Ali A. Baaj
YOU?
Author Swipe
View article: Clinical Insight into Spinal Drop Metastasis: A Systematic Review
Clinical Insight into Spinal Drop Metastasis: A Systematic Review Open
IntroductionPrimary intracranial tumors (PITs) rarely metastasize to the spine, and as such, the condition is poorly understood. This study aimed to provide an overview of the clinical manifestations, therapeutic trends, and prognosis of s…
View article: A Unique Collaboration Between Otolaryngology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Spine Surgery for Paraspinal Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis: A Case Report and Systematic Review
A Unique Collaboration Between Otolaryngology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Spine Surgery for Paraspinal Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis: A Case Report and Systematic Review Open
PurposeDesmoid-type fibromatosis is a rare, aggressive tumor of mesenchymal origin that mimics malignancy. Though non-metastasizing, desmoid tumors exhibit local invasion and tissue destruction with high rates of recurrence, leading to sev…
View article: Introduction. Robotic spine surgery: seeing is believing
Introduction. Robotic spine surgery: seeing is believing Open
View article: Social media can be a powerful medium for responsible and compliant neurosurgical remote second opinions
Social media can be a powerful medium for responsible and compliant neurosurgical remote second opinions Open
View article: Are Self-Drilling, Self-Tapping Screws Effective in Anterior Cervical Fusion Surgery? One Surgeon’s Experience with 50 Consecutive Patients
Are Self-Drilling, Self-Tapping Screws Effective in Anterior Cervical Fusion Surgery? One Surgeon’s Experience with 50 Consecutive Patients Open
Purpose Even though plate and screw designs in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) have evolved to improve fusion stability and enhance patient outcomes, some argue that pre-tapping remained the best option. The purpose of this …
View article: Construct Failure in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Incidence, Mode, and Time of Failure Within 2 Years
Construct Failure in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Incidence, Mode, and Time of Failure Within 2 Years Open
Among all CF patients, patients with cage-related failures are more likely to occur over a more spread-out time. Spine surgeons should be aware of these trends to determine if continued clinical observation or reoperation is necessary for …
View article: The effect of time to balloon kyphoplasty on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a systematic review with meta-analysis
The effect of time to balloon kyphoplasty on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a systematic review with meta-analysis Open
View article: Comparison of intraoperative and postoperative outcomes between open, wiltse, and percutaneous approach to traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures without neurological injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Comparison of intraoperative and postoperative outcomes between open, wiltse, and percutaneous approach to traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures without neurological injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis Open
View article: Does Routine Post-Operative Use of Drainage in Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spine Surgery Offer Better Results?
Does Routine Post-Operative Use of Drainage in Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spine Surgery Offer Better Results? Open
Objective: The advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) in lumbar degenerative diseases have been well described (less tissue damage, shorter hospital stay, better results in pain assessment). One aspect that has not yet been …
View article: Subfascial drains are safe and effective in preventing postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks after intradural spine tumor surgery
Subfascial drains are safe and effective in preventing postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks after intradural spine tumor surgery Open
Background: Delayed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are a known complication following intradural spinal tumor surgery. The placement of subfascial drains in these patients undergoing requisite intradural surgery is controversial. Here, we…
View article: Applications of SPECT/CT in the Evaluation of Spinal Pathology: A Review
Applications of SPECT/CT in the Evaluation of Spinal Pathology: A Review Open
BACKGROUND: Accurate identification of pain generators in the context of low back and spine-related pain is crucial for effective treatment. This review aims to evaluate the potential usefulness of single photon emission computed tomograph…
View article: Nontraumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in adults: Report of two cases
Nontraumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in adults: Report of two cases Open
Background: Nontraumatic infectious atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (AARS) is rare and less frequently encountered in adults versus children. We utilized a stepwise approach to treat two adults with nontraumatic infectious AARS and summa…
View article: Optimizing outcomes and experience for patients traveling abroad for spine surgery: A survey of neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons in Saudi Arabia
Optimizing outcomes and experience for patients traveling abroad for spine surgery: A survey of neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons in Saudi Arabia Open
Background: It is widely accepted that patients with complex medical diagnoses and those with the means will travel for specialized medical care abroad. For various reasons, patients from the Gulf countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi …
View article: Antifibrinolytics use during surgery for oncological spine diseases: A systematic review
Antifibrinolytics use during surgery for oncological spine diseases: A systematic review Open
Background: Data exist of the benefits of antifibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid (TXA) in general spine surgery. However, there are limited data of its use in oncological spine patients. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using …
View article: Metastatic mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the spine managed with nonsurgical treatment: A case report and review of the literature
Metastatic mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the spine managed with nonsurgical treatment: A case report and review of the literature Open
In this report, we present a rare case of a 17‐year‐old male patient with metastatic mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) managed with nonsurgical treatment who subsequently demonstrated a favorable response to concurrent chemotherapy and radi…
View article: Virtual learning in Neurosurgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic, A Systematic Literature Review.
Virtual learning in Neurosurgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic, A Systematic Literature Review. Open
The COVID-19 pandemic is considered one of our time's most significant global health crises, and its sequel is expected to be long-lasting. The shutdown of institutions, social distancing requirements, and decreased elective surgical expos…
View article: Surgical management of dropped head syndrome: A systematic review
Surgical management of dropped head syndrome: A systematic review Open
Background: Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is uncommon and involves severe weakness of neck-extensor muscles resulting in a progressive reducible cervical kyphosis. The first-line management consists of medical treatment targeted at diagnosin…
View article: Intracranial hypotension due to ventral thoracic dural tear secondary to osteophyte complex: resolution after transdural thoracic microdiscectomy with dural repair. Illustrative case
Intracranial hypotension due to ventral thoracic dural tear secondary to osteophyte complex: resolution after transdural thoracic microdiscectomy with dural repair. Illustrative case Open
BACKGROUND Intracranial hypotension (IH) manifests with orthostatic headaches secondary to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypovolemia. Common iatrogenic etiologies include lumbar punctures and spinal surgery. Although much rarer, structural def…
View article: Increase in clivo-axial angle is associated with clinical improvement in children undergoing occipitocervical fusion for complex Chiari malformation: patient series
Increase in clivo-axial angle is associated with clinical improvement in children undergoing occipitocervical fusion for complex Chiari malformation: patient series Open
BACKGROUND The authors analyzed the pre- and postoperative morphometric properties of pediatric patients with complex Chiari malformation undergoing occipitocervical fusion (OCF) to assess clinical outcomes and morphometric properties that…
View article: Predicting clinical outcomes using morphometric changes in adults with complex Chiari malformation undergoing occipitocervical fusion with or without ventral decompression: patient series
Predicting clinical outcomes using morphometric changes in adults with complex Chiari malformation undergoing occipitocervical fusion with or without ventral decompression: patient series Open
BACKGROUND The authors assessed the connection between clinical outcomes and morphometrics in patients with complex Chiari malformation (CM) who have undergone posterior fossa decompression (PFD) and subsequent occipitocervical fusion (OCF…
View article: COVID-19: A Time Like No Other in (the Department of) Neurological Surgery
COVID-19: A Time Like No Other in (the Department of) Neurological Surgery Open
View article: A Novel, Virtual, Multi-Institutional, Multi-Disciplinary Spine Education Program in Response to the COVID19 Pandemic
A Novel, Virtual, Multi-Institutional, Multi-Disciplinary Spine Education Program in Response to the COVID19 Pandemic Open
INTRODUCTION: The COVID19 pandemic ended all national and international in-person educational conferences. In response to this, and in an effort to continue sharing and advancing knowledge in spine surgery, a multi-institutional collaborat…
View article: Virtual Spine: A Novel, International Teleconferencing Program Developed to Increase the Accessibility of Spine Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Virtual Spine: A Novel, International Teleconferencing Program Developed to Increase the Accessibility of Spine Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic Open
View article: Extended Drain Dwell Duration Following Muscle Flap Closure for Complex Spine Surgery Does Not Increase the Risk of Surgical Site Infections
Extended Drain Dwell Duration Following Muscle Flap Closure for Complex Spine Surgery Does Not Increase the Risk of Surgical Site Infections Open
PURPOSE: Surgical drains are routinely used to prevent the accumulation of fluid at the operative site, an effect known to decrease the risk of seroma and theoretically lower the chance of abscess or small hematoma formation. Despite these…
View article: A Dual Approach for the Management of Complex Craniovertebral Junction Abnormalities: Endoscopic Endonasal Odontoidectomy and Posterior Decompression with Fusion
A Dual Approach for the Management of Complex Craniovertebral Junction Abnormalities: Endoscopic Endonasal Odontoidectomy and Posterior Decompression with Fusion Open
View article: Biomechanical evaluation of the ProDisc-C stability following graded posterior cervical injury
Biomechanical evaluation of the ProDisc-C stability following graded posterior cervical injury Open
OBJECTIVE There are limited data regarding the implications of revision posterior surgery in the setting of previous cervical arthroplasty (CA). The purpose of this study was to analyze segmental biomechanics in human cadaveric specimens w…
View article: Introduction. Pediatric spinal deformity
Introduction. Pediatric spinal deformity Open
Pediatric spinal deformity is a rapidly evolving with increased interest and participation from the neurosurgical community.In recent years we have seen several improvements, including an enhanced understanding of the importance of imparti…
View article: Evaluation and management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a review
Evaluation and management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a review Open
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a 3D spinal deformity affecting children between the ages of 11 and 18, without an identifiable etiology. The authors here reviewed the available literature to provide spine surgeons with a summary …
View article: Short-Segment Versus Long-Segment Stabilization in Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture: A Review of the Literature
Short-Segment Versus Long-Segment Stabilization in Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture: A Review of the Literature Open
Background: Thoracolumbar fractures are the most common traumatic fractures of the spinal column. They result from a compression load without the associated shear, rotational, or translational components. Although neurological compression …
View article: C2 and Greater Occipital Nerve: The Anatomic and Functional Implications in Spinal Surgery
C2 and Greater Occipital Nerve: The Anatomic and Functional Implications in Spinal Surgery Open