Study investigating the role of skeletal muscle mass estimation in metastatic spinal cord compression

Background Age-related loss of functional muscle mass is associated with reduced functional ability and life expectancy. In disseminated cancer, age-related muscle loss may be exacerbated by cachexia and poor nutritional intake, increasing functional decline, morbidity and accelerate death. Patients with spinal metastases frequently present for decompressive surgery with decision to operate based upon functional assessment. A subjective assessment of physical performance has, however, been shown to be a poor indicator of life expectancy in these patients. We aimed to develop an objective measure based upon lean muscle mass to aid decision making, in these individuals, by investigating the association between muscle mass and 1-year survival. Methods Muscle mass was calculated as total psoas area (TPA)/ vertebral body area (VBA), by two independent blinded doctors from CT images, acquired within 7 days of spinal metastases surgery, at the mid L3 vertebral level. Outcome at 1 year following surgery was recorded from a prospectively updated metastatic spinal cord compression database. Results 86 patients were followed for 1 year, with an overall mortality of 39.5 %. Mortality rates at 1 year were significantly high among patients in the lowest quartile of muscle mass, compared with those in the highest quartile (57.1 vs 23.8 %, p = 0.02). Conclusion Death within 1 year in individuals with spinal metastases is related to lean muscle mass at presentation. Assessment of lean muscle mass may inform decision to operate in patients with spinal metastases

Regional and experiential differences in surgeon preference for the treatment of cervical facet injuries: a case study survey with the AO Spine Cervical Classification Validation Group

Purpose: The management of cervical facet dislocation injuries remains controversial. The main purpose of this investigation was to identify whether a surgeon’s geographic location or years in practice influences their preferred management of traumatic cervical facet dislocation injuries. Methods: A survey was sent to 272 AO Spine members across all geographic regions and with a variety of practice experience. The survey included clinical case scenarios of cervical facet dislocation injuries and asked responders to select preferences among various diagnostic and management options. Results: A total of 189 complete responses were received. Over 50% of responding surgeons in each region elected to initiate management of cervical facet dislocation injuries with an MRI, with 6 case exceptions. Overall, there was considerable agreement between American and European responders regarding management of these injuries, with only 3 cases exhibiting a significant difference. Additionally, results also exhibited considerable management agreement between those with ≤ 10 and > 10 years of practice experience, with only 2 case exceptions noted. Conclusion: More than half of responders, regardless of geographical location or practice experience, identified MRI as a screening imaging modality when managing cervical facet dislocation injuries, regardless of the status of the spinal cord and prior to any additional intervention. Additionally, a majority of surgeons would elect an anterior approach for the surgical management of these injuries. The study found overall agreement in management preferences of cervical facet dislocation injuries around the globe

Correction of sagittal plane deformity and predictive factors for a favourable radiological outcome following multilevel posterior lumbar interbody fusion for mild degenerative scoliosis

Purpose Limited data is available in the literature on the radiographic results of multilevel posterior lumbar interbody fusion (MPLIF) in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis. The objective of our study was to evaluate the segmental and global correction achieved with MPLIF in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis. Methods Between 2009 and 2014, 42 patients underwent correction of degenerative scoliosis with MPLIF. Several radiological parameters were measured pre- and post-operatively by two independent observers. A statistical analysis was performed to assess the inter-observer reliability of the measurements and to determine the degree of segmental correction achieved at each intervertebral disc. Using sagittal vertical axis (SVA) less than 47 mm; lumbar lordosis (LL) within 11° of pelvic incidence (PI); and pelvic tilt (PT) no more than 22° as radiological criteria for procedural acceptability, we determined predictive factors for a favourable radiological outcome. Results Forty-two patients (34 female) were included in our study. The average amount of correction per segment was 6.2°. The overall correction achieved with MPLIF was 16.6°. Twenty-six of the 42 patients (61.9 %) had post-operative SVA values less than 47 mm. Nineteen of the 42 patients (45.2 %) had average post-operative LL within 11° of the PI. Sixteen of the 42 patients (38.1 %) had PT less than 22°. Younger age, female gender and a low pre-operative PT were significantly associated with the attainment of a satisfactory sagittal alignment. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that a satisfactory correction can be achieved in degenerative scoliosis with MPLIF. In addition, our results show that it is significantly more likely to achieve a satisfactory radiological outcome in younger, female patients with low pre-operative PT