Anterior Hollow Screw Fixation Combined with Posterior Lateral Mass Screws Fixation to Treat A Huge Tear Drop Fracture of The Axis

Teardrop fracture of axis is rarely seen, especially the huge type. The surgical approach is controversial and individualized in the literature. We reported a special case to share our experience of anterior hollow screw fixation combined with posterior unilateral lateral mass screws fixation to treat a huge teardrop fracture of the axis (HTDFA). A 42-year-old male was referred to our department; he presented neck pain after a vehicle accident. Neck movement was limited with no neurological compromise. Cervical x-rays showed a huge tear drop fracture of the anterior–inferior corner of the axis，the lower cervical spine degeneration and poor cervical curvature. Cervical CT confirmed the avulsed ratio of inferior endplate of axis up to 62%. Cervical MRI showed the anterior longitudinal ligament disruption associated with disk injury and instability of C2-3. In order to save the motion segment of C2-3 and decrease the possibility of lower cervical degeneration if C2-3 fusion occurs, a surgical plan involving anterior reduction, hollow screw fixation combined with posterior unilateral mass screws fixation was performed. The 3 months postoperative x-ray and CT scan showed the tear drop fragment had completely healed. The internal fixations were removed timely for 6 months after surgery. The patient had an excellent function of cervical spine without any clinical symptoms. The 12 months postoperative X-ray showed radiographic union of the bony fragment and a good motion range without any instability. We conclude that anterior hollow screw fixation combined with posterior unilateral lateral mass screws fixation can be the treatment of choice for HTDFA

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Computed Tomography- and Radiography-Based Morphometric Analysis of the Lateral Mass of the Subaxial Cervical Spine in the Indian Population

Asian Spine Journal ◽

10.4184/asj.2018.12.1.18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 18-28

Author(s):

Nirmal D Patil ◽

Sudhir K Srivastava ◽

Sunil Bhosale ◽

Shaligram Purohit

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Cervical Spine ◽

Indian Population ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

X Rays ◽

Lateral Mass ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

X Ray ◽

Subaxial Cervical Spine ◽

Screw Length

<sec><title>Study Design</title>This was a double-blinded cross-sectional study, which obtained no financial support for the research.</sec><sec><title>Purpose</title>To obtain a detailed morphometry of the lateral mass of the subaxial cervical spine.</sec><sec><title>Overview of Literature</title>The literature offers little data on the dimensions of the lateral mass of the subaxial cervical spine.</sec><sec><title>Methods</title>We assessed axial, sagittal, and coronal computed tomography (CT) cuts and anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of the lateral mass of the subaxial cervical spine of 104 patients (2,080 lateral masses) who presented to a tertiary care public hospital (King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai) in a metropolitan city in India.</sec><sec><title>Results</title>For a majority of the parameters, males and females significantly differed at all levels (<italic>p</italic><0.05). Females consistently required higher (<italic>p</italic><0.05) minimum lateral angulation and lateral angulation. While the minimum lateral angulation followed the order of C5<C4<C6<C3, the lateral angulation followed the order of C3<C5<C4<C6. The lateral mass becomes longer and narrower from C3 to C7. In axial cuts, the dimensions increased from C3 to C6. The sagittal cut thickness and diagonal length increased and the sagittal cut height decreased from C3 to C7. The sagittal cut height was consistently lower in the Indian population at all levels, especially at the C7 level, as compared with the Western population, thereby questioning the acceptance of a 3.5-mm lateral mass screw. A good correlation exists between X-ray- and CT-based assessments of the lateral mass.</sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title>Larger lateral angulation is required for Indian patients, especially females. The screw length can be effectively calculated by analyzing the lateral X-ray. A CT scan should be reserved for specific indications, and a caution must be exercised while inserting C7 lateral mass screws.</sec>

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Screw fixation of the upper cervical spine in the pediatric population

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2009.2.peds08149 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (6) ◽

pp. 529-533 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Atif Haque ◽

Angela V. Price ◽

Frederick H. Sklar ◽

Dale M. Swift ◽

Bradley E. Weprin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Screw Fixation ◽

Pediatric Population ◽

Ct Scanning ◽

Upper Cervical Spine ◽

Rigid Fixation ◽

Lateral Mass ◽

Upper Cervical ◽

Lateral Mass Screws ◽

Attending Physician

Object Rigid fixation of the upper cervical spine has become an established method of durable stabilization for a variety of craniocervical pathological entities in children. In children, specifically, the use of C1–2 transarticular screws has been proposed in recent literature to be the gold standard configuration for pathology involving these levels. The authors reviewed the use of rigid fixation techniques alternative to C1–2 transarticular screws in children. Factors evaluated included ease of placement, complications, and postoperative stability. Methods Seventeen patients, ranging in age from 3 to 17 years (mean 9.6 years), underwent screw fixation involving the atlas or axis for a multitude of pathologies, including os odontoideum, Down syndrome, congenital instability, iatrogenic instability, or posttraumatic instability. All patients had preoperative instability of the occipitocervical or atlantoaxial spine demonstrated on dynamic lateral cervical spine radiographs. All patients also underwent preoperative CT scanning and MR imaging to evaluate the anatomical feasibility of the selected hardware placement. Thirteen patients underwent C1–2 fusion, and 4 underwent occipitocervical fusion, all incorporating C-1 lateral mass screws, C-2 pars screws, and/or C-2 laminar screws within their constructs. Patients who underwent occipitocervical fusion had no instrumentation placed at C-1. One patient's construct included sublaminar wiring at C-2. All patients received autograft onlay either from from rib (in 15 patients), split-thickness skull (1 patient), or local bone harvested within the operative field (1 patient). Nine patients' constructs were supplemented with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein at the discretion of the attending physician. Eight patients had surgical sacrifice of 1 or both C-2 nerve roots to better facilitate visualization of the C-1 lateral mass. One patient was placed in halo-vest orthosis postoperatively, while the rest were maintained in rigid collars. Results All 17 patients underwent immediate postoperative CT scanning to evaluate hardware placement. Follow-up was achieved in 16 cases, ranging from 2 to 39 months (mean 14 months), and repeated dynamic lateral cervical spine radiography was performed in these patients at the end of their follow-up period. Some, but not all patients, also underwent delayed postoperative CT scans, which were done at the discretion of the treating attending physician. No neurovascular injuries were encountered, no hardware revisions were required, and no infections were seen. No postoperative pain was seen in patients who underwent C-2 nerve root sacrifice. Stability was achieved in all patients postoperatively. In all patients who underwent delayed postoperative CT scanning, the presence of bridging bone was shown spanning the fused levels. Conclusions Screw fixation of the atlas using lateral mass screws, in conjunction with C-2 root sacrifice in selected cases, and of the axis using pars or laminar screws is a safe method for achieving rigid fixation of the upper cervical spine in the pediatric population.

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Computed tomography morphometric analysis for lateral mass screw placement in the pediatric subaxial cervical spine

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2012.8.spine12767 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 390-396 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

George Al-Shamy ◽

Jacob Cherian ◽

Javier A. Mata ◽

Akash J. Patel ◽

Steven W. Hwang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Morphometric Analysis ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Screw Fixation ◽

Screw Placement ◽

Lateral Mass ◽

Lateral Mass Screw ◽

Subaxial Cervical Spine ◽

Screw Length ◽

Lateral Mass Screws

Object Lateral mass screws are routinely placed throughout the subaxial cervical spine in adults, but there are few clinical or radiographic studies regarding lateral mass fixation in children. The morphology of pediatric cervical lateral masses may be associated with greater difficulty in obtaining adequate purchase. The authors examined the lateral masses of the subaxial cervical spine in pediatric patients to define morphometric differences compared with adults, establish guidelines for lateral mass instrumentation in children, and define potential limitations of this technique in the pediatric age group. Methods Morphometric analysis was performed on CT of the lateral masses of C3–7 in 56 boys and 14 girls. Measurements were obtained in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. Results For most levels and measurements, results in boys and girls did not differ significantly; the few values that were significantly different are not likely to be clinically significant. On the other hand, younger (< 8 years of age) and older children (≥ 8 years of age) differed significantly at every level and measurement except for facet angularity. Sagittal diagonal, a measurement that closely estimates screw length, was found to increase at each successive caudal level from C-3 to C-7, similar to the adult population. A screw acceptance analysis found that all patients ≥ 4 years of age could accept at least a 3.5 × 10 mm lateral mass screw. Conclusions Lateral mass screw fixation is feasible in the pediatric cervical spine, particularly in children age 4 years old or older. Lateral mass screw fixation is feasible even at the C-7 level, where pedicle screw placement has been advised in lieu of lateral mass screws because of the small size and steep trajectory of the C-7 lateral mass. Nonetheless, all pediatric patients should undergo high-resolution, thin-slice CT preoperatively to assess suitability for lateral mass screw fixation.

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Minimally Invasive Lateral Mass Screw Fixation in the Cervical Spine: Initial Clinical Experience with Long-term Follow-up

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/01.neu.0000209929.38213.72 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 58 (5) ◽

pp. 907-912 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Michael Y. Wang ◽

Allan D.O. Levi

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Screw Fixation ◽

Ct Scans ◽

Lateral Mass ◽

Minimal Access ◽

Lateral Mass Screw ◽

Subaxial Cervical Spine ◽

Lateral Mass Screws

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Lateral mass screw fixation of the subaxial cervical spine has been a major advancement for spinal surgeons. This technique provides excellent three-dimensional fixation from C3 to C7. However, exposure of the dorsal spinal musculature can produce significant postoperative neck pain. The incorporation of a minimal access approach using tubular dilator retractors can potentially overcome the drawbacks associated with the extensive muscle stripping needed for traditional surgical exposures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the first 18 patients treated using lateral mass screws placed in a minimally invasive fashion. All patients, except 2 who were lost to follow-up, had a 2-year minimum clinical follow-up. All patients had a computed tomography (CT) scan in the immediate postoperative period to check the positioning of implanted hardware. Operative time, blood loss, and complications were ascertained. Fusion was assessed radiographically with dynamic radiographs and CT scans. RESULTS: Sixteen of the 18 patients underwent successful screw placement. Two patients had the minimal access procedure converted to an open surgery because radiographic visualization was not adequate in the lower cervical spine. Six cases involved unilateral instrumentation and 10 had bilateral screws. A total of 39 levels were instrumented. There were no intraoperative complications, and follow-up CT scans demonstrated no bony violations except in cases where bicortical purchase was achieved. All patients achieved bony fusion. CONCLUSION: A minimally invasive approach using tubular dilator retractors can be a safe and effective means for placing lateral mass screws in the subaxial cervical spine. Up to two levels can be treated in this manner. This approach preserves the integrity of the muscles and ligaments that maintain the posterior tension band of the cervical spine but requires adequate intraoperative imaging.

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The use of intraoperative navigation for complex upper cervical spine surgery

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2014.1.focus13514 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. E5 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Kern H. Guppy ◽

Indro Chakrabarti ◽

Amit Banerjee

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Navigation System ◽

Surgical Navigation ◽

Spinal Instrumentation ◽

Pedicle Screws ◽

Upper Cervical Spine ◽

Cervical Canal ◽

Lateral Mass ◽

Upper Cervical ◽

Lateral Mass Screws

Imaging guidance using intraoperative CT (O-arm surgical imaging system) combined with a navigation system has been shown to increase accuracy in the placement of spinal instrumentation. The authors describe 4 complex upper cervical spine cases in which the O-arm combined with the StealthStation surgical navigation system was used to accurately place occipital screws, C-1 screws anteriorly and posteriorly, C-2 lateral mass screws, and pedicle screws in C-6. This combination was also used to navigate through complex bony anatomy altered by tumor growth and bony overgrowth. The 4 cases presented are: 1) a developmental deformity case in which the C-1 lateral mass was in the center of the cervical canal causing cord compression; 2) a case of odontoid compression of the spinal cord requiring an odontoidectomy in a patient with cerebral palsy; 3) a case of an en bloc resection of a C2–3 chordoma with instrumentation from the occiput to C-6 and placement of C-1 lateral mass screws anteriorly and posteriorly; and 4) a case of repeat surgery for a non-union at C1–2 with distortion of the anatomy and overgrowth of the bony structure at C-2.

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Lateral Mass Screw Fixation Techniques for the Lower Cervical Spine

Internal Fixation of the Spine ◽

10.1007/978-981-16-1562-7_3 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 29-37

Author(s):

Lei Shi ◽

Yabo Yan ◽

Wei Lei

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Screw Fixation ◽

Lateral Mass ◽

Lower Cervical Spine ◽

Lateral Mass Screw ◽

Fixation Techniques

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Posterior Subaxial Cervical Spine Screw Fixation: A Review of Techniques

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/2192568218759940 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 751-760 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Andrei Fernandes Joaquim ◽

Marcelo Luis Mudo ◽

Lee A. Tan ◽

K. Daniel Riew

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Literature Review ◽

Screw Fixation ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Pedicle Screw Fixation ◽

Lateral Mass ◽

Modified Technique ◽

Screw Insertion ◽

Subaxial Cervical Spine ◽

Fixation Techniques

Study Design: A narrative literature review. Objectives: To review the surgical techniques of posterior screw fixation in the subaxial cervical spine. Methods: A broad literature review on the most common screw fixation techniques including lateral mass, pedicle, intralaminar and transfacet screws was performed on PubMed. The techniques and surgical nuances are summarized. Results: The following techniques were described in detail and presented with illustrative figures, including (1) lateral mass screw insertion: by Roy-Camille, Louis, Magerl, Anderson, An, Riew techniques and also a modified technique for C7 lateral mass fixation; (2) pedicle screw fixation technique as described by Abumi and also a freehand technique description; (3) intralaminar screw fixation; and finally, (4) transfacet screw fixation, as described by Takayasu, DalCanto, Klekamp, and Miyanji. Conclusions: Many different techniques of subaxial screw fixation were described and are available. To know the nuances of each one allows surgeons to choose the best option for each patient, improving the success of the fixation and decrease complications.

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Laminectomy and Posterior Cervical Plating for Multilevel Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy and Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Effects on Cervical Alignment, Spinal Cord Compression, and Neurological Outcome

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/neurosurgery/52.5.1081 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 52 (5) ◽

pp. 1081-1088 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John K. Houten ◽

Paul R. Cooper

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Cervical Spine ◽

Neurological Outcome ◽

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy ◽

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽

X Rays ◽

Lateral Mass ◽

Japanese Orthopedic Association ◽

Curvature Index ◽

Muscle Groups

Abstract OBJECTIVE Multilevel anterior decompressive procedures for cervical spondylotic myelopathy or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament may be associated with a high incidence of neurological morbidity, construct failure, and pseudoarthrosis. We theorized that laminectomy and stabilization of the cervical spine with lateral mass plates would obviate the disadvantages of anterior decompression, prevent the development of kyphotic deformity frequently seen after uninstrumented laminectomy, decompress the spinal cord, and produce neurological results equal or superior to those achieved by multilevel anterior procedures. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 38 patients who underwent laminectomy and lateral mass plating for cervical spondylotic myelopathy or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament between January 1994 and November 2001. Seventy-six percent of patients had spondylosis, 18% had ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, and 5% had both. Clinical presentation included upper extremity sensory complaints (89%), gait difficulty (70%), and hand use deterioration (67%). Spasticity was present in 83%, and weakness of one or more muscle groups was seen in 79%. Spinal cord signal abnormality on sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was seen in 68%. Neurological evaluation was performed using a modification of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Scale for functional assessment of myelopathy, the Cooper Scale for separate evaluation of upper and lower extremity motor function, and a five-point scale for evaluation of strength in individual muscle groups. Lateral cervical spine x-rays were analyzed using a curvature index to determine maintenance of alignment. Each surgically decompressed level was graded on a four-point scale using axial MRI to assess the adequacy of decompression. Late follow-up was conducted by telephone interview. RESULTS Laminectomy was performed at a mean 4.6 levels. Follow-up was obtained at a mean of 30.2 months after the procedure. The score on the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scale improved in 97% of patients from a mean of 12.9 preoperatively to 15.58 postoperatively (P< 0.0001). In the upper extremities, function measured by the Cooper Scale improved from 1.8 to 0.7 (P< 0.0001), and in the lower extremities, function improved from 1.0 to 0.4 (P< 0.0002). There was a statistically significant improvement in strength in the triceps (P< 0.0001), iliopsoas (P< 0.0002), and hand intrinsic muscles (P< 0.0001). X-rays obtained at a mean of 5.9 months after surgery revealed no change in spinal alignment as measured by the curvature index. There was a decrease in the mean preoperative compression grade from 2.46 preoperatively to 0.16 postoperatively (P< 0.0001). There was no correlation between neurological outcome and the presence of spinal cord signal change on T2-weighted MRI scans, patient age, duration of symptoms, or preoperative medical comorbidity. CONCLUSION Multilevel laminectomy and instrumentation with lateral mass plates is associated with minimal morbidity, provides excellent decompression of the spinal cord (as visualized on MRI), produces immediate stability of the cervical spine, prevents kyphotic deformity, and precludes further development of spondylosis at fused levels. Neurological outcome is equal or superior to multilevel anterior procedures and prevents spinal deformity associated with laminoplasty or noninstrumented laminectomy.

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