Deformidad sacra proximal: elemento común a la espondilolistesis ístmica lítica de L5 y a la degenerativa del segmento L4-L5, 2 entidades de etiopatogenia muy diferente, aparentemente / Proximal sacral deformity: a common element in lytic isthmic spondylolisthesis at L5 and in degenerative spondylolisthesis at L4-L5 segment. Two apparently very different etiopathogenic entities

Se realiza un estudio radiográfico para investigar la relación entre el alineamiento sagital de la anatomía sacra proximal (ASP) y la espondilolistesis, ya sea lítica ístmica o degenerativa. Por otra parte, se estudia si en el caso de la espondilolistesis ístmica lítica de L5 existe relación entre el grado de la listesis y dicha ASP. Se revisaron las imágenes laterales del sacro (radiografías de columna lumbar en bipedestación generalmente) de 173 pacientes, de los cuales 90 tenían una espondilolistesis degenerativa L4 y 83 una espondilolistesis ístmica lítica de L5 (67 de bajo grado y 16 de alto grado) y se compararon con un grupo control de 100 pacientes ajustado por edad y género, sin ningún tipo de espondilolistesis. Se definió el grado listesis según la clasificación de Meyerding y el ángulo de ASP, medido según el método de Harrison, mediante el ángulo entre las líneas tangentes a los muros posteriores de S1 y S2. En nuestra muestra existe una cifosis sacra proximal en ambos tipos de espondilolistesis, siendo mayor en la ístmica lítica, especialmente en las de alto grado. Por el contrario, el grupo control presentaba una lordosis sacra proximal. Las diferencias en la ASP fueron estadísticamente significativas entre controles y espondilolistesis, tanto ístmica lítica L5 como degenerativa L4, así como entre ambos tipos de espondilolistesis y, entre las ístmicas líticas, las de alto y bajo grado. Por lo tanto, se puede afirmar que en los pacientes de nuestro estudio la cifosis sacra proximal está relacionada con espondilolistesis degenerativa y la ístmica lítica, sin poder discernir claramente si es una causa o una consecuencia de la misma (AU)

A radiographic study was carried out to investigate the relationship between proximal sacral sagittal anatomy (either kyphosis or lordosis) and either isthmic or degenerative spondylolisthesis. In addition, we studied whether there is a relationship between proximal sacral kyphosis and the degree of such listhesis in the case of L5 isthmic spondylolisthesis. Lateral standing x-rays were used from 173 patients, ninety of whom had degenerative spondylolisthesis L4-L5, and eighty-three an isthmic spondylolisthesis of L5 (67 low-grade and 16 high-grade) and compared with a control group of 100 patients adjusted by age and gender, without any type of spondylolisthesis. Listhesis was graded using Meyerding's classification and the proximal sacral kyphosis angle (CSP) was measured between S1 and S2 posterior walls, according to Harrison's method. In our series, there was a proximal sacral kyphosis in both types of spondylolisthesis, greater in the lytic type. By contrast, the control group had a proximal sacral lordosis. The differences were statistically significant. Therefore, we concluded that there was a proximal sacral kyphosis in patients with both degenerative and isthmic lytic spondylolisthesis, but with our results, we were not able to ascertain whether it is a cause or a consequence of this listhesis (AU)

Proximal sacral deformity: a common element in lytic isthmic spondylolisthesis at L5 and in degenerative spondylolisthesis at L4-L5 segment. Two apparently very different etiopathogenic entities. / Deformidad sacra proximal: elemento común a la espondilolistesis ístmica lítica de L5 y a la degenerativa del segmento L4-L5, 2 entidades de etiopatogenia muy diferente, aparentemente.

A radiographic study was carried out to investigate the relationship between proximal sacral sagittal anatomy (either kyphosis or lordosis) and either isthmic or degenerative spondylolisthesis. In addition, we studied whether there is a relationship between proximal sacral kyphosis and the degree of such listhesis in the case of L5 isthmic spondylolisthesis. Lateral standing x-rays were used from 173 patients, ninety of whom had degenerative spondylolisthesis L4-L5, and eighty-three an isthmic spondylolisthesis of L5 (67 low-grade and 16 high-grade) and compared with a control group of 100 patients adjusted by age and gender, without any type of spondylolisthesis. Listhesis was graded using Meyerding's classification and the proximal sacral kyphosis angle (CSP) was measured between S1 and S2 posterior walls, according to Harrison's method. In our series, there was a proximal sacral kyphosis in both types of spondylolisthesis, greater in the lytic type. By contrast, the control group had a proximal sacral lordosis. The differences were statistically significant. Therefore, we concluded that there was a proximal sacral kyphosis in patients with both degenerative and isthmic lytic spondylolisthesis, but with our results, we were not able to ascertain whether it is a cause or a consequence of this listhesis.

Valor pronóstico de la radiografía lateral inmediata en bipedestación con TLSO en pacientes con fractura estallido toracolumbar / Prognostic value of an immediate lateral standing X-ray with a TLSO in patients with a thoracolumbar burst fracture

No se sabe a priori el colapso final de una fractura estallido toracolumbar «estable». Se estudia prospectivamente dicho colapso radiológico en pacientes con fracturas estallido T12 o L1 que, tras valorar las radiografías y TAC al ingreso junto con el paciente en sí, se optó por una ortesis rígida toracolumbosacra con apoyo en manubrio esternal (TLSO). Por otra parte, los pacientes portadores de corsés rígidos presentan a veces dolor lumbar bajo en el seguimiento (por sobrecarga de las articulares L5S1). Hipótesis: la radiografía en bipedestación con TLSO nada más ponerla (estabilidad mecánica intrínseca) da información sobre el colapso final y pudiera darla sobre el dolor lumbar bajo. Cincuenta pacientes (20 hombres y 30 mujeres, edad:63 + 14 años) ingresados durante 2011 y 2012, con 2 pérdidas de seguimiento. Variables: índice de Farcy y la cifosis local (Cobb a 3 vértebras). Radiografías: ingreso, con TLSO (inmediato: Rx0), a los 3 y 6 meses. Se compararon con el resultado final clínico y radiológico. Tras la Rx0 se decidió intervenir quirúrgicamente a 4 pacientes. No hubo secuelas dolorosas a nivel de la fractura; 16/44 (31%) presentaron dolor lumbar bajo. El incremento del índice de Farcy (Rx0-Rx ingreso) se correlacionó con la aparición de dolor lumbar bajo y el de la cifosis local (Rx0-Rx ingreso) con la cifosis final, con modelos matemáticos de regresión lineal. Se aconseja la realización de una radiografía lateral en bipedestación tras TLSO por la información acerca del colapso final de la fractura y de la aparición de dolor lumbar bajo que aporta (AU)

The final collapse of a 'stable' thoracolumbar burst fracture is difficult to predict. This collapse was prospectively studied radiologically in patients with T12 or L1 burst fractures who, after evaluating the admission x-rays and the CT scan with the patients themselves, opted for a rigid thoracolumbar brace with support in the sternal manubrium (TLSO). On the other hand, patients with rigid braces sometimes have low back pain on follow-up (due to overload of the L5-S1 joints). Hypothesis: the standing lateral x-ray with only a TLSO for support (intrinsic mechanical stability) provides information on the final collapse and could also provide information on the low back pain. The study included 50 patients (20 males and 30 females, age: 63 + 14 years) admitted during 2011 and 2012, with 2 losses to follow-up. Variables: Farcy index and local kyphosis (Cobb at 3 vertebrae). X-Rays: admission, with TLSO (immediate: Rx0), and at 3 and 6 months. They were compared with the final clinical and radiological results. It was decided to surgically intervene in 4 patients after Rx0. There were no painful sequelae at the fracture level, and 16/44 (31%) had low back pain. Using linear regression mathematical models, the increase in the Farcy index (Rx0-Rx admission) was associated with the appearance of low back pain and with local kyphosis (Rx0-Rx admission), and with the final kyphosis. It is advisable to perform a lateral standing X-ray after TLSO for information on the final collapse of the fracture and the appearance of accompanying low back pain (AU)

Prognostic value of an immediate lateral standing X-ray with a TLSO in patients with a thoracolumbar burst fracture.

UNLABELLED: The final collapse of a "stable" thoracolumbar burst fracture is difficult to predict. This collapse was prospectively studied radiologically in patients with T12 or L1 burst fractures who, after evaluating the admission x-rays and the CT scan with the patients themselves, opted for a rigid thoracolumbar brace with support in the sternal manubrium (TLSO). On the other hand, patients with rigid braces sometimes have low back pain on follow-up (due to overload of the L5-S1 joints). HYPOTHESIS: the standing lateral x-ray with only a TLSO for support (intrinsic mechanical stability) provides information on the final collapse and could also provide information on the low back pain. The study included 50 patients (20 males and 30 females, age: 63+14 years) admitted during 2011 and 2012, with 2 losses to follow-up. VARIABLES: Farcy index and local kyphosis (Cobb at 3 vertebrae). X-Rays: admission, with TLSO (immediate: Rx0), and at 3 and 6 months. They were compared with the final clinical and radiological results. It was decided to surgically intervene in 4 patients after Rx0. There were no painful sequelae at the fracture level, and 16/44 (31%) had low back pain. Using linear regression mathematical models, the increase in the Farcy index (Rx0-Rx admission) was associated with the appearance of low back pain and with local kyphosis (Rx0-Rx admission), and with the final kyphosis. It is advisable to perform a lateral standing X-ray after TLSO for information on the final collapse of the fracture and the appearance of accompanying low back pain.

Luxación subaxial cervical inveterada. Discusión de cuál es la mejor estrategia terapéutica / Inveterate subaxial cervical dislocations: a discussion on the best therapeutic strategy

Las luxaciones cervicales inveteradas presentan serias dificultades a la hora de plantear su tratamiento adecuado, por un lado, debido la dificultad de su reducción y, por otro, al riesgo de inducir lesiones iatrogénicas durante su reducción. A este hecho hay que añadir la escasa y controvertida bibliografía existente a la hora de establecer la estrategia quirúrgica más apropiada para su manejo. Presentamos un caso clínico tratado en la Unidad de Raquis del Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, discutiendo las 2 opciones de tratamiento que actualmente se consideran las más utilizadas: el abordaje anterior-posterior-anterior y el posterior-anterior-posterior. Tras el análisis de los datos obtenidos de la revisión de este caso, podríamos concluir que el abordaje quirúrgico de estas lesiones resulta en general difícil, pudiéndose realizar las 2 técnicas anteriormente descritas, pero con la precaución de extirpar siempre la totalidad del disco intervertebral afectado antes de realizar las maniobras de corrección axial, por el riesgo de extrusión del mismo hacia canal medular. Con posterioridad a este gesto quirúrgico, se procedería a una correcta liberación y reducción de las facetas articulares, siendo necesario, en ocasiones, añadir osteotomías en las mismas (AU)

It is difficult to decide the appropriate treatment for inveterate cervical dislocations because of the difficulty of their reduction, as well as due to the risk of inducing iatrogenic injuries during this reduction. The literature on the most appropriate surgical strategy for their management is also limited as well as controversial.We report one clinical case treated in the Spine Unit of the Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma Service of the University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, discussing the currently most used treatment options, the anterior-posterior-anterior and the posterior-anterior-posterior approach. After analyzing the results, it could be concluded that the surgical approach to these lesions is generally difficult, with any of two techniques described above being suitable, but always with the precaution to remove the entire affected intervertebral disc before axial correction maneuvers, thus avoiding the risk of extrusion into the medullary canal. After the surgical procedure, a proper release and reduction of the joint facets should be performed, sometimes with the need to add osteotomies in them (AU)

[Inveterate subaxial cervical dislocations: a discussion on the best therapeutic strategy]. / Luxación subaxial cervical inveterada. Discusión de cuál es la mejor estrategia terapéutica.

It is difficult to decide the appropriate treatment for inveterate cervical dislocations because of the difficulty of their reduction, as well as due to the risk of inducing iatrogenic injuries during this reduction. The literature on the most appropriate surgical strategy for their management is also limited as well as controversial. We report one clinical case treated in the Spine Unit of the Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma Service of the University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, discussing the currently most used treatment options, the anterior-posterior-anterior and the posterior-anterior-posterior approach. After analyzing the results, it could be concluded that the surgical approach to these lesions is generally difficult, with any of two techniques described above being suitable, but always with the precaution to remove the entire affected intervertebral disc before axial correction maneuvers, thus avoiding the risk of extrusion into the medullary canal. After the surgical procedure, a proper release and reduction of the joint facets should be performed, sometimes with the need to add osteotomies in them.