scholarly journals A novel technique to correct kyphosis in cervical myelopathy due to continuous-type ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Ho Lee ◽  
Youn-Suk Joo ◽  
Chang Ju Hwang ◽  
Choon Sung Lee ◽  
Jae Hwan Cho
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Sagittal Alignment ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Posterior Instrumentation ◽  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
Kyphotic Deformity ◽  
Cervical Lordosis ◽  
Anterior Surgery ◽  
Continuous Type ◽  
Greenstick Fracture

OBJECTIVE Although posterior decompressive surgery is widely used to treat patients with cervical myelopathy and multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), a poor outcome is anticipated if the sagittal alignment is kyphotic (or K-line negative). Accordingly, it is mandatory to perform anterior decompression and fusion in patients with cervical kyphosis. However, it can be difficult to perform anterior surgery because of the high risk of complications. This present report proposes a novel “greenstick fracture technique” to change the K-line from negative to positive in patients with cervical myelopathy, OPLL, and kyphotic deformity. METHODS Four patients with cervical myelopathy, continuous-type OPLL, and kyphotic sagittal alignment (who were K-line negative) were indicated for surgery. Posterior laminectomy and lateral mass screw insertions using a posterior approach were performed, followed by anterior surgery. Multilevel discectomy and thinning of the OPLL mass by bur drilling was performed, then an intentional greenstick fracture at each disc level was made to convert the cervical K-line from negative to positive. Finally, posterior instrumentation using a rod was carried out to maintain cervical lordosis. RESULTS MRI showed complete decompression of the cord by posterior migration in all cases, which had been caused by cervical lordosis. Restoration of neurological defects was confirmed at the 1-year follow-up assessment. No specific complications were identified that were associated with this technique. CONCLUSIONS A greenstick fracture technique may be effective and safe when applied to patients with cervical myelopathy, continuous-type OPLL, and kyphotic deformity (K-line negative). However, further studies with more cases will be required to reveal its generalizability and safety.

scholarly journals Differences in Postoperative Changes of Cervical Sagittal Alignment and Balance After Laminoplasty Between Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy and Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hironobu Sakaura ◽  
Atsunori Ohnishi ◽  
Akira Yamagishi ◽  
Tetsuo Ohwada
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy ◽  
Sagittal Alignment ◽  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
Kyphotic Deformity ◽  
Sagittal Imbalance ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Neurologic Recovery ◽  
Postoperative Changes ◽  
Cervical Sagittal Alignment

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.

scholarly journals Combined Anterior and Posterior Decompression With Fusion for Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-Hung Kuo ◽  
Yi-Hsuan Kuo ◽  
Chih-Chang Chang ◽  
Hsuan-Kan Chang ◽  
Li-Yu Fay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Posterior Approach ◽  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
Wound Complications ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Continuous Type ◽  
Csf Leakage ◽  
Post Operation

Objective:Cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is not uncommon among Asian ethnic groups. Despite reports comparing the pros and cons of anterior- and posterior-only approaches, the optimal management remains debatable. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent a combined anterior and posterior approach, simultaneous circumferential decompression and fixation, for cervical OPLL.Method:The study retrospectively reviewed patients with OPLL and who underwent circumferential decompression and fixation, combined anterior corpectomy and posterior laminectomy. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale of neck and arm pain, the Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, Neck Disability Index, and Nurick scores at each time-point of evaluation. Radiological evaluations included plain and dynamic radiographs and computed tomography for every patient within 2 years post-operation. Subgroup analyses were further performed between the groups, with and without intra-operative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.Results:A total of 41 patients completed the follow-up for more than 2 years (mean = 39.8 months) and were analyzed. Continuous-type OPLL was the most common (44%), followed by segmental (27%), mixed (22%), and localized types (7%) in the cohort. Myelopathy and all other functional outcomes improved significantly at 2 years post-operation (all p < 0.05). There were 13 (32%) patients who had intra-operative CSF leakage. At 2 years post-operation, there were no differences in the demographics, functional outcomes, and complication rates between the CSF-leakage and no-leakage groups. The CSF-leakage group had more patients with continuous-type OPLL than the no-leakage group (77 vs. 29%, p = 0.004 < 0.05). During the follow-up, there was no secondary or revision surgery for pseudomeningocele, pseudarthrosis, or other surgery-related complications.Conclusions:Simultaneous circumferential decompression and fixation combine the surgical benefits of sufficient decompression by the posterior approach and direct decompression of OPLL by the anterior approach. It is an effective surgical option for patients with cervical myelopathy caused by OPLL, given that myelopathy unanimously improved without neurological complications in this study. The fusion rates were high, and reoperation rates were low. Despite higher rates of CSF leakage, there were no related long-term sequelae, and minimal wound complications.

K-Line Tilt is a Predictor of Postoperative Kyphotic Deformity After Laminoplasty for Cervical Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

2021 ◽  
pp. 219256822110126
Author(s):  
Kenichiro Sakai ◽  
Toshitaka Yoshii ◽  
Yoshiyasu Arai ◽  
Takashi Hirai ◽  
Ichiro Torigoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
Kyphotic Deformity ◽  
Sagittal Vertical Axis ◽  
Japanese Orthopedic Association ◽  
Radiographic Measurements ◽  
C7 Slope ◽  
Line Tilt ◽  
The Impact

Study Design: Retrospective single-center study. Objectives: K-line is a decision-making tool to determine the appropriate surgical procedures for patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (C-OPLL). Laminoplasty (LAMP) is one of the standard surgical procedures indicated on the basis of K-line measurements (+: OPLL does not cross the K-line). We investigated the impact of K-line tilt, a radiographic parameter of cervical sagittal balance measured using the K-line, on surgical outcomes after LAMP. Methods: The study included 62 consecutive patients with K-line (+) C-OPLL who underwent LAMP. The following preoperative and postoperative radiographic measurements were evaluated: (1) the K-line, (2) K-line tilt (an angle between the K-line and vertical line), (3) center of gravity of the head –C7 sagittal vertical axis, (4) C2–C7 lordotic angle, (5) C7 slope, and (6) C2–C7 range of motion. Clinical results were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system for cervical myelopathy (C-JOA score). Results: All the patients had non-kyphotic cervical alignment (CL ≥ 0°) preoperatively; however, kyphotic deformity (CL < 0°) was observed in 6 patients (9.7%) postoperatively. The recovery rate of the C-JOA scores was poor in the kyphotic deformity (+) group (7.8%) than in the kyphotic deformity (−) group (47.5%). The K-line tilt was identified to be a preoperative risk factor in the multivariate analysis, and the cutoff K-line tilt for predicting the postoperative kyphotic deformity was 20°. Conclusions: LAMP is not suitable for K-line (+) C-OPLL patients with K-line tilts >20°.

C-5 palsy after cervical laminoplasty with instrumented posterior fusion

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Yamanaka ◽  
Toshiya Tachibana ◽  
Tokuhide Moriyama ◽  
Fumiaki Okada ◽  
Keishi Maruo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Fusion ◽  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Posterior Instrumentation ◽  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
Posterior Spinal Fusion ◽  
Foraminal Stenosis ◽  
Cervical Laminoplasty ◽  
Cervical Nerve Root ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Local Kyphosis

Object Postoperative C-5 palsy is known as a common complication after cervical laminoplasty. The authors of this article have encountered postoperative C-5 palsy more often when laminoplasty was combined with instrumented posterior spinal fusion than when it was performed alone. The purpose of this clinical study was to examine the incidence of fifth cervical nerve root palsy (C-5 palsy) and surgical results in patients with cervical myelopathy who had undergone laminoplasty with or without instrumented spinal fusion. Methods The authors retrospectively studied patients with cervical myelopathy who had undergone laminoplasty with or without instrumented posterior spinal fusion. Results Clinical data on 58 patients were evaluated and analyzed. Preoperative diagnoses were cervical spondylotic myelopathy or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine. Twenty-four patients with spondylolisthesis or kyphosis underwent laminoplasty combined with posterior spinal fusion using instrumented lateral mass fixation (fusion group), while the remaining 34 patients underwent laminoplasty without posterior spinal fusion (no-fusion group). In the fusion group, C-5 palsy developed in 6 patients; in the no-fusion group, it occurred in only 1 patient. There was a significant difference in the rate of this complication between the 2 groups. In the fusion group, local kyphosis and spondylolisthesis level were reduced at the fusion level, and all patients with C-5 palsy underwent C4–5 spinal fusion. Conclusions The incidence of postoperative C-5 palsy is significantly higher after laminoplasty when it is combined with spinal fusion. Correction of kyphosis and spondylolisthesis using posterior instrumentation may be a risk factor for iatrogenic intervertebral foraminal stenosis leading to C-5 palsy.

scholarly journals Cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the aged patients.

1990 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 264-266
Author(s):  
Yutaka Itou ◽  
Shinya Kawai ◽  
Kouzou Sunago ◽  
Minoru Saika ◽  
Tosihiko Taguchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
Aged Patients

scholarly journals Comparison of Laminoplasty and Posterior Fusion Surgery for Cervical Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Nakashima ◽  
Shiro Imagama ◽  
Toshitaka Yoshii ◽  
Satoru Egawa ◽  
Kenichiro Sakai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Perioperative Complications ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Japanese Orthopaedic Association ◽  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
Posterior Fusion ◽  
Postoperative Outcomes ◽  
Intensity Change ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract This prospective multicenter study formed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare at 27 institutions aimed to compare postoperative outcomes between laminoplasty (LM) and posterior fusion (PF) for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Controversy exists regarding the role of instrumented fusion in the context of posterior surgical decompression for OPLL. Among the 479 patients enrolled, 189 (137 and 52 patients with LM and PF, respectively) were included and evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, the JOA Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ), and radiographical measurements. Basic demographic and radiographical data were reviewed, and the propensity to choose a surgical procedure was calculated. Preoperatively, patient backgrounds, radiographical measurements (K-line or cervical alignment on X-ray, OPLL occupation ratio on computed tomography, and increased signal intensity change on magnetic resonance imaging), or clinical status (JOA score and JOACMEQ) after adjustments showed no significant differences. The overall risk of perioperative complications was lower in LM (odds ratio [OR] 0.40, p = 0.006), and C5 palsy was significantly lower in LM (OR 0.11, p = 0.0002) than in PF. The range of motion (20.91° ± 1.05° and 9.38° ± 1.24°, p < 0.0001) in patients with PF was significantly smaller than in those with LM. However, multivariable logistic regression analysis showed no significant difference in JOA score, JOA recovery rate, or JOACMEQ improvement at two years. In contrast, OPLL progression was greater in LM group than in the PF group (OR 2.73, p = 0.0002). LM and PF for cervical myelopathy due to OPLL resulted in comparable postoperative outcomes at two years after surgery.

Exceptional Conditions for Favorable Neurological Recovery After Laminoplasty in Cases With Cervical Myelopathy Caused by K-line (−) Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Spine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeru Tsujimoto ◽  
Tsutomu Endo ◽  
Yusuke Menjo ◽  
Masahiro Kanayama ◽  
Itaru Oda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
Neurological Recovery

Diagnostic Challenges and Surgical Strategies in Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament. Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-137
Author(s):  
Mateusz Pawłowski ◽  
Andrzej Bojda ◽  
Piotr Morasiewicz ◽  
Bogdan Czapiga
Keyword(s):  
Female Patient ◽  
Cervical Myelopathy ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
European Population ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Surgical Strategies

This article presents the case of a female patient suffering from cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) which was undiagnosed for a number of years. Besides presenting the clinical case, we describe the pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment options related to this condition, which is unusual in the European population.

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