From the Editor-in-Chief: Featured Articles in the June 2024 Issue

Inbo Han

doi:10.14245/ns.2448600.300

In this editorial, we highlight the significant contributions of selected articles published in the June 2024 issue of Neurospine. These articles represent advancements in spine research, offering valuable insights into various aspects of spinal health, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes.

Article 1: “Pharmacological Treatment of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Critical Review of Current Evidence”

Levett et al. [1] conducted a comprehensive review of the pharmacological treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). They synthesized clinical and experimental evidence on the efficacy of pharmacological agents in both humans and animal models. Despite some promising findings in animal studies, the translation to clinical practice remains challenging. The review underscores the potential for developing neuroprotective therapies to delay surgical intervention and optimize outcomes for patients with DCM.

Article 2: “Baseline Frailty Measured by the Risk Analysis Index and 30-Day Mortality After Surgery for Spinal Malignancy: Analysis of a Prospective Registry (2011–2020)”

Thommen et al. [2] analyzed data from a prospective surgical registry to evaluate the prognostic utility of baseline frailty, measured by the Risk Analysis Index, in predicting postoperative mortality among patients undergoing surgery for spinal malignancy. Their findings highlight the importance of preoperative frailty assessment in risk stratification and clinical decision-making, offering insights for improving patient outcomes in this challenging patient population.

Article 3: “Comparison of the Clinical Efficacy of Anabolic Agents and Bisphosphonates in the Patients With Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials”

Jeon et al. [3] conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the clinical efficacy of anabolic agents and bisphosphonates in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF). Their findings support the superiority of anabolic agents in preventing new OVF compared to bisphosphonates. However, they emphasize the need for additional large-scale studies to optimize treatment strategies for this patient population.

Article 4: “The Utility and Feasibility of Smart Glasses in Spine Surgery: Minimizing Radiation Exposure During Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Insertion”

Hiranaka et al. [4] investigated the utility and feasibility of smart glasses in spine surgery to minimize radiation exposure during percutaneous pedicle screw insertion. Their findings demonstrate the effectiveness of smart glasses in reducing radiation exposure without compromising procedural efficiency or accuracy, offering a promising approach to improving safety for spine surgeons.

Article 5: “Radiological and Clinical Significance of Cervical Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy”

Shin et al. [5] conducted a comprehensive study on the radiological and clinical significance of cervical dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Their findings highlight the utility of dynamic MRI in evaluating cervical spinal motion and its correlation with clinical outcomes, providing valuable insights for optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.