Thoracic discectomy by posterior pedicle-sparing, transfacet approach with real-time intraoperative ultrasonography

Object Symptomatic thoracic disc herniations (TDHs) are relatively uncommon, and the technical challenges of resecting the offending disc are formidable due to the location of spinal cord that has relatively poor perfusion characteristics within a narrow canal. The majority of disc herniations are long-standing calcified discs that can be adherent to the ventral dura. Real-time intraoperative ultrasound (RIOUS) visualization of the spinal cord during the retraction and resection of the disc greatly enhances the safety and efficacy of disc resection. The authors have adopted the posterior laminectomy with pedicle-sparing transfacet approach with real-time ultrasound guidance in their practice, and they present the clinical outcome in their patients to illustrate the safety profile of this technique. Methods Sixteen consecutive patients undergoing operative management of TDHs were identified from the authors' database. All patients underwent microdiscectomy through a posterior transfacet pedicle-sparing approach under RIOUS. Outcomes and complications were retrospectively assessed in this patient series. Clinical records and pre- and postoperative imaging studies were scrutinized to assess levels and types of disc herniation, blood loss, surgical time, pre- and postoperative Nurick grades, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, and complications. Results All patients had single-level symptomatic TDHs. The patients presented with symptoms including thoracic myelopathy, axial back pain, urinary symptoms, and thoracic radiculopathy. Thoracic disc herniations involved levels T2–3 to T12–L1. Discs were classified as central or paracentral, and as calcified or noncalcified. All discs were successfully removed with no incidence of neural injury or CSF leak. The mean estimated blood loss was 523 ml, and the mean surgical time was 159 minutes. Nurick grades improved on average from 3.3 to 1.6. The mean JOA scores improved from 5.7 to 8.3 out of 11. The mean Hirabayashi recovery rate of the JOA score was 57%. All patients reported improvement in symptoms compared with preoperative status except for 1 patient with an American Spinal Injury Association Grade A spinal cord injury prior to surgery. The average duration of follow-up was 10.5 months. One patient developed postoperative wound infection that required additional operative debridement and revision of hardware. Conclusions Thoracic discectomy via a posterior pedicle-sparing transfacet approach is an adequate method of managing herniations at any thoracic level. The safety of the operation is significantly enhanced by the use of realtime intraoperative ultrasonography.

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Early experience treating thoracic disc herniations using a modified transfacet pedicle-sparing decompression and fusion

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2009.9.spine09476 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 221-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Richard Bransford ◽

Fangyi Zhang ◽

Carlo Bellabarba ◽

Mark Konodi ◽

Jens R. Chapman

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Anterior Approach ◽

Csf Leak ◽

Additional Surgery ◽

Disc Herniations ◽

Preoperative Status ◽

The Mean ◽

Clinical Records ◽

Thoracic Disc

Object Symptomatic thoracic disc herniations (TDHs) are relatively uncommon and are typically treated with an anterior approach. Various posterior surgical approaches have been developed to treat TDH, but the gold standard remains transthoracic decompression. Certain patients have comorbidities and herniation aspects that are not optimally treated with an anterior approach. A transfacet pedicle-sparing approach was first described in 1995, but outcomes and complications have not been well described. The objective of this study was to assess outcomes and complications in a consecutive series of patients with TDH undergoing posterior transfacet decompression and discectomy with posterior instrumentation and fusion. Methods Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing operative management of TDH were identified from a tertiary care referral database. All patients underwent a transfacet pedicle-sparing decompression and segmental instrumentation with interbody fusion. Outcomes and complications were retrospectively assessed in this patient series. Clinical records were scrutinized to assess levels and types of disc herniation; blood loss; pre- and postoperative motor scores, Nurick grades, and visual analog pain scale scores; and complications such as wrong-level surgery, infection, seroma, and neurological changes. Pre- and postoperative imaging studies were reviewed to assess levels and types of herniation, alignment, and accuracy of instrumentation. Results Of the 18 patients, 9 had TDHs at multiple levels. The patients presented with symptoms including myelopathy, axial back pain, urinary symptoms, and radiculopathy and radiological evidence of 29 compressive TDHs ranging from T1–2 to T12–L1. Discs were classified as central (10) or paracentral (19). All discs were successfully removed with no incidence of wrong-level surgery or CSF leak. The mean estimated blood loss was 870 ml with no dural tears. Nurick grades improved on average from 2.5 to 1.9. All patients reported improvement in symptoms compared with preoperative status. The mean visual analog scale score improved from 59 to 21. Sixteen of the 18 patients spent an average of 4.2 days in the hospital; the 2 other patients spent 58 and 69 days. The average duration of follow-up was 12.2 months in 14 patients; 4 patients were lost to follow-up. Twelve patients had no complications. Five patients developed postoperative wound infections or seromas requiring additional operative debridement. One patient had a misplaced screw and suboptimally positioned interbody graft requiring revision. One transient neurological deterioration (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] D to ASIA B) occurred postoperatively associated with an inferior segment fracture 20 days after surgery. This necessitated extending the fusion caudally; the patient subsequently experienced a full return to better-than-baseline neurological status. Conclusions A modified transfacetal pedicle-sparing approach combined with short segmental fusion offers a safe means of achieving concurrent decompression and segmental stabilization and is an option for certain subtypes of TDH. Although 6 patients required additional surgery for postoperative complications, all patients experienced improvement relative to their preoperative status.

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Utilization of laser interstitial thermotherapy guided by real-time thermal MRI as an alternative to separation surgery in the management of spinal metastasis

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2015.2.spine141185 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 400-411 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Claudio E. Tatsui ◽

R. Jason Stafford ◽

Jing Li ◽

Jonathan N. Sellin ◽

Behrang Amini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Real Time ◽

Spinal Cord Compression ◽

Spinal Metastasis ◽

Cord Compression ◽

The Mean ◽

Interstitial Thermotherapy

OBJECT High-grade malignant spinal cord compression is commonly managed with a combination of surgery aimed at removing the epidural tumor, followed by spinal stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS) aimed at local tumor control. The authors here introduce the use of spinal laser interstitial thermotherapy (SLITT) as an alternative to surgery prior to SSRS. METHODS Patients with a high degree of epidural malignant compression due to radioresistant tumors were selected for study. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and quality of life were obtained before and within 30 and 60 days after treatment. A laser probe was percutaneously placed in the epidural space. Real-time thermal MRI was used to monitor tissue damage in the region of interest. All patients received postoperative SSRS. The maximum thickness of the epidural tumor was measured, and the degree of epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) was scored in pre- and postprocedure MRI. RESULTS In the 11 patients eligible for study, the mean VAS score for pain decreased from 6.18 in the preoperative period to 4.27 within 30 days and 2.8 within 60 days after the procedure. A similar VAS interrogating the percentage of quality of life demonstrated improvement from 60% preoperatively to 70% within both 30 and 60 days after treatment. Imaging follow-up 2 months after the procedure demonstrated a significant reduction in the mean thickness of the epidural tumor from 8.82 mm (95% CI 7.38–10.25) before treatment to 6.36 mm (95% CI 4.65–8.07) after SLITT and SSRS (p = 0.0001). The median preoperative ESCC Grade 2 was scored as 4, which was significantly higher than the score of 2 for Grade 1b (p = 0.04) on imaging follow-up 2 months after the procedure. CONCLUTIONS The authors present the first report on an innovative minimally invasive alternative to surgery in the management of spinal metastasis. In their early experience, SLITT has provided local control with low morbidity and improvement in both pain and the quality of life of patients.

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LEARNING CURVE IN SINGLE-LEVEL MINIMALLY INVASIVE TLIF: EXPERIENCE OF A NEUROSURGEON

Coluna/Columna ◽

10.1590/s1808-185120171604182052 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 279-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Samuel Romano-Feinholz ◽

Sergio Soriano-Solís ◽

Julio César Zúñiga-Rivera ◽

Carlos Francisco Gutiérrez-Partida ◽

Manuel Rodríguez-García ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Learning Curve ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Learning Curves ◽

Surgical Experience ◽

Surgical Time ◽

Intraoperative Bleeding ◽

Single Level ◽

Piecewise Regression ◽

The Mean

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the learning curve that shows the progress of a single neurosurgeon when performing single-level MI-TLIF. Methods: We included 99 consecutive patients who underwent single-level MI-TLIF by the same neurosurgeon (JASS). Patient’s demographic characteristics were analyzed. In addition, surgical time, intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay were evaluated. The learning curves were calculated with a piecewise regression model. Results: The mean age was 54.6 years. The learning curves showed an inverse relationship between the surgical experience and the variable analyzed, reaching an inflection point for surgical time in case 43 and for blood loss in case 48. The mean surgical time was 203.3 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 150-240 minutes), intraoperative bleeding was 97.4ml (IQR 40-100ml) and hospital stay of four days (IQR 3-5 days). Conclusions: MI-TLIF is a very frequent surgical procedure due to its effectiveness and safety, which has shown similar results to open procedure. According to this study, the required learning curve is slightly higher than for open procedures, and is reached after about 45 cases.

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Sleep Apnea and Unilateral Upper and Lower Extremity Allodynia as a Result of a Large Thoracic Disc Herniation: A Case Report

10.21203/rs.3.rs-233683/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tyler D. Alexander ◽

Anthony Stefanelli ◽

Sara Thalheimer ◽

Joshua E. Heller

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Disc Herniation ◽

Cord Compression ◽

Thoracic Disc Herniation ◽

Lower Extremity Weakness ◽

Disc Herniations ◽

Thoracic Disc

Abstract BackgroundClinically significant disc herniations in the thoracic spine are rare accounting for approximately 1% of all disc herniations. In patients with significant spinal cord compression, presenting symptoms typically include ambulatory dysfunction, lower extremity weakness, lower extremity sensory changes, as well as bowl, bladder, or sexual dysfunction. Thoracic disc herniations can also present with thoracic radiculopathy including midback pain and radiating pain wrapping around the chest or abdomen. The association between thoracic disc herniation with cord compression and sleep apnea is not well described.Case PresentationThe following is a case of a young male patient with high grade spinal cord compression at T7-8, as a result of a large thoracic disc herniation. The patient presented with complaints of upper and lower extremity unilateral allodynia and sleep apnea. Diagnosis was only made once the patient manifested more common symptoms of thoracic stenosis including left lower extremity weakness and sexual dysfunction. Following decompression and fusion the patient’s allodynia and sleep apnea quickly resolved.ConclusionsThoracic disc herniations can present atypically with sleep apnea – a symptom which may resolve with surgical treatment.

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Revision surgery in thoracic disc herniation

European Spine Journal ◽

10.1007/s00586-019-06212-w ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (S1) ◽

pp. 39-46

Author(s):

Stephan Dützmann ◽

Roli Rose ◽

Daniel Rosenthal

Keyword(s):

Disc Herniation ◽

Revision Surgery ◽

Cord Compression ◽

Thoracic Disc Herniation ◽

Disc Disease ◽

Neurological Improvement ◽

Initial Symptoms ◽

Disc Herniations ◽

Clinical Records ◽

Thoracic Disc

Abstract Purpose Surgical treatment failures or strategies for the reoperation of residual thoracic disc herniations are sparsely discussed. We investigated factors that led to incomplete disc removal and recommend reoperation strategies. Methods As a referral centre for thoracic disc disease, we reviewed retrospectively the clinical records and imaging studies before and after the treatment of patients who were sent to us for revision surgery for thoracic disc herniation from 2013 to 2018. Results A total of 456 patients were treated from 2013 to 2018 at our institution. Twenty-one patients had undergone previously thoracic discectomy at an outside facility and harboured residual, incompletely excised and symptomatic herniated thoracic discs. In 12 patients (57%), the initial symptoms that led to their primary operation were improved after the first surgery, but recurred after a mean of 2.8 years. In seven patients (33%) they remained stable, and in two cases they were worse. All patients were treated via all dorsal approaches. In all 21 cases, the initial excision was incomplete regarding medullar decompression. All of the discs were removed completely in a single revision procedure. After mean follow-up of 24 months (range 12–57 months), clinical neurological improvement was demonstrated in seven patients, while three patients suffered a worsening and 11 patients remained stable. Conclusion Our data suggest that pure dorsal decompression provides a short relief of the symptoms caused by spinal cord compression. Progressive myelopathy (probably due to mechanical and vascular deficits) and scar formation may cause worsening of symptoms. Graphic abstract These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

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Posterior decompression surgery for extraforaminal entrapment of the fifth lumbar spinal nerve at the lumbosacral junction

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2009.7.spine09344 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 72-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Morio Matsumoto ◽

Kota Watanabe ◽

Ken Ishii ◽

Takashi Tsuji ◽

Hironari Takaishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Spinal Nerve ◽

Ct Scans ◽

Decompression Surgery ◽

Lumbosacral Junction ◽

Surgical Time ◽

Posterior Decompression ◽

Plain Radiographs ◽

Surgical Microscope ◽

The Mean

Object In this paper, the authors' goal was to elucidate the clinical features and results of decompression surgery for extraforaminal stenosis at the lumbosacral junction. Methods Twenty-eight patients with severe leg pain caused by extraforaminal stenosis at the lumbosacral junction (18 men and 10 women; mean age 68.2 ± 8.9 years) were treated by posterior decompression without fusion using a microendoscope in 19 patients and a surgical microscope or loupe in 9 patients. The decompression procedures consisted of partial resection of the sacral ala, the L-5 transverse process, and the L5–S1 facet joint along the L-5 spinal nerve. The following items were investigated: 1) preoperative neurological findings; 2) preoperative radiological findings, including plain radiographs, CT scans, selective radiculography of L-5; 3) surgical outcome as evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale for low-back pain (JOA score); and 4) need for revision surgery. Results All patients presented with neurological deficits compatible with a diagnosis of L-5 radiculopathy such as weakness of the extensor hallucis longus muscle and sensory disturbance in the L-5 area together with neurogenic claudication. On plain radiographs, 21 patients (75%) and 17 patients (60.7%) exhibited lumbar scoliosis (≥ 5°) and wedging of the L5–S1 intervertebral space (≥ 3°), respectively. The CT scans demonstrated marked osteophyte formation at the posterolateral margin of the L5–S1 vertebral bodies, and a selective L-5 nerve root block was effective in all patients. All patients reported pain relief immediately after surgery. The mean JOA scores were 11.3 ± 3.8 before surgery and 24.3 ± 3.4 at the time of the final follow-up examination; the recovery rate was 68.6 ± 16.5%. The mean estimated blood loss was 66.6 ± 98.6 ml, and the mean surgical time was 135.3 ± 46.5 minutes. No significant difference in the recovery rate of the JOA scores or in the surgical time and blood loss was observed between the 2 surgical approaches. Four patients underwent revision posterior interbody fusion for the recurrence of radicular pain as a result of intraforaminal stenosis in 3 patients and insufficient decompression of the extraforaminal area in the remaining patient at an average of 19.5 months after surgery. Conclusions Extraforaminal stenosis at the lumbosacral junction is a rare but distinct pathological condition causing L-5 radiculopathy. Decompression surgery without fusion using a microendoscope or a surgical microscope/ loupe is a feasible and less invasive surgical option for elderly patients with extraforaminal stenosis at the lumbosacral junction.

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Transcostovertebral approach for thoracic disc herniations

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/spi.2001.94.1.0038 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 94 (1) ◽

pp. 38-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Dzung H. Dinh ◽

John Tompkins ◽

Shawn B. Clark

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Average Length ◽

Operating Time ◽

Radicular Pain ◽

Sensory Loss ◽

Content Type ◽

Disc Herniations ◽

Axial Pain ◽

Thoracic Disc ◽

Fine Print

Object. The authors describe a new posterolateral transcostovertebral approach for the removal of herniated thoracic discs. Methods. From January 1994 to January 2000, 28 thoracic discs in 22 patients were excised via a new transcostovertebral surgical approach. Seventeen patients (77%) presented with axial pain, 14 (64%) with radicular pain, 13 (59%) with myelopathy, eight (36%) with sensory loss, and 10 (45%) with genitourinary (GU) symptoms such as urinary hesitancy or incontinence. The affected discs were approached using a midline incision to gain access of the costovertebral junction. The surgical corridor was posterolateral; the costovertebral joint and lateral edge of the vertebral endplates were drilled to expose the lateral annulus. The ribs were preserved, obviating the need for insertion of a chest tube postoperatively. The average operating time per level was 200.5 minutes (range 90–360 minutes). The average blood loss was 231 ml (50–750 ml). The average length of stay was 3.8 days. Most patients were discharged home on postoperative Day 2 or 3. No patients were worse postoperatively. Improvement was demonstrated in 13 (76%) of 17 patients with axial pain, 11 (79%) of 14 patients with radicular pain, 11 (85%) of 13 patients with myelopathy, seven (88%) of eight patients with sensory loss, and six (60%) of 10 patients with GU symptoms. Conclusions. This procedure is well suited for any thoracic disc level and offers several advantages over the traditional costotransversectomy or transthoracic approaches: shorter operating time, less blood loss, less extensive soft-tissue and bone dissection, reduced postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays.

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Outpatient endoscopic resection of large calcified thoracic disc herniation with caudal displacement

Neurosurgical Focus: Video ◽

10.3171/2021.10.focvid2112 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. V18

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Endoscopic Approach ◽

Tube Placement ◽

Thoracic Disc Herniation ◽

Intensive Care Admission ◽

Chest Tube Placement ◽

Disc Herniations ◽

Thoracic Disc

Thoracic disc herniations can cause radiculopathy and myelopathy from neural compression. Surgical resection may require complex, morbid approaches. To avoid spinal cord retraction, wide exposures requiring extensive tissue, muscle, and bony disruption are needed, which may require instrumentation. Anterior approaches may require vascular surgeons, chest tube placement, and intensive care admission. Large, calcified discs or migrated fragments can pose additional challenges. Previous literature has noted the endoscopic approach to be contraindicated for calcified thoracic discs. The authors describe an ultra–minimally invasive, ambulatory endoscopic approach to resect a large calcified thoracic disc with caudal migration and avoidance of conventional approaches. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.10.FOCVID2112

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Sleep apnea and unilateral upper and lower extremity allodynia as a result of a large thoracic disc herniation: a case report

Sleep Science and Practice ◽

10.1186/s41606-021-00067-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tyler D. Alexander ◽

Anthony Stefanelli ◽

Sara Thalheimer ◽

Joshua E. Heller

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Disc Herniation ◽

Cord Compression ◽

Thoracic Disc Herniation ◽

Lower Extremity Weakness ◽

Disc Herniations ◽

Thoracic Disc

Abstract Background Clinically significant disc herniations in the thoracic spine are rare accounting for approximately 1% of all disc herniations. In patients with significant spinal cord compression, presenting symptoms typically include ambulatory dysfunction, lower extremity weakness, lower extremity sensory changes, as well as bowl, bladder, or sexual dysfunction. Thoracic disc herniations can also present with thoracic radiculopathy including midback pain and radiating pain wrapping around the chest or abdomen. The association between thoracic disc herniation with cord compression and sleep apnea is not well described. Case presentation The following is a case of a young male patient with high grade spinal cord compression at T7-8, as a result of a large thoracic disc herniation. The patient presented with complaints of upper and lower extremity unilateral allodynia and sleep apnea. Diagnosis was only made once the patient manifested more common symptoms of thoracic stenosis including left lower extremity weakness and sexual dysfunction. Following decompression and fusion the patient’s allodynia and sleep apnea quickly resolved. Conclusions Thoracic disc herniations can present atypically with sleep apnea. We recommend taking into consideration that sleep symptoms may resolve when planning treatment for thoracic disc herniation.

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TLIF-MIS VS TLIF-OPEN: COST EVALUATION

Coluna/Columna ◽

10.1590/s1808-185120181702189439 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 138-142

Author(s):

Luis Muñiz Luna ◽

Rodolfo Echeagaray Sánchez ◽

Marco Antonio Marbán Heredia ◽

Karen Aida Ibarra Stone ◽

Erika Silva Chiang

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Cost Evaluation ◽

Surgical Time ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Surgical Costs ◽

The Mean ◽

The Difference ◽

The Cost

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the direct costs of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or open technique (OPEN). Methods: The present study is descriptive and retrospective. Sixteen patients with degenerative spinal pathology operated on with the TLIF MIS technique and TLIF OPEN were included over a 13-month period. Days of hospital stay, blood loss, surgical time, medical care and costs were compared. Results: The mean number of days of hospital stay was 6.7 ± 4.3 days with TLIF MIS and 11.1 ± 6.5 days with TLIF OPEN. The blood loss was 307 ± 81.6 ml (range 200400 ml) with TLIF MIS and 803 ± 701.3 ml (range 200-1800 ml) with TLIF OPEN. The surgical time was 320 ± 92.6 minutes (range 210-500 minutes) in TLIF MIS and 372 ± 95.2 minutes (280-540 minutes) in TLIF OPEN. Conclusions: The difference in surgical costs and time between the two procedures was not statistically significant. There was less bleeding during the TLIF-MIS surgery, as well as a correlation between shorter days of hospital stay proportional to bleeding and surgical time, which translates into a reduction in the cost of these items. Level of Evidence III; Analysis based on alternatives and limited costs.

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