APSS-ASJ Best Clinical Research Award: Is There a Difference between Patients’ and Parents’ Perception of Physical Appearance in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?

Chris Yin Wei Chan,Siti Mariam Abd Gani,Min Yuen Lim,Chee Kidd Chiu,Mun Keong Kwan 대한척추외과학회 2019 Asian Spine Journal Vol.13 No.2

Study Design: Prospective study. Purpose: To compare patients’ and parents’ perceptions of physical attributes (PAs) of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients and to report any correlations between their perceptions and Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) scores. Overview of Literature: Few studies have looked into the differences between patients’ and parents’ perceptions of their appearance. Methods: AIS patient–parent pairs (n=170) were recruited. The patients’ and parents’ perceptions of six PAs were evaluated: waist asymmetry (WA), rib hump (RH), shoulder asymmetry (SA), neck tilt, breast asymmetry (BrA), and chest prominence. These PAs were ranked, and an aggregate PA (Agg-PA) score was derived from a score assigned to the attribute (6 for the most important PA and 1 for the least important). The patients also completed the SRS-22r questionnaire. Results: Ninety-nine patients (58.2%) and 71 patients (41.8%) had thoracic and lumbar major curves, respectively. WA was ranked first by 54 patients (31.8%) and 50 parents (29.4%), whereas RH was ranked first by 50 patients (29.4%) and 38 parents (22.4%). The overall Agg-PA scores were similar for patients and parents (p>0.05). However, for thoracic major curves (TMCs) >40°, a significant difference was noted between the Agg-PA scores of patients and parents for SA (3.5±1.6 vs. 4.2±1.6, p=0.041) and BrA (3.0±1.6 vs. 2.2±1.3, p=0.006). For TMCs <40°, a significant difference was found between the Agg-PA scores of patients and parents for WA (3.7±1.6 vs. 4.4±1.5, p=0.050). BrA was negatively correlated with total SRS-22r score. Conclusions: There were no significant differences between patients and parents in their ranking of the most important PAs. For TMCs >40°, there were significant differences in the Agg-PA for SA and BrA. Pa¬tients were more concerned about BrA and parents were more concerned about SA. Patients’ perception of the six PAs had weak correlation with SRS-22r scores.

Cervical Supine Side-Bending versus Cervical Supine Traction Radiographs: Which Is Better in Predicting Proximal Thoracic Flexibility for Lenke 1 and 2 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?

Chee Kidd Chiu,Elrofai Suliman Bashir,Chris Yin Wei Chan,Mun Keong Kwan 대한척추외과학회 2018 Asian Spine Journal Vol.12 No.4

Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Purpose: This study compared cervical supine side-bending (CSSB) and cervical supine traction (CST) radiographs to assess the flexibility and predict the correctability of the proximal thoracic (PT) curve for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) classified as Lenke 1 and 2. Overview of Literature: Knowledge of the flexibility of the PT curve is crucial in the management of patients with AIS. There are no reports comparing CSSB and CST radiographs to assess this parameter. Methods: Thirty patients with Lenke 1 and 2 AIS scheduled for posterior spinal fusion surgery were recruited. A standing whole spine radiography and physician-supervised CSSB and CST radiographies were performed. Patient demographic and radiological parameters were recorded, including age, gender, weight, height, body mass index, PT angle, main thoracic angle, CSSB PT angle, CST PT angle, and postoperative PT angle. From the data collected, the curve flexibility and curve correction index were calculated and compared. Results: CSSB had a significantly (p<0.05) smaller PT angle (16.6°±10.4°) in comparison to CST (23.7°±10.7°). CSSB had significantly (p<0.05) greater flexibility (44.2%±19.7%) in comparison to CST (19.5%±18.1%). The CSSB correction index (1.2±0.9) was significantly closer to 1 in comparison to the CST correction index (4.4±5.3). There was no difference (p=0.72) between the CSSB PT angle (16.6°±10.4°) and the postoperative PT angle (16.1°±7.5°). However, the CST PT angle (23.7°±10.7°) was significantly (p<0.05) larger than the postoperative PT angle (16.1°±7.5°). Conclusions: CSSB radiographs were better for demonstrating PT flexibility and more accurately predicted correctability in comparison to the CST radiographs.

Measurement of Clavicle Fracture Shortening Using Computed Tomography and Chest Radiography

Reza Omid,Chris Kidd,Anthony Yi,Diego Villacis,Eric White 대한정형외과학회 2016 Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery Vol.8 No.4

Background: Nonoperative management of midshaft clavicle fractures has resulted in widely disparate outcomes and there is growing evidence that clavicle shortening poses the risk of unsatisfactory functional outcomes due to shoulder weakness and nonunion. Unfortunately, the literature does not clearly demonstrate the superiority of one particular method for measuring clavicle shortening. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of clavicle shortening measurements based on plain radiographs with those based on computed tomography (CT) reconstructed images of the clavicle. Methods: A total of 51 patients with midshaft clavicle fractures who underwent both a chest CT scan and standardized anteroposterior chest radiography on the day of admission were included in this study. Both an orthopedic surgeon and a musculoskeletal radiologist measured clavicle shortening for all included patients. We then determined the accuracy and intraclass correlation coefficients for the imaging modalities. Bland-Altman plots were created to analyze agreement between the modalities and a paired t-test was used to determine any significant difference between measurements. Results: For injured clavicles, radiographic measurements significantly overestimated the clavicular length by a mean of 8.2 mm (standard deviation [SD], ± 10.2; confidence interval [CI], 95%) compared to CT-based measurements (p < 0.001). The intraclass correlation was 0.96 for both plain radiograph- and CT-based measurements (p = 0.17). Conclusions: We found that plain radiograph-based measurements of midshaft clavicle shortening are precise, but inaccurate. When clavicle shortening is considered in the decision to pursue operative management, we do not recommend the use of plain radiograph-based measurements.

Feasibility of Single-Stage Posterior Passive Correction and Fusion Surgery for Congenital Scoliosis in Adolescent Patients Who Have Attained Skeletal Maturity

Chiu Chee Kidd,Tan Rommel Lim,Gani Siti Mariam Abd,Chong Jessamine Sze Lynn,Chung Weng Hong,Chan Chris Yin Wei,Kwan Mun Keong 대한척추외과학회 2022 Asian Spine Journal Vol.16 No.3

Study Design: Retrospective study.Purpose: To report the perioperative and radiological outcomes of single-stage posterior passive correction and fusion (SSPPCF) in adolescent patients who present with congenital scoliosis.Overview of Literature: The surgical treatment for congenital scoliosis is complex. There is no definitive guide on surgical options for skeletally matured adolescent patients who have congenital scoliosis.Methods: Patients with congenital scoliosis who underwent SSPPCF using a pedicle screw system were reviewed. We identified the following three surgical indications: (1) hemivertebra or wedge vertebra over the thoracic or thoracolumbar region with structural lumbar curves, (2) hemivertebra or wedge vertebra at the lumbar region with significant pelvic obliquity or sacral slanting, and (3) mixed or complex congenital scoliosis. The demographic, perioperative, and radiographic data of these patients were collected.Results: Thirty-four patients were reviewed. The mean patient age was 14.6±3.4 years. There were 13 hemivertebrae, three wedged vertebrae, two butterfly vertebrae, three hemivertebrae with butterfly vertebra, eight unsegmented bars, and five multiple complex lesions. The average surgical duration was 219.4±68.8 minutes. The average blood loss was 1,208.4±763.5 mL. Seven patients required allogeneic blood transfusion. The mean hospital stay duration was 6.1±2.5 days. The complication rate was 11.8% (4/34): one patient had severe blood loss, one had rod breakage, and two had distal adding-on. The Cobb angle reduced from 65.9°±17.4° to 36.3°±15.3° (p<0.001) with a correction rate (CR) of 44.8%±17.4%. The regional kyphotic angle decreased from 39.9°±20.5° to 27.5°±13.9° (p=0.001) with a CR of 19.3%±49.6%. Radiographic parameters (radiographic shoulder height, clavicle angle, T1 tilt, cervical axis, pelvic obliquity, coronal balance, and apical vertebral translation) showed significant improvement postoperatively.Conclusions: SSPPCF was a feasible option for adolescent patients with congenital scoliosis who were skeletally matured.

Variations in Practice among Asia–Pacific Surgeons and Recommendations for Managing Cervical Myelopathy: The First Asia–Pacific Spine Society Collaborative Study

Jason Pui Yin Cheung,Prudence Wing Hang Cheung,Chee Kidd Chiu,Chris Yin Wei Chan,Mun Keong Kwan 대한척추외과학회 2019 Asian Spine Journal Vol.13 No.1

Study Design: Surgeon survey. Purpose: To study the various surgical practices of different surgeons in the Asia–Pacific region. Overview of Literature: Given the diversity among Asia–Pacific surgeons, there is no clear consensus on the preferred management strategies for cervical myelopathy. In particular, the role of prophylactic decompression for silent cervical spinal stenosis is under constant debate and should be addressed. Methods: Surgeons from the Asia–Pacific Spine Society participated in an online questionnaire comprising 50 questions. Data on clinical diagnosis, investigations and outcome measures, approach to asymptomatic and silent cervical spinal stenosis, guidelines for surgical approach, and postoperative immobilization were recorded. All parameters were analyzed by the Mantel–Haenszel test. Results: A total of 79 surgeons from 16 countries participated. Most surgeons used gait disturbance (60.5%) and dyskinetic hand movement (46.1%) for diagnosis. Up to 5.2% of surgeons would operate on asymptomatic spinal stenosis, and 18.2% would operate on silent spinal stenosis. Among those who would not operate, most (57.1%) advised patients on avoidance behavior and up to 9.5% prescribed neck collars. For ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), anterior removal was most commonly performed for one-level disease (p <0.001), whereas laminoplasty was most commonly performed for two- to four-level disease (p =0.036). More surgeons considered laminectomy and fusion for multilevel OPLL. Most surgeons generally preferred to use a rigid neck collar for 6 weeks postoperatively (p <0.001). Conclusions: The pooled recommendations include prophylactic or early decompression surgery for patients with silent cervical spinal stenosis, particularly OPLL. Anterior decompression is primarily suggested for one- or two-level disease, whereas laminoplasty is preferred for multilevel disease.

Neurological Recovery in Two Patients with Cauda Equina Syndrome Secondary to L5 Lumbar Spine Giant Cell Tumour after Treatment with Denosumab without Surgery

Simret Singh Randhawa,Angel Khor Nee Kwan,Chee Kidd Chiu,Chris Yin Wei Chan,Mun Keong Kwan 대한척추외과학회 2016 Asian Spine Journal Vol.10 No.5

We report two patients with cauda equina syndrome (CES) secondary to L5 giant cell tumour (GCT) who achieved good neurological recovery after treatment with denosumab without surgery. The first patient was a 26-year-old man with L5 GCT causing CES who regained bowel and urinary control, muscle power improvement from grade 2 to grade 4 and Oswestry disability index (ODI) improvement from 48 to 23 after denosumab treatment. The second patient was a 25-year-old woman with L5 GCT causing CES who regained bowel and urinary control, muscle power improvement from grade 0 to grade 4 and ODI improvement from 42 to 20 after denosumab treatment. The usage of denosumab in the treatment of patients with CES due to GCT allows potential neurological recovery without any surgical intervention. If surgery is not contraindicated, more time is obtained to prepare the patient preoperatively to attain safer surgery and to achieve complete tumour clearance.

Neuropathic Pain after Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Correction Surgery

Hasan Mohd Shahnaz,Goh Khean Jin,Yip Hing Wa,Mohamad Siti Mariam,Chan Teik Seng,Chong Kok Ian,Haseeb Amber,Chiu Chee Kidd,Wei Chris Chan Yin,Kwan Mun Keong 대한척추외과학회 2021 Asian Spine Journal Vol.15 No.5

Study Design: Prospective study. Purpose: To investigate the prevalence and the associated risk factors of chronic neuropathic pain symptoms using painDETECT questionnaire in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion (PSF) surgery. Overview of Literature: Post-lumbar surgery syndrome is a disease entity that describes neuropathic pain following spinal surgery. However, few studies have investigated the prevalence and risk factors for neuropathic pain in pediatric population undergoing corrective spinal surgery. Methods: Forty AIS patients were recruited. Demographic, preoperative, and postoperative data were recorded. The magnitude and characteristics of postoperative pain were assessed using the painDETECT questionnaire through telephone enquiries at intervals of 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Statistical analyses were followed by Pearson correlation test to determine the relationship between pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 weeks with the risk factors. Results: Based on the painDETECT questionnaire, 90% of the patients had nociceptive pain, and 10% had a possible neuropathic pain component at 2 weeks postoperatively as per a mean painDETECT score of 7.1±4.5. Assessments at 6, 12, and 24 weeks showed that no patients had neuropathic pain with painDETECT scores of 4.4±3.2, 2.9±2.9, and 1.5±2.0, respectively. There was a significant correlation between total postoperative morphine use during 48 hours after the surgery and a tendency to develop neuropathic pain (p=0.022). Conclusions: Chronic neuropathic pain was uncommon in AIS patients who had undergone PSF surgery. Higher opioid consumption will increase the possibility of developing chronic neuropathic pain.