Posterior median surgical approach to anterior sacral meningocele complicated by rectothecal fistula.

In this case report, we aimed to describe the clinical presentation, surgical approach, and follow-up of a patient with rare anterior meningocele associated with rectothecal fistula. An 17-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department with meningitis. On further examinations, an anterior sacral meningocele accompanied by rectothecal fistula was detected. Appropriate antibiotic treatment was arranged and surgical plan was made with the pediatric surgery clinic. The patient underwent meningocele repair via posterior approach and colostomy operation. The patient did not experience any neurological issues after the surgery. The colostomy was reversed 3 months later, and third-month follow-up MRI showed complete regression of the meningocele sac with no neurological complications. Anterior meningocele accompanied by a rectothecal fistula is a rare and complicated case. Only seven cases of coexisting ASM and RTF have been reported in literature. Although both anterior and posterior approaches have been used for the treatment of ASM, the choice of treatment is essentially based on the patient's clinical and imaging findings.

Lumbosacral transitional vertebra in spondylolisthesis: frequency, demographic findings, and clinical characteristics.

BACKGROUND: The association of LSTV with low back pain has been debated in the literature for nearly a century, but the relationship between LSTV and spondylolisthesis is still under discussion. There is currently no valid information about LSTV's prevalence in Iran. This study investigated the relationship between the presence of LSTV and lumbosacral spondylolisthesis regarding frequency, gender and age variation, grade and level of spondylolisthesis, and clinical signs and symptoms. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included spondylolisthesis patients admitted for surgery between March 2021 to December 2022. All patients underwent CT imaging. After evaluating medical records, the baseline data were collected. Patients were categorized into No LSTV, Sacralization, and Lumbarization groups. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the studied groups were compared using an independent T-test and Chi-Square. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the age and sex variations between groups. RESULTS: 219 patients with a mean age of 57.07 ± 11.04 were included. A significant relationship was observed between the presence of sacralization and gender diversity with female predominance (P = 0.01). The level of spondylolisthesis and the presence of motor deficits (paresis) significantly differed among study groups (P < 0.05). Sacralization group exhibited a greater prevalence of higher grades of listhesis compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: LSTV is frequently seen in spondylolisthesis patients. Sacralization is the common type of LSTV in spondylolisthesis patients, possibly leading to an increased risk for higher grades of vertebral slip and higher rates of motor deficit signs and symptoms. The presence of sacralization results in a significant increase in the incidence of higher levels of spondylolisthesis, especially the L4-L5*(sacralized L5) level. There is no relationship between age and the presence of LSTV in spondylolisthesis.

Progression of vertebral deformity of prevalent vertebral fractures in the elderly: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the progression pattern of vertebral deformities in elderly patients with prevalent vertebral fractures. This population-based cohort study investigated the incidence, progression pattern, and risk factors of vertebral deformity in prevalent vertebral fractures over a finite period of four years in a population-based cohort study. METHODS: A total of 224 inhabitants of a typical mountain village underwent medical examinations every second year from 1997 to 2009, and each participant was followed up for four years. The extent (mild, moderate, severe) and type (wedge, biconcave, crush) of prevalent vertebral fractures on spinal radiographs were evaluated using the Genant semi-quantitative method. Of these participants, 116 with prevalent vertebral fractures at baseline (32 men and 84 women; mean age: 70.0 years) were included in this study. The progression patterns of the 187 vertebral fractures with mild and moderate deformities (except severe deformity) were evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors associated with deformity progression. RESULTS: The progression of vertebral deformities was identified in 13.4% (25 vertebral fractures) of the total 187 prevalent (mild and moderate) vertebral fracture deformities over four years. Among the three deformity types, the prevalence of deformity progression was significantly lower in wedge-type vertebral fractures (P < 0.05). Age and number of prevalent vertebral fractures per participant were independent risk factors associated with the progression of prevalent vertebral deformities. CONCLUSION: This study clarified the natural history of the progression pattern of vertebral deformities in radiographic prevalent vertebral fractures in elderly individuals. Multiple vertebral fractures in the elderly present a risk for the progression of vertebral deformities.

Spinal Gout: An Unusual Cause of Low Back Pain.

Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint accounting for over 30 million visits to primary care physicians annually. Serious pathology is found in less than 1% of these visits. Therefore it is often a challenge to distinguish worrisome findings requiring further workup and treatment from common complaints of pain. Gout is an inflammatory arthritis that most commonly affects the appendicular skeleton. It is characterized by the saturation of uric acid and deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints and tissues. Spinal involvement is rare and is not typically considered on the differential diagnosis for a patient presenting with acute low back pain. We present such a case of a 35-year-old male who presented with intractable back pain, highlighting the need to recognize signs and symptoms that raise suspicion for spinal gout.

Traumatic spinal cord injury in South Korea for 13 years (2008-2020).

Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) has significant physical, psychological, and socioeconomic impacts. However, the epidemiological characteristics and treatment patterns of TSCI in South Korea remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate TSCI incidence and treatment behaviors in South Korea from 2008 to 2020. We included data from 30,979 newly diagnosed TSCI patients obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). Treatment trends, location of surgery, surgical method, comorbidities, factors affecting hospital stay, and risk factors affecting readmission were analyzed. Patients were divided into the surgery group [n = 7719; (25%)] and the non-surgery group [n = 23,260; (75%)]. Surgical cases involved cervical (64%), thoracic (17%), and lumbar/sacral (19%) lesions. Anterior fusion (38%), posterior fusion (54%), and corpectomy (8%) were the surgical methods. Surgical treatments increased annually. Factors influencing hospital stay included male sex, older age, and higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Female sex and higher CCI scores were associated with readmission. In conclusion, a quarter of all TSCI patients underwent surgery, with an upward trend. Risk factors for longer hospital stays were thoracic spine injury, older age, higher CCI, and male sex. Risk factors for readmission included age range of 40-59 years, lumbar/sacral spine injuries, CCI score of 2, and female sex.

Radiographic implications of the surgical waiting list for the treatment of spinal deformity / Implicações radiográficas da lista de espera cirúrgica para tratamento de deformidade da coluna vertebral / Implicaciones radiográficas de la lista de espera quirúrgica para el tratamiento de deformidad de la columna vertebral

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the implications of long waiting times on surgery lists for the treatment of patients with scoliosis. Methods: Radiographs of 87 patients with scoliosis who had been on the waiting list for surgery for more than six months were selected. Two surgeons answered questionnaires analyzing the radiographs when entering the waiting list and the current images of each patient. Results: Data from 87 patients were analyzed. The mean waiting time for surgery was 21.7 months (ranging from seven to 32 months). The average progression of the Cobb angle in the curvature was 21.1 degrees. Delayed surgery implied changes in surgical planning, such as greater need of instrumentation, osteotomies, and double approach. Conclusions: Long waiting lists have a significant negative impact on surgical morbidity of patients with scoliosis, since they increase the complexity of the surgery. Level of evidence: IV. Type of study: Descriptive study.

RESUMO Objetivo: A meta desse estudo foi avaliar as implicações das longas listas de espera de cirurgia no tratamento dos pacientes portadores de escoliose. Métodos: Foram selecionados radiografias de 87 pacientes portadores de escoliose que estavam na lista de espera por cirurgia há mais de seis meses. Dois cirurgiões responderam questionários, analisando as radiografias de entrada na lista de espera e as imagens atuais de cada paciente. Resultados: Dados de 87 pacientes foram analisados. A média de espera pela cirurgia foi de 21,7 meses (variando de sete a 32 meses). A média de progressão do ângulo de Cobb na curvatura foi de 21,1 graus. A demora pela cirurgia implicou em alterações no planejamento cirúrgico, como maior necessidade de instrumentação, osteotomias e dupla via de acesso. Conclusão: As longas listas de espera tem um significativo impacto negativo na morbidade cirúrgica dos pacientes com escoliose, por aumentar a complexidade da cirurgia. Nível de evidência: IV. Tipo de estudo: Estudo descritivo

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las implicaciones de los largos tiempos de espera en las listas de cirugía para el tratamiento de pacientes con escoliosis.. Métodos: Se seleccionaron radiografías de 87 pacientes con escoliosis que habían estado en la lista de espera para cirugía durante más de seis meses. Dos cirujanos respondieron cuestionarios analizando las radiografías al entrar en la lista de espera y las imágenes actuales de cada paciente. Resultados: Se analizaron los datos de 87 pacientes. El tiempo promedio de espera para la cirugía fue de 21,7 meses (variando de siete a 32 meses). La progresión promedio del ángulo de Cobb en la curvatura fue de 21,1 grados. La demora de la cirugía implicó cambios en la planificación quirúrgica, como mayor necesidad de instrumentación, osteotomías y doble vía de acceso. Conclusiones: Las largas listas de espera tienen un impacto negativo significativo en la morbilidad quirúrgica de los pacientes con escoliosis, ya que aumentan la complejidad de la cirugía. Nivel de evidencia: IV. Tipo de estudio: Estudio descriptivo.

Absceso del psoas y osteomielitis de la columna lumbar: Caso clínico / Psoas abscess and lumbar spine osteomyelitis: Case report

El absceso del psoas es una enfermedad infrecuente en niños. Puede tener una presentación clínica inespecífica, ser de inicio insidioso y relacionarse o no con fiebre. El tipo más frecuente en pediatría es primario; sin embargo, en ocasiones, puede ser de origen secundario y asociarse a infecciones graves, como la osteomielitis, por lo que se requiere un alto índice de sospecha para detectarlo y tratarlo oportunamente. Presentamos un caso atípico de absceso del psoas con infiltración del cuerpo vertebral de L2 en un paciente masculino de 14 años previamente sano, sin antecedente de traumatismo ni fiebre al momento del ingreso. Se realizaron una radiografía y una ecografía, pero el diagnóstico se confirmó a través de una resonancia nuclear magnética de columna lumbosacra. Conhemocultivos positivos para Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente, completó 2 semanas de tratamiento antibiótico endovenoso y 4 semanas por vía oral con negativización de cultivos y resolvió por completo la sintomatología inicial.

Psoas abscess is a common disease in children. It can have a nonspecific clinical presentation, insidious onset and sometimes fever. The most common type in children is the primary one; however, it can sometimes be of secondary origin and associated with severe infections such as osteomyelitis so a high index of suspicion is required to detect and treat it promptly. We present an unusual case of psoas abscess with infiltration of the vertebral body of L2 in a 14 year old male patient previously healthy with no history of trauma or fever on admission. X-ray and ultrasound were performed but the diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine. With positive blood cultures for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus he completed 2 weeks of intravenous antibiotic therapy and 4 weeks of oral antibiotic therapy with blood cultures negativization and resolution of symptoms.

Can lumbar hemorrhagic synovial cyst cause acute radicular compression? Case report / O cisto sinovial hemorrágico lombar pode causar compressão radicular aguda? Relato de caso

Lumbar synovial cysts are an uncommon cause of back pain and radiculopathy, usually manifesting with gradual onset of symptoms, secondary to involvement of the spinal canal. Rarely, intracyst hemorrhage occurs, and may acutely present as radicular - or even spinal cord - compression syndrome. Synovial cysts are generally associated with degenerative facets, although the pathogenesis has not been entirely established. We report a case of bleeding complication in a synovial cyst at L2-L3, adjacent to the right interfacet joint, causing acute pain and radiculopathy in a patient on anticoagulation therapy who required surgical resection.

Cistos sinoviais da coluna lombar são uma causa incomum de dor na coluna e radiculopatia, geralmente com evolução gradual dos sintomas, que são secundários ao comprometimento do canal vertebral. Raramente, há hemorragia intracística, que pode se manifestar de forma aguda com síndrome compressiva radicular ou mesmo medular. Habitualmente, os cistos sinoviais associam-se a doença degenerativa facetária, embora a patogênese não esteja completamente estabelecida. Relatamos aqui um caso em que uma complicação hemorrágica em um cisto sinovial no nível L2-L3, adjacente à interfacetária direita, causou dor lombar e radiculopatia em um paciente em terapia anticoagulante, sendo necessária a ressecção cirúrgica.

Absceso intramedular en paciente con enfermedad de Rendu-Osler-Weber / Spinal abscess in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

La enfermedad de Rendu-Osler-Weber es una enfermedad autosómica dominante que se manifiesta por telangiectasias en piel y mucosas y malformaciones arteriovenosas en diversos órganos. El compromiso neurológico puede ocurrir por la presencia de malformaciones arterio-venosas cerebrales, hemorragia intracraneal, y más habitualmente por accidentes cerebrovasculares isquémicos y abscesos cerebrales secundarios a embolia paradojal, en pacientes con malformaciones arteriovenosas pulmonares. El absceso intramedular es una entidad rara, inusual como complicación de la enfermedad de Rendu-Osler-Weber. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 56 años de edad, con antecedentes familiares de enfermedad de Rendu-Osler- Weber, que ingresó a Terapia Intensiva con cuadriplejia aguda e hipoxemia, en quien se diagnosticó fístulas arteriovenosas pulmonares y un absceso intramedular cervical.

Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple skin and mucosal telangiectasis and multiorgan arteriovenous malformations. Neurological manifestations may occur because of cerebral arteriovenous malformations, intracranial hemorrhage, and most commonly by ischemic stroke and brain abscess secondary to paradoxical embolization in patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Intramedullary abscess is a rare, unusual condition, in Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome. We report the case of a 56 years old woman, with a familial history of Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome, admitted to intensive care with acute quadriplegia and hypoxemia. Our diagnosis was pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and intramedullary abscess.

Paraplejia secundaria a quiste óseo aneurismático de columna torácica / Paraplegia due to aneurismatic bone cyst of the thoracic spine

Objectives: Case report of progressive paraparesis secondary to Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of thoracic spine presenting over 40 years. Describe diagnostic triad: clinical, imaging and anatomopathologic examination. Describe the choice of surgical treatment and clinical outcomes. Performed literature review of Spine Aneurysmal Bone Cyst.

Objetivo: Dar a conocer el caso de un paciente que presenta una paraparesia progresiva secundaria a quiste óseo aneurismático (QOA) de columna torácica de presentación sobre los 40 años. Describir la triada diagnóstica en patología tumoral: clínica, imágenes y estudio anatomopatológico. Describir la elección del tratamiento quirúrgico y los resultados clínicos del caso. Se realiza revisión de la literatura publicada de QOA de columna.

Quiste óseo aneurismático de la columna vertebral: reporte de un caso / Aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine: case report

El quiste óseo aneurismático es un tumor de naturaleza neoplásica indefinida, de comportamiento benigno, crecimiento rápido y ocasionalmente de comportamiento agresivo, cuyo tratamiento de elección es la resección completa, aunque existe el riesgo de sangrado transquirúrgico excesivo. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con deformidad en columna torácica, con parestesias y debilidad muscular progresivas en extremidades inferiores, que evolucionó hasta la parálisis de dichas extremidades e incontinencia de ambos esfínteres. Mediante estudios de gabinete se localizaron lesiones líticas en cuerpos vetebrales T7 a T9 e invasión a conducto raquídeo. Los estudios electrofisiológicos identificaron bloqueo completo de la vía somatosensorial. Previa biopsia incisional, se realizó resección de la lesión y estabilización de la columna toracolumbar. La paciente evolucionó sin mejoría de la función medular. Los hallazgos morfológicos correspondieron a quiste óseo aneurismático en T8. Esta lesión se localiza principalmente en huesos largos y con mucho menor frecuencia en la columna vertebral, donde puede provocar inestabilidad y compresión de la médula espinal. Es posible confundirla con otras neoplasias, por lo que el diagnóstico definitivo mediante biopsia es imprescindible a fin de establecer el plan terapéutico adecuado, que elimine el riesgo de recurrencia o secuelas neurológicas asociadas, y lograr la estabilidad adecuada de los segmentos vertebrales afectados.

The aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a fast-growing tumor of undefined neoplastic nature. It is occasionally an aggressive benign lesion whose treatment of choice is a complete resection, even though the risk of profuse transoperative bleeding exists. We present a female patient with thoracic spine deformity, with progressive paresthesias and muscle weakness of lower extremities that evolved to paralysis of both lower extremities and sphincter incontinence. Based on radiographic films, lytic lesions were identified at T7 to T9 vertebrae as well as medullary space invasion. In electrophysiologic tests, a complete somatosensorial pathway block was reported. Prior to resection of the neoplastic lesion and thoracolumbar stabilization, an incisional biopsy was performed. There was no postoperative medullary functional improvement. Morphological findings corresponded to an aneurysmal bone cyst at T8. This lesion is mainly located in the long bones and less frequently of the spine, where instability and medullary compression may occur. It is possible to confuse this neoplasia with other lesions. Hence, definite diagnosis with biopsy is necessary for determining an adequate therapeutic plan to eradicate recurrence risk or associated neurologic sequelae, as well as to gain proper stability at the involved vertebral segments.

Discopatías lumbares: patología, diagnósticos y tratamiento quirúrgico / Lumbar disc: pathology, diagnostic and surgical treatment

La patología raquídea lumbar degenerativa de la que es una parte la Hernia Discal, es una causa más frecuente de Síndrome Lumbociático. De los pacientes con esta entidad clínica alrededor del 90 por ciento mejora con tratamiento médico consistente en reposo, analgésico antiinflamatorios, fisioterapias, etc, indicado por diferentes especialistas. Sólo alrededor de un 10 por ciento de los pacientes tiene indicación quirúrgica, decisión que debe ser la resultante de una correcta evaluación clínica y de una adecuada correlación clínico radiológica. Por tratarse de una patología frecuente especialmente en nuestra época de gran experiencia física de tipo laboral y deportiva, con mayor incidencia en edades productivas de los pacientes, con un costo social alto y necesidad de una reincorporación precoz a sus actividades, es importante definir el rol del tratamiento quirúrgico, la oportunidad de su indicación, la técnica adecuada, su costo y resultados.

The Disc Hernia witch forms part of the Lumbar Spinal Degenerative Disease is the most frequent cause of the Lumbociatic Syndrome. Ninety percent of the patients with this syndrome get better with medical treatment consisting of rest, analgesics, anti inflammatory drugs, Physiotherapy , Kinesiotherapy, etc, indicated by different specialists. Only around 10 percent of the patients require surgery, decision that should be the result of a correct clinical evaluation and an adequate clinical radiological correlation. As it is a frequent syndrome specially in these days of great physical demand in work and sports, with a high rate of incidence in the productive age of the patients, a high social cost and the need of a pront returne to the work field, it is important to define the role of the surgical treatment, the adequate timing and technique and its cost and results.

Mycotic aneurysm: a rare complication of vertebral osteomyelitis

We report the case of a 49-year-old man that presented with persistent low back pain after being treated for vertebral osteomyelitis. An abdominopelvic CT scan with intravenous contrast showed a mycotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. The patient was taken to the operating room where a bypass reconstruction surgery was successfully performed. The history, pathophysiology, most common organisms, risk factors, and clinical presentation of mycotic aneurysms are discussed. The importance of a high index of suspicion for prompt and proper diagnosis and treatment, is emphasized to create awareness about this dreadful complication of vertebral osteomyelitis.

Infecciones de la columna Vvrtebral con compromiso neurológico

Se analizan los resultados obtenidos en 63 pacientes tratados entre 1967 y 1987 por infecciones de la columna vertebral con compromiso neurológico; el seguimiento promedio fue de 3.3 años. El propósito fue determinar cuál tipo de tratamiento aportaba un resultado neurológico más favorable para el paciente. Los tipos de tratamiento se clasifican en dos grupos: Antibioticoterapia, con o sin inmovilización externa y Tratamiento Quirúrgico asociado a antibioticoterapia; este último grupo fue dividido en dos subcategorias: vía posterior y vía anterior descompresiva. La mejoría neurológica obtenida con la descompresión por via anterior fue del 82.7 por ciento, con el tratamiento puramente médico fue del 68.2 por ciento y con la vía posterior sólo fue del 55.3 por ciento. La recuperación del control de esfínteres también fue mayor en el grupo de descompresión por vía anterior con una tasa de recuperación del 90 por ciento, seguido del grupo tratado médicamente con un 75 por ciento, miemtras que el tratamiento quirúrgico por vía posterior sólo recuperó la normalidad esfinteriana en un 60 por ciento de los casos. Los resultados demuestran que la descompresión por vía anterior, asociada a un esquema adecuado de antibioticoterapia es la mejor y más agradecida forma de tratamiento para pacientes con compromiso neurológico secundario a infecciones de la columna vertebral

Causas pouco frequentes de dor nas costas na criança: a propósito de dois casos / Less frequent causes of backache in children: report of 2 cases

Os autores apresentam dois pacientes com queixa de dor na regiäo lombo-sacra acompanhada de dificuldade na deambulaçäo. Os diagnósticos finais foram osteomielite da coluna e discite

Spinal myoclonous: report of four cases

Os autores apresentam quatro casos de mioclonia de origem medular. O primeiro, paciente masculino de 42 anos que, após secçäo traumática da medula, desenvolveu paraplegia espástica; a TC de coluna sugeriu lesäo transversa parcial em T4; cinco meses após, surgiram abalos mioclônicos nos membros inferiores, especialmente à direita. O segundo paciente, mulher de 59 anos, internou-se por apresentar perda bilateral da visäo e paraplegia flácida; houve remissäo parcial somente do dístúrbio visual; nos três meses seguintes, apresentou paraplegia espástica, com abalos mioclônicos, sem evidências de sinais de compressäo medular; a imunoliberaçäo observada no estudo do LCR sugeriu tratar-se de doença de Devic. O terceiro paciente, homem de 28 anos, usuário de drogas endovenosas e HIV positivo, internado há oito meses por mielopatia tuberculosa, apresentou mioclonais nos membros inferiores. O último paciente, homem de 75 anos com metástases medular de carcinoma de próstata, apresentou mioclonias nos membros inferiores um mês após a instalaçäo de paraplegia. Nossos dados sugerem que diferentes processos (trauma, desmielinizaçäo, infecçäo e tumor) afetando a medula podem dar origem a abalos mioclônicos

Discopatia cervical / Cervical discopathy

Os autores fazem uma revisäo sobre os quadros clínicos provocados pela discopatia cervical, abordando os aspectos de fisiopatologia, história natural, diagnóstico por imagem, diagnóstico diferencial e tratamento, definindo os quadros de cervicobraquialgia e os quadros de mielopatia cervical. Salientam a opçäo pelo tratamento conservador para os casos de cervicobraquialgia e a opçäo pelo tratamento cirúrgico para os casos de meilopatia

Alteraçöes da coluna cervical em pacientes portadores de artrite reumatóide / Cervical spine alterations in rheumatoid arthritis patient's

Os pacientes com artrite reumatóide podem apresentar alteraçöes em nível da coluna cervical que, clinicamente, podem manifestar-se por sinais de instabilidade ou compressäo na medula espinhal ou raízes nervosas. Essas alteraçöes da coluna cervical podem ser assintomáticas e a sua pesquisa por meio de exames radiográficos permite o diagnóstico precoce, que possui importante implicaçäo terapêutica. A migraçäo superior do processo adontóide, a instabilidade atlanto-axial e a subluxaçäo subaxial säo as alteraçöes mais frequentes. O tratamento cirúrgico, empregando os recursos da moderna cirurgia da coluna vertebral, tem permitido a obtençäo de melhores resultados, principalmente quando efetuados nas fases mais precoces da instabilidade e compressäo das estruturas nervosas.

Inestabilidad de la columna cervical superior: tratamiento quirúrgico mediante dos placas anguladas de 105 grados y artrodesis posterior / High cervical spine inestability: surgical treatment by two 105 degrees angulated screw plates and posterior arthrodesis

Se presenta la revisión de una serie de 10 pacientes operados por presentar inestavilidad cervical superior en el Hospital de Ortopedia Magdalena de las Salinas, de noviembre de 1990 a noviembre de 1991, por medio de artrodesis posterior cráneo-cervical, con la aplicación de un par de placas anguladas de 105 grados atornilladas al occipital con tres tornillos, así como a las masas laterales de C2 y C3, una a cada lado de la línea media de protección postoperatoria se realizó mediante un aparato SOMI. Las causas originales de la inestabilidad habían sido: artritis reumatoide de larga duración en tres casos, y diversas formas de tratamiento en los restantes siete, de los cuales tres tenían fractura de Jefferson, tres fracturas del ahorcado y uno subluxación rotatoria de C1-C2. Los 10 pacientes tenían un grado variable de daño neurológico. Despues de la cirugía, siete pacientes mejoraron en su condición neurológica. De los tres restantes, dos permanecieron sin cambio (clase D de Frankel) y uno (clase B de Frankel) empeoró y murió. Se concidera que la estabilización occípitocervical obtenida con el par de placas atornilladas y la artrodesis posterior es mejor que la que se obtiene mediante el procedimiento de alambrado.

Riesgo relativo de invalidez en trabajadores con anomalías congénitas de la columna lumbosacra / Relative risk of invalidity in workers who have congenital malformations of the lumbosacral spineï

El dolor lumbar siempre ha estado presente a través de la historia del hombre, pero aún así, el tremendo crecimiento de esta patología en las sociedades industrializadas desafía las explicaciones basadas en incrementos de patología orgánica. Este crecimiento ha sido particularmente evidente en las demandas por lesión en el trabajo y la resultante invalidez. Las anomalías congénitas del segmento lumbosacro se han tomado en cuenta para establecer el pronóstico laboral o de actividades de la vida diaria y en forma similar a otras enfermedades, se pueden establecer factores predisponentes para la aparición de lesiones debido a factores enfógenos que influyen sobre la calidad del tejido conjuntivo y de las fibras del espacio intervertebral, por sobrecarga mecánica. De acuerdo con lo anterior, las anomalías congénitas del segmento lumbosacro pueden propiciar una lesión permanente que puede conducir a un estado de invalidez; y teniendo en cuenta el crecimiento de problemas de invalidez secundarios a patología del segmento lumbosarco, se realizó el presente estudio de riesgo relativo en adultos jóvenes, clínicamente sanos, pero con anomalias congénitas lumbosacras detectadas en radigrafías de selección de pre-empleo, en comparación con trabajadores invalidados por lesiones de columna lumbosacra