Anatomical Relationships of Internal Carotid Artery with Posterior Pharyngeal Wall and Upper Cervical Spine: Analysis of 238 Computed Tomography Angiograms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate internal carotid artery's (ICA) anatomical relationships with atlantoaxial joints and posterior pharyngeal wall and to illustrate ICA injury risk during transoral procedures to upper cervical spine. METHODS: Cervical spine computed tomography angiography (CTA) of 238 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Each ICA was classified into one of three zones: areas medial (Zone 1), anterior (Zone 2), or lateral (Zone 3) to the atlantoaxial joint. For an ICA in Zone 1, the shortest distances to the posterior pharyngeal wall and midsagittal plane were measured. For an ICA in Zone 2, the closest distances to the midsagittal plane and anterior cortex of the C1-2 complex were measured. RESULTS: Fifteen ICAs in Zone 1 were found in 12 (5%) patients, with three female patients having bilateral ICAs medial to the atlantoaxial joint. The incidence of ICA in Zone 1 was higher in females than in males. In cases of ICAs in Zone 2, the ICAs were close to the anterior cortex of C1-2 complex, with the shortest distance being 2.6±1.5 mm. A total of 39.9% of patients had bilateral ICAs in Zone 3. CONCLUSION: Transoral surgeries in the upper cervical spine carry potential ICA injury risk. They should be carefully deliberated in patients whose ICAs are in Zone 1. In cases of ICAs in Zone 2, meticulous subperiosteal stripping and gentle traction should be performed on the posterior pharyngeal wall. Preoperative identification of the course of ICAs is mandatory in patients undergoing transoral surgeries in the upper cervical spine.

Single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression and interbody fusion for the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses.

BACKGROUND: To explore the clinical safety and efficacy of single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression, allograft bone using titanium mesh and interbody fusion combined for the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses. METHODS: A total of 38 patients diagnosed with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses underwent surgery via single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression, allograft bone using titanium mesh and interbody fusion from January 2010 to September 2016 were enrolled in the study. The clinical efficacy of the approach was assessed based on parameters including operating time, blood loss, Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Frankel grade, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: The surgery duration was 224.4 ± 71.1 min with a blood loss of 731.8 ± 585.8 ml. The Cobb angle was corrected from 16.0 ± 15.4° preoperatively to 8.1 ± 7.4° postoperatively (P < 0.001, t = - 4.38), and returned to a level of 11.0 ± 8.5° at the final follow-up (P = 0.002, t = 3.38). Back pain was relieved, with the mean preoperative VAS of 3.5 ± 1.1 decreased to 0.7 ± 0.8 postoperatively (P < 0.001, t = 23.21) and then to 0.6 ± 0.5 at the final follow-up (P < 0.001, t = 17.07). Neurological function was improved in various degrees and psoas abscesses disappeared in all patients. The ESR and CRP decreased gradually after surgery and returned to normal at the final follow-up in all patients. All patients achieved bone fusion thoroughly and no recurrence of TB or surgical related complications was found at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression, allograft bone using titanium mesh and interbody fusion is a safe and effective approach for the management of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses.

Posterior-only approach with titanium mesh cages versus autogenous iliac bone graft for thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of titanium mesh cages (TMCs) with autogenous iliac bone grafts (AIBG) in posterior-only surgery for thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.Design: Retrospective investigative design.Setting: The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.Participants: A total of 146 patients with thoracic or lumbar tuberculosis.Interventions: All patients underwent a posterior-only approach with either a TMC (86 cases) or AIBG (60 cases).Outcomes measures: Operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), visual analogue scale (VAS), and related complications were used to compare the effectiveness and feasibility of the two techniques. Frankel grading system, Cobb angle, and loss of angular correction were employed to assess neurological and kyphotic improvements.Results: There were significant improvements in ESR, CRP, VAS, Frankel grade, and Cobb angle at the last follow-up (P < 0.05) when compared with the preoperative state. The TMC group was superior in operation duration (P < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.007), VAS (P < 0.001), loss of angular correction (P < 0.001), and surgical complications as compared with the AIBG group. There were no significant differences in the improvement of the Frankel grade and Cobb angle between the TMC and AIBG groups (P > 0.05). A recurrence of tuberculosis was not found in either of the groups.Conclusion: Compared to autogenous iliac bone grafts, titanium mesh cages could serve as a superior material in posterior-only operative therapy for thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Anterior debridement, decompression, fusion and instrumentation for lower cervical spine tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Antituberculosis chemotherapy have been widely used for lower cervical spine tuberculosis and brought out favorable outcomes. However, the contribution of surgical treatment is not well investigated yet. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of surgical treatment for lower cervical spine tuberculosis by anterior debridement, decompression, fusion and instrumentation. METHODS: From April 2011 to July 2016, 17 patients (9 males and 8 females, average age, 45.7 ± 16.8 years) with lower cervical spine tuberculosis (C4-C7) underwent anterior debridement, decompression, fusion and instrumentation. Frankel grading and visual analogue scale were used to assess neurological function and neck pain, respectively. Operating time, blood loss, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, kyphosis angle and postoperative complications were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgery. RESULTS: The surgery duration time range from 78 to 322 min (average 136.2 ± 61.1 min) and the blood loss range from 50 to 500 ml (average 127.7 ± 110.9 ml). Kyphosis angle was 10.8 ± 11.8°on average preoperative and returned to -6.3 ± 10.4° postoperative (P < 0.001, t = 12.3) and remained -4.4 ± 9.9°at final follow-up (P < 0.001, t = 11.8). The average preoperative and final follow-up visual analogue scale scores were 4.6 ± 1.3 and 0.6 ± 0.5 respectively (P < 0.001, t = 13.5). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein decreased gradually postoperative and returned to normal at final follow-up. No postoperative severe complications and no recurrence of tuberculosis occurred in all cases and neurologic function was improved in various degrees. CONCLUSION: Anterior debridement, decompression, fusion and instrumentation could serve as an effective treatment in the management of the lower cervical spine tuberculosis.

Perioperative Management of Spinal Tuberculosis in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Preliminary Report on A Patient Series.

OBJECTIVE: To present a preliminary experience of perioperative management for patients with spinal tuberculosis (STB) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and discuss strategic factors that should be considered. METHODS: A retrospective study of 6 patients with STB and ESRD who underwent spine surgeries in our hospital from January 2010 to May 2017 was carried out. Medical records were reviewed for clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, radiologic findings, perioperative management, clinical outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: Except for 1 patient who died of cardiac arrest 5 days after surgery, this case series was followed with a mean follow-up period of 17.0 months (range, 9-23). There were no patients reporting major side effects related to an adjusted antituberculosis chemotherapy regimen. Postoperatively, surgical incision healed primarily, whereas delirium and pneumonia were noted in 2 patients. At final follow-ups, solid bony fusion was achieved in 4 patients, whereas fusion was indefinite in the patient who underwent surgery at L3/4 level. Visual analogue scale score improved from preoperative 5.2 ± 0.37 to 2.6 ± 0.55 at the final follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative management of patients with STB and ESRD is a complicated issue, with multiple factors to be considered. Spinal surgery can achieve acceptable outcomes in these patients if meticulous management is performed.

Could Allograft Bones Combined with Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone Cages or Titanium Mesh Cages be an Alternative Grafting Method in the Management of Cervical Spinal Tuberculosis?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of allograft bones combined with poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) cages or titanium mesh cages (TMCs) in the management of cervical spinal tuberculosis. METHODS: A total of 16 patients with cervical spinal tuberculosis who underwent anterior debridement, reconstruction with allograft bones combined with PEEK cages or TMCs, and anterior plate fixation between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively studied. Neck pain, neurologic status, operating time, intraoperative blood loss, cervical spine alignment, bony fusion, and self-reported clinical outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: Six patients underwent 1 level reconstruction using PEEK cages and 10 patients received TMCs reconstruction. Patients received a mean follow-up time of 45.9 ± 13.1 months. Neck pain was greatly relieved, as visual analog scale scores decreased from 4.6 ± 1.3 preoperatively to 0.7 ± 0.5 at the final follow-up (P < 0.05). Neurologic status was improved in all patients with neurologic deficits, with 9 patients improving by 1 grade and 1 patient by 2 grades. Kyphosis angle was corrected from 1.3 ± 12.0 degrees preoperatively to -5.4 ± 10.2 degrees postoperatively (P < 0.05) and remained at -3.6 ± 9.6 degrees at the final follow-up (P < 0.05). Bony fusion was achieved in all patients, with a mean time to the fusion of 3.8 ± 1.3 months. There was no implant failure or signs of cervical spinal tuberculosis recurrence. Excellent results, good results, and fair results were reported in 37.5%, 56.25%, and 6.25% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Allograft bone combined with PEEK cages and TMCs could bring about favorable clinical results in patients with cervical spinal tuberculosis. This method could be an alternative to autologous bone grafting method in the management of certain cases.

Anterior Cervical Surgery for the Treatment of Hirayama Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a quantitative assessment of clinical outcomes of anterior cervical surgery for patients with Hirayama disease. METHODS: Nineteen patients undergoing anterior cervical surgery were retrospectively collected, and preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiographic data were compared. RESULTS: All patients had a mean follow-up time of 72.5 ± 30.6 months. Tremor in 6 of 14 patients and cold paralysis in 8 patients were resolved after operation. Grip strength of upper extremities was significantly improved (preoperative 15.67 ± 2.74 kg vs. postoperative 19.82 ± 2.89 kg, P < 0.001). Postoperative cervical lordosis was significantly increased to 6.41 ± 4.39 mm from 2.70 ± 4.61 mm (P < 0.001). The overall range of cervical flexed motion was significantly decreased (preoperative 33.10° ± 10.60° vs. postoperative 13.55° ± 6.69°, P < 0.001), with segmental range of C5-6 (preoperative 12.52° ± 7.13° vs. postoperative 7.04° ± 3.75°, P = 0.002) and C6-7 (preoperative 9.01° ± 5.01° vs. postoperative 5.73° ± 2.74°, P = 0.014) contributing significantly to the improvement. Postoperative angle mobility of C3-4 to C6-7 was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Postoperative neutral magnetic resonance imaging showed the transverse area of spinal cord of C6 (P = 0.016) and C7 (P = 0.021) was significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior cervical surgery can provide clinical efficacy and imaging improvement, including reduced range of cervical flexed motion and angle mobility of lower cervical spine and increased cervical lordosis and spinal cord area.

One-Stage Surgical Treatment for Consecutive Multisegment Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis with Kyphosis by Posterior-Only Debridement, Interbody Fusion, and Instrumentation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of one-stage surgical treatment for consecutive multisegment thoracic spinal tuberculosis with kyphosis by posterior-only debridement, interbody fusion, and instrumentation. METHODS: Sixty-two patients who underwent posterior debridement, interbody fusion, and instrumentation were reviewed for radiographic fusion, region kyphosis, neurologic status, and clinical outcomes. Thoracic Cobb's angle and Frankel grading system were used to assess kyphosis and neurologic improvements, respectively. Operation time, blood loss, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, visual analogue scale score, and postoperative complications were recorded to evaluate efficacy and feasibility. RESULTS: The surgery duration was 234.5 ± 91.3 minutes, with blood loss of 761.3 ± 598.5 mL. The levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in all patients decreased gradually to normal within 3 months after the surgery. Kyphosis angle was corrected from 16.9 ± 10.9° preoperatively to 10.4 ± 6.3° postoperatively (P < 0.001, t = 5.2) and remained at 12.0 ± 6.6° at final follow-up (P < 0.001, t = 4.6). Twenty-seven patients obtained neurologic improvement by 1-3 grades. The average visual analogue scale score decreased from preoperative 3.7 ± 1.0 to postoperative 0.7 ± 0.9 (P < 0.001, t = 16.4), and then to 0.5 ± 0.3 at final follow-up (P < 0.001, t = 21.5). All patients achieved bony fusion. Recurrence of tuberculosis was not found in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage posterior surgery of debridement, interbody fusion and instrumentation could serve as an efficient way to cure patients with consecutive multisegment thoracic spinal tuberculosis.