Transient paralysis shortly after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion.

OBJECTIVE: To report three cases of transient paralysis shortly after (within 4 hours) anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF), and investigate the possible causes. METHODS: Clinical and radiological data of three cases (two men and one woman, aged 41-61 years) were analyzed retrospectively. All three patients underwent ACCF for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The decompressed segments were located in C(5) , C(6) and C(5) + C(6-7) discs, respectively. Paralysis occurred from 30 minutes to 4 hours after surgery. In two cases the paralysis was complete; it was incomplete in the third. All patients received immediate dehydration, neurotrophic drugs and high-dose methylprednisolone therapy upon recognition of their paralysis. Meanwhile, cervical MRIs were performed and showed no significant hematomas compressing the cervical spinal cord; spinal cord edema was clearly evident in all cases. RESULTS: In two cases the paralysis resolved within 2 hours of diagnosis and immediate medication. In the third case, because the neurological symptoms were incompletely resolved 24 hours after beginning medication, a second laminoplasty was performed. During decompression, tremendous pressure was released from the cervical spinal cord. The neurological symptoms had resolved completely by 1 week after decompression. CONCLUSION: The precise cause for transient paralysis after these anterior cervical surgeries is not yet clear. Spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury is generally regarded as the most likely cause. Therefore, a combination of cervical spinal cord edema and limited anterior decompression space may have been the main contributing factors to the paralysis reported here. Early diagnosis and early intervention to relieve the paralysis can restore spinal cord function and result in a satisfactory prognosis.

[Effect of intervertebral position on range of motion after artificial lumbar total disc replacement and clinical management].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effect of SB Charité lumbar artificial disc position on intervertebral range of motion (ROM) and clinical management. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2007, 30 discogenic low back pain patients confirmed by discography underwent 1/2-level total disc replacement (TDR) implantation with 32 prostheses. There were 12 males and 18 females with a mean age of 44 years old (range: 28-55). All indexed levels were inserted between L4-S1 involving L4-5 (n = 9), L5S1 (n = 19) and L4-S1 (n = 2). The clinical outcome was measured by Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Radiographic outcome measures included flexion/extension ROM, restoration of operative level intervertebral disc height, maintenance of disc height at the final follow-up. A technique previously described by McAfee was used to evaluate TDR position in three groups. Paired t test was used to compare the preoperative and postoperative ROM and clinical ODI, VAS scores. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were followed-up for 24-60 months with an average of 38 months. All the prostheses were solidly immobilized with the vertebral endplate. No disc prosthesis rupture, dislocation, subsidence or heterotopic ossification was observed. Preoperative ODI, VAS back pain and VAS leg pain scores were 70.34 ± 9.21, 7.46 ± 2.65, 4.81 ± 2.75;and postoperative corresponding scores 7.65 ± 8.61, 0.68 ± 0.69, 0.35 ± 0.32 respectively. The positions of disc prostheses were graded as Group I, excellent, n = 17; Group II, suboptimal, n = 6; Group III, poor, n = 5. Preoperative mean intervertebral flexion/extension ROM (degree) of Group I to Group III were 9.75 ± 2.80, 10.30 ± 1.20 and 10.08 ± 2.43 respectively. The postoperative mean intervertebral flexion/extension ROM (degree): 6.68 ± 3.83, 4.22 ± 3.51 and 3.48 ± 3.56 respectively. Postoperatively all clinical outcome scores were lower than preoperative ones. Disc height was significantly restored. Mean intervertebral ROM decreased versus preoperative. Although there was a tendency of mean intervertebral ROM increasing with a better disc position, no statistical difference was observed. CONCLUSION: The mid-term clinical outcome of TDR is generally satisfactory. The TDR position influences intervertebral ROM to some extent. Efficient clinical management can reduce prosthetic malposition.