Analysis of harvest morbidity and radiographic outcome using autograft for anterior cervical fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of 184 autologous iliac crest bone grafts used for anterior cervical fusion in 144 procedures. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of autologous iliac crest bone graft harvest site on operation and recovery and to identify patients at risk for harvest morbidity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although autologous iliac crest bone graft is considered the most successful grafting material, concerns about harvest morbidity provide a rationale for considering allograft. Data about the use of autograft therefore would assist spinal surgeons in selecting the appropriate substrates for fusion after anterior cervical decompression. METHODS: Statistical analysis based on patient gender, smoking history, obesity, and medical or pharmacologic risk factors for wound healing was used to evaluate morbidity after patient interviews and examinations. Limited assessment of radiographic outcome also was performed. RESULTS: A second operation because of donor site morbidity was performed in four patients (2.8%), but only one (0.7%) with meralgia paresthetica had permanent sequelae. Superficial wound infection or dehiscence occurred in 5.6% of patients, with a disproportionate number of women, obese patients, and those with medical risk represented. Protracted wound symptoms of pain and poor cosmesis were reported in 2.8% and 3.5% of patients, respectively, and also were found in a significant number of female and obese patients. Evidence of fusion was present in 97% of cases. CONCLUSION: Autologous iliac crest bone graft harvest results in minimal major morbidity when regional anatomy is respected and careful technique is observed. The identification of patients at risk for minor complications suggests that allograft may be appropriate in these patients; however, prospective comparison is required to identify whether graft material or technical factors determine fusion success and relative benefit.

Unusual aneurysms.

Cerebral aneurysms can present in a variety of special circumstances. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can complicate systemic or neoplastic disease, head injuries, arterial dissection, and other cerebrovascular conditions. Aneurysms associated with non-saccular configuration or giant size can make surgical or endovascular intervention difficult if not impossible. This article will review these uncommon aneurysms and their management.

Selection criteria and outcome of operative approaches for thoracolumbar burst fractures with and without neurological deficit.

Criteria for choosing operative techniques for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures remain disputed, particularly in neurologically intact patients. A retrospective study of 25 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures was performed to assess fracture characteristics, operative approaches, fixation, radiographic results, and neurological, functional, and pain outcomes. Anterior corpectomy, allograft strut, and plate fixation were performed in 14 patients with or without neurological deficit when vertebral compression or canal encroachment was at least 40% or kyphosis was 15 degrees or more with a stable posterior column. In nine cases, an anterior operation and a posterior segmental fixation were combined for similar deformity and three-column instability. Posterior transpedicular decompression, fixation, and fusion were used primarily for two symptomatic patients with less than 40% encroachment and at most 40% compression. Overall, 21 patients (84%) were walking and 18 (72%) were continent at follow-up evaluation (mean 16.3 months) versus eight (32%) and 11 (44%) at presentation, respectively. Preoperatively, 17 patients experienced neurological deficit; 16 improved and 12 increased one Frankel grade. No patient deteriorated. Prior employment or activity level was resumed by 19 patients (76%) and only four patients professed incapacity. Pain was eliminated after 18 procedures (72%), all anterior or combined approaches. Restoration of anatomical alignment (< 5 degrees) was achieved in 19 cases. No anterior construct failed and only one patient treated posteriorly had postoperative kyphosis progression. Operative morbidity occurred in three cases (12%). Satisfactory neurological and functional outcomes were achieved in a majority of patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures after correction of canal compromise, middle column compression, and attendant deformity. These results indicate that anterior decompression and a weight-bearing strut graft are critical to clinical success in patients with significant vertebral destruction.

Outcome analysis for adults with spondylolisthesis treated with posterolateral fusion and transpedicular screw fixation.

The outcomes of 52 adult patients with symptomatic low-grade spondylolisthesis treated with autologous posterolateral arthrodesis and pedicle screw fixation were retrospectively reviewed. Although a 90% rate of successful fusion was obtained using this technique, only 60% of patients were considered to have good outcomes. Treatment failures consisted mostly of back pain and were not predicted by preoperative symptoms. Compensation claims and smoking had very significant adverse impacts on both employment and pain results despite high fusion rates, particularly in patients under the age of 55 years. Overall, patients who required more than one operation demonstrated poor outcomes compared to those who only needed one. However, patients with at least two prior operations or preoperative pseudoarthrosis fared particularly poorly, whereas those who had undergone only one prior surgery and had no attendant compensation issue reported good results. A trend toward poor outcome was observed in patients with postlaminectomy spondylolisthesis, versus those with isthmic or degenerative etiologies. Gender did not exert an impact on outcome. The authors conclude that autologous posterolateral arthrodesis combined with pedicle screw fixation resulted in a high fusion rate, and contributed to successful outcomes in the treatment of certain subgroups of adults with spondylolisthesis. In the absence of other risk factors, patients may obtain significant benefit from surgery despite older age and a single failed operation. Careful patient selection appears critical in predicting the maximum benefit from this technique.

Carcinoid tumor of the sacrum: case report.

We present a case of isolated carcinoid tumor of the sacrum and highlight the unusual nature of this lesion. The histopathology suggests hindgut cause, and we discuss the possibility of an underlying congenital tailgut cyst. We review the pathology of these rare anomalies with reference to embryological development and known instances of carcinoid focus. We also present previous reports of sacral carcinoid.

Failure of jugular lactate determinations to disclose cerebral ischemia in posttraumatic cerebral infarction: case report.

A case of acute closed brain trauma is presented in which the patient developed a right middle cerebral artery infarction, while frequent measurements of the arteriojugular lactate difference (AVDL) remained normal, failing to disclose ischemia. To our knowledge, this is the first report on sequential AVDL measurements during evolving cerebral infarction.