Occipital and external acoustic meatus to axis angle: a useful predictor of oropharyngeal space in rheumatoid arthritis patients with atlantoaxial subluxation

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 534-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuaki Morizane ◽  
Mitsuru Takemoto ◽  
Masashi Neo ◽  
Shunsuke Fujibayashi ◽  
Bungo Otsuki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Translational Motion ◽  
Atlantoaxial Subluxation ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Occipitocervical Fusion ◽  
Middle Point ◽  
Oropharyngeal Airway ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Anterior Posterior

OBJECTIVEDyspnea and/or dysphagia is a life-threatening complication after occipitocervical fusion. The occiput-C2 angle (O-C2a) is useful for preventing dyspnea and/or dysphagia because O-C2a affects the oropharyngeal space. However, O-C2a is unreliable in atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) because it does not reflect the translational motion of the cranium to C2, another factor affecting oropharyngeal area in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have reducible AAS. The authors previously proposed the occipital and external acoustic meatus to axis angle (O-EAa; i.e., the angle made by McGregor’s line and a line joining the external auditory canal and the middle point of the endplate of the axis [EA line]) as a novel, useful, and powerful predictor of the anterior-posterior narrowest oropharyngeal airway space (nPAS) distance in healthy subjects. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the validity of O-EAa as an indicator of oropharyngeal airway space in RA patients with AAS.METHODSThe authors investigated 64 patients with RA. The authors collected lateral cervical radiographs at neutral position, flexion, extension, protrusion, and retraction and measured the O-C2a, C2-C6, O-EAa, anterior atlantodental interval (AADI), and nPAS. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to the presence of AAS and its mobility: group N, patients without AAS; and group R, patients with reducible AAS during dynamic cervical movement.RESULTSGroup N had a significantly lower AADI and O-EAa than group R in all but the extension position. The O-EAa was a better predictor for nPAS than O-C2a according to the mixed-effects models in both groups (marginal R2: 0.510 and 0.575 for the O-C2a and O-EAa models in group N, and 0.250 and 0.390 for the same models, respectively, in group R).CONCLUSIONSO-EAa was superior to O-C2a in predicting nPAS, especially in the case of AAS, because it affects both O-C2a and cranial translational motion. O-EAa would be a useful parameter for surgeons performing occipitocervical fusion in patients with AAS.

scholarly journals Comparison of structural allograft and traditional autograft technique in occipitocervical fusion: radiological and clinical outcomes from a single institution

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Godzik ◽  
Vijay M. Ravindra ◽  
Wilson Z. Ray ◽  
Meic H. Schmidt ◽  
Erica F. Bisson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Fusion Rate ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Occipitocervical Fusion ◽  
Structural Allograft ◽  
Radiographic Measurements ◽  
Flexion Extension

OBJECT The authors’ objectives were to compare the rate of fusion after occipitoatlantoaxial arthrodesis using structural allograft with the fusion rate from using autograft, to evaluate correction of radiographic parameters, and to describe symptom relief with each graft technique. METHODS The authors assessed radiological fusion at 6 and 12 months after surgery and obtained radiographic measurements of C1–2 and C2–7 lordotic angles, C2–7 sagittal vertical alignments, and posterior occipitocervical angles at preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up examinations. Demographic data, intraoperative details, adverse events, and functional outcomes were collected from hospitalization records. Radiological fusion was defined as the presence of bone trabeculation and no movement between the graft and the occiput or C-2 on routine flexion-extension cervical radiographs. Radiographic measurements were obtained from lateral standing radiographs with patients in the neutral position. RESULTS At the University of Utah, 28 adult patients underwent occipitoatlantoaxial arthrodesis between 2003 and 2010 using bicortical allograft, and 11 patients were treated using iliac crest autograft. Mean follow-up for all patients was 20 months (range 1–108 months). Of the 27 patients with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up, 18 (95%) of 19 in the allograft group and 8 (100%) of 8 in the autograft group demonstrated evidence of bony fusion shown by imaging. Patients in both groups demonstrated minimal deterioration of sagittal vertical alignment at final follow-up. Operative times were comparable, but patients undergoing occipitocervical fusion with autograft demonstrated greater blood loss (316 ml vs 195 ml). One (9%) of 11 patients suffered a significant complication related to autograft harvesting. CONCLUSIONS The use of allograft in occipitocervical fusion allows a high rate of successful arthrodesis yet avoids the potentially significant morbidity and pain associated with autograft harvesting. The safety and effectiveness profile is comparable with previously published rates for posterior C1–2 fusion using allograft.

Evaluation of flexion/extension of the upper cervical spine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an MRI study with a dedicated positioning device compared to conventional radiographs

2005 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. O. Karhu ◽  
R. K. Parkkola ◽  
S. K. Koskinen
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Upper Cervical Spine ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Segmental Motion ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Upper Cervical ◽  
Positioning Device

Purpose: Using flexion/extension magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a dedicated positioning device, our purpose was to analyze pathologic cranio‐vertebral joint anatomy and motion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in comparison to normal patients, and to compare flexion/extension MRI with conventional radiographs (CRs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Material and Methods: The 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 20 healthy subjects included in the study were imaged in an open MRI scanner during flexion/extension. A dedicated positioning device was used. Additionally, we compared flexion/extension MRI with CRs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In MRI, the orientation and segmental motion of C0, C1, and C2 were assessed and structure of the dens and amount of pannus tissue were observed. Configuration of the cerebrospinal fluid space and the cord was evaluated in each position. In both MRI and CRs, anterior atlanto‐axial subluxation and vertical dislocation were assessed and sagittal diameter of the dural sac was measured. Results: In the neutral position, C1 of the patients was oriented in a more flexed position in relation to both C0 and C2 compared to that in healthy subjects. The patients had more extension in the upper cervical spine than did healthy subjects. In flexion, atlanto‐axial subluxation was greater in CRs than in MRI. In MRI, the amount of vertical dislocation did not depend on position. In the patients, there was considerably more cord impingement in flexion than in other positions. Conclusion: Evaluation of the rheumatoid cervical spine is optimized using MR images in the neutral, flexed, and extended positions. Measurements and relationships between structures should be compared in all positions. CRs with flexion‐extension views are recommended as the first imaging method.

Traction load, tong position, and head support significantly influence cervical spine loading during traction

2019 ◽  
Vol 234 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-117
Author(s):  
Joshua M Hammond ◽  
Belal Tarakji ◽  
Charles Frank ◽  
Tyler Stewart ◽  
David Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Shear Force ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Mechanical Effect ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Flexion Moment ◽  
Cervical Traction ◽  
Traction Load ◽  
Anterior Posterior

Some cervical dislocation injuries may be acutely treated with traction via Gardner-Wells tongs, which are attached to the skull via two pins. While a variety of techniques have been proposed and utilized in the literature and clinical practice to use the tongs, these techniques have not been methodically studied to confirm how they transmit loads to the cervical spine. The current study investigated the mechanical effect of different traction techniques in a laboratory setting. A 50th male Hybrid anthropomorphic test device was used as a human surrogate to represent an average male in height and weight was modified to represent a patient with a unilateral facet dislocation injury. Electronic sensors at the atlanto-occipital joint recorded the loading delivered to the superior cervical spine by traction loading. Combinations of the following variables were evaluated as traction loads were progressively increased to one-third of body weight: tong pin position in the skull (anterior–posterior and superior–inferior to the recommended neutral position), traction cable angle in the sagittal plane (elevated, horizontal, declined), and presence or absence of an occipital support. Analysis of the cervical axial traction loads showed that the only significant predictor of cervical tension was the magnitude of the traction load. Anterior–posterior changes in the pin positions in the skull significantly influenced the cervical flexion–extension moment and anterior-posterior (AP) shear. The data show that a combined cervical tension, flexion moment, and anterior shear force can be achieved with posteriorly biased pins and a bolster behind the head. Increasing the angle of traction cable increased the cervical flexion moment and anterior shear force. The following variables should be carefully considered when applying cervical traction since they significantly affect cervical loading: magnitude of the hanging traction load, anterior–posterior pin position, use of an occipital bolster, and traction load angle.

scholarly journals Changes in Range of Motion of the Cervical Spine of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated by Occipitocervical Fusion.

2002 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 618-621
Author(s):  
Ginryu Fukumoto ◽  
Yoshihiro Ryoki ◽  
Toshiyuki Ohnishi ◽  
Kosei Ijiri ◽  
Shunji Matsunaga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Occipitocervical Fusion

Tocilizumab dramatically ameliorated life-threatening diarrhea due to secondary amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 1113-1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroe Sato ◽  
Takehito Sakai ◽  
Toshiaki Sugaya ◽  
Yasuhiro Otaki ◽  
Kana Aoki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Secondary Amyloidosis ◽  
Life Threatening

scholarly journals Validity and reliability of inertial sensors for elbow and wrist range of motion assessment

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9687
Author(s):  
Vanina Costa ◽  
Óscar Ramírez ◽  
Abraham Otero ◽  
Daniel Muñoz-García ◽  
Sandra Uribarri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Active Movement ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Maximum Difference ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Flexion Extension

Background Elbow and wrist chronic conditions are very common among musculoskeletal problems. These painful conditions affect muscle function, which ultimately leads to a decrease in the joint’s Range Of Motion (ROM). Due to their portability and ease of use, goniometers are still the most widespread tool for measuring ROM. Inertial sensors are emerging as a digital, low-cost and accurate alternative. However, whereas inertial sensors are commonly used in research studies, due to the lack of information about their validity and reliability, they are not widely used in the clinical practice. The goal of this study is to assess the validity and intra-inter-rater reliability of inertial sensors for measuring active ROM of the elbow and wrist. Materials and Methods Measures were taken simultaneously with inertial sensors (Werium™ system) and a universal goniometer. The process involved two physiotherapists (“rater A” and “rater B”) and an engineer responsible for the technical issues. Twenty-nine asymptomatic subjects were assessed individually in two sessions separated by 48 h. The procedure was repeated by rater A followed by rater B with random order. Three repetitions of each active movement (elbow flexion, pronation, and supination; and wrist flexion, extension, radial deviation and ulnar deviation) were executed starting from the neutral position until the ROM end-feel; that is, until ROM reached its maximum due to be stopped by the anatomy. The coefficient of determination (r2) and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were calculated to assess the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. The Standard Error of the Measurement and the Minimum Detectable Change and a Bland–Altman plots were also calculated. Results Similar ROM values when measured with both instruments were obtained for the elbow (maximum difference of 3° for all the movements) and wrist (maximum difference of 1° for all the movements). These values were within the normal range when compared to literature studies. The concurrent validity analysis for all the movements yielded ICC values ≥0.78 for the elbow and ≥0.95 for the wrist. Concerning reliability, the ICC values denoted a high reliability of inertial sensors for all the different movements. In the case of the elbow, intra-rater and inter-rater reliability ICC values range from 0.83 to 0.96 and from 0.94 to 0.97, respectively. Intra-rater analysis of the wrist yielded ICC values between 0.81 and 0.93, while the ICC values for the inter-rater analysis range from 0.93 to 0.99. Conclusions Inertial sensors are a valid and reliable tool for measuring elbow and wrist active ROM. Particularly noteworthy is their high inter-rater reliability, often questioned in measurement tools. The lowest reliability is observed in elbow prono-supination, probably due to skin artifacts. Based on these results and their advantages, inertial sensors can be considered a valid assessment tool for wrist and elbow ROM.

Scaphoid Excision and Bicolumnar Carpal Fusion with Retrograde Headless Screws

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Undurraga ◽  
Kendrick Au ◽  
Johanna Dobransky ◽  
Braden Gammon
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Articular Surface ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Pinch Strength ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Wrist Extension ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Patient Reported

Abstract Background/Purpose Scaphoid excision and partial wrist fusion is used for the treatment of scapholunate advanced collapse/scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse wrist arthritis. The purpose of this study was to report midterm functional and radiographic outcomes in a series of patients who underwent bicolumnar fusion of the lunocapitate and triquetrohamate joints using retrograde headless screws. Methods Twenty-three consecutive patients (25 wrists) underwent surgery with this technique from January 2014 to May 2017 with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Assessment consisted of range of motion, grip, and pinch strength. Patient-reported outcome measures included disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) and patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) scores. Fusion rates and the radiolunate joint were evaluated radiographically. The relationship between wrist range of motion and midcarpal fusion angle (neutral position vs. extended capitolunate fusion angle > 20 degrees) was analyzed. Results Average follow-up was 18 months. Mean wrist extension was 41 degrees, flexion 36 degrees, and radial-ulnar deviation arc was 43 degrees. Grip strength was 39 kg and pinch 9 kg. Residual pain for activities of daily living was 1.6 (visual analog scale). The mean DASH and PRWE scores were 19 ± 16 and 28 ± 18, respectively. Patients with an extended capitolunate fusion angle trended toward more wrist extension but this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.17). Conclusions With retrograde headless compression screws, the proximal articular surface of the lunate is not violated, preserving the residual load-bearing articulation. Patients maintained a functional flexion–extension arc of motion with grip-pinch strength close to normal. Capitolunate fusion angle greater than 20 degrees may provide more wrist extension but further studies are needed to demonstrate this. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV study.

Atlantoaxial stabilization in rheumatoid arthritis

1991 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Papadopoulos ◽  
Curtis A. Dickman ◽  
Volker K. H. Sonntag
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Atlantoaxial Subluxation ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operative Stabilization ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Atlantoaxial subluxation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is common. Operative stabilization is clearly indicated when signs and symptoms of spinal cord compression occur. However, many recommend early operative fusion before evidence of appreciable neural compression occurs because 1) the myelopathy in these patients may be irreversible; 2) the overall prognosis is poor once symptoms of cord compression are present; and 3) the risk of sudden death associated with atlantoaxial subluxation is increased even in asymptomatic patients. The authors believe that rheumatoid arthritis patients in relatively good health without advanced multisystem disease and less than 65 years of age should be considered for operative stabilization if mobile atlantoaxial subluxation is greater than 6 mm. Seventeen patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis and atlantoaxial subluxation treated with a posterior arthrodesis are presented. A new method of fusion, devised by the senior author (V.K.H.S.), was utilized in all cases. Indications for operative therapy in these patients included evidence of spinal cord compression in 11 patients (65%) and mobile atlantoaxial subluxation greater than 6 mm but no signs or symptoms of cord compression in six patients (35%). Thirteen patients developed a stable osseous fusion, two patients a well-aligned fibrous union, one patient a malaligned fibrous union, and one patient died prior to evaluation of fusion stability. The details of the operative technique and management strategies are presented. Several technical advantages of this method of fusion make this approach particularly useful in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Because of multisystem involvement of this disease, a high rate of osseous fusion is often difficult to achieve.

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