Surgical management of atlantoaxial nonunions

1995 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis A. Dickman ◽  
Volker K. H. Sonntag
Keyword(s):  
Bone Grafts ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Atlantoaxial Instability ◽  
Os Odontoideum ◽  
Autogenous Bone ◽  
Osteoporotic Bone ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cervical Orthosis ◽  
Fracture Nonunion ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Sixteen patients referred for atlantoaxial fixation failures were treated surgically with revision procedures during the past decade. Of these 16 patients, atlantoaxial instability occurred because of rheumatoid arthritis in five, os odontoideum in seven, transverse ligament disruption in two, and odontoid fracture nonunion in two. The 16 individuals (10 men, six women; mean age 43.7 years; age range 20–77 years) had undergone a total of 20 C1–2 internal fixation procedures that failed. Surgical strategies for definitive revision of the nonunions in these 16 subjects included 10 rigid internal fixations with transarticular screws, three revised C1–2 fixations with autogenous bone struts and wire or cables, and three extended fixations with occipitocervical instrumentation. Autogenous grafts were used in all revisions. A postoperative halo brace was used in five individuals with osteoporotic bone; all patients wore a restrictive postoperative cervical orthosis. Postoperatively, 15 patients (94%) had a stable construct (mean follow up 35 months; range 12–79 months), which included 13 osseous unions and two stable fibrous unions. One patient had nonunion; he fractured his anterior C1–2 transarticular screws 2 years postoperatively. He had occipital radicular pain without myelopathy but refused further surgery. Atlantoaxial pseudarthroses were effectively treated by addressing the pathological, biomechanical, and technical reasons for failed fusion. Successful fusion after reoperation was improved by using autologous bone grafts, adequately controlling atlantoaxial motion (with rigid transarticular screws internally or externally with a halo vest), compressing the bone grafts between the arches of C-1 and C-2 with wire cables, meticulously preparing the fusion bed, and by optimizing the pharmacological and clinical parameters to promote bone healing.

Anatomical suitability of C1–2 transarticular screw placement in pediatric patients

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas L. Brockmeyer ◽  
Julie E. York ◽  
Ronald I. Apfelbaum
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Screw Fixation ◽  
Vascular Complications ◽  
Screw Placement ◽  
Atlantoaxial Instability ◽  
Os Odontoideum ◽  
Transarticular Screw ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transarticular Screw Fixation ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Craniovertebral instability is a challenging problem in pediatric spinal surgery. Recently, C1–2 transarticular screw fixation has been used to assist in craniovertebral joint stabilization in pediatric patients. Currently there are no available data that define the anatomical suitability of this technique in the pediatric population. The authors report their experience in treating 31 pediatric patients with craniovertebral instability by using C1–2 transarticular screws. Methods. From March 1992 to October 1998, 31 patients who were 16 years of age or younger with atlantooccipital or atlantoaxial instability, or both, were evaluated at our institution. There were 21 boys and 10 girls. Their ages ranged from 4 to 16 years (mean age 10.2 years). The most common causes of instability were os odontoideum (12 patients) and ligamentous laxity (eight patients). Six patients had undergone a total of nine previous attempts at posterior fusion while at outside institutions. All patients underwent extensive preoperative radiological evaluation including fine-slice (1-mm) computerized tomography scanning with multiplanar reconstruction to evaluate the anatomy of the C1–2 joint space. Preoperatively, of the 62 possible C1–2 joint spaces in 31 patients, 55 sides (89%) were considered suitable for transarticular screw placement. In three patients the anatomy was considered unsuitable for bilateral screw placement. In three patients the anatomy was considered inadequate on one side. Fifty-five C1–2 transarticular screws were subsequently placed, and there were no neurological or vascular complications. Conclusions. The authors conclude that C1–2 transarticular screw fixation is technically possible in a large proportion of pediatric patients with craniovertebral instability.

Os odontoideum associated with hypertrophic ossiculum terminale

2001 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Sakaida ◽  
Shiro Waga ◽  
Tadashi Kojima ◽  
Yoshichika Kubo ◽  
Shigehiko Niwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transoral Approach ◽  
Os Odontoideum ◽  
Autogenous Bone ◽  
Current Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rare Association ◽  
Considerable Confusion ◽  
Ossiculum Terminale ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors report on the case of a 20-year-old man who presented with a transient tetraparesis. Neuroimaging studies demonstrated atlantoaxial dislocation and ventral compression of the rostral spinal cord caused by a quite rare association of os odontoideum and hypertrophic ossiculum terminale. The patient underwent removal of two free ossicula via a transoral approach and posterior fusion in which an autogenous bone graft was placed. The majority of cases of os odontoideum are believed to be an acquired form; however, controversy with regard to the congenital causes of os odontoideum remains. One hypothesis is that os odontoideum results from the failure of fusion and the hypertrophy of the proatlas, although considerable confusion surrounds this hypothesis because definitive classification of os odontoideum—to differentiate between similar anomalies—has not been established. This rare coincidence in the current case supports the belief that os odontoideum has a different embryological origin from ossiculum terminale, which is thought to be a proatlantal remnant.

Treatment of Down syndrome—associated craniovertebral junction abnormalities

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek A. Taggard ◽  
Arnold H. Menezes ◽  
Timothy C. Ryken
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Craniovertebral Junction ◽  
Neurological Dysfunction ◽  
Atlantoaxial Instability ◽  
Os Odontoideum ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
General Anesthetic ◽  
Surgical Morbidity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Operative intervention for craniovertebral junction (CVJ) instability in patients with Down syndrome has become controversial, with reports of a low incidence of associated neurological dysfunction and high surgical morbidity rates. The authors analyzed their experience in light of these poor results and attempted to evaluate differences in management. Methods. Medical and radiographic records of 36 consecutive patients with Down syndrome and CVJ abnormalities were reviewed. The most common clinical complaints included neck pain (15 patients) and torticollis (12 patients). Cervicomedullary compression was associated with ataxia and progressive weakness. Hyperreflexia was documented in a majority of patients (24 cases), and 13 patients suffered from varying degrees of quadriparesis. Upper respiratory tract infection precipitated the presentation in five patients. Four patients suffered acute neurological insults after a minor fall and two after receiving a general anesthetic agent. Atlantoaxial instability was the most common radiographically observed abnormality (23 patients), with a rotary component present in 14 patients. Occipitoatlantal instability was also frequently observed (16 patients) and was coexistent with atlantoaxial dislocation in 15 patients. Twenty individuals had bone anomalies, the most frequent of which was os odontoideum (12 patients) followed by atlantal arch hypoplasia and bifid anterior or posterior arches (eight patients). Twenty-seven patients underwent surgical procedures without subsequent neurological deterioration, and a 96% fusion rate was observed. In five of 11 patients basilar invagination was irreducible and required transoral decompression. Overall, 24 patients enjoyed good or excellent outcomes. Conclusions. The results of this series highlight the clinicopathological characteristics of CVJ instability in patients with Down syndrome and suggest that satisfactory outcomes can be achieved with low surgical morbidity rates.

Posterior atlantoaxial facet screw fixation

1993 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Marcotte ◽  
Curtis A. Dickman ◽  
Volker K. H. Sonntag ◽  
Dean G. Karahalios ◽  
Janine Drabier
Keyword(s):  
Screw Fixation ◽  
Metastatic Tumor ◽  
Atlantoaxial Instability ◽  
Os Odontoideum ◽  
Rigid Fixation ◽  
Spinal Fixation ◽  
Strut Graft ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Eighteen patients with atlantoaxial instability were treated with posterior atlantoaxial facet screws to obtain immediate rigid fixation of C1–2. Of these 18 patients, instability occurred due to trauma in nine, rheumatoid arthritis in six, neoplasms in two, and os odontoideum in one. Four patients presented with nonunion after failed C1–2 wire and graft procedures. In all cases in this series the screw fixations were augmented with an interspinous C1–2 strut graft which was wired in place to provide three-point stabilization and to facilitate bone fusion. In every case fixation was satisfactory, and C1–2 alignment and stability were restored without complications due to instrumentation. One patient died 3 months postoperatively from metastatic tumor; the spinal fixation was intact. All 17 surviving patients have developed osseous unions (mean follow-up period 12 months, range 6 to 16 months). Posterior atlantoaxial facet screw fixation provides immediate multidirectional rigid fixation of C1–2 that is mechanically superior to wiring or clamp fixation. This technique maximizes success without the need for a supplemental rigid external orthosis, and is particularly useful for pseudoarthrosis.

Posterior epidural migration of sequestered lumbar disc fragments

1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Robe ◽  
Didier Martin ◽  
Jacques Lenelle ◽  
Achille Stevenaert
Keyword(s):  
Cauda Equina Syndrome ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Contrast Material ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diagnostic Pitfalls ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The posterior epidural migration of sequestered lumbar disc fragments is an uncommon event. The authors report two such cases in which patients presented with either intense radicular pain or cauda equina syndrome. The radiological characteristics were the posterior epidural location and the ring enhancement of the mass after injection of contrast material. The major diagnostic pitfalls are discussed.

Chondroblastoma of the lumbar spine

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 596-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphaël Vialle ◽  
Antoine Feydy ◽  
Ludovic Rillardon ◽  
Carla Tohme-Noun ◽  
Philippe Anract ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lumbar Spine ◽  
Local Recurrence ◽  
Osteolytic Lesion ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Appendicular Skeleton ◽  
Lumbar Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Anterior Posterior ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Chondroblastoma is a benign cartilaginous neoplasm that generally affects the appendicular skeleton. Twenty-six cases of spinal chondroblastoma have been reported in the past 50 years, only six of which were located in the lumbar region. The authors report two cases involving this exceptional location. In both patients, low-back pain, in the absence of radicular pain, was the presenting symptom. In both cases, plain radiography and computerized tomography scanning revealed an osteolytic lesion surrounded by marginal sclerosis. Magnetic resonance imaging allowed the authors to study the tumor's local extension. Examination of a percutaneous fluoroscopy-guided biopsy sample revealed the following typical histological features of chondroblastoma: chondroid tissue, focally alternating with cellular areas, and no nuclear atypia or pleomorphism. To reduce the risk of local recurrence, vertebrectomy and anterior—posterior fusion were performed in both cases. In one case, a structural lumbar scoliosis was corrected during the posterior procedure. There was no postoperative complication. No recurrence was observed during the 3- to 6-year follow-up period. The surgery-related results were deemed successful. Although exceptional, the diagnosis of chondroblastoma is possible in lesions involving the lumbar spine. Other spinal locations are described in the literature, and frequency of recurrence is stressed. A vertebrectomy is advised to reduce the risk of local recurrence.

Use of a titanium mesh cage for posterior atlantoaxial arthrodesis

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morio Matsumoto ◽  
Kazuhiro Chiba ◽  
Takashi Tsuji ◽  
Hirofumi Maruiwa ◽  
Yoshiaki Toyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Donor Site ◽  
Atlantoaxial Instability ◽  
Os Odontoideum ◽  
Posterior Arch ◽  
Rigid Fixation ◽  
Titanium Mesh ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Atlantoaxial Fixation ◽  
Mesh Cage ◽  
Atlantoaxial Arthrodesis

✓ The authors placed titanium mesh cages to achieve posterior atlantoaxial fixation in five patients with atlantoaxial instability caused by rheumatoid arthritis or os odontoideum. A mesh cage packed with autologous cancellous bone was placed between the C-1 posterior arch and the C-2 lamina and was tightly connected with titanium wires. Combined with the use of transarticular screws, this procedure provided very rigid fixation. Solid fusion was achieved in all patients without major complications. The advantages of this method include more stable fixation, better control of the atlantoaxial fixation angle, and reduced donor-site morbidity compared with a conventional atlantoaxial arthrodesis in which an autologous iliac crest graft is used.

Intervertebral disc space cyst simulating a recurrent herniated nucleus pulposus

1988 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan C. Grabel ◽  
Raphael Davis ◽  
Rosario Zappulla
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Preoperative Diagnosis ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Lumbar Region ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Space ◽  
Disc Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Herniated Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The case presented is of a patient with an intervertebral disc space cyst producing recurrent radicular pain following microdiscectomy in the lumbar region. Difficulties with the preoperative diagnosis of this and other recurrent radicular syndromes are discussed, and a review of the relevant literature is presented.

A comparative analysis of fusion rates and donor-site morbidity for autogeneic rib and iliac crest bone grafts in posterior cervical fusions

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Sawin ◽  
Vincent C. Traynelis ◽  
Arnold H. Menezes
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Iliac Crest ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Wound Dehiscence ◽  
Bone Grafts ◽  
Fusion Rate ◽  
Donor Site Morbidity ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Autogeneic bone graft is often incorporated into posterior cervical stabilization constructs as a fusion substrate. Iliac crest is used frequently, although donor-site morbidity can be substantial. Rib is used rarely, despite its accessibility, expandability, unique curvature, and high bone morphogenetic protein content. The authors present a comparative analysis of autogeneic rib and iliac crest bone grafts, with emphasis on fusion rate and donor-site morbidity. Methods. A review was conducted of records and radiographs from 600 patients who underwent cervical spinal fusion procedures in which autogeneic bone grafts were used. Three hundred patients underwent rib harvest and posterior cervical fusion. The remaining 300 patients underwent iliac crest harvest (248 for an anterior cervical fusion and 52 for posterior fusion). The analysis of fusion focused on the latter subgroup; donor-site morbidity was determined by evaluating the entire group. Fusion criteria included bony trabeculae traversing the donor—recipient interface and long-term stability on flexion—extension radiographs. Graft morbidity was defined as any untoward event attributable to the graft harvest. Statistical comparisons were facilitated by using Fisher's exact test. Conclusions. Demographic data obtained in both groups were comparable. Rib constructs were placed in the following regions: occipitocervical (196 patients), atlantoaxial (35 patients), and subaxial cervical spine (69 patients). Iliac crest grafts were placed in the occipitocervical (28 patients), atlantoaxial (10 patients), and subaxial cervical (14 patients) regions. Fusion occurred in 296 (98.8%) of 300 rib graft and 49 (94.2%) of 52 iliac crest graft constructs (p = 0.056). Graft morbidity was greater with iliac crest than with rib (p < 0.00001). Donor-site morbidity for the rib graft was 3.7% and included pneumonia (eight patients), persistent atelectasis (two patients), and superficial wound dehiscence (one patient). Pneumothorax, intercostal neuralgia, and chronic chest wall pain were not encountered. Iliac crest morbidity occurred in 25.3% of the patients and consisted of chronic donor-site pain (52 patients), wound dehiscence (eight patients), pneumonia (seven patients), meralgia paresthetica (four patients), hematoma requiring evacuation (three patients), and iliac spine fracture (two patients). Even when chronic pain was not considered, morbidity encountered in obtaining iliac crest still exceeded that encountered with rib harvest (p = 0.035). The fusion rate and donor-site morbidity for rib autograft compare favorably with those for iliac crest when used in posterior cervical constructs. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the largest series to date in which the safety and efficacy of using autogeneic bone graft materials in spinal surgery are critically analyzed.

Biomechanical comparison of anterior and posterior stabilization methods in atlantoaxial instability

2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Min Kim ◽  
T. Jesse Lim ◽  
Josemaria Paterno ◽  
Tae-Jin Hwang ◽  
Kun-Woo Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Atlantoaxial Instability ◽  
Fixation Method ◽  
Posterior Fixation ◽  
Lateral Bending ◽  
Biomechanical Stability ◽  
Transarticular Screw ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors compared the biomechanical stability of two anterior fixation procedures—anterior C1–2 Harms plate/screw (AHPS) fixation and the anterior C1–2 transarticular screw (ATS) fixation; and two posterior fixation procedures—the posterior C-1 lateral mass combined with C-2 pedicle screw/rod (PLM/APSR) fixation and the posterior C1–2 transarticular screw (PTS) fixation after destabilization. Methods. Sixteen human cervical spine specimens (Oc—C3) were tested in three-dimensional flexion—extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending motions after destabilization by using an atlantoaxial C1–2 instability model. In each loading mode, moments were applied to a maximum of 1.5 Nm, and the range of motion (ROM), neutral zone (NZ), and elastic zone (EZ) were determined and values compared using the intact spine, the destabilized spine, and the postfixation spine. The AHPS method produced inferior biomechanical results in flexion—extension and lateral bending modes compared with the intact spine. The lateral bending NZ and ROM for this method differed significantly from the other three fixation techniques (p < 0.05), although statistically significant differences were not obtained for all other values of ROM and NZ for the other three procedures. The remaining three methods restored biomechanical stability and improved it over that of the intact spine. Conclusions. The PLM/APSR fixation method was found to have the highest biomechanical stiffness followed by PTS, ATS, and AHPS fixation. The PLM/APSR fixation and AATS methods can be considered good procedures for stabilizing the atlantoaxial joints, although specific fixation methods are determined by the proper clinical and radiological characteristics in each patient.

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