STEVEN D. GLASSMAN, M.D.

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This study looked at a 79-year-old man with large B-cell lymphoma who developed a widespread infection from a bacteria called Nocardia ignorata that affected his brain and spleen. Even with treatment, he unfortunately died due to complications from the infection. This case emphasizes the importance of checking for Nocardia infections in patients with weakened immune systems who show symptoms in their brain or abdomen. Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors treating cancer patients and those with weakened immune systems.

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This study looked at whether having an expert team of surgeons review cases before lumbar spine surgery can lead to better outcomes for patients with a certain type of back problem called degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. They found that when a panel of experts strongly recommended spinal fusion surgery, only 8.4% of those patients did not improve after a year, compared to 18.4% among those who didn't have expert review, showing a significant difference in recovery. This is important because it suggests that expert reviews can help select the right patients for surgery, potentially leading to better results and fewer complications. Who this helps: This helps patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and their doctors in making better treatment decisions.

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This study looked at how certain infections acquired in hospitals affect patient costs and how long they stay in the hospital. Researchers found that from 2019 to 2023, patients with these infections had hospital stays that were more than double and costs that were significantly higher—2 to 6 times more—compared to similar patients without infections. Understanding these costs and the impact of delayed discharges is important for improving patient care and hospital efficiency. Who this helps: This helps patients and hospital administrators by highlighting the financial and health impacts of healthcare-associated infections.

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This study looked at infections related to left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) used to treat severe heart failure. Researchers found that out of 110 patients studied, 35% developed at least one infection, leading to an average extra hospital stay of 25 days and costs totaling around $43,000 for each infection. Infections increased the use of antibiotics and contributed to the development of drug-resistant bacteria, underlining the need for better prevention strategies. Who this helps: This benefits patients with LVADs and healthcare providers managing their treatment.

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This study looked at how well patients with lower-extremity arthritis benefit from lumbar fusion surgery, which is a procedure to treat back problems. The researchers found that patients with lower-extremity arthritis had similar improvements in pain and quality of life scores after surgery as those without arthritis, with no significant differences in their outcomes. This matters because it shows that having arthritis in the hips or knees doesn’t negatively affect the success of lumbar fusion surgery for back issues. Who this helps: This helps patients with lower-extremity arthritis who are considering lumbar fusion surgery.

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This study looked at how different factors about surgeons and hospitals affect the type of surgery provided to patients with mild spinal instability called grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. The research found that out of over 12,000 surgeries, about 16% involved only decompression—removing pressure from the nerves—while suburban hospitals were significantly more likely to opt for this simpler procedure compared to urban ones. Notably, the experience of individual surgeons didn't have a noticeable impact on the decision-making process. Who this helps: This information benefits patients needing back surgery by clarifying how hospital location and type influence treatment options.

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This study looked at the costs and benefits of using a substance called rhBMP-2 during surgery for adult patients with spinal deformities. Of the 522 patients studied, those who received rhBMP-2 were less likely to need follow-up surgery for complications, with only 8.6% experiencing issues compared to 17% in those who did not receive it. Additionally, using rhBMP-2 resulted in higher upfront costs but could ultimately lead to better outcomes and lower long-term costs for certain patients. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing spinal surgery and their doctors in making informed treatment decisions.

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This study looked at patients who had surgery for a condition called grade I spondylolisthesis and found that 9.4% of them had to go to a rehabilitation facility instead of going straight home. Key factors that increased the chances of this happening included being older, having a higher body mass index, having depression, facing complications after surgery, and undergoing more complex surgery. Understanding these factors is important because it can help healthcare providers better prepare for and manage the postoperative care of these patients, potentially reducing costs and improving outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by identifying risks that may lead to longer hospital stays and additional care needs.

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This study looked at patients with a specific back condition (grade I spondylolisthesis) who had surgery and whether they were still part of the study two years later. Out of 608 patients, 88 (14.5%) were lost to follow-up. The researchers found that those who dropped out were generally younger, had higher levels of back and leg pain, more anxiety, and worse overall functioning compared to those who stayed in the study. Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors and researchers to understand which patients may be more likely to miss follow-up appointments.

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This study looked at two types of surgery for people with a specific spinal condition called low-grade spondylolisthesis and compared their outcomes. Researchers found that while both open surgery and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) led to similar improvements in pain and patient satisfaction over two years, patients who had the open surgery reported higher satisfaction levels. However, those who underwent MIS had significantly shorter hospital stays—about 0.7 days compared to 1.8 days for open surgery. Who this helps: This benefits patients with low-grade spondylolisthesis by providing them with options for treatment that consider both effectiveness and recovery time.

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This study looked at the impact of depression and anxiety on patients undergoing surgery for a specific lower back condition called grade 1 spondylolisthesis. Of the 608 patients analyzed, 25.6% reported having a depressive or anxiety disorder, and those patients experienced worse short-term outcomes, like higher back pain and a lower quality of life three months after surgery. However, over two years, their overall satisfaction with the surgery was similar to those without these disorders, indicating that while mental health issues can affect recovery initially, they do not seem to change long-term results. Who this helps: Patients with depressive or anxiety disorders undergoing back surgery.

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This study focused on creating a standard checklist to help doctors document the treatment process for patients with psoriasis who are using biologic therapies. Researchers worked with a group of dermatologists and ended up with a final checklist of 38 important items that need to be considered, organized into categories like patient history and lab tests. This is important because it helps ensure that all necessary information is consistently recorded, which can improve patient care as biologic treatments become more complex. Who this helps: This helps doctors and dermatologists treating patients with psoriasis.

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This study looked at how much improvement patients with spinal deformities feel after surgery by using a specific questionnaire. Researchers found that for pain, patients needed to see a 0.54 point improvement to feel it was meaningful, and the results showed patients experienced more than this improvement, along with a significant change in how they view their self-image (0.62). This is important because understanding what changes matter to patients helps doctors measure treatment success more effectively. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery.

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This research paper looks at how well patients understand health information and how this affects their ability to manage chronic low back pain (LBP). The review found only three studies that directly measured health literacy in LBP patients, highlighting that understanding what patients know can help doctors tailor treatments more effectively. Improving health literacy is important because it can lead to better self-care and pain management, ultimately improving patients’ lives. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with low back pain and their doctors.

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This study looked at 105 adults with scoliosis who were managed without surgery over two years to see how serious medical issues (like hospital stays or disabilities) affected their quality of life. Out of these patients, 27 (about 26%) experienced serious health events, and those patients showed less improvement in their quality of life compared to those who didn't have any serious complications. Specifically, only 14.8% of the patients with serious events reported significant improvements in mental health, compared to 43.6% of those without serious events, highlighting the negative impact of these events on recovery. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with scoliosis and their healthcare providers by highlighting the risks and recovery challenges associated with serious health events during non-surgical treatment.

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This study looked at cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare skin cancer, in Canada from 1992 to 2010. Researchers found that CTCL was more common in certain areas, particularly in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, with some cities showing clustering of cases linked to industrial sites and seaports. Understanding where these cases are concentrated can help identify potential causes and improve healthcare services for affected patients. Who this helps: Patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and their healthcare providers.

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This research paper looks at how to measure the quality of spine surgery to ensure patients get the best value for their care. It evaluates different methods for assessing quality, including looking at what patients themselves report about their outcomes and how safe the surgeries are. Understanding these measurements is important because it can lead to better patient care and lower healthcare costs. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by improving the quality of spine surgery.

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This study looked at the costs and resources used during surgery for adult spinal deformities, analyzing data from 210 patients at four hospitals. It found that the costs varied significantly depending on the hospital, with an average cost increase of $2,500 for each additional vertebra fused, but using certain techniques could save over $10,000. Understanding these cost differences is important as healthcare moves towards bundled payment models, helping hospitals manage expenses effectively. Who this helps: Patients and healthcare providers by highlighting cost-effective treatment options.

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This study looked at a skin condition called Papuloerythroderma of Ofuji (PEO) and how it might relate to a cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Researchers found that among five patients with PEO, there were clear signs of CTCL, such as mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, indicating that doctors should be very careful when diagnosing PEO and keep an eye out for CTCL symptoms. The findings highlight the need for additional tests beyond a simple skin biopsy to ensure that CTCL is not missed in patients showing signs of PEO. Who this helps: This helps patients with skin conditions, particularly those at risk of CTCL, and the doctors treating them.

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This study looked at how previous spinal surgeries affect the quality of life improvements for adults with spinal deformities after corrective surgery. Researchers found that while patients who had previous surgeries started with worse quality of life scores, the percentage of patients reaching substantial improvement was similar: 38.3% for those with prior surgeries and 36.3% for those without. However, on average, patients with previous surgeries did not improve as much in their overall quality of life measurements after two years. Who this helps: This research helps patients with adult spinal deformities and their doctors understand potential outcomes after surgery.

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Researchers studied what factors increase the risk of surgical site infections after spinal fusion surgery, analyzing data from 29 studies involving nearly 375,000 patients. They found that conditions like obesity, diabetes, and smoking, as well as factors related to the surgery itself, such as the length of the procedure and whether it involved extensive fusion, significantly raised the infection risk. Understanding these factors can help doctors make better decisions and better prepare patients before surgery. Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors by identifying risks that can be managed before surgery.

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The study looked at how certain processes related to cell division and genetic changes in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL), a type of skin cancer, contribute to cancer development. Researchers found that proteins linked to both meiosis (a type of cell division) and DNA damage were present in cancer cells, indicating that CTCL cells use a different method of division called "meiomitosis" which leads to more genetic instability. This is important because targeting these processes could lead to new immunotherapy treatments for CTCL and potentially other cancers. Who this helps: This helps patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and other cancers by providing new treatment options.

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This study looked at the factors that lead to patients being readmitted to the hospital or developing infections after spine surgery in the United States, Denmark, and Japan. Researchers found that the reasons for readmission differed across countries: for example, in the U.S., a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade increased readmission risk, while in Japan, sex was a strong predictor. This matters because it indicates that strategies to identify at-risk patients must be tailored for each country, as a one-size-fits-all approach might not work. Who this helps: This helps spine surgeons and healthcare providers by guiding them to use specific risk factors relevant to their patient population.

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This study looked at how a new virtual modeling technique can help understand changes in spinal alignment after surgery for adult spinal deformities, specifically focusing on a complication called proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK). Researchers analyzed data from 458 patients and found that those with PJK had different spinal alignment compared to those without it, especially in measurements of pelvic and back curvature. This matters because understanding these differences can lead to better predictions and management of spinal alignment after surgery, potentially improving patient outcomes. Who this helps: Patients recovering from adult spinal deformity surgery.

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This study looked at how age affects the risk of developing proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) after spinal surgery in adults. Researchers analyzed 679 patients and found that PJK occurred more often in older patients: 17.9% in those under 40, 43.8% in those aged 40-65, and 50.2% in those over 65. The findings suggest that tailoring surgical goals to a patient's age could help reduce the incidence of PJK, especially in older adults who have unique risk factors. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing spinal surgery and their doctors.

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This study looked at the rates of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a rare skin cancer, in Canada from 1992 to 2010. Researchers found that 6,685 cases were reported, with 58% of patients being men and an average age of diagnosis at 59 years. They noticed that CTCL cases were clustered in some eastern provinces and Manitoba, particularly near industrial areas, suggesting that environmental factors may increase the risk of this cancer. Who this helps: This information benefits patients at risk of CTCL and public health officials aiming to reduce environmental contributors to cancer.

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This study looked at an online service that helps doctors talk to skin specialists, aiming to reduce the need for in-person visits. Researchers examined nearly 1,000 cases and found that 95% of doctors rated the service as very good or excellent, and it helped avoid face-to-face visits in 49% of cases. Most questions were about diagnosing skin issues (65.2%), which shows how effective this online tool is in improving access to dermatology care and potentially speeding up treatment. Who this helps: This benefits patients who need faster access to dermatology services.

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This study looked at two surgical methods—minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and open surgery—for treating a condition called Grade I degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, which affects the lower back. They analyzed data from 345 patients and found that while both methods led to significant improvements in pain and function, patients who had 2-level MIS showed better reductions in leg pain after a year compared to those who had 2-level open surgery. Knowing which surgical approach works better can help improve recovery outcomes for patients with this condition. Who this helps: This helps patients with Grade I degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and their doctors in making informed treatment decisions.

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This study looked at how different factors influence the choices adults with symptomatic lumbar scoliosis make regarding treatment options: participating in a clinical trial, choosing non-surgical treatment, or opting for surgery. Researchers found that out of 295 participants, those who chose surgery reported more severe symptoms, including higher back pain scores (6.3 out of 10 for surgical patients vs. 5.5 for non-surgical patients) and larger spinal deformities (56.5 degrees vs. 48.8 degrees). Understanding these factors is important as it can help doctors guide patients in making informed treatment choices based on the severity of their condition. Who this helps: This benefits patients and their healthcare providers by offering clarity on treatment options.

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This study looked at a spinal surgery technique called Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF), which accesses the spine from the side rather than directly from the back. The researchers found that TLIF offers benefits like a higher success rate for fusing the spine, better relief from nerve pressure, and improved deformity correction. Specifically, the process includes careful preparation of the disc space to support healing, with recovery times typically between six months to a year. Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from spinal issues that require fusion surgery.

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This study looked at how certain infections and environmental factors might lead to a rare skin cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Researchers found that the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus can trigger cancer-promoting signals in T-cells, which may worsen the disease. This information highlights the need for CTCL patients to be tested and treated for Staphylococcus aureus infections, as addressing this could help manage their symptoms better. Who this helps: Patients suffering from cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

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This study created a new way to classify spinal surgery techniques, specifically spinal osteotomies, which are used to correct serious spinal deformities. Researchers established a system that ranks the extent of bone removal in six grades (1 to 6) and considered different surgical approaches, showing that this system is very reliable; it scored an average of 0.96 for most classifications. This matters because it helps spine specialists communicate more effectively and compare treatment outcomes, improving patient care and understanding of surgical options. Who this helps: Patients with spinal deformities and the doctors treating them.

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This study developed a new system to classify surgical procedures used to correct spinal deformities. Researchers defined six grades of bone removal, which reflect how complex the surgeries are, and evaluated how consistently different doctors could use this system. The results showed that the classification was very reliable, meaning doctors can effectively communicate about these surgeries, which is important for comparing results and improving patient care. Who this helps: This benefits spine surgeons and patients with spinal deformities seeking consistent treatment options.

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This study looked at the costs and benefits of surgery for adult spinal deformities, finding that after five years, the average cost for each quality-adjusted life year gained was about $120,312. However, 40.7% of patients had costs below the benchmark of $100,000, indicating that for some, the surgery is a cost-effective option. Patients who were more disabled before surgery and had a diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis were more likely to fall into the cost-effective group. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with adult spinal deformities and the doctors who treat them.

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This study looked at factors that determine whether surgery for adult spinal deformity is cost-effective after two years. Researchers analyzed data from 514 patients and found that only 56 patients, or about 10.4%, had surgery costs of less than $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), which is considered a good value for healthcare. The average cost per QALY for all patients was nearly $244,000, indicating that while the surgery can improve some patients' lives, it often comes at a significant cost, especially for those with specific conditions or previous surgeries. Who this helps: This information benefits patients considering spinal surgery and doctors making treatment recommendations.

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This study focused on the National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database (N2QOD), which collects information on the outcomes of low back surgery across North America. In its first two years, the N2QOD has shown that lumbar spine surgeries are generally safe and effective, but not all patients experience improvement, highlighting significant differences in results among individuals. This matters because having reliable data helps doctors make better decisions, improve patient care, and use healthcare resources more efficiently. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors involved in spine surgeries.

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This study looked at how much spinal correction is needed for patients with severe spinal deformities to feel better in terms of their health-related quality of life two years after surgery. Researchers analyzed data from 76 patients and found that those who had more than 120 mm of spinal correction reported significantly better quality of life improvements compared to those with less than 60 mm of correction. Specifically, achieving at least 66% correction was linked to the best outcomes, highlighting that more aggressive surgical correction is necessary for substantial benefits. Who this helps: This information benefits patients with severe spinal deformities by guiding their treatment options.

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This study looked at a rare skin condition called actinic superficial folliculitis in a 29-year-old man who had experienced it for five years. The study found that the man developed small, pimple-like lesions on his back and chest after sun exposure, which cleared up on their own in about 5 to 7 days. This case is significant as it is only the sixth time this condition has been documented, and it included new testing methods that could help further understand the disease. Who this helps: This helps patients who experience similar skin issues after sun exposure.

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This study looked at the risk of infection in Medicare patients who underwent surgery to fuse their lumbar spine, either for the first time or as a revision, over a 10-year period. They found that 8.5% of patients who had a primary fusion developed an infection, while this rate increased to 12.2% for those undergoing revision surgeries. The biggest factors influencing infection risk were existing health conditions, with those having more severe comorbidities being significantly more likely to get an infection. Who this helps: This information benefits doctors and patients by highlighting the importance of assessing health conditions before spine surgery.

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This study looked at quality of life among 1,346 adults from the U.S. who do not have scoliosis, breaking down the results by age and gender. The main findings showed that quality of life scores tended to decrease with age, with younger men reporting better scores than younger women in most areas, while older women had slightly improved mental health scores. This information is important for doctors assessing patients with spinal deformities, as it provides a benchmark to compare their patients' scores against a healthy population. Who this helps: Patients with spinal deformities and their doctors.

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This study looked at how consistently different spine doctors say the same things about MRI scans when diagnosing low back pain from degenerative disk disease. They found that the doctors' agreement on certain MRI features was quite high: for example, they mostly agreed on the presence of Modic changes, with an agreement score of 0.819. This is important because it shows that when different doctors discuss MRI findings, they are likely using the same understanding, which supports better decisions for patient treatment. Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from low back pain and their doctors.

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This study looked at two patients with a rare skin condition called segmental lichen aureus, which causes golden-brown patches on the skin. Both cases were successfully treated with a topical ointment called methylprednisolone aceponate, resulting in the disappearance of the skin lesions in the 9-year-old after 7 months and the 23-year-old after 4 months. This is important because it shows that this specific treatment can effectively resolve a skin condition that usually has few effective treatment options. Who this helps: This helps patients with segmental lichen aureus.

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This study looked at the long-term effects of surgeries for adult spinal deformities, tracking 113 patients over a period of 3 to 5 years after their operations. Researchers found that overall, the patients' spine conditions and disability scores did not worsen significantly from the 2-year mark to the longer follow-up, but about 10% of patients developed new complications that did negatively affect their outcomes. This matters because while most patients maintain their improvements, a small number risk facing problems that could lead to increased pain and disability years after surgery. Who this helps: This information is valuable for patients undergoing spinal surgeries, as well as their doctors in managing expectations and follow-ups.

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This study looked at how well surgery and non-surgical treatments relieve back pain in adults with scoliosis. It followed 317 patients, finding that those who had surgery saw their back pain drop from an average score of 6.3 to 2.6 after two years, while those treated without surgery had no significant change in pain levels. This matters because it shows that surgery can provide substantial relief for patients who start with severe back pain due to scoliosis. Who this helps: This helps adults with scoliosis who are struggling with back pain.

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This study looked at whether surgery or non-surgical treatments improve the quality of life for adults suffering from lumbar scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves sideways. Researchers followed 160 patients over two years and found that those who had surgery saw significant improvements in their quality of life measures, while those who did not have surgery generally did not improve and often got worse. Specifically, patients who underwent surgery performed better across all quality of life measures, showing that non-surgical treatments are inadequate for this condition. Who this helps: This benefits patients with adult symptomatic lumbar scoliosis who are considering treatment options.

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This study looked at adults with scoliosis who experience leg pain to see if surgery is more effective than non-surgical treatments in reducing that pain. Of the 326 adults studied, 64% had leg pain at the start, with those opting for surgery reporting more severe pain (average score of 5.4) than those pursuing non-surgical options (average score of 4.1). After two years, patients who had surgery reported a significant drop in pain to an average score of 2.2, while non-surgical patients showed little change in their pain levels. Who this helps: Patients with scoliosis experiencing leg pain.

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This study looked at how to predict the success and complications of surgery for adults with scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves abnormally. Researchers created models based on various patient traits and health measures, finding that they could accurately predict positive surgery outcomes for 75% to 81% of patients and complications in 71% of cases. These findings matter because they could help doctors make better decisions about who will benefit most from surgery and help create treatment plans tailored to individual patients. Who this helps: This helps patients and orthopedic surgeons dealing with adult scoliosis.