Classification and Radiological Diagnosis of Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures: WFNS Spine Committee Recommendations

The aim of this review to determine recommendations for classification and radiological diagnosis of thoracolumbar spine fractures. Recommendation was made through a literature review of the last 10 years. The statements created by the authors were discussed and voted on during 2 consensus meetings organized by the WFNS (World Federation Neurosurgical Societies) Spine Committee. The literature review was yielded 256 abstracts, of which 32 were chosen for full-text analysis. Thirteen papers evaluated the reliability of a classification system by our expert members and were also chosen in this guideline analysis. This literature review-based recommendation provides the classification and radiologic diagnosis in thoracolumbar spine fractures that can elucidate the management decision-making in clinical practice.

Surgical Techniques for Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures: WFNS Spine Committee Recommendations

To formulate the specific guidelines for the recommendation of thoracolumbar fracture regarding surgical techniques and nonfusion surgery. WFNS (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies) Spine Committee organized 2 consensus meeting. For nonfusion surgery and thoracolumbar fracture, a systematic literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar database was done from 2010 to 2020. The search was further refined by excluding the articles which were duplicate, not in English or were based on animal or cadaveric subjects. After thorough shortlisting, only 50 articles were selected for full review in this consensus meeting. To generate a consensus, the levels of agreement or disagreement on each item were voted independently in a blind fashion through a Likert-type scale from 1 to 5. The consensus was achieved when the sum for disagreement or agreement was ≥ 66%. Each consensus point was clearly defined with evidence strength, recommendation grade, and consensus level provided. A magnitude of prospective papers were analyzed to formulate consensus on various surgical techniques that can be employed to address different types of thoracolumbar fractures. Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures can be a better option over the nonoperative approach, especially for those who cannot tolerate months in an orthosis or cast, such as those with multiple extremity injuries, skin lesions, obesity, and so forth. It generally allows early mobilization, less hospital stay, reduced pulmonary complications, and better correction of sagittal balance. Current available literature fails to demonstrate any statistically significant benefit of fusion surgery over nonfusion in thoracolumbar fractures.

Incidence and Epidemiology of Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures: WFNS Spine Committee Recommendations

This review aims to search the epidemiology and incidence rates of thoracolumbar spine fractures. A systematic review of the literature of the last 10 years gave 586 results with “incidence,” and 387 results with “epidemiology,” of which 39 papers were analyzed. The review results were discussed and voted in 2 consensus meetings of the WFNS (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies) Spine Committee. Out of 39 studies, 15 studies have focused on thoracolumbar trauma, remaining 24 studies have looked at all spine trauma. Most were retrospective in nature; few were prospective and multicenter. Some studies have focused on specific injuries. The annual incidence of TL fractures is about 30/100,000 inhabitants including osteoporotic fractures. There is a trend to increase the fractures in elderly population especially in developed countries, while an increase of motor vehicle accidents in developing countries. The mortality rate among male elderly patients is relatively high. The incidence of thoracolumbar spine fractures is increasing because of low-velocity falls in the elderly population. The main reasons are falls and traffic accidents. Learning the regional differences and some special forms of trauma such as extreme sports, war, and gunshot injuries will help the prevention of the thoracolumbar spine fractures.

Indications for Nonsurgical Treatment of Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures: WFNS Spine Committee Recommendations

Thoracolumbar spine is the most injured spinal region in blunt trauma. Literature on the indications for nonoperative treatment of thoracolumbar fractures is conflicting. The purpose of this systematic review is to clarify the indications for nonsurgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. We conducted a systematic literature search between 2010 to 2020 on PubMed/MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central. Up-to-date literature on the indications for nonoperative treatment of thoracolumbar fractures was reviewed to reach an agreement in a consensus meeting of WFNS (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies) Spine Committee. The statements were voted and reached a positive or negative consensus using the Delphi method. For all of the questions discussed, the literature search yielded 1,264 studies, from which 54 articles were selected for full-text review. Nine studies (4 trials, and 5 retrospective) evaluating 759 participants with thoracolumbar fractures who underwent nonoperative/surgery were included. Although, compression type and stable burst fractures can be managed conservatively, if there is major vertebral body damage, kyphotic angulation, neurological deficit, spinal canal compromise, surgery may be indicated. AO type B, C fractures are preferably treated surgically. Future research is necessary to tackle the relative paucity of evidence pertaining to patients with thoracolumbar fractures.

Kyphosis After Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures: WFNS Spine Committee Recommendations

Thoracolumbar fractures change the biomechanics of the spine. Load distribution causes kyphosis by the time. Treatment of posttraumatic kyphosis is still controversial. We reviewed the literature between 2010 and 2020 using a search with keywords “thoracolumbar fracture and kyphosis.” We removed osteoporotic fractures, ankylosing spondylitis fractures, non-English language papers, case reports, and low-quality case series. Up-to-date information on posttraumatic kyphosis management was reviewed to reach an agreement in a consensus meeting of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Spine Committee. The first meeting was conducted in Peshawar in December 2019 with WFNS Spine Committee members’ presence and participation. The second meeting was a virtual meeting via the internet on June 12, 2020. We utilized the Delphi method to administer the questionnaire to preserve a high degree of validity. We summarized 42 papers on posttraumatic kyphosis. Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar kyphosis due to unstable burst fractures can be done via a posterior only approach. Less blood loss and reduced surgery time are the main advantages of posterior surgery. Kyphosis angle for surgical decision and fusion levels are controversial. However, global sagittal balance should be taken into consideration for the segment that has to be included. Adding an intermediate screw at the fractured level strengthens the construct.

Thoracolumbar spine fractures, short versus long posterior fixation: Guidelines and controversies. A Systematic Review

Background Thoracolumbar spine fractures are common injuries that can result in significant disability, deformity and neurological deficit. Controversies exist regarding the appropriate radiological investigations, the indications for surgical management and the timing, approach and type of surgery. Aim of the Work to discuss: Guidelines and controversies of short versus long posterior fixation in management of thoracolumbar spine fractures. Patients and Methods 20 articles were identified through specified electronic databases. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 comparative studies were finally included in this systematic review. Various other approaches were used in combination with posterior pedicle screw fixation according to the underlying pathology (e.g. Discectomy, Laminectomy, Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty, etc.). A total of 194 patients underwent short segment pedicle screw fixation compared to 158 patients who underwent Long segment pedicle screw fixation for various indications. The majority of the included trials were small studies with between 12 and 69 participants. The patients’ characteristics were comparable within each study group. Individual patient data were available from these articles. Results A total of 194 patients underwent short segment pedicle screw fixation compared to 158 patients who underwent Long segment pedicle screw fixation for various indications. The majority of the included trials were small studies with between 12 and 69 participants. The patients’ characteristics were comparable within each study group. Individual patients data were available from these articles; longest follow up post operative record was about 71 months; 162 male and 93 female in these studies; the mean age about 38 years; the level of thoracolumbar fracture was: 60 patients at T12,104 patients at L1 and 41 patients at L2. Conclusion This review suggest work on the guidelines with evaluating of each case according to age, angels, height, weight (BMI), comorbidities, ability to anaesthesia and types of instability in the patient before as osteoporosis and kyphosis. Degree of angels of cobb and kyphotic angel which are major factors determine if posterior long or short.

Functional outcome of traumatic paraplegia and paraparesis patients treated with pedicle screw stabilization with decompression

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> In this study, unstable thoracolumbar spine fractures with neurological deficit fixed with Moss Miami pedicle screw and decompression were followed up for neurological improvement (sensory and motor functions). Patients were admitted in the department of Orthopaedics, Government medical college, Kottayam from November 2016 to October 2017.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> In this observational study, 96 patients (aged 17 to 60 years) are followed up. The preoperative neurological status and post-operative recovery are follow-up at 1, 3 and 6 months and graded by Frankel’s grading. Change from Frankel’s grade A OR B to Frankel grade C, D OR E was said to be improved neurologically.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> 87.3% males and 12.7% females with 58.3% patients having fall from height sustained wedge compression fractures (49.1%), burst fractures (46.8%) and fracture dislocations (4.1%). vertebra fractured were L1-31.4%, T12-22.9% and L2-19.7%. Complete paralysis was 44.8% and 55.2% incomplete. At 6 months 75% patients showed improvement and 25% patients showed nil. 95.5% patients (18-30 years) showed improvement and only 50% (51-60 years). Incomplete neurological deficit showed significant improvement (100%) compared to patients with complete paralysis (44.2%). Preoperative Frankel score has significant relationship with final neurological (44% of patients with Frankel A and 100% with Frankel D.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Moss Miami pedicle screw stabilization with decompression is an effective surgical technique in maintaining stability of spine in traumatic paraplegia and paraparesis patients and there is significant improvement in neurological status.</p>