Posttraumatic and Idiopathic Syringomyelia
Summary of Key Points • Syringomyelia denotes a collection of heterogenous disorders that result in an abnormal fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord. They may be the result of congenital,…
Cervical Total Disc Arthroplasty
Summary of Key Points • Cervical disc arthroplasty is a safe and effective alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in selected patients with symptomatic cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy related…
Bone Graft Harvesting
Summary of Key Points • Autogenous bone graft is still the gold standard graft substrate for achieving fusion. • It is therefore imperative that spine surgeons have an intimate knowledge…
Motion-Sparing, Nonimplant Surgery: Cervical Spine and Lumbar Spine
Summary of Key Points • There is a wide array of motion-sparing, nonimplant surgical procedures that can adequately address patients’ symptoms in a cost-effective manner if the proper presurgical and…
Adult Thoracic and Lumbar Deformity
Summary of Key Points • Adult spinal deformity (ASD) may be considered a spectrum of spinal malalignments. ASD includes spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, kyphosis, sagittal spinopelvic malalignment, and axial rotation. The most…
Myelomeningocele and Associated Anomalies
Summary of Key Points • Myelomeningocele, or spina bifida aperta, is defined as a dorsally protruding open neural tube defect. The etiology of myelomeningocele is multifactorial and heterogeneous. • Prenatal…
Minimally Invasive Techniques for Thoracolumbar Deformity
Summary of Key Points • The prevalence of adult spinal deformity is increasing due to an aging U.S. population. • Open surgical correction has been shown to lead to significantly…
Spinal Wound Closure
Summary of Key Points • Understanding spinal anatomy and the underlying structures provides grounds for managing spinal wounds. • Orderly and layered closure of any spinal wound, whether anterior or…
Spinal Augmentation for Vertebral Compression Fractures
Summary of Key Points • The percutaneous vertebral augmentation procedures vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are indicated for painful vertebral compression fractures refractory to conservative medical management. • Vertebroplasty involves injection of…
Minimally Invasive Spinal Decompression and Stabilization Techniques I: Philosophy and Rationale
Summary of Key Points • Minimally invasive spine surgery has gained popularity. It may be used for decompression and stabilization of all segments of the spine and spinal cord. •…
