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Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Jun;99(24):e20743

Department of Orthopedics, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Military Medical University, Chongqing.

Micoendoscopic discectomy (MED) and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) has become alternatives of the traditional open decompression surgery alone and decompression plus fusion surgery in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). To date, there is no study focusing on the comparison of clinical outcomes after MED and MIS-TLIF for LSS without spondylolisthesis.Four hundred ninety-seven patients who underwent MED (236 cases) or MIS-TLIF (261 cases) for LSS without spondylolisthesis were included in this study. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Oct;32(10):965-970

Department of Orthopaedics, Tianyou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China;

Objective: To compare the clinical results between the Wiltse approach and traditional approach in lumbar fusion.

Methods: The clinical data of 70 patients with lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spondylolisthesis within Meyerding II degree who underwent lumbar fusion surgery from May 2016 to May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgical approach, the patients were divided into Wiltse approach group and traditional approach group. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Oct;32(10):882-885

Department of Orthopaedics, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang, China;

Objective: To explore related risk factors of postoperative wound infection in lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Methods: The clinical data of 296 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis underwent posterior decompression and fusion from January 2013 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether the wound was infected or not, the patients were divided into infection group and non-infection group. Read More

Orthop Clin North Am 2020 Jul 19;51(3):423-425. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, 1211 Union Avenue, Suite 510, Memphis, TN 38104, USA.

When the guidelines of the North American Spine Society concerning deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis were followed, only 2 (0.63%) of 315 patients with minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions developed DVT complications over a 9-year period. Based on these findings, mechanical DVT prophylaxis appears to be adequate in patients undergoing elective spinal surgery, with no current support for pharmacologic prophylaxis. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 May 17. Epub 2020 May 17.

Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai 200003, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Objective: To propose and validate a novel and comprehensive classification of lumbosacral spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in the pediatric population according to surgical managements.

Methods: Cases of pediatric lumbosacral (L5/S1 level) spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis were reviewed. Lumbar Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) score, health related quality of life (HRQOL) which was assessed, spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral disc degenerative, and dysplastic features were included for evaluation of outcomes after surgery. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Apr 21;10(1):6739. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.

Lumbar spondylolysis generally occurs in adolescent athletes. Bony union can be expected with conservative treatment, however, the fracture does not heal in some cases. When the fracture becomes a pseudoarthrosis, spondylolysis patients have the potential to develop isthmic spondylolisthesis. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2020 Apr 17:1-8. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

1Department of Spine Surgery, Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing; and.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate sagittal alignment and compensatory mechanisms in patients with monosegmental spondylolysis (mono_lysis) and multisegmental spondylolysis (multi_lysis).

Methods: A total of 453 adult patients treated for symptomatic low-grade spondylolytic spondylolisthesis were retrospectively studied at a single center. Patients were divided into 2 subgroups, the mono_lysis group and the multi_lysis group, based on the number of spondylolysis segments. Read More

Surg Technol Int 2020 May;36:457-463

Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy, Department of Neuroscience, Neurosurgery Section, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.

Introduction: Chronic low back pain can be due to many different causes, including degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). For patients who do not respond to conservative management, surgery remains the most effective treatment. Open laminectomy alone and laminectomy and fusion (LF) for DS have been widely investigated, however, no meta-analyses have compared minimally invasive decompression with posterior elements preservation (MID) techniques and LF. Read More

Acta Ortop Mex 2019 Sep-Oct;33(5):308-313

National Institute of Rehabilitation «Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra», Mexico.

IntroducciÓn: Los cambios en el ligamento flavum (LF) relacionados con la degeneración son secundarios al proceso de envejecimiento o a la inestabilidad mecánica. Estudios anteriores han indicado que LF con envejecimiento muestra pérdida de fibras elásticas y aumento del contenido de colágeno, la pérdida de elasticidad puede hacer que el LF se pliegue en el canal espinal, disminuyendo su espacio.

Material Y MÉtodos: Se incluyeron 67 pacientes operados de estenosis lumbar espinal (LSS), hernia de disco lumbar (LDH) y espondilolistesis degenerativa (LDS). Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Apr;99(14):e19639

Lumbar fusion has been widely used to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis, which can be classified into 5 types according to its approach, including posterolateral fusion (PLF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), posterolateral fusion plus anterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLFplusALIF), and posterolateral fusion plus posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLFplusPLIF). Theoretically, each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, however, no studies are available to compare them.A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed in this study and the results were illustrated by the mean difference (MD) or odds ratio (OR). Read More

Surg Technol Int 2020 May;36:467-470

Atlantic Spine Center, West Orange, NJ.

Objectives: To describe a transforaminal endoscopic spinal decompression technique for treating adult patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis and report preliminary surgical and radiological results.

Background: Spondylolisthesis is prevalent in the general population. Surgical approaches for symptomatic spondylolisthesis that is refractory to conservative treatment vary. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Mar;99(12):e19578

Department of Spine Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University.

Introduction: Spondyloptosis is a form of vertebral dislocation and the most advanced form of spondylolisthesis. Traumatic spondyloptosis is usually caused by high-energy impact and results in unstable spine deformity and spinal canal deformation, which lead to severe spinal cord injury. Traumatic spondyloptosis is mostly reported in the lumbo-sacral junction, while it is rarely documented in mid-lumbar segments. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2020 Mar;34(3):294-299

Department of Orthopedics, Jingzhou Center Hospital, Jingzhou Hubei, 434020, P.R.China.

Objective: To investigate the early effctiveness of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) combined with pedicle screw fixation via small incision Wiltse approach for the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Methods: Between January 2016 and December 2016, 21 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis were treated with OLIF and pedicle screw fixation via small incision Wiltse approach. There were 9 males and 12 females, aged 57-73 years, with an average age of 64. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Mar;99(10):e19205

Department of Neurosurgery, Spine Center, The Leon Wiltse Memorial Hospital, Anyang, South Korea.

Retrospective observational cohort study.We used observational measures and retrospective chart reviews to compare elderly patients with osteoporosis who underwent multi-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with either posterolateral fusion (PLF) or percutaneous pedicle screw fixation.Multi-level ALIF with PLF is used to save the posterior element of the spine and improve fusion rates in elderly patients with osteoporosis. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Jan;99(4):e18944

Department of Spine Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital.

Introduction: Direct repair of the pars defect in lumbar spondylolysis is an effective surgical procedure, but it is technically challenging. We assessed the feasibility of a new robotic system for intralaminar screw fixation of spondylolysis.

Patient Concerns: A 26-year-old man complained about frequent low back pain after failed conservative treatments. Read More

Spine Deform 2020 02 16;8(1):123-127. Epub 2020 Jan 16.

Graduate School of Health Science, Sapporo Medical University, 17 Chome Minami 1 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8556, Japan.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate sacral table angle (STA) values in early-stage spondylolysis. Several studies suggested that the STA of patients with L5 spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis was significantly lower than that of healthy controls. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Mar 27;135:280-296. Epub 2019 Dec 27.

Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA.

Objective: Iatrogenic ureteral injury associated with lumbar spine surgery is an uncommon but devastating complication with associated medicolegal implications.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the English language literature published between 1954 and 2019, accessed through 4 popular databases. We found 44 articles (28 case reports, 9 case-based reviews, 4 case series, 1 original article, 1 case illustration, and 1 pictorial) containing 46 cases of ureteral injuries after posterior or lateral lumbar spine surgery. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Mar 26;135:e671-e678. Epub 2019 Dec 26.

Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Objective: The purposes of the present study were to introduce an indirect decompression using oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion combined with anterolateral screw fixation (OLIF-AF) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease and examine the clinical efficacy and radiographic outcomes.

Methods: A total of 65 patients had undergone single-level OLIF-AF at L2-L5 from December 2017 to August 2018. The cross-sectional area of the thecal sac was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 01;133:446

Department of Orthopaedics, Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University Affiliated Chencun Hospital, Foshan, China.

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019 Dec 26;20(1):618. Epub 2019 Dec 26.

MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, Hampshire, UK.

Background: To explore the relationship between radiographic spondylolisthesis and occupational factors in a case-control study nested within the Wakayama Spine Study (WSS).

Methods: The WSS is a cross-sectional observational study amongst Japanese adults. All participants completed a lifetime occupational history and underwent X-rays of the lumbar spine (L1-S1) according to a pre-defined protocol. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Dec;32(12):1156-1159

Department of Spinal Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan, China.

Objective: To investigate the long-term effect of posterior lumbar pedicle screw fixation combined with isthmus bone grafting and fusion in young patients with spondylolysis.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out, consisting of 16 young patients with lumbar spondylolysis without spondylolisthesis treated by lumbar posterior pedicle screw fixation combined with isthmic bone grafting fusion from January 2006 to July 2014. There were 11 males and 5 females, aged from 18 to 21 years old, with an average age of 19. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Dec;98(49):e18157

Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung-Hee University.

The objective of this study is to investigate the role of paraspinal muscles in the progression of different types of spondylolisthesis by examining the correlation between cross-sectional area (CSA) of lumbar paraspinal muscle and slip percentage (SP) in degenerative spondylolisthesis and isthmic spondylolisthesis.A multicenter retrospective analysis was carried out including 219 subjects diagnosed with lumbar spondylolisthesis. Using T2-weighted axial magnetic resonance imgaging, CSAs of the psoas major (PM), multifidus (MU), and erector spinae were measured and divided by L5 vertebral body (VB) CSA. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Dec;98(49):e18135

Department of Spine, Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.

Background: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) is one of the common orthopedic diseases which causes low back pain in patients, which seriously affects people's daily life and work. As a method of conservative treatment of this disease, manipulation is widely used in clinical practice. We will summarize the current published evidence of manipulation in the treatment of DLS, and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of manipulation through systematic review and meta-analysis, so as to provide more reliable evidence for future clinical practice. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2019 Nov 28;14(1):399. Epub 2019 Nov 28.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital, No. 139 Ziqiang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050051, China.

Background: To compare the clinical efficacy and radiographic analysis of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) and traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in treating degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

Methods: Grade I DLS patients admitted to the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. In sum, 78 patients that underwent OLIF (n = 31) and PLIF (n = 47) treatment of DLS were recruited. Read More

JAAPA 2019 12;32(12):50-51

Bethany Dunn is chair and program director of the PA program at D'Youville College in Buffalo, N.Y. The author has disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

World Neurosurg 2020 Feb 14;134:e944-e950. Epub 2019 Nov 14.

Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Electronic address:

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the technical details, clinical effectiveness, and complications of oblique lateral interbody fusion supplemented with anterolateral screw-rod instrumentation in managing degenerative lumbar diseases.

Methods: The clinical data of 14 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who underwent oblique lateral interbody fusion and anterolateral screw-rod instrumentation in the Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, from April 2015 to May 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. The duration of operation, estimated blood loss, radiological exposure, length of hospital stay, and complications were recorded. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Feb 13;134:e920-e927. Epub 2019 Nov 13.

Department of Spine Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address:

Objective: To compare clinical and radiologic outcomes of unilateral pedicle screw (UPS) and bilateral pedicle screw (BPS) fixations after single-level oblique lateral interbody fusion procedures.

Methods: This retrospective study included 74 patients receiving single-level oblique lateral interbody fusion at L3-4 or L4-5 (June 2014 to June 2017). These patients were divided into BPS (n = 36) and UPS (n = 38) groups. Read More

Spine Deform 2019 11;7(6):945-949

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Study Design: Retrospective comparative case series.

Objectives: Evaluation of sacral morphology in spondylolisthesis patients compared with asymptomatic controls.

Summary Of Background Data: Patients with spondylolisthesis are known to differ from asymptomatic controls in sagittal plane anatomy, but few studies examine the coronal and axial plane differences in these cohorts. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2019 Nov 15;14(1):372. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

LifeNet Health, 1864 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23455, USA.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of absence from work, disability, and impaired quality of life. Fusion surgery may be indicated when non-operative treatments have failed to provide relief. Surgery may include the use of fusion-enhancing implants, such as cellular bone allografts (CBAs). Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Feb 11;134:e783-e789. Epub 2019 Nov 11.

Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, IAMSPE, São Paulo, Brazil.

Objectives: The treatments described for spinal synovial cysts range from percutaneous puncture to arthrodesis. There is a fear of postoperative instability after surgical resection of cysts, mainly when they are associated with degenerative spondylolisthesis. The objective of the article is to address the postoperative instability and recurrence rate of the symptoms after microsurgery without fusion. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2019 Dec;44(23):E1401-E1408

Twin Cities Spine Center, Minneapolis, MN.

Study Design: A level-3 retrospective cohort analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe obesity's effect on complications and outcomes in degenerative spondylolisthesis patients treated by minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI TLIF).

Summary Of Background Data: Obesity is associated with a greater complication rate among lumbar spine surgery patients. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Feb 4;134:e657-e663. Epub 2019 Nov 4.

Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion can be performed without supplemental posterior instrumentation. Previous reports have shown favorable results with stand-alone lateral lumbar interbody fusion (SA-LLIF); however, a reoperation rate of up to 26% has been reported. It remains unclear what perioperative factors are associated with early failure after SA-LLIF. Read More

PLoS One 2019 7;14(11):e0224200. Epub 2019 Nov 7.

Canada East Spine Centre, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.

Objective: Identify patient subgroups defined by trajectories of pain and disability following surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, and investigate the construct validity of the subgroups by evaluating for meaningful differences in clinical outcomes.

Methods: We recruited patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis from 13 surgical spine centers who were deemed to be surgical candidates. Study outcomes (leg and back pain numeric rating scales, modified Oswestry disability index) were measured before surgery, and after 3, 12, and 24 months. Read More

Acta Orthop Belg 2019 Sep;85(3):269-273

This is a prospective randomized study to compare the outcome of two widely used fusion methods ; posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and posterolateral fusion (PLF) in treatment of adult low grade lytic spondylolisthesis to know which is ideal. 40 consecutive patients with single level lytic spondylolisthesis were randomly divided into two treatment groups when undergoing surgery. Blood loss and operative time were recorded. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019 Oct 29;20(1):499. Epub 2019 Oct 29.

Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via Pupilli 1, 40136, Bologna, Italy.

Background: Recently, various studies have reported the importance of distinguishing between balanced and unbalanced SL, sustaining the importance of SL reduction in unbalanced cases. In this study we present our experience in the treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis in young patients, observing the correlation between SL reduction and sagittal correlation between spine and pelvis.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of a series of patients treated surgically for isthmic spondylolisthesis. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2019 Oct;32(2):155-159

1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Japan Community Healthcare Organization Osaka Hospital, Osaka City, Osaka.

Objective: Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screw insertion through a caudomedial starting point provides advantages in limiting dissection of the superior facet joints and reducing muscle dissection and the risk of superior-segment facet violation by the screw. These advantages of the cephalad CBT screw can result in lower rates of early cephalad adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with CBT screw fixation (CBT-PLIF) than those after PLIF using traditional trajectory screw fixation (TT-PLIF). Here, the authors investigated early cephalad ASD after CBT-PLIF and compared these results with those after TT-PLIF. Read More

Clin Spine Surg 2020 Mar;33(2):62-64

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Bryn Mawr, PA.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis with or without spondylolysis, multiply recurrent disk herniation, and degenerative disk disease commonly presents as back and leg pain, weakness and paresthesias. Surgical intervention, to include lumbar decompression with instrumented fusion with or without interbody fusion, is recommended to patients who are refractory to at least six weeks of nonoperative treatment, or patients with severe or progressive neurological deficits. This paper reviews the pre- and post-operative considerations, as well as the surgical technique, for a minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for the above conditions. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Sep;32(9):802-806

The Second Department of Spinal Surgery, Wangjing Hospital of Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Bone-setting Technology, Beijing 100102, China;

Objective: To explore the influence of individual characteristics of patients on the kinematics parameters of sitting lumbar spine manipulation.

Methods: From January 2016 to December 2016, 30 patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis were treatede, including 18 males and 12 females, aged from 45 to 61(52.33±2. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Sep;98(39):e17316

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intraoperative positions in single-level (L4-5) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) on segmental and overall lumbar lordosis (LL) in patients with lumbar degenerative disease. Thirty-eight consecutive patients who had undergone single-segment (L4-5) TLIF with 0° polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage and pedicle screw fixation were evaluated. Twenty patients underwent surgery on the four-poster type frame with hip flexion at 30° (Group I) and 18 patients were operated on a Jackson spinal table to adjust their hip flexion to 0° (Group II). Read More

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2019 Oct;29(10):1003-1005

Department of Spine Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China.

Pure spinal epidural cavernous hemangioma with contralateral symptoms is rarely reported. It will be very difficult to diagnose when it is complicated by contralateral symptoms. A 56-year female presented with pure lumbar epidural cavernous hemangioma with contralateral symptoms. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2019 09 24;163. Epub 2019 Sep 24.

Zuyderland Medisch Centrum, afd. Neurochirurgie, Heerlen.

Lumbar spondylolisthesis is usually asymptomatic. However, symptomatic spondylolisthesis results in back and/or leg pain such as radicular syndrome or neurogenic claudication. Variation in symptoms is caused by different types of spondylolisthesis. Read More

J Orthop Sci 2019 Nov 21;24(6):957-962. Epub 2019 Sep 21.

Department of Orthopaedics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Background: Only a few studies have described the effect of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) on the clinical results after lumbar surgery. The aim of the study is to clarify the associations between DISH and the clinical results after lumbar decompression surgery.

Methods: The outcomes of 328 consecutive patients who underwent primary lumbar decompression surgery for treatment of lumbar canal stenosis with or without grade I spondylolisthesis were analysed retrospectively. Read More

J Orthop Sci 2019 Nov 21;24(6):969-973. Epub 2019 Sep 21.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Integrated Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Kasumi 1-2-3, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.

Background: Recently, several authors reported that a high pelvic incidence (PI) might be a predisposing factor to the development of anterior slip in the vertebral body in degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). The purpose of this study was to analyze patients with DS using a multiple linear regression model, in terms of the correlation between the sagittal spinopelvic parameters and the severity of slip in each lumbar spine, including both anterior and posterior directions.

Methods: Standing lateral radiographs were taken of 104 patients (59 women and 45 men) with lower back pain. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jan 14;133:e452-e458. Epub 2019 Sep 14.

Department of Neurosurgery, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: The most common cause of contralateral symptoms after unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is contralateral foraminal stenosis (FS). This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the cause of and risk factors for contralateral FS after unilateral TLIF with a single cage.

Methods: Patients with degenerative lumbar spinal disorders who underwent unilateral TLIF at L4-5 were divided into 2 groups: those without contralateral radicular symptoms after surgery (group A; n = 340) and those with contralateral radicular symptoms after surgery (group B; n = 16). Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Dec 12;132:273-281. Epub 2019 Sep 12.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P. R. China. Electronic address:

Objective: Although many risk factors for cage retropulsion (CR) after lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) have been described in the literature, they still remain controversial. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors for CR after LIF.

Methods: The literature was searched in PubMed, Cochrane library, and Embase from October 2000 to October 2018. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jan 4;133:155-158. Epub 2019 Sep 4.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Pseudohypoxic brain swelling (PHBS), also known as postoperative intracranial hypotension-associated venous congestion, is a rare complication after neurosurgery characterized by rapid and often severe postoperative deterioration in consciousness and distinct imaging findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging findings associated with PHBS include computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings that resemble hypoxic changes and intracranial hypotensive changes in basal ganglia and thalamus, telencephalic, and infratentorial regions without notable changes in intracranial vasculature.

Case Description: This report describes the case of an L4-5 microdiskectomy with posterior decompression and fusion complicated by clinical and radiographic findings resembling PHBS without a known intraoperative durotomy. Read More

Bull Hosp Jt Dis (2013) 2019 Sep;77(3):172-182

Background: Bracing (thoraco-lumbar-sacral orthosis) has been accepted as mainstay of treatment for symptomatic spondylolysis (SP) and grade I spondylolisthesis (SPL1). However, increasing costs and patient noncompliance can make bracing prohibitive and difficult to manage. The purpose of this study was to determine if SP and SPL1 can be effectively treated using physical therapy and other non-bracing conservative management techniques in order to relieve pain and restore physical function. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Dec 31;132:67-68. Epub 2019 Aug 31.

Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, England.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can be associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) disturbances including recurrent CSF leak and Chiari I malformations. Persistent pseudomeningoceles are known to be associated with raised intracranial pressure. We present an unusual case of a compressive epidural CSF collection occurring after a computed tomography-guided L5 nerve root block and describe an effective management strategy. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Dec 27;132:75-80. Epub 2019 Aug 27.

Medacta International SA, Castel San Petro, Switzerland.

Background: Incomplete ossification of the pars interarticularis will result in a pars defect, a common cause of low back pain in youth and strongly associated with participation in high-impact sports. If left untreated, it can result in spondylolisthesis, causing dynamic canal stenosis, low back pain, and radiculopathy. The treatment of pars defect was first described by Bucks in 1970, who used screws in the lamina placed through an upward and outward direction. Read More

J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2019 Nov 29;80(6):454-459. Epub 2019 Aug 29.

Department of Neurosurgery, Winterthur Cantonal Hospital, Winterthur, Switzerland.

Background:  Spinal stenosis is frequently caused by spondylolisthesis, and surgical treatment may be indicated. However, whether decompression alone or decompression with dynamic stabilization offers better surgical outcomes remains unclear. We compared the clinical and radiologic results of patients with single-level lumbar spinal stenosis and grade 1 spondylolisthesis undergoing microsurgical decompression alone or decompression with transpedicular dorsal dynamic stabilization. Read More