Study Design: This is a retrospective case series study. Objective: Thoracic pedicle screw insertion can be technically challenging because of narrow pedicles. Placement of thoracic pedicle screws in pediatric scoliosis and adult deformity surgeries, due to three-dimensional rotation of vertebrae, is even more challenging because the usual landmarks are less evident, and the sagittal trajectory is more difficult to correctly orientate due to the vertebral rotation. We describe a variation of freehand technique to guide sagittal trajectory of thoracic pedicle screw. Materials and Methods: The inferior articular process of cranially adjacent vertebrae is osteotomized using a Capener Gouge to expose the superior articular process (SAP) of the thoracic vertebrae to be instrumented. An O’Connell dissector is then placed flush on the SAP. The main shaft of the dissector is at right angle to the base plate; pedicle finder is placed parallel to the shaft and follows the same sagittal trajectory as the shaft. Results: A total of 390 pedicle screws were identified in a consecutive series of 60 scoliosis patients inserted using this technique. Only one screw was revised for lateral breach. There was no intra-operative complication or neurological sequelae in any of our patients. Conclusion: Freehand pedicle screw placement remains a very common technique, used particularly by pediatric scoliosis surgeons. One of the drawbacks of previous reports of the freehand technique is that the sagittal trajectory is not clearly defined. Our technique fills this gap, and this series demonstrates that the technique produces a reliable and consistent result.
{"title":"In-vivo clinical validation of perpendicular to superior articular process as thoracic pedicle trajectory: A retrospective case series of 60 pediatric scoliosis","authors":"Aziz Ahmad, C. Ali, O. Stokes","doi":"10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_57_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_57_20","url":null,"abstract":"Study Design: This is a retrospective case series study. Objective: Thoracic pedicle screw insertion can be technically challenging because of narrow pedicles. Placement of thoracic pedicle screws in pediatric scoliosis and adult deformity surgeries, due to three-dimensional rotation of vertebrae, is even more challenging because the usual landmarks are less evident, and the sagittal trajectory is more difficult to correctly orientate due to the vertebral rotation. We describe a variation of freehand technique to guide sagittal trajectory of thoracic pedicle screw. Materials and Methods: The inferior articular process of cranially adjacent vertebrae is osteotomized using a Capener Gouge to expose the superior articular process (SAP) of the thoracic vertebrae to be instrumented. An O’Connell dissector is then placed flush on the SAP. The main shaft of the dissector is at right angle to the base plate; pedicle finder is placed parallel to the shaft and follows the same sagittal trajectory as the shaft. Results: A total of 390 pedicle screws were identified in a consecutive series of 60 scoliosis patients inserted using this technique. Only one screw was revised for lateral breach. There was no intra-operative complication or neurological sequelae in any of our patients. Conclusion: Freehand pedicle screw placement remains a very common technique, used particularly by pediatric scoliosis surgeons. One of the drawbacks of previous reports of the freehand technique is that the sagittal trajectory is not clearly defined. Our technique fills this gap, and this series demonstrates that the technique produces a reliable and consistent result.","PeriodicalId":34652,"journal":{"name":"Indian Spine Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"163 - 169"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43088414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Saumyajit Basu, N. Agarwal, S. Gowda, Aditya Bhanta
Spinal osteochondromas with neurological deficits are rare. Only 0.5% to 1% of spinal osteochondromas present with neurological dysfunction. We hereby present a case of osteochondroma of the C2 lamina with neurological deficit and unique presentation.A 10-year-old female presented with a history of severe weakness of all four limbs after a fall. Weakness had spontaneously improved over initial three days and she presented to us with mild weakness of the right upper limb about two weeks after the fall. On examination, neck movements were full and painless with spastic quadriparesis and a motor power of grade 4/5 in all four limbs with extensor plantars.On radiology, CT scan of the cervical spine showed an osseous outgrowth from the C2 lamina in the midline projecting into the spinal canal, directed superiorly toward the dens. An MRI showed spinal-cord compression with cord deformation and signal changes.She underwent en bloc excision of the tumor mass, which was severely impinging on the spinal cord. Histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of osteochondroma. At four-year follow-up, there was complete recovery with no signs of recurrence.Spinal osteochondroma is a rare but potential cause of spinal-cord compression in a child with varied presentation.
{"title":"Midline solitary osteochondroma of C2 vertebra with myelopathy in a child: A case report with review of literature","authors":"Saumyajit Basu, N. Agarwal, S. Gowda, Aditya Bhanta","doi":"10.4103/isj.isj_53_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/isj.isj_53_20","url":null,"abstract":"Spinal osteochondromas with neurological deficits are rare. Only 0.5% to 1% of spinal osteochondromas present with neurological dysfunction. We hereby present a case of osteochondroma of the C2 lamina with neurological deficit and unique presentation.A 10-year-old female presented with a history of severe weakness of all four limbs after a fall. Weakness had spontaneously improved over initial three days and she presented to us with mild weakness of the right upper limb about two weeks after the fall. On examination, neck movements were full and painless with spastic quadriparesis and a motor power of grade 4/5 in all four limbs with extensor plantars.On radiology, CT scan of the cervical spine showed an osseous outgrowth from the C2 lamina in the midline projecting into the spinal canal, directed superiorly toward the dens. An MRI showed spinal-cord compression with cord deformation and signal changes.She underwent en bloc excision of the tumor mass, which was severely impinging on the spinal cord. Histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of osteochondroma. At four-year follow-up, there was complete recovery with no signs of recurrence.Spinal osteochondroma is a rare but potential cause of spinal-cord compression in a child with varied presentation.","PeriodicalId":34652,"journal":{"name":"Indian Spine Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"229 - 233"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43460784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Paul, R. Amritanand, K. David, Venkatesh Krishnan
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the rate and predictors of return to work (RTW) after surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Overview of Literature: RTW is arguably the most important outcome following spine surgery from a patient’s perspective. But, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports in the English literature describing RTW among patients undergoing surgery for moderate-to-severe CSM. Materials and Methods: We included adult patients with CSM with Nurick grade ≥ 3 who underwent surgery. They were divided into two groups: those who returned to work within 6 months (group 1) and those who did not (group 2) and their outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 34 patients were included in the study. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. Only 18 (52.9%) patients returned to work by 6 months. The nature of work had a statistically significant association with RTW by 6 months (P = 0.005) with failure to RTW specifically seen in manual laborers. Age, body mass index, symptom duration, pre-operative absenteeism, smoking, diabetes mellitus, number of levels operated, surgical approach, and post-operative complications did not have significant association with RTW. Better functional outcomes were seen in patients who returned to work as calculated using Nurick grade (P = 0.000) and modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score (P = 0.001). All the patients who returned to work and 75% of the patients who did not RTW were satisfied with the outcome of surgery (P = 0.039). Conclusion: In spite of functional improvement, CSM was associated with poor RTW with manual laborers being the most vulnerable group. This study will help surgeons modulate patient expectations as well as provide a platform for counseling them.
{"title":"Return to work after surgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy","authors":"A. Paul, R. Amritanand, K. David, Venkatesh Krishnan","doi":"10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_18_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_18_21","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the rate and predictors of return to work (RTW) after surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Overview of Literature: RTW is arguably the most important outcome following spine surgery from a patient’s perspective. But, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports in the English literature describing RTW among patients undergoing surgery for moderate-to-severe CSM. Materials and Methods: We included adult patients with CSM with Nurick grade ≥ 3 who underwent surgery. They were divided into two groups: those who returned to work within 6 months (group 1) and those who did not (group 2) and their outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 34 patients were included in the study. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. Only 18 (52.9%) patients returned to work by 6 months. The nature of work had a statistically significant association with RTW by 6 months (P = 0.005) with failure to RTW specifically seen in manual laborers. Age, body mass index, symptom duration, pre-operative absenteeism, smoking, diabetes mellitus, number of levels operated, surgical approach, and post-operative complications did not have significant association with RTW. Better functional outcomes were seen in patients who returned to work as calculated using Nurick grade (P = 0.000) and modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score (P = 0.001). All the patients who returned to work and 75% of the patients who did not RTW were satisfied with the outcome of surgery (P = 0.039). Conclusion: In spite of functional improvement, CSM was associated with poor RTW with manual laborers being the most vulnerable group. This study will help surgeons modulate patient expectations as well as provide a platform for counseling them.","PeriodicalId":34652,"journal":{"name":"Indian Spine Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"170 - 175"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46521383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objective: To determine a possible relationship between developmental lumbar spinal canal stenosis (DLSS) and stunting. Background: Stunting is due to failure of longitudinal length with shortened long bones. Stunted individuals have failure of growth of long bones implying a possibility of involvement of short and flat bones. The hypothesis in this study is that DLSS is part of a generalized skeletal dysplasia. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study (CSA) of 400 patients looking at the association of DLSS with stunting. The study compares the size of the spinal canal in individuals with stunting and those without stunting. Stunting was defined according to the WHO/UNICEF criteria of −2SD of the median height of the same population. The participants were divided into two types: those who were deemed stunted and those who were not. DLSS was similarly defined as −2SD of the relevant measured parameter. The study included skeletally mature patients between 18 and 60 years. All syndromic individuals, those with spine tumors and previous spine surgery, were excluded. Results: Four hundred individuals were sampled from a pool of 597 participants. One hundred and eight or 27% were stunted. The stunted individuals had statistically significantly shallow canal depths or anteroposterior diameters (11.2 ± 2.0 mm vs. 14.6 ± 2.6 mm, t(398) = −11.1, P < 0.001), and narrower canal widths (transverse diameters) (14.6 ± 3.3 mm vs. 18.8 ± 4.5 mm, t(398) = −8.1, P < 0.001) and smaller CSAs (134.0 ± 49.4 mm vs. 220.2 ± 82.0, t(398) = −9.4, P < 0.001) when compared to individuals with normal heights. Odds ratio was 10. Conclusions: Stunted individuals have smaller lumbar spinal canals when compared to nonstunted individuals. It can be concluded that developmental lumbar spinal canal stenosis is part of a generalized skeletal dysplasia.
目的:探讨发育性腰椎管狭窄症(DLSS)与发育不良之间的可能关系。背景:发育迟缓是由于纵向长度的失败,长骨缩短。发育不良的人长骨发育不全,这意味着短骨和平骨也可能受到影响。本研究的假设是DLSS是广泛性骨骼发育不良的一部分。材料和方法:这是一项400例患者的横断面研究(CSA),研究DLSS与发育迟缓的关系。该研究比较了发育迟缓和非发育迟缓个体的椎管大小。发育迟缓的定义参照世界卫生组织/联合国儿童基金会的标准,即相同人群中位身高的- 2SD。参与者被分为两类:一类被认为发育迟缓,另一类没有发育迟缓。DLSS同样定义为相关测量参数的- 2SD。该研究包括18至60岁的骨骼成熟患者。排除所有有脊柱肿瘤和既往脊柱手术的综合征个体。结果:从597名参与者中抽取了400人。108人发育不良,占27%。与正常身高个体相比,发育不良个体的根管深度或前后径较浅(11.2±2.0 mm vs. 14.6±2.6 mm, t(398) = - 11.1, P < 0.001),根管宽度(横径)较窄(14.6±3.3 mm vs. 18.8±4.5 mm, t(398) = - 8.1, P < 0.001), csma较小(134.0±49.4 mm vs. 220.2±82.0,t(398) = - 9.4, P < 0.001)。优势比为10。结论:与非发育不良个体相比,发育不良个体的腰椎管更小。结论:发育性腰椎管狭窄是全身性骨骼发育不良的一部分。
{"title":"Association of developmental lumbar spinal canal stenosis and stunting","authors":"Jamlick Muthuuri","doi":"10.4103/isj.isj_20_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/isj.isj_20_20","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To determine a possible relationship between developmental lumbar spinal canal stenosis (DLSS) and stunting. Background: Stunting is due to failure of longitudinal length with shortened long bones. Stunted individuals have failure of growth of long bones implying a possibility of involvement of short and flat bones. The hypothesis in this study is that DLSS is part of a generalized skeletal dysplasia. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study (CSA) of 400 patients looking at the association of DLSS with stunting. The study compares the size of the spinal canal in individuals with stunting and those without stunting. Stunting was defined according to the WHO/UNICEF criteria of −2SD of the median height of the same population. The participants were divided into two types: those who were deemed stunted and those who were not. DLSS was similarly defined as −2SD of the relevant measured parameter. The study included skeletally mature patients between 18 and 60 years. All syndromic individuals, those with spine tumors and previous spine surgery, were excluded. Results: Four hundred individuals were sampled from a pool of 597 participants. One hundred and eight or 27% were stunted. The stunted individuals had statistically significantly shallow canal depths or anteroposterior diameters (11.2 ± 2.0 mm vs. 14.6 ± 2.6 mm, t(398) = −11.1, P < 0.001), and narrower canal widths (transverse diameters) (14.6 ± 3.3 mm vs. 18.8 ± 4.5 mm, t(398) = −8.1, P < 0.001) and smaller CSAs (134.0 ± 49.4 mm vs. 220.2 ± 82.0, t(398) = −9.4, P < 0.001) when compared to individuals with normal heights. Odds ratio was 10. Conclusions: Stunted individuals have smaller lumbar spinal canals when compared to nonstunted individuals. It can be concluded that developmental lumbar spinal canal stenosis is part of a generalized skeletal dysplasia.","PeriodicalId":34652,"journal":{"name":"Indian Spine Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"149 - 154"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43797769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Multilevel pyogenic spinal epidural abscess is a rare presentation, and there are only a few documented cases. This is a case report of a cervicothoracic epidural abscess (C1–D9) presenting with sepsis and neurological impairment due to a gas-producing enteric organism that was managed by surgical decompression. The abscess was drained in a single-stage multilevel procedure. The patient recovered gradually in the postoperative period clinically and neurologically and is on follow-up for two years. The peculiarity of this case is the absence of any vertebral or disc involvement in the presence of such an extensive anterior epidural abscess.
{"title":"Single-stage decompression of C1–D9 anterior epidural abscess by a gas-producing enteric pathogen","authors":"Vetri Nallathambi, M. Chander","doi":"10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_85_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_85_20","url":null,"abstract":"Multilevel pyogenic spinal epidural abscess is a rare presentation, and there are only a few documented cases. This is a case report of a cervicothoracic epidural abscess (C1–D9) presenting with sepsis and neurological impairment due to a gas-producing enteric organism that was managed by surgical decompression. The abscess was drained in a single-stage multilevel procedure. The patient recovered gradually in the postoperative period clinically and neurologically and is on follow-up for two years. The peculiarity of this case is the absence of any vertebral or disc involvement in the presence of such an extensive anterior epidural abscess.","PeriodicalId":34652,"journal":{"name":"Indian Spine Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"260 - 264"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43203207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Farooque, Tushar Nayak, B. Siamwala, Aayush Aryal
Context: Overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients requiring urgent medical attention and intensive care beds, majority of our medical resources are allocated for the management of the current pandemic. Other urgent cases requiring surgical attention also need to be optimally addressed. Aims: The aim of this article is to report the early results and organizational protocol in the management of traumatic spinal fractures at a level-1 trauma center during the current pandemic. Settings and Design: This is a retrospective study of patients with vertebral fractures operated by a single surgeon between April and October 2020. All patients were tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the tests were repeated every 72 h. We modified our institutional protocol to aid the early management of emergency traumatic spine cases during this pandemic. Descriptive analysis of data collected from hospital records was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Virginia, USA, Version 20. Results: A total of 44 patients were operated. Burst fracture was the most common fracture with a fall from height being the most common mechanism of injury. Two patients tested positive for the novel corona virus. There were no complications and none of the healthcare staff involved in the patient care or patients reported symptoms of COVID-19 during a 30-day follow‐up period. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of patients with vertebral fractures, with strict adherence to personal protective measures and local guidelines, did not increase the risk of contracting SARS‐CoV2 to either healthcare workers or patients during the lockdown period.
{"title":"Early experiences in the management of traumatic spinal injuries at a level 1 trauma center in India during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"K. Farooque, Tushar Nayak, B. Siamwala, Aayush Aryal","doi":"10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_9_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_9_21","url":null,"abstract":"Context: Overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients requiring urgent medical attention and intensive care beds, majority of our medical resources are allocated for the management of the current pandemic. Other urgent cases requiring surgical attention also need to be optimally addressed. Aims: The aim of this article is to report the early results and organizational protocol in the management of traumatic spinal fractures at a level-1 trauma center during the current pandemic. Settings and Design: This is a retrospective study of patients with vertebral fractures operated by a single surgeon between April and October 2020. All patients were tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the tests were repeated every 72 h. We modified our institutional protocol to aid the early management of emergency traumatic spine cases during this pandemic. Descriptive analysis of data collected from hospital records was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Virginia, USA, Version 20. Results: A total of 44 patients were operated. Burst fracture was the most common fracture with a fall from height being the most common mechanism of injury. Two patients tested positive for the novel corona virus. There were no complications and none of the healthcare staff involved in the patient care or patients reported symptoms of COVID-19 during a 30-day follow‐up period. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of patients with vertebral fractures, with strict adherence to personal protective measures and local guidelines, did not increase the risk of contracting SARS‐CoV2 to either healthcare workers or patients during the lockdown period.","PeriodicalId":34652,"journal":{"name":"Indian Spine Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"198 - 202"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42909483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brown tumors are nonneoplastic bony lesions resulting from primary, secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Primary hyperparathyroidism is caused by parathyroid adenomas or parathyroid hyperplasia while chronic renal failure is a common cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Elevated parathyroid hormone levels cause increased osteoclastic activity, bone resorption and reactive fibroblastic proliferation leading to the formation of Brown tumor. Although Brown tumors are more commonly seen in the maxilla and mandible, it can occur in the long, flat bones or any bone. It is less commonly seen in the spine. In this report, we discuss the presentation, management, difficulties with histopathological diagnosis, and follow-up of a Brown tumor in a 55-year-old gentleman undergoing renal dialysis who presented with thoracic compressive myelopathy. Our patient underwent a T4 laminectomy, tumor debulking, and T2–T6 instrumented posterior fusion. Based on histopathological examination of the tissue specimen and raised serum parathyroid hormone levels, we arrived at a diagnosis of Brown tumor. Our review of the literature revealed 62 cases of vertebral Brown tumor resulting in neurologic symptoms. The lesion was more common in females (58%), those aged between 40 and 49 years (26%), and in the thoracic spine (51.6%). Early surgical intervention and management of the underlying cause of hyperparathyroidism lead to sustained symptomatic improvement. Brown tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of expansile vertebral lesions in the presence of hyperparathyroidism or chronic kidney disease. Treatment of the underlying hyperparathyroidism and decompression of the neural structures with or without stabilization is recommended.
{"title":"Brown tumor causing thoracic compressive myelopathy: A case report and review of literature","authors":"M. Ramachandraiah, T. Kishen","doi":"10.4103/isj.isj_48_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/isj.isj_48_20","url":null,"abstract":"Brown tumors are nonneoplastic bony lesions resulting from primary, secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Primary hyperparathyroidism is caused by parathyroid adenomas or parathyroid hyperplasia while chronic renal failure is a common cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Elevated parathyroid hormone levels cause increased osteoclastic activity, bone resorption and reactive fibroblastic proliferation leading to the formation of Brown tumor. Although Brown tumors are more commonly seen in the maxilla and mandible, it can occur in the long, flat bones or any bone. It is less commonly seen in the spine. In this report, we discuss the presentation, management, difficulties with histopathological diagnosis, and follow-up of a Brown tumor in a 55-year-old gentleman undergoing renal dialysis who presented with thoracic compressive myelopathy. Our patient underwent a T4 laminectomy, tumor debulking, and T2–T6 instrumented posterior fusion. Based on histopathological examination of the tissue specimen and raised serum parathyroid hormone levels, we arrived at a diagnosis of Brown tumor. Our review of the literature revealed 62 cases of vertebral Brown tumor resulting in neurologic symptoms. The lesion was more common in females (58%), those aged between 40 and 49 years (26%), and in the thoracic spine (51.6%). Early surgical intervention and management of the underlying cause of hyperparathyroidism lead to sustained symptomatic improvement. Brown tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of expansile vertebral lesions in the presence of hyperparathyroidism or chronic kidney disease. Treatment of the underlying hyperparathyroidism and decompression of the neural structures with or without stabilization is recommended.","PeriodicalId":34652,"journal":{"name":"Indian Spine Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"203 - 213"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47769412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Clinical or radiological worsening of pre-existing tubercular lesions or appearance of new lesions in patients who have shown initial improvement following antitubercular chemotherapy (ATT) is termed as a paradoxical reaction (PR). The appearance of these lesions after spine surgery raises the possibilities of drug resistance, treatment failure, and surgical site infection. This retrospective case series aims to describe the presentation of PRs in spinal tuberculosis (TB), identify risk factors, and propose a treatment plan for PRs within the spine. Materials and Methods: Nine patients (2 males and 7 females; mean age 31.2 years), who underwent posterior transpedicular decompression and instrumented fusion for spinal TB, presented 4–7 weeks later with a soft, large swelling at the surgical site. In one patient, the swelling had burst through the skin resulting in a discharging wound. Two patients had screw pullout with local kyphosis. All patients had been started on ATT only after index surgery and had experienced improvement in constitutional symptoms, pain, and neurology. Magnetic resonance imaging showed large fluid collection at the surgical site without any new bony lesions. Results: All patients underwent surgical debridement with two patients requiring revision instrumentation. Examination of tissue and fluid revealed caseating granulomas and mycobacteria. Continuation of the same ATT led to uneventful healing. Conclusion: PRs in patients with spinal TB presented with a cold abscess at the surgical site between 4 and 7 weeks after starting ATT. Surgical drainage with debridement and continuation of ATT without changes to the regimen led to uneventful healing in all patients. Young age, female sex, thoracic lesions, and patients virgin to ATT prior to surgery were risk factors.
{"title":"Paradoxical reactions in spinal tuberculosis: A case series","authors":"G. Zaveri, Nitin Jaiswal","doi":"10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_77_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_77_20","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Clinical or radiological worsening of pre-existing tubercular lesions or appearance of new lesions in patients who have shown initial improvement following antitubercular chemotherapy (ATT) is termed as a paradoxical reaction (PR). The appearance of these lesions after spine surgery raises the possibilities of drug resistance, treatment failure, and surgical site infection. This retrospective case series aims to describe the presentation of PRs in spinal tuberculosis (TB), identify risk factors, and propose a treatment plan for PRs within the spine. Materials and Methods: Nine patients (2 males and 7 females; mean age 31.2 years), who underwent posterior transpedicular decompression and instrumented fusion for spinal TB, presented 4–7 weeks later with a soft, large swelling at the surgical site. In one patient, the swelling had burst through the skin resulting in a discharging wound. Two patients had screw pullout with local kyphosis. All patients had been started on ATT only after index surgery and had experienced improvement in constitutional symptoms, pain, and neurology. Magnetic resonance imaging showed large fluid collection at the surgical site without any new bony lesions. Results: All patients underwent surgical debridement with two patients requiring revision instrumentation. Examination of tissue and fluid revealed caseating granulomas and mycobacteria. Continuation of the same ATT led to uneventful healing. Conclusion: PRs in patients with spinal TB presented with a cold abscess at the surgical site between 4 and 7 weeks after starting ATT. Surgical drainage with debridement and continuation of ATT without changes to the regimen led to uneventful healing in all patients. Young age, female sex, thoracic lesions, and patients virgin to ATT prior to surgery were risk factors.","PeriodicalId":34652,"journal":{"name":"Indian Spine Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"176 - 180"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46775810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
While symptomatic degenerative and isthmic spondylolisthesis cause pain and surgical management improves quality of life, it is less clear which surgical strategies are most helpful. In this review, we seek to outline the accuracy and reliability of classification schemes and suggest how machine-learning tools can potentially help identify optimal surgical strategies for individual patients. In addition, we examine the role of new surgical strategies in degenerative and isthmic spondylolisthesis, namely using lateral and oblique interbody fusions. Herein we discuss lateral and oblique interbody fusions in spondylolisthesis within a framework of accepted surgical goals, sagittal plane balance considerations, and cost-effectiveness.
{"title":"Lateral and oblique interbody fusions in degenerative and isthmic spondylolisthesis","authors":"G. Swamy, Vishwajeet Singh, N. Evaniew, K. Thomas","doi":"10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_66_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ISJ.ISJ_66_20","url":null,"abstract":"While symptomatic degenerative and isthmic spondylolisthesis cause pain and surgical management improves quality of life, it is less clear which surgical strategies are most helpful. In this review, we seek to outline the accuracy and reliability of classification schemes and suggest how machine-learning tools can potentially help identify optimal surgical strategies for individual patients. In addition, we examine the role of new surgical strategies in degenerative and isthmic spondylolisthesis, namely using lateral and oblique interbody fusions. Herein we discuss lateral and oblique interbody fusions in spondylolisthesis within a framework of accepted surgical goals, sagittal plane balance considerations, and cost-effectiveness.","PeriodicalId":34652,"journal":{"name":"Indian Spine Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":"40 - 51"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48909121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}