scholarly journals Nontraumatic Spondylolisthesis of the Axis with Cervical Kyphosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Shuhei Mizobuchi ◽  
Nobuaki Tadokoro ◽  
Shogo Takaya ◽  
Katsuhito Kiyasu ◽  
Ryuichi Takemasa ◽  
...  

This study aimed at presenting a rare nontraumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis and considering its possible cause. Traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis, called hangman’s fracture, frequently occurs as a high-energy trauma. However, nontraumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis is quite rare, and relevant literature on this condition is scarce. We reported a case of a 49-year-old man who had spondylolisthesis of the axis without experiencing a traumatic episode. Plain radiograph and CT image showed 7.0 mm anterolisthesis of the axis. Both C2 and C3 facet joints positioned asymmetrically, and the unilateral side oriented coronally, which was less resistant to rotational motion. These facet joint abnormalities could cause segmental instability and spondylolisthesis of the axis. Due to the resultant myelopathy, the slip with cord compression was surgically corrected by posterior decompression with instrumented fusion.

2007 ◽  
Vol 46 (01) ◽  
pp. 38-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Schulz ◽  
I. Nickel ◽  
A. Nömayr ◽  
A. H. Vija ◽  
C. Hocke ◽  
...  

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine the clinical relevance of compensating SPECT data for patient specific attenuation by the use of CT data simultaneously acquired with SPECT/CT when analyzing the skeletal uptake of polyphosphonates (DPD). Furthermore, the influence of misregistration between SPECT and CT data on uptake ratios was investigated. Methods: Thirty-six data sets from bone SPECTs performed on a hybrid SPECT/CT system were retrospectively analyzed. Using regions of interest (ROIs), raw counts were determined in the fifth lumbar vertebral body, its facet joints, both anterior iliacal spinae, and of the whole transversal slice. ROI measurements were performed in uncorrected (NAC) and attenuation-corrected (AC) images. Furthermore, the ROI measurements were also performed in AC scans in which SPECT and CT images had been misaligned by 1 cm in one dimension beforehand (ACX, ACY, ACZ). Results: After AC, DPD uptake ratios differed significantly from the NAC values in all regions studied ranging from 32% for the left facet joint to 39% for the vertebral body. AC using misaligned pairs of patient data sets led to a significant change of whole-slice uptake ratios whose differences ranged from 3,5 to 25%. For ACX, the average left-to-right ratio of the facet joints was by 8% and for the superior iliacal spines by 31% lower than the values determined for the matched images (p <0.05). Conclusions: AC significantly affects DPD uptake ratios. Furthermore, misalignment between SPECT and CT may introduce significant errors in quantification, potentially also affecting leftto- right ratios. Therefore, at clinical evaluation of attenuation- corrected scans special attention should be given to possible misalignments between SPECT and CT.


2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. E1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Li ◽  
Chirag Patil ◽  
John R. Adler ◽  
Shivanand P. Lad ◽  
Scott G. Soltys ◽  
...  

Object By targeting the medial branches of the dorsal rami, radiofrequency ablation and facet joint injections can provide temporary amelioration of facet joint–producing (or facetogenic) back pain. The authors used CyberKnife radiosurgery to denervate affected facet joints with the goal of obtaining a less invasive yet more thorough and durable antinociceptive rhizotomy. Methods Patients with refractory low-back pain, in whom symptoms are temporarily resolved by facet joint injections, were eligible. The patients were required to exhibit positron emission tomography–positive findings at the affected levels. Radiosurgical rhizotomy, targeting the facet joint, was performed in a single session with a marginal prescription dose of 40 Gy and a maximal dose of 60 Gy. Results Seven facet joints in 5 patients with presumptive facetogenic back pain underwent CyberKnife lesioning. The median follow-up was 9.8 months (range 3–16 months). The mean planning target volume was 1.7 cm3 (range 0.9–2.7 cm3). A dose of 40 Gy was prescribed to a mean isodose line of 79% (range 75–80%). Within 1 month of radiosurgery, improvement in pain was observed in 3 of the 5 patients with durable responses at 16, 12, and 6 months, respectively, of follow-up. Two patients, after 12 and 3 months of follow-up, have neither improved nor worsened. No patient has experienced acute or late-onset toxicity. Conclusions These preliminary results suggest that CyberKnife radiosurgery could be a safe, effective, and non-invasive alternative to radiofrequency ablation for managing facetogenic back pain. No patient suffered recurrent symptoms after radiosurgery. It is not yet known whether pain relief due to such lesions will be more durable than that produced by alternative procedures. A larger series of patients with long-term follow-up is ongoing.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. E1148-E1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tzuu-Yuan Huang ◽  
Kung-Shing Lee ◽  
Tai-Hsin Tsai ◽  
Yu-Feng Su ◽  
Shiuh-Lin Hwang

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Symptomatic lumbar disc herniation is common. Migration of a free disc fragment is usually found in rostral, caudal, or lateral directions. Posterior epidural migration is very rare. We report the first case with posterior epidural migration and sequestration into bilateral facet joints of a free disc fragment. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 78-year-old female presented with low back pain and right leg pain. Plain radiographs showed lumbar spondylolisthesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a posterior epidural mass and intrafacet mass, which was hypointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. The lesion in the left L3-4 facet joint had rim enhancement, whereas the right one was not contrasted after gadolinium injection. Preoperative differential diagnosis included abscess, tumor, hematoma, or synovial cyst. An interbody cage fusion at L3-4 and L4-5 for spondylolisthesis was performed, and a hybrid technique was applied with the Dynesys flexible rod system at L3-S1 for multisegment degenerative disc disease. The lesion proved to be an epidural disc fragment with sequestration into bilateral facet joints. CONCLUSION A free disc fragment should be considered in the differential diagnosis of posterior epidural lesions, and even in the facet joint.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Charandeep Singh Gandhoke ◽  
Siu Kei David Mak ◽  
Nishal Kishinchand Primalani ◽  
Eng Tah Goh ◽  
Hwei Yee Lee ◽  
...  

Background: Juxtafacet cysts, synovial and ganglion cysts, emanate from the facet joints. Patients with these cysts are typically asymptomatic but may rarely present with radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. Case Description: A 72-year-old female presented with a 1-month history of progressive lower extremity weakness (left more than right), numbness, and urinary incontinence. Notably, she also had a C7 sensory level to pin appreciation of 1-month duration. The magnetic resonance imaging showed an extradural C7 cystic lesion whose capsule enhanced with gadolinium, causing severe cord compression. The patient underwent a left C7 hemilaminectomy for complete excision of the cyst; postoperatively in 2-weeks duration, she regained full neurological function. The final histopathology was consistent with a ganglion cyst. Conclusion: Cervical juxtafacet cysts rarely cause compressive myelopathy. They may be readily diagnosed and resected with excellent postoperative outcomes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 745-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catarina C. Lins ◽  
Diego T. Prado ◽  
Andrei F. Joaquim

ABSTRACT Surgical treatment is well accepted for patients with traumatic cervical facet joint dislocations (CFD), but there is uncertainty over which approach is better: anterior, posterior or combined. We performed a systematic literature review to evaluate the indications for anterior and posterior approaches in the management of CFD. Anterior approaches can restore cervical lordosis, and cause less postoperative pain and less wound problems. Posterior approaches are useful for direct reduction of locked facet joints and provide stronger fixation from a biomechanical point of view. Combined approaches can be used in more complex cases. Although both anterior and posterior approaches can be used interchangeably, there are some patients who may benefit from one of them over the other, as discussed in this review. Surgeons who treat cervical spine trauma should be able to perform both procedures as well as combined approaches to adequately manage CFD and improve patients’ final outcomes.


2018 ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Jason Liounakos ◽  
G. Damian Brusko ◽  
Michael Y. Wang

Cervical spine fractures resulting in a dislocation often occur with a high-energy trauma. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of a fracture can be obtained with a CT scan. Controversy exists as to whether closed reduction should be performed prior to obtaining an MRI due to concerns of traumatic disc herniation. Closed reduction of a fracture with a traumatic disc herniation can potentially worsen a neurologic deficit by creating more severe cord compression. Open or closed reduction of a cervical fracture should be followed by internal fixation. Anterior, posterior, or circumferential fixation should be instituted on a case-by-case basis. Postoperative care in an intensive care unit includes maintaining adequate mean arterial pressure for spinal cord perfusion, and monitoring for signs of neurogenic shock.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshimi Aizawa ◽  
Hiroshi Ozawa ◽  
Takeshi Hoshikawa ◽  
Takashi Kusakabe ◽  
Eiji Itoi

Cervical myelopathy is caused by degenerative processes of the spine including intervertebral disc herniation and posterior spur usually developing at C3/4 to C5/6. C7/T1 single level myelopathy is very rare because of the anatomical characteristics. Facet joint arthrosis can be a cause of cervical myelopathy but only a few cases have been reported. The authors report an extremely rare case of C7/T1 myelopathy caused by facet joint arthrosis. A 58-year-old male presented with hand and gait clumsiness. The radiological examinations revealed severe C7/T1 facet joint arthrosis with bony spur extending into the spinal canal, which compressed the spinal cord laterally. The T1 spinous process indicated nonunion of a “clay-shoveler's” fracture, which suggested that his cervico-thoracic spine had been frequently moved, and thus severe arthrosis had occurred in the facet joints. A right hemilaminectomy of C7 and C7/T1 facetectomy with single level spinal fusion led to complete neurological improvement.


Spine ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. E216-E220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Liu ◽  
Zhiping Huang ◽  
Ruozhou Zhou ◽  
Qingan Zhu ◽  
Wei Ji ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Shrif Costandi ◽  
Youssef Saweris ◽  
Michael Kot ◽  
Nagy Mekhail

The benefit of intra-articular local anaesthetic and steroid injections for the diagnosis and treatment of facet joint pain is controversial. Thoracic facet medial branch blocks are mainly used to confirm the diagnosis of thoracic facet arthropathy. Anatomic variability is blamed for failed treatments. Conventionally, thermal radiofrequency (RF) has been used to denervate thoracic facet joints. Cooled radiofrequency ablation (c-RFA) of the thoracic medial branch is emerging as a novel promising technique that provides relatively larger lesions that could compensate for the anatomic variation of these branches and improve outcomes. The most feared complication of RF procedures in the thoracic region is pneumothorax, which may manifest as shortness of breath or pain with inspiration. Using proper technique for placement of the needles under fluoroscopic guidance renders the risk of this complication almost negligible.


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