Seminars in Spine Surgery RSS feed: Current Issue. Seminars in Spine Surgery is a continuing source of current, clinical information for practicing surgeons. Under the direction of a specially selected guest editor, each issue addresses a single topic in the management and care of patients. Topics covered in each issue include basic anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, management options and follow-up of the condition under consideration. The journal also features "Spinescope," a special section providing summaries of articles from other journals that are of relevance to the understanding of ongoing research related to the treatment of spinal disorders.http://www.semspinesurg.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Seminars in Spine Surgery1040-7383221March 2010 © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000055/abstract?rss=yesMasthead10.1053/S1040-7383(10)00005-5Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-03-01Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-03-01221S1040-7383(10)X0002-8IFCIFChttp://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000079/abstract?rss=yesContributors10.1053/S1040-7383(10)00007-9Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-03-01Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-03-01221S1040-7383(10)X0002-8iihttp://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000080/abstract?rss=yesForthcoming/Previous Issues10.1053/S1040-7383(10)00008-0Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-03-01Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-03-01221S1040-7383(10)X0002-8iiiihttp://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000092/abstract?rss=yesTable of Contents10.1053/S1040-7383(10)00009-2Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-03-01Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-03-01221S1040-7383(10)X0002-8iiiiiihttp://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738309000847/abstract?rss=yesWe are excited and honored for the opportunity to serve as guest editors for this issue of Seminars in Spine Surgery. You will notice that the focus of this issue is on thoracolumbar spine injuries. It was a conscious decision on our part not to title it as Thoracolumbar Fractures.IntroductionFrancis H. Shen, Adam L. Shimer10.1053/j.semss.2009.10.007Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-01-04Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-01-04221S1040-7383(10)X0002-811http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738309000781/abstract?rss=yesThe spinal thoracolumbar junction is uniquely predisposed to injury caused by forces transmitted through the region and the anatomy of transition from the thoracic to lumbar regions. Management of thoracolumbar injuries requires an understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of this region. Classification systems need to be reproducible and should assist with treatment decisions.Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Classification of Thoracolumbar InjuriesHarvey E. Smith, D. Greg Anderson, Alexander R. Vaccaro, Todd J. Albert, Alan S. Hilibrand, James S. Harrop, John K. Ratliff10.1053/j.semss.2009.10.001Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-03-01Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-03-01221S1040-7383(10)X0002-827http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS104073830900080X/abstract?rss=yesFractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine are common in patients who have sustained high energy spinal trauma, and are associated with injury to the spinal cord in up to 50% of cases. Accurate early assessment is essential because delay in diagnosis may result in the development of neurologic complications. Clinical assessment of these patients is often challenging, and as a result, diagnostic imaging usually plays a central role in their management. The purpose of this chapter is to explore this role by answering the following questions: What are the imaging options? Who should be imaged? How should they be imaged? and What are the imaging findings for the most common types of thoracolumbar fractures?Imaging of Thoracic and Lumbar Spine FracturesMark W. Anderson10.1053/j.semss.2009.10.003Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-01-04Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-01-04221S1040-7383(10)X0002-8819http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738309000811/abstract?rss=yesSeries of cases from our own practice as a means of reviewing the basic principles for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures are presented in this article. Although there are no widely accepted evidence-based standards to guide surgeons in choosing treatment approaches, several basic and logical principles may be applied to each case to first decide whether a patient is best managed nonoperatively or with surgical treatment. If operative management is indicated, the surgeon must decide whether decompression and/or stabilization is indicated, whether surgery should be done from an anterior and/or posterior approach, the timing of surgery, the surgical technique, and how extensive the instrumentation should be. Through a series of case example, the authors emphasize the principles of short fixation for most cases to preserve spinal motion. Successful surgery for thoracolumbar fracture can be achieved for most cases with short anterior or posterior fixation.Surgical Management of Thoracolumbar Fractures: Rationale for Short FixationJustin S. Smith, Vincent Arlet10.1053/j.semss.2009.10.004Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-01-04Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-01-04221S1040-7383(10)X0002-82032http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738309000793/abstract?rss=yesFractures of the low lumbar spine are relatively uncommon and have various injury patterns. Treatment must be individualized and should take into account the fracture type, ligamentous injury pattern, neurological injury, the limitations of surgical implants, and the anatomical approaches available. Nonoperative management of burst fractures for patients without neurological deficits has generally been reported to have acceptable outcomes. For low lumbar burst fractures or fracture dislocations of the lumbosacral segment where neurological injury has occurred, surgery is indicated. This surgery should include decompression (posterior or anterior), spinal realignment with maintenance of lumbar lordosis, and instrumentation over minimal segments. Conservatively managed patients require continued follow-up to manage symptoms and check for possible development of deformity.Diagnosis and Management of Low Lumbar Burst FracturesCharles A. Sansur, Christopher I. Shaffrey10.1053/j.semss.2009.10.002Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-03-01Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-03-01221S1040-7383(10)X0002-83337http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738309000823/abstract?rss=yesHigh energy injuries to the thoracolumbar (TL) region are commonly encountered and have been described since the time of Hippocrates. Despite this long history and mountains of manuscripts generated on the topic, the optimal care of TL burst fractures remains controversial. There is such great heterogeneity in study designs, inclusion criteria, and interventions used that traditional treatment guidelines require a critical re-evaluation. Many outcome studies have failed to correlate radiographic indicators such a kyphosis, loss of vertebral body height, and canal compromise to long-term clinical outcomes. Furthermore, 3 large prospective, randomized trials have demonstrated outcome equivalency of operative and nonoperative treatment for TL burst fractures without neurological compromise. Surgical intervention remains the standard of care in the setting of progressive neurological deficits, fracture-dislocations, and translational instability.Operative versus Nonoperative Treatment of Thoracolumbar Burst FracturesAdam L. Shimer, Brian W. Su10.1053/j.semss.2009.10.005Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-01-04Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-01-04221S1040-7383(10)X0002-83843http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738309000835/abstract?rss=yesThoracolumbar spine injuries are the most common spine injuries in the skeletally immature, but only represent 1%-2% of all fractures or injuries in this patient population. These injuries range in severity but the severe ones may have devastating, lifelong consequences. This article will summarize a common sense way of evaluation and treatment of them. The premise is to stress principles and a methodical approach to analyze these injuries and then to apply a practical, effective, and efficient treatment modalities to manage them. There has been no attempt to address each and every possible injury type. Rather, the goal here was to provide a more general framework through which a physician managing such injuries can maneuver.Thoracolumbar Spine Injuries in Children and AdolescentsJohn P. Lubicky, Yazeed M. Gussous10.1053/j.semss.2009.10.006Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-03-01Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-03-01221S1040-7383(10)X0002-84449http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS104073831000002X/abstract?rss=yesHeadaches are frequently reported in patients who have radiculopathy or myelopathy with cervical spondylosis. Modalities of treatment are as varied as their speculated causes. Riina et al performed a study to determine whether anterior cervical reconstructive surgery consisting of cervical arthrodesis or disk arthroplasty also helps to alleviate associated headaches.SpinescopeScott D. Boden10.1053/j.semss.2010.01.001Seminars in Spine Surgery 22, 1 (2010)2010-03-01Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-03-01221S1040-7383(10)X0002-85055