Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Front Oncol 2022 7;12:902928. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

SOC Chirurgia Vertebro-Midollare, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Presidio Ospedaliero Universitario "Santa Maria della Misericordia" di Udine, Udine, Italy.

Introduction: The morbidity associated with metastatic spinal disease is significant because of spinal cord and/or nerve root compression. The purpose of this paper is to define a diagnostic-therapeutic path for patients with vertebral metastases and from this path to build an algorithm to reduce the devastating consequences of spinal cord compression.

Materials And Methods: The algorithm is born from the experience of a primary care center. Read More

Cureus 2022 May 22;14(5):e25212. Epub 2022 May 22.

Neurosurgery, Inova Neuroscience Institute, Falls Church, USA.

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is a common pathology of the lumbar spine. While the natural history is not well understood, there is a strong association with metabolic syndrome and endocrine dysfunction. Clinical presentation typically involves slow, progressive onset of radicular and myelopathic symptoms. Read More

World Neurosurg 2022 Jun 17. Epub 2022 Jun 17.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States of America. (2500 MetroHealth Drive Cleveland, Ohio 44109). Electronic address:

Background: Most vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are successfully managed conservatively, however, some patients fail conservative management and require further surgical treatment. Here, we identify significant variables that contribute to progressive vertebral collapse in non-operative treatment of traumatic VCFs.

Methods: A systematic review using PRISMA guidelines identified original research articles of conservatively managed VCF secondary to trauma from inception to September 2021. Read More

Cureus 2022 May 9;14(5):e24849. Epub 2022 May 9.

Family Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are around 1.7 million beds in certified nursing homes across the United States and approximately 1.3 million residents in long-term and end-of-life care. Read More

J Bone Miner Res 2022 Jun 12. Epub 2022 Jun 12.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.

Low vertebral bone mass is a major risk factor for vertebral compression fractures. While sarcopenia has been shown to be associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), it is not known whether trunk musculature is directly associated with lumbar BMD, and whether exercise modifies this association. Using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), we sought to determine the association of muscle density and fat fraction of the psoas, paraspinal, and oblique muscle groups with L3 lumbar volumetric BMD, and whether these associations were modified by exercise. Read More

Intern Med 2022 May 31. Epub 2022 May 31.

Nephrology Center + the Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital, Japan.

A 79-year-old man was admitted with a compression fracture of the first lumbar vertebra. His alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level was 35 IU/L, and his dual energy X-ray absorptiometry T score was -3.7 standard deviations, indicating osteoporosis. Read More

Medicina (Kaunas) 2022 May 23;58(5). Epub 2022 May 23.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.

Minimally invasive spine surgery reduces destruction of the paraspinal musculature and improves spinal stability. Nevertheless, screw loosening remains a challenging issue in osteoporosis patients receiving spinal fixation and fusion surgery. Moreover, adjacent vertebral compression fracture is a major complication, particularly in patients with osteoporosis. Read More

Adv Ther 2022 May 25. Epub 2022 May 25.

Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via De Crecchio, 4, 80138, Naples, Italy.

Introduction: Bone loss is a major issue in patients affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare musculoskeletal disorder, particularly in those treated with glucocorticoids (GCs). We aimed to assess the effectiveness of neridronate in terms of bone mineral density (BMD) changes in this population.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients affected by DMD receiving GCs referred to our outpatient from 2015 to 2020. Read More

Global Spine J 2022 May 20:21925682221103588. Epub 2022 May 20.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2468Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) may be complicated by subsidence, which can lead to significant morbidity including pain, disc space collapse, neural compression, segmental kyphosis, instability, and vertebral body fracture. This study sought to identify patient and procedural risk factors for subsidence in patients undergoing ALIF. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2022 May 18. Epub 2022 May 18.

Department of Spine Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.59 Haier Road, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.

Adjacent vertebral compression fracture (AVCF) is the primary factor affecting satisfaction after PKP surgery. In addition to osteoporosis, certain structural characteristics of the vertebral body itself also increase their risk. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of biomechanical changes on AVCF after balancing other factors. Read More

J Korean Neurosurg Soc 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

Department of Neurosurgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine.

Objective: Although several commercialized bone cements are used during percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), there are no reports using domestic products from South Korea. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of Spinofill® (Injecta Inc., Gunpo, South Korea), a new polymethyl methacrylate product. Read More

Radiol Med 2022 Jun 12;127(6):627-636. Epub 2022 May 12.

Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the management of vertebral compression fractures in clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective IRB-approved study included 497 consecutive patients with suspected acute vertebral fractures, imaged either by DECT (group 1) or MRI (group 2) before vertebroplasty. The site, number and type of fractures at imaging findings, and clinical outcome based on any change in pain (DELTA-VAS), before (VAS-pre) and after treatment (VAS-post), were determined and compared. Read More

Clin Spine Surg 2022 May 11. Epub 2022 May 11.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of New York State Inpatient Database years 2004-2013.

Objective: Assess rates of spinal diagnoses and procedures before and after bariatric surgery (BS).

Summary Of Background Data: BS for morbid obesity helps address common comorbidity burdens and improves quality of life for patients. Read More

Front Neurol 2022 25;13:866183. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.

Progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM) is a rare and disabling syndrome characterized by painful spasms, myoclonic jerks, hyperekplexia, brainstem signs, and dysautonomia, which is considered to be a severe form of stiff person spectrum disorder (SPSD) and is mostly associated with glycine receptor antibodies. The PERM has an acute or subacute course, with complex and varied initial symptoms mainly manifest as stiffness and pain. The authors present the case of a male patient admitted for intractable stiffness and paroxysmal myoclonus of the lower extremities preceded by a 5-day history of facial weakness. Read More

Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil 2022 6;13:21514593221100238. Epub 2022 May 6.

Department of Orthopedics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.

Introduction: Fragility vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are of major concern due to aging populations worldwide, which may occur after a fall from standing or due to severe osteoporosis, impacting greatly the life quality of the elderly. This study thus determined the factors independently associated with poor functional recovery from a new VCF and changes in sagittal spinal alignment after vertebroplasty in elderly patients with osteoporosis.

Materials And Methods: The data were collected from patients older than 70 years and diagnosed with a new VCF. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2022 May;35(5):423-9

Department of Orthopaedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu 610000, Sichuan, China.

Objective: To investigate the effects of different bone cement morphology distribution on the clinical efficacy of unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) for spinal osteoporotic fractures.

Methods: The clinical data of 66 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures received unilateral PVP treatment from January 2019 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 16 males and 50 females, including 83 vertebral bodies, 45 thoracic vertebrae and 38 lumbar vertebrae, and 55 patients with single-segment, 6 double-segment, 4 three-segment and 1 four-segment. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2022 Jul 6;101:47-51. Epub 2022 May 6.

UT Southwestern, Department of Neurological Surgery, United States. Electronic address:

Study Design: Retrospective Single-Center Review of Data at a Level 1 Trauma Center.

Objective: Compare deformity correction and surgical outcomes of percutaneous instrumentation and open fusion in traumatic thoracolumbar fractures.

Methods: In our retrospective study, all patients undergoing elective spine surgery for TL fractures at a Level 1 trauma center between 2000 and 2017 were reviewed. Read More

Stapp Car Crash J 2021 11;65:189-216

U.S. Army DEVCOM DAC, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA.

Fracture to the lumbo-pelvis region is prevalent in warfighters seated in military vehicles exposed to under-body blast (UBB). Previous high-rate vertical loading experimentation using whole body post-mortem human surrogates (PMHS) indicated that pelvis fracture tends to occur earlier in events and under higher magnitude seat input conditions compared to lumbar spine fracture. The current study hypothesizes that fracture of the pelvis under high-rate vertical loading reduces load transfer to the lumbar spine, thus reducing the potential for spine fracture. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022 Apr 30;23(1):407. Epub 2022 Apr 30.

Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University of PLA, No. 169 West Changle Road, Shaanxi Province, 710032, Xi'an, China.

Background: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and effect on instrument-related facet joints between fixed-axis pedicle screw (FAPS) and monoplanar pedicle screw (MPPS).

Methods: 816 pedicle screws of 204 patients with thoracolumbar vertebral fractures (TLVF) who underwent internal fixation surgery were analyzed in this retrospective study. All patients were divided into two groups (FAPS and MPPS). Read More

Spine Surg Relat Res 2022 11;6(2):99-108. Epub 2021 Oct 11.

Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico.

Background: A thoracolumbar burst fracture (BF) is a severe type of compression fracture, which is the most common type of traumatic spine fractures. Generally, surgery is the preferred treatment, but whether the optimal approach is either an anterior or a posterior approach remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether either method provides an advantage. Read More

Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2022 Apr 22. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to evaluate the central nervous system (CNS) in dogs; however, published studies describing the MRI appearance of cranial and vertebral osteosarcoma are scarce. In this multicenter, retrospective, case series study, MRI studies of 35 dogs with cranial or vertebral osteosarcoma were prospectively scored by consensus of two veterinary radiologists. Recorded characteristics were location, signal intensity (compared to gray matter), homogeneity, contrast enhancement, margin delineation, local invasion, osteolysis, osteosclerosis, zone of transition, periosteal proliferation, pathological fracture, meningeal/CNS involvement, and presence of metastatic disease. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2022 Mar 11;101(10):e29011. Epub 2022 Mar 11.

Department of Anesthesia Institute, HangZhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medical. No. 453 Tiyuchang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.

Abstract: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of minimally invasive pedicle screw (MIPS) fixation, including the fractured vertebra, combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for the treatment of acute thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fracture in middle-age and elderly individuals.Between January 2016 and August 2019, a total of 30 patients, with a mean age of 69.4 years (range, 58-75 years), who experienced thoracic or lumbar fracture without neurological deficits, underwent the MIPS procedure combined with PVP. Read More

Acta Ortop Mex 2021 Sep-Oct;35(5):453-456

Instituto Allende de Cirugía Reconstructiva. Departamento de Cirugía Espinal. Sanatorio Allende. Córdoba, Argentina.

Thoracolumbar burst fractures are a great challenge for spine surgeons and that is why the aim of this study was to perform a systematic review analyzing the current literature regarding the different factors to take into account in their management. Systematic search in PubMed, Cochrane, MedlinePlus sites. "Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures" were the keywords. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022 Apr 13;23(1):356. Epub 2022 Apr 13.

Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Spine Unit; Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital, 47-83 bd de l'hôpital, 75013, Paris, France.

Background: The restauration of the local kyphosis is crucial to thoracolumbar fractures outcomes. Recently, the Tektona™ (Spine Art) system, constituted by a flexible lamella for corporeal reduction has emerged as a promising solution for osteoporotic fractures. However, no study has yet focused on its results on traumatic fractures. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2022 4;13:78. Epub 2022 Mar 4.

Department of Radiology, Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.

Background: Filum terminale arteriovenous fistulas (FTAVFs) are rare and usually classified as intradural ventral AVFs or Type IVa perimedullary fistulas, located on the pia surface along the course of filum terminale internum (FTI). We report an extremely rare case of sacral dural arteriovenous fistula of the FT. We also review the occurrence of FTAVFs in the sacral region. Read More

Insights Imaging 2022 Mar 26;13(1):56. Epub 2022 Mar 26.

Department of Radiology, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China.

Background: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a low-grade malignant vascular neoplasm with the potential to metastasize. Primary EHE of the spine is very rare and an accurate diagnosis is crucial to treatment planning. We aim to investigate the imaging and clinical data of spinal EHE to improve the understanding of the disease. Read More

Medicina (Kaunas) 2022 Mar 1;58(3). Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kobe Red Cross Hospital, Kobe 651-0073, Japan.

: The thoracolumbar burst fracture is one of the most common spinal injuries. If the patient has severe symptoms, corpectomy is indicated. Currently, minimally invasive corpectomy with a navigated expandable vertebral cage is available thanks to spinal surgical technology. Read More

Healthcare (Basel) 2022 Mar 8;10(3). Epub 2022 Mar 8.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.

Bone loss leading to fragility fracture is a highly prevalent late effect in hematopoietic stem-cell transplant patients, who are affected 8-9 times more than the general population, particularly for vertebral compression fractures. Spinal interventions such as lumbar epidural steroid injections and vertebral augmentation may be helpful for providing pain relief and improved function, quality of life and return to ambulation. However, interventional procedures should be approached with caution in these patients. Read More

J Bone Metab 2022 Feb 28;29(1):43-49. Epub 2022 Feb 28.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ewha Womans University, College of Medicine, Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Background: T-score discordance between the spine and hip is commonly observed when dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is used to diagnose osteoporosis. However, information is scarce regarding the prevalence and risk factors for this problem in Korea. This study evaluated the prevalence of major/minor discordance and associated risk factors in elderly Korean patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Read More

J Biomech 2022 04 16;135:111051. Epub 2022 Mar 16.

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.

Vehicle safety systems have substantially decreased motor vehicle crash-related injuries and fatalities, but injuries to the lumbar spine still have been reported. Experimental and computational analyses of upright and, particularly, reclined occupants in frontal crashes have shown that the lumbar spine can be subjected to simultaneous and out-of-phase combined axial compression and flexion loading. Lumbar spine failure tolerance in combined compression-flexion has not been widely explored in the literature. Read More