PurposeDespite systemic antibiotics and topical vancomycin powder, deep surgical-site infections (SSIs) remain a devastating complication of major posterior spine surgery, driving morbidity, costs, and antimicrobial resistance. In this study, we aimed to compare deep surgical-site infection (SSI) incidence following major posterior spine surgery between patients receiving intraoperative hypochlorous acid (HOCl) lavage and a historical control group receiving intrawound vancomycin powder.MethodsIn this retrospective comparative study, 161 patients undergoing major posterior spinal surgery received ≥2L of topical HOCl lavage, while 88 historical controls received intra-wound vancomycin powder. The primary endpoint was deep SSI incidence within 12 months. Demographics, operative variables, and microbiological data were analyzed with rigorous statistical methods.ResultsDeep SSI rates were nearly identical: 3.1% (5/161) with HOCl versus 3.4% (3/88) with vancomycin (p = 0.999), with no HOCl-related adverse effects. Pathogen profiles (including MRSA, S. epidermidis, and E. coli) were comparable between groups, underscoring HOCl's broad-spectrum efficacy.ConclusionHOCl lavage showed similar deep SSI rates to intrawound vancomycin powder in this retrospective cohort; prospective multicenter studies are warranted to validate these findings and define optimal protocols.

AIM:To present one of neurosurgery's earliest pioneers, Dr. Vahdettin Turkman, who contributed to neurosurgical practice globally from east to west (Iraq, Tukey, England, Germany and the United States) in the early 1960s. MATERIAL AND METHODS:This paper is the result of numerous interviews conducted in Turkey, Iraq, USA, and Canada. RESULTS:During Dr. Turkman's brief life, he accomplished a great deal that contributed to the global advancement of modern neurosurgery. CONCLUSION:Dr. Turkman's contributions and achievements have inspired many neurosurgeons trained at Ankara and Hacettepe Universities, Neurosurgery Departments in Turkey, and around the world. We honor Dr. Turkman and pay tribute to his memory.

Objective: Sacral stress fractures mostly occur in patients with a compromised bone structure.Both surgical and nonsurgical modalities are used in the treatment of these patients.However, there is not a well-established treatment guideline.The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the Bakker classification can be used as a guide when selecting a treatment modality for the treat sacral stress fractures.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study assessed 19 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with a sacral stress fracture.The patients' demographics, imaging studies, treatment modalities and outcomes were extracted from their records.Imaging studies were re-evaluated according to the Bakker classification, and fractures were classified accordingly.Finally, the distribution of treatment modalities regarding fracture types was evaluated.Results: Three patients had type A sacral stress fractures, 11 had type B sacral stress fractures.Five patients, four of whom had prior lumbosacral fusion surgery, had type C fractures.All type A cases were relieved by conservative management.Eight type B fractures were treated by percutaneous procedures.All patients with type C fractures have undergone lumbopelvic fusion.The mean follow-up period was 31.2±18.9months, and a marked reduction in pain was found after all therapeutic approaches. Conclusion:The management of sacral stress fractures primarily depends on the type of fracture.The authors recommend lumbopelvic fixation for fractures with prior lumbosacral instrumentation and conservative treatment for type A fractures.Though percutaneous sacroplasty is effective in type B fractures, some can be managed by conservative treatment, whereas others require percutaneous sacroiliac fusion.Further prospective studies with larger populations are needed to confirm the suggested fracture classification-based treatment algorithm.

Study Design Retrospective case series with a historical control group. Purpose To compare the deep wound infection rates in patients undergoing spinal surgery with the application of topical intrawound vancomycin powder (TIVP) in the surgical site in addition to standard systemic prophylaxis with those in a matched historical cohort of patients for whom TIVP was not used. Overview of Literature Surgical site infection (SSI) after spine surgery is debilitating and is responsible for a significant increase in the health care costs, hospital stay, and morbidities. Although the application of TIVP before surgical closure is a promising method for reducing the SSI rate after spine surgery, its use is controversial, and currently, research trials are focusing on identifying its safety, efficacy, and the potential patient population. Methods A group of 88 patients who underwent posterior spinal surgery with TIVP administration (treatment group) was compared to a historical control group of 70 patients who had received only standard systemic intravenous prophylaxis (control group) for the analysis of deep SSI rate and the involved organisms. Results The overall rate of deep SSIs was 2.5% (4/158). All the SSIs were observed in patients who had posterior instrumentation and fusion for ≥3 levels. In the treatment group, the SSI rate was 3.4% (3/88), and the bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli (n=2) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=1). In the control group, the infection rate was 1.4% (1/70), and the isolated bacteria were Morganella morganii and Staphylococcus epidermidis. No statistically significant association was found between the SSI rates of the treatment and control groups. Conclusions Although the difference in the SSI rates was not statistically significant, the present results suggest that TIVP administration could not reduce the risk of deep SSIs after spinal surgery. Moreover, TIVP administration might also affect the underlying pathogens by increasing the propensity for gram-negative species.

AIMTo discuss the rationale and merit of specific pelvic sequences as an adjunct to routine lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for early detection of piriformis syndrome (PS) and to disclose its frequency in patients who underwent radiological evaluation.MATERIAL AND METHODSThis retrospective, imaging-based study included all individuals who underwent lumbar MRI and those who were further evaluated with a pelvic MRI, but excluded all high-energy trauma cases. The patients' demographics and radiological features were reviewed using electronic patient records and hospital-based picture image archiving and communication system.RESULTSOverall, 1321 individuals (659 females; 662 males) underwent lumbar MRI during the study period, and of these, 485 (238 females; 247 males) were further analyzed with a pelvic MRI for differential diagnosis. Forty patients (8.2%) (23 females; 17 males) were diagnosed with PS-all confirmed with MR neurography (MRN). On re-evaluation of all lumbar and pelvic MRIs and MRNs, we realized that adding just three specific pelvic sequences to routine lumbar MRI scans were enough to accurately delineate the piriformis muscle pathologies and sciatic nerve intensities. The calculated frequencies of PS in females, males, and the whole study population within 57 months were 3.49%, 2.57%, and 3.03%, respectively.CONCLUSIONAlthough PS being a clinical diagnosis, this study indicated that in patients whom PS was not suspected at the initial examination, 8.2% of them were finally diagnosed after MRI evaluations. Performing specific pelvic sequences as an adjunct to routine lumbar MRI can salvage underdiagnosed patients with PS and facilitate early detection of this pathological condition.

Study Design Retrospective case series with a historical control group. Purpose To compare the deep wound infection rates in patients undergoing spinal surgery with the application of topical intrawound vancomycin powder (TIVP) in the surgical site in addition to standard systemic prophylaxis with those in a matched historical cohort of patients for whom TIVP was not used. Overview of Literature Surgical site infection (SSI) after spine surgery is debilitating and is responsible for a significant increase in the health care costs, hospital stay, and morbidities. Although the application of TIVP before surgical closure is a promising method for reducing the SSI rate after spine surgery, its use is controversial, and currently, research trials are focusing on identifying its safety, efficacy, and the potential patient population. Methods A group of 88 patients who underwent posterior spinal surgery with TIVP administration (treatment group) was compared to a historical control group of 70 patients who had received only standard systemic intravenous prophylaxis (control group) for the analysis of deep SSI rate and the involved organisms. Results The overall rate of deep SSIs was 2.5% (4/158). All the SSIs were observed in patients who had posterior instrumentation and fusion for ≥3 levels. In the treatment group, the SSI rate was 3.4% (3/88), and the bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli (n=2) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=1). In the control group, the infection rate was 1.4% (1/70), and the isolated bacteria were Morganella morganii and Staphylococcus epidermidis. No statistically significant association was found between the SSI rates of the treatment and control groups. Conclusions Although the difference in the SSI rates was not statistically significant, the present results suggest that TIVP administration could not reduce the risk of deep SSIs after spinal surgery. Moreover, TIVP administration might also affect the underlying pathogens by increasing the propensity for gram-negative species.

Objective Postoperative dynamic cryo-compression (DC) therapy has been proposed as a method of reducing pain and the inflammatory response in the early postoperative period after orthopedic joint reconstruction surgery. Our aim was to analyze the analgesic efficacy of DC therapy after adult lumbar spinal surgery. Methods DC was applied for 30 minutes every 6 hours after surgery. Pain was measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS) in the preoperative period, immediately after surgery, and every 6 hours postoperatively for the first 72 hours of the hospital stay. Patients’ pain medication requirements were monitored using the patient-controlled analgesia system and patient charts. Twenty patients who received DC therapy were compared to 20 historical controls who were matched for demographic and surgical variables. Results In the postanesthesia care unit, the mean VAS back pain score was 5.87 ± 0.9 in the DC group and 6.95±1.0 (p=0.001) in the control group. The corresponding mean VAS scores for the DC vs. control groups were 3.8±1.1 vs. 5.4±0.7 (p < 0.001) at 6 hours postoperatively, and 2.7±0.7 vs. 6.25±0.9 (p<0.001) at discharge, respectively. The cumulative mean analgesic consumption of paracetamol, tenoxicam, and tramadol in the DC group vs. control group was 3,733.3±562.7 mg vs. 4,633.3±693.5 mg (p<0.005), 53.3±19.5 mg vs. 85.3±33.4 mg (p<0.005), and 63.3±83.4 mg vs. 393.3±79.9 mg (p<0.0001), respectively. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrated a positive association between the use of DC therapy and accelerated improvement in patients during early rehabilitation after adult spine surgery compared to patients who were treated with painkillers only.

Spinal infection is rare. Clinical suspicion is important in patients with nonmechanical neck and/or back pain to make the proper diagnosis in early disease. Before planning surgery, a thorough evaluation of the spinal stability, alignment, and deformity is necessary. Timing of surgery, side of approach, appropriate surgical technique, and spinal instruments used are crucial. Biomechanical preservation of the spinal column during and after the infection is a significant issue. Postoperative spine infection is another entity of which spinal surgeons should be aware of. Proper septic conditions with meticulous planning of surgery are essential for successful spine surgery and better outcome.

Introduction Spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformations are uncommon and a challenging type of neurosurgical entities. They are rarely located to cervical segment. On the other hand, although hemangiomas are relatively common bone tumors, cervical involvement is again rare and clinically significant ones are infrequent. Case presentation A 14 year-old-male patient referred to an academic tertiary care unit and presented with neck pain and left hand weakness. Neurological examination revealed motor strength deficit at intrinsic muscles and hyperesthesia at the left hand. Furthermore the pathological reflexes were positive on the left hand side. Imaging studies showed compression fracture, lytic changes resembling a hemangioma at C7 vertebra, and also an intramedullary vascular pathology at C5-6 level which was shown to be an intradural-intramedullary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) on digital subtraction angiography. Based on neurological and radiological findings, the decision was to treat the patient. After embolization of the AVM, the neurological condition of the patient deteriorated and immediate MRI scan of the cervical spine revealed edema of the spinal cord at the C5-6 level. Thus an emergent surgery was performed and C5-6-7 laminectomies with C5-T2 posterior fixation and arthrodesis were implemented. A second stage operation was carried out as C7 corpectomy with a distractable titanium cage 2 weeks after initial surgery. A follow-up evaluation at five years revealed 4/5 motor strength on his left intrinsic hand muscles and mild hyperactive deep tendon reflexes. Imaging studies at the postoperative period showed stable placement of the construct and no evidence of contrast enhancement at the C5-6 level inside the spinal cord. Conclusion A rare case of multiple pathologies affecting the cervical spine, coincidentally diagnosed after a pathological fracture during a bicycle accident as vertebral hemangioma and intradural-intramedullary AVM that was successfully treated with early detection, have been presented. One should assess such patients under multidisciplinary fashion and treat on a case-by-case basis for achieving the best results in patient care.

Background: Neuropathic pain (NeP) manifests as chronic pain and causes significant medical and economic burden for both the individual and the society. Treatment of NeP is often symptomatic and includes single or combination drug therapy. Many drugs that are not recommended in the guidelines are also widely used. Aim: The present study was aimed at determining the annual cost of NeP treatment in Turkey and to assess the amount of resource loss due to irrational drug use and its associated complications. Methods: Each item in NeP prescriptions and their relevant costs between July 2007 and June 2009 was retrospectively analyzed. Results: The number of prescriptions for NeP was 8646358 and 9650641 for the first and second years, respectively. The irrational items were 7513299 in the first year and 8360754 in the second year. The proportion of irrational treatment cost was 48.5% for the first year and 48.6% for the second year. Total cost of these prescriptions was estimated to be 47924534 Turkish Liras and 60715905 Turkish Liras for the first and second years, respectively. The estimated irrational treatment cost of NeP together with the additional burden exceeded half of the total cost. Conclusions: Further studies on health economics perspective are needed to confirm these results. Better education of healthcare professionals and better regulations in reimbursement will help to improve this problem.

AIM: Secondary brain injury starts after the initial traumatic impact and marked by an increase in the intracellular calcium concentrations. This cascadeeventually results in membrane lipid peroxidation and neuronal cell death.MATERIAL and METHODS: We investigated the neuro-protective effects of nimodipine and melatonin in 38 rats after 6 hours of head trauma using the cortical impact injury model of Marmarou.RESULTS: Brain water in the melatonin-given group decreased significantly comparing to that of control group the brain water in the nimodipine given group increased significantly comparing to that of trauma group. Histopathologically, brain edema was significantly low in melatonin-administered group comparing to that of control group while there were no changes in brain edema in the nimodipine given group and in the group that both nimodipine and melatonin were administered in combination. MDA levels in the brain tissues were significantly lower in the melatonin and nimodipine groups comparing to those of trauma and control group however this difference was by far significant in melatonin group comparing to nimodipine group.CONCLUSION: Melatonin appears to have neuro-protective effects on the secondary brain damage while nimodipine and nimodipine plus melatonin combination did not show such neuro-protective effects on the secondary brain injury.

Pineal cyst apoplexy is a very rare entity with previously re ported symptoms of severe frontal or occipital headache, gaze paresis and visual field defects, nausea or vomiting, syncope, ataxia, hearing loss and sudden death. The treatment options for symptomatic pineal cysts are observation, shunting, aspiration via stereotactic guidance or endoscopy, third ventricu lostomy, ventriculocysternostomy, and/or surgical resection by craniotomy and microsurgery. Here, the authors report an unusual case of a 28-year-old male patient with pineal cyst apoplexy, presenting with headache, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction symptoms who is being ma naged conservatively and observed for two years by an acade mic tertiary care unit.

Pineal cyst apoplexy is a very rare entity with previously reported symptoms of severe frontal or occipital headache, gaze paresis and visual field defects, nausea or vomiting, syncope, ataxia, hearing loss and sudden death. The treatment options for symptomatic pineal cysts are observation, shunting, aspiration via stereotactic guidance or endoscopy, third ventriculostomy, ventriculocysternostomy, and/or surgical resection by craniotomy and microsurgery. Here, the authors report an unusual case of a 28-year-old male patient with pineal cyst apoplexy, presenting with headache, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction symptoms who is being managed conservatively and observed for two years by an academic tertiary care unit.

Arterial bleeding during transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma is known complication. This usually happens due to rupture of intracavernous carotid or delayed hemorrhage due to the carotico-cavernous fistula and/or pseudoaneurysm. There is also evidence that cavernous carotid aneurysms may occur with pituitary tumors, yet largest series failed to demonstrate any link between aneurysm formation and pituitary tumors. Usually such an aneurysm rupture results in formation of carotico-cavernous fistula. However, pituitary apoplexy and even epistaxis have been reported. In this paper we present a patient with recurrent pituitary adenoma and cavernous carotid artery aneurysm, which caused significant hemorrhage during the surgery. Although retrospective analysis of MRI disclosed that the patient had the aneurysm before the first surgery, it remained silent until the second operation. Therefore neurosurgeons should be very susceptive to any signal changes on preoperative MR images, especially in recurrent cases, where normal anatomical relations are disturbed by fibrotic tissue. Also, we reviewed the vascular complication of pituitary surgery based on the literature.

The presence of air in the spinal canal is referred to as pneumorrhachis (PR). The proposed causes of PR are iatrogenic, non-traumatic, and traumatic [7] [14]. Air in the spinal canal may be extradural (epidural) or intradural (subdural and subarachnoid) and is found in an isolated form at the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral levels or as a diffuse form in the entire spinal canal [14]. Traumatic PR can be also classified as intradural (subdural or subarachnoid) or extradural (epidural) and is associated with different pathophysiologic mechanisms and causes [7] [14]. In general, the occurrence of air within the epidural space is more common than intradural PR. The presence of epidural air has a different implication from subarachnoid PR. Epidural PR is usually benign, innocent, asymptomatic, resolves spontaneously and is usually localized to a fracture line [7] [14]. The underlying cause should be treated. Traumatic subarachnoid PR is secondary to major trauma, and usually accepted as an indirect sign of severe injury. Traumatic subarachnoid PR, which is almost always associated with pneumocephalus, needs more detailed investigation, close monitoring, and follow-up because air in the subarachnoid space may lead to increased or decreased intracranial and intraspinal pressure as it moves up or down, resulting in neurological signs and symptoms [22] and even mortality [3] [16]. The management of subarachnoid air is not just limited to the underlying cause. Potential complications such as persistent pneumocephalus and infection associated with subarachnoid PR should be prevented and, if necessary, the torn dura should be repaired.

Immunomodulation of acute spinal cord injury may inhibit the activity of specific inflammatory cascades and result in recovery of motor function. In this study, evaluation of the protective effect of a well-known anti-inflammatory immunomodulator, immunoglobulin G (IgG), was conducted in rats after a 50 g/cm contusion spinal cord injury. Following injury, 400 mg/kg of IgG was administered to the treatment group. Twenty-four hours later, animals were assessed functionally via an inclined plane and the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan motor scale and compared to controls. Tissue was reviewed for myeloperoxidase activiy (MPO) and lipid peroxidation (LPO), and electron microscopy was conducted to assess tissue ultrastructure. Significant functional preservation was observed in the IgG treatment group. In addition, biochemical assays revealed decreased MPO activity, and electron microscopic views of tissue showed preserved ultrastructure. IgG treatment following acute contusion injury to the rat spinal cord confers functional and structural neuroprotection.

Screws, clamps and other spinal instrumentation materials are tested using healthy animal and healthy human vertebrae, but the application of similar tests to an osteoporotic vertebra is generally neglected because of high costs and limited availability of high quality and consistent osteoporotic vertebrae. The objective of this study is to develop an in-vitro method to decrease the mineral content of an animal vertebra utilizing decalcifying chemical agents that alters the bone mineral density and some biomechanical properties to such an extent that they biomechanically mimic the osteoporotic spine. This study was performed on 24 fresh calf lumbar vertebrae. Twelve out of these 24 vertebrae were demineralized and the others served as control. A hole was opened in the pedicles of each vertebrae and the bone mineral density was measured. Each vertebra was then placed into a beher-glass filled with hydrochloric acid decalcifier solution. The decalcifier solution was introduced through the holes in the pedicles with an infusion pump. The vertebrae were then subjected to DEXA to measure post process BMD. Pedicle screws were introduced into both pedicles of each vertebrae and pullout testing was performed at a rate of 5 mm/min. The difference of BMD measurements between pre- and post-demineralizing process were also statistically significant (p < 0.001). The difference of pullout loads between pre- and post-demineralizing process were also statistically significant (p < 0.001). The acid demineralizing process may be useful for producing a vertebra that has some biomechanical properties that are consistent with osteopenia or osteoporosis in humans.