Role of posterior stabilisation in the management of tuberculosis of the dorsal and lumbar spine.
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We present a prospective study of patients with tuberculosis of the dorsal, dorsolumbar and lumbar spine after combined anterior (radical debridement and anterior fusion) and posterior (instrumentation and fusion) surgery. The object was to study the progress of interbody union, the extent of correction of the kyphosis and its maintenance with early mobilisation, and the incidence of graft and implant-related problems. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score was used to assess the neurological status. The mean preoperative vertebral loss was highest (0.96) in the dorsal spine. The maximum correction of the kyphosis in the dorsolumbar spine was 17.8 degrees. Loss of correction was maximal in the lumbosacral spine at 13.7 degrees. All patients had firm anterior fusion at a mean of five months. The incidence of infection was 3.9% and of graft-related problems 6.5%. We conclude that adjuvant posterior stabilisation allows early mobilisation and rehabilitation. Graft-related problems were fewer and the progression and maintenance of correction of the kyphosis were better than with anterior surgery alone. There is no additional risk relating to the use of an implant either posteriorly or anteriorly even when large quantities of pus are present. (+info)
Height of girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
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In a Finnish population, the standing height of 1500 consecutive female patients aged 9-24 years (mean 13.9 years) with untreated idiopathic scoliosis of at least 10 degrees in their lateral curves was compared with the standing height of average girls. The mean magnitude of the major curves was 29.4 degrees (range 10 degrees-80 degrees), and that of the minor curves 20.3 degrees (range 0 degrees-66 degrees). A formula for the height loss caused by the lateral curves, and that caused by thoracic kyphosis, was derived. The corrected height of the girls with idiopathic scoliosis was highly significantly (P<0.001) greater than the height of average girls at the age of 11-15, and this high level of significance was present at the age of 11-13, even without correcting for the height loss caused by scoliosis. After maturation, the girls with idiopathic scoliosis were not significantly taller than average girls. On average, the magnitude of thoracic kyphosis did not affect the height of patients with scoliosis as compared with the height of normal girls of the same age. (+info)
Predictive factors for the outcome of anterior cervical decompression and fusion.
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In a prospective study, 103 patients were randomised to anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) with a cervical carbon-fibre intervertebral fusion cage or the Cloward procedure. Preoperative background variables, active range of neck motion, handgrip strength, radiological evaluation and subjective variables were used in a multiple regression model to find the strongest predictors of postoperative outcome as measured by current pain intensity and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Male sex, greater kyphosis at the level operated on, non-smoking, a greater neck mobility in right rotation, low disability on NDI, and older age were predictors of pain reduction and explained 30% of current pain intensity at follow-up. Higher educational level, non-smoking, greater kyphosis at the level operated on, a greater flexion mobility, greater right handgrip strength and lower current pain intensity were predictors of improvement, and explained 28% of the postoperative outcome on NDI. The most important predictor for postoperative pain intensity was the magnitude of the preoperative kyphosis. Preoperative pain intensity was the most important predictor for improved NDI. At follow-up about 70% of the patients still had deficit based on current pain intensity and NDI, and 44% had remaining dysfunction based on Odom's criteria. In conclusion, the multivariate analysis shows that male sex, non-smoking, greater segmental kyphosis and a low pain and disability level are preoperative predictors of a good outcome in ACDF. In addition, the study suggests the importance of other predictive variables than those studied for the outcome of ACDF. (+info)
Scoliosis in children with osteogenesis imperfecta: influence of severity of disease and age of reaching motor milestones.
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We studied the relationship between the age of reaching motor milestones, especially anti-gravity activities, and the age of development of pathological spinal curvatures in children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). We hypothesized that earlier achievement of anti-gravity motor milestones predicts a later development of pathological spinal curvatures. Ninety-six children participated in this retrospective study. The severity of the disease was classified according to Sillence into types I-IV. Spinal radiography was performed annually and spinal deformities were measured according to the Cobb angle. Scoliosis was defined as a Cobb angle exceeding 9 degrees. Pathological thoracic kyphosis was defined as a Cobb angle exceeding 40 degrees. The parents were asked to report the age at which the child achieved motor milestones, and data were checked against health care records. Thirty-seven of 96 children (39%) developed a scoliosis of more than 9 degrees. Nine of 96 children (9%) developed a pathological kyphosis. The age of developing scoliosis was significantly lower than the age of development of the pathological kyphosis (P=0.01). Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 53 children, 28 of whom developed scoliosis, and 25 of whom did not. The mean DEXA Z-score of the 28 children with scoliosis was significantly lower than that of the 25 children without (-5.2, SD 1.3 vs -3.2, SD 1.9; P-value <0.001). Children with OI type IV, but particularly OI type III, reached motor milestones much later than children with OI type I. The motor milestone "supported sitting" showed a significant inverse association with time of the first presence of scoliosis with a Cobb angle greater than 9 degrees (linear regression coefficient: -1.3, 95% confidence interval: -2.6 to -0.03). The age of achieving the motor milestones "lifting the head to 45 degrees in prone position", "rolling", and "supported-" and "unsupported standing" were not significantly associated with age of the first presence of scoliosis with a Cobb angle greater than 9 degrees. However, the directions of associations suggest that here, too, there is a tendency for later development of scoliosis in those who reach milestones at earlier ages. Multivariable analyses showed that the motor milestone "sitting with support" was significantly associated with age of first achieving scoliosis, independent of gender and type of OI (linear regression coefficient: -0.9, 95% confidence interval: -1.3 to -0.5). We conclude that in children with OI, the age of anti-gravity motor milestones was associated with the age of development of pathological spinal curvatures. Earlier achievement of the motor milestone "supported sitting" predicted significantly a later development of pathological spinal curvatures, independent of gender and type of OI. (+info)
Surgical management of the spinal deformity in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VI.
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Five patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VI were surgically treated for their spinal deformities. All of them were female. All but one had a double-major thoracic and lumbar curve. One had a mild scoliotic curve but severe thoracic lordosis. Anterior discectomy and fusion and posterior instrumentation was performed in a single stage in two patients, while two had anterior and posterior surgery performed in two stages. The remaining patient underwent posterior surgery only, because of the relative mildness of the deformity and adequate flexibility. Two serious vascular complications were confronted. One patient experienced avulsion of segmental arteries and rupture of iliac artery and vein during anterior surgery. Another patient had avulsion of superior gluteal artery, which happened during subperiosteal dissection to harvest iliac bone graft. Fortunately, we did not see any temporary or permanent neurological complications. The spinal fusions appeared solid radiographically, with no implant failure and loss of correction after an average follow-up of 4 years. (+info)
Anterior radical debridement and anterior instrumentation in tuberculosis spondylitis.
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The conventional procedure in the treatment of vertebral tuberculosis is drainage of the abscess, curettage of the devitalized vertebra and application of an antituberculous chemotherapy regimen. Posterior instrumentation results are encouraging in the prevention or treatment of late kyphosis; however, a second-stage operation is needed. Recently, posterolateral or transpedicular drainage without anterior drainage or posterior instrumentation following anterior drainage in the same session has become the preferred treatment, in order that kyphotic deformity can be avoided. Information on the use of anterior instrumentation along with radical debridement and fusion is scarce. This study reports on the surgical results of 63 patients with Pott's disease who underwent anterior radical debridement with anterior fusion and anterior instrumentation (23 patients with Z-plate and 40 patients with CDH system). Average age at the time of operation was 46.8+/-13.4 years. Average duration of follow-up was 50.9+/-12.9 months. Local kyphosis was measured preoperatively, postoperatively and at the last follow-up visit as the angle between the upper and lower end plates of the collapsed vertebrae. Vertebral collapse, destruction, cold abscess, and canal compromise were assessed on magnetic resonance (MR) images. It was observed that the addition of anterior instrumentation increased the rate of correction of the kyphotic deformity (79.7+/-20.1%), and was effective in maintaining it, with an average loss of 1.1 degrees +/-1.7 degrees. Of the 25 patients (39.7%) with neurological symptoms, 20 (80%) had full and 4 (16%) partial recoveries. There were very few intraoperative and postoperative complications (major vessel complication: 3.2%; secondary non-specific infection: 3.2%). Disease reactivation was not seen with the employment of an aggressive chemotherapy regimen. It was concluded that anterior instrumentation is a safe and effective method in the treatment of tuberculosis spondylitis. (+info)
Scheuermann's disease as a model displaying the mechanism of venous obstruction in thoracic outlet syndrome and migraine patients: MRI and MRA.
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Kyphosis of the thoracic spine rotates the scapulae anterior laterally, clavicles and subclavius muscles anteriorly, displaces the manubrium posteriorly, which increases the slope of the first ribs. This increases tension on the anterior scalene muscles and the neurovascular bundles which causes brachial plexopathy (TOS). Scheuermann's disease (spinal osteochondrosis; juvenile kyphoscoliosis) is a disorder which consists of vertebral wedging endplate irregularity and narrowing of the intervertebral disk space causing kyphosis of the thoracic spine and may also involve the lumbar space. It occurs at puberty and involves both male and females. Abduction external rotation of the upper extremities (arms overhead) posterior inferiorly rotate the clavicles and the subclavius muscles which enhances tension on the venous drainage and neurovascular supply that diminishes venous return. This triggers complaints of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and migraine headache. Bilateral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates compressing abnormalities of the brachial plexus. Five patients with Scheuermann's disease were imaged with the 1.5 Tesla magnet (Signa; General Electric Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) 3-D reconstruction MRI. T1W and T2W pulse sequences were performed in transverse, the coronal, transverse oblique, sagittal, and coronal abduction external rotation planes using 4 mm slice thickness and 512 x 256 matrix size. Water bags were used to enhance the signal to noise ratio. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) 2-D Time Of Flight (TOF) was obtained to compression for anatomic display evaluate perfusion of the brachial plexus. MRI and MRA captured sites of brachial plexus. One patient was selected for this presentation, which demonstrates the compression of the brachial plexus and venous obstruction which triggered complaints of thoracic outlet syndrome. (+info)
Surgical correction of postradiation spinal deformity.
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BACKGROUND: Radiation to the juxtaspinal area in children with malignant tumors induces the appearance of a postradiation spinal deformity (PRSD) with drastic progression during the growth spurt, so surgical correction is mandatory. Methods of surgical treatment depend on the age of the patient, and the type and size of the spinal deformity. METHODS: A long-term retrospective survey of 6 patients receiving surgical management of kyphoscoliosis was conducted. The original tumors were 3 Wilms' tumors, 2 neuroblastomas, and 1 lymphoma. The mean length of time for tumor excision and subsequent radiation was 2.2 years. The total radiation dose averaged 3566 rad. The mean age at initial presentation was 6.1 years and that at spinal correction was 11.8 years. Single posterior surgery was performed in 3 cases, while the other 3 required anteroposterior correction due to severe deformity and scar contracture. RESULTS: The curves of PRSD were concave toward the side irradiated, and the kyphotic component was more severely involved than was the scoliotic component. Four patients had favorable correction without curve progression. However, in the other 2 younger patients, due to thinness of their back, rigid angulation of the spine, poor bony stock, and medical comorbidity, spinal instrumentation was rather difficult. Postoperative pseudarthrosis and subsequent rod protrusion occurred with progressive kyphosis. CONCLUSIONS: PRSDs consist of uncommon developmental vertebral anomalies, of which curved patterns occur in any combination, but most severely involve the presence of collapsing kyphosis and soft tissue contracture. Surgical correction may be less effective, especially if the children are skinny and have low bone stocks. (+info)