Extension CT scan: its suitability for assessing fusion after posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a popular procedure for treating lumbar canal stenosis with spinal instability, and several reports concerning fusion assessment methods exist. However, there are currently no definitive criteria for diagnosing a successful interbody fusion in the lumbar spine. We suggested evaluating fusion status using computed tomography (CT) in extension position to detect pseudoarthrosis more precisely. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its usefulness for determining bone union quality after PLIF. Eighty-one patients who underwent PLIF at 97 levels were retrospectively enrolled. The study population included 48 men and 33 women (mean age 58.9 years, range 21-85 years). Patients were followed up for more than 12 months after surgery. The mean follow-up period was 27.6 months (range 14-49 months). Fusion status was evaluated using three ways: flexion-extension radiographs, CT images in flexion and extension position. In the flexion-extension radiographs, mobility of more than 3°, a remaining clear zone, or an uncertain bone connection constituted an incomplete union. For CT images, a remaining clear zone, a gas pattern, or an uncertain bone connection constituted an incomplete union. Flexion-extension radiographs demonstrated a solid fusion in 90.7% of the 97 levels at 10.7 months postoperatively. When fusion was demonstrated on flexion-extension radiographs, the rate of fusion affirmed by flexion CT and extension CT was 87.6 and 69.1% of the levels assessed, respectively. The rate of pseudoarthrosis detected on extension CT images was significantly higher than that on flexion-extension radiographs (P < 0.001) and flexion CT (P < 0.01). The rate of fusion achieved on extension CT was 85.6% at 15.1 months postoperatively. Extension CT could detect pseudoarthrosis more clearly than flexion-extension radiography and flexion CT. The CT images are influenced by body position and dilating anterior disc space in extension CT contributes to detect pseudoarthrodesis. Thus, extension CT was a useful method for assessing fusion status after PLIF.

Cervical spine osteolysis in a case of undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy with features mimicking neoplasm or infection.

STUDY DESIGN: Case Report. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy with sternocostoclavicular arthro-osteitis and osteolyis of cervical body requiring surgical reconstruction of the spine and describing the findings which resembled multiple metastases or infection. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Sternocostoclavicular arthro-osteitis is not infrequent in Japan. It has been reported in patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies as psoriatic arthropathy or its variant, palmoplantar pustulosis. Cervical spine involvement in the seronegative spondyloarthropathy is usually in the form of syndesmophytes, subluxations, or facet erosions/ fusions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on severe osteolytic cervical spondylitis associating anterior chest wall disease, to the extent that surgical reconstruction is needed. METHODS: A 64 year-old woman presented with neck pain. Cervical spine imaging revealed osteolysis and crumbling of C5 vertebral body. Computed tomography of the thorax showed multiple erosions of the anterior chest wall. Multiple hot spots were detected by bone scan. Biopsies were obtained to exclude neoplasm and infection. Surgical reconstruction via combined anterior-posterior approach was performed to achieve solid spine arthrodesis. RESULTS: Neoplasm and infection were excluded. Careful reassessment alerted to the diagnosis of undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy. Solid arthrodesis and pain relief could be obtained by surgery together with medical control of the disease.

Prediction of clinical results of laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy focusing on spinal cord motion in intraoperative ultrasonography and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of preoperative imaging and clinical data from patients undergoing cervical expansive laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate preoperative parameters that predict the floating status of the spinal cord at the anterior elements of the cervical spine in both intraoperative ultrasonography (US) and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to evaluate the association between clinical outcome and spinal cord floating. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Intraoperative US has been used to evaluate the status of the spinal cord after cervical laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy. Few studies have evaluated the predictive preoperative parameters for intraoperative US results. METHODS: Imaging and clinical outcome data were collected from 101 consecutive patients who underwent cervical expansive laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy at Kaikoukai Nagoya Kyouritsu Hospital, Japan, from April 2004 to April 2008. The preoperative parameters associated with spinal cord floating in intraoperative US and postoperative MR images were investigated. Predictive parameters for the rate of recovery according to the Japanese Orthopedic Association score for cervical myelopathy at each follow-up session were also investigated. RESULTS: Predictive parameters for spinal cord floating after decompression in intraoperative US were the cervical vertebrae 2 to 7 (C2-C7) sagittal alignment in the standing neutral position on preoperative plain radiograph radiography (cut-off value=3 degrees) and the C5/6 "beak angle" in preoperative MRI (cut-off value=20 degrees). A predictive parameter for spinal cord floating in postoperative MRI was the C5/6 beak angle in preoperative MRI (cut-off value=21 degrees). The preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association score and spinal cord floating at anterior elements of the cervical spine in intraoperative US were predictive parameters for clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative US was more useful than postoperative MRI for predicting the clinical outcome of cervical expansive laminoplasty. Knowledge of the predictive parameters for spinal cord floating after cervical expansive laminoplasty could help evaluate the limitations of posterior decompression.

Combined posteroanterior surgery for osteoporotic delayed vertebral fracture and neural deficit in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture occasionally occurs in patients with Parkinson's disease and can lead to neural compromise due to delayed vertebral body collapse, requiring surgical treatment. Surgical treatment and postoperative care are difficult because of poor bone quality, involuntary exercise, and postural imbalance. Due to such difficulties in treatment, few reports exist about surgery for osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture in patients with Parkinson's disease. Anterior decompression and posteroanterior reconstructive stabilization were performed for 3 patients with Parkinson's disease and osteoporotic vertebral body collapse. To prevent instrument-related complications, it is important to achieve initial rigid stability. Regarding the stabilization of the posterior elements, laminar hooks were used. Two pedicle screws and 1 hook were placed at 1 level above and 1 level below the injured vertebra. As for the stabilization of the anterior part, a titanium cage was used. All patients resumed their activities of daily living postoperatively. Two of 3 patients experienced sinking of the rib cage after commencement of ambulation with a hard brace postoperatively. After these patients wore a body cast for 2 months, they were able to resume activities of daily living under careful treatment. In all patients, junctional kyphosis improved postoperatively and progressed postoperatively. None experienced recurrent neural deterioration or backache related to the fracture through >3 years of postoperative follow-up. Combined posteroanterior reconstruction surgery was useful for osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture with Parkinson's disease. However, maintenance of postoperative alignment was difficult to achieve. Careful postoperative management was important for good clinical results.

Placement and complications of cervical pedicle screws in 144 cervical trauma patients using pedicle axis view techniques by fluoroscope.

Cervical pedicle screw fixation is an effective procedure for stabilising an unstable motion segment; however, it has generally been considered too risky due to the potential for injury to neurovascular structures, such as the spinal cord, nerve roots or vertebral arteries. Since 1995, we have treated 144 unstable cervical injury patients with pedicle screws using a fluoroscopy-assisted pedicle axis view technique. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of this technique in accurately placing pedicle screws to treat unstable cervical injuries, and the ensuing clinical outcomes and complications. The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was postoperatively examined by axial computed tomography scans and oblique radiographs. Solid posterior bony fusion without secondary dislodgement was accomplished in 96% of all cases. Of the 620 cervical pedicle screws inserted, 57 (9.2%) demonstrated screw exposure (<50% of the screw outside the pedicle) and 24 (3.9%) demonstrated pedicle perforation (>50% of the screw outside the pedicle). There was one case in which a probe penetrated a vertebral artery without further complication and one case with transient radiculopathy. Pre- and postoperative tracheotomy was required in 20 (13.9%) of the 144 patients. However, the tracheotomies were easily performed, because those patients underwent posterior surgery alone without postoperative external fixation. The placement of cervical pedicle screws using a fluoroscopy-assisted pedicle axis view technique provided good clinical results and a few complications for unstable cervical injuries, but a careful surgical procedure was needed to safely insert the screws and more improvement in imaging and navigation system is expected.

"Ten second step test" as a new quantifiable parameter of cervical myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: A clinical and cohort study. OBJECTIVE: We developed 10 second step test as a quantifiable measure of severity in cervical compressive myelopathy. The purpose is to establish the standard value of 10 second step test and to verify its clinical effectiveness. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In determining the severity of cervical myelopathy, the effects of surgical intervention, or the factors that influence prognosis, it is essential to have an objective and reproducible means of measuring the patient's disability. There were only a few scales to quantify the severity of cervical compressive myelopathy. METHODS: One hundred sixty-three preoperative patients with cervical compressive myelopathy and 1200 healthy volunteers were included. Three tests were performed: the number of steps in 10 seconds, number of finger grip and release (G and R) in 10 seconds and the Japanese Orthopedic Association score for cervical myelopathy (JOA score). The study population included 99 men and 64 women with a mean age of 63.3 years (range, 33-92). RESULTS: The average number of steps in all patients was 10.7 +/- 5.5 before surgery whereas the average number of steps in the control was 19.6 +/- 3.5. The number of steps was significantly lower in patients than in control and decreased with age in both groups. Number of steps significantly correlated with the number of G and R, walking grade of JOA scores, and total JOA score. One hundred twenty-three patients were retested at 12 months after surgery. In this group, the average data of the step test were 10.4 +/- 5.9 before surgery, and 14.0 +/- 5.4 after surgery, showing significant postoperative improvement (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: A 10 second step test is an easily performed, quantitative task, and useful in assessing the severity of CSM. Moreover, it can be used in determining the effects of decompressive surgical treatment.

Postoperative changes in spinal cord signal intensity in patients with cervical compression myelopathy: comparison between preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance images.

OBJECT: Increased signal intensity of the spinal cord on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was classified pre- and postoperatively in patients with cervical compressive myelopathy. It was investigated whether postoperative classification and alterations of increased signal intensity could reflect the postoperative severity of symptoms and surgical outcomes. METHODS: One hundred and four patients with cervical compressive myelopathy were prospectively enrolled. All were treated using cervical expansive laminoplasty. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in all patients preoperatively and after an average of 39.7 months postoperatively (range 12-90 months). Increased signal intensity of the spinal cord was divided into 3 grades based on sagittal T2-weighted MR images as follows: Grade 0, none; Grade 1, light (obscure); and Grade 2, intense (bright). The severity of myelopathy was evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score for cervical myelopathy and its recovery rate (100% = full recovery). RESULTS: Increased signal intensity was seen in 83% of cases preoperatively and in 70% postoperatively. Preoperatively, there were 18 patients with Grade 0 increased signal intensity, 49 with Grade 1, and 37 with Grade 2; postoperatively, there were 31 with Grade 0, 31 with Grade 1, and 42 with Grade 2. The respective postoperative JOA scores and recovery rates (%) were 13.9/56.7% in patients with postoperative Grade 0, 13.2/50.7% in those with Grade 1, and 12.8/40.1% in those with Grade 2, and these differences were not statistically significant. The postoperative increased signal intensity grade was improved in 16 patients, worsened in 8, and unchanged in 80 (77%). There was no significant correlation between the alterations of increased signal intensity and surgical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative increased signal intensity classification reflected postoperative symptomatology and surgical outcomes to some extent, without statistically significant differences. The alteration of increased signal intensity was seen postoperatively in 24 patients (23%) and was not correlated with surgical outcome.

Laminoplasty and skip laminectomy for cervical compressive myelopathy: range of motion, postoperative neck pain, and surgical outcomes in a randomized prospective study.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized clinical trial in surgical treatment for cervical compressive myelopathy. OBJECTIVE: We prospectively compared modified laminoplasty and skip laminectomy in terms of surgical invasiveness, postoperative range of cervical motion, axial pain, and surgical outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Laminoplasty is an established procedure for the decompression of multisegmental cervical compressive myelopathy. However, it often induces postoperative problems, such as axial pain, restriction of neck motion, and loss of lordotic alignment. Skip laminectomy was recently developed as a minimally invasive procedure. METHODS: Forty-one patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), excluding developmental stenosis, were randomized to modified double-door laminoplasty (Lamino group; n = 21) or skip laminectomy (Skip group; n = 20), and followed for more than 1 year (average, 28.1 months). Of these patients, radiographs were taken in neutral, extension, and flexion positions before surgery and after surgery. The cervical alignment of C2-C7 curvature and range of motion (ROM) were calculated. After surgery patients were asked to rate their neck pain, using the visual analogue scale (VAS) periodically. Clinical outcomes were estimated with the Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system (JOA score). RESULTS: There was no significant difference about operative time and blood loss between Lamino and Skip groups. The C2-C7 lordosis of neutral position in both groups was decreased by a few degrees at final follow-up. The final ROMs were 77.4/88.6% of preoperative ROM, respectively. At all collection times, no significant difference in VAS score of axial pain was seen in either group. There was no significant difference in JOA score between both groups before and after surgery. CONCLUSION: No significant differences were seen between Lamino and Skip groups, in terms of operative invasiveness, axial neck pain, cervical alignment, and ROM, and clinical results in the patients of CSM without developmental stenosis.

A prospective randomized study of preemptive analgesia for postoperative pain in the patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion: continuous subcutaneous morphine, continuous epidural morphine, and diclofenac sodium.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized clinical trial in preemptive analgesia for postoperative pain was conducted. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of three preemptive analgesics combined with local anesthesia: continuous subcutaneous morphine (SC), continuous epidural morphine (ED), and diclofenac sodium (DS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Systemic opioids are known to be effective methods of postoperative pain control. The use of epidural morphine for postoperative analgesia has been a standard treatment in spinal surgery. Only a few studies in the literature have investigated the efficacy of preemptive analgesia using morphine. This is the first prospective randomized clinical trial to assess both subcutaneous and epidural continuous administration of opioids for preemptive analgesia. METHODS: For this study, 73 patients were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups: SC, ED, or DS. All patients underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion with instrumentation. Pain management was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Usage of supplemental analgesics, the time to first request of them, and side effects were also investigated. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were randomized to SC, 23 to ED, and 27 to DS. No baseline variable differences among the three groups were seen. The results showed no significant difference in analgesic effects among those three preemptive analgesics. Only immediately after surgery (at 0 hours), the VAS of the DS group was lowest among three groups. But the DS group took more supplemental analgesic drugs until 72 hours, and the time to first request of this group was shorter than that of the other two groups. High rates of minor side effects were seen in both the ED and DS groups. SC gave moderate analgesic effects as well as the other two groups with few adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: DS provided a favorable effect immediately after surgery, but the effective time was short and the patient needed more supplemental drugs after that. ED did not give the expected effect, with comparatively high rates of side effects. Continuous epidural anesthesia did not seem to be suitable for preemptive analgesia. Continuous subcutaneous morphine brought some analgesic effects with a low rate of complications. It can be an attractive method for postoperative analgesia with technical ease.