Thoracolumbar Fractures: Historical Systems and Advancements With the AO Spine Classification.

Study DesignSystematic Review.ObjectiveTo describe the historical classifications of thoracolumbar injuries and their evolution into the AO Spine Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System.MethodsA systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Databases was performed in keeping with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Surgical outcomes in diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumours: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Objective: Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal (DLGNT) tumours are rare entities whose tumour characteristics and surgical outcomes have eluded clarification. We present the first survival analysis to date.

Methods: A systematic search of the Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Google Scholar and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was conducted.

Traumatic spinal cord injury in the elderly: predictors for mortality and functional outcomes.

Background: The incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) in the elderly is increasing in the setting of an ageing population. We aim to present and define the clinical course of tSCI in the elderly Australian cohort with this cohort study to identify pertinent predictors for mortality thereby improving risk stratification in this potentially devastating disease.

Methods: A review of the prospectively maintained Victorian State Trauma Registry (VSTR) database was performed to identify patients who sustained a tSCI between 2007 and 2021.

Craniocervical Junction and Upper Cervical Spine Fractures: Historical Systems and Advancements with the AO Spine Classification.

Study DesignSystematic Review.ObjectivesTo describe existing craniocervical junction and upper cervical spine classification systems and their integration into a unified rational hierarchical system of the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System (UCIC).MethodsA systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Databases was performed in keeping with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Alexis retractor efficacy in transthoracic thoracoscopically assisted discectomy for thoracic disc herniations.

Purpose: A transthoracic anterior or lateral approach for giant thoracic disc herniations is a complex operation which requires optimal exposure and maximal visualisation. Traditional metal rigid retractors may inflict significant skin trauma especially with prolonged operative use and limit the working angles of endoscopic instrumentation at depth. We pioneer the use of the Alexis retractor in transthoracic thoracoscopically assisted discectomy for the first time.

Survival outcomes of intracranial extraventricular neurocytomas: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Objective: The rarity of intracranial extraventricular neurocytomas (EVNs) has precluded accurate definition of its surgical characteristics to date. The authors present the first survival analysis of this unique entity that aims to clarify tumor characteristics, surgical outcomes, and efficacy of postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Saccular posterior cerebral artery aneurysm encased within a lipoma.

We present a case of a man in his 80s with an incidental posterior cerebral artery aneurysm encased within a lipoma. The literature surrounding the incidence and intricate relationship of lipomas to cerebral aneurysms is reviewed. Lipomas are proposed to be derived from maldifferentiated subarachnoid space.

Bilobed intramedullary and extramedullary bronchogenic cyst of the conus medullaris: illustrative case.

Background: Spinal bronchogenic cysts are rare nonneoplastic congenital variants of neurenteric cysts. The natural history and surgical management of these lesions are poorly understood.

Observations: A 25-year-old male presented with progressive back pain and bilateral lower limb sciatica of 6 months' duration.

Evolution of the AO Spine Sacral and Pelvic Classification System: a systematic review.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the genesis of the AO Spine Sacral and Pelvic Classification System in the context of historical sacral and pelvic grading systems.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases was performed consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify all existing sacral and pelvic fracture classification systems.

Results: A total of 49 articles were included in this review, comprising 23 pelvic classification systems and 17 sacral grading schemes.

Variations in management of A3 and A4 cervical spine fractures as designated by the AO Spine Subaxial Injury Classification System.

Objective: Optimal management of A3 and A4 cervical spine fractures, as defined by the AO Spine Subaxial Injury Classification System, remains controversial. The objectives of this study were to determine whether significant management variations exist with respect to 1) fracture location across the upper, middle, and lower subaxial cervical spine and 2) geographic region, experience, or specialty.

Methods: A survey was internationally distributed to 272 AO Spine members across six geographic regions (North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East).

Tumor characteristics and surgical outcomes of intracranial subependymomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The tumor characteristics and surgical outcomes of intracranial subependymomas are poorly defined. In this study the authors aimed to provide a comprehensive review of all clinical, pathological, radiological, and surgical aspects of this important neoplasm to inform future management strategies.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases adherent to PRISMA guidelines was conducted.

Ischaemic monomelic neuropathy: A rare cause of unilateral foot drop.

Ischaemic neuropathy is a rare phenomenon given the rich arterial collateral supply afforded to peripheral nerves by the vasa nervorum. We report an unusual case of unilateral foot drop secondary to long-segment popliteal artery occlusion. Without expedient vessel imaging and revascularisation of the occluded artery, this reversible cause of neurological deficit would likely have resulted in a poor functional outcome for our patient.

Implant Removal Versus Implant Retention Following Posterior Surgical Stabilization of Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To compare biomechanical and functional outcomes between implant removal and implant retention following posterior surgical fixation of thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Methods: A search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar and Cochrane Databases was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Risk Stratification of Elderly Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery Using the Modified Frailty Index.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objectives: To validate the 11-item modified Frailty Index (mFI) as a perioperative risk stratification tool in elderly patients undergoing spine surgery.

Methods: All consecutive cases of spine surgery in patients aged 65 years or older between July 2016 and June 2018 at a state-wide trauma center were retrospectively reviewed.

The Role of Spinal Orthoses in Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures of the Elderly Population (Age 60 Years or Older): Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: Spinal orthoses have been generally used in the management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures in the elderly population with purported positive biomechanical and functional effects. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of the literature examining the role of spinal orthoses in osteoporotic elderly patients who sustain low energy trauma vertebral fractures.

The Effects of Surgery and Adjuvant Therapy on Survival Outcomes in Clear Cell Ependymomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data.

Background: The survival outcomes of clear cell ependymomas are poorly understood. This study clarifies the role of surgery and adjuvant therapy when this morphologically distinct tumor is encountered.

Methods: A systematic search for studies relating to clear cell ependymomas was conducted.

Intracranial peripherally enhancing lesions in cardiac transplant recipients: A rare case series and literature review.

Intracranial peripherally enhancing lesions in immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients represent a unique diagnostic and management dilemma due to the vast array of differentials that demand consideration. Diagnosis of the underlying pathology is often guided by the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present the first published case series of three cardiac transplant recipients with significantly atypical neuroradiological findings contrary to the tenets of contemporary literature.

Metastatic craniocervical hemangiopericytoma presenting with hydrocephalus and papilledema - Case review.

Hemangiopericytomas are rare mesenchymal tumors with propensity to recur locally and metastasize. We report the unique case of a fifty-five-year-old male with recurrence of a previously resected craniocervical hemangiopericytoma presenting with obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to new metastatic cerebellar deposits. Emergent surgical resection of the cerebellar hemangiopericytomas was performed prior to adjuvant radiotherapy.