Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) has traditionally been employed for lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Recent innovations in surgical methods and technologies have expanded its range to address other spinal pathologies, providing minimally invasive solutions with potential clinical benefits. Our review aims to summarize the applications, clinical outcomes, and limitations of ESS beyond LDH, focusing on its role in complex spinal conditions such as stenosis, thoracic disc herniation, spinal tumors, synovial cysts, and failed back surgery syndrome. A thorough review of the literature was conducted to assess and summarize the current evidence regarding ESS applications for spinal conditions beyond LDH surgery. Areas of focus included innovations in technology and technique, as well as comparisons with conventional open surgical methods. ESS shows notable potential across different spinal conditions by providing minimally invasive alternatives to traditional open surgery. Its use could be associated with reduced surgical morbidity, shorter recovery times, and improved patient outcomes. In particular, ESS is versatile in addressing both degenerative and neoplastic conditions of the spine. Despite this, challenges such as technical complexity, steep learning curves, and limited indications for certain pathologies remain as barriers to wider adoption. ESS is evolving in spine surgery, extending its utility beyond LDH surgery. While the current evidence largely supports its clinical efficacy, further studies are needed to address the present limitations and optimize its application. Future developments in surgical training and technology will likely enhance its adoption and broaden its clinical indications.

Background/Objectives: Conventional static magnetic resonance imaging may underestimate the severity of cervical cord compression by failing to account for positional changes in the spinal canal. Dynamic MRI (dMRI) captures cervical motion, allowing evaluation of cord compression under physiological loading. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on how dMRI modifies the assessment of spinal canal narrowing and signal change, and how these findings correlate with impairment and postoperative outcomes in degenerative cervical myelopathy. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies evaluating the role of dMRI (flexion–extension MRI) in diagnosing or predicting outcomes of cervical degenerative pathology were included. Data were extracted on imaging protocols, diagnostic findings, quantitative parameters, and clinical outcomes. Results: Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. dMRI consistently revealed motion-dependent stenosis and intramedullary signal changes not visible on static imaging. Extension imaging frequently demonstrated disease progression, showing altered spinal cord area, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reserve, and additional compression levels. Dynamic sequences enhanced sensitivity for pathological segment detection and improved correlation with clinical severity. Preoperative dMRI findings, particularly extension-related compression and T2 hyperintensity, predicted postoperative neurological recovery and influenced surgical planning in up to one third of cases. Conclusions: Dynamic MRI provides superior diagnostic sensitivity and prognostic information compared with static imaging by revealing motion-induced spinal cord compression and microstructural alterations. It should be considered when clinical findings exceed static MRI severity or when the symptomatic level is uncertain. Standardization of protocols and large prospective studies are needed to define evidence-based clinical indications.

Seronegative autoimmune encephalitis (AE), defined by an appropriate clinical phenotype in the absence of known neuronal autoantibodies, poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to clinical heterogeneity and lack of definitive biomarkers. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data to characterize the phenotypes, treatment responses, and prognostic factors in seronegative AE. We included 213 cases from 30 studies published between 2014 and 2024 and 11 from a local cohort meeting Graus criteria for seronegative AE. We extracted details on clinical and paraclinical features, immunotherapy, and outcomes measured via the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Clinical Assessment Scale for Autoimmune Encephalitis (CASE). Multivariate regression and dimensionality reduction analyses identified prognostic markers. Of 224 patients (median age 49 years, 50.9% male), 72 (32.1%) had limbic encephalitis (LE) and 152 (67.9%) had antibody-negative probable AE (ANPRA). Good outcome (mRS score ≤2) was more common in LE (49/72, 68.1%) than in ANPRA (76/154, 50.0%) (p < 0.05). Delayed immunotherapy was associated with an increased risk of poor outcome. Additional predictors of poor prognosis included age older than 60 years, the ANPRA subtype, an underlying tumor, striatocapsular or thalamic involvement on MRI, and presentation with refractory status epilepticus. Dimensionality and clustering analysis identified heterogeneity among seronegative AE, with 3 distinct subtypes. Seronegative AE comprises clinically and prognostically distinct subtypes. Early immunotherapy is the key modifiable factor influencing outcome. We advocate for biomarker discovery and prospective, systematically reported cohort studies to improve stratification and treatment strategies in this diagnostically challenging population.

Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology in spine surgery with the potential to enhance intraoperative visualization and precision by overlaying virtual images on anatomical structures. This bibliometric review analyzes trends in research and publication growth related to AR in spinal neurosurgery between 2013 and 2024. A search across PubMed identified 267 articles. After screening, we analyzed 98 relevant studies, revealing exponential growth in AR research, with publications increasing from 1 in 2013 to 28 in 2024. The focus of research evolved over the years, with instrumentation being the dominant topic in 2020, and a broader emphasis on multi-domain AR applications in 2024. The United States led in publication output, followed by Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. The increasing number of studies reflects AR's growing adoption in both specialized and broad spine surgery applications. Although AR has demonstrated its potential to improve surgical precision and education, further research is needed to assess long-term clinical outcomes and overcome barriers to widespread implementation.