Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Spine Deform 2022 Jun 24. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 North Caroline Street, JHOC 5241, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.

Purpose: Few studies have explored the association between preoperative patient-reported measures and chronic opioid use following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. We sought to explore the association between preoperative duration of pain, as well as other patient-reported factors, and chronic opioid use after ASD surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our U. Read More

J Chiropr Med 2022 Mar 16;21(1):39-50. Epub 2022 Mar 16.

Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 8 weeks of biofeedback on reaction time and central somatosensory conduction time in patients with forward head posture and cervical radiculopathy.

Methods: We performed a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Seventy patients with forward head posture and cervical radiculopathy were randomly distributed into study and control groups. Read More

J Chiropr Med 2022 Mar 9;21(1):60-65. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Surgery, Midwest Spine & Brain Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to describe chiropractic care of the cervical spine for a patient who previously underwent cervical total disk replacement (CTDR) of the C5-6 and C6-7 disks.

Clinical Features: A 42-year-old female veteran of the U.S. Read More

Healthcare (Basel) 2022 Jun 13;10(6). Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Department of Neurosurgery, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Goyang 10444, Korea.

Doctors in primary hospitals can obtain the impression of lumbosacral radiculopathy with a physical exam and need to acquire medical images, such as an expensive MRI, for diagnosis. Then, doctors will perform a foraminal root block to the target root for pain control. However, there was insufficient screening medical image examination for precise L5 and S1 lumbosacral radiculopathy, which is most prevalent in the clinical field. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2022 Jun 20;102:75-79. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Department of Neurosurgery, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Objective: The relationship between lumbar disc herniation (LDH) size and the severity of preoperative pain and its impact on postoperative recovery is incompletely understood. This study was conducted to investigate the association between herniated disc fragment weight and pain before and after microdiscectomy.

Methods: A consecutive series of patients from an ongoing randomised controlled trial (ACTRN12616001360404) were included in this study. Read More

J Neurosurg Case Lessons 2022 Jun 13;3(24):CASE22105. Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Department of Neurosurgery, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.

Background: Spinal glomus arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare and can cause neurological morbidity due to spinal hemorrhage, venous hypertension, or mass effect.

Observations: The authors presented a rare case of spinal glomus AVM presenting with groin pain due to nerve root compression by a feeder aneurysm. A 41-year-old woman was referred to the hospital with initial right groin pain that had worsened over 2 months. Read More

Cureus 2022 May 19;14(5):e25147. Epub 2022 May 19.

Orthopaedics, Rothman Orthopaedics, Paramus, USA.

Introduction:  The innovative iCite tool applies the relative citation ratio (RCR) to gauge the time and field-adjusted scientific influence of a publication. This study examines scholarly effects on spine surgery to distinguish the impact made by orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and several other specialists.

Materials And Methods:  From 2013 to 2017, 100 of the highest RCR-rated articles were gathered for each of the following terms: cervical disc herniation (CDH), lumbar disc herniation (LDH), lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), neurogenic claudication (NC), radiculopathy (RAD), and sciatica (SC). Read More

Int J Spine Surg 2022 Jun 20. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA

Background: Veterans RAND 12-item (VR-12) physical component score (PCS) has been validated in both veteran and US citizen populations; however, its use for spine surgery populations has not been evaluated. This study aims to correlate the VR-12 PCS survey with legacy patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF).

Methods: A prospective surgical database was retrospectively assessed for MIS TLIFs performed at 1 level from March 2015 to June 2019. Read More

EFORT Open Rev 2021 Dec 10;6(12):1203-1213. Epub 2021 Dec 10.

1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Anterior cervical surgery (ACS) owes its development to various pioneering individuals whose revolutionary works form key advances and guide current medical decisions. This bibliometric study aimed to identify, analyse and visualize the main features of the most-cited papers in ACS. The citation count for the top 100 most-cited articles ranged from 148 to 1,197, and citations per year ranged from 3. Read More

Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 2022 Jun 20. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Engineering Center for Orthopaedic Research Excellence (E-CORE), Departments of Bioengineering and Orthopaedics, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.

Purpose: Anterior and posterior decompressions for cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy may lead to clinical improvements. However, patients with kyphotic cervical alignment have sometimes shown poor clinical outcomes with posterior decompression. There is a lack on report of mechanical analysis of the decompression procedures for kyphotic cervical alignment. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2022 9;2022:1385387. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Medicana Health Group Istanbul Bahçelievler Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Bahçelievler, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objective: Patients with a C6 radiculopathy-mimicking complaint are always in the gray zone if the diagnosis is not clear. The aim of the study is to make the diagnosis clear if the neck and shoulder pain is caused by a dynamic stenosis of the neural foramen at the C5-C6 level.

Methods: Patients with a C6 radiculopathy-mimicking complaint were included in the study. Read More

Cureus 2022 May 17;14(5):e25086. Epub 2022 May 17.

Neurological Surgery, American Neurospine Institute, Plano, USA.

Sarcopenia is a muscle-wasting disease common among older adults. The condition has been associated with adverse perioperative and postoperative outcomes following spinal surgery. The combination of this muscle-wasting syndrome and spondylolisthesis and how we approached the case makes it a compelling study for surgeons attempting to treat this patient population more effectively. Read More

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2022 May 28;219:107309. Epub 2022 May 28.

Department of Neurosurgery, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital & Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon; Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Pôle Technologie Santé, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address:

Background And Objectives: Optimal medical treatment for low back pain, sometimes associated to radicular pain, has yet to be established. Herniated nucleus pulposus has been found to release TNFα, a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in radiculopathy. Interestingly, Pentoxifylline (PTX), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, blocks the activity of TNFα. Read More

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2022 Jun 14;219:107340. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Neurosurgery Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Neurosciences Centre, Hospital CUF Porto, Portugal.

Ephaptic transmission has been proven as an alternative to chemical synaptic neural transmission and occurs in pathological situations, such as epilepsy and demyelination. Hereby, we report the case of an adult male that in 2012 was involved in a low-speed motorcycle accident with sacrum impact that from day three onwards reported unwanted penile movement when performing hallux and toe plantar flexion of the right foot. Urologic studies and perineal MRI were unremarkable but sacral MRI showed a significantly stenotic canal at the S1-S2 level while EMG displayed chronic moderate right S2 radiculopathy. Read More

Int J Spine Surg 2022 Jun 16. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Edward Ford Building, Fisher Road, NSW 2006, Australia.

Background: Adjacent segment disease (ASD) above a previous posterior lumbar instrumented fusion can be managed with minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion. Earlier procedures with stand-alone lateral cages risked nonunion, and lateral cages with separate lateral plates risked lumbar plexus injury and vertebral fracture. We investigated clinical and radiographic outcomes of an expandable lateral titanium interbody cage with an integrated lateral fixation (eLLIFp) device as a stand-alone treatment for symptomatic ASD above a previous posterior lumbar fusion and performed a comparative cost analysis of eLLIFp to alternative operations for ASD. Read More

Int J Spine Surg 2022 Jun 16. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Koç University School of Medicine, Neurosurgery Department, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: There are numerous radiological and anatomical studies on lumbar foramina in the literature, but there are no distinctive studies about the relationship between treatment and the type of foraminal stenosis. This study was conducted to better evaluate foraminal stenosis and to plan treatment accordingly.

Methods: Foraminal stenosis was divided into 2 groups: stable and unstable stenosis. Read More

J Bodyw Mov Ther 2022 Jul 18;31:102-112. Epub 2022 Mar 18.

Department of Health Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, 1516, Cyprus. Electronic address:

Background: Little attention has been given to support the use of slider and tensioner neural mobilization (NM) techniques for upper quadrant pain (UQP). The purpose of this study was to systematically review the effectiveness of these techniques in patients with UQP.

Method: The PubMed, Cochrane Library and EBSCOhost were searched without chronological restriction to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed pain changes following NM in the upper quadrant. Read More

J Magn Reson Imaging 2022 Jun 16. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Department of Radiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.

Global Spine J 2022 Jun 16:21925682221109562. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, 98546The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UK.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: Understanding the prevalence and outcome of motor deficits in degenerative cervical radiculopathy is important to guide management. We compared motor radiculopathy outcomes after conservative and surgical management, a particular focus being painful vs painless radiculopathy. Read More

BMJ Open 2022 Jun 15;12(6):e060373. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand

Introduction: Neck pain (NP) is a common musculoskeletal complaint and is increasing in prevalence. Current clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews recommended conservative, pharmacological and invasive interventions for individuals with NP. However, optimal management specifically for those who are middle-aged or older adults (≥45 years) is not available; and important considering our ageing population. Read More

Cureus 2022 May 9;14(5):e24863. Epub 2022 May 9.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyushu Central Hospital of the Mutual Aid Association of Public School Teachers, Fukuoka, JPN.

Background: Patients with advanced lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LCS) often prefer non-operative treatment owing to decreased physiological function and comorbidities. Although the therapeutic value of selective nerve root block (SNRB) for LCS is confirmed, there are few reports of its effectiveness in the elderly. We investigated the efficacy of SNRB for LCS in patients over 80 years of age. Read More

Am J Transl Res 2022 15;14(5):3547-3553. Epub 2022 May 15.

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University Chungcheongbuk-do 28644, Korea.

Lumbar facet-joint synovial cysts are an important cause of back pain and radiculopathy. Treatment options for facet-joint synovial cysts include surgical excision, facet-joint steroid injections, and facet-joint cyst aspiration. Although percutaneous facet-joint synovial cyst aspiration is an effective and minimally invasive procedure for treating patients with symptomatic facet-joint synovial cysts, its success rate is known to be low. Read More

J Magn Reson Imaging 2022 Jun 14. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Department of Radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Background: Lower back pain is often evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and conventional imaging, which provide incomplete information about the etiology of pain and lead to less than optimal management.

Hypothesis: MR neurography (MRN) of the lumbosacral (LS) plexus renders a more accurate diagnosis, alters the management strategy, and clinical outcomes of radiculopathy or failed back surgery Syndrome (FBSS) patients when compared to the conventional imaging modalities.

Study Type: Retrospective, cross-sectional. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 May 25;19(11). Epub 2022 May 25.

Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University in Bratislava, Nábrežie Armádneho Generála Ludvíka Svobodu 9, 814 69 Bratislava, Slovakia.

The knowledge of the COVID-19 symptomatology has increased since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The symptoms of nervous system involvement have been observed across the spectrum of COVID-19 severity. Reports describing difficulties of nerve roots are rare; the affection of brain and spinal cord by SARS-CoV-2 is of leading interest. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2022 06 9;8(1):59. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Introduction: Although common in individuals with cancer as well as nerve root compression, neuropathic pain can be difficult to prevent and manage due to the complex pain mechanisms involved in its pathophysiology. Although contrast baths have a long history of use for pain management, there is little known about their efficacy in the acute rehabilitation setting or in patients with cancer related neuropathic pain.

Case Presentation: A 54-year-old man with multiple myeloma presented with progressive lower extremity weakness and 8/10 neuropathic pain intensity in both feet due to extensive myelomatous involvement of his lumbar spine. Read More

Case Rep Orthop 2022 30;2022:8338131. Epub 2022 May 30.

Department of Orthopedic, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

Background: Degenerated intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine are commonly found with vacuum phenomenon. In a few cases, gas can migrate into the lumbar spinal canal and compress the nerve root. . Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022 Jun 8;23(1):554. Epub 2022 Jun 8.

Connor Whole Health, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.

Background: Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (LMRI) is often performed early in the course of care, which can be discordant with guidelines for non-serious low back pain. Our primary hypothesis was that adults receiving chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (CSMT) for incident radicular low back pain (rLBP) would have reduced odds of early LMRI over 6-weeks' follow-up compared to those receiving other care (a range of medical care, excluding CSMT). As a secondary hypothesis, CSMT recipients were also expected to have reduced odds of LMRI over 6-months' and 1-years' follow-up. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2022 6;13:189. Epub 2022 May 6.

Department of Neurointervention, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.

Background: Vertebro-vertebral fistulas (VVF) are rare. Anatomically, they consist of an arteriovenous fistula, a direct pathological communication between vertebral veins (including the epidural vertebral venous plexus) and extradural vertebral artery. The various etiologies include trauma, iatrogenic, or spontaneous (e. Read More

Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2022 Jun 1;61:102596. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Background: Establishing a set of uniform classification criteria (CC) for cervical radiculopathy (CR) is required to aid future recruitment of homogenous populations to clinical trials.

Objectives: To establish expert informed consensus on CC for CR.

Design: A pre-defined four round e-Delphi study in accordance with the guidance on Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2022 19;13:836008. Epub 2022 May 19.

Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.

In neck pain treatment, many therapies are focused on etiology, while it is well-known that placebo analgesia is also present in these therapies. The specific efficacy for etiology may be underestimated by ignoring their actual placebo effect. In this study, a logistic regression analysis is used to explore the risk factors causing different placebo responses in patients with neck pain among two RCTs. Read More