scholarly journals Delayed Presentation of Cervical Facet Dislocations

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saumyajit Basu ◽  
Farid H Malik ◽  
Jay Deep Ghosh ◽  
Agnivesh Tikoo

Purpose. To review treatment outcomes of 19 patients with delayed presentation of cervical facet dislocations. Methods. Records of 17 men and 2 women aged 21 to 63 (mean, 39) years who presented with unilateral (n=14) or bilateral (n=5) cervical facet dislocation after a delay of 7 to 21 (mean, 14) days were reviewed. The most common level of dislocation was C5–C6 (n=9), followed by C4–C5 (n=6), C3–C4 (n=2), and C6–C7 (n=2). The neurological status was graded according to the Frankel classification. One patient (with bilateral facet dislocation) had complete quadriplegia (grade A), 11 had incomplete spinal cord injury (grades C and D), and 7 had nerve root injury. Closed reduction using continuous skull traction for 2 days was attempted. In patients achieving closed reduction, only anterior discectomy and fusion was performed. Those who failed closed reduction underwent posterior partial/complete facetectomy and fixation. If there was traumatic disk prolapse, anterior decompression and fusion was then performed. Results. The mean follow-up was 46 (range, 12–108) months. 10 of 14 patients with unilateral facet dislocation were reduced with traction and then underwent anterior discectomy and fusion. The remaining 4 patients who failed closed reduction underwent posterior facetectomy and fixation; 3 of them had traumatic disk prolapse and thus also underwent anterior discectomy and fusion with cage and plate. Four of the 5 patients with bilateral facet dislocations failed closed reduction and underwent posterior facetectomy and lateral mass fixation, as well as anterior surgery. The remaining patient achieved reduction after traction and hence underwent only anterior discectomy and fusion. All patients achieved pain relief and sufficient neck movement for normal activities. All 7 patients with nerve root injury improved completely; 9 of the 11 patients with incomplete spinal cord injury improved by one Frankel grade, and the remaining 2 by 2 grades. The patient with complete quadriplegia showed no improvement. Conclusion. Preoperative traction is a safe and effective initial treatment for neglected cervical facet dislocation, as it reduces the need for extensive (anterior and posterior) surgery. If closed reduction is successful, anterior discectomy and fusion is the surgery of choice. If not, posterior facetectomy and fusion followed by anterior surgery is preferred.

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-111
Author(s):  
Wan-Soo So ◽  
Seong Hoon Oh ◽  
Sang-Hyuk Kim ◽  
Il Tae Jang ◽  
Jong-Pil Eun

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernardo J. Ordonez ◽  
Edward C. Benzel ◽  
Sait Naderi ◽  
Simcha J. Weller

Object. To demonstrate the safety and utility of one surgical approach, the authors reviewed their experience with the ventral surgical approach for decompression, reduction, and stabilization in 10 patients with either unilateral or bilateral cervical facet dislocation. Methods. Six patients presented with unilateral cervical facet dislocation and four patients with bilateral cervical facet dislocation. There were six male and four female patients who ranged in age from 17 to 72 years (average 37.1 years). The level of facet dislocation was C4–5 in one, C5–6 in four, and C6–7 in five patients. Three patients presented with a complete spinal cord injury (SCI), three patients with an incomplete SCI, three with radicular symptoms or myeloradiculopathy, and one patient was neurologically intact. All patients underwent plain radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computerized tomography evaluation of the cervical spine. All patients had sustained significant ligamentous injury with minimum or no bone disruption. All patients underwent ventral decompressive surgery, reduction of the dislocation, and stabilization of the cervical spine. Techniques for performing ventral reduction of unilateral or bilateral cervical facet dislocation are described. Decompression, reduction, and stabilization of the cervical spine via the ventral approach was accomplished in all but one patient. This patient underwent a ventral decompressive procedure and an attempt at ventral reduction and subsequent dorsal reduction and fusion in which a lateral mass screw plate fixation system was used; this was followed by ventral placement of instrumentation and fusion. There were no surgery-related complications. Postoperative neurological status was unchanged in four patients and improved in six patients. No patient experienced neurological deterioration after undergoing this surgical approach. Conclusions. The authors conclude that a ventral surgical decompression, reduction, and stabilization procedure provides a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of patients with unilateral or bilateral cervical facet dislocation without significant bone disruption.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wongthawat Liawrungrueang ◽  
Rattanaporn Chamnan ◽  
Weera Chaiyamongkol ◽  
Piyawat Bintachitt

Abstract Background The present study is to highlight the challenges in managing cervical spine injuries in toddlers (less than 4 years of age) without neurological deficit. Cases of unilateral cervical C4–C5 facet dislocation in toddlers are very rare. Case presentation A 3-year-old girl suffered cervical spine injury after a motor vehicle collision with unilateral C4–C5 facet dislocation without neurological deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no spinal cord injury, Frankel grade E. Initial management was cervical spine protection. Definite treatment and complication were discussed with the patient’s parents before closed reduction maneuver with minerva cast was applied under sedation. The patient showed no complication after closed reduction and the cervical spine had aligned well in radiographs. The minerva cast was removed at 8 weeks, at which point neck muscle stretching rehabilitation program started. At one-year follow up, the child was asymptomatic, had full active cervical motion and good function. In radiographs, the cervical spine had normal alignment and was healed. Conclusions Unilateral cervical facet dislocation in toddlers is very rare. Closed reduction maneuver and the minerva cast applied were optional in this case. The parents were highly satisfied with the effective treatment and outcome.


2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Brigham

Abstract The AMAGuides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), Sixth Edition, does not provide a separate mechanism for rating spinal nerve injuries as extremity impairment; radiculopathy was reflected in the spinal rating process in Chapter 17, The Spine and Pelvis. Certain jurisdictions, such as the Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), rate nerve root injury as impairment involving the extremities rather than as part of the spine. This article presents an approach to rate spinal nerve impairments consistent with the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, methodology. This approach should be used only when a jurisdiction requires ratings for extremities and precludes rating for the spine. A table in this article compares sensory and motor deficits according to the AMA Guides, Sixth and Fifth Editions; evaluators should be aware of changes between editions in methodology used to assign the final impairment. The authors present two tables regarding spinal nerve impairment: one for the upper extremities and one for the lower extremities. Both tables were developed using the methodology defined in the sixth edition. Using these tables and the process defined in the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, evaluators can rate spinal nerve impairments for jurisdictions that do not permit rating for the spine and require rating for radiculopathy as an extremity impairment.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-519
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Sens ◽  
Sarah E. Meyers ◽  
Mark A. Koponen ◽  
Arne H. Graff ◽  
Ryan D. Reynolds ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (03) ◽  
pp. 215-218
Author(s):  
Kelly Gassie ◽  
Krishnan Ravindran ◽  
Gazanfar Rahmathulla ◽  
H. Gordon Deen

AbstractConjoined nerve roots are an infrequent and uncommon finding, rarely noted preoperatively. The conjoined root anomaly has potential for significant neurological injury during surgery. Preoperative recognition may avert disastrous nerve root injury but requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. We present the case of a 44-year-old patient with left L5/S1 radiculopathy caused by a herniated disc. During surgery we identified a triple conjoined nerve root anatomy. This anatomical variant, to our knowledge, has not been reported in literature. We describe the anatomical findings and surgical implications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 09 (04) ◽  
pp. 545-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toluyemi Adefolarin Malomo ◽  
Toyin Ayofe Oyemolade ◽  
Amos Olufemi Adeleye

ABSTRACT Background: A major goal in neurotrauma management is the prevention of secondary neuronal injuries. This goal is time bound as neurological deficits once established are usually irreversible. Late presentation is the norm in most neurotrauma patients in developing countries. Aims: The aim of the study was to review the timing of presentation of neurotrauma patients and the possible causes of their late presentation for neurosurgical care in our practice. Methods: A cross-sectional study of a 4-month prospective database of neurotrauma patients presenting to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, was done. The participants’ biodata, injury characteristics, initial-care details before referral, and information on timing and causes of delay were analyzed. Results: The study subjects included 111 patients, 80.2% (89/111) were males, and 52.8% aged 21–40 years. Head injury (HI), spinal cord injury (SCI), and combined HI and SCI occurred, respectively, in 80.2%, 14.4%, and 5.4%. Road accidents followed by falls were seen in 73.9% and 14.4% (16), respectively. Just 46.8% (52/111) cases presented within 12 h of injury and only 37 (33.3%) within 4 h. Majority, 83.8% (93/111) were referrals from primary care. These referrals were delayed in 81.7% (76/93) of these. The referring health facilities were located intracity with our center in 54%. Other causes of delayed presentation of these study participants included long-distance travel to our center, lack of funds, or a combination of the above factors. Eighty-nine patients (80.2%) were brought in by family members and the remaining minority by passers-by and road safety personnel. Conclusions: Delayed referral from primary care features prominently in timing of presentation of neurotrauma patients in Nigeria. There is a need for collaboration as well as continuing medical education between the neurotrauma specialists and primary care physicians.


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