[Are There Segmental Differences of Lumbar Spondylodesis? - Comparison of the Segments L IV/V and L V/S I in Patients with Transforaminal Lumbar Intercorporal Fusion (TLIF)]. / Gibt es segmentabhängige Unterschiede bei lumbalen Spondylodesen? - Vergleich der Segmente L IV/V und L V/S I bei der transforaminalen lumbalen interkorporellen Fusion (TLIF).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report surgical results with open TLIF (transforaminal lumbar intervertebral fusion) of segment L V/S I, in comparison with TLIF of segment L IV/V. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 60 patients with degenerative spine disease were operated with TLIF spondylodesis and followed up in a clinical and radiological study. 30 patients were operated in segment L IV/V (group 1) and another 30 in segment L V/S I (group 2). These patients were followed up 2 weeks and 12 months after surgery, by means of a clinical examination and questionnaires on pain (visual analogue scale) and quality of life (Oswestry score). RESULTS: The rate of intra- and postoperative complications was 5 % in all 60 patients; the fusion rate was 100 %. In all patients, a 70 % improvement in back pain, leg pain and quality of life was achieved after 12 months. For leg pain and quality of life, a significantly better result was seen in group 1 than in group 2 two weeks after the operation. This may be explained by reversible dysaesthesias in 3 patients in group 2. In 2 patients in group 2, it was necessary to convert from TLIF to ALIF (anterior lumbar interbody fusion). Directly after the operation, the mean intervertebral height was 8.2 mm in group 1 and 7.3 mm in group 2, in comparison with 7.7 mm and 6.8 mm after one year, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with contraction osteochondrosis in segment L V/S I, spondylodesis in segment L V/S I is - for anatomical reasons - more likely to be linked to reversible nerve irritations than with segment L IV/V. In some cases, conversion from TLIF on ALIF is necessary. In patients with degenerative spine disease, TLIF in segments L IV/V and L V/S I is absolutely accepted as a safe and up-to-date procedure.

[Hip dysplasia and spinal osteochondritis (Scheuermann's disease) in a girl with type II manifesting collagenopathy]. / Hüftdysplasie und Morbus Scheuermann bei einem Mädchen mit Typ-II-Kollagenopathie.

OBJECTIVES: This paper describes the natural course of irritable hip pain associated with spinal rigidity and pain in the thoracic region with subsequent development of mild kyphosis in a girl with a mutation in the collagen 2 alpha 1 gene (type II collagenopathy). METHODS: Phenotypic and genotypic characterization was carried out in a 14-year-old girl to identify the underlying pathology of severe irritable hip pain associated with thoracic spinal rigidity and pain. Detailed clinical examination, skeletal survey and genetic testing were performed accordingly. Bernese periacetabular osteotomy was used to alleviate pain and to improve the anatomical correlation of the acetabular and femoral heads. RESULTS: Short stature associated with acetabulo-femoral dysplasia, spinal osteochondritis (Scheuermann's disease) and mild thoracic kyphosis were the most prominent abnormalities. Genetic analysis showed a heterozygous mutation in the collagen type II gene (COL2A1-c.1636G>A, p. G546S). A Bernese periacetabular osteotomy was performed to improve the clinical status of the patient. There was significant improvement in the extrusion index, the acetabular index and the lateral center-edge angle. CONCLUSIONS: Hip dysplasia and Scheuermann's osteochondritis have never been reported in connection with a mutation in COL2A1 (collagenopathy type II). Awareness is needed for careful phenotypic and genotypic characterization in patients with irritable hip pain and spinal stiffness.

[Posterior and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF/TLIF) for the treatment of localised segment degeneration of lumbar spine]. / Posteriore und transforaminale lumbale interkorporelle Fusion (PLIF/TLIF) zur Therapie des lokalisierten Segmentaufbrauchs der LWS.

BACKGROUND: Chronic intractable low back pain is one of the most common orthopaedic diagnoses, with an enormous socioeconomic impact. The surgical treatment by posterior transpedicular instrumentation and interbody fusion of the affected segments is an established procedure after exhaustion of conservative therapies. Due to different study data on the clinical and functional results after posterior (PLIF) and transforaminal (TLIF) interbody fusion, our own patient population was analysed retrospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Included were 143 patients who had been treated surgically at our institution between 1999 and 2006 by one of the two methods (PLIF, n = 68; TLIF, n = 75). In addition to general demographic data, results of three questionnaires (Oswestry disability index, numeric rating scale, Roland Morris score) were retrospectively analysed before surgery and in the general follow-up - identifying clinical and functional results of patient satisfaction. RESULTS: All patients had been suffering in spite of the exhaustion of conservative therapies for at least six months of chronic low back pain prior to surgery. The mean age at surgery was 52 years. The complication rate was 23 %, the revision rate 15 %. Overall, there was a high patient satisfaction in follow-up. In ODI, a significant decrease in pain-related disability was observed from 49.8 % preoperatively to 24.7 % after surgery (p < 0.0001). This functional improvement was present in all aetiological subgroups irrespective of the fusion length. A statistically significantly better functional outcome was achieved in the ODI in the PLIF group (improvement 27.2 % vs. 23.1 %, p < 0.0001). The preoperative baseline regarding pain was assessed in the NRS on average at 6.5 points. Postoperatively, it decreased to 3.34 points (p < 0.0001). The functional limitation due to existing back pain was assessed preoperatively with an average of 13.08 points. Postoperatively a significant reduction to 6.19 points was observed (p < 0.0001). Group- or operation-specific differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The data of this study indicate that both TLIF and PLIF techniques are possible surgical treatment methods for patients with resistant chronic low back pain. With both techniques a clear benefit regarding quality of life and function for the operated patients is achievable, if the correct surgical indication is given.

[Minimally invasive surgery of degenerative diseases of the spine].

Results of minimally invasive surgical treatment were studied in 978 patients with degenerative diseases of the spine. Paracentetic interventions were made on different structures of the spinal-motor segment after complex clinico-radial examinations. Catamnestic investigations during 3 years allowed detection of sufficiently stable positive effect of fenestration and decompression of the intervertebral disk (71%), dereception of different structures (64.1%), high-frequency electrodestruction (67.1%) and laser influence on them (78.4%).

Thoracic juxtafacet cyst (JFC) as a rare cause of myelopathy--an additional reference to support the instability theory.

Several causes for the development of a juxtafacet cyst (JFC) of the spine have been discussed, with a focus on instability with overload of the facet joints. In the thoracic spine, JFC is a very rare space-occupying lesion, which can lead to spinal canal stenosis with pain, myelopathic signs and neurological deficits. We report a case of a 70-year-old woman who had a posterolateral fusion of L2 to S1 and, six weeks later a L1 compression fracture. In the following period a thoracolumbar kyphosis has developed. Fourteen months after the fusion procedure a left-sided JFC T11/12 was identified on MRI and CT scans which led to myelopathic symptoms. This was not seen on former MRI scans. After surgical removal of the JFC the myelopathic symptoms were clearly reduced and the woman became pain free. This case report gives a strong support to the hypothesis that spinal instability can lead to overload of the facet joints and result in JFC.

[Use of a diode laser in surgery of intervertebral disks in osteochondrosis of the vertebral column].

The results of surgical treatment of 185 patients with osteochondrosis of the vertebral column were studied during 12 months who, after complex clinico-radial examination, were treated by puncture laser nucleoplasty of intervertebral disks using a diode laser. Stable positive effect was obtained in 84.3% of cases using minimally invasive manipulations.

Sacral osteochondrosis in two German Shepherd Dogs.

Two young adult male castrated German Shepherd Dogs were referred for evaluation of intermittent episodes of hindlimb pain. Physical examination suggested lumbosacral stenosis, and plain radiographs and computed tomography revealed lesions consistent with sacral osteochondrosis. One dog had osteochondral fragments removed surgically; the other was managed conservatively. The surgically treated dog had complete resolution of clinical signs whereas the dog managed conservatively had repeated episodes of mild pain and received one short course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication in 18 months. Sacral osteochondrosis has not been previously reported in Australia.

Artificial disc versus spinal fusion in the treatment of cervical spine degenerations in tetraplegics: a comparison of clinical results.

STUDY DESIGN: Comparative prospective study. OBJECTIVES: To determine functionality of the cervical spine when using ProDisc C in comparison with the conventional method of treatment (decompression and fusion) in paraplegics. SETTING: Spinal Cord Injury Centre in Germany. METHODS: Two homogeneous groups were studied. The patients were treated with ventral decompression and either had a fusion with an iliac bone graft and plate (group 1) or had received a disc replacement (group 2). Pre- and postoperatively, the subjective scores of SF 36 and Neck Disability Score were determined. Also, objective data of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) III and mobility of the cervical spine, using the neutral-0-method, were evaluated. Prosthesis implementation and union or fusion were monitored by X-rays. Complications and alterations of the neurology were recorded according to the American Spinal Injury Association Score. RESULTS: Neurological remissions of the radicular syndrome that caused the operation were observed. In one case, the dislocation of the prosthesis necessitated an alternative treatment. Mobility of the cervical spine after 6 months was higher in group 2. Both groups showed signs of improvement in the Neck Disability Score and in SF 36. None of the two groups had changes in their SCIM score. One case in group 2 showed ventral blocking; all cases of group 1 fused successfully. CONCLUSION: Usage of prostheses results in improved total mobility of the cervical spine in comparison with the outcomes of a fusion. This study also confirmed these results in tetraplegics.

Anterior C1-2 osteochondroma presenting with dysphagia and sleep apnea.

Spinal osteochondromas are rare, benign tumors of the bone. These tumors can manifest as solitary lesions or as part of a hereditary syndrome. Most spinal osteochondromas occur in the posterior cervical spine and can cause myelopathy or radiculopathy. Osteochondromas of the anterior cervical spine that cause respiratory or swallowing symptoms are rare. We present the unique case of a solitary osteochondroma of the anterior C1 vertebral arch causing obstructive sleep apnea and dysphagia in a 16-year-old female. The patient underwent resection of the tumor via a left anterior transcervical approach to the spine. The patient's symptoms resolved completely after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a sporadic osteochondroma arising from the anterior arch of the C1 vertebra causing dysphagia and obstructive apnea in a pediatric patient.