scholarly journals Correlation between cervical spine sagittal alignment and clinical outcome after cervical laminoplasty for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Kyu Lee ◽  
Dong Ah Shin ◽  
Seong Yi ◽  
Keung Nyun Kim ◽  
Hyun Chul Shin ◽  
...  

OBJECT The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between cervical spine sagittal alignment and clinical outcomes after cervical laminoplasty in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). METHODS Fifty consecutive patients who underwent a cervical laminoplasty for OPLL between January 2012 and January 2013 and who were followed up for at least 1 year were analyzed in this study. Standing plain radiographs of the cervical spine, CT (midsagittal view), and MRI (T2-weighted sagittal view) were obtained (anteroposterior, lateral, flexion, and extension) pre- and postoperatively. Cervical spine alignment was assessed with the following 3 parameters: the C2–7 Cobb angle, C2–7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and T-1 slope minus C2–7 Cobb angle. The change in cervical sagittal alignment was defined as the difference between the post- and preoperative C2–7 Cobb angles, C2–7 SVAs, and T-1 slope minus C2–7 Cobb angles. Outcome assessments (visual analog scale [VAS], Oswestry Neck Disability Index [NDI], 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36], and Japanese Orthopaedic Association [JOA] scores) were obtained in all patients pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS The average patient age was 56.3 years (range 38–72 years). There were 34 male patients and 16 female patients. Cervical laminoplasty for OPLL helped alleviate radiculomyelopathy. Compared with the preoperative scores, improvement was seen in postoperative VAS and JOA scores. After laminoplasty, 35 patients had kyphotic changes, and 15 had lordotic changes. However, cervical sagittal alignment after laminoplasty was not significantly associated with clinical outcomes in terms of postoperative improvement of the JOA score (C2–7 Cobb angle: p = 0.633; C2–7 SVA: p = 0.817; T-1 slope minus C2–7 lordosis: p = 0.554), the SF-36 score (C2–7 Cobb angle: p = 0.554; C2–7 SVA: p = 0.793; T-1 slope minus C2–7 lordosis: p = 0.829), the VAS neck score (C2–7 Cobb angle: p = 0.263; C2–7 SVA: p = 0.716; T-1 slope minus C2–7 lordosis: p = 0.497), or the NDI score (C2–7 Cobb angle: p = 0.568; C2–7 SVA: p = 0.279; T-1 slope minus C2–7 lordosis: p = 0.966). Similarly, the change in cervical sagittal alignment was not related to the JOA (p = 0.604), SF-36 (p = 0.308), VAS neck (p = 0.832), or NDI (p = 0.608) scores. CONCLUSIONS Cervical laminoplasty for OPLL improved radiculomyelopathy. Cervical laminoplasty increased the probability of cervical kyphotic alignment. However, cervical sagittal alignment and clinical outcomes were not clearly related.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhou ◽  
Bo Xia ◽  
Fei Chen ◽  
Jun Yang ◽  
Xiang Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Cervical laminoplasty is a well-established surgical treatment for patients with cervical myelopathy due to OPLL. However, for cases with OPLL involving C2 segment, some surgeon preferred C2EL technique, but destruction of muscles attaching at C2 spinous process and lamina is inevitable. While C2DEL technique was also available which cause less destruction to the structures associated with C2. Nevertheless, it is still not confirmed whether it can achieve similar outcomes as C2EL. This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of C2 dome-like expansive laminoplasty technique(C2DEL) and C2 extended laminoplasty technique(C2EL) applied in the treatment of cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL)involving C2 segment.Methods: Data of 56 patients with OPLL involving C2 segment who underwent cervical laminoplasty were retrospectively reviewed. 26 patients received C2EL technique while C2DEL technique was applied in another 30 patients. Functional outcomes evaluated by visual analog scale score for neck pain (VASSNP), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and Health-Related Quality-of-Life Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary (SF-36 PCS) were recorded and compared pre- and postoperatively. The radiographic outcomes assessed by the Cobb angle and range of motion (ROM) of cervical spine at C2-C7, as well as decompression effect at C2 level evaluated by space available for spinal cord (SAC) were measured in two groups. The intraoperative parameters including total blood loss and operation time were documented and compared between 2 groups.Results: At the final follow-up, JOA scores, NDI, and SF-36 PCS were significantly improved in both groups(all P<0.05), but no significant differences were identified between two groups. VASSNP was reduced significantly in both groups(P<0.05), but the cases in C2EL group experienced more severe neck pain than that of C2EL group(P<0.05). Cobb angle at C2 and C7 and the cervical ROM in both groups reduced greatly, the SAC at C2 improved postoperatively and no significant difference was identified intergroup. No serious complications related to the surgical approach and instrumentation were observed in either group.Conclusion: C2DEL was comparable to C2EL for treating OPLL involving C2 segment. C2DEL was an ideal alternative treatment strategy for OPLL involving the C2 segment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 2655-2664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Yang ◽  
Ronald H. M. A. Bartels ◽  
Roland Donk ◽  
Mark P. Arts ◽  
Caroline M. W. Goedmakers ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Cervical spine surgery may affect sagittal alignment parameters and induce accelerated degeneration of the cervical spine. Cervical sagittal alignment parameters of surgical patients will be correlated with radiological adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) and with clinical outcome parameters. Methods Patients were analysed from two randomized, double-blinded trials comparing anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA), with intervertebral cage (ACDF) and without intervertebral cage (ACD). C2–C7 lordosis, T1 slope, C2–C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and the occipito-cervical angle (OCI) were determined as cervical sagittal alignment parameters. Radiological ASD was scored by the combination of decrease in disc height and anterior osteophyte formation. Neck disability index (NDI), SF-36 PCS and MCS were evaluated as clinical outcomes. Results The cervical sagittal alignment parameters were comparable between the three treatment groups, both at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. Irrespective of surgical method, C2–C7 lordosis was found to increase from 11° to 13°, but the other parameters remained stable during follow-up. Only the OCI was demonstrated to be associated with the presence and positive progression of radiological ASD, both at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. NDI, SF-36 PCS and MCS were demonstrated not to be correlated with cervical sagittal alignment. Likewise, a correlation with the value or change of the OCI was absent. Conclusion OCI, an important factor to maintain horizontal gaze, was demonstrated to be associated with radiological ASD, suggesting that the occipito-cervical angle influences accelerated cervical degeneration. Since OCI did not change after surgery, degeneration of the cervical spine may be predicted by the value of OCI. NECK trial Dutch Trial Register Number NTR1289. PROCON trial Trial Register Number ISRCTN41681847. Graphic abstract These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1309-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan T. Villavicencio ◽  
Jason M. Babuska ◽  
Alex Ashton ◽  
Eric Busch ◽  
Cassandra Roeca ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sagittal alignment of the cervical spine has received increased attention in the literature as an important determinant of clinical outcomes after anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion. Surgeons use parallel or lordotically fashioned grafts depending on preference or simple availability. OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively assess and compare cervical sagittal alignment and clinical outcome when lordotic or parallel allografts were used for fusion. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study that enrolled 122 patients was performed. The mean follow-up was 37.5 months (range, 12-54 months). RESULTS: The mean postoperative cervical sagittal alignment was 19° (range, −7°-36°) and 18° (range, −7°-37°) in the lordotic and parallel graft patient groups, respectively. The mean segmental sagittal alignment was 6° (range, −4°-19°) and 7° (range, −3°-19°) in the lordotic and parallel graft patient groups, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical outcome scores between the lordotic and parallel graft patient groups. However, patients who had maintained or improved segmental sagittal alignment, regardless of graft type, achieved a higher degree of improvement in Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary and Neck Disability Index scores. This was statistically significant (P < .038). CONCLUSION: The use of lordotically shaped allografts does not increase cervical/segmental sagittal alignment or improve clinical outcomes. Maintaining a consistent segmental sagittal alignment or increasing segmental lordosis was related to a higher degree of improvement in clinical outcomes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahito Fujimori ◽  
Hai Le ◽  
John E. Ziewacz ◽  
Dean Chou ◽  
Praveen V. Mummaneni

Object There are little data on the effects of plated, or plate-only, open-door laminoplasty on cervical range of motion (ROM), neck pain, and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare ROM after a plated laminoplasty in patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) versus those with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and to correlate ROM with postoperative neck pain and neurological outcomes. Methods The authors retrospectively compared patients with a diagnosis of cervical stenosis due to either OPLL or CSM who had been treated with plated laminoplasty in the period from 2007 to 2012 at the University of California, San Francisco. Clinical outcomes were measured using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale and neck visual analog scale (VAS). Radiographic outcomes included assessment of changes in the C2–7 Cobb angle at flexion and extension, ROM at C2–7, and ROM of proximal and distal segments adjacent to the plated lamina. Results Sixty patients (40 men and 20 women) with an average age of 63.1 ± 10.9 years were included in the study. Forty-one patients had degenerative CSM and 19 patients had OPLL. The mean follow-up period was 20.9 ± 13.1 months. The mean mJOA score significantly improved in both the CSM and the OPLL groups (12.8 to 14.5, p < 0.01; and 13.2 to 14.2, respectively; p = 0.04). In the CSM group, the mean VAS neck score significantly improved from 4.2 to 2.6 after surgery (p = 0.01), but this improvement did not reach the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). Neither was there significant improvement in the VAS neck score in the OPLL group (3.6 to 3.1, p = 0.17). In the CSM group, ROM at C2–7 significantly decreased from 32.7° before surgery to 24.4° after surgery (p < 0.01). In the OPLL group, ROM at C2–7 significantly decreased from 34.4° to 20.8° (p < 0.01). In the CSM group, the change in the VAS neck score significantly correlated with the change in the flexion angle (r = − 0.31) and the extension angle (r = − 0.37); however, it did not correlate with the change in ROM at C2–7 (r = − 0.1). In the OPLL group, the change in the VAS neck score did not correlate with the change in the flexion angle (r = 0.03), the extension angle (r = − 0.17), or the ROM at C2–7 (r = − 0.28). The OPLL group had a significantly greater loss of ROM after surgery than did the CSM group (p = 0.04). There was no significant correlation between the change in ROM and the mJOA score in either group. Conclusions Plated laminoplasty in patients with either OPLL or CSM decreases cervical ROM, especially in the extension angle. Among patients who have undergone laminoplasty, those with OPLL lose more ROM than do those with CSM. No correlation was observed between neck pain and ROM in either group. Neither group had a change in neck pain that reached the MCID following laminoplasty. Both groups improved in neurological function and outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hironobu Sakaura ◽  
Atsunori Ohnishi ◽  
Akira Yamagishi ◽  
Tetsuo Ohwada

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objectives: To compare postoperative changes of cervical sagittal alignment (CSA) and cervical sagittal balance (CSB) after laminoplasty between cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and to examine impacts of these radiologic changes on neurologic outcomes. Methods: A total of 168 consecutive patients with CSM (CSM group) and 51 consecutive patients with OPLL (OPLL group) were included. As indicators of CSA and CSB, the C2-7 angle and C1-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were, respectively, measured before surgery and at 2-year follow-up. Neurologic status was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score before surgery and at 2-year follow-up. Results: Whereas both postoperative loss of C2-7 angle and increase of C1-C7 SVA were significantly greater in the elderly subgroup of the CSM group, patient age did not significantly affect these changes in the OPLL group. Preservation of C7 maintained C1-C7 SVA at postoperative 2 years only in the CSM group. Postoperative cervical kyphosis and sagittal imbalance significantly decreased neurologic improvement in the CSM group but not in the OPLL group. Conclusions: Elderly patients with CSM have significantly greater postoperative loss of lordosis and increase in C1-C7 SVA than nonelderly patients, and both postoperative kyphotic deformity and sagittal imbalance significantly deteriorate neurologic recovery. On the other hand, although patients with OPLL, irrespective of patient age and preservation of C7, have significantly more loss of lordosis and increase in C1-C7 SVA than CSM patients, neither postoperative kyphotic deformity nor sagittal imbalance significantly deteriorates neurologic recovery in OPLL patients.


2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 555-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Miyamoto ◽  
Masatoshi Sumi ◽  
Koki Uno

Object The use of a pedicle screw (PS) in the cervical spine ensures strong fixation. However, 6.7–29% of such screws appear to be malpositioned using manual insertion techniques, especially at C-3 to C-6 where the pedicle diameter is smaller, potentially causing catastrophic complications such as vertebral artery (VA) and spinal cord or nerve root injuries. To optimize safety, the authors use a new technique: cephalad and/or caudad ends at C-2 and C-7/T-1, respectively, are fixed with PSs, and intermediate points around C3–6 are fixed using a modified transarticular screw technique that captures 3 dorsal cortices and preserves the ventral cortex of the facet in posterior long fusion surgery involving occipitospinal fixation. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate this technique and evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods Thirty-nine patients, 8 men and 31 women, with a mean age of 61.7 ± 11.0 years at surgery, were included in the study. Twenty-eight occipitospinal fusions and 11 posterior long fusions were performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) group consisting of 26 patients and a non-RA group of 13 patients including 7 with athetoid cerebral palsy. Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. For radiological evaluation, the Cobb angle on lateral radiographs was measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up, and the degree of realignment from pre- to postoperation and the loss of correction from postoperation to the follow-up were compared between the 2 patient groups. Results The recovery rate of the JOA score was 50.6 ± 20.7% in the RA group and 37.3 ± 24.3% in the non-RA group. Neither VA injury nor spinal cord or nerve root injury occurred among this series. The degree of realignment was greater in the non-RA group (9.2 ± 13.9°) than the RA group (1.4 ± 12.7°) as the Cobb angle was more kyphotic preoperatively in the non-RA group (2.9 ± 18.6°) than in the RA group (17.4 ± 15.7°). However, 38.5% of patients in the non-RA group had a correction loss > 10% compared with 7.7% in the RA group; this difference was statistically significant. Conclusions The featured transarticular screw technique, which preserves the ventral cortex of the facet, as intermediate fixation in long fusion is a safe and easy procedure with few complications. It ensures acceptable clinical and radiological outcomes, especially in patients with RA.


2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Matz ◽  
Paul A. Anderson ◽  
Michael W. Groff ◽  
Robert F. Heary ◽  
Langston T. Holly ◽  
...  

Object The objective of this systematic review was to use evidence-based medicine to examine the efficacy of cervical laminoplasty in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods The National Library of Medicine and Cochrane Database were queried using MeSH headings and keywords relevant to cervical laminoplasty and CSM. Abstracts were reviewed and studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. The guidelines group assembled an evidentiary table summarizing the quality of evidence (Classes I–III). Disagreements regarding the level of evidence were resolved through an expert consensus conference. The group formulated recommendations that contained the degree of strength based on the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines network. Validation was done through peer review by the Joint Guidelines Committee of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Results Cervical laminoplasty has improved functional outcome in the setting of CSM or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale score, ~ 55–60% average recovery rate has been observed (Class III). The functional improvement observed after laminoplasty may be limited by duration of symptoms, severity of stenosis, severity of myelopathy, and poorly controlled diabetes as negative risk factors (Class II). There is conflicting evidence regarding age, with 1 study citing it as a negative risk factor, and another not demonstrating this result. Conclusions Cervical laminoplasty is recommended for the treatment of CSM or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (Class III).


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. S2-S3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey L. Gum ◽  
Steven D. Glassman ◽  
Lonnie R. Douglas ◽  
Leah Y. Carreon

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 752-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng-Yuan Chang ◽  
Hsuan-Kan Chang ◽  
Jau-Ching Wu ◽  
Wen-Cheng Huang ◽  
Li-Yu Fay ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Several large-scale clinical trials demonstrate the efficacy of 1- and 2-level cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) for degenerative disc disease (DDD) in the subaxial cervical spine, while other studies reveal that during physiological neck flexion, the C4–5 and C5–6 discs account for more motion than the C3–4 level, causing more DDD. This study aimed to compare the results of CDA at different levels. METHODS After a review of the medical records, 94 consecutive patients who underwent single-level CDA were divided into the C3–4 and non-C3–4 CDA groups (i.e., those including C4–5, C5–6, and C6–7). Clinical outcomes were measured using the visual analog scale for neck and arm pain and by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores. Postoperative range of motion (ROM) and heterotopic ossification (HO) were determined by radiography and CT, respectively. RESULTS Eighty-eight patients (93.6%; mean age 45.62 ± 10.91 years), including 41 (46.6%) female patients, underwent a mean follow-up of 4.90 ± 1.13 years. There were 11 patients in the C3–4 CDA group and 77 in the non-C3–4 CDA group. Both groups had significantly improved clinical outcomes at each time point after the surgery. The mean preoperative (7.75° vs 7.03°; p = 0.58) and postoperative (8.18° vs 8.45°; p = 0.59) ROMs were similar in both groups. The C3–4 CDA group had significantly greater prevalence (90.9% vs 58.44%; p = 0.02) and higher severity grades (2.27 ± 0.3 vs 0.97 ± 0.99; p = 0.0001) of HO. CONCLUSIONS Although CDA at C3–4 was infrequent, the improved clinical outcomes of CDA were similar at C3–4 to that in the other subaxial levels of the cervical spine at the approximately 5-year follow-ups. In this Asian population, who had a propensity to have ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, there was more HO formation in patients who received CDA at the C3–4 level than in other subaxial levels of the cervical spine. While the type of artificial discs could have confounded the issue, future studies with more patients are required to corroborate the phenomenon.


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