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BACKGROUND: To date, only one study assessed the spinal mobility and muscle strength of patients who were treated either with fusion or brace treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the range of motion (ROM) and strength of the cervical and thoracic/lumbar spine in patients who underwent spinal fusion for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in comparison to healthy individuals. METHODS: Patients (n= 28) who were treated surgically for AIS were included in the study. An age and gender matched control group (n= 22) was included that consisted of healthy individuals. DAVID® Lumbar/Thoracic Extension, Lumbar/Thoracic Rotation, and Cervical Extension/Lateral Flexion devices were used to measure cervical and lumbar/thoracic ROM as well as muscle strength. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between groups in all ROM measurements except thoracic/lumbar sagittal flexion ROM measurement (p= 0.198). There were significant differences between groups in terms of muscle strength, except thoracic lumbar left rotation strength (p= 0.081). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the current study demonstrated that cervical and thoracic/lumbar range of motion, as well as muscle strength, were significantly decreased in surgically treated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients compared to healthy counterparts. However, trunk (thoracic/lumbar) flexion range of motion and trunk left rotation muscle strength were not significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There are limited studies in the literature reporting clinical outcomes of malignant sacrum tumors due to their rarity. The aim of this study was to evaluate mid-term clinical outcomes of malignant sacrum lesions surgically treated by a single surgeon. Materials and Methods: Patients who were surgically treated with the diagnosis of sacrum tumor were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who underwent surgical resection of malignant sacrum tumors were included. Exclusion criteria were incomplete medical records and follow-ups. Patients' demographics, type of the tumor, histopathological diagnosis, presence of neurologic deficit, type of approach, type of resection, presence of lumbopelvic fixation, postoperative complications, and recurrence rates were noted from our medical records. Results: A total of 15 patients (7 females, 8 males) with a mean age of 43.3 years participated in the study. The most common histopathological diagnosis of the malignant sacrum tumor was chordoma that was seen in 10 of 15 patients (67%). Soft-tissue tumors (leiomyosarcoma and malignant mesenchymal tumor) were seen in 2 patients (13%), metastatic tumors (renal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma) in 2 patients (13%), and primary osteogenic tumor (chondrosarcoma) in 1 patient (7%). Perioperative and postoperative complications were encountered in 7 of 15 patients (47%). Conclusion: Chordoma was the most encountered malignant tumor of the sacrum according to our findings. Recurrence of the malignant sacrum tumor was so common that half of our patients had a history of previous treatment. It was remarkable that perioperative and postoperative complications were also common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Controversies exist in the follow-up and treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Thus, it is important to identify the attitudes of physicians from a national perspective to determine the status and problems associated with AIS treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the preferences of the Turkish Spine Society (TSS) physicians towards AIS treatment by investigating differences in AIS monitoring and treatment through a web questionnaire survey. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study employed a simple questionnaire focusing on AIS, which was created using Survey Monkey. Twenty questions, which were deemed as the most controversial topics of AIS, were constructed by the authors. A consensus was considered when 70% of the respondents provided the same answer. Results: A consensus was obtained among TSS physicians for using brace as conservative treatment and the brace was used 22 hours daily. Most TSS physicians agreed about the surgical indication of AIS; however, there was a disagreement about the indication of brace treatment. Conclusion: TSS physicians had a consensus on using brace in AIS treatment. However, there was a disagreement towards the indication of the brace treatment. The results demonstrated a consensus about surgical management and surgical experiences. However, a disparity existed about the time by which activities and contact sports are allowed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]