Assessment of safety of self-controlled repetitive trans-vertebral magnetic stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess safety issues of self-controlled repetitive trans-vertebral magnetic stimulation (rTVMS) in humans. METHODS: We investigated effects of self-controlled rTVMS (≤20 Hz, ≤90% intensity) on vital signs and subjective sensations in 1690 trials of 30 healthy volunteers and 12 patients with spinal cord disorders. RESULTS: Healthy volunteers and the patients received 4595 ± 2345, and 4450 ± 2304 pulses in one day, respectively. No serious adverse events were observed in any participants, and only minor events were seen as follows. While blood pressure was unaffected in the patients, the diastolic blood pressure increased slightly after rTVMS in healthy volunteers. The peripheral capillary oxygen saturation increased after rTVMS in healthy volunteers. "Pain" or "Discomfort" was reported in approximately 10% of trials in both participants groups. Degree of the evoked sensation positively correlated with stimulus intensity and was affected by the site of stimulation. CONCLUSION: Self-controlled rTVMS (≤20 Hz and ≤90% intensity) did not induce any serious adverse effects in healthy volunteers and patients with spinal cord disorders. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate that rTVMS can be used safely in physiological investigations in healthy volunteers and also as treatment for neurological disorders.

Distal embolic brain infarction due to recanalization of asymptomatic vertebral artery occlusion resulting from cervical spine injury: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to describe a patient with brain infarction due to recanalization of an occluded vertebral artery (VA) following closed reduction and open fixation of cervical spinal dislocation and to discuss the management of asymptomatic VA injuries associated with spine trauma. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 41-year-old Asian man experienced a C4-5 distractive-flexion injury manifesting with quadriplegia and anesthesia below the C3 cord level (including phrenic nerve paralysis), and bowel and bladder dysfunction. Magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography angiography showed left extracranial VA (V2) occlusion and a patent contralateral VA. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient was observed without antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation therapy and underwent open reduction and internal fusion of C4/5 and tracheostomy 8 hours after the injury. After surgery, supraspinal symptoms such as left horizontal nystagmus and left homonymous hemianopsia led to cranial computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which showed left-side cerebellar infarction in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery territory and right-side posterior cerebral artery infarction. Magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography angiography demonstrated patent bilateral VA (but hypoplastic right VA) and occluded right posterior cerebral artery. The injured VA was treated conservatively, and there were no other ischemic complications. CONCLUSION: The management of asymptomatic VA injury is controversial, with several treatment options available, including observation alone, antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation therapy, or invasive intervention. Although there are some reports described where management with observation alone seems safe, serious attention should be given to the VA injury caused by cervical spine trauma.

Late complication of surgically treated atlantoaxial instability: occipital bone erosion induced by protruded fixed titanium rod: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: Polyaxial screw-rod fixation of C1-C2 is a relatively new technique to treat atlantoaxial instability, and there have been few reports in the literature outlining all possible complications. The purpose of this case report is to present the occurrence and management of occipital bone erosion induced by the protruded rostral part of a posterior atlantoaxial screw-rod construct causing headache. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 70-year-old Asian man with rheumatoid arthritis initially presented to our institution with atlantoaxial instability causing progressive quadraparesis and neck pain. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Posterior atlantoaxial instrumented fixation using C1 lateral mass screws in conjunction with C2 pedicle screws was performed to stabilize these segments. Postoperatively, the patient regained the ability to independently walk and had no radiographic evidence of instrumentation hardware failure and excellent sagittal alignment. However, despite a well-stabilized fusion, the patient began to complain of headache during neck extension. Follow-up imaging studies revealed left occipital bone erosion induced by a protruded titanium rod fixed with setscrews. During revision surgery, the rod protrusion was modified and the headaches diminished. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that occipital bone erosion after posterior atlantoaxial fixation causing headache may occur. The principal cause of bone erosion in this case was rod protrusion. Although posterior atlantoaxial fixation using the screw-rod system was selected to manage atlantoaxial instability because it has less complications than other procedures, surgeons should pay attention that the length of the rod protrusion should not exceed 2 mm.

Radical excision combined with instrumented fixation in the management of thoracic epidural angiolipoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal angiolipoma is a benign uncommon neoplasm composed of mature lipocytes admixed with abnormal blood vessels. They account for only 0.04% to 1.2% of all spinal tumors. We present a case of thoracic epidural angiolipoma treated by combining radical resection with instrumented spinal fixation, without any surgical complication. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old Asian woman presented with dorsal epidural angiolipoma at the upper-thoracic level. She had a seven-month history of gradually worsening weakness and numbness in her lower extremities. Imaging studies of her thoracic spine demonstrated a heterogeneously well-enhancing mass, located in her posterior epidural space without surrounding bone erosion at the upper thoracic level. We also observed compression of her thoracic cord. During surgery, a reddish-gray, highly vascularized mass was excised. Her facet joints had to be resected to expose the part migrating into the intervertebral foramen. Because there was concern regarding the stability of her thoracic spine, we performed spinal fixation using pedicle screws. Histopathological study of the surgical specimen showed a typical angiolipoma. CONCLUSION: Angiolipomas can be radically excised with good prognosis. Surgical removal is the preferred treatment for spinal angiolipoma, and the prognosis after surgical management is very good. Although outcomes remained favorable despite incomplete resections in a number of spinal angiolipoma, complete removal is preferred. We successfully achieved total resection without any surgical complication by combining radical resection with instrumented spinal fixation.

Embolic brain infarction related to posttraumatic occlusion of vertebral artery resulting from cervical spine injury: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The frequency of vertebrobasilar ischemia in patients with cervical spine trauma had been regarded as low in many published papers. However, some case reports have described cervical spine injury associated with blunt vertebral artery injury. Many aspects of the management of vertebral artery injuries still remain controversial, including the screening criteria, the diagnostic modality, and the optimal treatment for various lesions. The case of a patient who had a brain infarction due to recanalization of his occluded vertebral artery following open reduction of cervical spinal dislocation is presented here. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old Asian man presented with C4 to C5 distractive flexion injury manifesting with quadriplegia and anesthesia below his C3 cord level (including phrenic nerve paralysis), and bowel and bladder dysfunction. Magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography angiography showed left extracranial vertebral artery occlusion and patent contralateral vertebral artery. He was observed without antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation therapy, and underwent surgery (open reduction and internal fusion of C4 to C5, and tracheostomy) 8 hours after the injury. After surgery, supraspinal symptoms such as left horizontal nystagmus and left homonymous hemianopsia led to cranial computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which showed left-side cerebellar infarction in his posterior inferior cerebellar artery territory and right-side posterior cerebral artery infarction. Magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography angiography demonstrated patent bilateral vertebral artery (but hypoplastic right vertebral artery) and occluded right posterior cerebral artery. His injured vertebral artery was treated conservatively, which did not cause any other ischemic complications. CONCLUSIONS: The management of asymptomatic vertebral artery injury is controversial with several treatment options available, including observation alone, antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation therapy, or invasive intervention. Although there are some reports in which management with observation alone is described as safe, we should pay serious attention to the vertebral artery injury caused by cervical spine trauma.

Two-level traumatic lateral lumbar fracture and dislocation in a heavy equipment operator: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: Lumbar fracture-dislocations are rare and invariably due to high-energy trauma. The purpose of this study is to report the surgical management of a man with lateral lumbar dislocations in 2 noncontiguous lesions. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 49-year-old Asian man was crushed by a bulldozer. The patient was transported to a major medical center where he was found to be conscious, and the primary spinal injuries were fracture-dislocation of L1-L2 and L4-L5. His preoperative neurologic status showed a partial paraparesis to all motor groups of the lower extremities bilaterally. His radiological and operative findings showed a rupture of the thoracolumbar fascia and latissimus dorsi muscle, left L1-L2 dislocated facet, right L4-5 facet fracture, and dural tear. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient underwent a posterior reduction, decompression, instrumentation, and fusion surgery from T12 to S1 with autologous bone graft and pedicle screw instrumentation. Postoperatively, his neurologic status improved, allowing him to be ambulatory using a Lofstrand crutch with improved lumbosacral alignment being well maintained. Two weeks postoperatively, the patient regained voluntary bowel and bladder function. At the 1-year follow-up evaluation, his motor power was full in the left leg; however, sensation to pin prick remained lost on the right L5 and S1 distributions. He continued to ambulate using a Lofstrand crutch. CONCLUSION: Lateral lumbar fracture-dislocation at 2 noncontiguous levels is an unusual injury that results from high-energy trauma. Prompt recognition of the injuries, reduction of the fracture-dislocations, and posterior stabilization are recommended for neural decompression, spinal alignment, and long-term stabilization.