The role of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in patients with high cervical spinal cord injury / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To study the effect of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) in reduction in re-intubation rate, length of ICU stay and improvement of respiratory function in patients with high cervical spinal cord injury.Methods Single center retrospective study was carried out in our intensive care unit from September 2016 to March 2018. Post-operative patients ready for planned extubation with high cervical spinal cord injury were included. The length of ICU stay, re-intubation rate in case of respiratory failure, respiratory rate, pulse rate, MAP, SaO2, PaO2/FiO2, and PaCO2 of patients at 6, 24 and 72 h after extubation were compared between the HFNC and conventional oxygen therapy (COT) groups. Results During the study period, 38 patients were enrolled in the study. Of them, 16 patients were assigned in the HFNC group and 22patients in the COT group. Re-intubation rate was significantly different between the two groups (18.8％ vs 27.3％, P<0.05), but the length of ICU stay had no significant difference [(15.5±3.4) days vs (16.6±5.2) days]. The respiratory rate, pulse rate, SaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 at 6 h after extubation in the HFNC group were improved markedly than those in the COT group (P<0.05); and the PaCO2 and PaO2/FiO2 at 24 and 72 h after extubation in the HFNC group had much more improvement than those in the COT group (P<0.05). Conclusions Among individuals with post-operative high cervical spinal cord injury, high-flow oxygen therapy could reduce re-intubation rate, and PaCO2 level, and improve the respiratory function, but cannot reduce the length of ICU stay. High-flow oxygen therapy may offer advantages for patients with high cervical spinal cord injury.

C2-3 Fusion, C3-4 Cord Compression and C1-2 Posterior Facetal Instability: An Evaluation of Treatment Strategy Based on Four Surgically Treated Cases

STUDY DESIGN: Four patients had C2-3 vertebral fusion and radiologically demonstrated cord compression at C3-4 level related to disc bulge with or without association of osteophytes and C1-2 posterior facetal dislocation. The outcome of treatment by atlantoaxial and subaxial facetal fixation is discussed. PURPOSE: The article evaluates the significance of atlantoaxial facetal instability in cases having C2-3 vertebral fusion and cord compression at the level of C3-4 disc. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: C2-3 vertebral fusions are frequently encountered in association with basilar invagination and chornic atlantoaxial dislocations. Even when basilar invagination and atlantoaxial dislocation are not identified by conventional parameters, atlantoaxial instability can be the nodal point of pathogenesis in cases with C2-3 vertebral fusion. METHODS: Between June 2013 and November 2014 four patients having C2-3 fusion presented with progressive symptoms of myelopathy that were related to cord compression at the level opposite the C3-4 disc space. Further investigations revealed C1-2 posterior facetal dislocation. RESULTS: All patients were males. Ages ranged from 18 to 50 years (average, 36 years). All patients were treated by atlantoaxial facetal plate and screw, and subaxial single or multi-segmental transarticular screw fixation. Follow-up (average, 15 months) using a recently described clinical grading system and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system confirmed marked improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Identification and treatment of atlantoaxial facetal instability may be crucial for a successful outcome in cases having C2-3 fusion and high cervical (C3-4) disc related cord compression.

C2-3 Fusion, C3-4 Cord Compression and C1-2 Posterior Facetal Instability: An Evaluation of Treatment Strategy Based on Four Surgically Treated Cases

STUDY DESIGN: Four patients had C2-3 vertebral fusion and radiologically demonstrated cord compression at C3-4 level related to disc bulge with or without association of osteophytes and C1-2 posterior facetal dislocation. The outcome of treatment by atlantoaxial and subaxial facetal fixation is discussed. PURPOSE: The article evaluates the significance of atlantoaxial facetal instability in cases having C2-3 vertebral fusion and cord compression at the level of C3-4 disc. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: C2-3 vertebral fusions are frequently encountered in association with basilar invagination and chornic atlantoaxial dislocations. Even when basilar invagination and atlantoaxial dislocation are not identified by conventional parameters, atlantoaxial instability can be the nodal point of pathogenesis in cases with C2-3 vertebral fusion. METHODS: Between June 2013 and November 2014 four patients having C2-3 fusion presented with progressive symptoms of myelopathy that were related to cord compression at the level opposite the C3-4 disc space. Further investigations revealed C1-2 posterior facetal dislocation. RESULTS: All patients were males. Ages ranged from 18 to 50 years (average, 36 years). All patients were treated by atlantoaxial facetal plate and screw, and subaxial single or multi-segmental transarticular screw fixation. Follow-up (average, 15 months) using a recently described clinical grading system and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system confirmed marked improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Identification and treatment of atlantoaxial facetal instability may be crucial for a successful outcome in cases having C2-3 fusion and high cervical (C3-4) disc related cord compression.

The micro-anatomical study of joint the high cervical with jugular foramen approach / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate the micro-anatomical approach to resect both intracranial and extracranial jugular foramen tumors in one-stage. Methods With the aid of surgical microscope, fifteen cadaver heads were used to study the microsurgical anatomy of high cervical part and jugular foramen, measure relative data. Results Detailed dissection was performed on high cervical part between the 1st cervical vertebra and the 4th cervical vertebra, resect foramen processus transversi of the 1st cervical vertebra, free vertebral artery 2nd and 1st cervical vertebra segment and horizontal segment. The jugular tubercle, jugular tunisia and part of the occipital condylus was drilled away as much as possible, total exposure of lateral semicircular canal was completed after the removal of the mastoid revealed labyrinthinem. Then the sigmoid sinus and jugular bulb were skeletonized. The vertical of segment of facial nerve was fully skeletonized to study the necessity of the facial nerve translocation. Full exposure to the sigmoid sinus, open jugular foramen. JF areas expanded, and the measured parameters revealed. The distance was (29.65 ± 3.24)mm from mastoidalec to oncentrated focus of condyle (10.18 ± 0.81)mm from hinder margin of condyle to endostoma of hypoglossal canal. The left distance was (6.8 ± 0.35)mm from jugular foramen to perpendicular part of facial nerve, right was (4.6 ± 0.33)mm. Conclusions Total exposure of JF can be achieved through the approach we described, and will enable the facial nerve, cochlea, and the structure of the vertebral artery to be performed. Both intracranial and extracranial tumors can be removed in a one-stage procedure related to anatomical parameters. Improve the cure, reduce complication and lower mortality.

Contralateral Submandibular Retropharyngeal Approach for Recurred High Cervical Chordoma

The C2 level is the transition zone between the cranial and cervical spine. Because of its high position and anatomic relationship to vital structures, exposing C2 is challenging and the surgical approach is controversial. We report a case of a recurred chordoma in C2 portion, occupying the osseous intraspinal portion. The patient underwent total corpectomy of C3 and gross total removal of tumor by right submandibular approach 3 years previously. We performed a lateral extrapharyngeal approach from contralateral left side with resection C2 central portion followed by gross total removal of mass and placement of graft bone. Although there was transient hypoglossal nerve palsy postoperatively, the patient had full recovery.

Microsurgical treatment of dumbbell tumors of high cervical spine / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To summarize experiences of microsurgical treatment of dumbbell tumors of the high cervical spine. Methods A series of 12 patients with dumbbell tumors of the high cervical spine were treated by using microsurgical techniques through posterior approach or antero-lateral approach. Results Complete resection was achieved in 10 patients. Postoperative neurological symptoms improved greatly in all. Conclusion The key points of treatment in dumbbell tumors of the high cervical spine are to analyze the preoperative image carefully and have knowledge about anatomy of high cervical spine as well as the experience of microsurgical technique.

Staged Operation of a Dumbbell-Shaped Schwannoma in High Cervical Region: Case Report

The authors report a case of high cervical giant dumbbell-shaped schwannoma. A 43-year-old man admitted for the evaluation of gait disturbance and hypesthesia below C2 dermatome for six years. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large enhancing dumbbell-shaped mass, extending from carotid sheath to craniovertebral junction, and in C1, C2 spinal canal, which causes significant compression of the cervical cord posteriorly. we decided to do staged operations. First, the intraspinal portion was removed in order to decompress the spinal cord from the tumor. Second, residual extraspinal tumor was removed via high cervical retropharyngeal approach. The patient recovered well without any neurological deficit.

High Cervical Chordoma Removed via Median Labiomandibular Glossotomy Approach

The authors report two cases of high cervical spinal chordomas that were removed via the median labiomandibular glossotomy(MLG) approach. One patient was a 62-year-old female in whom an extradural chordoma was found at the level of C3 vertebra with huge prevertebral extension, and causing dyspnea and dysphagia; the other was a 47-year-old female, found to be suffering from a chordoma of C2 vertebral body, which was found incidentally. After removal of the tumors, ventral instrumented fusions were performed in both patients, who showed good recoveries with only minor complications. The MLG approach is radical, and rarely performed by neurosurgeons, but for treatment of an expanded high cervical lesion that needs ventral surgery and seems to be inaccessible via the conventional transoropharyngeal or anterolateral retropharyngeal route, it should be considered. The authors discuss the clinicopathological characteristics of spinal chordomas and general considerations of the MLG approach to high cervical lesions, and briefly describe the surgical techniques involved in this approach.

Fracture and Dislocation of the Upper Cervical Spine: A Review of 42 Cases

This review of high cervical spine injuries includes patients admitted to Paik Hospital, Seoul during the period 1981 to 1990. 250 patients had cervical fractures or instability. 42 had involvement of the high cervical spinal column and 13 had neurological deficits. 20 had odontoid fracture. Patients with combination C1-2 fracture-subluxation injuries should be studied with thin section computed tomogram or conventional tomogram. Appropriate treatment is determined by the type of axis fracture and includes surgical and nonsurgical strategies. An experience with 42 patients with high cervical fracture and dislocation is presented as management and follow-up guidelines are reviewed.

A Case of Cervical Cord Hemangioblastoma

Solitary intramedullary hemangioblastoma of the high cervical cord is rare. The incidence of spinal cord hemangioblastomas varies from 1.6% to 3% of primary spinal cord tumors. The case report dealt with a small solitary hemangioblastoma of 0.4cm in diameter arising in the intramedullary portion of the high cervical cord. Computerized axial tomograms of the brain including the cervical cord could not detect the tumor and cervical myelograms also failed to identify the mass. However, the vertebral angiography revealed a vascular nodule with abnormally dilated feeding artery arising from the right vertebral artery. The tumor was excised in toto from the surrounding medullary tissue without difficulties. The postoperative course of the patient had been uneventful. The possibility of missing such a small tumor like this one was emphasized.