Lumbopelvic Fixation with Iliac Screw in Spinopelvic Dissociation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Spinopelvic dissociation which occurs by high energy trauma with associated fractures is rare. Treatment is difficult and only a few studies on treatment of spinopelvic dissociation have been reported. Therefore we evaluated spinopelvic dissociation patients treated with iliac screw. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed patients who underwent surgery using an iliac screw from 2005 to 2010. Preoperative radiologic classification was performed using the level of the transverse fracture line of the sacrum, shape of the fracture, and Roy-Camille classification. Neurologic evaluation was performed using Gibbons classification. Eleven patients underwent surgery with a pedicle screw in 1 level (L5 to S1) and bilateral iliac screws were added. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients were included in this study. The level of the transverse fracture line of the sacrum was mainly at S2, and there were mostly type 3 or 4 in Roy-Camille classification. Bony union was checked in 11 patients without metal failure. Six of 7 patients were treated by posterior decompression. Among them, 5 patients recovered from neurological deficit and 1 patient still had a sensory disorder on both lower legs. CONCLUSION: The more displacement of fracture, the more neurologic deficit occurred. In addition, we think that aggressive surgical treatment for spinopelvic dissociation should be considered, because a good clinical result was achieved with 1 level (L5 to S1) fixation and bilateral iliac screw fixation.

Surgical Treatment of Spinal Extradural Arachnoid Cyst: A Case Report

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of spinal extradural arachnoid cyst. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Extradural arachonid cysts of the spine are a rare cause of spinal cord and nerve root compression. There are few reports about it, and the etiology remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performed a clinical and radiographic case review. RESULTS: A 56-year-old male patient presented with both lower extremity radiating pain and tingling sensation in both feet for four years. His MRI revealed a large, well-demarcated extradural lesion, isointense to cerebrospinal fluid from L1 to L3. We performed dural repair and laminectomy for partial resection of the cyst. The outcome was good in the immediate postoperative period, and the patient made a full recovery without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment should be considered for large spinal extradural arachnoid cysts with neurologic symptoms when conservative treatment does not work.

Risk Factors and Postoperative Prognostic Factors of Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To explore the risk factors and the factors associated with the neurological improvement after operation in the spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The cause of the spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is unknown. The objective risk and prognostic factors are still controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2014, a total of 12 patients with spontaneous epidural hematoma were evaluated. The risk and prognostic factors analyzed were sex, age, underlying diseases, medications, neurologic status, level and extent of hematoma, cord edema, and interval from onset to surgery. We analyzed the correlation between each factor and neurologic recovery. The neurologic status was analyzed using the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS) at the first and the last neurologic examination. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 68.6 years. Seven patients were treated with anticoagulation therapy, and two were advised to switch to a healthier diet. The initial neurologic status of the patients was AIS A in 2 cases, B in 5 cases, C in 4 cases, D in 1 case, and in two patients, cord edema was revealed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The interval of time from onset to surgery was less than 24 hours in 6 cases, 24-48 hours in 4 cases, and more than 48 hours in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic factors associated with spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma were found to be initial neurologic status, cord edema on MRI, and interval from onset to surgery. We found no correlation between anticoagulation therapy or healthy diet and spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma, but anticoagulation therapy cannot be excluded as a risk factor.

Changes of Spinopelvic Parameter using Iliac Screw In Surgical Correction of Sagittal Imbalance Patients

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective-based study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of iliac screws in the surgical correction of sagittal imbalance by changes of spinopelvic parameters. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Although reports exist regarding the fusion rates on lumbosacral fusion by iliac screws, no previous studies address the issue of changes of spinopelvic parameters on surgical correction of sagittal imbalance by iliac screws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed a total of 23 patients who were operated on by pedicle subtraction osteotomy and posterior fusion on sagittal imbalance. Patients were divided into two groups: 1) non-iliac screw fixation and; 2) iliac screw fixation. The two groups were compared during the preoperative and postoperative stages, and the last follow-up spinopelvic parameters of two groups. RESULTS: Spinopelvic parameters, except for pelvic incidence, were corrected after surgery; some corrected values of spinopelvic parameters were lost during follow-up. There was a statistically significant difference in the last follow-up period between lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt. Values of postoperative lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt was similar to each other; however, during the follow-up period corrected values of spinopelvic parameters of non-iliac screw fixation group were more lost. There were no statistically significant changes in postoperative and last follow-up sacral slope and pelvic incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Sagittal imbalance could be corrected by pedicle subtraction osteotomy, and corrected values of lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt of iliac screw fixation group could be maintained well compared to non-iliac screw fixation. Iliac screw fixation could be useful for maintenance of corrected values of spinopelvic parameters in surgical correction of sagittal imbalance.

Clinical Results And Prognostic Factors for Thoracic Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of Yellow Ligament after Surgical Treatment

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the clinical results of thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of yellow ligament (OYL) and to explore prognostic factors after surgical treatment. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Thoracic myelopathy due to OYL is difficult to treat; surgery is considered as treatment of choice. However, studies of the clinical results and prognostic factors are few due to its rare presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty six patients who had surgery for thoracic myelopathy caused by OYL were evaluated from February 2002 to April 2012. We describe the analysis of the clinical results after surgery and prognostic factors. RESULTS: Modified Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) score was recorded in all patients by 5.7+/-1.3 points (range, 2-9 points) preoperatively, 7.8+/-1.7 points (range, 4-10 points) postoperatively, and 8.4+/-2.1 points (range, 5-11 points) at final follow-up. Hirabayashi recovery rate was recorded by 60.2+/-20.2% (range, 45.5-72.0%) postoperatively, 64.5+/-17.3% (range, 50.2-75.1%) at final follow-up. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was also improved by 7.6+/-1.8 points (range, 7-10 points) preoperatively, 4.5+/-1.3 points (range, 3-6 points) postoperatively, and 3.8+/-1.6 points (range, 2-5 points) at final follow-up. Both modified JOA score and VAS score improved significantly (p<0.05). In prognostic factor analysis, OYL type on CT axial image, duration of symptom, and preoperative severity of myelopathy was significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We showed the effectiveness of surgery on patients who suffer from thoracic myelopathy caused by OYL and that OYL type identified by CT axial image, duration of symptom, and preoperative severity of myelopathy were significant prognostic factors.

Complications of Iliac Screw in Spinopelvic Fixation With Adult Spinal Deformity: Complications of Iliac Screw in Spinopelvic Fixation

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical & radiologic significance about complications of spinopelvic fixation with iliac screw in patients with adult spinal deformity. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Complications of iliac screw fixation in adult spinal deformity patients was obscure in spite of the good results of iliac screw fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 27 patients, followed over 1-year, with adult spinal deformity (lumbar degenerative kyphosis, degenerative lumbar scoliosis, flat back syndrome). The study was done for complications of iliac screw fixation by clinical and radiological evaluations. RESULTS: Post-operative iliac screw prominence were 15 cases (55.5%), iliac screw breakage was 1 case (3.7%), bursitis was 1 case (3.7%), sacroiliac joint pain were 5 cases (18.5%), halo sign around iliac screw were 23 cases (85.1%), and 3 cases (11.1%) were performed reoperation. There was no significance between halo sign and sacroiliac joint pain. CONCLUSIONS: Iliac screw fixation is a very useful operative method without severe complications on spinopelvic fixation. There are some complications of iliac screw fixation and iliac screw prominence is a most common problem, but few counterplan exits. So, further studies about reducing complication method, management protocols of iliac screw complication were needed.

Proximal Junctional Problems in Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Sagittal Imbalance Patients and Relevant Risk Factors

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: As we analyze the incidence and the risk factor for proximal junctional problem after surgical treatment of lumbar degenerative sagittal imbalance, we want to contribute to reducing the junctional problem of surgical treatment of lumbar degenerative sagittal imbalance. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Surgical treatment of degenerative spinal deformity has increased. Rigid fixation was a risk factor for degenerative change of adjacent segment and failure, and it remains a big challenge for the junctional problem of surgical treatment. However, research on the correlation with risk factors is rare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty four patients (mean age 66.5; range, 50-74) who had surgery due to lumbar degenerative sagittal imbalance were evaluated by the risk factor associated with junctional problems from January, 2005 to December, 2011. The risk factors were analyzed by surgical factor (proximal fusion level, using iliac screw, correction or undercorrection of lumbar lordosis compared with pelvic incidence) and patient factor (age, bone marrow density, body mass index). RESULTS: Junctional problems occurred in 18 patients (41%) out of 44 patients. Among these problems, there were 10 cases of fractures, 8 cases of junctional kyphosis, and 4 cases of proximal screw pull out. . Among the risk factors, only the correction or undercorrection of lumbar lordosis compared with pelvic incidence in surgical factor was statistically significant. Other surgical factors and patient factors were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Junctional problems after a surgical treatment of lumbar degenerative sagittal imbalance were common. However, we could not know the exact risk factor of junctional problems except the degree of correction of lumbar lordosis compared with pelvic incidence, because most of the risk factors were not statistically significant. So, further evaluations of the risk factor of lumbar degenerative sagittal imbalance are required.

Analysis of Risk Factors and Surgical Results of Lumbar Adjacent Segment Disease

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the risk factors and the surgical results for adjacent segment disease after lumbar fusion. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Many studies have been performed about the risk factors for adjacent segment disease, but the findings are still controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 35 (13 men, 22 women) of 50 patients who underwent lumbar fusion due to adjacent segment disease with a minimum of 2 year follow-up period from July 1999 to July 2006. The differences of the interval to revision (IR) were statistically analyzed by the examining preexisting degenerative change in the adjacent segments on MRI, the number of fused segments, the lumbar lordosis and the sagittal balance. The surgical outcomes of reoperation were assessed by Brodsky's criteria. RESULTS: Junctional stenosis as adjacent segment disease was seen in 21 cases (60%) and instability was seen in 14 cases (40%), including 2 iatrogenic flat backs and 2 cases of lumbar degenerative kyphosis. The average IR was 93 months for the cases that had less than 2 segment fusion (20 cases) and 62 months in those with more than 3 segment fusion (15 cases). As for lumbar lordosis, 25 cases (71%) had a normal range of angle as well as 101 months until the IR and 10 cases (29%) had an abnormal range of angle as well as 64 months until IR. Six cases were beyond the normal range of sagittal balance (17%) and their average IR value was 59 months. Otherwise, the cases with a normal range of sagittal balance had 109 months for the IR. The clinical outcome was excellent in 6 cases (17%) and good in 15 cases (43%). CONCLUSION: To decrease the adjacent segment disease, we should seriously consider the extent of lumbar fusion and we should restore the angle in lumbar lordosis to the physiological range and the sagittal balance during the initial operation.

Factors Affecting Clinical Results after Corrective Osteotomy for Lumbar Degenerative Kyphosis

STUDY DESIGN: This study is a prospective, clinical study for lumbar degenerative kyphosis. PURPOSE: To determine the factors affecting postoperative clinical outcomes in patients who undergo corrective osteotomy for lumbar degenerative kyphosis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Only a small number of studies have reported clinical results for surgery for lumbar degenerative kyphosis. There are almost no studies about prognostic factors that predict postoperative clinical results. METHODS: This study involved 25 patients who were diagnosed with lumbar degenerative kyphosis and who underwent corrective osteotomy following gait analysis. A pedicle subtraction osteotomy was done at the third lumbar vertebra (L 3). Regarding the fusion level, surgery was done within a range from T10 proximally to S1 distally. Of these, for rigid fixation of a distal part, an iliac screw was used. Pain was evaluated using a 10-point pain scale and a questionnaire about activities. We also evaluated cosmesis and subjective satisfaction using a modified version of the Scoliosis Research Society Outcome-22 (SRS-22) instrument. This assessment was done using a 5-point scale which was designed by us. We assigned patients to group A (good clinical outcomes) if their postoperative pain score was lower than 4 (of 10 points) and if scores indicating activity, cosmesis and subjective satisfaction were higher than 11 (of 15 points). All other patients were assigned to group B (poor clinical outcomes). RESULTS: Clinical outcomes were good in 64% of patients (16/25) and poor in 36% (9/25). Regarding cosmesis and subjective satisfaction, there were significant differences between the two groups. There were also significant differences in physical factors of individual patients such as body mass index (BMI): 23.78 +/- 2.79 in group A and 26.44 +/- 2.75 in group B. On gait analysis, there was a significant difference in the dynamic pelvic tilt: 7.5 +/- 3.3degrees in group A and 11.72 +/- 1.89degrees in group B. CONCLUSIONS: There is no correlation between preoperative degree of kyphotic deformity and clinical outcomes. The degree of anterior rotation of pelvic tilt does not change significantly; rather, compensatory mechanisms of the pelvis and BMI were found to have more influence. Because neither the degree of satisfaction with clinical outcomes nor the increased activity was relatively higher, a more sincere decision should be made before recommending corrective osteotomy for degenerative lumbar kyphosis.

Surgical Treatment of AO Type C Distal Femoral Fractures Using Locking Compression Plate (LCP-DF, Synthes(R))

PURPOSE: To analyze the surgical results of AO type C distal femoral fractures using locking compression plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2006 to June 2008, 14 patients 15 cases were included. Injury mechanisms, combined injuries, radiologic and clinical results and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.6 (30~77) years. The mean follow up period was 25 (12~40) months. AO types were 3 of C1, 5 of C2 and 7 of C3. Injury mechanisms were 9 of traffic accident, 5 of slip down and 1 of fall from a height. Four cases were combined with other extremity injuries or fractures. The mean radiologic union was obtained at postoperative 15 (13~20) weeks. The mean Neer's functional score was 74.2 (58~97); 3 of excellent, 5 of satisfactory and 7 of unsatisfactory. Postoperative complications were 2 of infection and 1 of nonunion. There were no mechanical failures or fixation loss with locking compression plate at the final follow up. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation using locking compression plate for AO type C distal femoral fractures provided excellent fixations. At the final follow up, the clinical results were variable. The affecting factors on the final results seemed to be joint congruencies after anatomical reduction and active rehabilitation.