From the Editor-in-Chief: Featured Articles in the March 2023 Issue

In the March issue of Neurospine, we feature the articles listed below:

P. Sarat Chandra
(India)

Technique of Distraction, Compression, Extension, Reduction to Reduce and Realign Old Displaced Odontoid Fracture From Posterior Approach: A Novel Technique
Chandra and colleagues investigated a new method of reducing the fractured displaced dens using a posterior only approach only in 14 patients with a displaced and irreducible old fracture dens causing cord compression (type I fracture, n= 11; type II fracture, n= 13). In the new method, the C1 arch was drilled and removed first, then the C1 lateral masses on both sides were completely drilled and a spacer was placed between the occiput and C2 facet. Intraoperative reduction was then performed, utilizing the spacer as a fulcrum, and achieving complete reduction

Sheeraz A. Qureshi
(USA)

Concepts and Techniques to Prevent Cervical Spine Deformity After Spine Surgery: A Narrative Review
Merrill and colleagues described current concepts and techniques for preventing postoperative cervical spine deformities. The most common cause of cervical spine deformity is iatrogenic. Therefore, this review emphasizes the importance of proper positioning, facet joint resection less than 50%, and preservation of C2 muscular attachments, reciprocal and compensatory cervical spine response to adult thoracolumbar and lumbar deformity correction.

Tao Fan
(China)

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Long-Level Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors: A Consecutive Series of 43 Cases
Zhang and colleagues analyzed a total of 43 consecutive patients with long-level intramedullary spinal cord tumors. Their long-level intramedullary spinal cord tumors were glioma (53.5%; ependymal tumors. 25.6%; low-grade astrocytic tumors, 20.9%; high-grade astrocytic tumors). In patients with ependymal tumors and low-grade astrocytic tumors, aggressive tumor resection did not increase the risk of long-term functional deterioration and allowed long-term survival, but in patients with high-grade astrocytic tumors, patients were at higher risk of neurologic deterioration and difficult recovery.

Christian A. Bowers
(USA)

Endoscopic and Nonendoscopic Approaches to Single-Level Lumbar Spine Decompression: Propensity Score-Matched Comparative Analysis and Frailty-Driven Predictive Model
Kassicieh and colleagues compare endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) and non-ESS approaches for single-level lumbar decompression and proposes a frailty-driven predictive model for non-home discharge disposition. ESS for single-level lumbar decompression contribute to reduced operative time, hospital length of stay, and non-home discharge disposition.

Jeong-Yoon Park
(Korea)

The Role and Future of Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A Narrative Review
Kwon and Park describe that ESS will become more important for minimally invasive spine surgery in the future as the number of elderly and highly complex patients continues to increase and efforts to improve ESS techniques and apply new technologies will make ESS one of the best options for entire spine diseases by overcoming current ESS limitations.

Inbo Han
Editor in Chief

Inbo Han, MD, PhD
Editor in Chief, Neurospine

Wen-Cheng Huang MD, PhD
Deputy Editor

Toshiyuki Takahashi MD, PhD
Deputy Editor