Salvage of failed odontoid fixation through anterior C1/C2 transarticular screws.

Odontoid fracture fixation allows for early mobilisation out of orthosis. Both anterior and posterior fixation techniques have been described but anterior surgery has less post-operative morbidity through the use of natural cleavage planes. We described the use of anterior transarticular stabilisation as a salvage procedure following a failed odontoid screw fixation.

Trans-oral approach for the management of a C2 neuroblastoma.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid tumour in children. Metastasis in children to the upper cervical spine are quite rare. CASE REPORT: An 8-year-old boy was referred to our service following a relapse of a right adrenal stage 4 neuroblastoma with a metastatic deposit in C2. This anterior tumour mass was pressing on the spinal cord with increasing pain in the base of skull, but without gross neurological deficit. He underwent urgent MRI and CT scans and then emergent surgery. The first stage was a posterior stabilization from occiput to C5 with a posterior decompression from C1 to C3 followed by a trans-oral approach to resect the main anterior tumour mass and reconstruction. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of the use of a trans-oral approach to address a neuroblastoma lesion in the axial spine. This approach was used effectively to achieve local tumour clearance confirmed at 1-year follow-up. Pertinent information to the spinal surgeon on neuroblastoma and the use of the trans-oral approach to the axial spine are discussed.

Predictors and outcomes of treatment in hip hemiarthroplasty dislocation.

INTRODUCTION: Dislocation following hip hemiarthroplasty (HHA), its incidence, predictors, treatment outcomes and mortality were investigated in a single centre series. METHODS: The prospectively collected data on neck of femur fracture admissions compiled over 11 years were reviewed. Place of residence, place of fall, past medical history, intraoperative factors (grade of surgeon, delay in surgery, type of implant and operative time), postoperative complications and mortality were compared between patients who suffered a dislocation and those who did not. In the dislocation group, the mean number of dislocations, reduction method, type and fate of implant, and mortality were investigated. RESULTS: Prospective data on 8,631 admissions were collected; 41% of these were managed with a HHA. The dislocation rate was 0.76%. A delay in surgery of >24 hours was associated with a fourfold increase in the dislocation risk. The majority (81%) of dislocations occurred in the first six weeks and closed manipulation was the definitive treatment in only 23% of the cases. The mortality rate was not increased following HHA dislocation. CONCLUSIONS: The delay in surgery was the most important predictor of HHA dislocation. Closed reduction was associated with a high failure rate. While an initial attempt at closed reduction for a first dislocation is recommended, for redislocators, we recommend early exploration/revision as an alternative to repeat manipulations.

Tertiary syphilis in the cervical spine: a case report and review of the literature.

As the prevalence of syphilis rises, an increase in tertiary syphilis with spinal involvement is predicted. We report what we believe to be the first case of compressive cervical spine syphilitic gummata, with central cord compression signs. We also review the relevant literature to date. The diagnosis of syphilis in the spine relies on the physician to be aware of it as part of the differential diagnosis. Treponemal laboratory tests are an important aid in establishing a diagnosis.