Acute angulation at the thoracolumbar junction
with segmental
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a progressive
multisystem chronic inflammatory disorder. The hallmark of this pathological
process is a progressive fusion of the zygapophyseal joints and
disc spaces of the axial skeleton, leading to a rigid kyphotic deformity
and positive sagittal balance. The ankylosed spine is unable to
accommodate normal mechanical forces, rendering it brittle and susceptible
to injury. Traumatic hyperextension injury of the cervical spine
leading to atlantoaxial
We evaluated the use of surgical stabilisation for atlantoaxial
The effect of rheumatoid arthritis on the anatomy of the cervical spine has not been clearly documented. We studied 129 female patients, 90 with rheumatoid arthritis and 39 with other pathologies (the control group). There were 21 patients in the control group with a diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and 18 with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. All had plain lateral radiographs taken of the cervical spine as well as a reconstructed CT scan. The axial diameter of the width of the pedicle, the thickness of the lateral mass, the height of the isthmus and internal height were measured. The transverse diameter of the transverse foramen (d1) and that of the spinal canal (d2) were measured, and the ratio d1/d2 calculated. The width of the pedicles and the thickness of the lateral masses were significantly less in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in those with other pathologies. The area of the transverse foramina in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was significantly greater than that in the other patients. The ratio of d1 to d2 was not significantly different. A high-riding vertebral artery was noted in 33.9% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in 7.7% of those with other pathologies. This difference was statistically significant. In the rheumatoid group there was a significant correlation between isthmus height and vertical
To determine the major risk factors for unplanned reoperations (UROs) following corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) and their interactions, using machine learning-based prediction algorithms and game theory. Patients who underwent surgery for ASD, with a minimum of two-year follow-up, were retrospectively reviewed. In total, 210 patients were included and randomly allocated into training (70% of the sample size) and test (the remaining 30%) sets to develop the machine learning algorithm. Risk factors were included in the analysis, along with clinical characteristics and parameters acquired through diagnostic radiology.Aims
Methods
Gram-negative infections are associated with comorbid patients, but outcomes are less well understood. This study reviewed diagnosis, management, and treatment for a cohort treated in a tertiary spinal centre. A retrospective review was performed of all gram-negative spinal infections (n = 32; median age 71 years; interquartile range 60 to 78), excluding surgical site infections, at a single centre between 2015 to 2020 with two- to six-year follow-up. Information regarding organism identification, antibiotic regime, and treatment outcomes (including clinical, radiological, and biochemical) were collected from clinical notes.Aims
Methods
The outcome following the development of neurological complications after corrective surgery for scoliosis varies from full recovery to a permanent deficit. This study aimed to assess the prognosis and recovery of major neurological deficits in these patients, and to determine the risk factors for non-recovery, at a minimum follow-up of two years. A major neurological deficit was identified in 65 of 8,870 patients who underwent corrective surgery for scoliosis, including eight with complete paraplegia and 57 with incomplete paraplegia. There were 23 male and 42 female patients. Their mean age was 25.0 years (SD 16.3). The aetiology of the scoliosis was idiopathic (n = 6), congenital (n = 23), neuromuscular (n = 11), neurofibromatosis type 1 (n = 6), and others (n = 19). Neurological function was determined by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale at a mean follow-up of 45.4 months (SD 17.2). the patients were divided into those with recovery and those with no recovery according to the ASIA scale during follow-up.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with poor outcome following coccygectomy on patients with chronic coccydynia and instability of the coccyx. From the Danish National Spine Registry, DaneSpine, 134 consecutive patients were identified from a single centre who had coccygectomy from 2011 to 2019. Patient demographic data and patient-reported outcomes, including pain measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol five-dimension five-level questionnaire, and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) were obtained at baseline and at one-year follow-up. Patient satisfaction was obtained at follow-up. Regression analysis, including age, sex, smoking status, BMI, duration of symptoms, work status, welfare payment, preoperative VAS, ODI, and SF-36 was performed to identify factors associated with dissatisfaction with results at one-year follow-up.Aims
Methods
To describe the clinical, radiological, and functional outcomes in patients with isolated congenital thoracolumbar kyphosis who were treated with three-column osteotomy by posterior-only approach. Hospital records of 27 patients with isolated congenital thoracolumbar kyphosis undergoing surgery at a single centre were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent deformity correction which involved a three-column osteotomy by single-stage posterior-only approach. Radiological parameters (local kyphosis angle (KA), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7 SVA), T1 slope, and pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (PI-LL)), functional scores, and clinical details of complications were recorded.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of using MRI scans to calculate the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). A total of 100 patients were retrospectively included in the study. The SINS score was calculated from each patient’s MRI and CT scans by two consultant musculoskeletal radiologists (reviewers 1 and 2) and one consultant spinal surgeon (reviewer 3). In order to avoid potential bias in the assessment, MRI scans were reviewed first. Bland-Altman analysis was used to identify the limits of agreement between the SINS scores from the MRI and CT scans for the three reviewers.Aims
Methods
To determine the effectiveness of prone traction radiographs in predicting postoperative slip distance, slip angle, changes in disc height, and lordosis after surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine. A total of 63 consecutive patients with a degenerative spondylolisthesis and preoperative prone traction radiographs obtained since 2010 were studied. Slip distance, slip angle, disc height, segmental lordosis, and global lordosis (L1 to S1) were measured on preoperative lateral standing radiographs, flexion-extension lateral radiographs, prone traction lateral radiographs, and postoperative lateral standing radiographs. Patients were divided into two groups: posterolateral fusion or posterolateral fusion with interbody fusion.Aims
Methods
Degenerative spondylolisthesis is four times more common in women than in men. Although this gender difference has long been recognised there has been no explanation for it. We have examined the radiographs and CT scans of 118 patients over the age of 55 years and of a control group under the age of 46 years. Our findings confirmed the presence of more sagittally-orientated facet joints in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis but did not show that the gender difference can be explained by the morphology of the facet joint. Furthermore, we conclude that the increased angle of the facet joint is the result of arthritic remodelling and not the primary cause of degenerative spondylolisthesis. It is more likely to be due to loss of soft-tissue resilience with subsequent failure of the facet joints which are acting as the last restraints to
Coccygectomy is a controversial operation. Some authors have reported good results, but others advise against the procedure. The criteria for selection are ill-defined. We describe a study to validate an objective criterion for patient selection, namely radiological instability of the coccyx as judged by intermittent
Fifteen patients with ankylosing spondylitis who had developed a severe flexion deformity of the cervical spine which restricted their field of vision to their feet, were treated by an extension osteotomy at the C7/T1 level. The operation was performed under general anaesthesia with the patient in the prone position and wearing a halo-jacket. Three had internal fixation using a Luque rectangle and wiring. Their mean age was 48 years. Before operation the mean cervical kyphosis was 23°; this was corrected to a mean of 31° of lordosis, a mean correction of 54°. All the patients were able to see straight ahead. One patient with normal neurology soon after operation became quadraparetic after one week; two others had unilateral palsy of the C8 root, which improved. There was
We investigated the incidence of anomalies in
the vertebral arteries and Circle of Willis with three-dimensional
CT angiography in 55 consecutive patients who had undergone an instrumented
posterior fusion of the cervical spine. We recorded any peri-operative and post-operative complications.
The frequency of congenital anomalies was 30.9%, abnormal vertebral
artery blood flow was 58.2% and vertebral artery dominance 40%. The posterior communicating artery was occluded on one side in
41.8% of patients and bilaterally in 38.2%. Variations in the vertebral
arteries and Circle of Willis were not significantly related to
the presence or absence of posterior communicating arteries. Importantly,
18.2% of patients showed characteristic variations in the Circle
of Willis with unilateral vertebral artery stenosis or a dominant
vertebral artery, indicating that injury may cause lethal complications.
One patient had post-operative cerebellar symptoms due to intra-operative
injury of the vertebral artery, and one underwent a different surgical
procedure because of insufficient collateral circulation. Pre-operative assessment of the vertebral arteries and Circle
of Willis is essential if a posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation
is to be carried out safely. Cite this article:
Transarticular screw fixation with autograft
is an established procedure for the surgical treatment of atlantoaxial instability.
Removal of the posterior arch of C1 may affect the rate of fusion.
This study assessed the rate of atlantoaxial fusion using transarticular
screws with or without removal of the posterior arch of C1. We reviewed
30 consecutive patients who underwent atlantoaxial fusion with a
minimum follow-up of two years. In 25 patients (group A) the posterior
arch of C1 was not excised (group A) and in five it was (group B).
Fusion was assessed on static and dynamic radiographs. In selected
patients CT imaging was also used to assess fusion and the position
of the screws. There were 15 men and 15 women with a mean age of
51.2 years (23 to 77) and a mean follow-up of 7.7 years (2 to 11.6).
Stable union with a solid fusion or a stable fibrous union was achieved
in 29 patients (97%). In Group A, 20 patients (80%) achieved a solid
fusion, four (16%) a stable fibrous union and one (4%) a nonunion.
In Group B, stable union was achieved in all patients, three having
a solid fusion and two a stable fibrous union. There was no statistically
significant difference between the status of fusion in the two groups.
Complications were noted in 12 patients (40%); these were mainly
related to the screws, and included malpositioning and breakage.
The presence of an intact or removed posterior arch of C1 did not
affect the rate of fusion in patients with atlantoaxial instability
undergoing C1/C2 fusion using transarticular screws and autograft. Cite this article:
We reviewed seven children with torticollis due to refractory atlanto-axial rotatory fixation who were treated in a halo vest. Pre-operative three-dimensional CT and sagittal CT imaging showed deformity of the superior articular process of C2 in all patients. The mean duration of halo vest treatment was 67 days (46 to 91). The mean follow-up was 34 months (8 to 73); at the latest review six patients demonstrated remodelling of the deformed articular process. The other child, who had a more severe deformity, required C1-2 fusion. We suggest that patients with atlanto-axial rotatory fixation who do not respond to conservative treatment and who have deformity of the superior articular process of C2 should undergo manipulative reduction and halo-vest fixation for two to three months to induce remodelling of the deformed superior articular process before C1-2 fusion is considered.
Back pain is a common symptom in children and
adolescents. Here we review the important causes, of which defects
and stress reactions of the pars interarticularis are the most common
identifiable problems. More serious pathology, including malignancy
and infection, needs to be excluded when there is associated systemic
illness. Clinical evaluation and management may be difficult and
always requires a thorough history and physical examination. Diagnostic
imaging is obtained when symptoms are persistent or severe. Imaging
is used to reassure the patient, relatives and carers, and to guide
management. Cite this article:
Injury to the spinal cord and kyphosis are the two most feared complications of tuberculosis of the spine. Since tuberculosis affects principally the vertebral bodies, anterior decompression is usually recommended. Concomitant posterior instrumentation is indicated to neutralise gross instability from panvertebral disease, to protect the anterior bone graft, to prevent graft-related complications after anterior decompression in long-segment disease and to correct a kyphosis. Two-stage surgery is usually performed in these cases. We present 38 consecutive patients with tuberculosis of the spine for whom anterior decompression, posterior instrumentation, with or without correction of the kyphus, and anterior and posterior fusion was performed in a single stage through an anterolateral extrapleural approach. Their mean age was 20.4 years (2.0 to 57.0). The indications for surgery were panvertebral disease, neurological deficit and severe kyphosis. The patients were operated on in the left lateral position using a ‘T’-shaped incision sited at the apex of kyphosis or lesion. Three ribs were removed in 34 patients and two in four and anterior decompression of the spinal cord was carried out. The posterior vertebral column was shortened to correct the kyphus, if necessary, and was stabilised by a Hartshill rectangle and sublaminar wires. Anterior and posterior bone grafting was performed. The mean number of vertebral bodies affected was 3.24 (2.0 to 9.0). The mean pre-operative kyphosis in patients operated on for correction of the kyphus was 49.08° (30° to 72°) and there was a mean correction of 25° (6° to 42°). All except one patient with a neural deficit recovered complete motor and sensory function. The mean intra-operative blood loss was 1175 ml (800 to 2600), and the mean duration of surgery 3.5 hours (2.7 to 5.0). Wound healing was uneventful in 33 of 38 patients. The mean follow-up was 33 months (11 to 74). None of the patients required intensive care. The extrapleural anterolateral approach provides simultaneous exposure of the anterior and posterior aspects of the spine, thereby allowing decompression of the spinal cord, posterior stabilisation and anterior and posterior bone grafting. This approach has much less morbidity than the two-stage approaches which have been previously described.
We reviewed the outcome of a retrospective case series of eight patients with atlantoaxial instability who had been treated by percutaneous anterior transarticular screw fixation and grafting under image-intensifier guidance between December 2005 and June 2008. The mean follow-up was 19 months (8 to 27). All eight patients had a solid C1–2 fusion. There were no breakages or displacement of screws. All the patients with pre-operative neck pain had immediate relief from their symptoms or considerable improvement. There were no major complications. Our preliminary clinical results suggest that percutaneous anterior transarticulation screw fixation is technically feasible, safe, useful and minimally invasive when using the appropriate instruments allied to intra-operative image intensification, and by selecting the correct puncture point, angle and depth of insertion.