Methods: Lumbosacral MRI films of patients who visited the outpatient department between January 2023 and March 31, 2024, were evaluated to check for technical inadequacies. Results: A total of 1,150 lumbar MRI sets from 100 MRI centers were examined. Thirty-five percent did not include T1 axial images, and 8% did not include T1 sagittal images. Thirty-eight percent did not specify the sagittal image sequencing (right-to-left or left-to-right). Eighty-five percent of the sagittal images were profiled from right to left, and 15% were profiled from left to right. Macnab’s recommendation was not followed in 970 sets. The axial sectioning of the scout films was nonparallel to the examined segment in 350 sets. The sacroiliac joint was not screened in 40% of the sets. The number of plates provided ranged from two to six films. Conclusions Based on the results obtained, we strongly recommend that radiologists form structured guidelines to be followed by MRI centers to ensure uniformity, address inadequacies, and minimize the chance of errors in diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

Methods: This study included 36 patients with HGS in whom reduction, posterior instrumentation, and fusion were achieved with MIS– TLIF. They were evaluated for lower back pain and radicular pain, scaled by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score. Erect radiographs were performed to calculate slip angle (SA) and sacropelvic and spinopelvic parameters preoperatively, postoperatively, and at each follow-up until 4 years. Results: This study identified 30 patients with grade III HGS and six patients with grade IV/V HGS. Spinopelvic parameters were unbalanced in 13 patients. Complete reduction was achieved in 24 patients, with end-stage reduction of grade I with adequate spinopelvic balance achieved in 12 patients. Intraoperative neuromonitoring demonstrated no loss of signals throughout the procedure in any of the patients. Excellent functional outcome was achieved with back pain as well as leg pain VAS score improvements postoperatively in all patients. No implant-related complications or pseudoarthrosis incidences were reported at long-term follow-up at 4 years. Conclusions MIS–TLIF for HGS is a specific solution for a complex pathology, enabling one to achieve an excellent clinical as well as radiological outcome.

Methods: Lumbosacral MRI films of patients who visited the outpatient department between January 2023 and March 31, 2024, were evaluated to check for technical inadequacies. Results: A total of 1,150 lumbar MRI sets from 100 MRI centers were examined. Thirty-five percent did not include T1 axial images, and 8% did not include T1 sagittal images. Thirty-eight percent did not specify the sagittal image sequencing (right-to-left or left-to-right). Eighty-five percent of the sagittal images were profiled from right to left, and 15% were profiled from left to right. Macnab’s recommendation was not followed in 970 sets. The axial sectioning of the scout films was nonparallel to the examined segment in 350 sets. The sacroiliac joint was not screened in 40% of the sets. The number of plates provided ranged from two to six films. Conclusions Based on the results obtained, we strongly recommend that radiologists form structured guidelines to be followed by MRI centers to ensure uniformity, address inadequacies, and minimize the chance of errors in diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

Methods: This study included 36 patients with HGS in whom reduction, posterior instrumentation, and fusion were achieved with MIS– TLIF. They were evaluated for lower back pain and radicular pain, scaled by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score. Erect radiographs were performed to calculate slip angle (SA) and sacropelvic and spinopelvic parameters preoperatively, postoperatively, and at each follow-up until 4 years. Results: This study identified 30 patients with grade III HGS and six patients with grade IV/V HGS. Spinopelvic parameters were unbalanced in 13 patients. Complete reduction was achieved in 24 patients, with end-stage reduction of grade I with adequate spinopelvic balance achieved in 12 patients. Intraoperative neuromonitoring demonstrated no loss of signals throughout the procedure in any of the patients. Excellent functional outcome was achieved with back pain as well as leg pain VAS score improvements postoperatively in all patients. No implant-related complications or pseudoarthrosis incidences were reported at long-term follow-up at 4 years. Conclusions MIS–TLIF for HGS is a specific solution for a complex pathology, enabling one to achieve an excellent clinical as well as radiological outcome.

Methods: Lumbosacral MRI films of patients who visited the outpatient department between January 2023 and March 31, 2024, were evaluated to check for technical inadequacies. Results: A total of 1,150 lumbar MRI sets from 100 MRI centers were examined. Thirty-five percent did not include T1 axial images, and 8% did not include T1 sagittal images. Thirty-eight percent did not specify the sagittal image sequencing (right-to-left or left-to-right). Eighty-five percent of the sagittal images were profiled from right to left, and 15% were profiled from left to right. Macnab’s recommendation was not followed in 970 sets. The axial sectioning of the scout films was nonparallel to the examined segment in 350 sets. The sacroiliac joint was not screened in 40% of the sets. The number of plates provided ranged from two to six films. Conclusions Based on the results obtained, we strongly recommend that radiologists form structured guidelines to be followed by MRI centers to ensure uniformity, address inadequacies, and minimize the chance of errors in diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

Methods: This study included 36 patients with HGS in whom reduction, posterior instrumentation, and fusion were achieved with MIS– TLIF. They were evaluated for lower back pain and radicular pain, scaled by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score. Erect radiographs were performed to calculate slip angle (SA) and sacropelvic and spinopelvic parameters preoperatively, postoperatively, and at each follow-up until 4 years. Results: This study identified 30 patients with grade III HGS and six patients with grade IV/V HGS. Spinopelvic parameters were unbalanced in 13 patients. Complete reduction was achieved in 24 patients, with end-stage reduction of grade I with adequate spinopelvic balance achieved in 12 patients. Intraoperative neuromonitoring demonstrated no loss of signals throughout the procedure in any of the patients. Excellent functional outcome was achieved with back pain as well as leg pain VAS score improvements postoperatively in all patients. No implant-related complications or pseudoarthrosis incidences were reported at long-term follow-up at 4 years. Conclusions MIS–TLIF for HGS is a specific solution for a complex pathology, enabling one to achieve an excellent clinical as well as radiological outcome.

Objective: Older patients undergoing spine surgery present unique challenges due to age-related physiological changes and comorbidities. The choice of anesthetic plays a pivotal role in perioperative outcomes, yet limited data exist on optimal approaches in this vulnerable population. This study compared the safety and efficacy of general anesthesia (GA) versus spinal anesthesia (SA) in patients over 65 years of age undergoing lumbar spine surgery. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 150 patients over 65 years of age undergoing lumbar spine surgery between January 2021 and December 2023. Patients were equally divided into GA (n=75) and SA (n=75) groups. Demographics, surgical parameters, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes, including visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), time to analgesic requirement, length of hospital stay, and complication rates, were analyzed. Results: Baseline demographics and surgical parameters were comparable between groups. SA was associated with significantly lower VAS scores at 48 hours (3.02±0.60 vs. 4.65±0.68, p<0.001) and better ODI scores (38.94±4.12 vs. 43.25±4.75, p<0.001) compared to GA. Time to first analgesic requirement postoperatively was significantly delayed in SA (151.73±12.45 minutes vs. 61.25±5.82 minutes, p<0.001), along with shorter hospital stay (2.74±0.68 days vs. 3.24±0.74 days, p<0.001). Complication rates were comparable, though nausea/vomiting was significantly lower in patients who received SA (6.7% vs. 16%, p=0.04). Long-term VAS and ODI scores at 1 year were similar between groups. Conclusion SA offers significant early postoperative advantages in lumbar spine surgery in older patients, including superior pain control, faster recovery, and shorter hospitalization, without affecting long-term outcomes. It represents a safe and effective alternative to GA in older spine surgery patients.

Objective: Awake spine surgery has improved patient outcomes in common orthopaedic procedures. Integrating it into spine surgery is of interest to surgeons since it may reduce the difficulties and complications associated with general anaesthesia. The demand for safe spine surgery is rising due to healthcare improvements and increasing ageing population. This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of spine surgery under spinal anesthesia for elderly patients aged 65 and older. Methods: In a retrospective review, 83 lower lumbar spine surgeries performed under spinal anesthesia by a single surgeon at a single hospital from 2015 to 2019 were examined. All procedure-related data was collected prospectively for analysis. This study explored demographic characteristics, surgical features, perioperative concerns, and anesthesia-related obstacles in spine surgery under spinal anaesthesia. Results: This study included 83 patients aged 65 years and older. Following follow-up, visual analogue scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores considerably improved (p<0.05). Patients in the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical characteristics classification grade II had the highest count. The most common level was L4–5. About 7.2% of patients needed multiple spinal procedures. The average induction time was 20.2±9.6 minutes. The average intraoperative operation lasted 84.0±17.20 minutes. The shifting-out process took 7.95±2.10 minutes to start. The mean intraoperative arterial blood pressure was 70.7±10.8 mmHg, and the mean heart rate was 69.0±7.2 beats per minute. The average postoperative analgesia initiation time was 79.9±7.7 minutes. The average postoperative stay was 3.02±0.83 days. In 10.8% of individuals, cerebrospinal fluid was found. 1.2% of patients experienced postoperative hypotension, 12% experienced nausea and vomiting. Infection occurred in 2.4% of patients, and 14.5% experienced post-operative urinary retention. Conclusion This case series shows that older patients can undergo lumbar fusion, decompression surgeries under spinal anesthesia with a skilled anaesthesia team. Additionally, spinal anaesthesia substantially minimised dangers and concerns related with general aanaesthesia.

Objective: Kyphoscoliosis is the most common deformity seen in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), occurring in 10%–60% of cases. These dystrophic curves often exhibit severe deformities that require surgical intervention. Various procedures have been evaluated and studied; however, there is no consensus, and these are also associated with a higher rate of morbidity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of apical spinal osteotomy (ASO) in NF1 patients with dystrophic curves who exhibited thoracic, thoracolumbar, or lumbar kyphoscoliosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data involving 21 children with dystrophic NF1 curves who underwent ASO at a single tertiary care center from November 2009 to June 2017. The efficacy of ASO for correcting coronal and sagittal deformities was assessed. Clinical outcomes (visual analogue scale [VAS], Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], and Frankel grade) and radiological outcomes (Cobb angle correction, fusion, and complications) were evaluated. Results: The study included 21 patients (11 males, 10 females) with a mean age at surgery of 9.33 years. The mean kyphotic Cobb angle improved significantly from 98.33° to 36.52°. The mean sagittal vertical axis also improved significantly from 7.40 cm to 4.21 cm, along with significant improvements in VAS and ODI scores. Conclusion This study describes a technique using a posterior approach for single-level ASO in the treatment of severe dystrophic NF1 curves. The technique can be effective in children with mild to moderate curves, yielding good clinicoradiological outcomes and satisfactory correction rates.