An anatomical study of the origins courses and distributions of the transverse branches of lumbar arteries at the L1-L4 levels.

Pseudoaneurysms of the lumbar arteries following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are rare postoperative complications that usually occur around the transverse process. However, there are few detailed descriptions of the transverse branch and other branches of the dorsal branches at the L1-L4 disks. STUDY DESIGN: Ten adult embalmed cadavers were anatomically studied. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of the study were to describe the vascular distribution of the dorsal branches, especially the transverse branches, at the L1-L4 levels and provide information useful for TLIF. METHODS: Ten embalmed cadavers studied after their arterial systems were injected with red latex. The quantity, origin, pathway, distribution range and diameter of the branches were recorded and photographed. RESULTS: The transverse branch appeared in all 80 intervertebral foramina. The transverse branch was divided into 2 types: In type 1, the arteries divided into superior branches and inferior branches; the arteries in type 2 divided into 3 branches (superior, intermedius and inferior branches). CONCLUSIONS: The transverse branches of the dorsal arteries are common structures from L1 to L4, and 2 types of transverse branches were found. A thorough understanding of the dorsal branches, especially the transverse branches of the lumbar artery, may be very important for reducing both intraoperative bleeding during the surgery and the occurrence of pseudoaneurysms after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Midterm Outcomes of Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair with Prevention of type 2 Endoleak by Intraoperative Aortic Side Branch Coil Embolization.

OBJECTIVE: The midterm results of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) with aortic side branch coil embolization during EVAR was evaluated. METHODS: Our center began coil embolization for all patent inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and lumbar artery (LA) with an inner diameter more than 2.0 mm during EVAR since June 2015. When four or more LA were patent, coil embolization for LA with inner diameter 2.0 mm or less was done. EVAR without aortic side branches coil embolization was performed for 59 patients prior to June 2015 (control group) and 79 patients underwent EVAR with coil embolization during EVAR (coil group). The success rate of coil embolization for IMA and LA was evaluated in coil group. The frequency of type 2 endoleak (T2EL), freedom from aneurysm sac expansion (5 mm or more) rate and the rate of the aneurysm sac shrinkage (10 mm or more) were compared between the coil and control groups. Additionally, multiple logistic regression analysis for all patients was conducted to analyze whether IMA patency and the number of patent lumbar artery at the end of EVAR were the risk factors of the aneurysm sac expansion of 5 mm or more. RESULTS: The success rate of IMA coil embolization was 96.4% and that of LA was 74.5%. Compared to the control group, the frequency of T2EL was significantly lower in coil group at 7 days (1.3% vs. 60.4%, P <0.0001) and at 6 months (2.1% vs 38.2%, P <0.0001) after EVAR. The freedom from aneurysm sac expansion rate was significantly better in the coil group at 5 years (100% in coil group and 65.2% in control group, P = 0.002). The rate of aneurysm sac shrinkage was significantly better in coil group (15.5% vs. 2.0% at 1 year, 42.8% vs. 6.3% at 2 years and 53.4% vs. 17.8% at 3 years, p = 0.0007). The risk of aneurysm sac expansion of 5 mm or more was estimated to be 11 times greater when the IMA was patent, and 4.9 times greater when 3 or more LAs were patent at the end of EVAR. CONCLUSION: When IMA was occluded and the number of patent LA became 2 or less by aortic side branch coil embolization during EVAR, favorable mid-term results were safely obtained and good long-term result could be expected with EVAR.

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta for Blood Control in Lumbar Spine Tumor Resection Surgery: A Technical Note.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the technique of the aorta balloon occlusion, and evaluate the blood loss in lumbar spine tumor surgery assisted by aortic balloon occlusion, and to observe the balloon-related complications. METHODS: Six patients with lumbar spine tumor underwent resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta prior to tumor resections in our institution between May 2018 to January 2021. Medical records including demographic, diagnosis, tumor location, surgical approach, intraoperative blood loss, surgical duration, and perioperative balloon-related complication were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: This series included four males and two females, with a median age of 50 years (range 22 to 69). Of these, three primary tumors were plasmacytoma, giant cell tumor of bone, and osteosarcoma, while recurrence of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), recurrence of giant cell tumor of bone (GCT), and metastatic thyroid cancer were diagnosed in cases 1, 6, and 2, respectively. L2 was involved in cases 1 and 5. L3 was involved in case 6. L4 was involved in case 2, 3, and 6. L5 was involved in case 4. One-stage total en bloc resection surgery (TES) was accomplished in all patients; of this series, signal anterior approach was conducted in case 1, signal posterior approach was utilized in cases 2, 3, and 6, while combined anterior and posterior approach was performed in cases 4 and 5. The median intraoperative blood loss was 1683 mL and ranged from 400 to 3200 mL with a median surgical duration of 442 min and a range from 210 to 810 min. During the perioperative period, no serious balloon-related complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta successfully controls intraoperative exsanguination, contributing to a more radical tumor resection and a low rate of tumor cell contamination in lumbar tumor surgery.

Quantifying lumbar vertebral perfusion by a Tofts model on DCE-MRI using segmental versus aortic arterial input function.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of arterial input function (AIF) selection on the quantification of vertebral perfusion using axial dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). In this study, axial DCE-MRI was performed on 2 vertebrae in each of eight healthy volunteers (mean age, 36.9 years; 5 men) using a 1.5-T scanner. The pharmacokinetic parameters Ktrans, ve, and vp, derived using a Tofts model on axial DCE-MRI of the lumbar vertebrae, were evaluated using various AIFs: the population-based aortic AIF (AIF_PA), a patient-specific aortic AIF (AIF_A) and a patient-specific segmental arterial AIF (AIF_SA). Additionally, peaks and delay times were changed to simulate the effects of various AIFs on the calculation of perfusion parameters. Nonparametric analyses including the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Kruskal-Wallis test with a Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc analysis were performed. In simulation, Ktrans and ve increased as the peak in the AIF decreased, but vp increased when delay time in the AIF increased. In humans, the estimated Ktrans and ve were significantly smaller using AIF_A compared to AIF_SA no matter the computation style (pixel-wise or region-of-interest based). Both these perfusion parameters were significantly greater using AIF_SA compared to AIF_A.

Spontaneous infarction of lumbar roots, vertebrae and paravertebral muscles.

Ischemic injury to the lumbosacral nerve roots and plexus is a rare condition resulting from thrombosis of one or several lumbar arteries. As the arterial supply of the spine presents great variations between subjects, the clinical presentation of lumbar thrombosis is highly variable depending on the relative involvement of nerve roots, bones or muscles. Diagnosis can be challenging, especially in the acute phase, as different structures can be simultaneously involved. The identification of an enlarged vessel centered in the area of tissue damage can help with the final diagnosis. We present the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with spontaneous incomplete cauda equina syndrome due to diffuse lumbar nerve root infarction. On imaging, acute lumbar artery thrombosis was confirmed, and in addition to nerve roots, adjacent vertebral and paraspinal muscle infarctions were also present.

Massive Pulmonary Embolism due to Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis Related to Compression by Lumbar Artery Pseudoaneurysm. A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm (LAPA) is a pathology infrequently described in the literature. The most frequent complications are the expansion and rupture of the pseudoaneurysm. Reports of association between PE with LAPA have not yet been described. We present a 53-year-old male patient with LAPA whose expansion caused compression of the inferior vena cava and subsequently PE. He underwent mechanical thrombectomy and inferior cava vein filter placement associated with embolization of the LAPA. Despite the severe clinical profile, the patient was discharged with a favorable postoperative course without complications. This case report also includes a review of the literature.

Distance measurements and origin levels of the coeliac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and inferior mesenteric artery by multiple-detector computed tomography angiography.

The aim of this study is to determine vertebral levels of the coeliac trunk, the superior mesenteric artery, and the inferior mesenteric artery originated from the abdominal aorta and to calculate the distance measurements between these arteries and between these arteries and the aortic bifurcation by multidetector computed tomography angiography technique. It was determined that the nine different vertebral levels of the coeliac trunk, the nine different vertebral levels of the superior mesenteric artery, and the eleven different vertebral levels of the inferior mesenteric artery. The distance measurements between the coeliac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery, the inferior mesenteric artery, the aortic bifurcation were found significant between female and male. In this study, it was determined more different levels than the levels described in classical anatomy. The preoperative information of these morphological variations can contribute to the reduction of surgical time and perioperative vascular complications especially for anterior lumbar interbody fusion and defining the location of the primary lymphatic drainage site for gastrointestinal malignancies.

Spinal neurovascular complications with anterior thoracolumbar spine surgery: a systematic review and review of thoracolumbar vascular anatomy.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord infarction due to interruption of the spinal vascular supply during anterior thoracolumbar surgery is a rare but devastating complication. Here, the authors sought to summarize the data on this complication in terms of its incidence, risk factors, and operative considerations. They also sought to summarize the relevant spinal vascular anatomy. METHODS: They performed a systematic literature review of the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases to identify reports of spinal cord vascular injury related to anterior thoracolumbar spine procedures as well as operative adjuncts and considerations related to management of the segmental artery ligation during such anterior procedures. Titles and abstracts were screened, and studies meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed in full. RESULTS: Of 1200 articles identified on the initial screening, 16 met the inclusion criteria and consisted of 2 prospective cohort studies, 10 retrospective cohort studies, and 4 case reports. Four studies reported on the incidence of spinal cord ischemia with anterior thoracolumbar surgery, which ranged from 0% to 0.75%. Eight studies presented patient-level data for 13 cases of spinal cord ischemia after anterior thoracolumbar spine surgery. Proposed risk factors for vasculogenic spinal injury with anterior thoracolumbar surgery included hyperkyphosis, prior spinal deformity surgery, combined anterior-posterior procedures, left-sided approaches, operating on the concavity side of a scoliotic curve, and intra- or postoperative hypotension. In addition, eight studies analyzed operative considerations to reduce spinal cord ischemic complications in anterior thoracolumbar surgery, including intraoperative neuromonitoring and preoperative spinal angiography. CONCLUSIONS: While spinal cord infarction related to anterior thoracolumbar surgery is rare, it warrants proper consideration in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative periods. The spine surgeon must be aware of the relevant risk factors as well as the pre- and intraoperative adjuncts that can minimize these risks. Most importantly, an understanding of the relevant spinal vascular anatomy is critical to minimizing the risks associated with anterior thoracolumbar spine surgery.

Conus Medullaris Infarction Involving the Paraspinal Muscles and Nerve Roots.

Spinal cord infarctions account for less than 1% of all strokes. The segmental artery supplies the spinal cord, vertebrae, nerve roots, and paraspinal muscles. To our knowledge, this is the first case of spinal cord infarction involving multiple distinct infarcts at various sites, including the lumbar vertebrae, conus medullaris, dorsal thoracolumbar spinal cord, paraspinal muscles, and nerve roots.

Median Sacral Artery Rupture as a Complication of Posterior-Only Approach of L4 Total En Bloc Spondilectomy: A Case Report.

CASE: A 6-year-old patient with Ewing sarcoma at L4 who was treated with total en bloc spondilectomy (TES) through a posterior-only approach. During the dissection of the anterior L4 body, there was uncontrollable bleeding from an unknown origin, which needed packing, massive transfusion, and urgent laparotomy. A median sacral artery (MSA) rupture was identified as the cause of this massive bleeding. Eventually, the patient was successfully stabilized. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported intraoperative bleeding of the MSA related to a lumbar TES through posterior-only approach. This life-threatening complication should be considered when planning for this type of surgery.

Morphometric Analysis of Lumbar Arteries and Relationship with Intervertebral Discs: A study of Surgical Anatomy on Human Fresh Cadavers.

AIM: To examine the morphological structure of anterior lumbar spinal region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen fresh human cadavers were studied in our forensic medicine institution. Within the first 24 hours after death, cadavers were subject to a routine autopsy, by which the intestines were removed and the structures adjacent to the lumbar arteries (LAs) were examined. The following characteristics of the LA were examined and recorded: diameter, number of LA, intervertebral disc, and vertebral corpus relationship, and LA anatomical variations. RESULTS: In 14 of the 15 cadavers (93.3%), the first four LAs originated from the abdominal aorta. In one (6.7%) cadaver, the fourth LA originated from the right aortic trunk together with the median sacral artery (MSA), and this was observed only in the right side. In one cadaver, the first LAs emerged as a common trunk. Twelve cadavers did not have a fifth LA. In one cadaver (6.7%), the fifth LAs emerged as in a pair, distally from the origin of the MSA. Two cadavers (13.3%) had fifth LAs that emerged from the common trunk with the MSA and this occurred only on the right side. LAs which emerged from the right side of the abdominal aorta passed under the inferior vena cava. Of the first four LA, the third LA had the largest vessel diameter, and the first LA had the narrowest vessel diameter. Fifth LAs had one of the narrowest vessel diameters of all LAs. CONCLUSION: We consider that anatomical study of LAs using fresh cadavers can be useful to ensure safer anterior lumbar spinal surgeries.

Multi-Site Optical Monitoring of Spinal Cord Ischemia during Spine Distraction.

Optimal surgical management of spine trauma will restore blood flow to the ischemic spinal cord. However, spine stabilization may also further exacerbate injury by inducing ischemia. Current electrophysiological technology is not capable of detecting acute changes in spinal cord blood flow or localizing ischemia. Further, alerts are delayed and unreliable. We developed an epidural optical device capable of directly measuring and immediately detecting changes in spinal cord blood flow using diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS). Herein we test the hypothesis that our device can continuously monitor blood flow during spine distraction. Additionally, we demonstrate the ability of our device to monitor multiple sites along the spinal cord and axially resolve changes in spinal cord blood flow. DCS-measured blood flow in the spinal cord was monitored at up to three spatial locations (cranial to, at, and caudal to the distraction site) during surgical distraction in a sheep model. Distraction was halted at 50% of baseline blood flow at the distraction site. We were able to monitor blood flow with DCS in multiple regions of the spinal cord simultaneously at ∼1 Hz. The distraction site had a greater decrement in flow than sites cranial to the injury (median -40 vs. -7%,). This pilot study demonstrated high temporal resolution and the capacity to axially resolve changes in spinal cord blood flow at and remote from the site of distraction. These early results suggest that this technology may assist in the surgical management of spine trauma and in corrective surgery of the spine.

Distribution of the Spinal Arteries in Adult Patients with Lumbar Spondylolysis.

INTRODUCTION : The pathology of lumbar spondylolysis is generally thought to begin with a stress fracture in adolescence. Stress fractures of the lower extremities occur in watershed areas with a poor vascular supply because of an inability to respond to stress and heal. This pathology has not been well researched in the lumbar spine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of the spinal arteries in patients with lumbar spondylolysis. METHODS : The extraosseous distribution of the arteries around the pars interarticularis was retrospectively investigated in 14 patients with colon cancer who underwent abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) as part of a preoperative assessment at our hospital and were found to have spondylolysis at L5. RESULTS : All patients were found to have terminal-stage spondylolysis at L5 (1 unilateral, 13 bilateral). L5 segmental artery was absent in all cases. However, separate spinal arteries supplying the pars interarticularis at L5 were found above and below the transverse process at this level. CONCLUSION : All the patients had two separate arteries originating from the cranial and caudal sides that distributed to the superior and inferior articular processes, suggesting that the pars interarticularis is a posterior element containing a vascular watershed area. J. Med. Invest. 67 : 62-66, February, 2020.

Republished: A lumbar arteriovenous fistula presenting with intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus.

Pediatric spinal vascular malformations are rare entities that typically present with symptoms from their effect on surrounding structures. Here we report a unique case of lumbar spinal dural/perimedullary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) that presented with intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. The previously healthy child presented with lethargy and headache, and initial imaging revealed only ventriculomegaly with trace intraventricular blood. His mental status improved with CSF diversion via an external ventricular drain. Further workup revealed a spinal AVF that was treated via endovascular embolization. His course was complicated by vasospasm requiring endovascular treatment and he eventually required ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. He made a full recovery and has returned to his normal activities. This is a unique case of spinal AVF presentation and highlights the importance of considering imaging of the entire neuroaxis during workup for hydrocephalus.

Anatomical Study of the Lumbar Segmental Arteries in Relation to the Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion Approach.

OBJECTIVE: To use computed tomography angiography to evaluate the regional anatomy of the lumbar segmental arteries (LAs) associated with the surgical field in oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF). METHODS: Computed tomography angiography images from 50 patients were reviewed. In the sagittal plane, distances from the LA to the upper and inferior edges of the vertebral body were measured in the anterior quarter of the anterior and median lines of the intervertebral disc (IVD). LAs were classified as types I-IV based on the zone in which they passed through the vertebral body. RESULTS: The LA branch angles were acute (<90°) at L1-L3 and blunt (>90°) at L4-L5. The average distances from the LA to the upper and inferior edges of the vertebral body in the anterior quarter position revealed that La1.2 > Lb1.2 and Lb3.4.5 > La3.4.5. For the IVD of L1-L2, Lb1 < La2; IVD of L2-L3, Lb2 < La3; IVD of L3-L4, Lb3 > La4; IVD of L4-L5, Lb4 > La5. In zone I, the most frequent LA type was type IV at L1 (n = 41; 85.4%) and L2 (n = 42; 84.0%), type III at L3 (n = 20; 40.0%), and type II at L4 (n = 36; 80.0%) and L5 (n = 5; 83.3%). In zone II, the most frequent LA type was type III at L1 (n = 38; 79.2%), L2 (n = 39; 78.0%), L3 (n = 43; 86.0%), and L4 (n = 28; 62.2%), whereas type II was the most frequent LA type at L5 (n = 5; 83.3%). In zone III, type III was the most frequent LA type at L1-L4. In zone IV, type IV was the most frequent LA type at L3 (n = 44; 88.0%), L4 (n = 42; 93.3%), and L5 (n = 6; 100%). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of LA injury during OLIF is the least when the cage is placed in zones II and III. Care is required during OLIF in zone IV of L3-L5. The fixation pin should be fixed on the upper edge of the lower vertebral body at L1-L2 and L2-L3, and on the lower edge of the upper vertebral body at L3-L4 and L4-L5.

The position of the aorta relative to the spine in patients with adult degenerative scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze the position of the aorta by MRI in patients with adult degenerative scoliosis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relative anatomic positions of the aorta and spine in patients with adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS). Aorta injury is a rare complication of spinal surgeries. However, there would be a disastrous consequence once it happened. Therefore, knowing about the position of aorta is of great importance. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 90 patients with ADS and 132 participants without spine deformity. ADS patients were divided into several groups such as left scoliosis, left scoliosis with thoracolumbar kyphosis, right scoliosis, and right scoliosis with thoracolumbar kyphosis. The aorta-vertebrae angle (α) and aorta-vertebrae distance (d) in each level of T12-L4 were measured by using a Cartesian coordinate system. t test of independent samples was performed, α and d were compared, and Pearson correlation analysis was employed for α, d, and X-ray radiographic measurements. RESULT: The changes of α were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) in LS and LKS groups but d (P < 0.05) was longer in LKS group compared with the control group. In the right malformed group, there was no significant change in the angle (P > 0.05) in the abdominal aorta but longer d (P < 0.05) than the normal group. There was longer d in the RKS group compared with the RS group (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between d and TLK (r = 0.439, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with ADS, a relative normal position is maintained between the aorta and vertebrae. While the aorta is slightly away from the left pedicle in RS patients and farther away in patients with kyphosis, the angle of kyphosis would become bigger and d becomes longer. Therefore, the surgeons should be aware of the changes of the aorta position to avoid the disastrous vessel injuries.

Iatrogenic Common Iliac Vessel Injury During Routine Degenerative Lumbar Spine Surgery: Report of 2 Cases and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Injury of the iliac vessels is a rare complication of lumbar spine surgery with potentially life-threatening consequences. We present 2 cases of iliac vessel injury that were treated with minimally invasive techniques. CASE DESCRIPTION: The first case was a laceration of the common iliac artery during a simple L4-L5 discectomy in which the injured artery was secured by stent implantation. The second case was an example of injury to the left iliac common vessel leading to acute lower limb ischemia and arteriovenous fistula formation after lumbar spinal canal stenosis surgery. The patient was treated in 2 steps. First, a temporary femorofemoral bypass was implanted to revascularize the right lower limb. The second step involved stent implantation in the right common iliac artery to close the arteriovenous fistula. Both patients were treated without extensive laparotomy and had good clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This case series emphasizes the benefit of quick minimally invasive vascular repair available in multidisciplinary centers.

Venous Drainage of Lumbar Vertebral Bodies: Anatomic Study with Application to Kyphoplasty, Vertebroplasty, and Pedicle Screw Complications.

BACKGROUND: Bone cement augmentation with polymethylmethacrylate is a reliable method for stabilizing osteoporotic compression fractures and improving fixation of pedicle screws. However, cement extrusion into the vertebral venous system can result in pulmonary cement embolism. The goal of this anatomic study was to identify the relationship between the internal/external vertebral plexus and neighboring abdominal caval system. METHODS: Thirty-two lumbar vertebral levels were used in this study. Anterior abdominal dissection was performed to access the lumbar vertebral bodies through the peritoneal cavity, and a 16-gauge needle was placed into the center of each lumbar vertebral body at its anterior aspect. Fluoroscopy was used to confirm if the needle was correctly placed. Next, latex and/or continuous air injections were performed into each lumbar vertebral level (L1-L5). Observations confirmed if the latex or air traveled into the inferior vena cava. In addition, the spinal canal was opened to see if any latex was found to enter inside the vertebral canal in cadavers injected with the latex. RESULTS: Latex or air was found to flow into the inferior vena cava at all the lumbar vertebral levels. The latex/air was not observed in the spinal canal in any specimen. CONCLUSIONS: An exact knowledge of the lumbar vertebral venous anatomy is essential when procedures that could affect the vertebral venous system are involved. Its complexity and anatomic variability necessitate such an understanding to better prevent/understand possible complications associated with polymethylmethacrylate extrusion.