Browsing by Subject "Nervous System Diseases"

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    ItemOpen Access
    Adenosine-induced flow arrest to facilitate intracranial aneurysm clip ligation: dose-response data and safety profile.
    (Anesth Analg, 2010-05-01) Bebawy, John F; Gupta, Dhanesh K; Bendok, Bernard R; Hemmer, Laura B; Zeeni, Carine; Avram, Michael J; Batjer, H Hunt; Koht, Antoun
    BACKGROUND: Adenosine-induced transient flow arrest has been used to facilitate clip ligation of intracranial aneurysms. However, the starting dose that is most likely to produce an adequate duration of profound hypotension remains unclear. We reviewed our experience to determine the dose-response relationship and apparent perioperative safety profile of adenosine in intracranial aneurysm patients. METHODS: This case series describes 24 aneurysm clip ligation procedures performed under an anesthetic consisting of remifentanil, low-dose volatile anesthetic, and propofol in which adenosine was used. The report focuses on the doses administered; duration of systolic blood pressure <60 mm Hg (SBP(<60 mm Hg)); and any cardiovascular, neurologic, or pulmonary complications observed in the perioperative period. RESULTS: A median dose of 0.34 mg/kg ideal body weight (range: 0.29-0.44 mg/kg) resulted in a SBP(<60 mm Hg) for a median of 57 seconds (range: 26-105 seconds). There was a linear relationship between the log-transformed dose of adenosine and the duration of a SBP(<60 mm Hg) (R(2) = 0.38). Two patients developed transient, hemodynamically stable atrial fibrillation, 2 had postoperative troponin levels >0.03 ng/mL without any evidence of cardiac dysfunction, and 3 had postoperative neurologic changes. CONCLUSIONS: For intracranial aneurysms in which temporary occlusion is impractical or difficult, adenosine is capable of providing brief periods of profound systemic hypotension with low perioperative morbidity. On the basis of these data, a dose of 0.3 to 0.4 mg/kg ideal body weight may be the recommended starting dose to achieve approximately 45 seconds of profound systemic hypotension during a remifentanil/low-dose volatile anesthetic with propofol induced burst suppression.
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    ItemOpen Access
    An Analysis of the Incidence and Outcomes of Major Versus Minor Neurological Decline After Complex Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Subanalysis of Scoli-RISK-1 Study.
    (Spine, 2018-07) Kato, So; Fehlings, Michael G; Lewis, Stephen J; Lenke, Lawrence G; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Cheung, Kenneth MC; Carreon, Leah Y; Dekutoski, Mark B; Schwab, Frank J; Boachie-Adjei, Oheneba; Kebaish, Khaled M; Ames, Christopher P; Qiu, Yong; Matsuyama, Yukihiro; Dahl, Benny T; Mehdian, Hossein; Pellisé, Ferran; Berven, Sigurd H

    Study design

    A subanalysis from a prospective, multicenter, international cohort study in 15 sites (Scoli-RISK-1).

    Objective

    To report detailed information regarding the severity of neurological decline related to complex adult spine deformity (ASD) surgery and to examine outcomes based on severity.

    Summary of background data

    Postoperative neurological decline after ASD surgeries can occur due to nerve root(s) or spinal cord dysfunction. The impact of decline and the pattern of recovery may be related to the anatomic location and the severity of the injury.

    Methods

    An investigation of 272 prospectively enrolled complex ASD surgical patients with neurological status measured by American Spinal Injury Association Lower Extremity Motor Scores (LEMS) was undertaken. Postoperative neurological decline was categorized into "major" (≥5 points loss) versus "minor" (<5 points loss) deficits. Timing and extent of recovery in LEMS were investigated for each group.

    Results

    Among the 265 patients with LEMS available at discharge, 61 patients (23%) had neurological decline, with 20 (33%) experiencing major decline. Of note, 90% of the patients with major decline had deficits in three or more myotomes. Full recovery was seen in 24% at 6 weeks and increased to 65% at 6 months. However, 34% continued to experience some neurological decline at 24 months, with 6% demonstrating no improvement. Of 41 patients (67%) with minor decline, 73% had deficits in one or two myotomes. Full recovery was seen in 49% at 6 weeks and increased to 70% at 6 months. Of note, 26% had persistence of some neurological deficit at 24 months, with 18% demonstrating no recovery.

    Conclusion

    In patients undergoing complex ASD correction, a rate of postoperative neurological decline of 23% was noted with 33% of these being "major." Although most patients showed substantial recovery by 6 months, approximately one-third continued to experience neurological dysfunction.

    Level of evidence

    2.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Differences in quality between privately and publicly banked umbilical cord blood units: a pilot study of autologous cord blood infusion in children with acquired neurologic disorders.
    (Transfusion, 2010-09) Sun, Jessica; Allison, June; McLaughlin, Colleen; Sledge, Linda; Waters-Pick, Barbara; Wease, Stephen; Kurtzberg, Joanne

    Background

    A pilot study was conducted to determine the safety and feasibility of intravenous administration of autologous umbilical cord blood (CB) in young children with acquired neurologic disorders. Most CB units (CBUs) were electively stored in private CB banks. Unlike public banks, which utilize specific criteria and thresholds for banking, private banks generally store all collected CBUs.

    Study design and methods

    CBUs of eligible patients containing more than 1 × 10⁷ cells/kg were shipped to Duke from the banks of origin after confirming identity by HLA typing. On the day of infusion, CBUs were thawed and washed in dextran-albumin and infused intravenously. Patients were medicated with acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and methylprednisolone before transfusion. Data regarding patients, infusions, and CBUs were collected retrospectively. Characteristics of CBUs were compared to existing data from CBUs publicly banked at the Carolinas Cord Blood Bank.

    Results

    From March 2004 to December 2009, 184 children received 198 CB infusions. Three patients had infusion reactions, all responsive to medical therapy and stopping the infusion. Median precryopreservation volume (60 mL vs. 89 mL, p < 0.0001), total nucleated cell count (4.7 × 10⁸ vs. 10.8 × 10⁸, p < 0.0001), and CD34 count (1.8 × 10⁶ vs. 3.0 × 10⁶, p < 0.0001) were significantly lower than publicly stored CBUs. Postthaw sterility cultures were positive in 7.6% of infused CBUs.

    Conclusion

    IV infusion of autologous CB is safe and feasible in young children with neurologic injuries. Quality parameters of privately banked CBUs are inferior to those stored in public banks. If efficacy of autologous CB is established clinically, the quality of autologous units should be held to the same standards as those stored in public banks.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Frequency and Acceptability of Adverse Events After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Survey Study From the Cervical Spine Research Society.
    (Clinical spine surgery, 2018-06) Wilson, Jefferson R; Radcliff, Kris; Schroeder, Gregory; Booth, Madison; Lucasti, Christopher; Fehlings, Michael; Ahmad, Nassr; Vaccaro, Alexander; Arnold, Paul; Sciubba, Daniel; Ching, Alex; Smith, Justin; Shaffrey, Christopher; Singh, Kern; Darden, Bruce; Daffner, Scott; Cheng, Ivan; Ghogawala, Zoher; Ludwig, Steven; Buchowski, Jacob; Brodke, Darrel; Wang, Jeffrey; Lehman, Ronald A; Hilibrand, Alan; Yoon, Tim; Grauer, Jonathan; Dailey, Andrew; Steinmetz, Michael; Harrop, James S
    PURPOSE:Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion has a low but well-established profile of adverse events. The goal of this study was to gauge surgeon opinion regarding the frequency and acceptability of these events. METHODS:A 2-page survey was distributed to attendees at the 2015 Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) meeting. Respondents were asked to categorize 18 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion-related adverse events as either: "common and acceptable," "uncommon and acceptable," "uncommon and sometimes acceptable," or "uncommon and unacceptable." Results were compiled to generate the relative frequency of these responses for each complication. Responses for each complication event were also compared between respondents based on practice location (US vs. non-US), primary specialty (orthopedics vs. neurosurgery) and years in practice. RESULTS:Of 150 surveys distributed, 115 responses were received (76.7% response rate), with the majority of respondents found to be US-based (71.3%) orthopedic surgeons (82.6%). Wrong level surgery, esophageal injury, retained drain, and spinal cord injury were considered by most to be unacceptable and uncommon complications. Dysphagia and adjacent segment disease occurred most often, but were deemed acceptable complications. Although surgeon experience and primary specialty had little impact on responses, practice location was found to significantly influence responses for 12 of 18 complications, with non-US surgeons found to categorize events more toward the uncommon and unacceptable end of the spectrum as compared with US surgeons. CONCLUSIONS:These results serve to aid communication and transparency within the field of spine surgery, and will help to inform future quality improvement and best practice initiatives.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Genetic engineering of mesenchymal stem cells and its application in human disease therapy.
    (Hum Gene Ther, 2010-11) Hodgkinson, Conrad P; Gomez, José A; Mirotsou, Maria; Dzau, Victor J
    The use of stem cells for tissue regeneration and repair is advancing both at the bench and bedside. Stem cells isolated from bone marrow are currently being tested for their therapeutic potential in a variety of clinical conditions including cardiovascular injury, kidney failure, cancer, and neurological and bone disorders. Despite the advantages, stem cell therapy is still limited by low survival, engraftment, and homing to damage area as well as inefficiencies in differentiating into fully functional tissues. Genetic engineering of mesenchymal stem cells is being explored as a means to circumvent some of these problems. This review presents the current understanding of the use of genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells in human disease therapy with emphasis on genetic modifications aimed to improve survival, homing, angiogenesis, and heart function after myocardial infarction. Advancements in other disease areas are also discussed.
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    Global, regional, and national burden of neurological disorders, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016.
    (The Lancet. Neurology, 2019-05) GBD 2016 Neurology Collaborators

    Background

    Neurological disorders are increasingly recognised as major causes of death and disability worldwide. The aim of this analysis from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2016 is to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date estimates of the global, regional, and national burden from neurological disorders.

    Methods

    We estimated prevalence, incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; the sum of years of life lost [YLLs] and years lived with disability [YLDs]) by age and sex for 15 neurological disorder categories (tetanus, meningitis, encephalitis, stroke, brain and other CNS cancers, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron diseases, idiopathic epilepsy, migraine, tension-type headache, and a residual category for other less common neurological disorders) in 195 countries from 1990 to 2016. DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, was the main method of estimation of prevalence and incidence, and the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) was used for mortality estimation. We quantified the contribution of 84 risks and combinations of risk to the disease estimates for the 15 neurological disorder categories using the GBD comparative risk assessment approach.

    Findings

    Globally, in 2016, neurological disorders were the leading cause of DALYs (276 million [95% UI 247-308]) and second leading cause of deaths (9·0 million [8·8-9·4]). The absolute number of deaths and DALYs from all neurological disorders combined increased (deaths by 39% [34-44] and DALYs by 15% [9-21]) whereas their age-standardised rates decreased (deaths by 28% [26-30] and DALYs by 27% [24-31]) between 1990 and 2016. The only neurological disorders that had a decrease in rates and absolute numbers of deaths and DALYs were tetanus, meningitis, and encephalitis. The four largest contributors of neurological DALYs were stroke (42·2% [38·6-46·1]), migraine (16·3% [11·7-20·8]), Alzheimer's and other dementias (10·4% [9·0-12·1]), and meningitis (7·9% [6·6-10·4]). For the combined neurological disorders, age-standardised DALY rates were significantly higher in males than in females (male-to-female ratio 1·12 [1·05-1·20]), but migraine, multiple sclerosis, and tension-type headache were more common and caused more burden in females, with male-to-female ratios of less than 0·7. The 84 risks quantified in GBD explain less than 10% of neurological disorder DALY burdens, except stroke, for which 88·8% (86·5-90·9) of DALYs are attributable to risk factors, and to a lesser extent Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (22·3% [11·8-35·1] of DALYs are risk attributable) and idiopathic epilepsy (14·1% [10·8-17·5] of DALYs are risk attributable).

    Interpretation

    Globally, the burden of neurological disorders, as measured by the absolute number of DALYs, continues to increase. As populations are growing and ageing, and the prevalence of major disabling neurological disorders steeply increases with age, governments will face increasing demand for treatment, rehabilitation, and support services for neurological disorders. The scarcity of established modifiable risks for most of the neurological burden demonstrates that new knowledge is required to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.

    Funding

    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Incidence and risk factors of postoperative neurologic decline after complex adult spinal deformity surgery: results of the Scoli-RISK-1 study.
    (The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society, 2018-10) Fehlings, Michael G; Kato, So; Lenke, Lawrence G; Nakashima, Hiroaki; Nagoshi, Narihito; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Cheung, Kenneth MC; Carreon, Leah; Dekutoski, Mark B; Schwab, Frank J; Boachie-Adjei, Oheneba; Kebaish, Khaled M; Ames, Christopher P; Qiu, Yong; Matsuyama, Yukihiro; Dahl, Benny T; Mehdian, Hossein; Pellisé-Urquiza, Ferran; Lewis, Stephen J; Berven, Sigurd H

    Background context

    Significant variability in neurologic outcomes after surgical correction for adult spinal deformity (ASD) has been reported. Risk factors for decline in neurologic motor outcomes are poorly understood.

    Purpose

    The objective of the present investigation was to identify the risk factors for postoperative neurologic motor decline in patients undergoing complex ASD surgery.

    Study design/setting

    This is a prospective international multicenter cohort study.

    Patient sample

    From September 2011 to October 2012, 272 patients undergoing complex ASD surgery were prospectively enrolled in a multicenter, international cohort study in 15 sites.

    Outcome measures

    Neurologic decline was defined as any postoperative deterioration in American Spinal Injury Association lower extremity motor score (LEMS) compared with preoperative status.

    Methods

    To identify risk factors, 10 candidate variables were selected for univariable analysis from the dataset based on clinical relevance, and a multivariable logistic regression analysis was used with backward stepwise selection.

    Results

    Complete datasets on 265 patients were available for analysis and 61 (23%) patients showed a decline in LEMS at discharge. Univariable analysis showed that the key factors associated with postoperative neurologic deterioration included older age, lumbar-level osteotomy, three-column osteotomy, and larger blood loss. Multivariable analysis revealed that older age (odds ratio [OR]=1.5 per 10 years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-2.1, p=.005), larger coronal deformity angular ratio [DAR] (OR=1.1 per 1 unit, 95% CI 1.0-1.2, p=.037), and lumbar osteotomy (OR=3.3, 95% CI 1.2-9.2, p=.022) were the three major predictors of neurologic decline.

    Conclusions

    Twenty-three percent of patients undergoing complex ASD surgery experienced a postoperative neurologic decline. Age, coronal DAR, and lumbar osteotomy were identified as the key contributing factors.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Morbidity and mortality in the surgical treatment of six hundred five pediatric patients with isthmic or dysplastic spondylolisthesis.
    (Spine, 2011-02) Fu, Kai-Ming G; Smith, Justin S; Polly, David W; Perra, Joseph H; Sansur, Charles A; Berven, Sigurd H; Broadstone, Paul A; Choma, Theodore J; Goytan, Michael J; Noordeen, Hilali H; Knapp, D Raymond; Hart, Robert A; Donaldson, William F; Boachie-Adjei, Oheneba; Shaffrey, Christopher I

    Study design

    Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected database.

    Objective

    To analyze the rate of complications, including neurologic deficits, associated with operative treatment of pediatric isthmic and dysplastic spondylolisthesis.

    Summary of background data

    Pediatric isthmic and dysplastic spondylolisthesis are relatively uncommon dis-orders. Several prior studies have suggested a high rate of complication associated with operative intervention. How-ever, most of these studies were performed with sufficiently small sample sizes such that the presence of one complication could significantly affect the overall rate. The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) prospectively collects morbidity and mortality (M&M) data from its members. This multicentered, multisurgeon database permits analysis of the surgical treatment of this relatively rare condition on an aggregate scale and provides surgeons with useful information for preoperative counseling.

    Methods

    Patients who underwent surgical treatment for isthmic or dysplastic spondylolisthesis from 2004 to 2007 were identified from the SRS M&M database. Inclusion criteria for analysis included age ≤ 21 and a primary diagnosis of isthmic or dysplastic spondylolisthesis.

    Results

    Of 25,432 pediatric cases reported, there were a total of 605 (2.4%) cases of pediatric dysplastic (n ∇ 62, 10%) and isthmic (n ∇ 543, 90%) spondylolisthesis, with a mean age of 15 years (range, 4-21). Approximately 50% presented with neural element compression, and less than 1% of cases were revisions. Surgical procedures included fusions in 92%, osteotomies in 39%, and reductions in 38%. The overall complication rate was 10.4%. The most common complications included postoperative neurologic deficit (n ∇ 31, 5%), dural tear (n ∇ 8, 1.3%), and wound infection (n ∇ 12, 2%). Perioperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus were reported in 2 (0.3%) and 1 (0.2%) patients, respectively. There were no deaths in this series.

    Conclusion

    Pediatric isthmic and dysplastic spondylolisthesis are relatively uncommon disorders, representing only 2.4% of pediatric spine procedures in the present study. Even among experienced spine surgeons, surgical treatment of these spinal conditions is associated with a relatively high morbidity.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Neurologic Deficits Have a Negative Impact on Patient-Related Outcomes in Primary Presentation Adult Symptomatic Lumbar Scoliosis Surgical Treatment at One-Year Follow-up.
    (Spine, 2017-04) Kang, Daniel G; Baldus, Christine; Glassman, Steven D; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Lurie, Jon D; Bridwell, Keith H

    Study design

    A retrospective analysis of prospective, multicenter National Institute of Health clinical trial.

    Objective

    The aim of this study was to assess the rate of neurologic complications and impact of new neurologic deficits on 1-year postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

    Summary of background data

    There are limited studies evaluating the impact of new neurologic deficits on PROs following surgery for primary presentation adult lumbar scoliosis.

    Methods

    Patients were divided into two groups: new postoperative neurological deficit (Def) or no deficit (NoDef). Preoperative and 1-year follow-up PROs were analyzed [Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form-12 Physical/Mental Health Composite Scores (PCS/MCS), and back/leg pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)].

    Results

    One hundred forty-one patients: 14 Def (9.9%), 127 NoDef (90.1%). No differences were observed in demographic, radiographic, or PRO data between groups preoperatively. Def group had longer surgical procedures (8.3 vs. 6.9 hours, P = 0.030), greater blood loss (2832 vs. 2606 mL, P = 0.022), and longer hospitalizations (10.6 vs. 7.8 days, P = 0.004). NoDef group reported significant improvement in all PROs from preop to 1-year postoperative. Def group only had improvement in SRS Pain (2.7 preop to 3.4 postop, P = 0.037) and self-image domains (2.7 to 3.6, p = 0.004), and NRS back pain (6.6 to 3.2, P = 0.004) scores with significant worsening of NRS leg pain (4.1 to 6.1, P = 0.045). Group comparisons of 1-year postop PROs found that Def group reported more NRS leg pain (6.1 vs. 1.7, P < 0.001) and worse outcomes than NoDef group for ODI (35.7 vs. 23.1, P = 0.016) and PCS (32.6 vs. 41.9, P = 0.007).

    Conclusion

    We found a 9.9% rate of new neurologic deficits following surgery for symptomatic primary presentation adult lumbar scoliosis, much higher than previous studies. Most neurologic deficits improved by 1-year follow-up, but appeared to have a dramatic negative impact on PROs, with increased postoperative leg pain and greater patient-perceived pathology reported in patients experiencing neurological deficits compared with those who did not.

    Level of evidence

    3.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Rates of new neurological deficit associated with spine surgery based on 108,419 procedures: a report of the scoliosis research society morbidity and mortality committee.
    (Spine, 2011-07) Hamilton, D Kojo; Smith, Justin S; Sansur, Charles A; Glassman, Steven D; Ames, Christopher P; Berven, Sigurd H; Polly, David W; Perra, Joseph H; Knapp, Dennis Raymond; Boachie-Adjei, Oheneba; McCarthy, Richard E; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality Committee

    Study design

    Retrospective review of a prospectively collected, multicenter database.

    Objective

    To assess rates of new neurologic deficit (NND) associated with spine surgery.

    Summary of background data

    NND is a potential complication of spine surgery, but previously reported rates are often limited by small sample size and single-surgeon experiences.

    Methods

    The Scoliosis Research Society morbidity and mortality database was queried for spinal surgery cases complicated by NND from 2004 to 2007, including nerve root deficit (NRD), cauda equina deficit (CED), and spinal cord deficit (SCD). Use of neuromonitoring was assessed. Recovery was stratified as complete, partial, or none. Rates of NND were stratified based on diagnosis, age (pediatric < 21; adult ≥ 21), and surgical parameters.

    Results

    Of the 108,419 cases reported, NND was documented for 1064 (1.0%), including 662 NRDs, 74 CEDs, and 293 SCDs (deficit not specified for 35 cases). Rates of NND were calculated on the basis of diagnosis. Revision cases had a 41% higher rate of NND (1.25%) compared with primary cases (0.89%; P < 0.001). Pediatric cases had a 59% higher rate of NND (1.32%) compared with adult cases (0.83%; P < 0.001). The rate of NND for cases with implants was more than twice that for cases without implants (1.15% vs. 0.52%, P < 0.001). Neuromonitoring was used for 65% of cases, and for cases with new NRD, CED, and SCD, changes in neuromonitoring were reported in 11%, 8%, and 40%, respectively. The respective percentages of no recovery, partial, and complete recovery for NRD were 4.7%, 46.8%, and 47.1%, respectively; for CED were 9.6%, 45.2%, and 45.2%, respectively; and for SCD were 10.6%, 43%, and 45.7%, respectively.

    Conclusion

    Our data demonstrate that, even among skilled spinal deformity surgeons, new neurologic deficits are inherent potential complications of spine surgery. These data provide general benchmark rates for NND with spine surgery as a basis for patient counseling and for ongoing efforts to improve safety of care.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Retrospective analysis underestimates neurological deficits in complex spinal deformity surgery: a Scoli-RISK-1 Study.
    (Journal of neurosurgery. Spine, 2017-07) Kelly, Michael P; Lenke, Lawrence G; Godzik, Jakub; Pellise, Ferran; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Smith, Justin S; Lewis, Stephen J; Ames, Christopher P; Carreon, Leah Y; Fehlings, Michael G; Schwab, Frank; Shimer, Adam L
    OBJECTIVE The authors conducted a study to compare neurological deficit rates associated with complex adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery when recorded in retrospective and prospective studies. Retrospective studies may underreport neurological deficits due to selection, detection, and recall biases. Prospective studies are expensive and more difficult to perform, but they likely provide more accurate estimates of new neurological deficit rates. METHODS New neurological deficits were recorded in a prospective study of complex ASD surgeries (pSR1) with a defined outcomes measure (decrement in American Spinal Injury Association lower-extremity motor score) for neurological deficits. Using identical inclusion criteria and a subset of participating surgeons, a retrospective study was created (rSR1) and neurological deficit rates were collected. Continuous variables were compared with the Student t-test, with correction for multiple comparisons. Neurological deficit rates were compared using the Mantel-Haenszel method for standardized risks. Statistical significance for the primary outcome measure was p < 0.05. RESULTS Overall, 272 patients were enrolled in pSR1 and 207 patients were enrolled in rSR1. Inclusion criteria, defining complex spinal deformities, and exclusion criteria were identical. Sagittal Cobb measurements were higher in pSR1, although sagittal alignment was similar. Preoperative neurological deficit rates were similar in the groups. Three-column osteotomies were more common in pSR1, particularly vertebral column resection. New neurological deficits were more common in pSR1 (pSR1 17.3% [95% CI 12.6-22.2] and rSR1 9.0% [95% CI 5.0-13.0]; p = 0.01). The majority of deficits in both studies were at the nerve root level, and the distribution of level of injury was similar. CONCLUSIONS New neurological deficit rates were nearly twice as high in the prospective study than the retrospective study with identical inclusion criteria. These findings validate concerns regarding retrospective cohort studies and confirm the need for and value of carefully designed prospective, observational cohort studies in ASD.
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    Short-term complications associated with surgery for high-grade spondylolisthesis in adults and pediatric patients: a report from the scoliosis research society morbidity and mortality database.
    (Neurosurgery, 2012-07) Kasliwal, Manish K; Smith, Justin S; Shaffrey, Christopher I; Saulle, Dwight; Lenke, Lawrence G; Polly, David W; Ames, Christopher P; Perra, Joseph H

    Background

    Although it is generally agreed upon that surgery for high-grade spondylolisthesis (HGS) is associated with more complications than low-grade spondylolisthesis, its description is primarily based on case reports and relatively small case series.

    Objective

    To assess short-term complication rates associated with the surgical treatment of HGS in pediatric and adult patients and to identify factors associated with increased complication rates.

    Methods

    All cases of HGS from the Scoliosis Research Society Morbidity and Mortality database for the year 2007 were reviewed. Patients were classified as pediatric (≤18 years) or adult (>18 years). Complications were tabulated, and the rates were compared between the patient groups and based on clinical and surgical factors.

    Results

    165 cases of HGS were reported (88 pediatric, 77 adult). There were 49 complications (29.7%) in 41 patients (24.8%), with no difference in the proportions of pediatric vs adult patients with a complication (P = .86). Occurrence of new neurological deficit after surgery was the most common complication, seen in 19 (11.5%) patients. Performance of an osteotomy was associated with a higher incidence of new neurological deficits in both adult and pediatric groups (P = .02 and P = .012, respectively). Although most of the new neurological deficits improved over follow-up, 10% had no improvement.

    Conclusion

    This study provides short-term complication rates associated with surgical treatment for HGS in adult and pediatric patients and may prove valuable for patient counseling, surgical planning, and in efforts to improve the safety of patient care.
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    Surgical management of high-grade paediatric spondylolisthesis: meta-analysis and systematic review.
    (European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2023-02) Koucheki, Robert; Rocos, Brett; Gandhi, Rajiv; Lewis, Stephen J; Lebel, David E

    Purpose

    There is currently no consensus on the management of high-grade spondylolisthesis (HGS) in paediatric populations. The objective of this analysis is to compare the outcomes of reduction followed by fusion (RFF) or in situ fusion (ISF) in paediatric patients.

    Methods

    Using major databases, a systematic literature search was performed. Primary studies comparing ISF with RFF in paediatric and adolescent patients were identified. Study data including patient-reported outcomes, complications, and spinopelvic parameters were collected and analysed.

    Results

    Seven studies were included, comprising 97 ISF and 131 RFF. Average patient age was 14.4 ± 2.1 years and follow up was 8.2 ± 5.1 years. Patients undergoing RFF compared to patients undergoing ISF alone were less likely to develop pseudarthrosis (RR 0.51, 95% CI, [0.26, 0.99], p = 0.05). On average, RFF led to 11.97º more reduction in slip angle and 34.8% more reduction in sagittal translation (p < 0.00001) compared to ISF. There was no significant difference between patient satisfaction and pain at follow up. Neurologic complications and reoperation rates were not significantly different.

    Conclusions

    Both RFF and ISF are effective techniques for managing HGS. Performing a reduction followed by fusion reduces the likelihood of pseudarthrosis in paediatric patients. The difference between risk of neurologic complications, need for reoperation, patient satisfaction, and pain outcomes did not reach statistical significance. Correlation with patient-reported outcomes still needs to be further explored. LEVEL 3 EVIDENCE: Meta-analysis of Level 3 studies.
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    Tumor necrosis factor α antagonism improves neurological recovery in murine intracerebral hemorrhage.
    (J Neuroinflammation, 2013-08-20) Lei, Beilei; Dawson, Hana N; Roulhac-Wilson, Briana; Wang, Haichen; Laskowitz, Daniel T; James, Michael L
    BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating stroke subtype characterized by a prominent neuroinflammatory response. Antagonism of pro-inflammatory cytokines by specific antibodies represents a compelling therapeutic strategy to improve neurological outcome in patients after ICH. To test this hypothesis, the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) antibody CNTO5048 was administered to mice after ICH induction, and histological and functional endpoints were assessed. METHODS: Using 10 to 12-week-old C57BL/6J male mice, ICH was induced by collagenase injection into the left basal ganglia. Brain TNF-α concentration, microglia activation/macrophage recruitment, hematoma volume, cerebral edema, and rotorod latency were assessed in mice treated with the TNF-α antibody, CNTO5048, or vehicle. RESULTS: After ICH induction, mice treated with CNTO5048 demonstrated reduction in microglial activation/macrophage recruitment compared to vehicle-treated animals, as assessed by unbiased stereology (P = 0.049). This reduction in F4/80-positive cells was associated with a reduction in cleaved caspase-3 (P = 0.046) and cerebral edema (P = 0.026) despite similar hematoma volumes, when compared to mice treated with vehicle control. Treatment with CNTO5048 after ICH induction was associated with a reduction in functional deficit when compared to mice treated with vehicle control, as assessed by rotorod latencies (P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Post-injury treatment with the TNF-α antibody CNTO5048 results in less neuroinflammation and improved functional outcomes in a murine model of ICH.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Video training and certification program improves reliability of postischemic neurologic deficit measurement in the rat.
    (Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, 2016-12) Taninishi, Hideki; Pearlstein, Molly; Sheng, Huaxin; Izutsu, Miwa; Chaparro, Rafael E; Goldstein, Larry B; Warner, David S
    Scoring systems are used to measure behavioral deficits in stroke research. Video-assisted training is used to standardize stroke-related neurologic deficit scoring in humans. We hypothesized that a video-assisted training and certification program can improve inter-rater reliability in assessing neurologic function after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. Three expert raters scored neurologic deficits in post-middle cerebral artery occlusion rats using three published systems having different complexity levels (3, 18, or 48 points). The system having the highest point estimate for the correlation between neurologic score and infarct size was selected to create a video-assisted training and certification program. Eight trainee raters completed the video-assisted training and certification program. Inter-rater agreement ( Κ: score) and agreement with expert consensus scores were measured before and after video-assisted training and certification program completion. The 48-point system correlated best with infarct size. Video-assisted training and certification improved agreement with expert consensus scores (pretraining = 65 ± 10, posttraining = 87 ± 14, 112 possible scores, P < 0.0001), median number of trainee raters with scores within ±2 points of the expert consensus score (pretraining = 4, posttraining = 6.5, P < 0.01), categories with Κ:  > 0.4 (pretraining = 4, posttraining = 9), and number of categories with an improvement in the Κ: score from pretraining to posttraining (n = 6). Video-assisted training and certification improved trainee inter-rater reliability and agreement with expert consensus behavioral scores in rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Video-assisted training and certification may be useful in multilaboratory preclinical studies.
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    What is the Optimal Surgical Method for Achieving Correction and Avoiding Neurological Complications in Pediatric High-grade Spondylolisthesis?
    (Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2021-03) Rocos, Brett; Strantzas, Samuel; Zeller, Reinhard; Lewis, Stephen; Tan, Tony; Lebel, David

    Background

    Controversy persists in the treatment of high-grade spondylolisthesis (HGS). Surgery is recommended in patients with intrusive symptoms and evidence debates the competing strategies. This study compares the radiologic outcomes and postoperative complications at a minimum of 2 years follow-up for patients with HGS treated with instrumented fusion with partial reduction (IFIS) with those treated with reduction, decompression, and instrumented fusion (RIF). We hypothesize that IFIS leads to a lower rate of complication and revision surgery than RIF.

    Methods

    A retrospective comparative methodology was used to analyze consecutive HGS treated surgically between 2006 and 2017. Patients diagnosed with ≥grade 3 spondylolisthesis treated with arthrodesis before the age of 18 years with a minimum of 2 years follow-up were included. Patients were excluded if surgery did not aim to achieve arthrodesis or was a revision procedure. Cases were identified through departmental and neurophysiological records.

    Results

    Thirty patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up was 4 years. Ten patients underwent IFIS and the remaining 20 underwent RIF. The 2 groups showed no difference in demographics, grade of slip, deformity or presenting symptoms. Of 10 treated with IFIS, the SA reduced by a mean of 10 degrees and C7 sagittal vertical line changed by 31 mm. In the RIF cohort, SA reduced by 16 degrees and C7 sagittal vertical line reduced by 26 mm. PT was unchanged in both groups. In IFIS cohort, 2 patients showed postoperative weakness, resolved by 2 years. None required revision surgery. In the RIF group, 4 sustained dural tears and 1 a laminar fracture, 7 showed postoperative weakness or dysaesthesia, 3 of which had not resolved by 2 years. Eight patients underwent unplanned further surgery, 3 for pseudarthrosis.

    Conclusions

    RIF and IFIS show similar radiologic outcomes. RIF shows a higher rate of unplanned return to surgery, pseudarthrosis and persisting neurological changes.

    Level of evidence

    Level III-retrospective comparative study.