Treatment of kyphotic deformities in adults: our experience.

PURPOSE: Many degenerative phenomena frequently result into kyphotic lumbar and thoracic deformities or cause their progression combined with deformities on the frontal plane of the spine. In these patients, the progression of the sagittal imbalance may lead to a series of disabling functional and painful consequences. The analysis of the spinopelvic parameters biases the choice of the correction surgical strategy aimed at restoring a good tri-dimensional and sagittal balance of the spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sample included 62 patients treated in our Operation Unit that were enrolled for evaluation; they were affected with prevailing sagittal deformities. RESULTS: Clinical results were evaluated through the administration of SF-36, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Roland Morris (RM), and visual analogical scale (VAS). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, patients with sagittal imbalance and short fusion areas show a higher risk of correction loss; the arthrodesis area must include the thoracolumbar junction, and it is often necessary to include the whole thoracic spine in the arthrodesis area. This is to avoid any loss of correction, implants mobilization, and proximal hyperkyphosis.

Comparison of single-level L4-L5 versus L5-S1 lumbar disc replacement: results and prognostic factors.

The aim of our prospective non-randomized clinical study was to analyze operative data, short-term results, safety, efficacy, complications, and prognostic factors for single-level total lumbar disc replacement (TLDR), and to compare results between different levels (L4-L5 vs. L5-S1). Thirty-six patients with single-level L4-L5 or L5-S1 TLDR, with 1-year minimum follow-up (FU), had complete clinical [SF36, visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)] and radiological data, and were included in our study. Mean FU was 38.67 +/- 17.34 months. Replaced level was L4-L5 in 12 (33.3%) cases, and L5-S1 in 24 cases (66.7%). Mean age at diagnosis was 41.17 +/- 7.14 years. 24 (66.7%) were females and 12 (33.3%) were males. Statistical analyses were assessed using t tests or Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables and Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test analyses for categorical variables. Univariate linear regression and binary logistic regression analyses were utilized to evaluate the relationship between surgical outcomes and covariates (gender, age, etiology, treated level, pre-operative SF36, ODI, and VAS). Mean operative time was 147.03 +/- 30.03 min. Mean hospital stay was 9.69 +/- 5.39 days, and mean return to ambulation was 4.31 +/- 1.17 days. At 1-year FU, patients revealed a statistical significant improvement in VAS pain (P = 0.000), ODI lumbar function (P = 0.000), and SF36 general health status (P = 0.000). Single-level TLDR is a good alternative to fusion for chronic discogenic low back pain refractory to conservative measures. Our study confirmed satisfactory clinical results for monosegmental L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc prosthesis, with no difference between the two different levels for SF36 (P = 0.217), ODI (P = 0.527), and VAS (P = 0.269). However, replacement of the L4-L5 disc is affected by an increased risk of complication (P = 0.000). There were no prognostic factors for intraoperative blood loss or return to ambulation. Age (P = 0.034) was the only prognostic factor for operative time. Hospital stay was affected by level (P = 0.036) and pre-op VAS (P = 0.006), while complications were affected by the level (P = 0.000) and pre-op ODI (P = 0.049). Complete pre-operative assessment (in particular VAS and ODI questionnaires) is important because more debilitating patients will have more hospital stay and higher complications or complaints. Patients had to be informed that complications, possibly severe, are particularly frequent (80.6%).

Traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory dislocation in adults.

Pure traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory dislocation (TAARD) is a possible cause of torticollis in children, but very rare in adults. Aim of this study is to report three very rare cases of TAARD in adults, focusing anatomy, management, and outcome. All 3 patients had a head-on automobile accident. Cases included a 26-year old woman, a 21-year old woman, and a 29-year-old man. The first case had a 45-day delay in diagnosis; the second and third cases were suspected to have odontoid lateral mass asymmetry on transoral radiographs. In all cases CT scan confirmed diagnosis and clarified the type of subluxation. All had conservative treatment with reduction and immobilization with Halo-Vest for case 1 and 2, and a rigid cervical collar for case 3. After follow-up of 10 years for case 1 and 2, and 3 years for case 3, all had no sign of C1-C2 complex mobility/instability. Patients 2 and 3 had complete and pain free cervical spine range of motion, while case 1 had stiffness and straightness of the cervical spine, headache, and nerve roots deficits, probably due to the complex cervical spine injury with sagittal imbalance on X-ray and C5-C6 spinal cord compression (pre-existing the trauma). TAARD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of post-traumatic neck pain and limitation, with or without evident torticollis, even in adults. CT scan is mandatory for a correct evaluation of C1-C2 complex. Conservative treatment with reduction followed by 50-60 days of rigid cervical immobilization (3 months in delayed diagnosis) is usually effective. Delay in diagnosis could be the cause of a poor outcome.

Transoral kyphoplasty for tumors in C2.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The management of tumors of the C2 body remains controversial. In cancer patients, major procedures may be contraindicated, and nonoperative treatment could fail. PURPOSE: To describe a new surgical technique, the transoral kyphoplasty, that we performed in 3 cases of tumors in C2 after nonoperative treatment failure. STUDY DESIGN: Case series of three patients. PATIENT SAMPLE: Three patients from the senior author's practice. OUTCOME MEASURES: To reduce pain and avoid both C2 collapse and prolonged immobilization, transoral kyphoplasties were performed. METHODS: From February 2004 to January 2006, three cases of tumors in C2 did not show healing after nonoperative treatments. RESULTS: No complications and/or complaints were related to the procedure. There were no C2-related symptoms or neurological problems. The first patient died 8 months after surgery. The second and the third are alive with follow-ups of 2 years and 6 months, respectively. In all cases, cervical motion was restored, and patients are pain free, with no findings regarding pathologic mobility/instability on X-ray and computed tomography scan. CONCLUSIONS: Transoral kyphoplasty proved to be safe, quick, and effective in reducing pain and avoiding vertebral collapse in patients with tumors in C2 not responding to nonoperative treatment.