Evaluation of the Behavior of Spinal Deformities in Tuberculosis of the Spine in Adults

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical study. PURPOSE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the behavior of spinal deformities in tuberculosis (TB) of the spine during the initial 2 years and to suggest remedial measures. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Spinal TB is the most common cause of a kyphotic deformity in many parts of the world. Treatment of the established deformity is difficult, hazardous and has a high complication rate. METHODS: We followed 50 adult patients treated for spinal TB for a minimum of 2 years. Average values of vertebral body height loss (VBL), deformity angle, kyphosis angle, and lumbosacral joint angle at the final follow-up were compared with the values at initial presentation. The relationship between the amount of initial VBL and final kyphotic angle was analyzed. RESULTS: Average values of VBL, deformity angle, kyphosis angle, and lumbosacral joint angle at initial presentation were 0.26, 12.51degrees, 2.26degrees, and 12.3degrees, respectively; and the corresponding values at the final follow-up were 0.7, 17.8degrees, 5.64degrees, and 10.8degrees, respectively. The increase was extremely significant for the deformity angle (initial vs. 6th month, p=0.000; 6th month vs. 24th month, p=0.000) and kyphotic angle (initial vs. 6th month, p=0.003; 6th month vs. 24th month, p=0.000) in the thoracic and thoracolumbar regions during the first 2 years of the disease process. The increase in the deformity angle in the lumbar region was significant only in the initial 6 months (p=0.01). We could not find any correlation between the initial VBL and the final kyphotic angle (r=0.302, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Different regions of the vertebral column respond differently to bony destruction caused by spinal TB. Deformity progression is more significant during the initial 6 months of the disease process, and this may be the best time to take remedial measures to prevent development/progression of the deformity. Kyphotic deformity keeps increasing even after 6 months of antituberculous treatment, and it does not correlate with the initial VBL in adults.

Outcome of Pedicle Screw Fixation and Monosegmental Fusion in Patients with Fresh Thoracolumbar Fractures

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. PURPOSE: The present prospective study aims to evaluate the clinical, radiological, and functional and quality of life outcomes in patients with fresh thoracolumbar fractures managed by posterior instrumentation of the spine, using pedicle screw fixation and monosegmental fusion. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The goals of treatment in thoracolumbar fractures are restoring vertebral column stability and obtaining spinal canal decompression, leading to early mobilization of the patient. METHODS: Sixty-six patients (46 males and 20 females) of thoracolumbar fractures with neurological deficit were stabilized with pedicle screw fixation and monosegmental fusion. Clinical, radiological and functional outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean preoperative values of Sagittal index, and compression percentage of the height of the fractured vertebra were 22.75degrees and 46.73, respectively, improved (statistically significant) to 12.39degrees, and 24.91, postoperatively. The loss of correction of these values at one year follow-up was not statistically significant. The mean preoperative canal compromise (%) improved from 65.22+/-17.61 to 10.06+/-5.31 at one year follow-up. There was a mean improvement in the grade of 1.03 in neurological status from the preoperative to final follow-up at one year. Average Denis work scale index was 4.1. Average Denis pain scale index was 2.5. Average WHOQOL-BREF showed reduced quality of life in these patients. Patients of early surgery group (operated within 7 days of injury) had a greater mean improvement of neurological grade, radiological and functional outcomes than those in the late surgery group, but it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior surgical instrumentation using pedicle screws with posterolateral fusion is safe, reliable and effective method in the management of fresh thoracolumbar fractures. Fusion helps to decrease the postoperative correction loss of radiological parameters. There is no correlation between radiographic corrections achieved for deformities and functional outcome and quality of life post spinal cord injury.

Double floating arm injury in a child: a case report and review of the literature / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

The combination of ipsilateral humeral fractures at three different levels namely proximal, shaft and supracondyle has been rarely defined in the literature. We present a case report on such a complex injury in a 10-year-old child after falling down from the second floor of his house while playing. To the best of our knowledge, no such case report exists in the English literature. We define it as double floating arm injury. Firstly, shaft of humerus was open reduced and fixed with 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression plate. Then closed reduction and pinning of the supracondylar humerus under an image intensifier was obtained. Open reduction using deltopectoral approach to the proximal humerus was done and the fracture was fixed with three K-wires. Ipsilateral multiple fractures in children often result from high energy trauma. Immediate reduction and fixation is required. Usually surgeons need to treat simple fractures firstly, which makes the subsequent treatment of complex fractures easier.

Combined radial and median nerve injury in diaphyseal fracture of humerus: a case report / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Radial nerve palsy is the most common neurological involvement in humeral shaft fractures. But combined radial and median nerve injury in a closed diaphyseal fracture of the humerus is rare. Combined injury to both radial and median nerve can cause significant disability. A detailed clinical examination is therefore necessary following humeral shaft fractures. We report a patient with closed diaphyseal humeral fracture (AO 12A-2.3) together with radial and median nerve palsy, its management and review of the literature. As the patient had two nerves involved, surgical exploration was planned. Fracture was reduced and fixed with a 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression plate. There was no external injury to both radial and median nerves on surgical exploration. Neurological recovery started at 3 weeks' follow-up. Complete recovery was seen at 12 weeks. Careful clinical examination is of the utmost importance in early diagnosis of combined nerve injuries, which allows better management and rehabilitation of the patient.

Morphometric Measurements of Cadaveric Thoracic Spine in Indian Population and Its Clinical Applications

STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of morphometric data obtained from direct measurements of 100 cadaveric thoracic spines in Indian population. PURPOSE: To collect a base line morphometric data and analyze it in reference to the musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanics of the spine; implants and instrumentations; and to suggest the requisite modification in spinal surgery instrumentations. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Most of the previous studies in the world literature have focused primarily on the parameters of the pedicle and to the authors' knowledge; no study has been published from the Indian subcontinent reporting a detailed morphometry of the thoracic spine. METHODS: One thousand and two hundred thoracic vertebrae were studied by direct measurements for linear and angular dimensions of the vertebral body, spinal canal, pedicle, and spinous and transverse processes in 100 human cadavers. RESULTS: Thirty-five point five percent of all the pedicles; 71% of T5 pedicles; 54.6% of all the female pedicles; and 94.4% of the T5 pedicles in females were smaller than 5 mm in mid-pedicle width dimension. Transverse pedicle angle was more at all levels and pedicles were sagittaly angulated in cephalad direction in comparison to other studies. Minimum value of interpedicular distance was at T5 (15.48 +/- 1.24). Vertebral body width showed slight decrease from T1 to T4. The transverse process length was relatively constant between T2 to T10. The spinous process angle showed increasing trend from T1 to T6 and then gradually decreased to T12. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the trends in changes of the parameters from T1 to T12 can be explained on the basis of local musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanical stresses. The smallest diameter screw and shortest available screw for adults may not be safe in majority of the Indian population in mid-thoracic region. The results of the present study can help in designing implants and instrumentations; understanding spine pathologies; and management of spinal disorders in this part of the world.

Intra-operative migration of dynamic hip screw into the pelvis

The authors report a rare per-operative compilation of intra-pelvic migration of dynamic hip screw, during osteosynthesis of an inter-trochanteric fracture. Possible reasons of migration are analyzed along with the importance of careful execution of the surgical technique to avoid such iatrogenic and medico-legal implications