How Knowledgeable Are Spine Surgeons Regarding EMG-NCS for Cervical Spine Conditions? An International Aospine Survey.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, international survey. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the knowledge of spine surgeons regarding the use of electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) for degenerative cervical spine conditions (DCC). METHODS: All members of AO Spine International were emailed an anonymous survey to evaluate their clinical knowledge about the use of EMG and nerve conduction studies for DCC. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results, as well as to compare the answers among different groups of surgeons and assess demographic characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 402 participants answered the survey, 91.79% were men from the 5 continents. There were 221 orthopedic surgeons (55.39%) and 171 neurosurgeons (42.86%), more than a half of them with a complete spinal fellowship (56.44%). The most common reasons that surgeons obtain the test is to differentiate a radiculopathy from a peripheral nerve compression (88.06%). As a group, the responding surgeons' knowledge regarding EMG-NCS was poor. Only 53.46% of surgeons correctly answered that EMG-NCS is unable to differentiate a C5 from a C6 radiculopathy. Only 23.47% of the surgeons knew that EMG-NCS are not able to diagnose a pre vs a post-fixed brachial plexus. Only 25% of the surgeons correctly answered a question regarding the test's ability to diagnose other neurological diseases. CONCLUSIONS: We found that our respondents' knowledge regarding EMG-NCS for DCC was poor. Identifying the weak points of knowledge about EMG-NCS may help to educate surgeons on the indications for the test and the proper way to interpret the results.

Colgajo muscular de esternocleidomastoídeo para el manejo de perforación esofágica tardía: reporte de dos casos / Muscle flap of sternocleidomastoid for the management of late esophageal perforation: report of two cases

Resumen Introducción: La perforación esofágica es una complicación poco frecuente en la cirugía de columna cervical por vía anterior, sin embargo, puede tener graves consecuencias cuando hay demoras en diagnóstico y tratamiento. Casos Clínicos: Presentamos dos casos clínicos de pacientes con perforación esofágica secundaria a cirugía de columna cervical por vía anterior. Se usaron para su reparación colgajo muscular de esternocleidomastoideo (ECM). Conclusión: La perforación esofágica secundaria a cirugía de columna cervical es poco frecuente, variable desde el punto de vista clínico, el TC y estudio radiológico contrastado son fundamentales en el diagnóstico de esta patología. El colgajo muscular ECM en estos casos es una herramienta fiable y extremadamente útil debido a sus características anatómicas, fácil disección quirúrgica y baja morbilidad asociada.

Introduction: Esophageal perforation is a rare complication in cervical spine surgery by anterior way, however it can have serious consequences when there are delays in diagnosis and treatment. Cases Report: We present two clinical cases of patients with esophageal perforation secondary to cervical spine surgery by anterior way. Sternocleido-mastoid muscle flaps were used for repair. Conclusion: Esophageal perforation secondary to cervical spine surgery is rare, clinically variable, CT and radiologic study are fundamental in the diagnosis of this pathology. The Sternocleidomastoid muscle flap in these cases is a reliable and extremely useful tool due to its anatomical characteristics, easy surgical dissection and low associated morbidity.

Dysphagia rates after minimally invasive tubular approach to the anterior cervical spine.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical spine surgery (anterior cervical spine surgery [ACSS]) is a commonly indicated to provide neurological decompression, correct deformity, and preserve stability. Current series report good to excellent results, but a number of patients suffer from dysphagia with reported rates as high as 80%. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort of patients undergoing ACSS (anterior cervical discectomy and fusion [ACDF]; and arthroplasty, total disc replacement [TDR]) from 2013 to 2017 by a single surgeon. We collected demographic data, surgical outcomes, clinical outcomes, and dysphagia incidence and magnitude (visual analog scale [VAS]), we analyzed results with SPSS 22. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients operated from 2013 to 2018, ACDF was performed in 70, and TDR was performed in 11, mean surgical time was 156.8, mean neck pain and radicular pain VAS reduced significantly in both groups (p < 0.01). Dysphagia was encountered in 18 ACDF patients, and one TDR patient. Overall dysphagia rate was 9.1% in day-1 post-operative, with mean 0.27 magnitude (standard deviation [SD] 0.4) in ACDF group and 0.18 (0.6 SD) in TDR group, 1-month follow-up dysphagia rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive techniques may reduce post-operative dysphagia related to soft-tissue trauma, to 9% in day-1 post-operative (as compared to 39%), and to 0% (as compared to 8.5% reported worldwide) by 1-month follow-up.

ANTECEDENTES: La cirugía cervical anterior (CCA) esta comúnmente indicada para proporcionar descompresión neurológica, corregir deformidades y preservar la estabilidad. Las series actuales reportan tasas de disfagia de hasta el 80%. MÉTODO: cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes sometidos a CCA (discectomía y fusión cervical anterior [DFCA], y artroplastia total de disco [ATD]) de 2013 a 2017. Se recopilaron datos demográficos, quirúrgicos, clínicos y de incidencia y magnitud de la disfagia (escala visual analógica [EVA]). Se analizaron los resultados con SPSS 22. RESULTADOS: 81 pacientes operados de 2013 a 2018, ACDF en 70 y ATD en 11, tiempo quirúrgico promedio de 156.8 minutos. La puntuación en la EVA cervical y radicular se redujo significativamente en ambos grupos (p < 0.01). Hubo disfagia en 18 pacientes con DFCA y en uno con ATD. La tasa de disfagia fue del 9.1% en el primer día de posoperatorio, con EVA de 0.27 (desviación estándar [DE]: 0.4) en el grupo DFCA y de 0.18 (DE: 0.6) en el grupo ATD. La tasa de disfagia de seguimiento a 1 mes fue del 0%. CONCLUSIONES: Las técnicas mínimamente invasivas reducen la disfagia posoperatoria en CCA al 9% en el primer día (en comparación con el 39%) y al 0% (en comparación con el 8.5% reportado mundialmente) al mes de seguimiento.

Post-operative nerve injuries after cervical spine surgery.

Although relatively rare, post-operative nerve injuries may occur after cervical spine procedures. The most common post-operative neural disorder is C5 nerve palsy. The risk factors for C5 nerve palsy are male gender, OPLL, and posterior cervical approaches. It generally presents with deltoid and/or biceps weakness, and may present immediately or several days after surgery. Treatment is generally conservative due to transient duration of symptoms, but evaluation of residual compression at C4-5 is essential. PTS (Parsonage-Turner syndrome) is an idiopathic plexopathy generally presenting with severe neuropathic pain in the shoulder, neck, and arms, followed by neurological deficits involving the upper brachial plexus. The deficits typically present in a delayed fashion after the onset of pain. Once residual nerve compression is ruled out, initial treatment is based on pain control and physical therapy. Post-operative C8-T1 nerve palsies occur with weakness of the five intrinsic muscles of the hand innervated by the medial nerve, with sensory symptoms in the territory innervated by the ulnar nerve (ulnar two digits of the hand), and also the medial forearm. The risk factors for C8-T1 nerve injuries after surgery are C7 pedicle subtraction osteotomies and posterior fixation of the cervico-thoracic junction, especially in patients with preoperative C7-T1 stenosis. A wide foraminal decompression at C7-T1 region is necessary to minimize risk of this complication. Finally, Horner's syndrome can occur post-operatively, especially after anterolateral approaches to the middle and lower levels of the cervical spine. It is characterized by ipsilateral papillary miosis, facial anhydrosis, and ptosis secondary to injury of the cervical sympathetic nerves. Avoid using the cautery on the lateral border of the longus colli muscle, where the sympathetic chain lies and place the retractors properly underneath the muscle to decrease the chance of sympathetic injuries. It can also occur from iatrogenic compression or injury to the T1 nerve root, as the sympathetic chain gets some of its fibers from that level. Understanding the most common potential nerve injuries after cervical spine procedures is helpful in prevention, early diagnosis, and appropriate management.

Perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com fratura da coluna cervical tratados cirurgicamente no serviço de neurocirurgia do Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal (Brasília, Brasil) / Epidemiological Profile of Patients with Cervical Spine Fractures Treated Surgically in the Neurosurgery Service at Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal (Brasília, Brazil)

Introdução As fraturas cervicais correspondem a um grande espectro de lesões. Em alguns trabalhos a coluna cervical é o segmento mais acometido nas fraturas vertebrais, representando cerca de 45-60% de todos os casos. Apresentamos o perfil epidemiológico de 48 pacientes com fratura traumática da coluna cervical tratados cirurgicamente no serviço de neurocirurgia do Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal. Métodos Trata-se de um trabalho retrospectivo, baseado na revisão de prontuários médicos, de pacientes com fratura da coluna cervical operados no período de julho de 2007 a julho de 2012. Resultados Predomínio do sexo masculino (89,5%); a faixa etária mais comum é de 20-40 anos (50%); idade média do sexo masculino é de 36,6 anos e do feminino, 19,8 anos (teste t: p » 0,04); vértebra mais fraturada: C5 (53,3%); 54,1% dos indivíduos apresentam algum déficit neurológico; fratura do tipo B é mais comum na coluna cervical (62,2%); mecanismos do trauma: acidente automobilístico (41,6%), queda de altura (20,8%), acidente motociclístico (12,5%), outros (25,1%); déficit neurológico da cervical alta (zero) e subaxial de 57,7% (p » 0,052); déficit neurológico masculino de 53,4% e feminino de 60% (p > 0,05); déficit neurológico do tipo A de 71,4%, do tipo B de 55,5%, e do tipo C de 54,5% (p > 0,05). Conclusão A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo masculino e da faixa etária entre 20 e 40 anos de idade, sendo as mulheres mais jovens que os homens. Cerca de 54,1% dos pacientes apresentavam déficit neurológico à admissão hospitalar e tinham C5 como principal vértebra fraturada. A fratura tipo distração (tipo B da AO) foi a mais encontrada. O principal mecanismo do trauma foram os acidentes de trânsito seguido pelas quedas de altura.

Introduction The cervical fractures represent a wide spectrum of injuries. In some works, the cervical spine is the segment most affected vertebral fractures, representing 45­60% of all cases.We present the epidemiological profile of forty-eight patients with traumatic cervical spine fracture surgically treated in the neurosurgery service at the Hospital of the Federal District. Methods This was a retrospective study, based on a review of medical records of patients with cervical spine fracture surgery from July 2007 to July 2012. Results Predominance of males (89.5%), the most common age group is 20­40 years (50%), mean age: males (36.6 years) and females (19.8 years) (t-test p » 0.04); fractured vertebra: C5 (53.3%), 54.1% of subjects have a neurological deficit, fracture type B is more common in the cervical spine (62.2%), mechanism of injury: motor vehicle accidents (41.6%), fall (20.8%), motorcycle (12.5%), other (25.1%), neurological deficit: high cervical 0 cases, subaxial 57.7% (p » 0.052); neurological deficit: male 53.4%, female 60% (p> 0.05); neurological deficit: 71.4% Type A, Type B 55.5% 54.5% Type C (p> 0.05). Conclusion Most patients were male and the age group between 20­40 years of age, with younger women than men. Approximately 54.1% of the patients had neurologic deficit on admission and had as main fractured vertebra C5. The distraction fractures (AO Type B) was found most frequently. The main mechanism of injury were traffic accidents followed by falls from height.

[Use of the PEEK cage in cervical spondylosis treatment]. / Uso de caja de PEEK (Poli-ether-ether-ketona) parael tratamiento de la espondilosis cervical.

BACKGROUND: Decompression and fusion with autograft is the gold standard technique in the treatment of cervical canal strait. Using PEEK cages or boxes of non-absorbable polymer with elasticity similar to bone, radiolucent, reduces morbidity and same degree of fusion. METHODS: A case series, prospective, longitudinal, deliberate intervention, evaluation panel before and after 2 years follow-up. Discectomy and PEEK housing placement with autologous graft. Arthrodesis were evaluated, cervical lordosis, intervertebral space height, pain evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale, Neck Disability Index, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay and complications. Statistical analysis with t Sudent, Wilcoxon and Fisher's exact text. RESULTS: Of 17 patients studied, 9 (53%) were female. Average age 62 years. The most affected level was C5-6, C6-7 with 5 patients. Melting was found at 100%. There was no sag or migration of the box, space height was conserved, but segmental lordosis was not retained. Clinical improvement in all patients as well as disability index was seen. Bleeding was on average 187 mL. CONCLUSION: With regard to symptom improvement, conservation of interspace height and back, no segmental lordosis conservation and fusion using PEEK box is consistent with the literature. We suggest using anterior plate to maintain cervical lordosis. We found a melt index of 100%. We found clinical improvement of symptoms, pain and disability, and a global loss of cervical lordosis.

Antecedentes: la descompresión y artrodesis con auto-injerto es el patrón de referencia para el tratamiento del conducto cervical estrecho. El uso de cajas de PEEK polímero no reabsorbible, con elasticidad similar al hueso, radiolúcido, y mismo grado de fusión reduce la morbilidad. aterial y métodos: estudio de serie de casos, prospectivo, longitudinal, de intervención deliberada, evaluación en grupol antes y después, seguimiento a dos años. Discoidectomía y colocación de caja de PEEK con injerto autólogo. Se evaluaron artrodesis, lordosis cervical, altura del espacio intervertebral, dolor mediante escala visual análoga, índice de discapacidad cervical, tiempo quirúrgico, sangrado transoperatorio, estancia intrahospitalaria y complicaciones. Análisis estadístico con t de Student, Wilcoxon y exacta de Fisher. Resultados: de 17 pacientes estudiados, 9 (53%) eran del sexo femenino. La edad promedio 62 años. Sangrado promedio de 187 mL. El nivel más afectado fue C5-C6, C6-C7 en cinco pacientes. Se encontró fusión al 100% sin hundimiento ni migración de la caja, altura del espacio conservada, pero no se conservó la lordosis segmentaria. Mejoría clínica en todos los pacientes, y del índice de discapacidad. Conclusión: la disminución de los síntomas, la conservación de la altura del espacio anterior y posterior, la no conservación de la lordosis segmentaria y la fusión con caja de PEEK fueron congruentes con lo reportado en la bibliografía. Se sugiere utilizar la placa anterior para mantener la lordosis cervical. El índice de fusión encontrado fue de 100%, con disminución de los síntomas de dolor y discapacidad. Pérdida de lordosis cervical global.