) is characterized by calcifications affecting mainly the spinal anterior longitudinal ligament. This disease is mainly asymptomatic but cervical osteophytes can sometimes cause dysphagia (DISHphagia), hoarseness, and even dyspnea., Case Description: We report, for the first time in the medical literature, a case of a 76-year-old patient with DISH causing an important dysphagia as well as bilateral vocal cord paralysis causing critical dyspnea. The patient was surgically treated by anterior resection of the osteophytes and application of bone wax, with significant clinical improvement and no radiologic recurrence after 2 years of follow-up., Discussion and Conclusion: A thorough literature review didn't yield any article reporting on bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by DISH. Management of this condition is typically multidisciplinary, and treatment of cervical osteophyte-associated dysphagia or respiratory compromise is primarily medical, after performing necessary tests to rule out other causes of dysphagia. Surgical intervention is warranted when medical treatment fails, when there is weight loss, a significant airway compromise or sleeping alterations. A treatment algorithm is proposed in the end of this review for symptomatic anterior osteophytes caused by DISH in the mobile cervical spine., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: Monocentric prospective study., Purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of the posterior approach for resection of advanced Pancoast tumors., Overview of Literature: In patients with advanced Pancoast tumors invading the spine, most surgical teams consider the combined approach to be necessary for " en-bloc " resection to control visceral, vascular, and neurological structures. We report our preliminary experience with a single-stage posterior approach., Methods: We included all patients who underwent posterior en-bloc resection of advanced Pancoast tumors invading the spine in our institution between January 2014 and May 2015. All patients had locally advanced tumors without N2 nodes or distant metastases. All patients, except 1, benefited from induction treatment consisting of a combination of concomitant chemotherapy (cisplatin-VP16) and radiation., Results: Five patients were included in this study. There were 2 men and 3 women with a mean age of 55 years (range, 46-61 years). The tumor involved 2 adjacent levels in 1 patient, 3 levels in 1 patient, and 4 levels in 3 patients. There were no intraoperative complications. The mean operative time was 9 hours (range, 8-12 hours), and the mean estimated blood loss was 3.2 L (range, 1.5-7 L). No patient had a worsened neurological condition at discharge. Four complications occurred in 4 patients. Three complications required reoperation and none was lethal. The mean follow-up was 15.5 months (range, 9-24 months). Four patients harbored microscopically negative margins (R0 resection) and remained disease free. One patient harbored a microscopically positive margin (R1 resection) and exhibited local recurrence at 8 months following radiation treatment., Conclusions: The posterior approach was a valuable option that avoided the need for a second-stage operation. Induction chemoradiation is highly suitable for limiting the risk of local recurrence., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Background: Granulosa cell tumors (GCT) of the ovary generally have a good prognosis. Recurrences tend to be late and are usually abdominopelvic. Bone metastases are extremely rare., Case: A case of recurrent GCT with vertebral metastasis is presented. Radiologic studies were helpful in documenting the presence of an invasive tumor destroying the vertebral body of T7. Bone scintigraphy excluded other metastatic sites. Diagnosis could not be established by CT-scan-directed fine-needle aspiration cytology or trocar biopsies. Since the lesion was isolated and resectable, aggressive surgery with complete tumoral excision was performed followed by local radiation therapy. Megestrol acetate was given as systemic treatment., Conclusion: Multiple treatments of GCT may alter the pattern of recurrence. Every symptom should be thoroughly evaluated. Bone metastases may be treated aggressively., (Copyright 2001 Academic Press.)

The Universal Spine System (USS) pedicle hook design includes a fixation screw that passes obliquely in the anterocranial direction in the pedicle. The addition of the fixation screw was to address concerns with rotation of the hook and hook disengagement. This study was designed to evaluate the safety of the USS screw locked pedicle hook. Eleven cadaveric thoracic spines were instrumented posteriorly with USS pedicle hooks from T1 to T12. Spinal instrumentation was performed by a spinal surgeon experienced with the USS system. Spinal deformity was created prior to instrumentation, ranging from 0 to 55 degrees in the horizontal plane (rotation) and from 0 to 50 degrees in the frontal plane (scoliosis). Radiographs, computed tomography (CT), and segmental dissection were used for data acquisition. Morphometric CT analysis before instrumentation demonstrated that the transverse pedicular diameter was the smallest at T5 with a mean of 3.7 mm. The transverse pedicular angle (TPA) was found to always point toward the midline. The largest TPA was observed at T1 with a mean TPA of 28.4 degrees. The pedicle with the least angular deviation from the midline was T11 with a mean TPA of 7 degrees. Postinstrumentation CT analysis and segmental dissection revealed perforations of the pedicle cortex by the fixation screw in 15% of instrumented pedicles (26/172). There were 6 medial and 20 lateral perforations. Medial perforations occurred exclusively in the three most proximal spinal segments, whereas the lateral perforations occurred throughout the thoracic spine. The mean encroachment of the fixation screw was 1.67 mm medially and 1.95 mm laterally. This study demonstrates the variation in caliber and direction of the thoracic pedicles. Medial and lateral perforations of the pedicle can occur with the USS pedicle hook instrumented system.