Spinal Case Studies

Here spine specialists present many cases that are challenging and compelling. Each case provides a patient's history, exam and imaging, treatment, outcome and peer discussion. Cast your vote for treatment and share in the case discussions.

Recently Added Cases

Single Position Spinal Surgery — Prone Lateral L3-L4

Jakub Godzik, MD, MSc

SpineUniverse Case Study: Make your recommendation. Progressive intractable low back pain and proximal lower extremity pain.
Revision Surgery for Pseudarthrosis after Thoracolumbar Fracture Stabilization

Ali A. Baaj, MD

Adult male sustained L1 and L2 fractures during a helicopter crash. One year after treatment elsewhere, the patient presents with...
Awake Spinal Fusion

Alok D. Sharan, MD, MHCDS

Would you consider Awake Spinal Fusion in this 48-year-old male who developed lumbar disc reherniation after a successful...
Does this 21-year-old need a spinal fusion?

Christopher R Hemmer, DNP, ANP

The authors pose 2 questions for consideration regarding a young adult with a previous history of low back pain now reporting marked...
Severe Sagittal Imbalance Correction

Alan H. Daniels, MD

A 76-year-old male presented with severe positive sagittal imbalance and neurogenic claudication following a prior L3-S1 decompression...
Myelopathy Secondary to C5-C7 Cervical Synovial Cyst

Daniel Possley, DO, MS

A 53-year-old male presented with progressive weakness in his hands and legs that became noticeable 3 months ago, and has...
Lumbar Failed Back Surgery Post Laminectomy

Harel Deutsch, MD

Failed back surgery syndrome in a 69-year-old male celebrity, who had multilevel lumbar laminectomies in 2015 by a surgeon other than...
Lower Lumbar Spine Complex Solitary Metastatic Disease

Wyatt L. Ramey, MD

The patient is a 62-year-old male with a known history of stage IV non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the L4...
Adult Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Deformity

Ali A. Baaj, MD

A 71-year-old female presented with mechanical back pain, neurogenic claudication and worsening posture. Her primary complaint was...
Traumatic T3 Burst Fracture

Lali Sekhon, MD, PhD, FAANS, FRACS, FACS

Case report of a 31-year-old female who sustained a traumatic T3 burst fracture during a rollover motor vehicle accident. She was...
Transthoracic Resection of Thoracic Disc Herniation With Navigation

Joshua M. Ammerman, MD

An elderly female presenting with bilateral abdominal pain radiating to the umbilicus and progressive bilateral lower extremity...
Progressive Scoliosis and Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia

Ali A. Baaj, MD

Adolescent female with multiple ephysial dysplasia was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 12. She presents with progressive back pain,...
Lumbar Spine’s Role in Chronic Hip Pain Case

Kai Tiltmann, DC

When evaluating a patient with hip pain, do not overlook the lumbar spine. This patient had no low back pain, but the spine was the...