The diagnosis and management of a vertebral artery loop causing cervical radiculopathy.

BACKGROUND: Cervical radiculopathies are rarely caused by vertebral artery loop formation, which is estimated to be present in less than 3% of patients. It is uncertain what causes the loop formation: some propose an association with spondylotic changes or trauma, whilst others suggest hypertension and atherosclerosis may be responsible. CASE REPORT 1: A 35-year-old male patient presented with signs and symptoms of cervical radiculopathy that was not improved with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery performed 2 years beforehand. Vertebral artery loop was discovered at the level C5/6 on the MRI. Vertebral artery transposition surgery via a lateral approach was performed at the level of the left C5/6 for symptoms of left C6 radiculopathy. Deroofing of the transverse process was performed with post-surgical complete improvement in weakness and pain. CASE REPORT 2: A 48-year-old female patient presented with a 10-year history of left shoulder pain with occasional radiation into her middle three fingers accompanied by intermittent paraesthesia and weakness. Numerous shoulder surgeries, Botox injections and suprascapular nerve blocks had not provided any significant benefit. A vertebral artery loop was identified at the level of C3/4 and C4/5 on the left with cervical MRI. Transposition surgery of these two levels provided some post-surgical improvement in pain. CONCLUSION: Vertebral artery loop formations are a rare but potential cause for cervical radiculopathy. In two cases, the loop formations were not radiographically reported on MRI, thus clinicians should be aware of this as a differential diagnosis in the management of cervical radiculopathy. The presented surgical approach may be useful in managing future cases of vertebral artery loop formation causing cervical radiculopathy resistant to conservative measures.

Hollow modular anchorage (HMA) screws for anterior transvertebral fixation in high-grade spondylolisthesis cases requiring 360 degrees in-situ fusion.

OBJECTIVE: 360 degrees in-situ fusion for high-grade spondylolisthesis showed satisfying clinical long-term results. Combining anterior with posterior surgery increases fusion rates. Anteriorly inserted transvertebral HMA screws could be an alternative to strut graft constructs or cages, avoiding donor site complications. In addition, complete posterior muscle detachment is avoided and the injury risk of neural structures is minimized. This study investigates the use of HMA screws in this context. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five consecutive patients requiring L4-S1 in-situ fusion for isthmic spondylolisthesis (four Grade 3 and one Grade 4) were included. The L5/S1 level was fused with an HMA screw filled with local bone and bone morphogenic protein (BMP2), inserted via the L4/5 disc space level. An L4/5 stand-alone interbody fusion with additional minimal invasive posterior screw fixation was added. RESULTS: Transvertebral insertion of the HMA device was accomplished via a retroperitoneal approach to L4/L5 in all cases without exposure of L5/S1. Blood loss ranged from 150 ml-350 ml. No intraoperative complication occurred. One patient developed posterior wound infection requiring debridement. Solid fusion was confirmed with a CT scan after 6 months in all patients. All patients improved to unrestricted activities of daily living with two being limited by occasional back pain. CONCLUSIONS: HMA screws allow for effective lumbosacral fusion via a limited anterior exposure. This is technically easier than posterior exposure of the lumbosacral junction in high-grade spondylolisthesis requiring 360 degrees fusion.

The safe use of long screws in L5/S1 stand-alone anterior interbody fusion for olisthesis cases.

BACKGROUND: Stand-alone anterior interbody fusion (STALIF) with poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) cages could offer a treatment option in olisthesis cases. The fixation of the PEEK-cage at the L5/S1 inferior endplate with long divergent screws however might endanger neural sacral structures, especially the S1 nerve root. If shorter screws are used, the achieved bony purchase might not be sufficient to resist the pull out and shear forces at the lumbosacral junction. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the use of long screws in PEEK-cages for olisthesis cases at the L5/S1 segment and its neurological complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 11 Patients (6 males) with a mean age of 47(± 15.1) years between 2013-2015 designated for an STALIF at the L5/S1 level were consecutively included in the present study. All patients had a Grade 1 or 2 slippage according to Meyerding. PEEK cages (SynFix-LR®, Depuy Synthes) were implanted with 30mm screws at the baseplate of L5/S1 in all patients. Perioperative and postoperative long-term complications were evaluated. Furthermore, radiological follow-up was performed (CT-scan at 6 months, X-ray at 6, 12 and 24 months). RESULTS: 6 patients suffered from an isthmic, 1 from a degenerative olisthesis. 4 patients with iatrogenic spondylolisthesis were included. Pre-operative radiculopathy was noted in 10 patients. 9 patients with pre-operative radiculopathy showed relief of symptoms until the last follow-up after 24 months. Fusion was achieved in all patients after 6 months. No screw-displacement, breakage or violation of the neural foramen was noted. Furthermore, no implant failure or pull-out fractures were seen. CONCLUSION: In this investigation, no complication due to the use of long divergent locking screws was noted. In addition, the majority of patients showed permanent relief of radiculopathy symptoms at the 2 years follow-up. This study demonstrates the safe usage of long divergent locking screws in the baseplate of L5/S1 in anterior interbody fusion at the L5/S1 level.

Intracardiac bone cement embolism as a complication of vertebroplasty: management strategy.

BACKGROUND: Vertebroplasty carries multiple complications due to the leakage of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into the venous system through the iliolumbar or epidural veins. The rate of venous cement complications may vary from 1 to 10 %, with cement extravasation into the venous system in 24 % of patients. Emboli may further migrate into the right heart chambers and pulmonary arteries. Patients may vary in presentation from asymptomatic or symptoms such as syncope to life-threatening complications. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 57-year-old lady diagnosed with osteoporosis who underwent a staged antero-posterior fixation with PMMA vertebroplasty of progressive thoraco-lumbar kyphosis caused by osteoporotic fractures to T12, L1 and L2 vertebral bodies. Four weeks after the operation, the patient developed symptoms of left-sided chest pain, tachycardia and tachypnea. CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) found a high-density material within the right atrium, whilst ECHO demonstrated normal systolic function. The patient was commenced on enoxaparin at therapeutic dose of 1.5 mg/kg for 3 months and remained asymptomatic. Follow-up ECHO found no change to the heart function and no blood clot on the PMMA embolus. CONCLUSIONS: Factors influencing the decision about conservative treatment included symptoms, localisation of the embolus, as well as time lapse between vertebroplasty and clinical manifestation. Patients that are commonly asymptomatic can be treated conservatively. The management of choice is anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin or warfarin until the foreign body epithelialises and ceases in becoming potentially thrombogenic. Symptomatic patients with thrombi in the right atrium are commonly managed via percutaneous retrieval, whilst those with RV involvement or perforation are commonly managed with surgical retrieval. Management of individual patients should be based on individual clinical circumstances. Patients presenting with intracardiac bone cement embolism related to spinal procedures require thorough clinical assessment, cardiology input, and if required, surgical intervention.

New method for correction of lumbo-sacral kyphosis deformity in patient with high pelvic incidence.

STUDY DESIGN: Technical note. OBJECTIVE: We describe a novel technique of bilateral longitudinal sacral osteotomy allowing direct reduction of high pelvic incidence (PI) and correction of sagittal imbalance. METHODS: A 25-year-old female patient presented with a disabling lumbo-sacral kyphosis fused in situ through previous operations with residual low-grade wound infection and grade IV L5/S1 spondylolisthesis with severity index (SI) of 65%. A two-stage correction was performed. First anterior in situ fixation of the L4-L5-S1 segments was performed using a hollow modular anchorages (HMA) screw and L3/L4 anterior interbody cage. The second stage consisted of instrumentation of the lower lumbar spine and pelvis; placement of an S1 transverse K-wire as pivot point and bilateral longitudinal sacral osteotomy which allowed for gradual retroversion of the central sacrum relative to the pelvis. RESULTS: Sacrum was derotated by 30° which allowed to restore spinal sagittal balance and decrease SI by 15%. Postoperative recovery was complicated by a flare up of the pre-existing deep wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral longitudinal sacral osteotomy appears to be a safe and efficient way of correcting the sagittal imbalance caused by an extremely high PI. Although technically demanding, it achieves good radiological and functional outcomes and avoids entering the spinal canal.

Development of a new assessment tool for cervical myelopathy using hand-tracking sensor: Part 1: validity and reliability.

PURPOSE: To assess the reliability and validity of a hand motion sensor, Leap Motion Controller (LMC), in the 15-s hand grip-and-release test, as compared against human inspection of an external digital camera recording. METHODS: Fifty healthy participants were asked to fully grip-and-release their dominant hand as rapidly as possible for two trials with a 10-min rest in-between, while wearing a non-metal wrist splint. Each test lasted for 15 s, and a digital camera was used to film the anterolateral side of the hand on the first test. Three assessors counted the frequency of grip-and-release (G-R) cycles independently and in a blinded fashion. The average mean of the three was compared with that measured by LMC using the Bland-Altman method. Test-retest reliability was examined by comparing the two 15-s tests. RESULTS: The mean number of G-R cycles recorded was: 47.8 ± 6.4 (test 1, video observer); 47.7 ± 6.5 (test 1, LMC); and 50.2 ± 6.5 (test 2, LMC). Bland-Altman indicated good agreement, with a low bias (0.15 cycles) and narrow limits of agreement. The ICC showed high inter-rater agreement and the coefficient of repeatability for the number of cycles was ±5.393, with a mean bias of 3.63. CONCLUSIONS: LMC appears to be valid and reliable in the 15-s grip-and-release test. This serves as a first step towards the development of an objective myelopathy assessment device and platform for the assessment of neuromotor hand function in general. Further assessment in a clinical setting and to gauge healthy benchmark values is warranted.

Development of a new assessment tool for cervical myelopathy using hand-tracking sensor: Part 2: normative values.

PURPOSE: To set a baseline measurement of the number of hand flexion-extension cycles and analyse the degree of motion in young healthy individuals, measured by leap motion controller (LMC), besides describing gender and dominant hand differences. METHODS: Fifty healthy participants were asked to fully grip-and-release their dominant hand as rapidly as possible for a maximum of 3 min or until subjects fatigued, while wearing a non-metal wrist splint. Participants also performed a 15-s grip-and-release test. An assessor blindly counted the frequency of grip-and-release cycles and magnitude of motion from the LMC data. RESULTS: The mean number of the 15-s G-R cycles recorded by LMC was: 47.7 ± 6.5 (test 1, LMC); and 50.2 ± 6.5 (test 2, LMC). In the 3-min test, the total number of hand flexion-extension cycles and the degree of motion decreased as the person fatigued. However, the decline in frequency preceded that of motion's magnitude. The mean frequency of cycles per 10-s interval decreased from 35.4 to 26.6 over the 3 min. Participants reached fatigue from 59.38 s; 43 participants were able to complete the 3-min test. CONCLUSIONS: Normative values of the frequency of cycles and extent of motion for young healthy individuals, aged 18-35 years, are provided. Future work is needed to establish values in a wider age range and in a clinical setting.

The management of high-grade spondylolisthesis and co-existent late-onset idiopathic scoliosis.

INTRODUCTION: It is relatively common for a scoliosis deformity to be associated with a lumbar spondylolisthesis in adolescents (up to 48 % of spondylolistheses). In the literature two types of curve have been described: 'sciatic' or 'olisthetic'. However, there is no consensus in the literature on how best to treat these deformities. Some authors advocate a single surgical intervention, where both deformities are corrected; whereas, others advocate treating them as separate entities. In this situation, it has been shown that the scoliosis will correct with treatment of the spondylolisthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a 12-year-old girl who had a concomitant high-grade spondylolisthesis and scoliosis. Her main complaints were those of low back pain and an L5 radiculopathy. We took the decision to treat the spondylolisthesis surgically, but observe the scoliosis, rather than correcting them both surgically at the same sitting. RESULTS: Although the immediately post-operative radiographs showed persistence of the scoliosis, 1-year follow-up demonstrated full resolution of the deformity. This young lady also had relief of her low back pain and leg pain following the surgery. CONCLUSION: There are no standard guidelines and therefore, we discuss the management of this difficult problem, exemplifying a case of a young girl who had high-grade spondylolisthesis along with a clinically non-flexible scoliosis treated at our institution. We demonstrate that it is safe to observe the scoliosis, even in high-grade spondylolistheses.

Anatomical considerations for percutaneous trans ilio-sacroiliac S1 and S2 screw placement.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of a consistent osseous corridor through S1 and S2 and fluoroscopic landmarks thereof, which could be used for safe trans ilio-sacroiliac screw fixation of posterior pelvic ring disorders. STUDY DESIGN: Computed tomography (CT) based anatomical investigation utilising multiplanar image and trajectory reconstruction (Agfa-IMPAX Version 5.2 software). Determination of the presence and dimension of a continuous osseous corridor in the coronal plane of the sacrum at the S1 and S2 vertebral levels. OUTCOME MEASURES: Determination of: (a) the presence of an osseous corridor in the coronal plane through S1 and S2 in males and females; (b) the dimension of the corridor with regard to diameter and length; (c) the fluoroscopic landmarks of the corridor. RESULTS: The mean cross-sectional area for S1 corridors in males and females was 2.13 and 1.47 cm(2) , respectively. The mean cross-sectional area for the S2 corridor in males and females was 1.46 and 1.13 cm(2), respectively. The limiting anatomical factor is the sagittal diameter of the sacral ala at the junction to the vertebral body. The centre of the S1 and S2 corridor is located in close proximity to the centre of the S1 and S2 vertebrae on the lateral fluoroscopic view as determined by the adjacent endplates and anterior and posterior vertebral cortices. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of males and females have a complete osseous corridor to pass a trans-sacroiliac S1 screw of 8 mm diameter. The S2 corridor was present in all males but only in 87 % of females. Preoperative review of the axial CT slices at the midpoint of the S1 or S2 vertebral body allows the presence of a trans-sacroiliac osseous corridor to be determined by assessing the passage at the narrowest point of the corridor at the junction of the sacral ala to the vertebral body.

Chest wall reconstruction after en bloc Pancoast tumour resection with the use of MatrixRib and SILC fixation systems: technical note.

STUDY DESIGN: Technical note. OBJECTIVE: In cases in which partial resection of the rib cage is accomplished with vertebrectomy, reconstruction of the chest wall may be challenging. That is because of lack of the anchor point which normally would be a proximal end of a rib or transverse process. We report a straightforward technique for chest wall reconstruction with the novel use of two systems of fixation commonly applied in spinal practice. METHODS: The operation of a squamous cell carcinoma (Pancoast tumour) of the right lung infiltrating T2, T3 and T4 vertebrae was performed though T4 lateral thoracotomy. Posterior instrumentation with transpedicular screws T1-3-5 on the left and T1-5 on the right side was followed with the right upper lobectomy and hemivertebrectomy. The laminae and facet joints of T2-T4 vertebrae were removed on the side of the tumour. An osteotomy was performed medial to the pedicle at the lateral aspect of the dural sac on the side of the tumour. Proximal parts of four adjacent ribs were removed allowing radical en bloc resection with tumour-free margins. The distal end of each of four rib plates used (MatrixRib Precontoured Plate system) was attached to the proximal end of the rib. The proximal end of the plate was then attached to the rod of posterior fixation construct with the use of a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PeT) band of the SILC™ fixation system. The other end of the PeT band was then passed through the top-loading clamp subsequently attached to the rod of the posterior fixation. RESULTS: The patient did not require additional procedures for chest wall reconstruction. On the 7-month follow-up, in chest CT he was found with satisfactory expansion of the remaining lung tissue with proper spinal alignment and anatomical shape of the rib cage. CONCLUSIONS: The reported technique can be applied for chest wall reconstruction in cases of total or subtotal vertebrectomy accomplished with the resection extending towards rib cage. It appears to be straightforward, safe and effective allowing good cosmetic and functional outcome.

Posterior lumbar fixation in a kidney transplant recipient: logistics and perioperative challenges.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation has become the ideal and successful treatment for medically suitable patients with established kidney disease. This results in increased likelihood of these patients developing unrelated conditions requiring surgery, including spinal surgery. There are only a few publications available regarding spinal patients with renal transplants. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old patient presented with recurrent sciatica. Four years prior to this, he received a living donor kidney transplant. He was diagnosed with right L4 radiculopathy due to recurrent foraminal stenosis as a result of the grade I L4/5 spondylolisthesis. He was offered a reoperation including microdecompression and postero-lateral fixation and fusion. The renal transplant necessitated specific pre- and intraoperative considerations. The knee-chest position with extra padding was used to maintain the region of the renal transplant free from any pressure. The renal care was planned in detail by the transplant surgeons and nephrologists and shared with the ward doctors and on-call teams. The procedure was uneventful; there were no signs of intraoperative or postoperative acute renal injury. The patient was discharged 5 days postoperatively; all renal parameters remained within normal ranges and the postoperative plain films demonstrated satisfactory surgical results. CONCLUSIONS: The key to success was a multidisciplinary approach and detailed planning regarding pre-, intra- and postoperative care. The presented scheme of care might be useful when considering the posterior approach and prone positioning in kidney transplant recipients with spinal pathologies requiring surgical treatment.

Major neurological deficit following anterior cervical decompression and fusion: what is the next step?

INTRODUCTION: Major neurological deficit following anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) is a rare event, with incidences of up to 0.2 % now reported. Post-operative MRI is mandatory to assess for ongoing compression of the cord. In the past, the deficit has often been attributed to oedema or overzealous intra-operative manipulation of the cord. Reperfusion injury is a more recent concept. We describe a case of acute cervical disc prolapse with progressive neurology, and the difficult decision making one is faced with when the neurological deficit continues to deteriorate post ACDF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 30-year-old male was referred from the Emergency Department with acute left arm paraesthesia and left leg weakness. A cerebrovascular accident was ruled-out with a CT of the brain, and later an MRI of the cervical spine revealed a large C6/7 disc prolapse with significant compression of the spinal cord. A C6/7 ACDF was performed, but post-operatively the patient could no longer move his lower limbs. An urgent MRI was obtained which showed removal of the disc fragment, cord signal changes and the suggestion of ongoing cord compression. In part, this was due to his narrow cervical canal. The decision was made to proceed to posterior decompression and stabilisation, although cord reperfusion injury was one of the differential diagnoses considered at this stage. RESULTS: Post-operatively the patient's neurology started to improve over the next 48 h. He was discharged from in-patient rehabilitation at 2 months post-surgery and by 3 months he had returned to work. Latest follow-up revealed normal function with only mild paraesthesia in the T1 dermatome of his left arm. CONCLUSION: The management of patients in whom a neurological deficit has increased post-operatively is difficult. Urgent MRI scan is mandatory to assess for epidural haematoma which may need further decompression. Cord reperfusion injury is a diagnosis of exclusion. The difficulty the clinician faces is in interpreting the MRI for 'acceptable' decompression, and therefore excluding the need for further surgery.

Access-related complications in anterior lumbar surgery in patients over 60 years of age.

PURPOSE: The anterior approach is widely used for access to the lumbar spine in the setting of adult deformity either as a stand-alone procedure or in combined anterior-posterior procedures. Access-related complication rates have so far not been reported in an elderly patient population, in which it has been suggested that anterior lumbar surgery is indicated with caution. Here, the complication rates in patients over 60 years of age are reported. METHODS: A retrospective chart review in a consecutive series of 31 patients over 60 years of age and in which a retroperitoneal access to the lumbar spine was performed. All charts including anaesthetic charts were reviewed and the patients' demographics, exact surgical procedure, comorbidities, and potential risk factors, as well as intraoperative and vascular complications noted. Patients who had revision anterior surgery, anterior surgery for tumour resection, trauma or infection were excluded. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 64.9 years, ranging 60-81. Eighteen patients were female and 13 male. The average body mass index was 26.7 ranging 18.5-44.0. The indications for surgery were degenerative scoliosis (12 patients), degenerative spondylosis (7 patients), degenerative spondylolisthesis (5 patients), iatrogenic spondylolisthesis following prior posterior decompression (5 patients), and pseudarthrosis following posterolateral instrumented fusion (2 patients). In 10 patients, a single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) was carried out (1 L3/4, 5 L4/5, 4 L5/S1) and in 11 patients ALIF was performed on two levels (1 L2-4, 1 L3-5, 9 L4-S1). In three patients, 3 levels from L3 to S1 were approached and in seven patients 4 levels from L2 to S1. Patients with three- and four-level anterior lumbar surgery had higher blood loss than two- and one-level surgery (616 ± 340 vs 439 ± 238, p = 0.036). The overall complication rate was 29% (9/31), which included four vascular injuries and one pulmonary embolism. The vascular complication rate was 13% (4/31) with two arterial and two venous injuries requiring repair. No major blood loss over 2,000 ml occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior lumbar surgery in an elderly population does not necessarily have higher overall complication rates than in a younger population. The risk of vascular injury requiring repair was higher, but has not resulted in major blood loss and the procedure therefore can be carried out safely. The overall complication rate and blood loss compare favourably to complication rates in posterior adult deformity procedures.

Intracranial hypotension with a sixth cranial nerve palsy subsequent to massive thoracic CSF hygroma: a rare complication of thoracic disc excision.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hygroma is a rare and potentially devastating complication of the anterior thoracic approach to the spine. We present two cases in which this complication resulted in acute cranial nerve palsy and discuss the pathoanatomy and management options in this scenario. CASE REPORTS: Two male patients presented to our department with neurological deterioration due to a giant herniated thoracic disc. The extruded disc fragment was noted pre-operatively to be calcified in both patients. A durotomy was performed at primary disc prolapse resection in the first patient, whereas an incidental durotomy during the procedure caused complication in the second patient. These were repaired primarily or sealed with Tachosil(®). Both patients re-presented with acute diplopia. Imaging of both patients confirmed a massive thoracic cerebrospinal fluid hygroma and evidence of intracranial changes in keeping with intracranial hypotension, but no obvious brain stem shift. The hemithorax was re-explored and the dural repair was revised. The first patient made a full recovery within 3 months. The second patient was managed conservatively and took 5 months for improvement in his ophthalmic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of CSF leakage post-dural repair into the thoracic cavity is raised due to local factors related to the chest cavity. Dural repairs can fail in the presence of an acute increase in CSF pressure, for example whilst sneezing. Intracranial hypotension can result in subsequent hygroma and possibly haematoma formation. The resultant cranial nerve palsy may be managed expectantly except in the setting of symptomatic subdural haematoma or compressive pneumocephaly.

Asymmetric osteotomy of the spine for coronal imbalance: a technical report.

STUDY DESIGN: Technical report on the surgical technique of asymmetric osteotomy of the spine for coronal imbalance. OBJECTIVE: To describe a successful method of performing asymmetrical pedicle subtraction osteotomy (APSO) through a posterior only approach. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND: Rigid coronal deformity of the spine can be sharply angulated and can create significant coronal imbalance. Surgical correction is the only definitive treatment of restoring the balance as bracing is unhelpful. Corrective surgery can be anterior or posterior. The literature on the methods of surgical correction of rigid coronal deformities of the spine is limited. Unlike osteotomies for sagittal imbalance, blunt dissection of the anterior cortex is necessary in asymmetrical osteotomy to allow resection of the anterior cortex for closure of the wedge. We describe a method by which we performed this in the thoracic and lumbar spine with case examples. METHOD: After insertion of pedicle screws, laminectomy and unilateral facetectomy of the proposed level of osteotomy is performed. Next, dissection lateral to the pedicle and vertebral body is performed bluntly with mastoids to reach the front of the anterior cortex and confirmed with fluoroscopy. An oblique osteotomy including the lateral and posterior cortex is performed above and below the pedicle under imaging. The osteotomy site is closed through unilateral compression. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory correction of coronal deformity can be achieved with APSO from an isolated posterior approach. In contrast to sagittal osteotomies, blunt dissection along the anterior cortex is necessary to allow safe resection of anterior cortical bone for closure of the wedge.

Management of cervical myelopathy due to ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in a patient with Alström syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Alström syndrome (AS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder with multisystemic involvement characterised by early blindness, hearing loss, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, dilated cardiomyopathy, and progressive hepatic and renal dysfunction. The clinical features, time of onset and severity can vary greatly among different patients. Many of the phenotypes are often not present in infancy but develop throughout childhood and adolescence. Recessively inherited mutations in ALMS1 gene are considered to be responsible for the causation of AS. Musculoskeletal manifestations including scoliosis and kyphosis have been previously described. CASE REPORT: Here, we present a patient with AS who presented with cervical myelopathy due to extensive flowing ossification of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments of the cervical spine resulting in cervical spinal cord compression. The presence of an auto-fused spine in an acceptable sagittal alignment, in the background of a constellation of medical comorbidities, which necessitated a less morbid surgical approach, favored a posterior cervical laminectomy decompression in this patient. Postoperatively, the patient showed significant neurological recovery with improved function. Follow-up MRI showed substantial enlargement of the spinal canal with improved space available for the spinal cord. The rarity of the syndrome, cervical myelopathy due to ossified posterior longitudinal ligament as a disease phenotype and the treatment considerations for performing a posterior cervical decompression have been discussed in this Grand Rounds' case presentation.

A novel "pelvic ring augmentation construct" for lumbo-pelvic reconstruction in tumour surgery.

AIM: Reconstructing or augmenting the lumbo-pelvic junction after resection of L5 and part of the sacrum is challenging. Numerous lumbo-pelvic reconstruction methods based on posterior construct and anterior cages have been proposed for cases involving total sacrectomy and lumbar vertebrectomy. These constructs create long lever arms and generate high cantilever forces across the lumbo-sacral junction, resulting in implant failure or breakage. Biomechanical studies have shown that placing implants anterior to lumbo-sacral pivot point provides a more effective moment arm to resist flexion force and improves the ultimate strength of the construct. We present here a novel method to augment a lumbo-pelvic construction using a pelvic ring construct. METHODS: A 69-year-old lady presented with implant failure of her two previous posterior lumbo-pelvic reconstructions performed by the authors. She initially presented, two and a half years previously with 6 months history of back pain with normal neurological function. MRI scans of her whole spine showed isolated secondaries in the lumbar spine (L4, L5) and sacrum (S1). An abdominal CT scan revealed a primary tumour in her right kidney. Briefly, the first surgery involved a single-stage removal of posterior elements of L4 and L5 and posterior stabilisation from L2 to pelvis, anterior resection of L4 and L5 and partially S1 with implantation of an expandable Synex II cage. The cage was replaced with an anterior rod construct from L2 and L3 to a trans-sacral screw a week later as it had dislodged. The second revision, 9 months later, involved removal of two posterior broken rods which were replaced and converted into a modified four-rod construct. While monitoring her progress, it was subsequently noted that the trans-sacral rod had broken. Therefore, it was decided to augment her lumbo-pelvic construct to prevent eventual catastrophic posterior construct failure. From a posterior approach, contoured rods were passed bilaterally along the inner table of the pelvis under the iliacus muscle up to the anterior border of the pelvis. Using T-connectors, the rods were connected to the posterior lumbo-pelvic construct. Thereafter, two anterior supra-acetabular pelvic screws were connected to a subcutaneously placed rod matched to the shape of the anterior abdominal wall. The pelvic ring construct was completed on connecting this rod with T-connectors to the free ends of the contoured iliac rods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were no intra-operative complications. At the end of 12 months, she was mobilising with a frame, with no radiological evidence of failure of the construct. However, she died due to disease progression at the end of 15 months. Experience from one clinical case shows that such a construct is feasible and adds a technical option to the difficult reconstruction of lumbo-pelvic junction after tumour surgery.

Safety of fluoroscopy guided percutaneous access to the thoracic spine.

BACKGROUND: Fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous access to thoracic vertebrae is technically demanding due to the complex radiological anatomy and close proximity of the spinal cord, major vessels and pleural cavity. There is a trend towards computed tomography (CT) guidance due to a perceived reduction in the risk of spinal canal intrusion by instrumentation causing neurological injury. Due to limited access to CT guidance, there is a need for safe fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous access to the thoracic spine. PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety of a strict radio-anatomical protocol in avoiding access-related neurological complications due to tool misplacement in fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous procedures on the thoracic spine. METHOD: A combined two-surgeon prospective case series of 444 procedures (biopsy, vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty) covering all thoracic vertebral levels T1-T12. Clinical examination and routine observations were used to identify access-related complications including neurological, vascular and visceral injury using physiological parameters. RESULTS: No patient in our series was identified to have sustained a neurological deficit or deterioration of preoperative neurological status. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous access to the thoracic spine using fluoroscopic guidance is safe. The crucial step of the protocol is not to advance the tool beyond the medial pedicle wall on the anterior-posterior projection until the tip of the instrument has reached the posterior vertebral cortex on the lateral projection.

Kyphoplasty for lytic tumour lesions of the spine: prospective follow-up of 11 cases from procedure to death.

BACKGROUND: The life span of cancer patients has improved due to advancements in cancer management. With long survival periods, more patients show metastatic disease. Osteolytic tumours of spine are generated by metastatic deposits or primary tumours of the spine. A prospective study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous kyphoplasty in patients with osteolytic tumours of the thoracic and lumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (age range 52-77/average 65 years; 7 female, 4 male) with osteolytic tumours of the spine were treated with kyphoplasty. The main Tokuhashi score was registered preoperatively. Outcome was assessed prospectively by visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, ECOG performance status, walking distance, standing and sitting time. RESULTS: Preoperative VAS (average 7.5; range 2.6-10) dropped to 3.0, 5 days postoperatively and remained below 5 for follow-up. Main Tokuhashi score was 6.3, ranging from 3 to 9. Survival time ranged from 2 to 293 (average 74.4) weeks. Average walking distance, standing and sitting time and ECOG performance score showed improvement. All patients returned home and no patient required re-operation or readmission due to local disease progression or recurrence. CONCLUSION: Kyphoplasty is a suitable palliative treatment option for patients with advanced metastatic disease of the spine even with low Tokuhashi scores allowing rapid pain relief and mobilisation to increase the quality of life.

Management of metastatic sacral tumours.

PURPOSE: Metastatic involvement of the sacrum is rare and there is a paucity of studies which deal with the management of these tumours since most papers refer to primary sacral tumours. This study aims to review the available literature in the management of sacral metastatic tumours as reflected in the current literature. METHODS: A systematic review of the English language literature was undertaken for relevant articles published over the last 11 years (1999-2010). The PubMed electronic database and reference lists of key articles were searched to identify relevant studies using the terms "sacral metastases" and "metastatic sacral tumours". Studies involving primary sacral tumours only were excluded. For the assessment of the level of evidence quality, the CEBM (Oxford Centre of Evidence Based Medicine) grading system was utilised. RESULTS: The initial search revealed 479 articles. After screening, 16 articles identified meeting our inclusion criteria [1 prospective cohort study on radiosurgery (level II); 2 case series (level III); 4 retrospective case series (level IV) and 9 case reports (level IV)]. CONCLUSION: The mainstay of management for sacral metastatic tumours is palliation. Preoperative angioembolisation is shown to be of value in cases of highly vascularised tumours. Radiotherapy is used as the primary treatment in cases of inoperable tumours without spinal instability where pain relief and neurological improvement are attainable. Minimal invasive procedures such as sacroplasties were shown to offer immediate pain relief and improvement with ambulation, whereas more aggressive surgery, involving decompression and sacral reconstruction, is utilised mainly for the treatment of local advanced tumours which compromise the stability of the spine or threaten neurological status. Adjuvant cryosurgery and radiosurgery have demonstrated promising results (if no neurological compromise or instability) with local disease control.