Impact of Myelopathy Severity and Degree of Deformity on Postoperative Outcomes in Cervical Spinal Deformity Patients

Peter G. Passias,Katherine E. Pierce,Nicholas Kummer,Oscar Krol,Lara Passfall,M. Burhan Janjua,Daniel Sciubba,Waleed Ahmad,Sara Naessig,Bassel Diebo 대한척추신경외과학회 2021 Neurospine Vol.18 No.3

Objective: Malalignment of the cervical spine can result in cord compression, leading to a myelopathy diagnosis. Whether deformity or myelopathy severity is stronger predictors of surgical outcomes is understudied. Methods: Surgical cervical deformity (CD) patients with baseline (BL) and up to 1-year data were included. Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score categorized BL myelopathy (mJOA=18 excluded), with moderate myelopathy mJOA being 12 to 17 and severe myelopathy being less than 12. BL deformity severity was categorized using the mismatch between T1 slope and cervical lordosis (TS-CL), with CL being the angle between the lower endplates of C2 and C7. Moderate deformity was TS-CL less than or equal to 25° and severe deformity was greater than 25°. Categorizations were combined into 4 groups: group 1 (G1), severe myelopathy and severe deformity; group 2 (G2), severe myelopathy and moderate deformity; group 3 (G3), moderate myelopathy and moderate deformity; group 4 (G4), moderate myelopathy and severe deformity. Univariate analyses determined whether myelopathy or deformity had greater impact on outcomes. Results: One hundred twenty-eight CD patients were included (mean age, 56.5 years; 46% female; body mass index, 30.4 kg/m2) with a BL mJOA score of 12.8±2.7 and mean TS-CL of 25.9°±16.1°. G1 consisted of 11.1% of our CD population, with 21% in G2, 34.6% in G3, and 33.3% in G4. At BL, Neck Disability Index (NDI) was greatest in G2 (p=0.011). G4 had the lowest EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) (p<0.001). Neurologic exam factors were greater in severe myelopathy (p<0.050). At 1-year, severe deformity met minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs) for NDI more than moderate deformity (p=0.002). G2 had significantly worse outcomes compared to G4 by 1-year NDI (p=0.004), EQ-5D (p=0.028), Numerical Rating Scale neck (p=0.046), and MCID for NDI (p=0.001). Conclusion: Addressing severe deformity had increased clinical weight in improving patient-reported outcomes compared to addressing severe myelopathy.

Prioritization of Realignment Associated With Superior Clinical Outcomes for Cervical Deformity Patients

Katherine E. Pierce,Peter G. Passias,Avery E. Brown,Cole A. Bortz,Haddy Alas,Lara Passfall,Oscar Krol,Nicholas Kummer,Renaud Lafage,Dean Chou,Douglas C. Burton,Breton Line,Eric Klineberg,Robert Hart,J 대한척추신경외과학회 2021 Neurospine Vol.18 No.3

Objective: To prioritize the cervical parameter targets for alignment. Methods: Included: cervical deformity (CD) patients (C2–7 Cobb angle>10°, cervical lordosis>10°, cervical sagittal vertical axis [cSVA]>4 cm, or chin-brow vertical angle>25°) with full baseline (BL) and 1-year (1Y) radiographic parameters and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores; patients with cervical [C] or cervicothoracic [CT] Primary Driver Ames type. Patients with BL Ames classified as low CD for both parameters of cSVA (<4 cm) and T1 slope minus cervical lordosis (TS–CL) (<15°) were excluded. Patients assessed: meeting minimum clinically important differences (MCID) for NDI (<-15 ΔNDI). Ratios of correction were found for regional parameters categorized by primary Ames driver (C or CT). Decision tree analysis assessed cutoffs for differences associated with meeting NDI MCID at 1Y. Results: Seventy-seven CD patients (mean age, 62.1 years; 64% female; body mass index, 28.8 kg/m2). Forty-one point six percent of patients met MCID for NDI. A backwards linear regression model including radiographic differences as predictors from BL to 1Y for meeting MCID for NDI demonstrated an R2 of 0.820 (p=0.032) included TS–CL, cSVA, McGregor’s slope (MGS), C2 sacral slope, C2–T3 angle, C2–T3 SVA, cervical lordosis. By primary Ames driver, 67.5% of patients were C, and 32.5% CT. Ratios of change in predictors for MCID NDI patients for C and CT were not significant between the 2 groups (p> 0.050). Decision tree analysis determined cutoffs for radiographic change, prioritizing in the following order: ≥42.5° C2–T3 angle, >35.4° cervical lordosis, <-31.76° C2 slope, <-11.57-mm cSVA, <-2.16° MGS, >-30.8-mm C2–T3 SVA, and ≤-33.6° TS–CL. Conclusion: Certain ratios of correction of cervical parameters contribute to improving neck disability. Prioritizing these radiographic alignment parameters may help optimize patient-reported outcomes for patients undergoing CD surgery.

Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Patients With Mild Scoliosis and AgeAppropriate Sagittal Alignment With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Justin K. Scheer,Justin S. Smith,Peter G. Passias,Han Jo Kim,Shay Bess,Douglas C. Burton,Eric O. Klineberg,Virginie Lafage,Munish Gupta,Christopher P. Ames 대한척추신경외과학회 2023 Neurospine Vol.20 No.3

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine if patients with mild scoliosis and ageappropriate sagittal alignment have favorable outcomes following surgical correction. Methods: Retrospective review of a prospective, multicenter adult spinal deformity database. Inclusion criteria: operative patients age ≥18 years, and preoperative pelvic tilt, mismatch between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (PI–LL), and C7 sagittal vertical axis all within established age-adjusted thresholds with minimum 2-year follow-up. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores: Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-item Short Form health survey (SF-36), Scoliosis Research Society-22R (SRS22R), back/leg pain Numerical Rating Scale and minimum clinically important difference (MCID)/substantial clinical benefit (SCB). Two-year and preoperative HRQoL radiographic data were compared. Patients with mild scoliosis (Mild Scoli, Max coronal Cobb 10°–30°) were compared to those with larger curves (Scoli). Results: One hundred fifty-one patients included from 667 operative patients (82.8% women; average age, 56.4 ± 16.2 years). Forty-two patients (27.8%) included in Mild Scoli group. Mild Scoli group had significantly worse baseline leg pain, ODI, and physical composite scores (p < 0.02). Mean 2-year maximum coronal Cobb angle was significantly improved compared to baseline (p < 0.001). All 2-year HRQoL measures were significantly improved compared to (p < 0.001) except mental composite score, SRS activity and SRS mental for the Mild Scoli group (p > 0.05). From the mild Scoli group, 36%–74% met either MCID or SCB for the HRQoL measures. Sixty-four point three percent had minimum 1 complication, 28.6% had a major complication, 35.7% had reoperation. Conclusion: Mild scoliosis patients with age-appropriate sagittal alignment benefit from surgical correction, decompression, and stabilization at 2 years postoperative despite having a high complication rate.

Psoas Morphology Differs between Supine and Sitting Magnetic Resonance Imaging Lumbar Spine: Implications for Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Aaron J. Buckland,Bryan M. Beaubrun,Evan Isaacs,John Moon,Peter Zhou,Sam Horn,Gregory Poorman,Jared C. Tishelman,Louis M. Day,Thomas J. Errico,Peter G. Passias,Themistocles Protopsaltis 대한척추외과학회 2018 Asian Spine Journal Vol.12 No.1

Study Design: Retrospective radiological review. Purpose: To quantify the effect of sitting vs supine lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and change in anterior displacement of the psoas muscle from L1–L2 to L4–L5 discs. Overview of Literature: Controversy exists in determining patient suitability for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) based on psoas morphology. The effect of posture on psoas morphology has not previously been studied; however, lumbar MRI may be performed in sitting or supine positions. Methods: A retrospective review of a single-spine practice over 6 months was performed, identifying patients aged between 18–90 years with degenerative spinal pathologies and lumbar MRIs were evaluated. Previous lumbar fusion, scoliosis, neuromuscular disease, skeletal immaturity, or intrinsic abnormalities of the psoas muscle were excluded. The anteroposterior (AP) dimension of the psoas muscle and intervertebral disc were measured at each intervertebral disc from L1–L2 to L4–L5, and the AP psoas:disc ratio calculated. The morphology was compared between patients undergoing sitting and/or supine MRI. Results: Two hundred and nine patients were identified with supine-, and 60 patients with sitting-MRIs, of which 13 patients had undergone both sitting and supine MRIs (BOTH group). A propensity score match (PSM) was performed for patients undergoing either supine or sitting MRI to match for age, BMI, and gender to produce two groups of 43 patients. In the BOTH and PSM group, sitting MRI displayed significantly higher AP psoas:disc ratio compared with supine MRI at all intervertebral levels except L1–L2. The largest difference observed was a mean 32%–37% increase in sitting AP psoas:disc ratio at the L4–L5 disc in sitting compared to supine in the BOTH group (range, 0%–137%). Conclusions: The psoas muscle and the lumbar plexus become anteriorly displaced in sitting MRIs, with a greater effect noted at caudal intervertebral discs. This may have implications in selecting suitability for LLIF, and intra-operative patient positioning.

C2 Fractures in the Elderly: Single-Center Evaluation of Risk Factors for Mortality

Hoi-Ying H. Chan,Frank A. Segreto,Samantha R. Horn,Cole Bortz,Godwin G. Choy,Peter G. Passias,Hamish H. Deverall,Joseph F. Baker 대한척추외과학회 2019 Asian Spine Journal Vol.13 No.5

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify features associated with increased mortality risk in traumatic C2 fractures in the elderly, including measures of comorbidity and frailty. Overview of Literature: C2 fractures in the elderly are of increasing relevance in the setting of an aging global population and have a high mortality rate. Previous analyzes of risk factors for mortality have not included the measures of comorbidity and/or frailty, and no local data have been reported to date. Methods: This study comprises a retrospective review of 70 patients of age >65 years at Waikato Hospital, New Zealand with traumatic C2 fractures identified on computed tomography between 2010 and 2016. Demographic details, medical history, laboratory results on admission, mechanism of injury, and neurological status on presentation were recorded. Medical comorbidities were also detailed allowing calculation of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the modified Frailty Index (mFI). Results: The most common mechanism of injury was a fall from standing height (n=52, 74.3%). Mortality rates were 14.3% (n=10) at day 30, and 35.7% (n=25) at 1 year. Bivariate analysis showed that both CCI and mFI correlated with 1-year mortality rates. Reduced albumin and hemoglobin levels were also associated with 30-day and 1-year mortality rates. Forward stepwise logistic regression models determined CCI and low hemoglobin as predictors of mortality within 30 days, whereas CCI, low albumin, increased age, and female gender predicted mortality at 1 year. Conclusions: The CCI was a useful tool for predicting mortality at 1 year in the patient cohort. Other variables, including common laboratory markers, can also be used for risk stratification, to initiate timely multidisciplinary management, and prognostic counseling for patients and family members.