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This study aims to emphasize the need for precise evaluation of spinal osteoporosis in elderly women. The authors found quantitative computed tomography (Q-CT) to be more accurate than dual-X-ray absorptiometry in a comparative study performed on a large series of patients and hence recommend Q-CT to be considered the gold-standard for screening spinal osteoporosis.

Background: Spinal Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the significant health dangers that affect the general wellbeing of an individual. It is one of the most common form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis that affects the general population. Diagnosis of tuberculosis is done using an array of techniques. The present study has compared the efficacy of these tests used for detecting the spinal TB in biopsy samples. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on patients who suffered from spondylodiscitis and with biopsy proven spinal TB by one of the following tests and were treated in the study center. The study included a total of 150 patients with spinal TB who visited the department for further treatment. The biopsy samples of these patients were then processed for Line probe assay (LPA), Gene Xpert, liquid culture (bactec MGIT) followed by gram staining and fungal staining, and histopathological examination. Result: In this study total of 150 patients were included who had ages ranging from 16-77 years with 93male and 57 female patients. When the study results were compared Gene Experts showed a 100% sensitivity and 80% of specificity. When we compared the histopathology results with gene expert, we get a sensitivity of 16.7% and specificity of 50%. Gram stain with the sensitive gene expert, the sensitivity is 45.5% and specificity is 25%. Similar analysis was done with sensitive gene and now with the resistant gene to identify their sensitivity was 0% and the specificity was at 42.9%. Gram stain when correlated with gene, the sensitivity came out to be 9.1% and specificity at 25%. Fungal stain with resistant gene, when correlated, sensitivity comes to 9.1% and specificity is at 0%. Conclusion: This study showed that for detection of tuberculosis rather than relying on only single technique it should be done with a combination of techniques. Keywords: Gene Xpert, LPA, Histopathological examination, Tuberculosis, Gram staining

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Spinal anaesthesia carries the advantage of having rapid onset, lesser blood loss, early recovery and hospital stay as compared to general anaesthesia. The present study evaluated outcomes of awake spinal fusion i.e., minimal invasive single level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) under spinal anaesthesia. Current study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data carried to assess patient related outcome benefits for a single level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion done under spinal anaesthesia.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: Patients who fit deemed criteria not responding to 6 weeks of conservative treatment to lumbar degenerative pathologies underwent MIS-TLIF. The demographic data, visual analogue pain scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), blood loss, time from entering operation theatre to time of incision, time of bandaging to exit from operation theatre, time of stay in post anaesthesia care unit (PACU), duration of surgery, nausea/vomiting, urinary retention, requirement of analgesics, duration of stay in hospital, peri-operative complications, fusion rate and satisfaction score were compiled and assessed.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> 150 patients were operated with MISTLIF under spinal anaesthesia. VAS and ODI score improved significantly at final follow up (p&lt;0.05). The mean duration of surgery was 148±18.24 minutes and blood loss were 109.64±110.45 ml. The average time from entering OT to incision and bandaging to exit was respectively 27.32±8.44 and 6.43±3.28 minutes. Mean PACU time was 36.74±6.32 minutes while duration of stay averaged 1.58±0.67 days. Post operative analgesia requirement was in 10.6% patients and radiographic fusion was observed in 96.6% patients. 90.6% patients were fully satisfied with spinal anaesthesia.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Awake spinal fusion should be considered as a novel surgical approach with newer minimal invasive surgical techniques and regional anaesthesia to improve patient satisfaction and overall surgical outcome.</p>

To study the incidence, risk factors, surgical outcomes of accidental durotomies (ADT) in patients of microendoscopic lumbar decompression surgeries (MLDS) and the postoperative patient mobilization protocol. Methods: A total of 550 patients who underwent MLDS from January 2012 to march 2020 under single surgeon and single institute were included in the study and incidence of ADT risk factors like age, BMI, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, surgeon's experience were studied for the same and early mobilization protocol for all the patients was followed. Results: Age > 60 years (p = 0.0062), bilateral decompression with unilateral approach, surgeons experience in the first 3 years over next 5 years (p = 0.037) were the statistically significant risk factors for increased incidence of ADT. Most of the ADT were small which did not require primary repair and managed with sealants like gelfoam and fibrin glue. Postoperative recovery in JOA and ODI scores in both ADT and non ADT cohorts were same. Conclusion: MISS has low incidence of ADT and age > 60 years and surgical technique of bilateral decompression with unilateral approach and surgeons expertise are the significant risk factors. MISS also has less risk of CSF leak symptoms and pseudomeningocele formation because of limited dead space formation in the soft tissue which helps in early postoperative mobilization and reduces the duration of hospital stay.