Unusual presentation of cervical spine metastases to the ENT surgeon

2012 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Baruah ◽  
C J Randall ◽  
A Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Spinal Metastases ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Radiological Investigation ◽  
Spine Metastases ◽  
Metastatic Lesions ◽  
Spine Pathology ◽  
Histological Confirmation ◽  
High Degree

AbstractObjective:Cervical spine metastases account for 10 per cent of all spinal metastases. We report three cases of cervical spine metastases whose unusual primary presentation was with ENT-related symptoms.Methods:The three patients reported herein did not have a confirmed diagnosis of malignancy at presentation. The first patient presented with stridor, the second presented with dysphagia and the third presented with dysphonia. All patients complained of significant neck pain that preceded and was concomitant to the other symptoms. Clinical suspicion of cervical spine involvement led to radiological investigation with computed tomography, which showed metastatic lesions in the craniovertebral junction and cervical spine region. Histological confirmation of malignancy was obtained for two of the three patients. The condition proved uniformly fatal in the weeks following diagnosis. A review of the literature on this condition was conducted using PubMed and Medline databases.Conclusion:Cervical spine pathology may present initially to the ENT surgeon. A high degree of suspicion of cervical spine involvement should be maintained in elderly patients with persistent or progressive neck pain, with or without other ENT symptoms. Adequate radiological imaging will usually confirm the diagnosis.

Concurrent validity and reliability of telerehabilitation-based physiotherapy assessment of cervical spine in adults with non-specific neck pain

2019 ◽  
pp. 1357633X1986180
Author(s):  
Suresh Mani ◽  
Shobha Sharma ◽  
Devinder KA Singh
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Interclass Correlation ◽  
Active Range Of Motion ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Standard Error Of Measurement

Introduction The aim of this study was to determine the concurrent validity and reliability of telerehabilitation (TR)-based evaluation of the cervical spine among adults with non-specific neck pain (NS-NP). Methods A total of 11 participants with NS-NP were recruited. Pain intensity, active range of motion (AROM), posture, deep neck flexor (DNF) endurance, combined neck movements and disability were measured using face-to-face and TR methods, with a one-hour break in between. TelePTsys, an image-based TR system, was used for TR assessment. Results A high degree of concurrent validity for pain (bias = 0.90), posture (bias = 0.96°), endurance (bias = –2.3 seconds), disability (bias = 0.10), AROM (extension bias = –0.60 cm, flexion bias = 1.2 cm, side flexion bias = –1.00, rotation bias = –0.30 cm) was found. Standard error of measurement and coefficient of variation (CV) values were within the acceptable level for concurrent validity, except the CV for cervical flexion and endurance. There was a high degree of reliability demonstrated for pain, posture, AROM, endurance and disability measurements. The average-measure interclass correlation coefficient (ICC(3,1)) ranged from 0.96 to 0.99 for inter-rater, and 0.93 to 0.99 for intra-rater reliabilities. There was moderate agreement for combination movement for validity (78.5%, p < 0.05), inter- (78.5%, p < 0.05) and intra-rater (76.4%, p < 0.05) reliabilities. Discussion TR-based physiotherapy assessment of cervical spine is a valid and reliable tool for measuring pain intensity, AROM, DNF muscle endurance, sagittal neck posture and disability among adults with NS-NP via telePTsys.

scholarly journals Cervical vertebroplasty for osteolytic metastases as a minimally invasive therapeutic option in oncological surgery: outcome in 14 cases

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. E3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Stangenberg ◽  
Lennart Viezens ◽  
Sven O. Eicker ◽  
Malte Mohme ◽  
Klaus C. Mende ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Vertebral Body ◽  
Spinal Metastases ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Oncological Surgery ◽  
Osteolytic Metastases

OBJECTIVEThe treatment of cervical spinal metastases represents a controversial issue regarding the type, extent, and invasiveness of interventions. In the lumbar and thoracic spine, kypho- and vertebroplasties have been established as minimally invasive procedures for patients with metastases to the vertebral bodies and without neurological deficit. These procedures show good results with respect to pain reduction and low complication rates. However, limited data are available for kypho- and vertebroplasties for cervical spinal metastases. In an effort to add to existing data, the authors here present a case series of 14 patients who were treated for osteolytic metastases of the cervical spine using vertebroplasty alone or in addition to another surgical procedure involving the cervical spine in a palliative setting to reduce pain and restore stability.METHODSFourteen patients consisting of 8 males and 6 females, with a mean age of 64.7 years (range 44–85 years), were treated with vertebroplasty at the authors’ clinic between January 2015 and November 2016. In total, 25 vertebrae were treated with vertebroplasty: 10 C-2, 5 C-3, 2 C-4, 2 C-5, 3 C-6, and 3 C-7. Two patients had an additional posterior stabilization and 5 patients an additional anterior stabilization. In 13 cases, the surgical approach was a modified Smith-Robinson approach; in 1 case, the cement was injected into the corpus axis from posteriorly. Patients with osteolytic defects of the posterior wall of the vertebral body did not undergo surgery, nor did patients with neurological deficits. Preoperatively, on the 2nd day after surgery, and at the follow-up, neck pain was rated using the visual analog scale (VAS).RESULTSTwelve patients were examined at follow-up (mean 9 months). Neck pain was rated as a mean of 6.0 (range 3–8) preoperatively, 2.9 on Day 2 after surgery (range 0–5), and 0.5 at the follow-up (range 0–4), according to the VAS. The mean Neck Disability Index at follow-up was 3.6% (range 0%–18%).CONCLUSIONSAnterior vertebroplasty of the cervical spine via an anterolateral approach represents a safe and minimally invasive procedure with a low complication rate and appears suitable for reducing pain and restoring stability in cases of cervical spinal metastases. Vertebroplasties can be combined with other anterior and posterior operations of the cervical spine and, in the axis vertebra, can be performed transpedicularly from posteriorly. Thus, in cases in which the posterior wall of the vertebral body is intact, vertebroplasty represents a less invasive alternative to vertebral replacement in oncological surgery. Prospective randomized trials with a longer follow-up period and a larger patient cohort are needed to confirm the encouraging results of this case series.

Metastases to the Craniovertebral Junction

Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl_3) ◽  
pp. A113-A118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh D. Moulding ◽  
Mark H. Bilsky
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Spinal Metastases ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
External Beam Radiation ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Beam Radiation ◽  
Flexion Extension

Abstract OBJECTIVE This study reviews the relevant literature regarding the management of craniovertebral junction (CVJ) metastases. These rare tumors present significant diagnostic and treatment challenges. METHODS A PubMed search of cervical spine, cervical spine metastasis, craniovertebral junction, atlantoaxial spine, and metastasis radiation was conducted to define the epidemiology, imaging, and treatment protocols in the management of metastatic CVJ tumors. RESULTS CVJ tumors represent less than 1% of spinal metastases, and the literature is limited to small case series. CVJ tumors present with flexion, extension, and rotational pain, often associated with occipital neuralgia. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most sensitive imaging modality for the detection of spinal metastases, but plain x-rays, computed tomography, and [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose play a role in diagnosis and management. Conventional external beam radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery effectively treat the majority of patients with normal spinal alignment or minimal fracture subluxations. Surgery should be considered in patients with fracture subluxations greater than 5 mm, or 3.5 mm subluxation with 11-degree angulation. The palliative goals for surgery favor posterior approaches only including laminectomy for decompression, without the need for anterior approaches with the associated morbidity. Occipitocervical instrumentation using screw-rod systems are effective for irreducible subluxations, but posterior strategies using C1–C2 or C1–C3 can be used for patients with reducible subluxations. CONCLUSION Effective management of CVJ tumors using radiation and/or surgery results in significant pain and functional improvement in properly selected patients. Advanced surgical techniques and stereotactic radiation may improve outcomes with less morbidity.

scholarly journals Surgical consideration in posterior C1-2 instrumentation in case of vertebral artery anomaly

2019 ◽  
pp. 482-485
Author(s):  
Harshad Patil ◽  
Nitin Garg
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Anatomic Variation ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Anatomical Variations ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Upper Cervical Spine ◽  
Management Option ◽  
Spine Pathology ◽  
Upper Cervical

Anatomical variations in the course of the vertebral artery have been previously described in the literature. Generally, these predictable patterns of variations commonly observed in lower cervical vertebral artery anatomy and less commonly described for upper cervical vertebral artery anatomy. Due to presence of these variations, treatment options for upper cervical spine pathology may be influenced and sometimes prevent commonly performed stabilization procedures.  Herein author presented a case of vertebral artery anatomic variation at the craniovertebral junction and management option for such variations.

scholarly journals Metastases to the craniovertebral junction: illustrative case report and review of literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1825
Author(s):  
Chandramouleeswaran Venkatraman ◽  
Sindhuja Lakshminarasimhan ◽  
Pratheep Kumar S. ◽  
Krishnaprasad Thuvarapalayam Periasamy
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Metastatic Lesion ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Cervical Cord ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Lower Cranial Nerve ◽  
Metastatic Lesions ◽  
Cranial Nerve Palsies

Metastases at the craniovertebral junction represent 0.5-1% of spinal metastatic lesions. Common primary sites include breast, lung and prostate carcinoma. Initial presenting features include neck pain and occipital neuralgia. High index of suspicion is required to recognize this entity in patients presenting with neck pain. If left unrecognized, these metastatic lesions have the propensity to cause catastrophic collapse leading to significant morbidity and mortality due to fracture subluxation and spinal cord compression. Here we discuss such a patient who presented with acute onset quadriparesis and lower cranial nerve palsies due to metastatic lesion involving the C1 and C2 vertebra causing medullary and cervical cord compression. Early detection and timely intervention are key to improving outcomes in such patients.

scholarly journals Cervicovestibular rehabilitation in adult with mild traumatic brain injury: a randomised controlled trial protocol

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Langevin ◽  
Philippe Fait ◽  
Pierre Frémont ◽  
Jean-Sébastien Roy
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Conventional Approach ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Link Type

Abstract Background Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is an acknowledged public health problem. Up to 25% of adult with mTBI present persistent symptoms. Headache, dizziness, nausea and neck pain are the most commonly reported symptoms and are frequently associated with cervical spine and vestibular impairments. The most recent international consensus statement (2017 Berlin consensus) recommends the addition of an individualized rehabilitation approach for mTBI with persistent symptoms. The addition of an individualized rehabilitation approach including the evaluation and treatment of cervical and vestibular impairments leading to symptoms such as neck pain, headache and dizziness is, however, recommended based only on limited scientific evidence. The benefit of such intervention should therefore be further investigated. Objective To compare the addition of a 6-week individualized cervicovestibular rehabilitation program to a conventional approach of gradual sub-threshold physical activation (SPA) alone in adults with persistent headache, neck pain and/or dizziness-related following a mTBI on the severity of symptoms and on other indicators of clinical recovery. We hypothesize that such a program will improve all outcomes faster than a conventional approach (between-group differences at 6-week and 12-week). Methods In this single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 46 adults with subacute (3 to12 weeks post-injury) persistent mTBI symptoms will be randomly assigned to: 1) a 6-week SPA program or 2) SPA combined with a cervicovestibular rehabilitation program. The cervicovestibular rehabilitation program will include education, cervical spine manual therapy and exercises, vestibular rehabilitation and home exercises. All participants will take part in 4 evaluation sessions (baseline, week 6, 12 and 26) performed by a blinded evaluator. The primary outcome will be the Post-Concussion Symptoms Scale. The secondary outcomes will be time to clearance to return to function, number of recurrent episodes, Global Rating of Change, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Headache Disability Inventory and Dizziness Handicap Inventory. A 2-way ANOVA and an intention-to-treat analysis will be used. Discussion Controlled trials are needed to determine the best rehabilitation approach for mTBI with persistent symptoms such as neck pain, headache and dizziness. This RCT will be crucial to guide future clinical management recommendations. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier - NCT03677661, Registered on September, 15th 2018.

Immediate effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching of hamstring muscles on straight leg raise, craniovertebral angle, and cervical spine range of motion in neck pain patients with hamstring tightness: A prospective randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Eun-Dong Jeong ◽  
Chang-Yong Kim ◽  
Nack-Hwan Kim ◽  
Hyeong-Dong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
T Test ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Straight Leg Raise ◽  
Pain Patients ◽  
Group Effects

BACKGROUND: The cranio-cervical flexion exercise and sub-occipital muscle inhibition technique have been used to improve a forward head posture among neck pain patients with straight leg raise (SLR) limitation. However, little is known about the cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) and cervical spine range of motion (CROM) after applying stretching methods to the hamstring muscle. OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate effects of static stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on SLR, CVA, and CROM in neck pain patients with hamstring tightness. METHODS: 64 subjects were randomly allocated to the static stretching (n1= 32) or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (n2= 32) stretching group. The SLR test was performed to measure the hamstring muscle’s flexibility and tightness between the two groups, with CROM and CVA also being measured. The paired t-test was used to compare all the variables within each group before and after the intervention. The independent t-test was used to compare the two groups before and after the stretching exercise. RESULTS: There were no between-group effects for any outcome variables (P> 0.05). However, all SLR, CVA, and CROM outcome variables were significantly improved within-group (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There were no between-group effects for any outcome variable; however, SLR, CVA, and CROM significantly improved within-group after the one-session intervention in neck pain patients with hamstring tightness.

scholarly journals Tropism of Sub-Axial Cervical Facet Joints Is Not Related to Segmental Movement during Active Movement or Therapist-Perceived Symptomatic Locations

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 739
Author(s):  
Neil Tuttle ◽  
Kerrie Evans ◽  
Clarice Sperotto dos Santos Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Active Movement ◽  
Facet Joints ◽  
Segmental Mobility ◽  
Limited Mobility ◽  
Translational Movement ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Cervical Facet ◽  
The Relationship

Tropism, or asymmetry, of facet joints in the cervical spine has been found to be related to degenerative changes of the joints and discs. Clinicians often assume that differences in segmental mobility are related to tropism. The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between asymmetry of facet joints in the sub-axial cervical spine and (1) segmental mobility and (2) spinal levels perceived by therapists to have limited mobility. Eighteen participants with idiopathic neck pain had MRIs of their cervical spine in neutral and at the end of active rotation. Angular movement and translational movement of each motion segment was calculated from 3D segmentations of the vertebrae. A plane was fitted to the facet on each side. Tropism was considered to be the difference in the orientation of the facet planes and ranged from 1 to 30° with a median of 7.7°. No relationships were found between the extent of tropism and either segmental movement or locations deemed to be symptomatic. Tropism in the sub-axial cervical spine does not appear to be related to segmental mobility in rotation or to levels deemed to be symptomatic.

scholarly journals THU0453 THIRD OCCIPITAL NERVE RADIO-FREQUENCY UNDER FLUOROSCOPIC GUIDANCE IN MANAGEMENT OF CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 463.2-464
Author(s):  
A. Alawamy ◽  
M. Hassanien ◽  
E. Talaat ◽  
E. Kamel
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Neck Disability Index ◽  
Cervicogenic Headache ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fluoroscopic Guidance ◽  
Occipital Nerve ◽  
Nocturnal Pain ◽  
Neck Disability

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis is a common type of autoimmune arthritis characterized by chronic inflammation. Cervical spine is often affected specially in long lasting diseaseObjectives:Evaluate efficacy of Third occipital nerve Radiofrequency under fluoroscopic guidance to treat refractory cervicogenic headache in RA patients.Methods:The current study was revised and approved from the local ethical committee of Faculty of Medicine; Assiut University, then registered in the clinical trials under the number ofNCT03852355. Inclusion criteria included, Patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) (2010) criteria for RA and suffering from upper neck pain and/or headache due to bilateral 3rd occipital nerve involvement, excluding other local cervical spine pathologies was confirmed by MRI and previously failed conservative treatment for at least three months prior to enrollment. Sixty adult patients were randomly assigned to one of the two studied groups Group 1 (RF, n = 30), received bilateral Third occipital nerve Radiofrequency under fluoroscopic guidance or Group 2 (control group, n = 30), received oral prednisolone 10 mg/day. The two groups were then followed-up with neck disability index (NDI), nocturnal neck pain VAS score and headache score every two weeks for three months. Sleep disturbance, sleep disability index were reassessed six months post intervention. Post interventional assessment was done by pain physician who were kept blind to the grouping process.Results:Neck disability index (1ry outcome), Nocturnal pain VAS, and severity of headache showed significant differences during the whole post-interventional study period. The patients in RF group demonstrated significant improvement of pain in comparison to baseline value over the whole six months with p-value < 0.001 as regard to the fore-mentioned three parameters. On the other aspect, the control group patients showed significant improvement in comparison to its baseline value after the 2nd, 12th and 24th weeks only as follows: (0.001,0.003, 0.003 for the NDI) (p values of 0.02,0.01, 0.01 for the nocturnal pain VAS), (0.001 0.009, 0.005 for the headache VAS severity.Conclusion:Radiofrequency of 3rd occipital nerve is effective in treatment of refractory cervicogenic headache in RA.Disclosure of Interests: :None declared

Disparities in Patterns of Conventional Versus Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Spine Metastasis in the United States

2020 ◽  
pp. 082585972098220
Author(s):  
Ellen Kim ◽  
Shearwood McClelland ◽  
Jerry J. Jaboin ◽  
Albert Attia
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Private Insurance ◽  
Spinal Metastases ◽  
The United States ◽  
External Beam Radiation ◽  
Beam Radiation ◽  
Cancer Data ◽  
Spine Metastases ◽  
Population Type

Introduction: The improved survival of patients even with metastatic cancer has led to an increase in the incidence of spine metastases, suggesting the need for a more aggressive palliative treatment than conventional external beam radiation therapy (cEBRT). Consequently, spinal stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has increased in popularity over the past decade. However, there has been no comparison of patterns of usage of cEBRT versus SBRT in the treatment of spinal metastases in the US. Methods: The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) from 2004-2013 was used for analysis. cEBRT was defined as 30 Gy in 10 fractions, 20 Gy in 5 fractions, or 8 Gy in 1 fraction. SBRT was defined as 25-32 Gy infive5 fractions, 24-32 Gy in 4 fractions, 20-32 Gy in three fractions, 14-32 Gy in 2 fractions, or 14-24 Gy in 1 fraction. Single and multivariable associations between patient demographic and cancer characteristics and type of radiation were performed. Results: From 2004-2013, 23,181 patients with spinal metastases in the United States received cEBRT, while 1,030 received SBRT as part of their first course of treatment. Most patients (88%) received 10 fractions of radiation. Multivariable analysis suggested that non-Medicare or private insurance (adjusted OR 0.4-0.7), African-American race (adjusted OR = 0.8, 95%CI = 0.7-1.0), age 65+ (adjusted OR = 0.8), living in a region with lower population (adjusted OR 0.7), earlier year of diagnosis (OR = 0.9), and receiving treatment in a non-academic/research facility (adjusted OR 0.6) were associated with cEBRT. After controlling for other variables, regional education level was no longer significantly associated with cEBRT. Conclusions: Most patients with spine metastases were treated with cEBRT, usually with 10 fractions. Receipt of SBRT was significantly associated with race, insurance, geography, population, type of treatment facility, and year of diagnosis, even after controlling for other factors. These findings raise questions about disparities in access to and delivery of care that deserve further investigation.

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