Clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior cervical decompression and fusion for severe cervical compressive-extension injury: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Although severe cervical compressive-extension (CE) injuries are usually repaired using a combined anterior-posterior approach, the repair is possible using a posterior approach alone with reliable anchors. This study aimed to present the outcomes and imaging analysis results of posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCDF) for severe CE injuries. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 16 patients who underwent PCDF surgery for severe CE injuries (>50% subluxation) between January 2012 and December 2018. All patients completed 1-year follow-up, and their mean age at the time of surgery was 63.5 years. American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade, kyphotic angle of lower vertebra (KALV), and anterior defect area of lower vertebra (ADLV) were assessed preoperatively. RESULTS: Of 16 patients, nine patients improved at the final follow-up, and eight patients could walk with or without assistance. All patients achieved bone union postoperatively, but four patients showed progression of correction loss of ≥10°. Therefore, patients were divided into two groups: NL group with correction loss of <10°; L group with correction loss of ≥10°. All patients in L group showed KALV of ≥15°, while 10 of 12 patients in NL group showed KALV of <15°. Furthermore, all patients in L group showed ADLV of ≥50%, whereas all patients in NL group showed ADLV of <50%. CONCLUSIONS: PCDF is feasible and a favorable procedure for severe CE injuries that require early reduction and cervical spinal stabilization. However, in the cases of advanced destruction of the anterior vertebra, loss of correction after PCDF might occur postoperatively.

Serum C-reactive protein is an early, simple and inexpensive prognostic marker for the progression of intramedullary lesion on magnetic resonance imaging from acute to subacute stage in patients with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart audit. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify conventional routine blood testing biomarkers associated with the progression of intramedullary injured area in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: A spinal cord injury center in Hokkaido, Japan. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 71 consecutive adults with acute SCI who were admitted within 24 h after injury and diagnosed as American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale Grade A or B at admission. Participants were divided into the progression (P group) and no progression group (NP group) based on the change of the hyperintense signal abnormality in the spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging from the time of admission to 4 weeks after injury. Individual characteristics and blood testing data obtained in the first 4 weeks after injury were compared between groups. RESULTS: The P and NP groups were comprised of 16 and 55 participants, respectively. In univariate analyses, white blood cell (WBC) count on day 3 was significantly higher in group P than group NP (P = 0.021), as was serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level on day 3 (P = 0.015) and day 7 (P = 0.047). Multivariable analysis identified serum CRP level on day 3 as a significant independent prognostic factor for the progression of secondary SCI (OR, 1.138; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.28; P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Serum CRP level on day 3 after injury was a good predictor for the progression of intramedullary signal intensity change on MRI from acute to subacute stage in patients with SCI.

Predictive factors for irreversible motor paralysis following cervical spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective observational study. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate predictive clinical factors associated with irreversible complete motor paralysis following traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI). SETTING: Hokkaido Spinal Cord Injury Center, Japan. METHODS: A consecutive series of 447 traumatic CSCI persons were eligible for this study. Individuals with complete motor paralysis at admission were selected and divided into two groups according to the motor functional outcomes at discharge. Initial findings in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other clinical factors that could affect functional outcomes were compared between two groups of participants: those with and those without motor recovery below the level of injury at the time of discharge. RESULTS: Of the 73 consecutive participants with total motor paralysis at initial examination, 28 showed some recovery of motor function, whereas 45 remained complete motor paralysis at discharge, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of intramedullary hemorrhage manifested as a confined low intensity changes in diffuse high-intensity area and more than 50% of cord compression on MRI were significant predictors of irreversible complete motor paralysis (odds ratio [OR]: 8.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-58.2 and OR: 14.4; 95% CI: 2.5-82.8, respectively). CONCLUSION: The presence of intramedullary hemorrhage and/or severe cord compression on initial MRI were closely associated with irreversible paralysis in persons with motor complete paralysis following CSCI. Conversely, subjects with a negligible potential for recovery could be identified by referring to these negative findings.

Delayed lumbar plexus palsy due to giant psoas hematoma associated with vertebral compression fracture and direct oral anticoagulants: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are commonly observed in elderly people and can be treated by conservatively with minimal risk of complications in most cases. However, utilization of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) increases the risks of secondary hematoma even after insignificant trauma. The use of DOACs increased over the past decade because of their approval and recommendation for both stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation and treatment of venous thromboembolism. It is well known that DOACs are safer anticoagulants than warfarin in terms of major and nonmajor bleeding; however, we noted an increase in the number of bleeding events associated with DOACs that required medical intervention. This report describes the first case of delayed lumbar plexus palsy due to DOAC-associated psoas hematoma after VCF to draw attention to potential risk of severe complication associated with this type of common and stable trauma. CASE PRESENTATION: An 83-year-old man presented with his left inguinal pain and inability to ambulate after falling from standing position and was prescribed DOACs for chronic atrial fibrillation. Computed tomography angiography revealed a giant psoas hematoma arising from the ruptured segmental artery running around fractured L4 vertebra. Because of motor weakness of his lower limbs and expansion of psoas hematoma revealed by contrast computed tomography on day 8 of his hospital stay, angiography aimed for transcatheter arterial embolization was tried, but could not demonstrate any major active extravasation; therefore spontaneous hemostasis was expected with heparin replacement. On day 23 of his stay, hematoma turned to decrease, but dysarthria and motor weakness due to left side cerebral infarction occurred. His pain improved and bone healing was achieved about 2 months later from his admission, however the paralysis of the left lower limb and aftereffects of cerebral infarction remained after 1 year. CONCLUSION: In patients using DOACs with multiple risk factors, close attention must be taken in vertebral injury even if the fracture itself is a stable-type such as VCF, because segmental artery injury may cause massive psoas hematoma followed by lumbar plexus palsy and other complications.

Molecular Targeted Therapy for the Bone Loss Secondary to Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis Using Medications for Osteoporosis: A Literature Review.

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis can cause severe osteolytic and destructive lesions in the spine. Elderly or immunocompromised individuals are particularly susceptible to infectious diseases; specifically, infections in the spine can impair the ability of the spine to support the trunk, causing patients to be bedridden, which can also severely affect the physical condition of patients. Although treatments for osteoporosis have been well studied, treatments for bone loss secondary to infection remain to be elucidated because they have pathological manifestations that are similar to but distinct from those of osteoporosis. Recently, we encountered a patient with severely osteolytic pyogenic spondylodiscitis who was treated with romosozumab and exhibited enhanced bone formation. Romosozumab stimulated canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, causing robust bone formation and the inhibition of bone resorption, which exceeded the bone loss secondary to infection. Bone loss due to infections involves the suppression of osteoblastogenesis by osteoblast apoptosis, which is induced by the nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, and osteoclastogenesis with the receptor activator of the nuclear factor-κB ligand-receptor combination and subsequent activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 and c-Fos. In this study, we review and discuss the molecular mechanisms of bone loss secondary to infection and analyze the efficacy of the medications for osteoporosis, focusing on romosozumab, teriparatide, denosumab, and bisphosphonates, in treating this pathological condition.

Modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure for the distal radioulnar joint disorders of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: The Sauvé-Kapandji (SK) procedure is one of several surgical options in the treatment of distal radioulnar disorders by osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While satisfactory postoperative clinical results were obtained in most cases, instability of the proximal ulnar stump and radioulnar convergence are the most common complications. Minami et al. have developed a modification of the SK procedure that maintains the transverse diameter of the distal radioulnar joint and stabilizes the proximal ulnar stump, using a half-slip of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon. In this study, the modified SK procedure was performed on 83 patients with distal radioulnar disorders, due to OA and RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the clinical and radiographical postoperative results with an average follow-up period of 82.3 months. RESULTS: Post-operative extension of the wrist and pronation/supination of the forearm had significantly improved with the exception of wrist flexion. Postoperative x-rays showed no instability of the proximal ulnar stump in both coronal and lateral planes. However, breakage of the drilled hole at the proximal ulnar stump occurred in 10 cases, and of these, there was instability of the proximal ulnar stump in 5 cases. CONCLUSIONS: This modification is very simple and does not require extension of the surgical field. This paper concludes that the modified SK procedure is a safe and effective surgical intervention of distal radioulnar disorders from OA and RA.

Bilateral lumbar pedicle fracture in a patient receiving long-term bisphosphonate therapy: a case report with pathological evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral pedicle fractures of the lumbar spine are uncommon and are typically associated with strenuous activities, traumatic events, or previous spinal surgery. This study reported a case of bilateral pedicle fracture in a patient with a long history of osteoporosis treatment with bisphosphonate and included a histological evaluation of the bone. CASE PRESENTATION: An 82-year-old woman with no history of trauma presented to our hospital with back pain that had worsened over the previous month. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral pedicle fractures of the third lumbar vertebra. She had osteoporosis and had been taking bisphosphonates for 9 years. The patient underwent posterior lumbar fusion, and her symptoms improved. Bone biopsy results from the spinous process revealed few osteoblasts and an absence of osteoclasts, indicating low bone turnover. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term use of bisphosphonates may contribute to the development of atypical bilateral pedicle fractures in patients with osteoporosis.

The Impact of Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis on Nutritional Status, Neurological Outcome, and Perioperative Complications in Patients with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the characteristics of patients with cervical spinal cord injuries (CSCI) with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). We included 153 consecutive patients with CSCI who underwent posterior decompression and fusion surgery. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of DISH. Patient characteristics, neurological status on admission, nutritional status, perioperative laboratory variables, complications, neurological outcomes at discharge, and medical costs were compared between the groups. The DISH group (n = 24) had significantly older patients (72.1 vs. 65.9, p = 0.036), more patients with low-impact trauma (62.5% vs. 34.1%, p = 0.009), and a lower preoperative prognostic nutritional index on admission (39.8 vs. 42.5, p = 0.014) than the non-DISH group (n =129). Patients with DISH had significantly higher rates of ventilator management (16.7% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.022) and pneumonia (29.2% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.010). There was no significant difference in medical costs and neurological outcomes on discharge. Patients with CSCI and DISH were older, had poor nutritional status, and were prone to postoperative respiratory complications, while no differences were found between the neurological outcomes of patients with CSCI with and without DISH.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Pneumonia in the Chronic Phase of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury with Complete Motor Paralysis.

Introduction: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of acute- and chronic-phase mortality in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) with quadriplegia. The risk factors for chronic-phase pneumonia recurrence in CSCI are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of pneumonia in the chronic phase after injury and to identify its risk factors. Methods: This retrospective clinical observational study included patients with CSCI with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades of A or B admitted to our center within 72 h of CSCI injury who started treatment and were available for follow-up for at least 90 days. The patients were assessed for incidences of pneumonia and its associations with clinical characteristics, including risk factors at the time of injury. Patients in whom pneumonia developed within 30 days postadmission and those after 30 days of hospitalization were comparatively examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Pneumonia occurred in 36% of the 69 enrolled patients throughout the study period and in 20% of all patients after 30 days of hospitalization. Multivariate analysis of risk factors for pneumonia showed that atelectasis (adjusted OR [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.9, 1.2-20.0), enteral feeding (aOR [95% CI]: 13.3 [3.0-58.9]), mechanical ventilation (aOR [95% CI]: 4.0 [1.0-15.0]), and tracheotomy (aOR [95% CI]: 14.6 [2.3-94.6]) within 30 days of admission were significantly associated with the occurrence of pneumonia even after 30 days of hospitalization. Conclusions: The risk factors for developing pneumonia in the chronic phase were atelectasis, enteral feeding, mechanical ventilation, and tracheotomy within 30 days of hospitalization. This study suggests that treatment of atelectasis, long-term respiratory muscle rehabilitation, and training to improve swallowing function are essential to prevent the recurrence of pneumonia after 30 days of hospitalization.

Morphologic Changes in the Vertebral Artery Subsequent to Cervical Spine Degeneration and Aging: Analyses by Computed Tomography Angiography Using Multiplanar and 3-Dimensional Reconstructions.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the morphologic changes in the vertebral artery (VA) subsequent to cervical spine degeneration and aging and to investigate the risk factors for iatrogenic VA injury or occlusion. METHODS: Eighty-eight consecutive patients (176 bilateral VAs) were retrospectively analyzed using radiographs, computed tomography, and computed tomography angiography images. The Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) score and its modified subscores were used to grade the severity of degenerative changes in the cervical spine. VA tortuosity widths and diameters were measured between the C2 and C6 transverse foramens. The outcome measures were statistically analyzed for difference, correlation, and explanatory variable. The level with a high prevalence of VA stenosis was also evaluated. RESULTS: There were significant positive correlations between the KL score and VA tortuosity width, and between age and VA tortuosity width. Osteophyte formation in the facet joint was the predominant explanatory variable for medial deviation of the VA. Significant positive correlations were evident between the dominant VA diameter and KL score or age. VA stenosis occurred at C3/C4 (24.5%) with the highest prevalence and it was caused by uncovertebral joint osteophytes (52.0%) with the highest incidence. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides important evidence for decisions of surgical strategy and for avoiding catastrophic VA injury or occlusion in cervical spine surgeries.

Two case reports of 'locked spondyloptosis': the most severe traumatic cervical spondyloptosis with locked spinous process and vertebral arch into the spinal canal.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic cervical spondyloptosis, including compressive-extension stage 5 of Allen's classification of cervical spine injuries, is commonly observed; however, cases involving locked spinous process and vertebral arch into the spinal canal are extremely rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We present two individuals with spondyloptosis of C7 with locked spinous process of C6 and the vertebral arch into the spinal canal. Closed reduction was unable to be performed due to rigid locking of the cervical spine in the first case, whereas preoperative closed reduction was achieved with mild traction in a prone position after general anaesthesia in the second case. These two individuals underwent spinal fusion via a posterior approach after open or closed reduction. Six months after surgery, both individuals exhibited significant neurological recovery and acquired a stable gait. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of traumatic 'locked spondyloptosis' of the spinous process and vertebral arch into the spinal canal. Although high-grade compressive-extension injuries are usually repaired using a combined anterior-posterior approach, repair is possible with a posterior approach alone with reliable anchors, such as pedicle screws or multiple lateral mass screws. Urgent open reduction may be required for locked spondyloptosis when closed reduction is invalid due to rigid locking of the cervical spine.