This study is a narrative review performed to summarize the current knowledge about the epidemiology, natural history and pathogenesis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). A comprehensive search was undertaken to look at all available articles between January 1, 1956 to May 1, 2018, on PubMed and the Cochrane Collaboration Library. The natural history of CSM is variable. The main determinants of the clinical course of CSM are the extent of neurological impairment, age, cervical instability, abnormalities of cord conduction, canal diameter, congenitally stenotic spinal canal and the extent of involvement and tract disruption on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) imaging. There is little data on the true incidence and prevalence of CSM across the globe and none from India. The pathoanatomic basis of CSM is cord compression, either dynamic or static. The biological events that are thought to play a significant role in the development of CSM are ischemia, derangement of the blood-spinal cord barrier, chronic neuronal inflammation, and apoptosis. Emerging knowledge about the molecular biology holds promise for potential intervention, both for prevention and for cure, of this common and debilitating condition.

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a high sensitivity for detecting metastatic bone tumors. However, distinguishing metastasis from benign lesions can be difficult. We report a case of hyperplastic hematopoietic bone marrow of the spine mimicking spinal metastasis. A 73-year-old male presented to the orthopaedic clinic with worsening back pain following a fall. Initial radiographs demonstrated a compression fracture of the T11, L1, and L2 vertebral body. MRI showed multiple scattered hypointense foci within the lumbar spine suspicious for osseous metastases, with old-healed fractures at T11, L1, and L2. Whole spine imaging was then performed demonstrating similar marrow signal abnormality in the cervical and thoracic spine. Initial suspicion for a pathological fracture secondary to bony metastasis was strong. Subsequent screen for malignancy was negative. Open biopsy was done on the T4 vertebra, and the histopathological diagnosis was spinal hyperplastic hematopoietic bone marrow. This condition is characterized by reconversion of fatty marrow to hematopoietic marrow, which can occur in chronic anemia, obesity, heavy smokers or following trauma. This case illustrates a rare differential diagnosis for suspected metastatic bone tumor, and our report discusses the important radiologic differences between both conditions.

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This is a narrative review. The objective of this study is to provide an overview on the imaging modalities and their utilization in cervical myelopathy (CM). Using PubMed, studies published on the “imaging modalities in CM,” “cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) imaging,” “computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in CM,” “imaging in ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL),” “dural ossification in OPLL,” “diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in CSM,” and “dynamic MRI, functional MRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in CSM” were evaluated. The review addresses the evaluation of CM with various imaging modalities ranging from radiographs, CT, and MRI to advanced imaging techniques such as DTI and MRS. Each investigation contributes specific detail to the disease process in a different dimension. Specific parameters for CSM and OPLL, and their influence on outcome are discussed. Imaging in CM plays an important role in analyzing the cause of myelopathy, defining the level of the lesion, parameters to assess the time of intervention and to predict the outcome.

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This section of the symposium brings four different clinical scenarios in patients presenting with postoperative surgical site infections (SSI) after spine surgery. The patients were managed in various medical centres having different infrastructures and different spine care professionals. The spine clinics aims at providing the reader with an overview of the difficult scenarios faced in the setting of postoperative spinal infection and the different lines of treatment chosen by the attending spine surgeons at their centres. The section ends with few literature supported guidelines in the management of surgical site infection (SSI) after spine surgery.

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Endoscopic spine surgery has started replacing conventional microdiscectomy in various centers across the globe. With development in the field of optics and instrumentation, the field of percutaneous endoscopic spine surgery has evolved immensely. With increasing experience, endoscopic spine surgeons have expanded the indications not only to lumbar paramedian disc herniations but also to central disc herniations, high-grade migrated disc herniations, sequestered herniations, thoracic and cervical disc herniations, and more recently, lumbar canal stenosis. With broadening indications, unexpected adverse events are bound to increase. Hence, it is essential for the endoscopic spine surgeons to be aware of the potential hazards and unexpected complications of the procedure so that appropriate care is taken to avoid adverse events as much as possible. In this article, we summarize all the complications of transforaminal endoscopic discectomy reported in the literature. We have classified the complications into intraoperative, immediate postoperative, and late postoperative complications. The senior author has also suggested the tips to avoid these complications and carry out the procedure as safely as possible. As percutaneous instrumentation, particularly, percutaneous pedicular screws, is also becoming common with the development of minimally invasive spine surgery, we have also summarized its complications and limitations. An insight into these complications will help the endoscopic surgeons to take special precautions when performing the procedure.

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The spectrum of postoperative spinal infections includes superficial and deep infections, wound infections, spondylodiscitis, intraspinal epidural abscess, infective arachnoiditis, the extraspinal pre- and paravertebral extension of intraspinal abscesses, and necrotic collections. Imaging modalities for detection of these pathologies include plain radiographs, multidetector computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and radionucleotide scintigraphy. MRI allows adequate visualization of both the bony structures and soft tissues. Contrast enhanced MRI with gadolinium is the imaging modality of choice to delineate postprocedural and postoperative spine infections and complications. MRI has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of postoperative spondylodiscitis, epidural abscesses, and infective arachnoiditis. Metallic orthopedic hardware may produce artifacts that degrade image quality which is resolved by a metal artifacts reduction sequence to optimize the image quality in bone and soft tissues. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emitted tomography is superior to MRI not only in patients with surgical history and high grade infection but also in the patient with low grade spondylodiscitis.

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Background: The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11) is used to assess fear of movement in patients with musculoskeletal dysfunction. However, for Indian-specific population, this scale is not available. We aim to cross-culturally adapt the TSK-11 into a regional Indian language (Marathi) and to assess its psychometric properties, validity, and reliability. Materials and Methods: The American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons guidelines were used for cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric testing. Psychometric testing included assessment of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test–retest repeatability (intraclass coefficient correlation), construct validity (Pearson correlation) by comparing the TSK-11 score to a visual analog scale (VAS) of confidence and pain, as well as the Marathi version of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results: A total of 100 individuals with mean age of 38.9 years (Standard deviation = 11.34) completed the translated TSK-11 questionnaire on two occasions with an interval of one day. The translated Marathi version demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = 0.85) and test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93, confidence interval 95% = 0.90–0.95). There were moderate correlations between the total score of the TSK-11 questionnaire Marathi version and ODI score (r = 0.72), VAS pain score (r = 0.635), and VAS confidence score (r = −0.603). Receiver operating characteristics analysis indicated that the TSK-11 score was significantly able (P < 0.001) to discriminate the presence or absence of kinesiophobia. Conclusion: The Marathi version of TSK-11 is reliable and valid, with psychometric characteristics similar to the original English version. This assessment tool can be recommended to measure movement-related fear in future patient-oriented outcome studies for the Indian Marathi speaking population with low back pain.

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Over the past several decades, level selection for fusion in the patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has evolved alongside technique. Now, with the near ubiquitous use of pedicle screw fixation, selection criteria have changed to minimize the number of levels fused, especially distally in the lumbar spine. With each additional motion segment preserved, it has been suggested that postoperative function can be improved and the risk of degenerative disease down the line may be decreased. Currently, the Lenke classification for AIS is the most widely used system to describe AIS pathology. Understanding where the structural and nonstructural curves are may help determine the extent of fusion required distally. Proximally, shoulder balance is still considered a key consideration for upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) selection. In terms of the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV), we focus on two key concepts to prevent serious complications such as distal junctional kyphosis (DJK) or adding-on phenomenon: the last touched vertebra (LTV) and the stable sagittal vertebra. In the AP radiograph, identifying the LTV as the LIV may allow the surgeon to save a fusion level without increasing risk of DJK or adding-on. However, one must also consider the sagittal plane; the authors identify the stable sagittal vertebra on the lateral radiograph to help determine the optimal LIV; of these two criteria, the more distal level will be selected to decrease the chance of adverse outcomes.

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Thoracolumbar spine fractures form a significant portion of any spine surgeon's practice. It is important to classify the injuries, which may vary from minor transverse process fractures to unstable fracture–dislocations in order to aid communication, plan management, anticipated outcome, and prognosis. It is imperative that such a classification must be simple, reliable, comprehensive, and reproducible as well as be validated by multiple observers. In spite of having several classification systems in practice, the ideal one remains elusive. This article reviews the history of classification, evolution of the classifications, the relative merits and demerits of each classification, and highlighting the lacunae which the subsequent line of thought intended to fill. Till date, the AOSpine thoracolumbar spine injury severity system is probably the most comprehensive and management-oriented classification after Magerl and Denis.

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Surgical site infections (SSIs) following spinal surgery and its treatment are highly debated topics over decades, constituting one of the major causes of morbidity in patients undergoing spine surgery. The importance of this topic lies in the fact that, if ignored, it can lead to high morbidity and mortality, which may require prolonged hospitalization. This review deals with rates of SSI in various spine surgeries, then dwells on few studies exploring causes and prevention of SSI, provides a summary of SSI preventive protocols by various organizations, recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis, and finally on medical management of established postoperative infections.

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Background: Nontraumatic coccygodynia is poorly understood. Dynamic radiographs help to identify a radiological lesion. This study was performed to evaluate these parameters and define a line of management. Materials and Methods: A total of 46 cases with nontraumatic coccygodynia and 46 controls who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated using dynamic radiographs between June 2015 and May 2017. Radiological parameters, such as sagittal movement of coccyx, intercoccygeal angle (ICA), base angle (BA), and angle of pelvic rotation (APR), were calculated and compared between cases and controls to identify the radiological lesion in cases. On the basis of clinico-radiological findings, a treatment algorithm for these patients was proposed. Results: A total of 46 cases and 46 controls were studied. The mean age was 41.8 years in cases and 40.6 years in controls. Body mass index (BMI) ranged from 19 to 33. Twenty-nine cases had BMI >25. Average visual analog scale score at initial presentation (6.9), at 6 weeks (4.7), and final follow-up (3.9) was noted. ICA ranged from 1° to 21° (mean 11.12°). BA ranged from 0° to 83° (mean 41.41°). APR ranged from 2° to 33° (mean 14.74°). Twenty-seven patients had a good relief with local hydrocortisone injection and manipulation, whereas nine cases needed coccygectomy. Conclusion: Dynamic radiographs help in defining the radiological parameters and planning treatment. The sagittal movement of extension, posterior subluxation, higher BA, and low APR are the radiological findings seen in patients of nontraumatic coccygodynia. Majority of patients respond to conservative management; however, few may need surgical intervention.

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The thoracolumbar (TL) region is a common site of injury after high-energy trauma which can result in significant disability. Despite advances, controversies continue to exist regarding the management of the injury and indications for surgery. This review is aimed to provide an insight into the existing literature on the nonoperative and operative management of TL trauma. Many classifications of spinal fractures have been proposed to guide management. However, there are no high-level studies comparing the outcomes of surgical and conservative management using these classification systems. These classifications have also not been validated by randomized clinical trials. In general, surgical stabilization is indicated for biomechanically unstable fractures such as flexion distraction injuries, unstable burst fractures, and fracture dislocations whereas simple compression fractures are treated conservatively. There is conflicting evidence in trials comparing conservative and surgical management in TL burst fractures with intact neurology. Progressive neurological deficits, significant kyphosis, and significant canal compromise are generally accepted indications for surgery without proper Level 1 or Level 2 evidence.

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This section of the symposium deals with different case scenarios related to cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) which in our daily clinical practice not only act as diagnostic challenges but also test our decision-making abilities. These cases have been handled by different experts and hence help the readers in providing a wider perspective to the problem of cervical myelopathy and its management. This section ends with comments by the authors on key takeaway points from each case scenario, and some literature supported recommendations for the management of CSM.

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The incidence of spinal fractures in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) continues to increase despite the improvements in medical treatment. Depleted flexibility and altered biomechanics along with secondary osteoporosis make them more prone to unstable spinal injuries with minor or even unknown trauma. Difficulties in radiological assessment due to associated deformity can often mask the diagnosis. Advanced imaging techniques and screening of the entire spine are required in suspected cases. Surgical treatment is generally indicated because of the inherent instability of these fractures and frequent neurologic deficits. The choice of approach and fixation remains controversial, especially in cervical and cervicothoracic injuries. Whatever be the mode of treatment, the postinjury complication rates remain higher with significant mortality risk in those having associated comorbidities and neurological injury. However, avoidance of injury by adequate preventive measures, a high index of suspicion and appropriate precautions in the perioperative period can result in improved outcomes in these patients. A systematic computerized literature search was performed using Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, and PubMed. The publications made over the past 10 years were analyzed. The searches were performed using Medical Subject Headings and the subheadings used were “AS,” “diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis,” “epidemiology,” “surgery,” “etiology,” “management,” “surgery,” and “therapy.”

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Degenerative cervical myelopathy includes facet joint arthropathy and/or intervertebral disc prolapse, as well as aberration (hypertrophy, calcification, or ossification) in the ligamentum flavum, and/or posterior longitudinal ligament. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament are two major conditions under this spectrum. Patients with degenerative changes of the cervical spine can present with wide spectrum of symptoms and signs ranging from axial neck pain, radiculopathy or myelopathy. A combination of history, physical examination, and provocative tests such as Spurling's sign, shoulder abduction test, neck distraction test, Valsalva maneuver, Elvey's upper limb tension/brachial plexus tension test increase the likelihood of diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy. Myelopathy can manifest in the early stage as subtle changes in the upper limb dexterity or mild walking difficulty and in late stage with severe spasticity and flexor spasms. Clinicians are increasingly using quantitative or semi-quantitative scales of neurological impairment. However, there is no gold standard evaluation systems that can reliably assess disease severity.

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Bracing constitutes the most widely practiced treatment method for nonoperative management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Brace treatment has undergone a large number of variations from the time of its inception, and it has led to a number of available options to choose from in present times. The evidence for bracing has also evolved tremendously in the last few years from single-center cohort studies to multicenter randomized controlled trials. For bracing to be successful, proper patient selection is an important prerequisite. A coordinated team effort from the patient, parents, family, the surgeon, and orthotist is also essential for ensuring compliance and treatment success. This article is a narrative review and focuses on the role of bracing in the management of AIS in terms of the brace history, types, indications, results, and drawbacks with relevant literature.

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Spinal infections in immunocompromised patients are a potential threat due to atypical presentations and delay in diagnosis. These patients often present with back pain, fever, and neurological deficits. It is crucial to have knowledge of atypical etiology of vertebral osteomyelitis. Immunocompromised status of the patients presumably prevents them from mounting an inflammatory or vascular response necessary to counter the disease process. The diagnostic delay of such disastrous conditions remains unsatisfactorily long. Identification of the causative microorganisms and timely initiation of treatment are of prime importance in the management of such infections. Magnetic resonance imaging with/without gadolinium contrast is the choice of noninvasive investigation in spinal infections, and an appropriate tissue biopsy for isolation of causative organism is required for confirmation of the diagnosis. Patients are best managed by a multidisciplinary approach. Surgical intervention may be necessary for effective management and prevention of complications due to atypical spinal infections.

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Thoracolumbar injuries presenting in a delayed manner are uncommon, and their etiologies are varied ranging from missed injuries, wrong initial management, and delayed presentation for treatment. While improvements in healthcare awareness and delivery systems worldwide have improved the acute management of spinal injuries, the diagnosis and management of delayed spinal injuries remains a challenge to the treating physician regarding intraoperative difficulties, perioperative complications, and subsequent rehabilitation. Sequel of delayed presentation such as neurological deficit, spinal deformity, capsular contractures, muscle wasting, pulmonary and urinary tract infections and pressure sores have a significant bearing on the outcomes of management of delayed spinal trauma. Indications for surgical management include axial pain, neurological deficit, and kyphotic deformity. Management options include anterior corpectomy and fusion, combined anterior posterior surgery, and an all-posterior spinal decompression and deformity correction.

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Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is characterized by replacement of the ligamentous tissue by ectopic new bone formation. OPLL often causes narrowing of the spinal canal and has been recognized as a cause of cervical myelopathy and/or radiculopathy. Although a clear inheritance of OPLL has not been identified, there is a strong genetic background for OPLL. A recent genome-wide association study using all Japan cohort reported that there were 6 susceptible loci for OPLL. In addition, there were several studies to seek the biomarkers of OPLL. OPLL is frequently found in the cervical spine. However, 53.4% had OPLL not only in the cervical spine, but also in other spinal regions in patients with cervical OPLL. Further, 65.2% with cervical OPLL had ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) especially at the levels of the thoracic and the lumbar spine. There is no effective conservative treatment. Surgical decompression is considered in patients with severe and/or progressive myelopathy. Early surgical decompression of the spinal cord is recommended in patients with apparent myelopathy. Operative methods are divided into two procedures, anterior decompressive surgery and posterior decompressive surgery. The choice of the surgical procedure is determined according to several factors, such as local pathology of OPLL and spinal alignment.

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Spondylolysis is an important cause of low back pain in children and adolescents, especially in those involved in athletic activities. Spondylolysis is caused either by a fracture or by a defect in the pars inter-articularis and can be unilateral or bilateral. Among the various hypotheses regarding the etiopathogenesis of pars lysis, the occurrence of chronic micro-fractures secondary to repetitive extension and rotational stresses across pars remains the most convincing explanation to date. The majority of these patients remain asymptomatic. Imaging contributes to the staging and prognostication of the lesions, planning the line of management, and monitoring the response to treatment. Nonoperative treatment with activity restriction, braces, graded physiotherapy, and rehabilitation forms the cornerstone of management. Surgery is indicated in a specific cohort of patients whose symptoms persist despite an adequate conservative trial and includes spinal fusion and pars defect repair techniques. Patients who demonstrate good pain relief after diagnostic pars infiltration can be considered for pars repair. Patients aged ≤25 years, those with an athletic background, unilateral pathologies, and those without associated spondylolisthesis, instability, or disc degeneration are ideal candidates for pars repair. The overall outcome in spondylolysis is good, and 85% to 90% of athletes return to sports at 6 months following conservative or surgical line of treatment. In this current narrative review, we comprehensively discuss the etiology, patho-anatomy, natural history, clinical features, diagnostic modalities, and management of spondylolysis with special emphasis on direct repair techniques of pars.

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Classification systems for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have been in existence since the Schulthess system of 1905. Despite the numerous schema that have evolved over the last 115 years, little has changed from the original system based on the location of the coronal plane apex of the curves. Attempts at adding the sagittal plane, axial plane and shoulder balance to the system has generally yielded unscientific schemas or unwieldy numbers of variables within the scheme. The fundamental flaw with all these classifications is that they are based on two-dimensional imaging. The introduction of 3-D imaging like EOS and surface topography studies allow us an entirely novel perception of the spinal orientation in space. Thus the 3-D classifications that have emerged does not necessarily mean adding on Cartesian co-ordinates to the existing systems, but a far more comprehensive, yet simplistic view of the spinal deformity. Evidently, we are far from fully establishing all the variables and potentials of such schemas. Current modalities of 3-D imaging and evaluation are largely in the research domain and have not yet reached the clinical practice stage. The clinical utility of such 3-D classifications is also conjectural at present. But it is eminently possible that in the foreseeable future scoliosis classifications would cease to appear and be applied as they are today.

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Both anterior and posterior approaches for thoracolumbar burst fractures are reasonable surgical options. While an anterior approach was previously considered to be the best method to achieve adequate decompression and stabilization, posterior pedicle screw constructs have gained wide acceptance owing to their biomechanical strength and ability to achieve and maintain indirect decompression. We performed a literature review to analyze biomechanical factors and alignment, canal decompression with neurologic outcomes, and perioperative factors related to anterior and posterior approaches. A review of the literature reveals that anterior reconstruction does appear to provide improved resistance to kyphosis compared to posterior stabilization. However, long-segment fixation and the use of fracture-level pedicle screws have demonstrated improved ability to prevent the loss of intraoperative deformity correction. Neither anterior nor posterior approaches have definitively demonstrated superior canal decompression and neurologic outcomes. Perioperative data likely favor a posterior approach regarding the operative time and blood loss. In the end, the data do not obviously favor a single approach, and surgeons should take into consideration the goals of surgery and their comfort performing surgery through either an anterior or posterior approach.

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Spondyloptosis or complete anterior dislocation of the L5 vertebra over S1 is a rare clinical condition. In general, the surgical management of spondyloptosis includes either posterior long-segment in situ fusion (with total disregard for altered biomechanics) or restoration of lumbosacral kyphosis by reduction of spondyloptosis using multistaged procedures. Reduction is possible in spondyloptosis only after sacral dome osteotomy or L5 corpectomy with interbody fusion of L4 over S1 as described by Robert Gaines. We present the case of a 29 year old manual laborer who presented with complaints of severe low back pain and bilateral sciatica. He was diagnosed to have spondyloptosis of L5 over S1 with modified Newman's score of 10 + 10. The patient underwent three-staged modified Gaines procedure in the form of L5 corpectomy, reduction of L4 over S1 and interbody fusion between L4 and S1. The reduction was maintained at the end of 18 months and he was able to resume his job as a manual laborer.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of full-endoscopic interlaminar operations for symptomatic lumbar disc herniations and lumbar canal stenosis and to compare their results with conventional open procedures. A comprehensive systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed for articles, including randomized trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), reviews, and meta-analysis with the following search terms: full-endoscopic discectomy, also known as percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy, interlaminar discectomy, endoscopic, and percutaneous stenosis decompression in various combinations. Results were analyzed for their effectiveness, safety, complications, recurrence rate, and learning curve, and compared with standard open procedures. Overall, the endoscopic techniques had shorter operating times, less blood loss, less operative site pain, and faster postoperative rehabilitation/shorter hospital stay/faster return to work than the microsurgical techniques for both disc herniation and lumbar spinal stenosis surgeries. The advantages and disadvantages of variations in techniques and choice of anesthesia are discussed. This comprehensive literature review shows that full-endoscopic surgeries for lumbar disc herniations and lumbar spinal stenosis are safe and effective alternative to open surgery. These can achieve the same clinical results with added benefits of minimally invasive spine surgeries.

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Postoperative infections following spine surgery are a devastating complication. They add to morbidity, financial burden, and poor outcomes for a patient. The reported incidence of surgical site infection is variable and depends on a number of factors. Overall, cases that require extensive soft-tissue dissection, higher blood loss, and prolonged operative time lead on to higher rates of infection. Minimally invasive surgeries (MISS) have demonstrated significantly reduced rates of infection. A high index of suspicion and a stepwise approach is required to diagnose this complication. A thorough clinical examination with appropriate blood and radiological investigations confirms the diagnosis. Identification of the offending microorganism is vital as it will guide targeted antibiotic therapy. Once this is done, a course of appropriate antibiotics should be commenced. Surgical strategies are available to patients who do not respond to medical management or who develop neurological deficits. The aim of surgical management is the clearance of infection, soft-tissue closure, and the restoration of spinal column integrity. This is accomplished through meticulous tissue debridement, fluid lavage, and wound closure. The stability of already placed implant should be assessed and if sound should be retained. In cases where wound closure is a challenge, soft-tissue reconstruction techniques may be required. Other options such as vacuum therapy are available. Finally, each member of the health-care team, including the patient, has an important role to play in order to keep the occurrence of this unwanted complication to the lowest possible level.

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