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BACKGROUND: The morbidity rate of thoracolumbar burst fracture is high; however, the simple posterior distraction and reduction technique has poor patient satisfaction on maintaining vertebral height and reducing complications. Therefore, we attempt to explore a better therapeutic regimen. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of inverse arch roof breaking technique combined with pedicle screw and bone graft in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 78 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures. All the patients suffered from fresh closed fractures, and all of them were operated by posterior approach. The time from injury to surgery ranged from 4 to 14 days, with an average of 7.8 days. They were randomly assigned to two groups. The 38 cases in the simple distraction group were treated with simple vertebra pedicle screw-rod system distraction and reduction fixation. The 40 cases in the inverse arch roof breaking and bone graft group were treated with inverse arch roof breaking technique combined with pedicle screw and bone graft in fractured vertebra. All patients signed the informed consent. The study was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, anterior height ratio of injured vertebrae, Cobb angle, visual analogue score, Barthel Index and postoperative complications were measured between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The follow-up period for all patients was 10-22 months. (2) Operation time and intraoperative blood loss were better in the simple distraction group than in the inverse arch roof breaking and bone graft group (P < 0.01). (3) The ratio of anterior height of injured vertebra and Cobb angle were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.01). Above indexes were better in the inverse arch roof breaking and bone graft group than in the simple distraction group. (4) There were significant differences in fracture healing time and life activity function (Barthel index) between the two groups (P < 0.01), and above indexes were better in the inverse arch roof breaking and bone graft group than in the simple distraction group. (5) No deep infection was found in both groups. There were no complications such as internal fixation failure and excessive loss of vertebral height in arch roof breaking and bone graft group. In the simple distraction group, there were 3 cases of screw pull-out because of failed internal fixation, 2 cases of titanium rod breakage, and 10 cases of obvious vertebral height loss. (6) These findings suggest that compared with simple distraction and reduction fixation, inverse arch roof breaking technique combined with pedicle screw and bone graft can provide bony support to compression center of fractured vertebra. The efficacy was identified in reconstructing the height of anterior and middle columns. This method has the advantages of high mechanical strength, strong vertebral height maintenance, high bone healing rate and few complications, which will be the ideal choice in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture.
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ObjectiveTo analyze the relationship between the factors causing thoracolumbar burst fracture and the corresponding clinical manifestations, so as to improve the early warning and diagnosis of thoracolumbar burst fracture, reduce the misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis, and improve the success rate of first aid. MethodsThe clinical data of thoracolumbar burst fractures treated in the Intensive Care Unit of Depretment of Emergency of our hospital from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data, including age, sex, hospital duration, causes, complications, discharge, and prognosis, were analyzed retrospectively. Results A total of 83 patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture, including 69 males (83.13%) and 14 females (16.87%), were selected for this study. The average age was (44.64±15.26) years. The causes of the injury included: High falling injury (53 cases, 63.86%), traffic accident injury (17 cases, 20.48%), and heavy object injury (12 cases, 14.46%). There were 31 cases (37.35%) of craniocerebral injury, 53 cases (63.86%) of chest injury, 37 cases (44.58%) of abdominal injury, 44 cases (53.01%) of other fracture. Among the 53 cases of chest injury, there were 19 cases (35.85%) with hemopneumothorax, 13 cases (13.21%) with simple hemothorax, 7 cases (24.53%) with simple pneumothorax, 8 cases (15.09%) with mediastinal hemorrhage, 7 cases (13.21%) with mediastinal emphysema, 11 cases (20.75%) with flail chest, and 5 cases (9.43%) with diaphragmatic hernia. Among 37 cases of abdominal injuries, there were 8 cases (21.62%) with rupture of spleen, 3 cases (8.11%) with subcapsule hematomas, and 4 cases (10.81%) with simultaneous injury of liver and spleen. The missed diagnoses at the initial diagnosis included: 5 cases (100.00%) of diaphragmatic hernia, 5 cases (62.50%) of mediastinal hemorrhage, 4 cases (57.14%) of mediastinal emphysema, 2 cases (18.18%) of flail chest, and 2 cases (15.38%) of simple hemothorax. Missed diagnosis rate of the other complications were all under 10.00%. The main complications were bronchopneumonia (37 cases, 44.58%) and traumatic hemorrhagic shock (17 cases, 20.48%). There were 8 cases (9.64%) complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), with more than 3 systems involved. There were 39 patients (46.99%) had paraplegia and 3 cases (3.61%) died at discharge. ConclusionThoracolumbar burst fractures are more common in young and middle-aged men, with high falling being the primary cause and hemopneumothorax being the main clinical manifestation. Diaphragmatic hernia, mediastinal hemorrhage and mediastinal emphysema are easy to have missed diagnosis. Nearly 50% patients have traumatic paraplegia, which is worthy of attention and in-depth study.
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Objective: To discuss the effectiveness of posterior short-segment fixation including the fractured vertebra for severe unstable thoracolumbar fractures using pedicle screw fixation.
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Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of posterior short segment and long segment pedicle screw internal fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture. Methods By searching the database, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, a comprehensive study was carried out to make a comparison between the posterior short segment and the long segment pedicle screws internal fixation in treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture, and Meta analysis was performed. Results A total of 14 related studies and 658 patients were enrolled in the study, including 320 patients in short segment group and 338 cases in long segment group, and Meta analysis was performed. The results suggested that there was no significant difference between the short segment group and the long segment group in terms of the deformity angle of the injured vertebra measured after operation and at the last follow?up, and sagittal index at the last follow?up ( MD=-0. 22,95%CI -2. 73,2. 28,P=0. 86;MD=-0. 28,95%CI -2. 23,1. 67, P=0. 78;MD=0. 47, 95%CI -3. 45, 4. 39, P=0. 81 ) . Besides, both groups had no statistical difference in post?operative COBB angle,anterior vertebral height and compression rate of injured vertebrae ( MD=0. 21,95%CI -0. 65,1. 06,P=0. 64; MD=-0. 46,95%CI -1. 40,0. 49,P=0. 34; MD=0. 47,95%CI -2. 28, 3. 21, P= 0. 74 ) , while the differences in COBB angle, anterior vertebral height, compression rate, correction loss were statistically significant at the last follow?up (MD=5. 11,95%CI 2. 81,7. 40,P<0. 0001;MD=-11. 89,95%CI-15. 28,-8. 50,P<0. 00001;MD=6. 46,95%CI 3. 85,9. 07,P<0. 00001) . There was no significant difference in VAS scores and the ODI scores between the two groups at the last follow?up ( MD =0. 01,95%CI -0. 15,0. 17,P=0. 9; MD=-0. 47,95%CI -2. 68,1. 74,P=0. 86),while the two groups showed statistically significant difference in fixation failure ( RR = 0. 08, 95%CI 0. 01, 0. 15, P = 0. 02 ) . Conclusion Posterior long segment pedicle screw internal fixation is more effective in treating thoracolumbar burst fracture than short segment surgery. It can reduce the COBB angle,restore the anterior height of the injured vertebra,and decrease the anterior vertebral pressure.
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Objective To explore the effect of pedicle fixation for treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures in patients with osteoporosis,and to provide more evidence for the treatment.Methods Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 121 patients with osteoporotic vertebral burst fracture from June 2012 to October 2015.And these patients were divided into two groups according to different operation methods, namely the control group (n=56) who were given short segment fixation and the observation group (n=65) who were given single segment fixation.The visual analogue scale(VAS),Oswestry disability index(ODI),vertebral height,kyphotic angle and bone mineral density of the two groups were analyzed before surgery and 3 days,1 month,3 months and 12 months after surgery.Results The VAS score,ODI score,vertebral height,and Cobb angle of the injured vertebra were significantly improved in both of the two groups,and the difference was statistically significant (P0.05).The ODI score of the observation group was better than that of the control group 3 days and 3 months after surgery with statistically significant difference (P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups till the end of follow-up.Pedicle fixation at the injured vertebra significantly improved the vertebral height and Cobb angle with statistically significant difference (P<0.05).And the anti-osteoporosis treatment significantly increased the bone mineral density (P<0.05).Conclusion Pedicle fixation at the injured vertebra is useful in pain relief as well as function and anatomical structure restoring.And anti-osteoporosis treatment is necessary for the bone mineral density increase.
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Objective To explore the clinical effect of posterior indirect reduction and internal fixation and laminectomy in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture complicated with spinal cord injury.Methods Eighty patients with thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture and spinal cord injury treated in our hospital from March 2014 to March 2015 were selected as the objects,and they were divided into reset group and laminectomy group with forty cases in each group according to surgical method.All the patients were followed up for 1 year,the lumbar function of two groups at 1 week and 1 year after operation were observed respectively,and the pain degree was observed in 1month,3 months and 6 months after operation.The amount of bleeding,operation time,hospitalization time and fracture healing time were observed.Neurological function was assessed by classification criteria of the American Spinal Cord Injury Association(ASIA),and incidence of complications was figured in the two groups.Results The anterior heights of the injured vertebra were higher than those before the operation,and the Cobb's angles were lower than those before the operation,the differences were significant(P ＜ 0.05);while there was no significant differences in the anterior heights of the injured vertebra between the two groups at 1 week and 1 year after operation(P ＞ 0.05).VAS scores of the two groups after 1 month,3 months and 6 months decreased significantly when compared with the preoperative scores(P ＜ 0.05),and VAS scores of each time in the reset group were significantly lower than those in the laminectomy group(P ＜ 0.05).The amount of bleeding,operation time,hospitalization time and fracture healing time in the reset group were less than those in the laminectomy group (P ＜ 0.05).The neurological function recovery of the two groups were significantly improved when compared with that before the operation(P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in recovery of neurological function between the two groups(P ＞ 0.05).The complication rate was 7.50％ in the reset group,lower than 12.50％ of the laminectomy group,the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Posterior indirect reduction and internal fixation of lamina both have a certain effect in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebrae burst fracture complicated with spinal cord injury.But posterior indirect reduction has less complications and less amount of bleeding,which is beneficial to postoperative recovery.
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Objective To explore the effect of posterior column stability and decompression on the treatment of lumbar burst fracture with nerve injury and its effect on vertebral body and neurological function.Methods Fifty-two cases patients of lumbar burst fracture with nerve injury from February 2005 to July 2014 in Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical College For Nationalities were selected as the research objects and divided into retention group(28 cases) and non-retention group(24 cases) according to the choice of operation method.The surgical clinical efficacy,the changes of the vertebral body and nerve function were compared between two groups.Results At 3 months,6 months and 12 months after operation,the fusion rate,sagittal diameter and the height of the injured vertebral body,pre-vertebral body,and intervertebral space were all significantly increased,while the Cobb angle,the pressure area and the sagittal displacement rate were markedly decreased(F of inner grouP=10.492,8.858,7.432,16.311,19.491,10.329,21.587;P0.05).After operation,the ASIA grade gradually improved,neurological function of the retention group recovered at 6 months after surgery,while non-retention group presented this effect at 12 months after surgery,moreover,at 12 months after operation,the proportion of E grade in retention group was 64.29%,higher than that of non-retention group(45.83%,F=12.758,P<0.001).The levels of neuron-specific enolase(NSE),S100B protein and myelin basic protein(MBP) in retention group were significantly lower than those of the non-retention group at 3 months after surgery(P<0.05).The improvement of S100B and MBP in the reservation group at 6 months after surgery were better than those of non-retention group,while at 12 months after surgery,only the improvement of MBP in retention group showed the better effects than non-retention group.Conclusion Posterior column stability and decompression show a high clinical efficacy on the treatment of lumbar burst fracture with nerve injury and it can significantly improve the vertebral body and neurological function.
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BACKGROUND: To determine the relationship between superior disc-endplate complex injury and correction loss after surgery in a group of young adult patients with a stable thoracolumbar burst fracture. METHODS: The study group was comprised of young adult patients who had undergone short-segment posterior fixation and bone grafting under the diagnosis of a stable thoracolumbar burst fracture from March 2008 to February 2014. Follow-up was available for more than 1 year. Before surgery, magnetic resonance imaging was performed to determine injury to the anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, and superior and inferior intervertebral discs and endplates. Correction loss was evaluated by the Cobb angle, intervertebral disc height, upper intervertebral disc angle, vertebral wedge angle, and vertebral body height. RESULTS: No significant relation was noted between correction loss and an injury to the anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, inferior intervertebral disc/endplate, and fracture site, whereas an injury to the superior endplate alone and superior disc-endplate complex showed a significant association. Specifically, a superior intervertebral disc-endplate complex injury showed statistically significant relation to postoperative changes in Cobb angle (p = 0.026) and vertebral wedge angle (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: A superior intervertebral disc-endplate complex injury may have an influence on the prognosis after short-segment fixation in young adult patients with a stable thoracolumbar burst fracture.
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Humans , Young Adult , Body Height , Bone Transplantation , Diagnosis , Follow-Up Studies , Intervertebral Disc , Longitudinal Ligaments , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , PrognosisABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: An experimental biomechanical study. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the behavior of a lamina injury in lumbar burst fractures during reduction maneuvers. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Lumbar burst fractures are frequently accompanied by a lamina fracture. Many researchers concluded that any reduction maneuver will close the fractured lamina edges and possibly crush the entrapped neural elements. This conclusion did not rely on solid biomechanical trials and was based primarily on clinical experience. METHODS: Eighteen fresh-frozen lamb spines were randomly divided into three groups. Using the preinjury and the dropped-mass technique, a burst fracture model was developed. A central laminectomy of 5 mm of the L3 lumbar spine was created to mimic a complete type of lamina fracture. To measure the movement of the fractured laminar edges, two holes were drilled on both sides of the upper and lower regions of the lamina to allow for optic marker placement. A single specific spine movement was applied to each group: traction, flexion, and extension. Gap changes were measured by camera extensometers. RESULTS: After traction, the average values of the upper and lower aspects of the lamina interval showed narrowing of 1.65±0.82 mm and 1.97±1.14 mm, respectively. No statistical significance was detected between the two aspects. The upper and lower regions of the lamina gap behaved differently during extension. At 10°, 20°, and 30°, the upper part of the lamina interval was widened by an average of 0.016±0.024, 0.29±0.32, and 1.73±1.45 mm, respectively, whereas the lower part was narrowed by an average of 0.023±0.012, 0.47±0.038, and 1.94±1.46 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Neural element crushing may take place, particularly at the lower aspect of the fractured lamina gap during extension and throughout the whole lamina gap during traction. The lamina gap widens during flexion. Reduction maneuvers should be attempted after exploring the fractured lamina to prevent further neurological compromise.
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Laminectomy , Spine , TractionABSTRACT
We aimed to describe the surgical technique and clinical outcomes of paraspinal-approach reduction and fixation (PARF) in a group of patients with Denis type B thoracolumbar burst fracture (TLBF) with neurological deficiencies. A total of 62 patients with Denis B TLBF with neurological deficiencies were included in this study between January 2009 and December 2011. Clinical evaluations including the Frankel scale, pain visual analog scale (VAS) and radiological assessment (CT scans for fragment reduction and X-ray for the Cobb angle, adjacent superior and inferior intervertebral disc height, and vertebral canal diameter) were performed preoperatively and at 3 days, 6 months, and 1 and 2 years postoperatively. All patients underwent successful PARF, and were followed-up for at least 2 years. Average surgical time, blood loss and incision length were recorded. The sagittal vertebral canal diameter was significantly enlarged. The canal stenosis index was also improved. Kyphosis was corrected and remained at 8.6±1.4o (P>0.05) 1 year postoperatively. Adjacent disc heights remained constant. Average Frankel grades were significantly improved at the end of follow-up. All 62 patients were neurologically assessed. Pain scores decreased at 6 months postoperatively, compared to before surgery (P<0.05). PARF provided excellent reduction for traumatic segmental kyphosis, and resulted in significant spinal canal clearance, which restored and maintained the vertebral body height of patients with Denis B TLBF with neurological deficits.
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Humans , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Young Adult , Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods , Lumbar Vertebrae/injuries , Paraspinal Muscles/injuries , Spinal Fractures/surgery , Thoracic Vertebrae/injuries , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Objective To simulate the process of lumbar burst fracture by finite element method, and investigate stress distributions on the cancellous bone of lumbar vertebrae under axial compressive loads. Methods The 3D finite element model of normal human thoracolumbar motion segments (T12-L2) was established. Stress at different levels (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 kN) was applied on the surface of T12 thoracic vertebra to simulate the different axial compressive loads at the occurrence of lumbar burst fracture. The ligature between concave vertexes of the inferior and superior endplates was divided into 7 portions, and the cancellous bone of the L1 vertebra was then divided into 7 layers with each layer separated into 6 statistic zones. The average stress on 18 statistic zones at 3 layers (Layer 1, 4, 7) of the cancellous bone was calculated, respectively. The average stress on 3 layers under the same loads was analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and stress distribution on the cancellous bone of lumbar vertebrae under different loads was also analyzed. ResultsUnder axial loads at 5 different levels, the average stress on Layer 1 and Layer 7 had obvious statistical significance compared with that on Layer 4(P0.05). The stress on the middle layer (Layer 4) was the minimum compared with that on Layer 1 and Layer 7. Conclusions Under axial compressive loads, the stress concentration occurred in the cancellous bone of lumbar vertebrae. The stress at adjacent vertebral endplates (inferior and superior endplates) was larger, while the stress on the middle layer was relatively smaller. The phenomenon that vertebral stress concentrating on inferior and superior endplates was consistent with the biomechanical mechanism of broken endplates caused by lumbar burst fracture, which indicates that the damage to lumbar structure may be related to the stress concentration on lumbar vertebrae.
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RESULTS: The operation was successfully completed in all patients; the average operation time was 150 minutes (range, 90-240 minutes); the average bleeding volume was 350 mL (range, 50-500 mL); the average postoperative drainage was 80 mL (range, 20-150 mL); and the average VAS score was 2.3 (range, 1.5-4.7) at 3 days after operation. The incisions healed primarily. All the patients were followed up 12-19 months (mean, 15 months). All fractures healed at 3-9 months (mean, 6 months). No complications of broken nails, broken rod, and screw loosening occurred. At last follow-up, the vertebral canal patency rate was significantly improved when compared with preoperative value (t=27.395, P=0.000). The Cobb angle, and the anterior and posterior heights of of traumatic vertebra were significantly improved at 1 week, 1 year, and last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P0.05). The neurological function was improved in different degrees; 1 case was rated as grade A, 4 cases as grade B, 7 cases as grade C, 15 cases as grade D, and 26 cases as grade E, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (Z=-5.477, P=0.000).
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OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of short segmental pedicle screw fixation with and without fusion in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 57 patients with single segment thoracolumbar burst fractures, who accorded with the inclusion criteria between February 2012 and February 2014. The patients underwent posterior short segmental pedicle screw fixation with fusion in 27 cases (fusion group) and without fusion in 30 cases (non-fusion group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, time between injury and admission, fracture segment and classification, and neurologic function America Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification between 2 groups, which had the comparability (P>0.05). The operative time, blood loss, and hospitalization days were compared between 2 groups. The height of the injured vertebra, the kyphotic angle, and the range of motion (ROM) were measured on the X-ray film. The functional outcomes were evaluated by using the Greenough low-back outcome score and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for back pain. The neurologic functional recovery was assessed by ASIA grade. RESULTS: The operative time was significantly shortened and the blood loss was significantly reduced in the non-fusion group when compared with the fusion group (P0.05). The patients were followed up for 2.0-3.5 years (mean, 3.17 years) in the fusion group and for 2-4 years (mean, 3.23 years) in the non-fusion group. X-ray films showed that 2 cases failed bone graft fusion, the fusion time was 12-17 weeks (mean, 15.6 weeks) in the other 25 cases. Complication occurred in 2 cases of the fusion group (1 case of incision deep infection and 1 case of hematoma at iliac bone donor site) and in 1 case of the non-fusion group (fat liquefaction); primary healing of incision was obtained in the others. The Cobb angle, the height of injured vertebrae showed no significant difference between 2 groups at pre-operation, immediate after operation, and last follow-up (P>0.05). The ROM of injured vertebrae showed no significant difference between 2 groups at 1 year after operation (before implants were removed) (P>0.05). The implants were removed at 1 year after operation in all cases of the non-fusion group, and in 11 cases of the fusion group. At last follow-up, the ROM of injured vertebrae in the non-fusion group was significantly higher than that in the fusion group (P0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Fusion is not necessary when thoracolumbar burst fracture is treated by posterior short segmental pedicle screw fixation, which can preserve regional segmental motion, shorten the operative time, decrease blood loss, and eliminate bone graft donor site complications.
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OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the technique of single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures and to evaluate the radiographical and clinical outcomes of patients treated using this technique. METHODS: 16 consecutive patients with unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction. The mean patient age was 54.8 years. The mean follower up period was 25 months. Five patients suffered from T12 fractures, 10 from L1, 1 from L2. The segmental kyphosis, neurologic status, visual analogue scale for back pain was evaluated before surgery and at follow up. RESULTS: The segmental kyphotic angle improved from 18.5 degrees before surgery to -9.2 degrees at the last follow up. The mean correction angle was 28.9 degrees. The mean surgical time was 255 minutes, and a mean intraoperative blood loss was 1073 mL. Intraoperative complications included two dural tears, and a superficial wound infection. There were no other severe complications. The mean visual analog scale of back pain decreased from a mean value of 6.6 to 2 at the last follow up. CONCLUSION: The single-stage posterior subtotal corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction achieved satisfactory kyphosis correction with direct visualization of the circumferentially decompressed spinal cord, as well as good fusion with less blood loss and complications. It is a safe and reliable surgical treatment option for unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures.
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Humans , Back Pain , Follow-Up Studies , Intraoperative Complications , Kyphosis , Operative Time , Spinal Cord , Tears , Visual Analog Scale , Wound InfectionABSTRACT
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is often defined as a complex of symptoms and signs consisting of low back pain, bilateral sciatica, lower extremity weakness, saddle anesthesia, and bowel and bladder dysfunction. CES is considered to be neurosurgical emergency. Delayed or missed diagnosis of CES can result in serious morbidity and neurological sequelae. However, the diagnosis of CES is often difficult when one or more of these symptoms are absent or when these symptoms develop asymmetrically or incompletely. We report a case of urinary retention and sphincter dysfunction without sciatica or motor weakness following an L3 burst fracture in a 52-year-old male and discuss the atypical presentation of CES and treatment of traumatic CES.
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Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Anesthesia , Cauda Equina , Diagnosis , Emergencies , Low Back Pain , Lower Extremity , Lumbar Vertebrae , Polyradiculopathy , Sciatica , Spine , Urinary Bladder , Urinary RetentionABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To examine and compare the effects of vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty on change in the vertebral height and kyphotic angle and presence of new vertebral fracture of adjacent level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients with vertebral compression fractures or stable burst fractures underwent vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty from Jan, 2007 to April, 2014 were included in the study. Preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up radiographs were analyzed to quantify presence of new vertebral fractures and preoperative and postoperative vertebral height and kyphotic angle at fracture levels were also measured. Changes in the vertebral body height and kyphotic angle at fracture levels were compared for vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty to determine if there was a significant differences. RESULTS: Measurements revealed that vertebroplasty increased vertebral body height at fracture level by an average 5.5mm or or by 33% of preoperative height and reduced local kyphotic angle by an average 3.5 degrees and kyphoplasty increased vertebral body height at fracture level by an average 5.8mm or by 36% of preoperative height and reduced local kyphotic angel by an average 3.6 degrees. New vertebral fractures occurred in 8 patients (24%) after vertebroplasty and 4 patients (14%) after kyphoplasty. CONCLUSION: There was no significant statistically greater improvement of changes in the vertebral body height at fracture level and kyphotic angle found with vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. But the vertebroplasty has statistically greater risk of new fracture than kyphoplasty.
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Humans , Body Height , Follow-Up Studies , Fractures, Compression , Kyphoplasty , VertebroplastyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical results of a partial vertebrectomy with titanium mesh implantation and pedicle screw fixation using a posterior approach to reconstruct the spine in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHOD: From January 2006 to August 2008, 20 patients with severe thoracolumbar fractures were treated.For vertebral bodies associated with one injured intervertebral disk, subtotal vertebrectomy surgery and single-segment fusion were performed. For vertebral bodies with two injured adjacent intervertebral disks, partial vertebrectomy surgery and two-segment fusion were performed. RESULTS: All 20 patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (average of 18 months). There were no complications such as wound infections, hemopneumothorax or abdominal infections in any of the patients. The neurological status of all of the patients was improved by at least one American Spinal Injury Association grade by the last follow-up. The anterior vertebral body height was an average of 50.77% before surgery, 88.51% after surgery and 87.86% at the last follow up; the sagittal Cobb angle was improved, on average, from 26.15° to 5.39° and was 5.90° at the last follow up. The percentage of spinal stenosis was improved, on average, from 26.07% to 4.93%° and was 6.15% at the last follow up. There were significant differences ...
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Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods , Lumbar Vertebrae/injuries , Pedicle Screws , Surgical Mesh , Spinal Fractures/surgery , Thoracic Vertebrae/injuries , Titanium/therapeutic use , Follow-Up Studies , Lumbar Vertebrae , Operative Time , Reproducibility of Results , Severity of Illness Index , Spinal Fractures , Time Factors , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment Outcome , Thoracic VertebraeABSTRACT
Objective To construct 3D finite element model of the thoracolumbar spinal cord, and study the mechanism of spinal cord injury caused by burst fracture through biomechanical experiments. Methods The compression simulation on burst fracture was performed using finite element technology, and the results were verified by comparing the tested models with the in vivo and in vitro experimental results. Results The strain distribution in white matter of the spinal cord was higher than that in grey matter at the initial stage of burst fracture. As the displacement of bony fragments increased, the strain distribution in grey matter increased subsequently. But when the displacement of bony fragments finally reached the maximum, the strain in white matter was higher than that in grey matter. Conclusions Traumatic severity of the spinal cord during burst fracture is dependent on the posterior encroachment, and the traumatic procedure order for ventral horn (motor function) or dorsal horn (sensory function) of cord tissue also plays an important role in the evaluation. In clinical practice, the patient’s condition can be evaluated more accurately by assessing severity of the spinal motor and sensory functions. Further understanding on strain distribution in the spinal cord during the injury may inspire new strategies for treating or preventing spinal cord injury.
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Objective-To-discuss-the-clinical-efficacy-of-limited-decompression-and-pedicle-screw-fixation-for-thoracolumbar-burst-fractures.-Methods-From-October-2005-to-October-2011,-38-patients-with-thoracolumbar-burst-fractures-were-treated-by-lumbar-pedicle-screw-fixation-combined-with-limited-decompression-.The-X-ray-measurements-and-evaluations-of-neurological-functions-before-and-after-surgery-were-reviewed-.-Results-All-the-38-cases-were-followed-up-for-36-months.The-bone-fusion-was-obtained-in-all-the-cases-,-without-pedicle-screw-breakage-,-bending-,-or-prolapse-.Evaluation-of-the-efficacy-at-36-months-after-surgery:excellent-in-36-cases,-good-in-1-case,-and-poor-in-1,-with-a-good-or-excellent-rate-of-97.4%-(37/38).The-preoperative-anterior-height-of-fractured-vertebrae-was-(14.23-±2.51)-mm,-which-was-significantly-lower-than-that-6-months-postoperatively-[(25.68-±3.95)-mm,-q=22.319,-P<0.05],-24-months-postoperatively-[(26.23-±3.15)-mm,-q=23.391,-P<0.05],-and-36-months-postoperatively-[(25.64-±2.86)-mm,-q=22.241,-P<0.05].The-preoperative-Cobb-angle-was-(24.39°±2.54°),-which-was-significantly-more-than-that-36-months-after-surgery[(15.54°±1.05°),-q=27.448,-P<0.05].The-preoperative-VAS-scores-were-(6.1-±1.1)-points,-which-were-significantly-higher-than-that-36-months-after-operation-[(1.2-±0.6)-points,-q=33.930,-P<0.05].There-were-significant-differences-in-the-Frankel-grades-before-and-after-the-operation-(Z-=-2.190,-P-=0.029).-Conclusion-Limited-decompression-and-pedicle-screw-fixation-for-thoracolumbar-burst-fractures-can-not-only-provide-instant-stability-,-but-also-have-advantages-of-high-satisfaction-rate-,-minimal-invasion-,-and-long-term-prevention-of-kyphosis-and-fixation-failure-.
ABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: Lumbar burst fracture was treated with operation, which delayed recollapse of L1 and led to conus medullaris syndrome. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: After operation, conus medullaris syndrome causing by delayed recollapse is not frequently reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 56-year-old male was admitted with lower back pain caused by a fall. Radiologic findings showed L1 burst fracture with about 42% of height loss. There was no neurologic deficit. Posterior fusion was performed using instrumentation. Five weeks after the operation, the patient was admitted for urination and defecation difficulty. Radiologic findings showed that the L1 had recollapsed with about 38% of height loss. To resolve the problem, anterior surgery was performed. RESULTS: Two years after surgery, bladder and anal sphincter dysfunction wasn't recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar burst fracture should be follow up carefully until union of the fracture because burst fracture leads to delayed recollapse.