Dr. Yoshitaka Nagashima (Nagoya, Japan) and colleagues contribute an article entitled “Recent Molecular and Genetic Findings in Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors.” In this article, the authors discuss the major changes in the new 2021 World Health Organization classification and review the major types of intramedullary spinal cord tumors, with an emphasis on their clinical features and genetic alterations.

Dr. Mohamad Bydon (Rochester, USA) and colleagues present an article entitled “The Role of Alginate Hydrogels as a Potential Treatment Modality for Spinal Cord Injury: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature.” In this article, the authors describe the emerging developments of alginate hydrogels as a treatment modality to support current and future tissue regenerative strategies for spinal cord injury.

Dr. Hemant Kumar (Ahmedabad, India) provides an editorial about the role of hydrogels as a regenerative modality in spinal cord injury.

Dr. Ron Gadot (Houston, USA) and colleagues present an article entitled “Established and Emerging Therapies in Acute Spinal Cord Injury.” In this article, the authors review established, emerging, and novel experimental therapies and proclaim that continued translational research on these methods will improve the feasibility of bench-to-bedside innovations in treating patients with acute spinal cord injury.

Dr. Lingbo Kong (Xian, China) provides an editorial about new therapeutic approaches to acute spinal cord injury.

Dr. Chang-Hyun Lee (Seoul, Korea) and colleagues contribute an article entitled “Genetic Odyssey to Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine: A Systematic Review” This article provides evidence for a causal relationship between inflammation-related genes and cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Dr. Dong-Ho Lee (Seoul, Korea) and colleagues present an article entitled “What Type of Incision for Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery Involving Long Segments Can Bring Better Cosmetic and Functional Outcomes?” In this article, the authors conclude that a double transverse incision can be a feasible option when performing anterior cervical spine surgery involving ≥3 levels, providing better cosmesis and lower rates of persistent dysphagia than with a longitudinal incision.

Dr. Lee A. Tan (San Francisco, USA) and colleagues contribute an article entitled “Biomechanical Analysis of 3-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Under Physiologic Loads Using a Finite Element Model.” In this article, a C4-7 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion construct using a validated cervical spine finite element model indicated that C3-4 has more compensatory increase in the range of motion than C7-T1, while C6-7 has the least robust fixation under physiological loads.

Dr. Yasuhiro Takeshima (Nara, Japan) and colleagues contribute an article entitled “Prevalence and Clinical Impact of Cervical Facet Joint Degeneration on Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Novel Computed Tomography Classification Study.” Dr. Takeshima and colleagues evaluate cervical facet joint degeneration using a newly developed classification, investigate its prevalence and relationship with cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis, and clarify its clinical significance in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy

Neurospine Open access articles are now available at  http://www.e-neurospine.org