We present a study of ten consecutive patients who underwent excision of thoracic or thoracolumbar hemivertebrae for either angular deformity in the coronal plane, or both coronal and sagittal deformity. Vertebral excision was carried out anteriorly alone in two patients. Seven patients had undergone previous posterior spinal fusion. Their mean age at surgery was 13.4 years (6 to 19). The mean follow-up was 78.5 months (20 to 180). The results were evaluated by radiological review of the preoperative, postoperative and most recent follow-up films. The mean preoperative coronal curve was 78.2° (30 to 115) and was corrected to 33.9° (7 to 58) postoperatively, a mean correction of 59%. Preoperative coronal decompensation of 35 mm was improved to 11 mm postoperatively. Seven patients had significant coronal decompensation preoperatively, which was corrected to a physiological range postoperatively. There were no major complications and no neurological damage. We have shown that resection of thoracic and thoracolumbar hemivertebrae can be performed safely, without undue risk of neurological compromise, in experienced hands.
Aims. Spinal deformity surgery carries the risk of neurological injury. Neurophysiological monitoring allows early identification of intraoperative cord injury which enables early intervention resulting in a better prognosis. Although multimodal monitoring is the ideal, resource constraints make surgeon-directed intraoperative transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) monitoring a useful compromise. Our experience using surgeon-directed TcMEP is presented in terms of viability, safety, and efficacy. Methods. We carried out a retrospective review of a single surgeon’s prospectively maintained database of cases in which TcMEP monitoring had been used between 2010 and 2017. The upper limbs were used as the control. A true alert was recorded when there was a 50% or more loss of amplitude from the lower limbs with maintained upper limb signals. Patients with true alerts were identified and their case history analyzed. Results. Of the 299 cases reviewed, 279 (93.3%) had acceptable traces throughout and awoke with normal clinical neurological function. No patient with normal traces had a postoperative clinical neurological deficit. True alerts occurred in 20 cases (6.7%). The diagnoses of the alert group included nine cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) (45%) and six of
Segmental vessel ligation during anterior spinal surgery has been associated with paraplegia. However, the incidence and risk factors for this devastating complication are debated. We reviewed 346 consecutive paediatric and adolescent patients ranging in age from three to 18 years who underwent surgery for anterior spinal deformity through a thoracic or thoracoabdominal approach, during which 2651 segmental vessels were ligated. There were 173 patients with idiopathic scoliosis, 80 with
We report the results of vertebral column resection
(VCR) for paediatric patients with spinal deformity. A total of
49 VCRs in paediatric patients from four university hospitals between
2005 and 2009 with a minimum two-year follow-up were retrospectively
identified. After excluding single hemivertebral resections (n =
25) and VCRs performed for patients with myelomeningocele (n = 6),
as well as spondylectomies performed for tumour (n = 4), there were
14 patients who had undergone full VCR at a mean age of 12.3 years
(6.5 to 17.9). The aetiology was
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
In this investigation, we administered oxidative stress to nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), recognized DNA-damage-inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4) as a component in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), and devised a hydrogel capable of conveying small interfering RNA (siRNA) to IVDD. An in vitro model for oxidative stress-induced injury in NPCs was developed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the upregulation of DDIT4 expression, activation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)-NLRP3 signalling pathway, and nucleus pulposus pyroptosis. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of small interfering DDIT4 (siDDIT4) on NPCs in vitro was validated. A triplex hydrogel named siDDIT4@G5-P-HA was created by adsorbing siDDIT4 onto fifth-generation polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer using van der Waals interactions, and then coating it with hyaluronic acid (HA). In addition, we established a rat puncture IVDD model to decipher the hydrogel’s mechanism in IVDD.Aims
Methods
To benchmark the radiation dose to patients during the course of treatment for a spinal deformity. Our radiation dose database identified 25,745 exposures of 6,017 children (under 18 years of age) and adults treated for a spinal deformity between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2016. Patients were divided into surgical (974 patients) and non-surgical (5,043 patients) cohorts. We documented the number and doses of ionizing radiation imaging events (radiographs, CT scans, or intraoperative fluoroscopy) for each patient. All the doses for plain radiographs, CT scans, and intraoperative fluoroscopy were combined into a single effective dose by a medical physicist (milliSivert (mSv)).Aims
Methods
Severe spinal deformity in growing patients often requires surgical management. We describe the incidence of spinal deformity surgery in a National Health Service. Descriptive study of prospectively collected data. Clinical data of all patients undergoing surgery for spinal deformity between 2005 and 2018 was collected, compared to the demographics of the national population, and analyzed by underlying aetiology.Aims
Methods
The aim of the present study was to answer the question whether curve morphology and location have an influence on rigid conservative treatment in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). We retrospectively analyzed AIS in 127 patients with single and double curves who had been treated with a Chêneau brace and physiotherapeutic specific exercises (B-PSE). The inclusion criteria were the presence of structural major curves ≥ 20° and < 50° (Risser stage 0 to 2) at the time when B-PSE was initiated. The patients were divided into two groups according to the outcome of treatment: failure (curve progression to ≥ 45° or surgery) and success (curve progression < 45° and no surgery). The main curve type (MCT), curve magnitude, and length (overall, above and below the apex), apical rotation, initial curve correction, flexibility, and derotation by the brace were compared between the two groups.Aims
Methods
To investigate metallosis in patients with magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) and characterize the metal particle profile of the tissues surrounding the rod. This was a prospective observational study of patients with early onset scoliosis (EOS) treated with MCGRs and undergoing rod exchange who were consecutively recruited between February 2019 and January 2020. Ten patients were recruited (mean age 12 years (SD 1.3); 2 M:8 F). The configurations of the MCGR were studied to reveal the distraction mechanisms, with crucial rod parts being the distractable piston rod and the magnetically driven rotor inside the barrel of the MCGR. Metal-on-metal contact in the form of ring-like wear marks on the piston was found on the distracted portion of the piston immediately outside the barrel opening (BO) through which the piston rod distracts. Biopsies of paraspinal muscles and control tissue samples were taken over and away from the wear marks, respectively. Spectral analyses of the rod alloy and biopsies were performed to reveal the metal constituents and concentrations. Histological analyses of the biopsies were performed with haematoxylin and eosin staining.Aims
Methods
A combined anterior and posterior surgical approach
is generally recommended in the treatment of severe congenital kyphosis,
despite the fact that the anterior vascular supply of the spine
and viscera are at risk during exposure. The aim of this study was
to determine whether the surgical treatment of severe congenital thoracolumbar
kyphosis through a single posterior approach is feasible, safe and
effective. We reviewed the records of ten patients with a mean age of 11.1
years (5.4 to 14.1) who underwent surgery either by pedicle subtraction
osteotomy or by vertebral column resection with instrumented fusion
through a single posterior approach. The mean kyphotic deformity improved from 59.9° (45° to 110°)
pre-operatively to 17.5° (3° to 40°) at a mean follow-up of 47.0
months (29 to 85). Spinal cord monitoring was used in all patients
and there were no complications during surgery. These promising
results indicate the possible advantages of the described technique
over the established procedures. We believe that surgery should
be performed in case of documented progression and before structural
secondary curves develop. Our current strategy after documented
progression is to recommend surgery at the age of five years and
when 90% of the diameter of the spinal canal has already developed. Cite this article:
Magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) systems use non-invasive
spinal lengthening for the surgical treatment of early-onset scoliosis
(EOS). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the performance
of these devices in the prevention of progression of the deformity.
A secondary aim was to record the rate of complications. An observational study of 31 consecutive children with EOS, of
whom 15 were male, who were treated between December 2011 and October
2017 was undertaken. Their mean age was 7.7 years (2 to 14). The
mean follow-up was 47 months (24 to 69). Distractions were completed
using the tailgating technique. The primary outcome measure was
correction of the radiographic deformity. Secondary outcomes were
growth, functional outcomes and complication rates.Aims
Patients and Methods
Magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) allow non-invasive
correction of the spinal deformity in the treatment of early-onset
scoliosis. Conventional growing rod systems (CGRS) need repeated
surgical distractions: these are associated with the effect of the
‘law of diminishing returns’. The primary aim of this study was to quantify this effect in
MCGRs over sequential distractions. A total of 35 patients with a maximum follow-up of 57 months
were included in the study. There were 17 boys and 18 girls with
a mean age of 7.4 years (2 to 14). True Distraction (TD) was determined
by measuring the expansion gap on fluoroscopy. This was compared
with Intended Distraction (ID) and expressed as the ‘T/I’ ratio.
The T/I ratio and the Cobb angle were calculated at several time
points during follow-up.Aims
Patients and Methods
We reviewed 34 consecutive patients (18 female-16 male) with
isthmic spondylolysis and grade I to II lumbosacral spondylolisthesis
who underwent in situ posterolateral arthodesis between the L5 transverse
processes and the sacral ala with the use of iliac crest autograft.
Ten patients had an associated scoliosis which required surgical correction
at a later stage only in two patients with idiopathic curves unrelated
to the spondylolisthesis. No patient underwent spinal decompression or instrumentation
placement. Mean surgical time was 1.5 hours (1 to 1.8) and intra-operative
blood loss 200 ml (150 to 340). There was one wound infection treated
with antibiotics but no other complication. Radiological assessment
included standing posteroanterior and lateral, Ferguson and lateral flexion/extension
views, as well as CT scans. Aims
Methods
A combination of hemivertebrae and diastematomyelia is rare. We have identified 12 such patients seen during a period of 11 years in the orthopaedic, spinal and neurosurgical units in Nottingham and analysed their treatment and outcome.
Conventional growing rods are the most commonly
used distraction-based devices in the treatment of progressive early-onset
scoliosis. This technique requires repeated lengthenings with the
patient anaesthetised in the operating theatre. We describe the
outcomes and complications of using a non-invasive magnetically
controlled growing rod (MCGR) in children with early-onset scoliosis.
Lengthening is performed on an outpatient basis using an external remote
control with the patient awake. Between November 2009 and March 2011, 34 children with a mean
age of eight years (5 to 12) underwent treatment. The mean length
of follow-up was 15 months (12 to 18). In total, 22 children were
treated with dual rod constructs and 12 with a single rod. The mean
number of distractions per patient was 4.8 (3 to 6). The mean pre-operative
Cobb angle was 69° (46° to 108°); this was corrected to a mean 47°
(28° to 91°) post-operatively. The mean Cobb angle at final review
was 41° (27° to 86°). The mean pre-operative distance from T1 to
S1 was 304 mm (243 to 380) and increased to 335 mm (253 to 400)
in the immediate post-operative period. At final review the mean distance
from T1 to S1 had increased to 348 mm (260 to 420). Two patients developed a superficial wound infection and a further
two patients in the single rod group developed a loss of distraction.
In the dual rod group, one patient had pull-out of a hook and one
developed prominent metalwork. Two patients had a rod breakage;
one patient in the single rod group and one patient in the dual
rod group. Our early results show that the MCGR is safe and effective
in the treatment of progressive early-onset scoliosis with the avoidance
of repeated surgical lengthenings. Cite this article:
