We present a case of myelitis in a 63-year-old woman with breast adenocarcinoma treated with pembrolizumab. MRI showed multiple T2-hyperintense lesions throughout the spinal cord, and CSF demonstrated lymphocytic pleocytosis. We discuss the differential diagnosis of myelitis in the setting of […]

This review systematically evaluates and incorporates evidence for the use of epidural steroid injections (ESIs) in cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis and radiculopathies, assessing short-term (≤3 months) and long-term (≥6 months) improvements in pain and disability./r/nWe searched databases […]

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and its related indexes (TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, TyG-WHtR) are effective markers for screening metabolic diseases like insulin resistance (IR). However, few studies have explored the relationship between the TyG and its related indexes with bone density (BMD), […]

Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal antibody targeting the B-cell CD20 surface antigen used as a prophylactic treatment for Aquaporin 4-immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG)-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, a consensus regarding dosage and maintenance intervals is lacking, and […]

Spinal astroblastoma is a rare highly malignant tumor that mainly affects children. We review the few cases described in the literature and highlight the challenges of managing this neoplasm by illustrating a case recently treated at our institutions. To our knowledge, this is the first published […]

This case report presents the management of tachycardiomyopathy (TCM) in a patient with Friedreich ataxia, a hereditary disorder characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and associated cardiac complications. The patient exhibited severe tachycardia-induced cardiac dysfunction, complicating […]

There is a scarcity of literature exploring fluid-based biomarkers that have the potential to provide deeper insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) symptom presentation and postoperative recovery. This systematic review synthesized the literature on […]

Giant calcified thoracic discs are challenging surgical pathologies that tend to be more centrally located and calcified. This complicates the removal process and potentiates the formation of dural defects, resulting in persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and the formation of pleural […]

Cervical fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are complex and carry significant morbidity and mortality due to the progressive rigidity and brittle bone characteristic of the disease. This meta-analysis highlights the management techniques and outcomes of cervical fractures in […]

There is no conclusive evidence from evidence-based medicine that clarifies whether the efficacy and safety of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) differ significantly with or without auxiliary posterior fixation. This study embarks on a comprehensive comparative meta-analysis, delving into both […]

Robotic systems have emerged as a significant advancement in the field of spine surgery. They offer improved accuracy in pedicle screw placement and reduce intraoperative complications, hospital length of stay, blood loss, and radiation exposure. As the use of robotics in spine surgery continues to […]

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of graded activity compared to placebo, sham, or no treatment for pain and function in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain.

This multi-ancestry meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigated the genetic factors underlying chronic back pain (CBP) in a sample from the Million Veteran Program comprised of 553,601 Veterans of African (19.2%), European (72.6%), and Hispanic (8.2%) ancestry. The results […]

Unstable traumatic spinal injuries require surgical fixation to restore biomechanical stability./r/nThe purpose of this review was to summarize and quantify three-dimensional spinal stability after surgical fixation of traumatic thoracolumbar spinal injuries using different treatment strategies […]

Interesting Cases from Miami - Michael Wang, MD, MBA & Gregory Basil, MD

Tumor Talk - Dr. Sandro Krieg, Thomas Picht, MD, Tizian Rosenstock, MD, Francesco Vergani, MD

Pneumomediastinum in pregnancy has been described in around 200 cases, with an incidence of 1:100,000 pregnancies. The etiology is presumed to be either alveolar barotrauma secondary to the Valsalva maneuver (Hamman's syndrome) during the second stage of labor, or spontaneous esophageal rupture […]

A 79-year-old woman presented with persistent left leg pain following right-sided L4-5 minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Imaging studies revealed residual left L4-5 stenosis, a filum terminale lipoma, and no bone bridging. Additional left L4-5 decompression with […]

Severe iatrogenic ureteral injuries are uncommon but challenging clinical scenarios, mostly related to abdominal and gynecological surgery (1) but lately also to spinal surgery (2). Prompt management is mandatory to avoid impaired outcomes (3). Moreover, a minimally invasive approach is desirable […]

Spinal epidural abscesses are rare yet serious conditions, often necessitating emergency surgical intervention. Holospinal epidural abscesses (HEA) extending from the cervical to the lumbosacral spine are even rarer and present significant challenges in management. This report aims to describe a […]

Kümmell's disease is characterized by ischemic osteonecrosis and nonunion after osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, leading to intractable low back pain, pseudoarthrosis, kyphosis, and neurological dysfunction, which can seriously affect the quality of life and life expectancy of […]

With the increasing prevalence of adult spinal deformity (ASD) in the aging population, the need for corrective surgery has surged, highlighting the importance of preventing mechanical complications (MC) such as junctional kyphosis/failure and rod breakage. The Roussouly classification, which […]

Bone Health ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a virtual community of practice, where healthcare professionals have met via videoconferencing weekly since 2015. This model of learning is focused on short didactics and the presentation of real but de-identified patient cases […]

A 58-year-old man visited an orthopedic clinic complaining of pain in his right lower back and numbness in his lower limbs for one month. Imaging tests revealed a tumorous lesion from the left side of the second lumbar vertebra to the paraspinal muscles. CT-guided biopsy of the tumor was performed, […]

Halo-pelvic traction is a relatively safe treatment for preoperative spinal deformity correction in patients with severe scoliosis. Common device-related complications include local infection, back discomfort, and nerve compression symptoms. However, there are potential risks of mechanical […]

Associations of autoimmune diseases are rare but interesting and challenging situations from a diagnostic, pathophysiological, and therapeutic point of view. This article studies a rare association of autoimmune diseases by discussing the pathophysiological hypotheses and an original therapeutic […]

To systematically review the effects of alcohol consumption (AC) on disease-specific outcomes in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)./r/nA systematic review of observational studies on axSpA and AC was conducted. Multiple electronic databases were searched for keywords. Two investigators reviewed […]

This study aims to understand global and segmental spinal ROM in surgical and nonsurgical AIS patients./r/nThis systematic review examined segmental vertebral ROM in AIS patients using PubMed, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, and Web of Science until October 8th, 2023. Inclusion criteria were articles on […]

A systematic review of social cognition in hereditary ataxia patients: Evidence from neuroimaging studies.

Researchers have uncovered a surprising new role for netrin1, a crucial protein in neural development, as a regulator that limits bone morphogenetic protein signaling in the developing spinal cord.

We report a case of -associated autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia (SCAR8) presenting with a complex multisystemic phenotype, including highly elevated creatine kinase levels and lower-leg muscle atrophy. In addition to identifying two novel pathogenic variants in the gene, whole-exome […]

An international study has discovered that people living with the neurodegenerative condition spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are at higher risk of developing fatty liver disease, suggesting that SMA patients may face additional health problems over time. This finding raises significant concerns […]

AO Spine NA Webinar —Post-op Infection/Discitis/Osteomyletis

January 2023 In this month's update you will find the new export functionality that allows you to safely export your clinical cases directly from CaseFolio to your device. The post New in January: case export appeared first on myAO.

December 2022 You can now choose what you want to see on your myAO feed! In this month's update you will find a new feed design and experience divided into network activity and knowledge updates. The post New in December – A new feed experience appeared first on myAO.

AO Spine NA Webinar— Lateral Interbody: What is the Right Answer and When is it Trouble

Call for applications: AO Spine Education Commission Chairperson

Open call: AO Spine 2021 Research Start-up Grant