Incidence of Chronic Periscapular Pain After Adult Thoracolumbar Deformity Correction and Impact on Outcomes

Alexander F. Haddad,Justin K. Scheer,Marissa T. Fury,Justin S. Smith,Vedat Deviren,Christopher P. Ames 대한척추신경외과학회 2021 Neurospine Vol.18 No.3

Objective: Extension of the posterior upper-most instrumented vertebra (UIV) into the upper thoracic (UT) spine allows for greater deformity correction and reduced incidence of proximal junction kyphosis (PJK) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients. However, it may be associated with chronic postoperative scapular pain (POSP). The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between UT UIV and persistent POSP, describe the pain, and assess its impact on patient disability. Methods: ASD patients who underwent multilevel posterior fusion were retrospectively identified then administered a survey regarding scapular pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), by telephone. Univariate and multivariate analysis were utilized. Results: A total of 74 ASD patients were included in the study: 37 patients with chronic POSP and 37 without scapular pain. The mean age was 70.5 years, and 63.9% were women. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics, including mechanical complications (PJK, pseudarthrosis, and rod fracture) or reoperation between groups. Patients with persistent POSP were more likely to have a UT than a lower thoracic UIV (p= 0.018). UT UIV was independently associated with chronic POSP on multivariate analysis (p=0.022). ODI score was significantly higher in patients with scapular pain (p=0.001). Chronic POSP (p=0.001) and prior spine surgery (p=0.037) were independently associated with ODI on multivariate analysis. Conclusion: A UT UIV is independently associated with increased odds of chronic POSP, and this pain is associated with significant increases in patient disability. It is a significant clinical problem despite solid radiographic fusion and the absence of PJK.

Prevalence and type of cervical deformities among adults with Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study

Moon, Bong Ju,Smith, Justin S.,Ames, Christopher P.,Shaffrey, Christopher I.,Lafage, Virginie,Schwab, Frank,Matsumoto, Morio,Baik, Jong Sam,Ha, Yoon Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group 2016 Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine Vol.24 No.4

<B>OBJECT</B><P>To identify the characteristics of cervical deformities in Parkinson's disease (PD) and the role of severity of PD in the development of cervical spine deformities, the authors investigated the prevalence of the cervical deformities, cervical kyphosis (CK), and cervical positive sagittal malalignment (CPSM) in patients with PD. They also analyzed the association of severity of cervical deformities with the stage of PD in the context of global sagittal spinopelvic alignment.</P><B>METHODS</B><P>This study was a prospective assessment of consecutively treated patients (n = 89) with PD. A control group of the age- and sex-matched patients was selected from patients with degenerative cervical spine disease but without PD. Clinical and demographic parameters including age, sex, duration of PD, and Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage were collected. Full-length standing radiographs were used to assess spinopelvic parameters. CK was defined as a C2-7 Cobb angle < 0°. CPSM was defined as C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) > 4 cm.</P><B>RESULTS</B><P>A significantly higher prevalence of CPSM (28% vs 1.1%, p < 0.001), but not CK (12% vs 10.1%, p = 0.635), was found in PD patients compared with control patients. Among patients with PD, those with CK were younger (62.1 vs 69.0 years, p = 0.013) and had longer duration of PD (56.4 vs 36.2 months, p = 0.034), but the severity of PD was not significantly different. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of CK was associated with younger age, higher mismatch between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis, and lower C7-S1 SVA. The patients with CPSM had significantly greater thoracic kyphosis (TK) (p < 0.001) and a trend toward more advanced H&Y stage (p = 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that CPSM was associated with male sex, greater TK, and more advanced H&Y stage.</P><B>CONCLUSIONS</B><P>Patients with PD have a significantly higher prevalence of CPSM compared with age- and sex-matched control patients with cervical degenerative disease but without PD. Among patients with PD, CK is not associated with the severity of PD but is associated with overall global sagittal malalignment. In contrast, the presence of CPSM is associated more with the severity of PD than it is with the presence of global sagittal malalignment. Collectively, these data suggest that the neuromuscular pathogenesis of PD may affect the development of CPSM more than of CK.</P>

Sagittal Spinopelvic Malalignment in Parkinson Disease: Prevalence and Associations With Disease Severity

Oh, Jae Keun,Smith, Justin S.,Shaffrey, Christopher I.,Lafage, Virginie,Schwab, Frank,Ames, Christopher P.,Matsumoto, Morio,Baik, Jong Sam,Ha, Yoon by Lippincott Williams Wilkins 2014 1528-1159) Vol.39 No.14

STUDY DESIGN.: Prospective study. OBJECTIVE.: Our objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of sagittal spinopelvic malalignment in a consecutive series of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and to identify factors associated with sagittal spinopelvic deformity in this population. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: PD is a degenerative neurological condition characterized by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and loss of postural reflexes. The prevalence of spinal deformity in PD is higher than that of age-matched adults without PD. METHODS.: This study was a prospective assessment of consecutive patients with PD presenting to a neurology clinic during 12 months. Inclusion criteria included age more than 21 years and diagnosis of PD. Age- and sex-matched control group was selected from patients with cervical spondylosis. Clinical and demographic factors were collected including Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale score and Hoehn and Yahr stage. Full-length standing spine radiographs were assessed. Patients were grouped into either low C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) (<5 cm) or high C7 SVA (≥5 cm) and into matched (≤10°) or mismatched (>10°) pelvic incidence (PI)-lumbar lordosis. RESULTS.: Eighty-nine patients met criteria (41 males/48 females), including 52 with low C7 SVA and 37 with high C7 SVA. Significantly higher prevalence of high C7 SVA was found in PD (41.6 vs. 16.8%; P < 0.001). The high C7 SVA group was significantly older (72.4 vs. 65.1 yr; P < 0.001) and had a higher proportion of females (68% vs. 44%; P = 0.034), greater severity of PD based on Hoehn and Yahr stage (1.89 vs. 1.37; P < 0.001) and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (30.5 vs. 17.2; P = 0.002. Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale significantly correlated with C7 SVA (r = 0.474). Compared with the matched (≤10°) PI-lumbar lordosis group, the mismatch PI-lumbar lordosis group had higher C7 SVA, higher PI, higher pelvic tilt, lower lumbar lordosis, and lower thoracic kyphosis (P ≤ 0.003). CONCLUSION.: Patients with PD have a high prevalence of sagittal spinopelvic malalignment than control group patients. Greater severity of PD is associated with sagittal spinopelvic malalignment.Level of Evidence: 3

Three-Column Osteotomy for the Treatment of Rigid Cervical Deformity

Darryl Lau,Christopher P. Ames 대한척추신경외과학회 2020 Neurospine Vol.17 No.3

Adult cervical deformity (ACD) has been shown to have a substantial impact on quality of life and overall health, with moderate to severe deformities resulting in significant disability and dysfunction. Fortunately, surgical management and correction of cervical sagittal imbalance can offer significant benefits and improvement in pain and disability. ACD is a heterogenous disease and specific surgical correction strategies should reflect deformity type (driver of deformity) and patient-related factors. Spinal rigidity is one of the most important considerations as soft tissue releases and osteotomies play a crucial role in cervical deformity correction. For ankylosed, fixed, and severe deformity, 3-column osteotomy (3CO) is often warranted. A 3CO can be done through combined anteriorposterior (vertebral body resection) and posterior-only approaches (open or closed wedge pedicle subtraction osteotomies [PSOs]). This article reviews the literature for currently published studies that report results on the use of 3CO for ACD, with a special concentration on posterior based 3CO (open and closed wedge PSO). More specifically, this review discusses the indications, radiographic corrective ability, and associated complications.

Commentary on Vertebral Body Sliding Osteotomy for Cervical Myelopathy With Rigid Kyphosis: A Technical Note

Michael M. Safaee,Christopher P. Ames 대한척추신경외과학회 2020 Neurospine Vol.17 No.3

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Brief History of Spinal Neurosurgical Societies in the United States: Part 1

Sasha Vaziri,Daniel K. Resnick,Christopher P. Ames,James S. Harrop,Christopher I. Shaffrey,Kern Singh,Justin S. Smith,Daniel J. Hoh 대한척추신경외과학회 2019 Neurospine Vol.16 No.4

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Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Spine Surgery

Rushikesh S. Joshi,Darryl Lau,Christopher P. Ames 대한척추신경외과학회 2019 Neurospine Vol.16 No.4

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Artificial Intelligence for Adult Spinal Deformity

Rushikesh S. Joshi,Alexander F. Haddad,Darryl Lau,Christopher P. Ames 대한척추신경외과학회 2019 Neurospine Vol.16 No.4

Adult spinal deformity (ASD) is a complex disease that significantly affects the lives of many patients. Surgical correction has proven to be effective in achieving improvement of spinopelvic parameters as well as improving quality of life (QoL) for these patients. However, given the relatively high complication risk associated with ASD correction, it is of paramount importance to develop robust prognostic tools for predicting risk profile and outcomes. Historically, statistical models such as linear and logistic regression models were used to identify preoperative factors associated with postoperative outcomes. While these tools were useful for looking at simple associations, they represent generalizations across large populations, with little applicability to individual patients. More recently, predictive analytics utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) through machine learning for comprehensive processing of large amounts of data have become available for surgeons to implement. The use of these computational techniques has given surgeons the ability to leverage far more accurate and individualized predictive tools to better inform individual patients regarding predicted outcomes after ASD correction surgery. Applications range from predicting QoL measures to predicting the risk of major complications, hospital readmission, and reoperation rates. In addition, AI has been used to create a novel classification system for ASD patients, which will help surgeons identify distinct patient subpopulations with unique risk-benefit profiles. Overall, these tools will help surgeons tailor their clinical practice to address patients’ individual needs and create an opportunity for personalized medicine within spine 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.