DeVa (Decay Variance): A Novel Score Calculated via Postprocessing the Changes in Signal Intensity of an Intervertebral Disc in a T2* Multi-Echo Magnetic Resonance Image Can Quantify Painful and Degenerate Lumbar Vertebral Discs.

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP), a global disability leader, is often linked to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Traditional diagnostics like T2-weighted MRI provide qualitative but imprecise evaluations. A novel post-processing MRI technique, Decay Variance (DeVa), has shown promise in differentiating degenerate from healthy discs in animal studies.

Catastrophic acute failure of pelvic fixation in adult spinal deformity requiring revision surgery: a multicenter review of incidence, failure mechanisms, and risk factors.

Objective: There are few prior reports of acute pelvic instrumentation failure in spinal deformity surgery. The objective of this study was to determine if a previously identified mechanism and rate of pelvic fixation failure were present across multiple institutions, and to determine risk factors for these types of failures.

Methods: Thirteen academic medical centers performed a retrospective review of 18 months of consecutive adult spinal fusions extending 3 or more levels, which included new pelvic screws at the time of surgery.

Postoperative Pyoderma Gangrenosum After Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion with Instrumentation: A Case Report.

Case: A 65-year-old man with scoliosis underwent posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation from T4 to pelvis and subsequently developed wound complications eventually diagnosed to be secondary to postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG). Once immunosuppressant medications were initiated, the wound gradually improved and went on to heal after a prolonged period of wound care.

Conclusion: Postoperative PG is a challenging problem for the orthopaedic surgeon; a multidisciplinary approach is beneficial.

Anterior Column Realignment (ACR) With and Without Pre-ACR Posterior Release for Fixed Sagittal Deformity.

Background: Multiple studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between sagittal malalignment and health-related quality of life measures. Thus, correction of sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar lordosis-pelvic incidence (LL-PI), and T1 spinopelvic inclination (T1SPi) have become a primary objective of adult spinal deformity surgery. Anterior column realignment (ACR) has emerged as a less invasive technique and while the addition of posterior osteotomies has shown greater correction in ACR, it is unknown if a pre-ACR posterior release is necessary for optimal correction.

Helmet and shoulder pad removal in football players with unstable cervical spine injuries.

Football, one of the country's most popular team sports, is associated with the largest overall number of sports-related, catastrophic, cervical spine injuries in the United States (Mueller, 2007). Patient handling can be hindered by the protective sports equipment worn by the athlete. Improper stabilization of these patients can exacerbate neurologic injury.

The effect on anterior column loading due to different vertebral augmentation techniques.

Background: Vertebral compression fractures are a significant cause of morbidity amongst the elderly, resulting in pain, kyphosis, decreased mobility, and often depression. The two most popular operative treatments of compression wedge fractures are vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, however, which method leads to restoration of normal spinal loading is unknown.

Methods: A cadaveric thoracolumbar spine model was fractured and then treated using one of two techniques: vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty.

Intervertebral disc cell therapy for regeneration: mesenchymal stem cell implantation in rat intervertebral discs.

This study explores the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for intervertebral disc regeneration. We used an in vivo model to investigate the feasibility of exogenous cell delivery, retention, and survival in the pressurized disc space. MSC injection into rat coccygeal discs was performed using 15% hyaluronan gel as a carrier.