Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum at the Thoracic and Lumbar Region in an Achondroplastic Patient.

BACKGROUND: Achondroplasia, a genetic disorder of bone growth, produces specific clinical features of the extremities and spine. Spinal stenosis, seen in patients with achondroplasia, is a congenital disorder related to premature fusion of the pedicles to the lamina. It can be caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum, which is rare in patients with achondroplasia. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a rare congenital spinal stenosis with ossification of the ligamentum flavum and thoracolumbar kyphosis deformity in a 24-year-old man with dwarfism and achondroplasia. He was treated with posterior instrumentation and decompression with a wide laminectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of the deformity and the rare condition of ligamentum flavum in a patient with achondroplasia resulted in improved neurologic status and symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first case report including treatment for both the deformity and thoracic and lumbar ossified ligamentum flavum lesion in a patient with achondroplasia.

A Quality Analysis of Disc Herniation Videos on YouTube.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of patients are investigating health information by using the Internet because of its exponential growth. Therefore, it is important to test the accuracy of the information presented to determine which information should not be shared. This study investigated the information available on YouTube with regard to disc herniation. METHODS: The first 50 videos found after the keyword "disc herniation" was used in the YouTube search engine were included in the study. Video popularity was evaluated with an index called the video power index (VPI). The quality and accuracy of the information were evaluated by 2 independent spinal surgeons using the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) score and the DISCERN scoring system. Interobserver agreement and individual correlations of the data of each video were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 50 videos evaluated, 16 (32%) contained animation and 34 (64%) contained real images. The mean duration was 6.587 minutes, and the mean view was 423.472. The mean DISCERN score was 30.7 (±10.3), and the mean JAMA score was 1.8 (±0.5). There was good agreement between the 2 researchers in terms of DISCERN and JAMA scores. No statistically significant correlation was found between the JAMA and DISCERN scores of both researchers and VPI values, video lengths, animation, or real images. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the disc herniation information offered on YouTube is low. The evaluation of medical information obtained from the Internet by health professionals is an important step in guiding the correct flow of medical information to patients.

A Scoring System to Demonstrate the Risk for Bone Injury in Patients with Clinically Suspected or Occult Scaphoid Fracture.

BACKGROUND: It is important to diagnose a scaphoid fracture accurately and start the correct treatment in the shortest time possible. However, the fracture of bone may not be visible on x-ray. In such cases, patients are clinically diagnosed with suspected or occult scaphoid fractures. The aim of this study was to define a scoring system based on physical examination to demonstrate the risk for bone injury in patients with clinically suspected and occult scaphoid fractures with negative radiographs and anatomical snuff box tenderness and to decrease the costs and workforce loss due to unnecessary treatment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were initially evaluated by the attendant orthopedic physician in the emergency service with X-ray of the wrist, and ten wrist physical examination techniques were used. The X-rays of patients were evaluated by three orthopedic surgeons. Finally sixty patients, who were diagnosed as having no fracture by all three orthopedic surgeon, were included in the study. The wrists of these patients were evaluated with MRI. RESULTS: There were 46 male (77%) and 14 female (23%) patients with a mean age of 21.5 years (range 7-61 years). About 3.3% had triquetrum fracture, 15% had bone edema in the scaphoid and radius, 18.3% had distal radius fracture, 31.6% had scaphoid fracture, and 31.8% had no bone injury. A scoring system was also proposed. It can be predicted that in the physical examination of the wrist if the total score is higher than 6.5, the probability of fracture is 2.87 (positive likelihood ratio) fold compared to scores below 6.5. CONCLUSIONS: Proposal of this new scoring system was thought to be useful for predicting the risk for bone injury in patients with clinically suspected scaphoid fractures and making decision regarding therapeutic options.

Sagittal orientation and uniform entry for thoracic pedicle screw placement with free-hand technique: A retrospective study on 382 pedicle screws.

BACKGROUND: One of the most important factors in obtaining a successful outcome in spinal surgery is appropriate placement of the pedicle screw. A number of different techniques are used to achieve successful pedicle screw placement. The free-hand technique has the advantage of no requirement for radiation exposure, but its success is highly dependent on surgeon experience. Here, we describe our entry point and perioperative sagittal orientation method, and evaluate postoperative sagittal alignment of pedicle screws with the free-hand pedicle screw placement technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-two patients undergoing spinal surgery between 2015 and 2016 were included in this study. Pedicle screw placement was evaluated retrospectively on postoperative anterior-posterior (A-P) and lateral load-bearing radiographs of the entire spinal column. The vertebral body was divided into five areas in the lateral plane. Sagittal orientation of the pedicle screws on lateral radiographs was evaluated by two spine surgeons with 3 years of experience and one radiologist experienced in musculoskeletal radiology, with each observer evaluating the image twice according to a 1-month interval. RESULTS: A total of 382 pedicle screws were evaluated. There was no statistically significant difference between the first and second measurements, performed by individual observers, and there was good concordance among the three observers. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a uniform entry point at all levels may increase the effectiveness of the free-hand technique and decrease the pedicle screw misplacement rate. Our technique may standardize the free-hand technique, which does not require radiation exposure, and make it more practical to apply uniformly.

Does Obesity Make Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion More Difficult: A Retrospective Analysis.

Objective To evaluate and compare peri-operative technical difficulties associated with single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and peri-operative outcomes between obese and non-obese patients. Subjects and methods The data, including age, blood transfusion volume, preoperative hemoglobin/hematocrit levels, operative time, blood loss, fluoroscopy time, skin incision length, and body mass index (BMI), of 53 patients undergoing single-level TLIF (L4-5 or L5-S1) between 2016 and 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: BMI < 30 kg/m2 and BMI 30-39.9 kg/m2. Parameters were subjected to statistical analysis according to the BMI. Results There were 26 patients in the BMI < 30 kg/m2 group and 27 patients in the BMI 30-39.9 kg/m2 group. The average age of the patients was 60.8 years (30-70 years), and the average BMI was 29.9 kg/m2 (23.1-39.9 kg/m2). The fluoroscopy times and skin incision lengths were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions An experienced surgical team can safely apply the TLIF procedure in patients with obesity but it should be taken into consideration by surgeons before surgery. Some modifications in the surgical technique, including, further lateral dissection and wider skin incision in the TLIF technique for obese patients may be required during the procedure. This approach makes TLIF technique easier and safer in obese patients. The longer fluoroscopy times in obese patients indicate that more radiation exposure occurs during TLIF and that necessary precautions should be taken for maintaining surgical team and patient health.

A Rare Case of T1-2 Thoracic Disc Herniation Mimicking Cervical Radiculopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracic disc herniation is not as common as other disc herniations seen at other levels of spinal column. Th1-Th2 disc herniation is an extremely rare condition. Physical and cautious radiological examination is significantly important for diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 45 years old male case with complaint of neck pain radiating to right upper extremity. The physical examination revealed Th1 radiculopathy symptoms. According to his images degeneration at C6-7 level and right T1 root compression due to Th1-Th2 disc herniation at foraminal region were evaluated. The patient underwent hemilaminectomy, foraminatomy and discectomy at T1-T2 level via posterior approach. CONCLUSION: T1-2 level thoracic disc herniation can accompany with cervical region problems and some syndromes can mimic Th1 radiculopathy symptoms. The aim of this case report is to keep on mind of this rare condition and to emphasize the importance of physical findings and correlations with magnetic resonance imaging.

ASA III osteoporotic fracture in 62 patients treated with vertebroplasty under local anesthesia.

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that may be performed under either local or general anesthesia. In this study, we aimed at assessing the outcomes of the vertebroplasty performed under local anesthesia in patients at high risk of general anesthesia. Vertebroplasty was performed under local anesthesia in the treatment of a total of 62 patients (68 vertebrae in total) with osteoporotic vertebral fractures between 2011 and 2013. None of the patients had a history of trauma. Patients who were classified as ASA III during the preoperative examinations were included in the study. VAS scores were evaluated before the surgery, on the first postoperative day, and in week 1 and in month 1 after the surgery. The average age was 77.5 years (age range 53-102). An average of 2 cc of cement was injected to 22 patients (35.5 %), and an average of 3 cc of cement was injected to 40 patients (64.5 %). The mean VAS scores were 7.52 (6-9) before the procedure, 3.55 (2-5) on the first day, 2.03 (0-4) in week 1 and 0.87 (0-2) in month 1 postoperatively. Asymptomatic cement embolism was detected in one patient. No other complications were observed in the study group. Vertebroplasty performed under local anesthesia is an effective and safe procedure in terms of pain control and early ambulation and is bereft of the complications associated with general anesthesia.