Lower Hounsfield units on CT are associated with cage subsidence after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-432
Author(s):  
Minghao Wang ◽  
Praveen V. Mummaneni ◽  
Zhuo Xi ◽  
Chih-Chang Chang ◽  
Joshua Rivera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Height Loss ◽  
Foraminal Stenosis ◽  
Hounsfield Units ◽  
Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Single Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cage Subsidence ◽  
Preoperative Ct

OBJECTIVEA consequence of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is graft subsidence, potentially leading to kyphosis, nonunion, foraminal stenosis, and recurrent pain. Bone density, as measured in Hounsfield units (HUs) on CT, may be associated with subsidence. The authors evaluated the association between HUs and subsidence rates after ACDF.METHODSA retrospective study of patients treated with single-level ACDF at the University of California, San Francisco, from 2008 to 2017 was performed. HU values were measured according to previously published methods. Only patients with preoperative CT, minimum 1-year follow-up, and single-level ACDF were included. Patients with posterior surgery, tumor, infection, trauma, deformity, or osteoporosis treatment were excluded. Changes in segmental height were measured at 1-year follow-up compared with immediate postoperative radiographs. Subsidence was defined as segmental height loss of more than 2 mm.RESULTSA total of 91 patients met inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in age or sex between the subsidence and nonsubsidence groups. Mean HU values in the subsidence group (320.8 ± 23.9, n = 8) were significantly lower than those of the nonsubsidence group (389.1 ± 53.7, n = 83, p < 0.01, t-test). There was a negative correlation between the HU values and segmental height loss (Pearson’s coefficient −0.735, p = 0.01). Using receiver operating characteristic curves, the area under the curve was 0.89, and the most appropriate threshold of HU value was 343.7 (sensitivity 77.1%, specificity 87.5%). A preoperative lower HU is a risk factor for postoperative subsidence (binary logistic regression, p < 0.05). The subsidence rate and distance between allograft and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) materials were not significantly different (PEEK 0.9 ± 0.7 mm, allograft 1.0 ± 0.7 mm; p > 0.05).CONCLUSIONSLower preoperative CT HU values are associated with cage subsidence in single-level ACDF. Preoperative measurement of HUs may be useful in predicting outcomes after ACDF.

scholarly journals Is there a difference in the outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion among female patients with different menopausal statuses?

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing-jin Wang ◽  
Hao Liu ◽  
Jun-bo He ◽  
Quan Gong ◽  
Ying Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Loss Rate ◽  
Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Height Loss ◽  
Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Single Level ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Bony Fusion ◽  
Functional Spinal Unit ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background The surgical outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in female patients according to menopausal status remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in these outcomes among female patients with different menopausal statuses. Methods Ninety-one patients undergoing single-level or consecutive two-level ACDF with a minimum 12-month postoperative follow-up were included in this study. There were 38 patients in the premenopausal group, 28 patients in the early postmenopausal group, and 25 patients in the late postmenopausal group. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by means of the neck disability index (NDI) scores, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Radiological parameters included cervical lordosis (CL), the functional spinal unit (FSU) angle, range of motion (ROM) of the total cervical spine, ROM of the FSU, anterior and posterior FSU height, implant subsidence, adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), and Hounsfield unit (HU) values. Results All groups showed significant improvements in their JOA, VAS, and NDI scores (P < 0.05). The differences in preoperative and final follow-up CL, ROM of C2-7, FSU angle, and ROM of FSU were not statistically significant among the three groups (P > 0.05). The anterior FSU height loss rate showed a significant difference (P = 0.043), while there was no difference in the posterior FSU height loss rate (P = 0.072). The fusion rates in the early and late postmenopausal groups were consistently lower than those in the premenopausal group during the follow-up period. All patients had satisfactory outcomes at the final follow-up. Conclusion There were no significant differences in clinical or other related outcomes of single-level or consecutive two-level ACDF in the long term among female patients with different menopausal statuses. However, the early bony fusion rates and anterior FSU height loss rates were poorer in late postmenopausal patients than in premenopausal or early postmenopausal patients. Hence, importance should be attached to the protection of late postmenopausal patients in the early postoperative period to guarantee solid bony fusion.

scholarly journals Impact of Age and Duration of Symptoms on Surgical Outcome of Single-Level Microscopic Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in the Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzad Omidi-Kashani ◽  
Ebrahim Ghayem Hasankhani ◽  
Reza Ghandehari
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Outcome ◽  
Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Single Level ◽  
Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

We aim to evaluate the impact of age and duration of symptoms on surgical outcome of the patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) who had been treated by single-level microscopic anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). We retrospectively evaluated 68 patients (48 female and 20 male) with a mean age of 41.2±4.3 (ranged from 24 to 72 years old) in our Orthopedic Department, Imam Reza Hospital. They were followed up for 31.25±4.1 months (ranged from 25 to 65 months). Pain and disability were assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaires in preoperative and last follow-up visits. Functional outcome was eventually evaluated by Odom’s criteria. Surgery could significantly improve pain and disability from preoperative 6.2±1.4 and 22.2±6.2 to 3.5±2.0 and 8.7±5.2 (1–21) at the last follow-up visit, respectively. Satisfactory outcomes were observed in 89.7%. Symptom duration of more and less than six months had no effect on surgical outcome, but the results showed a statistically significant difference in NDI improvement in favor of the patients aged more than 45 years (P=0.032), although pain improvement was similar in the two groups.

Does smoking have an impact on fusion rate in single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with allograft and rigid plate fixation?

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 527-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myles Luszczyk ◽  
Justin S. Smith ◽  
Jeffrey S. Fischgrund ◽  
Steven C. Ludwig ◽  
Rick C. Sasso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plate Fixation ◽  
Fusion Rate ◽  
Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Single Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Solid Fusion ◽  
Cervical Plate ◽  
Anterior Cervical Plate

Object Although smoking has been shown to negatively affect fusion rates in patients undergoing multilevel fusions of the cervical and lumbar spine, the effect of smoking on fusion rates in patients undergoing single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with allograft and plate fixation has yet to be thoroughly investigated. The objective of the present study was to address the effect of smoking on fusion rates in patients undergoing a 1-level ACDF with allograft and a locked anterior cervical plate. Methods This study is composed of patients from the control groups of 5 separate studies evaluating the use of an anterior cervical disc replacement to treat cervical radiculopathy. For each of the 5 studies the control group consisted of patients who underwent a 1-level ACDF with allograft and a locked cervical plate. The authors of the present study reviewed data obtained in a total of 573 patients; 156 patients were smokers and 417 were nonsmokers. A minimum follow-up period of 24 months was required for inclusion in this study. Fusion status was assessed by independent observers using lateral, neutral, and flexion/extension radiographs. Results An overall fusion rate of 91.4% was achieved in all 573 patients. A solid fusion was shown in 382 patients (91.6%) who were nonsmokers. Among patients who were smokers, 142 (91.0%) had radiographic evidence of a solid fusion. A 2-tailed Fisher exact test revealed a p value of 0.867, indicating no difference in the union rates between smokers and nonsmokers. Conclusions The authors found no statistically significant difference in fusion status between smokers and nonsmokers who underwent a single-level ACDF with allograft and a locked anterior cervical plate. Although the authors do not promote tobacco use, it appears that the use of allograft with a locked cervical plate in single-level ACDF among smokers produces similar fusion rates as it does in their nonsmoking counterparts.

scholarly journals Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion performed using structural allograft or polyetheretherketone: pseudarthrosis and revision surgery rates with minimum 2-year follow-up

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 562-569
Author(s):  
Minghao Wang ◽  
Dean Chou ◽  
Chih-Chang Chang ◽  
Ankit Hirpara ◽  
Yilin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Revision Surgery ◽  
Plate Fixation ◽  
Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Anterior Plate ◽  
Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Posterior Surgery ◽  
Structural Allograft ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Surgery Rates

OBJECTIVEBoth structural allograft and PEEK have been used for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). There are reports that PEEK has a higher pseudarthrosis rate than structural allograft. The authors compared pseudarthrosis, revision, subsidence, and loss of lordosis rates in patients with PEEK and structural allograft.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective review of patients who were treated with ACDF at their hospital between 2005 and 2017. Inclusion criteria were adult patients with either PEEK or structural allograft, anterior plate fixation, and a minimum 2-year follow-up. Exclusion criteria were hybrid PEEK and allograft cases, additional posterior surgery, adjacent corpectomies, infection, tumor, stand-alone or integrated screw and cage devices, bone morphogenetic protein use, or lack of a minimum 2-year follow-up. Demographic variables, number of treated levels, interbody type (PEEK cage vs structural allograft), graft packing material, pseudarthrosis rates, revision surgery rates, subsidence, and cervical lordosis changes were collected. These data were analyzed by Pearson’s chi-square test (or Fisher’s exact test, according to the sample size and expected value) and Student t-test.RESULTSA total of 168 patients (264 levels total, mean follow-up time 39.5 ± 24.0 months) were analyzed. Sixty-one patients had PEEK, and 107 patients had structural allograft. Pseudarthrosis rates for 1-level fusions were 5.4% (PEEK) and 3.4% (allograft) (p > 0.05); 2-level fusions were 7.1% (PEEK) and 8.1% (allograft) (p > 0.05); and ≥ 3-level fusions were 10% (PEEK) and 11.1% (allograft) (p > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the subsidence magnitude between PEEK and allograft in 1-, 2-, and ≥ 3-level ACDF (p > 0.05). Postoperative lordosis loss was not different between cohorts for 1- and 2-level surgeries.CONCLUSIONSIn 1- and 2-level ACDF with plating involving the same number of fusion levels, there was no statistically significant difference in the pseudarthrosis rate, revision surgery rate, subsidence, and lordosis loss between PEEK cages and structural allograft.

scholarly journals Long-Term Results of Multiple Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Cage Fusion Technique: Results of Multiple Centre Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (17) ◽  
pp. 2824-2828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamdi Mostafa ◽  
Mohsen Lotfi ◽  
M. Wahid
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Fusion Technique ◽  
Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Cage Subsidence ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

BACKGROUND: Cervical herniation is commonly treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) if conservative management has failed in relief of the patient's symptoms. Disc fusion is needed after ACDF as anterior longitudinal ligament will be absent after doing the operation, especially if multiple levels are needed. The occurrence of complications as cage subsidence and adjacent segment failure related to the length of follow up as they are increasing in percentage is directly proportional to the length of follow up. AIM: Analysis of the results for patients who underwent 3 levels of ACDF with cage fusion for short term and long term follow up in multiple centres as the visual analogue score for neck pain & brachialgia. METHODS: This retrospective cohort series of 68 patients selected out of 136 patients suffering from 3 levels of degenerative cervical disc disease who were unresponsive to adequate conservative therapy. All cases were treated at one of the neurosurgery departments of 3 different hospitals (Naser institute for research and treatment hospital, Haram hospital for research and treatment and Misr university for science and technology) by the same surgical team in the period from February 2012 to February 2017. RESULTS: We found in this study;68 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria, of the 29 patients underwent 3 levels of ACDF starting from C3-4 (42.65%) and 39 patients who underwent 3 levels of ACDF starting from C4-5 (57.35%). Clinical assessment for VAS pain score for both neck pain and radiculopathy were done before the surgery and immediately post-operative and during each time follow up visit and we found statistically significant immediate postoperative improvement. (P ˂ 0.05) CONCLUSION: Stand-alone three levels of an anterior cervical discectomy with cage fusion technique improved the clinical outcomes on long term follow up.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Titanium Mesh Cage Subsidence in Single-level Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion for Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifan Tang ◽  
Fengning Li ◽  
Xiangwu Geng ◽  
Lianshun Jia ◽  
Shengyuan Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽  
Titanium Mesh ◽  
Titanium Mesh Cage ◽  
Cervical Corpectomy ◽  
Single Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cage Subsidence ◽  
Mesh Cage ◽  
Anterior Cervical Corpectomy

Abstract Background: To analyze risk factors of titanium mesh cage (TMC) subsidence in single-level anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Methods: Patients with cervical OPLL who were treated with single-level ACCF between January 2019 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed in two groups: patients with TMC subsidence as Group S, and patients with no TMC subsidence as Group N during the one-year follow-up period. The degree of distraction between decompression of the vertebral bodies and correction of the cervical curvature was measured to analyze their relationship with TMC subsidence. Results: There was no significant difference in patient demographics and complications between the two groups. The degree of distraction in Group S was significantly higher than that in Group N. The change of C2 to C7 Cobb angle (α) in Group S was significantly greater than that in Group N, and the interspinous process distance (SPD) in Group S was also significantly greater than that in Group N. The JOA score and JOA recovery rate were not statistically different between the two groups.Conclusions: Intraoperative selection of overlength TMC in single-level ACCF for OPLL, over-distraction, and excessive correction of the cervical curvature may cause TMC subsidence after surgery. No significant impact of TMC subsidence on the surgical outcome was observed during the 1-year follow-up period.

Applicability of cervical sagittal vertical axis, cervical lordosis, and T1 slope on pain and disability outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in patients without deformity

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darryl Lau ◽  
Anthony M. DiGiorgio ◽  
Andrew K. Chan ◽  
Cecilia L. Dalle Ore ◽  
Michael S. Virk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Cervical Lordosis ◽  
Sagittal Vertical Axis ◽  
Significant Linear Trend ◽  
Cervical Discectomy ◽  
T1 Slope ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Vas Scores

OBJECTIVEUnderstanding what influences pain and disability following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients with degenerative cervical spine disease is critical. This study examines the timing of clinical improvement and identifies factors (including spinal alignment) associated with worse outcomes.METHODSConsecutive adult patients were enrolled in a prospective outcomes database from two academic centers participating in the Quality Outcomes Database from 2013 to 2016. Demographics, surgical details, radiographic data, arm and neck pain (visual analog scale [VAS] scores), and disability (Neck Disability Index [NDI] and EQ-5D scores) were reviewed. Multivariate analysis was used.RESULTSA total of 186 patients were included, and 48.4% were male. Their mean age was 55.4 years, and 45.7% had myelopathy. Preoperative cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), cervical lordosis (CL), and T1 slope values were 24.9 mm (range 0–55 mm), 10.4° (range −6.0° to 44°), and 28.3° (range 14.0°–51.0°), respectively. ACDF was performed at 1, 2, and 3 levels in 47.8%, 42.0%, and 10.2% of patients, respectively. Preoperative neck and arm VAS scores were 5.7 and 5.4, respectively. NDI and EQ-5D scores were 22.1 and 0.5, respectively. There was significant improvement in all outcomes at 3 months (p < 0.001) and 12 months (p < 0.001). At 3 months, neck VAS (3.0), arm VAS (2.2), NDI (12.7), and EQ-5D (0.7) scores were improved, and at 12 months, neck VAS (2.8), arm VAS (2.3), NDI (11.7), and EQ-5D (0.8) score improvements were sustained. Improvements occurred within the first 3-month period; there was no significant difference in outcomes between the 3-month and 12-month mark. There was no correlation among cSVA, CL, or T1 slope with any outcome endpoint. The most consistent independent preoperative factors associated with worse outcomes were high neck and arm VAS scores and a severe NDI result (p < 0.001). Similar findings were seen with worse NDI and EQ-5D scores (p < 0.001). A significant linear trend of worse NDI and EQ-5D scores at 3 and 12 months was associated with worse baseline scores. Of the 186 patients, 171 (91.9%) had 3-month follow-up data, and 162 (87.1%) had 12-month follow-up data.CONCLUSIONSACDF is effective in improving pain and disability, and improvement occurs within 3 months of surgery. cSVA, CL, and T1 slope do not appear to influence outcomes following ACDF surgery in the population with degenerative cervical disease. Therefore, in patients with relatively normal cervical parameters, augmenting alignment or lordosis is likely unnecessary. Worse preoperative pain and disability were independently associated with worse outcomes.

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