Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40923901›Full record

SynthesisJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews2025

Bertolotti Syndrome in the Pediatric Population: A Literature Review and Management Algorithm.

Daniel C Gabriel, David S Liu, Bryan Ang, Kristen E Hines, Anjali M Prabhat, Grant D Hogue

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Daniel C GabrielFrom the Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (Gabriel, Hines, and Prabhat); the Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY (Dr. Ang); and the Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Boston, MA (Dr. Liu and Dr. Hogue).ORCID 0009-0004-3796-410
David S Liu
Bryan Ang
Kristen E Hines
Anjali M Prabhat
Grant D Hogue

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive step-wise management algorithm for Bertolotti syndrome in the pediatric population by conducting a systematic review of the current literature regarding the diagnostic evaluation, nonsurgical and surgical treatment, and outcomes.

methodsA systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed to identify studies focused on the management of Bertolotti syndrome in the pediatric population. Data extraction of clinical presentation, management strategies, imaging, and outcomes was completed.

resultsThirteen studies reported on 17 patients younger than 18 years with confirmed diagnosis of Bertolotti syndrome were identified. Lower back pain was the most common presenting symptom and was described in all 13 studies. Radicular pain was described in six of 13 studies. Diagnostic, intraoperative, and postoperative assessments included preoperative radiographs, CT, MRI, along with targeted injections. Treatment options ranged from nonsurgical to surgical measures. Conservative options included physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, bracing treatment, and targeted injections. Surgical modalities included open surgical resection and posterior spinal fusion. All patients in the 13 studies demonstrated partial or complete resolution of their presenting symptoms.

conclusionsThis study provides a proposed systemic algorithm for the management of Bertolotti syndrome in the pediatric population. Based on our review of the current literature, we recommend a stepwise approach to the management of Bertolotti syndrome starting from conservative options and progressing toward surgical treatment if symptoms persist.

Indexed as

AlgorithmsLow Back PainAdolescentChildHumansSyndrome

Identifiers

PMID40923901
PMCPMC12410315

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.