Anterior Canal Reconstruction and Fusion for Myelopathy Caused by Degenerative Cervical Kyphosis and Stenosis With or Without Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Haisong Yang ◽  
Yuling Sun ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
Qunfeng Guo ◽  
Jingjing Jiang ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Li ◽  
Liang Zhu ◽  
Guochun Zha ◽  
Yong Pang ◽  
Xin Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In patients with multilevel cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), whether radiological factors affect the efficacy of posterior cervical surgery and which posterior surgery is more suitable and better in patients with different imaging manifestations remain to be elucidated. Methods From January 2012 to January 2018, 141 patients with multi-segmental OPLL underwent posterior cervical surgery, including 73 cases of laminoplasty (LP group) and 68 cases of laminectomy with fusion (LF group). Clinical and radiological results were compared between the groups. Patients were followed up for at least 2 years. Results At the last follow-up, significant differences in neck disability index (NDI), cervical range of motion, and C2–C7 Cobb angle were found between the two groups (P < 0.05). In the cervical kyphosis, K-line-negative, and OPLL occupying ratio(OR) > 60% groups, the


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanna Sum Sum Kwok ◽  
Jason Pui Yin Cheung

Abstract Background The debate between anterior or posterior approach for pathologies such as cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) have drawn heated debate but are still inconclusive. Main body of the abstract A narrative review was performed specifically to study the differences pertaining to OPLL and other causes of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Current evidence suggests that anterior approach is preferred for K-line (−) OPLL, K-line (+) with canal occupying ratio > 60% and DCM with pre-existing cervical kyphosis. Posterior approach is preferred for K-line (+) OPLL with canal-occupying ratio < 50–60%, and multi-level CSM. No particular advantage for either approach was observed for DCM in a lordotic cervical spine. Anterior approach is generally associated with more complications and thus needs to be weighed carefully during decision-making. The evidence is not convincing for comparing single versus multi-level involvement, and the role of patients' co-morbidity status, pre-existing osteoporosis and co-existent spinal pathologies in influencing patient outcome and surgical options. This should be a platform for future research directives. Conclusion From this review, evidence is still inconclusive but there are some factors to consider, and DCM and OPLL should be considered separately for decision-making. Anterior approach is considered for pre-existing cervical kyphosis in DCM, for K-line (−) regardless of canal-occupying ratio, and K-line (+) and canal-occupying ratio > 60% for OPLL patients. Posterior approach is considered for patients with multi-level pathology for DCM, and K-line (+) and canal-occupying ratio < 50–60% for OPLL.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 831-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anand H. Segar ◽  
Alexander Riccio ◽  
Michael Smith ◽  
Themistocles S. Protopsaltis

Total uncinate process resection or uncinectomy is often required in the setting of severe foraminal stenosis or cervical kyphosis correction. The proximity of the uncus to the vertebral artery, nerve root, and spinal cord makes this a challenging undertaking. Use of a high-speed burr or ultrasonic bone dissector can be associated with direct injury to the vertebral artery and thermal injury to the surrounding structures. The use of an osteotome is a safe and efficient method of uncinectomy. Here the authors describe their technique, which is illustrated with an intraoperative video.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-206
Author(s):  
Kei Ando ◽  
Kazuyoshi Kobayashi ◽  
Masaaki Machino ◽  
Kyotaro Ota ◽  
Satoshi Tanaka ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between morphological changes in thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL) and postoperative neurological recovery after thoracic posterior fusion surgery. Changes of OPLL morphology and postoperative recovery in cases with T-OPLL have not been examined.METHODSIn this prospective study, the authors evaluated data from 44 patients (23 male and 21 female) who underwent posterior decompression and fusion surgery with instrumentation for the treatment of T-OPLL at our hospital. The patients’ mean age at surgery was 50.7 years (range 38–68 years). The minimum duration of follow-up was 2 years. The location of thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (T-OLF), T-OLF at the OPLL level, OPLL morphology, fusion range, estimated blood loss, operative time, pre- and postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, and JOA recovery rate were investigated. Reconstructed sagittal multislice CT images were obtained before and at 3 and 6 months and 1 and 2 years after surgery. The basic fusion area was 3 vertebrae above and below the OPLL lesion. All parameters were compared between patients with and without continuity across the disc space at the OPLL at 3 and 6 months after surgery.RESULTSThe preoperative morphology of OPLL was discontinuous across the disc space between the rostral and caudal ossification regions on sagittal CT images in all but one of the patients. Postoperatively, these segments became continuous in 42 patients (97.7%; occurring by 6.6 months on average) without progression of OPLL thickness. Patients with continuity at 3 months had significantly lower rates of diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05) and motor palsy in the lower extremities (p < 0.01). The group with continuity also had significantly higher mean postoperative JOA scores at 3 (p < 0.01) and 6 (p < 0.05) months and mean JOA recovery rates at 3 and 6 months (both p < 0.01) after surgery.CONCLUSIONSPreoperatively, discontinuity of rostral and caudal ossified lesions was found on CT in all patients but one of this group of 44 patients who needed surgery for T-OPLL. Rigid fixation with instrumentation may have allowed these segments to connect at the OPLL. Such OPLL continuity at an early stage after surgery may accelerate spinal cord recovery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Cristiano Balzanelli ◽  
Daniele Spataro ◽  
Luca Oscar Redaelli de Zinis

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and analyze clinical parameters of benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV) in a pediatric age. A cohort of 423 children under the age of 15 (median age 11. interquartile range 9–13) was submitted to vestibular assessment for balance disorders. Dix-Hallpike and Roll-Supine tests were performed to look for positioning nystagmus using video-infrared goggles. BPPV was found in 43 of 423 children evaluated for balance disorders (10.2%). There were 28 females (65.1%) and 15 (34.9%) males. The posterior canal was involved in 79% of cases and the horizontal canal in 21% of cases. No apogeotropic bilateral or anterior canal form were seen. Thus, BPPV is not an infrequent type of vertigo in children and must be evaluated as soon as possible in order to plan the most appropriate maneuver and restore daily activities as soon as possible, avoiding anxiety and fear.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Michel Lacour ◽  
Alain Thiry ◽  
Laurent Tardivet

BACKGROUND: The crucial role of early vestibular rehabilitation (VR) to recover a dynamic semicircular canal function was recently highlighted in patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH). However, wide inter-individual differences were observed, suggesting that parameters other than early rehabilitation are involved. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine to what extent the degree of vestibular loss assessed by the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) gain could be an additional parameter interfering with rehabilitation in the recovery process. And to examine whether different VR protocols have the same effectiveness with regard to the aVOR recovery. METHODS: The aVOR gain and the percentage of compensatory saccades were recorded in 81 UVH patients with the passive head impulse test before and after early VR (first two weeks after vertigo onset: N = 43) or late VR (third to sixth week after onset: N = 38) performed twice a week for four weeks. VR was performed either with the unidirectional rotation paradigm or gaze stability exercises. Supplementary outcomes were the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) score, and the static and dynamic subjective visual vertical. RESULTS: The cluster analysis differentiated two distinct populations of UVH patients with pre-rehab aVOR gain values on the hypofunction side below 0.20 (N = 42) or above 0.20 (N = 39). The mean gain values were respectively 0.07±0.05 and 0.34±0.12 for the lateral canal (p <  0.0001), 0.09±0.06 and 0.44±0.19 for the anterior canal (p <  0.0001). Patients with aVOR gains above 0.20 and early rehab fully recovered dynamic horizontal canal function (0.84±0.14) and showed very few compensatory saccades (18.7% ±20.1%) while those with gains below 0.20 and late rehab did not improve their aVOR gain value (0.16±0.09) and showed compensatory saccades only (82.9% ±23.7%). Similar results were found for the anterior canal function. Recovery of the dynamic function of the lateral canal was found with both VR protocols while it was observed with the gaze stability exercises only for the anterior canal. All the patients reduced their DHI score, normalized their static SVV, and exhibited uncompensated dynamic SVV. CONCLUSIONS: Early rehab is a necessary but not sufficient condition to fully recover dynamic canal function. The degree of vestibular loss plays a crucial role too, and to be effective rehabilitation protocols must be carried out in the plane of the semicircular canals.


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