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BACKGROUND: Adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) is a frequent complication following vertebral fusion procedures and is defined as the condition where patients recover after the initial procedure but develop compatible symptoms with radiological injuries in the segments adjacent to the fused ones at a later stage. The objective of the study was to describe the frequency and analysis of ASD related signs following a lumbar fusion procedure. METHODS: Observational descriptive retrospective study on patients with degenerative or instability conditions, operated on by posterolateral or circumferential lumbar fusion procedure. Pedicle screws, interbody peek cages (polyether-ether-ketone) and autologous bone graft were used. Clinical (pain and disability) and radiological (instability, rotation, disc height loss, radiological degeneration evaluated by X-ray and MR) variables were analysed. RESULTS: Postoperative disc height loss was observed in 159 free discs among 112 patients (42.6%) (95% CI: 36.4–48.8%). Anterior or posterior slippage (anterolisthesis or retrolisthesis) at the end of the follow-up period was observed in 33 patients (12.5%). Upper segment rotation increased in the postoperative period in 36 patients (13.6%). Radiological disc degeneration was observed in 107 discs among 72 patients, being more frequent in the immediate upper disc with grade 2 and 3 changes at the end of follow-up in 48 discs from 35 patients (13.6%) (95% CI: 13.4–23.1%). Radiological ASD signs were observed in 151 patients (57.4%; 95% CI: 51.2–63.6%) and 53 of them (20.2%; 95% CI: 15.1–25.2%) who also showed clinical ASD symptoms (clinical and radiological ASD). Degeneration changes with degrees IV and V shown by a preoperative and magnetic resonance (MR) study at end of the follow-up period performed in 73 patients (27.7%), were observed in 46 discs among 32 patients (43.8%) (95% CI: 31.8–55.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Radiological ASD signs evaluated in every free disc following a lumbar fusion procedure are observed with a variable frequency. All free discs after fusion were assessed as they could indicate mechanisms of compensation of lordosis loss and should be taken into consideration in a prospective revision surgery.

AIM: Surgery for spinal metastases can improve symptoms, but sometimes complications can negate the benefits. Operations may have different indications, complexities and risks, and the choice for an individual is a tailor-made personalised decision. Previous prognostic scoring systems are becoming out of date and inaccurate. We designed a risk calculator to estimate survival after surgery, to inform clinicians and patients when making management decisions. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed, including 1430 patients with spinal metastases who underwent surgery. Of them, 1264 patients from 20 centres were used for model development using a Cox frailty model. Calibration slope, D-statistic and C-index were used for model validation based on 166 patients. Follow-up was to death or minimum of 2 years after surgery. Pre-operative indices (examination findings, pain, Karnofsky physical functioning score, and radiology) were assessed. RESULTS: An algorithm to predict survival was constructed including the tumour type, ambulatory status, analgesic use, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, number of spinal metastases, previous radiotherapy or chemotherapy, presence of visceral metastases, cervical or thoracic spine involvement, as predictors. An Internet-based risk calculator was developed based on this algorithm, with similar or improved accuracy compared to other validated prognostic scoring systems (C-index, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.63--0.73, and calibration slope, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.68--1.32). CONCLUSION: A large, prospective, surgical series of patients with symptomatic spinal metastases was used to create a validated risk calculator that can help clinicians to inform patients about the most appropriate treatment plan. The calculator is available at www.spinemet.com. ispartof: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER vol:107 pages:28-36 ispartof: location:England status: published

Study Design. A prospective multicenter cohort study.Objective. To assess the clinical accuracy of six commonly cited prognostic scoring systems for patients with spinal metastases.Summary of Background Data. There are presently several available methods for the estimation of prognosis in metastatic spinal disease, but none are universally accepted by surgeons for clinical use. These scoring systems have not been rigorously tested and validated in large datasets to see if they are reliable enough to inform day-to-day patient management decisions. We tested these scoring systems in a large cohort of patients. A total of 1469 patients were recruited into a secure internet database, and prospectively collected data were analyzed to assess the accuracy of published prognostic scoring systems.Methods. We assessed six prognostic scoring systems, described by the first authors Tomita, Tokuhashi, Bauer, van der Linden, Rades, and Bollen. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were created for different patient subgroups as described in the original publications. Harrell's C-statistic was calculated for the survival estimates, to assess the concordance between estimated and actual survival.Results. All the prognostic scoring systems tested were able to categorize patients into separate prognostic groups with different overall survivals. However none of the scores were able to achieve "good concordance" as assessed by Harrell's C-statistic. The score of Bollen and colleagues was found to be the most accurate, with a Harrell's C-statistic of 0.66.Conclusion. No prognostic scoring system was found to have a good predictive value. The scores of Bollen and Tomita were the most effective with Harrell's C-statistic of 0.66 and 0.65, respectively. Prognostic scoring systems are calculated using data from previous years, and are subject to inaccuracies as treatments advance in the interim. We suggest that other methods of assessing prognosis should be explored, such as prognostic risk calculation.

BACKGROUND: As survival after treatment for symptomatic spinal metastases increases, the incidence of local tumor recurrence also may increase. However, data regarding incidence and timing of recurrence or duration of survival after second surgeries are not readily available and may help to inform clinicians when to perform second surgeries. OBJECTIVE: To identify features associated with loss of local control (LLC) at a previously treated or new spinal level. METHODS: Clinical and surgical data were collected from a prospective cohort of 1421 patients who had surgery for symptomatic spinal metastases. Patients undergoing repeat spinal surgery for symptomatic LLC at the same or a different level were identified and analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 3.0% patients underwent repeat surgery for symptomatic LLC after a median interval of 184 days from the first surgery; median survival was 6.1 months after second surgery. Factors associated with second surgery for LLC were the primary tumor type, number of spinal levels, Tomita staging, Tokuhashi and Karnofsky scores, anterior surgical approach, more aggressive surgical resection, and postoperative radiotherapy. In total, 1.5% patients were admitted for surgery for a different spinal level than the index operation after median 338 days from the first operation. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood for repeat surgery due to LLC cannot be accurately predicted at the time of initial presentation. Factors associated with second surgery for LLC relate to less aggressive tumor biology and better survival. Most patients had a reasonable duration of survival after second surgery. ispartof: WORLD NEUROSURGERY vol:117 pages:E8-E16 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Background: We carried out an observational longitudinal retrospective study between 2000 and 2009 in 28 patients who underwent surgery for unstable vertebral fractures with neurologic deficits. Methods: For the statistical analysis, we used the Chi 2 -test to compare proportions in independent groups and the exact Fisher test and the Wilcoxon test for repeated measures, and we compared the mean values using the Mann-Whitney U test at a significance level of P vs . >8 h), and neurologic status using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale at baseline and at the end of follow-up were assessed. We tested the ASIA score improvement at the end of follow-up using multiple regression analysis, adjusted by variables such as ISS, timing of intervention, location, approach and type of fracture. Results: Twenty-eight patients were included in the analysis. Of the total, 11 (39.2%) underwent surgery urgently (≤8 h) and 17 (60.8%) in >8 h. The mean difference in the neurologic improvement in all patients was 0.97 (95% CI, 0.51–1.42) and was statistically significant (P=0.001). The mean difference in the neurologic improvement in patients with incomplete lesions was 1.59 (95% CI, 1.01–2.17, P=0.001). In these patients, the mean improvement for those intervened in less than 8 h was 1.73 compared to those operated on after more than 8 h (mean improve 0.47) with a difference statistically significant (P=0.007). Conclusions: Urgent surgery was associated with neurologic improvement in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). This improvement was mainly observed in patients with an incomplete lesion.

Highlights • Primary vertebral leiomyosarcoma in thoracic spine is extremely rare. • Metastatic origin must be excluded. • Wide surgical excision can result in local tumor control and long-term survival., Introduction To describe an unusual primary vertebral leiomyosarcoma in thoracic spine. Presentation of case An isolated lesion of the T11 vertebra in a 62-year-old woman with no neurologic deficit is reported. Imaging findings indicated a nonspecific high-grade malignant lesion. TC-guided biopsy failed thus open incisional biopsy was needed. A diagnosis of low-intermediate mesenchymal sarcoma was made. A total en bloc spondylectomy of T11 was performed with three-column reconstruction. The histology and immunostaining showed the appearance of leiomyosarcoma. After diagnosis, post-operative radiation therapy was performed. Metastatic lesion was ruled out by CT scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, in addition to total body radionuclide scanning and 18-F-FDG-PET. After five years of follow-up, no signs of local recurrence, metastasis or distant lesions suggesting a primary lesion were observed. Discussion Vertebral primary leiomyosarcoma is exceedingly rare. Primary vertebral leiomyosarcoma diagnosis must be performed when the metastatic origin is excluded. For the treatment of primary tumors, total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) is the technique of choice to achieve marginal or wide tumor resection, decrease the risk of local recurrence and remote lesions and increase survival. Conclusions A well-planned pre-operative study and a wide surgical excision can result in local tumor control and long-term survival. This case presents the longest disease-free survival period of a primary leiomyosarcoma in spinal location after total en bloc spondylectomy.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of surgery for symptomatic spinal metastases have been demonstrated, largely based on series of patients undergoing debulking and instrumentation operations. However, as cancer treatments improve and overall survival lengths increase, the incidence of recurrent spinal cord compression after debulking may increase. The aim of the current paper is to document the postoperative evolution of neurological function, pain, and quality of life following debulking and instrumentation in the Global Spine Tumor Study Group (GSTSG) database. METHODS: The GSTSG database is a prospective multicenter data repository of consecutive patients that underwent surgery for a symptomatic spinal metastasis. For the present analysis, patients were selected from the database that underwent decompressive debulking surgery with instrumentation. Preoperative tumor type, Tomita and Tokuhashi scores, EQ-5D, Frankel, Karnofsky, and postoperative complications, survival, EQ-5D, Frankel, Karnofsky, and pain numeric rating scores (NRS) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 914 patients underwent decompressive debulking surgery with instrumentation and had documented follow-up until death or until 2 years post surgery. Median preoperative Karnofsky performance index was 70. A total of 656 patients (71.8%) had visceral metastases and 490 (53.6%) had extraspinal bone metastases. Tomita scores were evenly distributed above (49.1%) and below or equal to 5 (50.9%), and Tokuhashi scores almost evenly distributed below or equal to 8 (46.3%) and above 8 (53.7%). Overall, 12-month survival after surgery was 56.3%. The surgery resulted in EQ-5D health status improvement and NRS pain reduction that was maintained throughout follow-up. Frankel scores improved at first follow-up in 25.0% of patients, but by 12 months neurological deterioration was observed in 18.8%. CONCLUSION: We found that palliative debulking and instrumentation surgeries were performed throughout all Tomita and Tokuhashi categories. These surgeries reduced pain scores and improved quality of life up to 2 years after surgery. After initial improvement, a proportion of patients experienced neurological deterioration by 1 year, but the majority of patients remained stable. ispartof: ACTA NEUROCHIRURGICA vol:162 issue:4 pages:943-950 ispartof: location:Austria status: published

Purpose Survival after metastatic cancer has improved at the cost of increased presentation with metastatic spinal disease. For patients with pathologic spinal fractures and/or spinal cord compression, surgical intervention may relieve pain and improve quality of life. Surgery is generally considered to be inappropriate if anticipated survival is < 3 months. The aim of this international multicenter study was to analyze data from patients who died within 3 months or 2 years after surgery, to identify preoperative factors associated with poor or good survival, and to avoid inappropriate selection of patients for surgery in the future. Patients and Methods A total of 1,266 patients underwent surgery for impending pathologic fractures and/or neurologic deficits and were prospectively observed. Data collected included tumor characteristics, preoperative fitness (American Society of Anesthesiologists advisory [ASA]), neurologic status (Frankel scale), performance (Karnofsky performance score [KPS]), and quality of life (EuroQol five-dimensions questionnaire [EQ-5D]). Outcomes were survival at 3 months and 2 years postsurgery. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to find preoperative factors associated with short-term and long-term survival. Results In univariable analysis, age, emergency surgery, KPS, EQ-5D, ASA, Frankel, and Tokuhashi/Tomita scores were significantly associated with short survival. In multivariable analysis, KPS and age were significantly associated with short survival (odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.62; and OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.27, respectively). Associated with longer survival in univariable analysis were age, number of levels included in surgery, KPS, EQ-5D, Frankel, and Tokuhashi/Tomita scores. In multivariable analysis, the number of levels included in surgery (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.38) and primary tumor type were significantly associated with longer survival. Conclusion Poor performance status at presentation is the strongest indicator of poor short-term survival, whereas low disease load and favorable tumor histology are associated with longer-term survival.

Object: Adjacent segment disease (ASD) has been described as a frequent complication after a lumbar spinal fusion procedure, though its incidence and the factors related to its appearance are not well established. The radiographic signs that identify ASD in unfused segments may be a consequence of biomechanical changes induced by the fusion procedure. This study sought to analyse the incidence of radiographic changes (radiographic ASD) in all adjacent unfused segments, the clinical changes that require a second procedure (clinical ASD), and the risk factors of their appearance evaluated at different follow-up times. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients fused for degenerative spine disease and instability to analyse ASD risk factors using actuarial estimation, comparison of the Kaplan-Meier survival curves of each variable, and Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. Results: Among the 263 patients included in the study, radiographic changes were observed in 57.4% and related clinical changes in 20.2%. The univariate analysis showed a higher risk of ASD in patients with smaller post- vs. pre-operative lumbar lordosis (p = .018), diagnosis of lumbar canal stenosis (p = .019), fusion of three or more vs. fewer levels (p = .009) and those fixed with top-loading screws vs. side-connecting screws (p = .001). Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis showed that the use of top-loading pedicle screws and three or more levels of fusion led to a 3- and 2-fold higher risk of degeneration in adjacent unfused segments respectively. Conclusions: Risk of a second surgical procedure due to clinical changes is 3-fold higher in patients with three or more levels of fusion, and 2.5-fold higher in patients intervened with top-loading pedicle screws.

Background: Discectomy is sometimes associated with recurrence of disc herniation and pain after surgery. The evidence to use an interspinous dynamic stabilization system (IDSS) in association with disc excision to prevent pain and re-operation, remains controversial. Methods: Patients (age 18-50 years) presenting with lumbago/sciatica (ICD-10-CM M54.3, M54.4) due to voluminous lumbar disc herniation were eligible for participation. Patients underwent microdiscectomy plus IDSS. The primary outcome measure was the clinical efficacy using Owestry disability index(ODI) and visual analogue pain scale (VAS). We also evaluated several other outcome parameters including: length of stay and costs during hospital admission, 90-day complication rate, and 1-year re-operation rate. This prospective observational study was carried out from January 2015 to August 2016. Results: A total of 30 patients whose mean age was 38.6(+/- 9.2) years were included. ODI score dropped from 62.93(+/- 16.45) to 13.50(+/- 16.67), representing 78.54% (95% C.I 68.07-88.66%) improvement of the baseline score after one year (p < 0.001). Patients had 90 day re-admission and 1 year re-operation rates of 4/30(13.3%) and 3/30(10%) respectively. Length of stay was 2.1 +/- 1.2 days. In-Hospital cost was 1069.8 +/- 288.4 (sic) (not including 1500 of the implant). Implant related complications were common 12/30(40%), although they did not have any clinical consequences. Conclusion: Our short-term experience indicates that microdiscectomy plus interspinous device is safe and it shows good clinical results, although the clinical improvement seems to be due to microdiscectomy, without the implant adding any extra benefit. The addition of IDSS did not protect against re operation, and it increased the surgical expenses. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: Indications for surgery for symptomatic spinal metastases have become better defined in recent years, and suitable outcome measures have been established against a changing backdrop of patient characteristics, tumor behavior, and oncologic treatments. Nonetheless, variations still exist in the local management of patients with spinal metastases. In this study, we aimed to review global trends and habits in the surgical treatment of symptomatic spinal metastases, and to examine how these have changed over the last 25 years. METHODS: In this cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing surgery for symptomatic spinal metastases, data were collected using a secure Internet database from 22 centers across 3 continents. All patients were invited to participate in the study, except those unable or unwilling to give consent. RESULTS: There was a higher incidence of colonic, liver, and lung carcinoma metastases in Asian countries, and more frequent presentation of breast, prostate, melanoma metastases in the West. Trends in surgical technique were broadly similar across the centers. Overall survival rates after surgery were 53% at 1 year, 31% at 2 years, and 10% at 5 years after surgery (standard error 0.013 for all). Survival improved over successive time periods, with longer survival in patients who underwent surgery in 2011-2016 compared with those who underwent surgery in earlier time periods. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical habits have been fairly consistent among countries worldwide and over time. However, patient survival has improved in later years, perhaps due to medical advances in the treatment of cancer, improved patient selection, and operating earlier in the course of disease. ispartof: WORLD NEUROSURGERY vol:114 pages:E809-E817 ispartof: location:United States status: published

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Total sacrectomy is usually performed when a sacral tumor involves high-level sacral vertebra. Following total sacrectomy, the continuity between the spine and pelvis is necessary for ambulation, and to enable patients to resume daily living activities sooner during rehabilitation. PURPOSE The aim of this study is to assess the biomechanical properties of a novel spinopelvic reconstruction system following total sacrectomy: a sacral solid porous titanium replacement part manufactured through a rapid prototyping technique (EBM, electron beam melting). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Biomechanic study. METHODS Three studies were carried out: with finite element methods (FEM), fatigue with a polyamide model, and in cadaver. The following models were compared in the FEM study: (1) two connected rods in L, L3-L5 pedicle screws, and two bilateral iliac screws; (2) Model 1 with no L3 fixation; (3) two connected rods in L, two screws to the L5 body and L3-L5 pedicle screws; (4) Model 3 with no L3 fixation; (5) sacral replacement part connected to the L5 body with two screws and two bilateral iliac screws, pedicle screws in L4-L5, and two vertical rods that connect them to the part; (6) Model 5 with a trans-iliac fixation rod. The L5 (mm) vertical drop, the Von Mises stress (Nm), and stress distribution were assessed. In the other studies, Model 5 was evaluated, checking the existence of errors in the instrumentation. RESULTS The areas of maximum stress were located in the connection between L5 and the pelvis in all the models. No errors were detected in the fatigue with a polyamide model studies nor in cadaver. CONCLUSIONS Significant reductions of tension and vertical displacements were achieved with the sacral replacement part as well as the lowest values published to date; this indicates that the assembly is rigid and stable, preventing the collapse of the spine on the pelvis. With the tensions obtained with the replacement part–112 MPa there is no risk of breaking when exposed to static loads nor fatigue behavior of the implants, as opposed to the other assessed and published models. Once implanted, the replacement part could show good behavior by reconstructing the anterior spine, preventing overloads in the spine or pelvis, increasing fusion rates, potentially reducing the number of check-up surgeries due to instrumental breaking down, and allowing early mobilization of the patient. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

BACKGROUND: With recent advances in oncologic treatments, there has been an increase in patient survival rates and concurrently an increase in the number of incidence of symptomatic spinal metastases. Because elderly patients are a substantial part of the oncology population, their types of treatment as well as the possible impact their treatment will have on healthcare resources need to be further examined.PURPOSE: We studied whether age has a significant influence on quality of life and survival in surgical interventions for spinal metastases.STUDY DESIGN: We used data from a multicenter prospective study by the Global Spine Tumor Study Group (GSTSG). This GSTSG study involved 1,266 patients who were admitted for surgical treatments of symptomatic spinal metastases at 22 spinal centers from different countries and followed up for 2 years after surgery.PATIENT SAMPLE: There were 1,266 patients recruited between March 2001 and October 2014.OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics were collected along with outcome measures, including European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), neurologic functions, complications, and survival rates.METHODS: We realized a multicenter prospective study of 1,266 patients admitted for surgical treatment of symptomatic spinal metastases. They were divided and studied into three different age groups: 80 years.RESULTS: Despite a lack of statistical difference in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, Frankel neurologic score, or Karnofsky functional score at presentation, patients >80 years were more likely to undergo emergency surgery and palliative procedures compared with younger patients. Postoperative complications were more common in the oldest age group (33.3% in the >80, 23.9% in the 70-80, and 17.9% for patients 80 years old.CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should not be biased against operating elderly patients. Although survival rates and neurologic improvements in the elderly patients are lower than for younger patients, operating the elderly is compounded by the fact that they undergo more emergency and palliative procedures, despite good ASA scores and functional status. Age in itself should not be a determinant of whether to operate or not, and operations should not be avoided in the elderly when indicated.

This study evaluated 12 patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent Kurokawa's procedure using hydroxyapatite spacers and performed with T-saw thread wire.To assess the efficacy and safety of Kurokawa's laminoplasty for patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy using the T-saw, and to determine the radiographic and clinical factors that correlate with the prognosis.Spinous process-splitting laminoplasty as an alternative or a combined method with an anterior approach was evaluated for the management of multilevel stenosis of the cervical spine.This study involved 12 patients (10 men and 2 women) with multilevel spondylotic myelopathy managed with expansive laminoplasty using the T-saw to open the spinous process. The mean age of the patients was 56 years. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scan were performed for all the patients. Clinical status and mobility after surgery also were evaluated. The average duration of symptoms was 3 years (range, 3 months to 5 years).Nine patients had five levels of decompression (C3-C7), and three patients had four levels of decompression: C3-C6 (2 patients) and C4-C7 (1 patient). The mean duration of surgery was 3 hours. No cases of postoperative kyphosis, instability, or neurologic deficit were found. All the patients had a decrease of at least one level. The mean Nurick Functional Disability Score improved from 2.8 (range, 2-4) before surgery to 1.2 (range 1-3) after surgery. Verification of the canal expansion was measured using the increase of the spinal canal-vertebral body ratio at each level from C3 to C7 in nine patients, from C3 to C6 in two patients, and from C4 to C7 in one patient. After surgery, it was possible to make a comparison by measuring the osseous canal directly with computed tomography scans and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. The levels of myelomalacia assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in all the patients was 2.5 before surgery, and less than one level (range, 0-2) thereafter, the posterior movement of the spinal cord in all the patients at level C5 being 1.2 mm. At the latest follow-up evaluation, cervical motion assessed by plain radiographs in flexion and extension, both before and after surgery, decreased 29% (range, 25-32%).Laminoplasty with the T-saw technique appears to be a good method for managing multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. This method is associated with a low rate of complications that also allows marked functional improvement in most patients. It can be used as a complement to anterior surgery.