Background. Thoracolumbar fractures are the most common spinal injuries resulting from blunt trauma. Missed spinal injuries can have serious consequences. Objective. Our objectives were to determine the utility of trauma series chest and abdomen computed tomographs for detecting clinically unrecognised vertebral fractures and to analyse those missed on clinical examination. The aim was to identify an ‘at-risk’ patient group with negative clinical examination warranting evaluation with CT screening. Material and Methods. We evaluated all computed tomography of the chest and/or abdominal that was undertaken for blunt trauma at our trauma centre from April 2009 to April 2010. Data was gathered from both CT scans and medical notes to capture demographics, mechanism of injury, fracture site and configuration. Key points were the clinical suspicion of vertebral fractures prior to CT request and identifying ‘at-risk’ patient group with factors contributing to difficulty in clinical interpretation. Results. There were a total of 303 patients in the year who underwent CT scan for blunt trauma. 51(16.8%) had a thoracolumbar vertebral fracture. There were 8 women and 43 men a mean age of 45.2 years. There were 29 (56.8%) stable and 22 (43.2%) unstable fractures. Out of the 51 total fracture patients, only 17(33.3%) had been clinically anticipated with a positive clinical examination. In the 22 unstable fractures, only 11 (50%) were expected and had clinically recorded correlating positive examination findings. Conclusion. A combination of both clinical examination and CT screening based on mechanism will likely be required to ensure adequate sensitivity with an acceptable specificity for the diagnosis of clinically significant injuries of the TL spine

The aim of this study was first, to determine whether CT scans undertaken to identify serious injury to the viscera were of use in detecting clinically unrecognised fractures of the thoracolumbar vertebrae, and second, to identify patients at risk of ‘missed injury’. . We retrospectively analysed CT scans of the chest and abdomen performed for blunt injury to the torso in 303 patients. These proved to be positive for thoracic and intra-abdominal injuries in only 2% and 1.3% of cases, respectively. However, 51 (16.8%) showed a fracture of the thoracolumbar vertebrae and these constituted our subset for study. There were eight women and 43 men with mean age of 45.2 years (15 to 94). There were 29 (57%) stable and 22 (43%) unstable fractures. Only 17 fractures (33.3%) had been anticipated after clinical examination. Of the 22 unstable fractures, 11 (50%) were anticipated. Thus, within the whole group of 303 patients, an unstable spinal injury was missed in 11 patients (3.6%); no harm resulted as they were all protected until the spine had been cleared. A subset analysis revealed that patients with a high Injury Severity Score, a low Glasgow Coma Scale and haemodynamic instability were most likely to have a significant fracture in the absence of positive clinical findings. This is the group at greatest risk. Clinical examination alone cannot detect significant fractures of the thoracolumbar spine. It should be combined with CT imaging to reduce the risk of missed injury

Spinal deformations are posture dependent. Official data from the Netherlands show that youth are encountering increasing problems with the musculoskeletal system (>40% back pain, and sport injury proneness). Prolonged sloth and slumped sitting postures are causative factors. Dutch youth are “champion sitting” in Europe. The effects of sitting on the development of posture and function of locomotion (stiffness) during growth have only been reported clearly in classic textbooks (in German) of practical anatomy and orthopaedics. Research with relevant clinical examinations is being done to understand epidemiological data on the increasing posture-dependent problems. A cohort of adolescents (15–18 years) in secondary school was assessed for sagittal postural deviations while bending. 248 children completed a questionnaire, and tests were done on neuromuscular tightness. The femorotibial angle was used to measure hamstring tightness. Measurement of the dorsiflexion of the foot was used to assess the tightness of calf muscles and Achilles tendons. All adolescents were photographed laterally while performing the finger–floor test (used to test flexibility), assessed as a knockout test: “Can you reach the floor or not?” The spinal profiles while bending were classified as abnormal arcuate or angular kyphosis. Hamstring tightness was present in 62.1% of the cohort in both legs, and in 18.2% unilaterally. Achilles tendon tightness was present bilaterally in 59.3%, and unilaterally in 19.4%. Activities with presence of stiffness (finger–floor distance), in descending order, were football, running, no sports, field hockey, tennis, dance, and gymnastics. 93.5% of the soccer players had tight hamstrings in both legs compared with none of those performing gymnastics. The correlation of the finger–floor test with tight hamstrings was 73.2%. For sagittal bending deformities, the correlation between form and function deficits cannot be made yet. 80 of 248 spines were rated by the examiners as having deformed flexion. Since Andry (1741) and at the zenith of continental orthopaedics and anatomy around 1900, the prolonged flexed positions of a young spine were indicated as being the main cause of deformity by overload and shear loads on immature discs and cartilage, preventing normal development of the discs. Nachemson proved that the intradiscal pressure in sitting adults was extremely high, so it follows that children must also be at risk. Evidence suggests that youth, generally because of their sedentary and “screenful lifestyle”, will encounter serious problems in growth, manifesting as incongruent neuro-osseous growth (Roth), serious neuromuscular tightness (being prone to injury), and spinal deformations, leading to pain

Background. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a spinal condition requiring emergency spinal surgery once diagnosed. The patient-reported symptoms are often subtle and none have been shown to be sensitive or specific in confirming CES. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) is the diagnostic gold standard, and guidelines recommend MRI access within 24-hours of symptom presentation. Limited sequence MRI scans (sagittal T2 sequences of the whole spine) have been shown to successfully identify patients with scan-positive CES despite reducing the duration of an MRI. The aim of this audit was to examine utilisation of same-day MRI requests by spinal practitioners from a newly operational same-day emergency care spinal unit over the two-year period. Methods and results. Data was routinely collected over the two-year period and retrospectively reviewed. Data extraction occurred for cases of suspected CES with a same-day scan. Data extraction included type of MRI scan (lumbar/ whole spine/ CES protocol); outcome (admission/ discharge); final diagnosis. After clinical examination, only 258 (24% of 1085) suspected CES cases were identified and scanned within 24 hours, 58% (n=149) of which were with CES limited sequence scans. Only 12% (n=30) demonstrated scan- positive CES resulting in surgery within 24-hours. MRI same-day requests increased between 2020 (n=81, 21%) and 2021 (n=177, 26%), although utilisation of limited sequence scans improved (n=39, 48% in 2020; n=109, 62% in 2021). Conclusion. Limited sequence MRI scans are a time- and cost-saving means of providing screening for those with suspected CES. Improved utility was demonstrated over the 2-year period by the spinal practitioners. Conflicts of interest: No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding: No sources of funding

Background. FORECAST is a prospective longitudinal cohort study exploring mechanism-based prognostic factors for pain persistence in sciatica. Here, we share an update on this largest deeply-phenotyped primary care sciatica cohort. Methods/results. Our cohort includes 180 people with sciatica (score >4 on Stynes’ Sum Score), aged 18–85, within 3 months of symptom onset. Psychosocial factors, self-reported sensory profiling, clinical examination, quantitative sensory testing (QST), biological samples (blood and skin samples), and Magnetic Resonance Neurography of lumbar nerve roots were collected at baseline. Pain persistence was determined at three and twelve months with the Sciatica Bothersomeness Index (SBI) and a numeric pain rating scale (NRS) as primary outcomes. Recruitment nears completion, with 160 participants enrolled to date. 127 and 96 participants have completed 3 and 12 months follow-up respectively. Overall, 56% of our cohort are female, with a mean age (SD) of 54.14yrs (16.57). Ethnicity data approximates local populations. SBI at baseline was (median [IQR]) 13[10-17], and interim longitudinal data shows stepwise improvement at 3 and 12 months. Baseline ‘average’ pain intensity was 5.56 (2.15) for leg pain, and 4.14(2.82) for low back pain (LBP). Overall, pain scores decreased at 3 and 12 months, with greater reductions in leg pain than LBP at 12 months. However, around 55–80% and 40–65% of people reported persistent pain at 3 and 12 months respectively. Conclusion. Leg pain severity was moderate and higher than LBP at baseline. All primary outcome measures demonstrate improvement over time, however 40–65% of patients report persistent pain at 12 months. Conflicts of interest. LR: Paid facilitation of post-graduate courses internationally. SK, MT, FP, KM, WS, CP, CR, SC: No conflicts of interest. GC: Editor in Chief of Health Psychology Review. Director of board of directors, MentalCHealth Care setting NoordWestVlaanderen. JF: Copyright holder of ODI (Oswestry Disability Index). Served on a data monitoring committee for a clinical trial of 2 different surgical approaches to cervical disc herniation (FORVAD). Member of HTA Prioritisation Committee B: Inside hospital Care from 2015-February 2019. Member of HTA Interventional Procedures Panel from 2010–2015. Trustee and board member of 3 spine related charities – Back to Back; British Scoliosis Research Foundation and BackCare. Expert instructed by both claimant and defendant solicitors in negligence and person injury cases. GB: Paid consultancy (RNA-seq) with Ivy Farm and Coding.bio. ABS: Paid post-graduate lecturing internationally. Co-chair NeupSig sciatica working group (unpaid). Sources of funding. This project is funded by UKRI and Versus Arthritis as part of the UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) Advanced Pain Discovery Platform (APDP), a co-funded initiative by UKRI (MRC, BBSRC, ESRC), Versus Arthritis, the Medical Research Foundation and Eli Lilly and Company Ltd (Grant MR/W027003/1). Additional funding has been received from the back to back charity to expand longitudinal components of the study. LR has received support with PhD fees from the CSP charitable trust. ABS is supported by a Wellcome Trust Clinical Career Development Fellowship. (222101/Z/20/Z). WS is partly funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London. FP is funded by a Dorothy Hodgkin Career Development Fellowship in Chemistry in association with Somerville College. GB is supported by the Wellcome Trust (223149/Z/21/Z) and Diabetes UK (19/0005984). GC and KRM are partly funded by UKRI and Versus Arthritis as part of the Advanced Pain Discovery Platform (APDP) PAINSTORM (MR/W002388/1). The UKRI and Versus Arhthritis (APDP) are the major funders of FORECAST. All other funders provided either some people support, or funded projects with legacy data that we reuse

Establish the positive predictive value of clinical examination predicted radicular level to MRI. To identify the value of the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) assessment tool in the assessment of patients presenting with radicular symptoms of lumbar spine source. 8 patients attending the ESP Orthopaedic triage service, presenting with radicular pain in which MRI is clinically indicated. Prospective study on patients attending ESP Orthopaedic triage service. Patients were clinically examined, both parts LANSS score was completed. Following the assessment a radicular level was selected. Following MRI the results were compared. Positive predicted values (PPV) for clinical examination and sensitivity and specificity of a LANSS score>12 was calculated. LANSS score. MRI report. PPV of 75% of therapist predicted level being same level or adjacent level to MRI stated level. 66% specificity and 100% sensitivity of patients in study with LANNS>12 having MRI evaluated radicular nerve root compression. This pilot suggests that clinical examination and the LANSS score is useful in establishing the presence of radicular nerve root compression. This evidence supports the need for further research

Background Context. SPECT-CT is a hybrid imaging modality, which has become very well established in the diagnosis of inflammatory, vascular and malignant processes affecting the spine. However, little evidence exists on its application with degenerative pathologies. Purpose & Study Design. Systematic review on the use of SPECT-CT in the diagnosis of degenerative facet joint arthropathy. Patient Sample. 824 patients across 10 studies conducted over the last 6 years (2012 – 2018), with a mean age of 51.8 years old. All studies excluded patients with malignancy, infection or inflammatory aetiologies or those related to acute trauma. Only degenerative pathologies of the lumbar spine in an adult population were included. Methods. A systematic review of the literature available on the topic was conducted using the PubMed, Cochrane, Medline and Embase online databases of journal articles. Results. Five studies focused on SPECT-CT alone / versus CT. Two focused on SPECT-CT vs MRI, and three focussed on SPECT-CT guided facet joint injections. Of these 10 studies, seven concluded with results supporting SPECT CT's use, two reported discordance between SPECT-CT findings with those diagnosed from clinical examination / MRI scans, and one study's conclusions were equivocal. Conclusion. SPECT-CT shows promise as an imaging adjunct in assisting with the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of degenerative facet joint arthropathies. In patients whose MRI scans reveal multiple potential pain generators, SPECT-CT could help differentiate between clinically significant sources of pain and may even serve a purpose in guiding facet joint injections in patients with inconclusive MRI / CT scans. No conflicts of interest. No funding obtained

Background. There is a paucity of prognosis research in patients with neuropathic low back-related leg pain (LBLP) in primary care. Purpose. To investigate the clinical course and prognostic factors in primary care LBLP patients consulting with neuropathic pain (NP). Methods. LBLP patients in a primary-care cohort study (n=606) completed the self-report version of Leeds Assessment for Neurological Symptoms and Signs (s-LANSS, score of ≥12 indicates possible NP) at baseline and 4-months. Mixed effects models compared pain-intensity (highest of mean leg or mean back pain - 0–10 NRS at baseline, 4-months, 12-months and 3-years) between those with persistent NP (s-LANSS ≥12 at baseline and 4-months) and those without (s-LANSS ≥12 at baseline and <12 at 4-months). Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression examined association between potential prognostic factors (chosen from baseline self-report questionnaires, clinical examination, MRI scan findings) and persistent NP. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing data. Results. 44% (72/164) of patients with NP at baseline had persistent NP at 4-months. Mean pain intensity of patients with persistent NP was higher at 4-months, 12-months and 3-years compared to those without. In univariable analysis, only pain self-efficacy was significantly associated with persistent NP (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96 to 0.998). In multivariable analysis, none of the 7 investigated factors were significantly associated with persistent NP. Conclusion. Patients with persistent NP were consistently worse-off up to 3-years follow-up compared to those without. It was difficult to identify those patients with NP at baseline who would have persistent NP at 4-months. No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding: Sarah Harrisson is a Clinical Doctoral Fellow funded through a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research Professorship for Nadine Foster (NIHR-RP-011-015). Nadine Foster is a NIHR Senior Investigator. Kika Konstantinou is supported by a Higher Education Funding Council for England/ National Institute for Health Research Senior Clinical Lectureship. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s), not necessarily those of the NHS, NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. This work relates to an Education and Continued Professional Development (level 2) award by the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists to Sarah Harrisson (June 2016)

Consecutive case series. To evaluate the efficacy of a strict stepwise radioanatomical procedure protocol in avoiding neurological complications through tool malplacement in fluoroscopy guided percutaneous procedures of the thoracic spine. Fluoroscopy guided percutaneous access to thoracic vertebral bodies is technically demanding. There is a trend towards computed tomography (CT) guidance on grounds of perceived lesser risk of spinal canal instrument malplacement. CT is however not always readily accessible and a safe technique for fluoroscopy guided procedures therefore desirable. 350 consecutive fluoroscopy guided percutaneous procedures (biopsy, vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty) covering all thoracic vertebral levels T1-T12 were performed according to a strict stepwise radioanatomical protocol. The crucial step of the protocol was not to advance the tool beyond the anterior-posterior (ap) projection of the medial pedicle wall until the tip of the instrument had been verified to have reached the posterior vertebral cortex in the lateral projection. The neurological status of patients was assessed through clinical examination prior to, immediately after the procedure and before discharge. Percutaneous instrument placement in the targeted thoracic vertebral body was achieved in all cases and the stepwise radioanatomical protocol was followed in all cases. There was no case of neurological deterioration in the case series. Conclusion: Attention to radiographic landmarks, specifically not crossing the ap projection of the medial pedicle cortex prior to reaching the posterior vertebral wall in the lateral projection, allows neurologically safe performance of fluoroscopy guided percutaneous procedures of the thoracic spine. This simple protocol is particularly useful when access to CT is limited

Literature review about the current management strategies for U-shape sacral fractures. A thorough literature search was carried out to find out the current concepts in the management of U-shaped sacral fractures. Meta-analysis of 30 cases of U-Shaped sacral fractures. Radiological assessment for bone healing, and clinical examination for neurological recovery. 7 papers were published in the English literature between 2001 and 2009 about the management of U-shaped sacral fractures. In total 30 cases were included. The most common mechanism of injury was fall or jump from height (63%), followed by road traffic accidents and industrial injuries. Pre-operative neurological deficit was noted in 73% of patients. The average follow up time ranged from 2-12 months. 18 (60%) of patients were treated with sacroiliac screws. In this group pre-operative neurological deficit was found in 12(66%) patients. All of these patients had satisfactory radiological healing at follow up but 5(27%) patients had residual neurological deficit. No immediate complication was reported in this group. Incomplete sacroiliac screw disengagement was reported in one patient without fixation failure. Other procedures performed were lumbopelvic fixation, triangular osteosynthesis and transsacral plating. The most common cause of U-shaped sacral fractures is a fall or jump from height. There is a high association of neurological damage with U-shaped sacral fractures. From the current available evidence sacroiliac screw fixation is the most commonly performed procedure, it is however not possible to deduce which procedure is better in terms of neurological recovery

In this study we aim to establish which symptoms and signs are able to reliably predict the presence or absence of cauda equina syndrome. Prospective collection of data was carried out over 10 months on all patients referred with suspected cauda equina syndrome(CES) to a single spinal unit. 28 patients were referred. MRI was normal in 4 (14%) patients. 4 (14%) had disc prolapse causing CES and 3 (11%) had spinal metastatic disease. All patients with CES presented with low back pain, unilateral sciatica, urinary dysfunction (painless retention 2, incontinence 2), altered perianal sensation and abnormal anal tone. 1 described constipation. Of patients without CES or malignancy 21 (100%) complained of low back pain, 19 (90%) sciatica (15 unilateral, 4 bilateral), 12 urinary dysfunction (incontinence 5, reduced sensation 3, painless retention 2, urgency 1, terminal dribbling 1) and 5 described altered bowel habit. 7 (33%) exhibited altered perianal sensation and 1 (5%) abnormal anal tone. The patients with spinal metastases all described back pain but no sciatica. 2 had urinary retention and constipation with 1 having abnormal perianal sensation and anal tone. This study suggests abnormal anal tone (sensitivity 1.0, specificity 0.95) and altered perianal sensation (sensitivity 1.0, specificity 0.67) are the most reliable predictors of CES. Thorough clinical examination is essential. Back pain with bladder and/or bowel dysfunction without sciatica should raise the suspicion of malignancy

Aims

We aimed to establish the short- and long-term efficacy of corticosteroid injection for coccydynia, and to determine if betamethasone or triamcinolone has the best effect.

Background. Pleural drains are routinely used following anterior approaches to the spine for the correction of spinal deformities, to prevent the accumulation of blood, fluids and air in the pleural cavity. Following their removal it is routine practise in our Trust to obtain chest radiographs to look out for a pneumothorax or a residual fluid collection. Our hypothesis is that unless clinically indicated the use of a CXR does not affect patient management and should not therefore be routine practice. Methods. A retrospective audit of 122 consecutive patients, who underwent surgery for the correction of spinal deformity using an anterior approach to the spine, over the course of a year, was undertaken. CXRs were performed in all patients following drain removal. We have reviewed those images and in cases were abnormalities were detected we have examined the case notes to assess the impact of those findings with regards to management. Results. 122 patients (92F,30M) were included in our study. Mean age was 20.1 yyears. There were records of pre existing lung pathology in 4 cases. The right and left pleura were opened in 99 and 23 cases respectively and a chest drain was inserted in all cases peri operatively. The average time for removal was 4.2 days. There were 27 cases were an insignificant abnormality was detected. There were 2 cases were a large pneumothorax (>2cm) was detected. On reviewing these case notes there were abnormalities in clinical parameters and abnormal findings on clinical examination that would alert the clinician to the possibility of underlying pathology and the need for further evaluation. In all cases there was no further intervention in the form of chest drain re insertion. Conclusion. There is a very low incidence of pneumothorax following pleural drain removal. Those cases can be identified by means of clinical evaluation. The use of routine CXR is not necessary. This is a safe cost effective intervention that will also serve to reduce the radiation patients are subjected to. Ethics approval Audit/service standard in trust. Interest StatementNone

Purposes of the study and background. MRI of the lumbar spine is a clinically important examination in low back pain (LBP) when serious underlying pathology or radiculopathy is suspected or when pain does not improve, e.g. to identify herniated discs. The general population has high confidence in this modality. Little documented knowledge exists about how the MRI results should be communicated to the patients in an optimal way. The aim of this study was to explore the patients' perspectives, i.e. worries, thoughts and interpretations of terms used when health care providers convey the MRI results. Summary of methods used and results. 79 patients with chronic LBP were included in a broader study of consultations at Funen Back Centre by which the results of MRI were conveyed. 43 of these patients were selected for a qualitative study until information saturation was reached. After the clinical consultation, each patient was interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio-recorded and fully transcribed. The transcripts were analysed using Giorgi's method as modified by Malterud. There was a broad variation in the patients' worries, thoughts and expectations prior to the consultations. Worries were linked to a diversity of possible causes (or finding no explanation) of the pain as well as consequences for function and treatment. We found a broad spectrum of interpretations of terms used, for instance content and meaning of “wear and tear” or disc herniation. Subjects had a high confidence in the reliability of MRI. Conclusion. The findings may help to improve the communication about MRI results

Introduction. Cauda Equina is a condition requiring urgent operative intervention to avoid debilitating long term neurological compromise. The recommended maximium time delay before lack of surgical decompression results in persisting neurological deficit has been suggested to be 24 hrs and more recent studies have even indicated 48 hours as acceptable. We wanted to assess if any persisting neurological deficit occurred in our practice when treated at 12 hours or less. Aim. To assess if patients treated within half of the maximum recommended time for surgical decompression following cauda equina i.e 12 hours, are still pre-disposed to persisting neurological compromise. Methods. We reviewed all patients who underwent a spinal decompression for cauda equina, based on clinical presentation, examination and magnetic resonance imaging at our institution. Over a seven year period, seven patients were found to have operative findings consistent with cauda equina syndrome. The clinical presentation, time from presentation to operative decompression and type of procedure done, as well as the clinical review at follow up, were noted. Results. The time from presentation to operation was 8 hours 30 mins to 11 hours 48 in 6 patients and 25 hrs in one patient. All seven patients had resolution of symptoms except for dermatomal sensory deficit. Two patients had some recurrence of sciatica, two of these patients having similar operations done at the same level within 18 months. Discussion. Our study shows that urinary compromise resolves with early decompression but that persisting neurological symptoms in the form of sensory deficit can persist even when decompression is performed within 12 hours. We conclude that early decompression is necessary but it does not alleviate all neurological symptoms

Aims

In the United Kingdom, lower incidences of intraspinal abnormalities in patients with early onset idiopathic scoliosis have been observed than in studies in other countries. We aimed to determine the rates of these abnormalities in United Kingdom patients diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis before the age of 11 years.

Aims

We performed a retrospective, comparative study of elderly patients with an increased risk from anaesthesia who had undergone either anterior screw fixation (ASF) or halo vest immobilisation (HVI) for a type II odontoid fracture.

Aim

Identifying cervical spine injuries in confused or comatose patients with multiple injuries provides a diagnostic challenge. Our aim was to investigate the protocols which are used for the clearance of the cervical spine in these patients in English hospitals.

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The aim of this study is to introduce and investigate the efficacy and feasibility of a new vertebral osteotomy technique, vertebral column decancellation (VCD), for rigid thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity (TLKD) secondary to ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Aims

In a multicentre, randomised study of adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis, we investigated the effect of adding gelatine matrix with human thrombin to the standard surgical methods of controlling blood loss.