Ultrasonic Bone Scalpel versus Conventional Technique for Thoracolumbar Spinal Decompression: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial / Bisturi ósseo ultrassônico versus técnica convencional para descompressão espinhal torácica: Um teste controlado randomizado prospectivo

Abstract Objective The purpose of the present study is to compare intraoperative blood loss, operating time, laminectomy time, hospital length of stay, and complications in thoracolumbar spinal decompression using ultrasonic bone scalpels (UBSs) with conventional procedures. Methods Forty-two patients who underwent decompressive laminectomy and pedicular screw fusion with a surgical level of 1-5 levels between February 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, in a single institution were evaluated for eligibility, and 11 were excluded due to a history of spinal surgery (n= 3), spinal tumor (n= 3), and spinal infection (n= 5). A total of 31 patients were randomly divided into the UBS group (n =15) and the conventional group (n =16). Intraoperative blood loss, operating time, laminectomy time, hospital length of stay, and complications were recorded. Results Intraoperative blood loss and laminectomy time were significantly lower in the UBS group (656.0 ± 167.6 ml, 54.5 ± 27.4 minutes, respectively) than in the conventional group (936.9 ± 413.2 ml, 73.4 ± 28.1 minutes, respectively). Overall operation time, hospital length of stay, and complications were all similar between the groups. Conclusion The UBS is a useful instrument for procedures performed near the dura mater or other neural tissue without excessive heat or mechanical injury. This device is recommended for various spinal surgeries in addition to high-speed burrs and Kerrison rongeurs.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo é comparar perda de sangue intraoperatória, tempo de operação, tempo de laminectomia, tempo de internação hospitalar e complicações na descompressão espinhal torácica utilizando bisturis ósseos ultrassônicos (BOUs) em relação aos procedimentos convencionais. Métodos Quarenta e dois pacientes submetidos a laminectomia descompressiva e fusão pedicular do parafuso com um nível cirúrgico de 1 a 5, entre 1° de fevereiro de 2020 e 30 de junho de 2022 em uma única instituição, foram avaliados para elegibilidade e 11 foram excluídos devido ao histórico de cirurgia espinhal (n= 3), tumor espinhal (n= 3) e infecção espinhal (n= 5). Perda de sangue intraoperatória, tempo de operação, tempo de laminectomia, tempo de internação e complicações foram registradas. Resultados A perda de sangue intraoperatória e o tempo de laminectomia foram significativamente menores no grupo BOU (656,0 ± 167,6 ml, 54,5 ± 27,4 min, respectivamente) do que no grupo convencional (936,9 ± 413,2 ml, 73,4 ± 28,1 min, respectivamente). O tempo de funcionamento total, o tempo de internação e as complicações foram todos semelhantes entre os grupos. Conclusão O bisturi ósseo ultrassônico é um instrumento útil para procedimentos realizados próximos à dura-máter ou outro tecido neural sem calor excessivo ou lesão mecânica. Este dispositivo é recomendado para várias cirurgias de coluna vertebral, juntamente com rebarbas de alta velocidade e pinça Kerrison.

Síndrome de Klippel-Feil autosómico dominante: una malformación de segmentación vertebral / Klippel-Feil autosomal dominant syndrome: a malformation of vertebral segmentation

INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome de Klippel-Feil constituye un desorden esquelético complejo altamente heterogéneo caracterizado por la fusión congénita de dos o más vértebras cervicales. La triada clínica clásica consiste en cuello corto, implantación baja del cabello y limitación para los movimientos del cue llo. Las mutaciones asociadas se localizan en los loci del gen GDF3 (cromosoma 12p13.31), GDF6 (cromosoma 8q22.1) y MEOX1 (cromosoma 17q21.31). OBJETIVO: Describir los hallazgos clínico- radiológicos y genealogía de una paciente con síndrome de Klippel-Feil. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 5 años de edad con cuello corto, cabello de implantación baja posterior, limitación para los movimientos de lateralización. La radiografía cervical en flexión y extensión evidenció bloques de fusión entre C1-2-3, C4-5 y C6-7. En la tomografía axial computarizada de tórax se apreció múltiples hemivértebras del tercio superior de las vértebras torácicas correspondientes a las costillas I-IV. El cariotipo fue normal, 46, XX. La penetrancia reducida estuvo presente en cinco de los miembros de la familia. La fusión de C2-3 predominó en cuatro y en un individuo la fusión baja en C5-6. Tres de los cinco individuos afectados tenían fusión entre el hueso grande y ganchoso. CONCLUSIÓN: La malformación de segmentación vertebral congénita constituye un caso de interés por tratarse de un diagnóstico infrecuente en la edad pediátrica y cuya sospecha puede generarse a partir del examen clínico, estudio de imágenes complementado con la interpretación de la genealogía en los trastornos de herencia mendeliana, permitiendo brindar un oportuno asesoramiento genético a la familia.

INTRODUCTION: Klippel-Feil syndrome is a highly heterogeneous complex skeletal disorder characterized by the con genital fusion of two or more cervical vertebrae. The classic clinical triad consists of a short neck, low hairline, and neck movements limitation. The associated mutations are located in the loci of the GDF3 gene (chromosome 12pl3.31), GDF6 (chromosome 8q22.1), and MEOXI (chromosome 17q21.31). OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical-radiological findings and pedigree of a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome. CLINICAL CASE: A 5-year-old patient with short neck, low posterior hairline, and limitation of lateral movements. The cervical flexion and extension radiographs showed fusion blocks between C1-2-3, C4-5, and C6-7. The chest CT scan showed multiple hemivertebrae in the upper third of the thoracic vertebrae corresponding to ribs 1-tv. The karyotype was normal, 46, XX. Reduced penetrance was present in five of the family members. The fusion of C2-3 was present in four members and one individual had low fusion in C5-6. Three of the five affected individuals had a fusion between the capitate and the hamate bone. CONCLUSION: The malformation of congenital vertebral segmentation is a case of interest since it is an uncommon diagnosis in the pediatric age and whose clinical suspicion can be generated from the clinical examination, radiological study com plemented with the pedigree interpretation in Mendelian inheritance disorders, allowing to provide opportunely genetic counseling to the family.

Hipoplasia vertebral asociada a cifosis toracolumbar en lactantes: ¿variante anatómica? casos clínicos / Lumbar hypoplasia associated to thoracolumbar kyphosis in infants: anatomic variant? clinical cases

INTRODUCCIÓN: La hipoplasia vertebral es una anomalía de los cuerpos vertebrales, en la que estos tienen forma de cuña, habitualmente a nivel de la unión toracolumbar. Si bien se asocia a ciertas enfermedades de depósito y displasias óseas, es posible encontrar una hipoplasia vertebral aislada en lactantes sanos, o en presencia de cifosis toracolumbar. El objetivo del presente manuscrito es dar a conocer la evolución de la hipoplasia vertebral asociada a cifosis en dos lactantes aparentemente sanos. CASOS CLÍNICOS: Se presentan dos casos de lactantes en que se pesquisó cifosis lumbar clínicamente visible durante la sedestación. Las radiografías de columna de ambos mostraron hipoplasia vertebral lumbar a nivel de L2 como único hallazgo en la morfología vertebral. Luego de descartar causas asociadas, se indicó manejo conservador: en el primer caso, en que la cifosis era de 18° se indicó seguimiento clínico-radiológico; mientras que, en el segundo caso, que tenía una angulación de 57° en sedestación, se indicó tratamiento con corsé. La evolución en ambos fue favorable, con re solución clínica radiológica a la edad de 15 meses en el primer caso y en el segundo caso, a los 3 años y 4 meses se constató regresión clínica de la cifosis con persistencia de una imagen de leve hipoplasia vertebral. CONCLUSIONES: La hipoplasia vertebral aislada o asociada a cifosis puede considerarse una anomalía menor o bien una variante anatómica del desarrollo de la columna del lactante, no obstan te, requiere seguimiento hasta su normalización.

INTRODUCTION: Vertebral hypoplasia is an anomaly of the vertebral bodies, in which they present a wedge shape, usually at the level of the thoracolumbar junction. Although it is associated with cer tain storage diseases and bone dysplasias, it is also possible to find isolated vertebral hypoplasia it in healthy infants or associated with thoracolumbar kyphosis. The objective of this report is to show the evolution of vertebral hypoplasia associated to kyphosis in two apparently health children. CASE REPORT: Two cases of infants diagnosed with clinically visible lumbar kyphosis when they were sitting. Spine X-rays of both showed lumbar vertebral hypoplasia at L2 level as the only finding. After ruling out other conditions associated with vertebral hypoplasia, conservative management was indicated; in the first case a clinical-radiological follow-up and in the second one, a corset given the magnitude of kyphosis. The evolution was favorable, with complete radiological clinical resolution at the age of 15 months in the first case and clinical regression in the second, in which, at 3 years and 4 months of age, an image of mild vertebral hypoplasia persisted. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated vertebral hypoplasia or associated to kyphosis may be considered a minor anomaly or anatomic variant of infant spine development, however, it requires follow-up until its normalization.

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of upper thoracic versus lower thoracic upper instrumented vertebrae for adult scoliosis: a meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of upper thoracic (UT) versus lower thoracic (LT) upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) for adult scoliosis by meta-analysis. We conducted a literature search in three databases to retrieve related studies up to March 15, 2017. The preliminary screened studies were assessed by two reviewers according to the selection criteria. All analyses were carried out using the statistical software package R version 2.31. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to describe the results. The I2 statistic and Q statistic test were used for heterogeneity assessment. Egger's test was performed to detect publication bias. To assess the effect of each study on the overall pooled OR or standardized mean difference (SMD), sensitive analysis was conducted. Ten trials published between 2007 and 2015 were eligible and included in our study. Meta-analysis revealed that the UT group was associated with more blood loss (SMD=0.4779, 95%CI=0.3349-0.6209, Z=6.55, P<0.0001) and longer operating time (SMD=0.5780, 95%CI=0.1971-0.958, Z=2.97, P=0.0029) than the LT group. However, there was no significant difference in Oswestry Disability Index, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) function subscores, radiographic outcomes including sagittal vertical axis, lumbar lordosis, and thoracic kyphosis, length of hospital stay, and revision rates between the two groups. No evidence of publication bias was found between the two groups. Fusion from the lower thoracic spine (below T10) has as advantages a shorter operation time and less blood loss than upper thoracic spine (above T10) in posterior long-segment fixation for degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Comparison of short-segment monoaxial and polyaxial pedicle screw fixation combined with intermediate screws in traumatic thoracolumbar fractures: a finite element study and clinical radiographic review

OBJECTIVES: No studies have compared monoaxial and polyaxial pedicle screws with regard to the von Mises stress of the instrumentation, intradiscal pressures of the adjacent segment and adjacent segment degeneration. METHODS: Short-segment monoaxial/polyaxial pedicle screw fixation techniques were compared using finite element methods, and the redistributed T11-L1 segment range of motion, largest maximal von Mises stress of the instrumentation, and intradiscal pressures of the adjacent segment under displacement loading were evaluated. Radiographic results of 230 patients with traumatic thoracolumbar fractures treated with these fixations were reviewed, and the sagittal Cobb's angle, vertebral body angle, anterior vertebral body height of the fractured vertebrae and adjacent segment degeneration were calculated and evaluated. RESULTS: The largest maximal values of the von Mises stress were 376.8 MPa for the pedicle screws in the short-segment monoaxial pedicle screw fixation model and 439.9 MPa for the rods in the intermediate monoaxial pedicle screw fixation model. The maximal intradiscal pressures of the upper adjacent segments were all greater than those of the lower adjacent segments. The maximal intradiscal pressures of the monoaxial pedicle screw fixation model were larger than those in the corresponding segments of the normal model. The radiographic results at the final follow-up evaluation showed that the mean loss of correction of the sagittal Cobb's angle, vertebral body angle and anterior vertebral body height were smallest in the intermediate monoaxial pedicle screw fixation group. Adjacent segment degeneration was less likely to be observed in the intermediate polyaxial pedicle screw fixation group but more likely to be observed in the intermediate monoaxial pedicle screw fixation group. CONCLUSION: Smaller von Mises stress in the pedicle screws and lower intradiscal pressure in the adjacent segment were observed in the polyaxial screw model than in the monoaxial pedicle screw fixation spine models. Fracture-level fixation could significantly correct kyphosis and reduce correction loss, and adjacent segment degeneration was less likely to be observed in the intermediate polyaxial pedicle screw fixation group.

Congenital hemangioma in spondylocostal dysostosis: a novel association

Abstract Congenital hemangioma is a benign tumor caused by dysfunction in embryogenesis and vasculogenesis, which progresses during fetal life to manifest as fully developed at birth. Although hemangiomas are the most common tumor of infancy, rapidly involuting congenital hemangioma has not been described in spondylocostal dysostosis. I report the novel association of congenital hemangioma and spondylocostal dysostosis in a Mexican newborn female patient with neural tube defects. Given the embryological relationship between skin and nervous system, I surmise that this association is not coincidental. I also propose that these morphologic alterations be incorporated to the spondylocostal dysostosis phenotype and specifically looked for in other affected children, in order to provide appropriate medical management and genetic counseling.