Browsing by Author "Sykes, David AW"

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    ItemOpen Access
    A 13-Year-Old Girl With Unilateral Visual Changes.
    (Journal of investigative medicine high impact case reports, 2023-01) Sykes, David AW; Joseph, Suzanna L; Williams, Shannon P; Das, Samrat U
    Neuroretinitis is a condition typically characterized by unilateral optic neuropathy and is most commonly a sequelae of cat scratch disease (CSD) due to infection with Bartonella henselae. Ophthalmologic examination will reveal a swollen optic nerve and may eventually reveal a canonical macular star; optical coherence tomography (OCT) will reveal flattening of the fovea, a thickened neurosensory retina, and subretinal fluid accumulation. Although CSD rarely presents with isolated neuorretinitis, it should be considered in patients presenting with unilateral visual changes. The differential diagnosis for neuroretinitis includes optic neuritis, inflammatory optic neuropathies (sarcoid, para-infectious, autoimmune), compressive, toxic, and more. We describe a pediatric patient presenting with visual changes that were initially concerning for optic neuritis and the diagnostic workup that ultimately led to a diagnosis of CSD neuroretinitis.
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    ItemOpen Access
    A Novel Approach to Percutaneous Lumbar Surgeries via Kambin's Triangle - A Radiographic and Surgical Planning Analysis with Nerve Segmentation Technology.
    (World neurosurgery, 2023-06) Tabarestani, Troy Q; Sykes, David AW; Kouam, Romaric W; Salven, David S; Wang, Timothy Y; Mehta, Vikram A; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Wiggins, Walter F; Chi, John H; Abd-El-Barr, Muhammad M

    Objective

    While Kambin's triangle has become an ever more important anatomic window given its proximity to the exiting nerve root, there have been limited studies examining the effect of disease on the corridor. Our goal was to better understand how pathology can affect Kambin's triangle thereby altering laterality of approach for percutaneous lumbar interbody fusion (percLIF).

    Methods

    The authors performed a single-center retrospective review of patients evaluated for percLIF. The areas of Kambin's triangle were measured without and with nerve segmentation. For the latter, the lumbosacral nerve roots on 3D T2 MRI were manually segmented. Next, the borders of Kambin's triangle were delineated ensuring no overlap between the area and the nerve above.

    Results

    15 patients (67.5 ± 9.7 years, 46.7% female) were retrospectively reviewed. 150 Kambin's triangles were measured. The mean areas from L1-S1 were 50.0 ± 12.3 mm2, 73.8 ± 12.5 mm2, 83.8 ± 12.2 mm2, 88.5 ± 19.0 mm2, and 116 ± 29.3 mm2, respectively. When pathology was present, the areas significantly decreased at L4-L5 (p = 0.046) and L5-S1 (p = 0.049). Higher spondylolisthesis and smaller posterior disc heights were linked with decreased areas via linear regression analysis (p < 0.05). When nerve segmentation was used, the areas were significantly smaller from L1-L5 (p < 0.05). Among 11 patients who underwent surgery, none suffered from postoperative neuropathies.

    Conclusion

    These results illustrate the feasibility of pre-operatively segmenting lumbosacral nerves and measuring Kambin's triangle to help guide surgical planning and determine the ideal laterality of approach for percLIF.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Associations between urbanicity and spinal cord astrocytoma management and outcomes.
    (Cancer epidemiology, 2023-10) Sykes, David AW; Waguia, Romaric; Abu-Bonsrah, Nancy; Price, Mackenzie; Dalton, Tara; Sperber, Jacob; Owolo, Edwin; Hockenberry, Harrison; Bishop, Brandon; Kruchko, Carol; Barnholtz-Sloan, Jill S; Erickson, Melissa; Ostrom, Quinn T; Goodwin, C Rory

    Background

    The management of spinal cord astrocytomas (SCAs) remains controversial and may include any combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Factors such as urbanicity (metropolitan versus non-metropolitan residence) are shown to be associated with patterns of treatment and clinical outcomes in a variety of cancers, but the role urbanicity plays in SCA treatment remains unknown.

    Methods

    The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) analytic dataset, which combines data from CDC's National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Programs, was used to identify individuals with SCAs between 2004 and 2019. Individuals' county of residence was classified as metropolitan or non-metropolitan. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between urbanicity and SCA. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to assess the effect of urbanicity on survival using the NPCR survival dataset (2004-2018).

    Results

    1697 metropolitan and 268 non-metropolitan SCA cases were identified. The cohorts did not differ in age or gender composition. The populations had different racial/ethnic compositions, with a higher White non-Hispanic population in the non-metropolitan cohort (86 % vs 66 %, p < 0.001) and a greater Black non-Hispanic population in the metropolitan cohort (14 % vs 9.9 %, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in likelihood of receiving comprehensive treatment (OR=0.99, 95 % CI [0.56, 1.65], p = >0.9), or survival (hazard ratio [HR]=0.92, p = 0.4) when non-metropolitan and metropolitan cases were compared. In the metropolitan cohort, there were statistically significant differences in SCA treatment patterns when stratified by race/ethnicity (p = 0.002).

    Conclusions

    Urbanicity does not significantly impact SCA management or survival. Race/ethnicity may be associated with likelihood of receiving certain SCA treatments in metropolitan communities.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Awake spinal anesthesia facilitates spine surgery in poor surgical candidates: A case series.
    (Neuro-Chirurgie, 2023-05) Sykes, David AW; Tabarestani, Troy Q; Salven, David S; Chaudhry, Nauman S; Wang, Timothy Y; Gottfried, Oren N; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Guinn, Nicole R; Gadsden, Jeffrey; Ayoub, Chakib M; Bullock, W Michael; Berger, Miles; Abd-El-Barr, Muhammad M

    Background

    Annually, hundreds of thousands of patients undergo surgery for degenerative spine disease (DSD). This represents only a fraction of patients that present for surgical consideration. Procedures are often avoided due to comorbidities that make patients poor candidates for general anesthesia (GA) and its associated risks. With increasing interest in awake surgery under spinal anesthesia (SA), the authors have observed that SA may facilitate spine surgery in patients with relative contraindications to GA. With this in mind, the authors set out to summarize the outcomes of a series of highly comorbid patients who received surgery under SA.

    Methods

    Case logs of a single surgeon were reviewed, and patients undergoing spine surgery under SA were identified. Within this group, patients were identified with relative contraindications to GA, such as advanced age and medical comorbidities. For these patients, for whom surgery was facilitated by SA, the medical records were consulted to report demographic information and patient outcomes.

    Results

    Ten highly comorbid patients were identified who received lumbar spine surgery for DSD under SA. Comorbidities included octogenarian status, obesity, and chronic health conditions such as heart disease. The cohort had a mean age of 75.5 and a mean American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) score of 3.1. The patients were predicted to have a 2.74-fold increase of serious complications compared to the average patient. There were no adverse events.

    Conclusion

    For patients with symptomatic, refractory DSD and relative contraindications to GA, SA may facilitate safe surgical intervention with excellent outcomes.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Awake Spinal Fusion Is Associated with Reduced Length of Stay, Opioid Use, and Time to Ambulation Compared to General Anesthesia: A Matched Cohort Study.
    (World neurosurgery, 2023-05) Sykes, David AW; Tabarestani, Troy Q; Chaudhry, Nauman S; Salven, David S; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Bullock, W Michael; Guinn, Nicole R; Gadsden, Jeffrey; Berger, Miles; Abd-El-Barr, Muhammad M

    Objective

    There is increasing interest in awake spinal fusion under spinal anesthesia (SA). Evidence supporting SA has been positive, albeit limited. The authors set out to investigate the effects of SA vs general anesthesia (GA) for spinal fusion procedures on length of stay (LOS), opioid use, time to ambulation (TTA), and procedure duration.

    Methods

    The authors performed a retrospective review of a single surgeon's patients who underwent lumbar fusions under SA vs GA from June of 2020 to June of 2022. SA patients were compared to demographically matched GA counterparts undergoing comparable procedures. Analyzed outcomes include operative time, opioid usage in morphine milligram equivalents (MME), TTA, and LOS.

    Results

    10 SA patients were matched to 10 GA counterparts. The cohort had a mean age of 66.77, a mean body mass index of 27.73 kg/m2, and a median American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Score of 3.00. LOS was lower in SA vs GA patients (12.87 vs 50.79 hours, p=0.001). Opioid utilization was reduced in SA vs GA patients (10.76 vs 31.43 MME, p=0.006). TTA was reduced in SA vs GA patients (7.22 vs 29.87 hours, p=0.022). Procedure duration was not significantly reduced in SA patients compared to GA patients (139.3 vs 188.2 minutes, p=0.089).

    Conclusion

    These preliminary retrospective results suggest the use of SA rather than GA for lumbar fusions is associated with reduced hospital LOS, reduced opioid utilization, and reduced TTA. Future randomized prospective studies are warranted to determine if SA usage truly leads to these beneficial outcomes.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes for Patients with Cervical Adjacent Segment Disease Treated with Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Integrated Interbody Spacers.
    (World neurosurgery, 2023-12) Zaidi, Saif E; Venkatraman, Vishal; Sykes, David AW; Albanese, Jessica; Erickson, Melissa M; Crutcher, Clifford L; Goodwin, C Rory; Groff, Michael W; Grossi, Peter; Than, Khoi D; Haglund, Michael M; Abd-El-Barr, Muhammad M

    Introduction

    Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is among the most common spine procedures. Adjacent segment disease (ASD), characterized by degenerative disease at an adjacent spinal level to a prior fusion, is a well-recognized and significant sequela following ACDF. Adjacent segment ACDF may be considered after the failure of non-surgical options for patients with symptomatic ASD. This study aimed to assess the incidence of dysphagia and other complications as well as radiographic outcomes in adult patients who have undergone ACDF with an integrated interbody spacer device for symptomatic ASD.

    Methods

    This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent ACDF for symptomatic ASD with commercially available integrated interbody spacers by three spine surgeons at an academic institution from March 2018 to April 2022. Demographic, radiographic, and postoperative data were collected, including dysphagia, device-related complications, and the need for revision surgery.

    Results

    There were 48 patients (26 male, 22 female) who met inclusion criteria (mean age 59.7 years, mean body mass index 19.5 kg/m2) who underwent ACDF for symptomatic ASD (1one-level, n = 44; 2-level, n = 4). Overall, 12 patients (25%) experienced dysphagia postoperatively before the first follow-up appointment. Nine of 44 (20.4%) of 1-level ACDF patients experienced dysphagia, and 3 of 4 (75%) of 2-level ACDF patients experienced dysphagia. Three patients had severe dysphagia which prompted an otolaryngology referral. Two of those patients remained symptomatic at 6 weeks postoperatively. Of 43 patients with prior plate cage systems, none required hardware removal at the time of surgery. Preoperative global and segmental lordosis were 9.07° ± 8.36° (P = 0.22) and 3.58° ± 4.57° (P = 0.14), respectively. At 6 weeks postoperatively, global and segmental lordosis were 11.44° ± 9.06° (P = 0.54) and 5.11° ± 4.44° (P = 0.44), respectively. This constitutes a change of +2.37° and +1.53° in global and segmental lordosis, respectively. The mean anterior disc height change between preoperative and immediate postoperative time points was 6.3 ± 3.1 mm. Between the immediate postoperative and 6-week postoperative time points, the mean anterior disc height change was -1.5 ± 2.7 mm. Between the immediate postoperative and 3-month postoperative time points, the mean anterior disc height change was -3.7 ± 5.0 mm. The posterior disc height changes at the same time points were 2.5 ± 1.7 mm, -0.4 ± 1.8. and -0.5 ± 1.4 mm, respectively. This fusion rate was 50% and 70% at 6 months and 1 year post-surgery, respectively.

    Conclusions

    ACDF with integrated spacer is a viable alternative to traditional plate-cage systems for symptomatic ASD. An advantage over traditional plate-cage systems is that the removal of prior instrumentation is not needed in order to place implants. Based on a review of the literature, these standalone systems allowed for a shorter operative time and had less incidence of dysphagia than plate-cage systems for ASD after ACDF. The different standalone and plate-cage systems used in treating ASD after ACDF surgeries should be compared in prospective studies.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Early Experience with Prone Lateral Interbody Fusion in Deformity Correction: A Single-Institution Experience.
    (Journal of clinical medicine, 2024-04) Bartlett, Alyssa M; Dibble, Christopher F; Sykes, David AW; Drossopoulos, Peter N; Wang, Timothy Y; Crutcher, Clifford L; Than, Khoi D; Bhomwick, Deb A; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Abd-El-Barr, Muhammad M
    Background/Objectives: Lateral spine surgery offers effective minimally invasive deformity correction, but traditional approaches often involve separate anterior, lateral, and posterior procedures. The prone lateral technique streamlines this process by allowing single-position access for lateral and posterior surgery, potentially benefiting from the lordosing effect of prone positioning. While previous studies have compared prone lateral to direct lateral for adult degenerative diseases, this retrospective review focuses on the outcomes of adult deformity patients undergoing prone lateral interbody fusion. Methods: Ten adult patients underwent single-position prone lateral surgery for spine deformity correction, with a mean follow-up of 18 months. Results: Results showed significant improvements: sagittal vertical axis decreased by 2.4 cm, lumbar lordosis increased by 9.1°, pelvic tilt improved by 3.3°, segmental lordosis across the fusion construct increased by 12.2°, and coronal Cobb angle improved by 6.3°. These benefits remained consistent over the follow-up period. Correlational analysis showed a positive association between improvements in PROs and SVA and SL. When compared to hybrid approaches, prone lateral yielded greater improvements in SVA. Conclusions: Prone lateral surgery demonstrated favorable outcomes with reasonable perioperative risks. However, further research comparing this technique with standard minimally invasive lateral approaches, hybrid, and open approaches is warranted for a comprehensive evaluation.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Novel Merging of CT and MRI to Allow for Safe Navigation into Kambin's Triangle for Percutaneous Lumbar Interbody Fusion-Initial Case Series Investigating Safety and Efficacy.
    (Operative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.), 2023-03) Tabarestani, Troy Q; Sykes, David AW; Sykes, David AW; Maquoit, Gisselle; Wang, Timothy Y; Ayoub, Chakib M; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Wiggins, Walter F; Abd-El-Barr, Muhammad M

    Background

    For percutaneous lumbar fusion (percLIF), magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are critical to defining surgical corridors. Currently, these scans are performed separately, and surgeons then use fluoroscopy or neuromonitoring to guide instruments through Kambin's triangle. However, anatomic variations and intraoperative positional changes are possible, meaning that safely accessing Kambin's triangle remains a challenge because nerveroot visualization without endoscopes has not been thoroughly described.

    Objective

    To overcome the known challenges of percLIF and reduce the likelihood of iatrogenic injuries by showing real-time locations of neural and bony anatomy.

    Methods

    The authors demonstrate an intraoperative navigational platform that applies nerve root segmentation and image fusion to assist with percLIF. Five patients from a single institution were included.

    Results

    Of the 5 patients, the mean age was 71 ± 8 years and 3 patients (60%) were female. One patient had general anesthesia while the remaining 4 patients underwent awake surgery with spinal anesthesia. The mean area for the L4-L5 Kambin's triangle was 76.1 ± 14.5 mm 2 . A case example is shown where the side of approach was based on the fact that Kambin's triangle was larger on one side compared with the other. The mean operative time was 170 ± 17 minutes, the mean blood loss was 32 ± 16 mL, and the mean hospital length of stay was 19.6 ± 8.3 hours. No patients developed postoperative complications.

    Conclusion

    This case series demonstrates the successful and safe application of nerve segmentation using magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography fusion to perform percLIF and provide positive patient outcomes.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Two-Year Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes for Percutaneous Lumbar Interbody Fusion With an Expandable Titanium Cage Through Kambin's Triangle Without Facetectomy.
    (International journal of spine surgery, 2023-12) Tabarestani, Troy Q; Wang, Timothy Y; Sykes, David AW; Mehta, Vikram A; Yang, Lexie Z; Chow, Shein-Chung; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Wiggins, Walter F; Chi, John H; Abd-El-Barr, Muhammad M

    Background

    There has been heightened interest in performing percutaneous lumbar interbody fusions (percLIFs) through Kambin's triangle, an anatomic corridor allowing entrance into the disc space. However, due to its novelty, there are limited data regarding the long-term benefits of this procedure. Our objective was to determine the long-term efficacy and durability of the percutaneous insertion of an expandable titanium cage through Kambin's triangle without facetectomy.

    Methods

    A retrospective review of patients undergoing percLIF via Kambin's triangle using an expandable titanium cage was performed. Demographics, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), radiographic measurements, perioperative variables, and complications were recorded. VAS, ODI, and radiographic measurements were compared with baseline using the generalized estimating equations assuming normally distributed data. Fusion was assessed with computed tomography (CT) at 1 and 2 years after the procedure.

    Results

    A total of 49 patients were included. Spondylolisthesis, lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope, pelvic tilt, and anterior/posterior disc space height were all significantly improved postoperatively at each time point of 3, 6, 12, and 24 months (P < 0.001). Pelvic incidence-LL mismatch decreased significantly at each follow-up (P < 0.001) with a mean reduction of 4° by 24 months. VAS back scores reduced by >2 points at the 6, 12, and 24 month follow-ups. ODI scores reduced by >15 points at the 12- and 24-month follow-ups. Of the patients who had 1- and 2-year CT images, fusion rates at those time points were 94.4% (17/18) and 87.5% (7/8), respectively. The mean annual rate of surgically significant adjacent segment disease was 2.74% through an average follow-up of 2.74 years.

    Conclusion

    These results highlight that percLIF, a procedure done without an endoscope or facetectomy, can be performed using an expandable titanium cage through Kambin's triangle with excellent radiographic and clinical results.

    Clinical relevance

    percLIF via Kambin's triangle is a safe and succesful procedure with long-term improvements in both clinical and radiographic outcomes.

    Level of evidence: 3

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    ItemOpen Access
    Using Novel Segmentation Technology to Define Safe Corridors for Minimally Invasive Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
    (Operative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.), 2023-12) Tabarestani, Troy Q; Salven, David S; Sykes, David AW; Bardeesi, Anas M; Bartlett, Alyssa M; Wang, Timothy Y; Paturu, Mounica R; Dibble, Christopher F; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Ray, Wilson Z; Chi, John H; Wiggins, Walter F; Abd-El-Barr, Muhammad M

    Background and objectives

    There has been a rise in minimally invasive methods to access the intervertebral disk space posteriorly given their decreased tissue destruction, lower blood loss, and earlier return to work. Two such options include the percutaneous lumbar interbody fusion through the Kambin triangle and the endoscopic transfacet approach. However, without accurate preoperative visualization, these approaches carry risks of damaging surrounding structures, especially the nerve roots. Using novel segmentation technology, our goal was to analyze the anatomic borders and relative sizes of the safe triangle, trans-Kambin, and the transfacet corridors to assist surgeons in planning a safe approach and determining cannula diameters.

    Methods

    The areas of the safe triangle, Kambin, and transfacet corridors were measured using commercially available software (BrainLab, Munich, Germany). For each approach, the exiting nerve root, traversing nerve roots, theca, disk, and vertebrae were manually segmented on 3-dimensional T2-SPACE magnetic resonance imaging using a region-growing algorithm. The triangles' borders were delineated ensuring no overlap between the area and the nerves.

    Results

    A total of 11 patients (65.4 ± 12.5 years, 33.3% female) were retrospectively reviewed. The Kambin, safe, and transfacet corridors were measured bilaterally at the operative level. The mean area (124.1 ± 19.7 mm2 vs 83.0 ± 11.7 mm2 vs 49.5 ± 11.4 mm2) and maximum permissible cannula diameter (9.9 ± 0.7 mm vs 6.8 ± 0.5 mm vs 6.05 ± 0.7 mm) for the transfacet triangles were significantly larger than Kambin and the traditional safe triangles, respectively (P < .001).

    Conclusion

    We identified, in 3-dimensional, the borders for the transfacet corridor: the traversing nerve root extending inferiorly until the caudal pedicle, the theca medially, and the exiting nerve root superiorly. These results illustrate the utility of preoperatively segmenting anatomic landmarks, specifically the nerve roots, to help guide decision-making when selecting the optimal operative approach.