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Background: Approximately 50% of patients with congenital scoliosis will require surgical treatment to prevent further progression. Outcomes following congenital scoliosis are sparse in the literature. The purpose of this study was to identify independent risk factors associated with unplanned readmission and prolonged length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing primary surgical treatment for congenital scoliosis. Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Database-Pediatric was queried for database years 2016–2018 to identify patients with congenital scoliosis who underwent primary posterior fusion of the spine. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and operative variables, such as the number of levels fused and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classificaiton, were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses of patient factors were performed to test for association with readmission within 30 days and prolonged LOS (>4 days). Results: Eight hundred sixteen patients were identified. The average age was 11.3 ± 4.02 years, and the mean postoperative LOS was 4.64 ± 3.71 days. Forty-three patients (5.40%) were readmitted, and 73 patients (8.96%) had prolonged LOS. Independent risk factors associated with prolonged LOS included chronic lung disease (P < 0.001), presence of a tracheostomy (P < 0.001), structural central nervous system abnormality (P = 0.039), oxygen support (P < 0.001), and number of levels fused (P = 0.008). The factors independently associated with unplanned readmission were fusion to the pelvis (P = 0.004) and LOS >4 days (P = 0.008). Conclusions: Prolonged LOS and readmission are widely being used as quality and performance metrics for hospitals. Congenital scoliosis, which often progresses rapidly resulting in significant deformity, frequently requires surgery at an earlier age than idiopathic and neuromuscular deformity. Nevertheless, 30-day outcomes for surgical intervention have not been thoroughly studied. The present study identifies risk factors for prolonged LOS and readmission, which can facilitate preoperative planning, patient/family counseling, and postoperative care. Clinical Relevance: Congenital scoliosis management poses certain challenges that may be mitigated by understanding the risk factors for adverse outcomes following primary fusion surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Posterior cervical decompression with or without fusion (PCD/F) is used to manage degenerative spinal conditions. Malnutrition has been implicated for poor outcomes in spine surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) as a risk calculator for postoperative complications in patients undergoing PCD/F. Methods: The 2006 to 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program Database was queried for patients undergoing PCD/F. Nutritional status was categorized as normal (GNRI greater than 98), moderately malnourished (GNRI 92-98), or severely malnourished (GNRI less than or equal to 92). Complications within 30 days of surgery were compared among the groups. Preoperative data that were statistically significant (P < 0.05) upon univariate X² analysis were included in the univariate then multivariate binary regression model to calculate adjusted ORs. All ORs were assessed at the 95% CI. Results: Of the 7597 PCD/F patients identified, 15.6% were severely malnourished and 19.1% were moderately malnourished. Severe and moderate malnourishment were independent risk factors for mortality (OR = 3.790, 95% CI 2.492-5.763, P < 0.001; OR = 2.150, 95% CI 1.351-3.421, P = 0.011). Severe malnourishment was an independent risk factor for sepsis/septic shock (OR = 3.448, 95% CI 2.402-4.948, P < 0.001). Conclusions: In elderly patients undergoing PCD/F, severe malnutrition, as defined by the GNRI, was an independent risk factor for mortality and sepsis/septic shock. Clinical Relevance: The GNRI may be more useful than other indices for risk stratification in elderly patients because it accounts for confounding variables such as hydration status and paradoxical malnourishment in obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commentary On: Yagi M, Hosogane N, Watanabe K, Asazuma T, Matsumoto M, Keio Spine Research Group. The paravertebral muscle and psoas for the maintenance of global spinal alignment in patient with degenerative lumbar scoliosis. Spine J 2016:16:451-8 (in this issue). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Context: Injuries at the cervicothoracic junction are common in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. These injuries present challenges for both initial and follow-up imagings. Purpose: To describe a case of a patient with ankylosing spondylitis who was treated with laminectomy and a cervicothoracic orthosis for a spinal epidural hematoma after a nondisplaced fracture at the cervicothoracic junction and to discuss the merits of stand-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for follow-up evaluation of this type of injury. Study Design/setting: Case report. Methods: Clinical data of a patient with ankylosing spondylitis who sustained a nondisplaced C7 fracture are presented, followed by a detailed review of the literature concerning imaging techniques available for the evaluation of cervical spine trauma in this patient population. Results: The patient was treated with emergent laminectomy and evacuation of the epidural hematoma, followed by definitive management in a cervicothoracic orthosis secondary to medical comorbidities. The patient was then successfully followed postoperatively with stand-up MRI because conventional imaging techniques could not adequately image the injury level in an upright position. Conclusions: Cervicothoracic injuries are common in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and may be difficult to follow with conventional imaging techniques. Stand-up MRI is a relatively new modality that may offer significant advantages over conventional imaging because of the ability to evaluate the cervicothoracic junction in a more functional position and the lack of a confining space such as that found in standard MRI units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging has been shown to be of questionable accuracy in detecting recurrent meniscal tears after previous resection or repair. Purpose: To compare the accuracy of nonenhanced magnetic resonance imaging with that of intraarticular contrast-enhanced direct magnetic resonance arthrography and intravenous contrast-enhanced indirect magnetic resonance arthrography for detection of recurrent meniscal tears. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Forty-one patients who had previous meniscal tears treated by resection or repair but who were experiencing recurrent knee symptoms were prospectively randomized into one of three groups: conventional magnetic resonance imaging, indirect arthrography, and direct arthrography. The interpretations of two musculoskeletal radiologists were compared with the findings of an arthroscopic procedure performed 2 to 14 weeks later. Results: Conventional imaging had a sensitivity of 57.9%, specificity of 80%, and overall accuracy of 62.5%. Intravenous contrast improved the sensitivity to 90.9%, specificity to 100%, and overall accuracy to 93.8%; intraarticular contrast had a sensitivity of 91.7%, specificity of 100%, and an overall accuracy of 92.9%. Conclusions: We demonstrated an increased accuracy of intravenous or intraarticular contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance arthrography in detecting recurrent meniscal tears. Both contrast routes demonstrated similar accuracy, a finding not previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low back pain is one of the most prevalent complaints of athletes at all levels of competition. The purpose of this literature review is to provide an overview of sport-specific injuries and treatment outcomes that can be used by healthcare providers to better recognize injury patterns and treatment options for different groups of athletes. To our knowledge, no prior comprehensive review of lumbar spine injuries in sports is currently available in the literature, and it is essential that healthcare providers understand the sport-specific injury patterns and treatment guidelines for athletes presenting with low back pain following an athletic injury. Injury mechanisms were found to vary significantly by sport, although some broad recommendations can be made with regards to optimal treatment for these injuries and return to play. Additionally, it was found that certain treatments were more beneficial and resulted in higher rates of return to play depending on the specific sport of the injured athlete. Healthcare providers need to be aware of the different injury patterns seen in specific sports in order to properly evaluate and treat these injuries. Furthermore, an individualized treatment plan needs to be selected in a sport-specific context in order to meet the needs of the athlete in the short and long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the most common surgical treatment for a variety of cervical disk pathologies. With the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) selecting readmissions as a key measure of health care quality, increasing focus has been generated on the topic of reducing readmissions. The objective of this study was to analyze readmission rates in patients across several large state databases, analyze which factors were associated with risk of readmission, and develop a numeric scale for clinicians to utilize for prediction of readmission risk. Retrospective cohort study. A total of 91,550 ACDF surgeries were recorded in the State Inpatient Database (SID) of NY and CA between 2006 and 2014, which made up the derivation cohort to identify risk factors. There were 87,655 ACDF surgeries recorded in the SID from FL and WA over the same time period, making up the validation cohort. Readmission status within 30 days and goodness-of-fit of regression curve after application of scale to the validation cohort. Risk factors for readmission were identified using univariate and multivariate regression analysis of the derivation cohort. After identification of risk factors, odds ratios were then used to generate a predictive scale that was tested utilizing the validation cohort. An exponential regression model was applied to determine the goodness-of-fit of the scale to the readmission risk in the validation cohort. Overall readmission rates within 30 days of discharge were 5.68% and 5.29% in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. In both cohorts, patients with renal failure and congestive heart failure were readmitted most often. On multivariate analysis of the derivation cohort, age greater than 80 years (OR, 1.74) male gender (OR, 1.16), Medicaid Insurance (OR, 1.99), Medicare Insurance (OR, 1.72), self-pay insurance (OR, 1.42), anemia (OR, 1.45), chronic lung disease (OR, 1.23), coagulopathy (OR, 1.42), depression (OR, 1.15), diabetes (OR, 1.24), fluid and electrolyte disorder (OR, 1.63), hypertension (OR, 1.09), liver disease (OR, 1.34), and renal failure (OR, 1.79) were found to be statistically significant predictors for readmission. These factors were incorporated into a numeric risk scale that, when tested on the validation cohort, could explain 95.5% of the variability in readmission rate. Overall 30-day readmission following ACDF surgery was 5-6%. Factors including advanced age, male gender, Medicaid insurance, Medicare insurance, anemia, lung disease, congestive heart failure, coagulopathy, depression, diabetes, electrolyte disorder, hypertension, liver disease, and renal failure were found to be significant risk factors for 30-day readmission following ACDF surgery. A novel risk scale based on these factors may be helpful in identifying patients who require additional optimization to reduce perioperative morbidity. This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background context Traumatic bilateral-atlantoaxial dislocations are rare injuries. Hangman fractures, conversely, represent 4% to 7% of all cervical fractures and frequently involve a combination C1–C2 fracture pattern. Presently, there is no report in the English literature of a traumatic C2-spondylolisthesis associated with a C1–C2 rotatory dislocation. This injury complex cannot be cataloged using current classification schemes and no established treatment recommendations exist. Purpose To report a unique case of a Hangman fracture associated with bilateral C1–C2 rotatory-dislocation, which does not fit into existing classification systems, and discuss our treatment approach. Study design A clinical case report and review of the literature. Methods Chart review and analysis of relevant literature. There were no study-specific conflicts of interest. Results A 26-year-old man sustained a traumatic C2-spondylolisthesis along with C1–C2 rotatory subluxation in an automobile collision. The patient was originally placed in a halo crown and vest and then taken for an open reduction and stabilization through a posterior approach for persistent C1–C2 subluxation. The patient is currently 16 months postoperative and back to work as a plumber. Conclusions The injury complex encountered cannot be described using the available classification systems. Our treatment included initial stabilization with halo placement, followed by a posterior C1, C2, and C3 segmental reduction and fixation resulting in radiographic fusion and a good clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]