L5 radiculopathy secondary to intrapelvic placement of acetabular cup fixation screw.

We report a case of L5 radiculopathy secondary to intrapelvic placement of an acetabular screw impinging on the lumbosacral trunk. A 43-year-old man underwent revision of an uncemented total hip replacement to a custom-made femoral component and uncemented cup. He subsequently developed hip pain, dysesthesia, and L5 radiculopathy. Spiral computed tomography (CT) and plain radiographs raised the possibility of an acetabular screw abutting the neurovascular bundle within the pelvis. Operative removal of the intrapelvic portion of the screw resulted in the immediate relief of the patient's radicular symptoms. This case report highlights the importance of the positioning of intrapelvic screws and the need for an anatomic awareness of the structures at risk during acetabular screw placement.

"Pig Tail" technique in intradiscal electrothermal therapy.

To describe a new method of catheter insertion in intradiscal electrothermal therapy, which eliminates the need for reinsertion of the cannula and catheter from the contralateral side in those patients in whom optimal positioning is not achieved with the standard technique. This new technique has not been described before. In those patients in whom adequate catheter position cannot be achieved with the standard technique, instead of withdrawing the cannula after the initial treatment, we recommend rotating the cannula 180 degrees through its long axis. This will allow the catheter to hit the anterior anulus and deflect backwards toward the cannula. It can then be negotiated across the midline to adequately thermally treat the whole posterior anulus. We have performed our technique in 42 consecutive patients in whom initial navigation was difficult. This new method proved to be simple and did not cause patients additional discomfort. The "pig tail" technique is safe and effective in intradiscal electrothermal therapy of those patients with difficult navigation. It avoids the need for second needle insertion, therefore avoiding the use of more local anesthesia, further discomfort for the patient, and additional radiographic exposure.

Ossified pseudomeningocoele following laminectomy: case reports and review of the literature.

To date, four cases of ossified extradural pseudocyst have been described, the first being in 1951 by Verbiest who described unusual forms of compression of the cauda equina including a case of a lumbo-sacral extradural cyst and a case of 'knotting' of a caudal nerve root. We present an additional two cases.

Dysphagia and deformity after undetected odontoid fracture in elderly patients.

Trauma in elderly patients is often difficult to evaluate and neck injuries are probably more common than is documented. A case is described of a missed odontoid peg fracture with the unusual presentation of dysphagia and a rapidly developing cervicodorsal kyphos (head falling forward), which may well have been anticipated at several points in the management chain. The lessons to be learned are outlined, together with the subsequent management of this patient.