一期前路病灶清除椎体间植骨内固定与保守方案治疗颈胸段脊柱结核的比较

目的 探讨保守方案与一期前路病灶清除椎体间植骨内固定方案治疗颈胸段脊柱结核的治疗效果.方法 选取我院2009年3月至2014年8月收治的颈胸段脊柱结核患者130例,以随机抽签法分为两组:保守组(保守方案治疗,65例)和手术组(一期前路病灶清除椎体间植骨内固定方案治疗,65例).比较两组患者治疗前后疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、Frankel脊髓功能分级、红细胞沉降率(erythrocyte sedimentation rate,ESR)正常率、C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)正常率、椎体重建高度及椎体后凸Cobb角畸形矫正角度等.结果 手术组患者治疗后2周和1、3、6、12个月的VAS评分均显著低于保守组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05).手术组患者治疗后Frankel分级显著优于治疗前、保守组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05).手术组患者随访ESR和CRP正常率显著高于保守组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05).手术组患者随访椎体重建高度和椎体后凸Cobb角畸形矫正角度均优于保守组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05).结论 相较于保守方案,一期前路病灶清除椎体间植骨内固定方案治疗颈胸段脊柱结核可有效缓解机体疼痛,改善受损脊髓功能,加快康复进程,并有助于降低炎症反应水平.     

Acute spinal cord compression in hereditary multiple exostoses

Summary Osteocartilaginous exostoses are benign bone tumors frequently found in the metaphysis of long bones but rarely in the spine. Four patients with acute spinal cord decompensation due to vertebral exostoses spinal cord compression have been previously described in the literature. We report an additional case of rapidly evolving spinal cord compression due to a cervical osteochondroma in a patient with hereditary multiple exostoses (HME), also known as Bessel Hagen disease. Careful analysis of the 5 cases suggested to us that patients with HME should have a systematic spinal imaging screening, in order to prevent rapid neurological decompensation. A minimal risk surgical procedure can be performed at a time of election.     

Multiple vertebral metastases from malignant cardiac pheochromocytoma--case report

A 27-year-old male presented with a very rare metastasis to the vertebral body from a cardiac pheochromocytoma manifesting as a pathological fracture of the C-4 vertebral body that occurred while playing golf. The patient was initially treated with hard collar fixation. Gallium scintigraphy demonstrated multiple hot spots in the mediastinum, the frontal bone, the vertebral column, and the rib. Magnetic resonance imaging of the chest delineated a cardiac tumor. The patient underwent biopsies of the cardiac and the frontal bone lesions. The diagnosis was malignant cardiac pheochromocytoma with multiple bone metastases. Initial irradiation of the cardiac and the vertebral lesions was followed by surgical intervention to the cervical spine to prevent aggravation of the kyphotic deformity and spinal cord compression. Preoperative embolization of the feeding arteries was followed by C-4 corpectomy, iliac bone grafting, and anterior titanium plating fixation. The patient was discharged and returned to work. However, 20 months later, he died of a metastatic brain lesion with systemic tumor progression.     

Current considerations in the management of neoplastic spinal cord compression

Nearly 20% of patients with neoplastic involvement of the vertebral column develop spinal cord compression, and in 8% this is the initial manifestation of cancer. Important determinants of functional prognosis are: 1) tumor biology, 2) pretreatment neurologic status, and 3) tumor location within the spinal canal and the therapy employed. Future efforts should be invested in manipulation of the last two determinants. Delay in neurologic deterioration may be achieved by pharmacologic manipulation of the deleterious pathophysiologic processes operating in the compressed spinal cord, as recently demonstrated in experimental animal models. Use of modern neuro-imaging techniques (metrizamide myelography combined with computed tomography, and/or magnetic resonance imaging) will accurately define tumor extent and location. Radiotherapy is indicated in highly or moderately radiosensitive tumors. Surgery is reserved for the following situations: diagnosis in doubt, previous radiation exposure, radioresistant tumors, neurologic deterioration during irradiation, and the presence of spinal instability or bone compression of the neural structures. The location of the compressing tumor will dictate the surgical approach--a vertebral body resection in an anterior or anterolateral tumor and a laminectomy in a posterior or posterolateral deposit. Modern instrumentation techniques for spinal column stabilization or vertebral body replacement will allow immediate painless ambulation and a better quality of life for these patients.     

Atypical forms of spinal tuberculosis

Summary Twenty-three patients with atypical forms of spinal tuberculosis treated between 1975 and 1985, are described.All presented with signs and symptoms of compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina, ranging from paraesthesiae and increasing weakness of extremities to paraplegia and loss of sphincter control. None of them showed visible or palpable spinal deformity nor the typical radiographic appearance of destruction of the intervertebral disc and the two adjoining vertebral bodies. These atypical forms constituted about 12 percent of all the cases of spinal tuberculosis seen (a total of 190 cases); and fell into three well-defined groups: those with the involvement of neural arch only; those with the inolvement of a single vertebral body; and, those without bony involvement. The correct surgical approach in these groups was found to be different: spinal cord compression caused by the tuberculous disease of the neural arch was best treated by laminectomy; whereas single vertebral body disease required an anterior or anterolateral approach. Spinal computerized tomography was helpful in defining the extent of disease and planning the surgical approach. Histological confirmation of tuberculosis was obtained in all the cases and acid fast bacilli (A.F.B.) were found in, and cultured from, the biopsy specimens of 18 cases.     

Modified ACDF Technique for the Treatment of Centrum Focal Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Case Report

Background

Anterior cervical discectomy fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure used to treat cervical spondylosis with anterior spinal cord compression. However, there are limitations to traditional ACDF and posterior indirect decompression when the anterior source lesion is in the center of the cervical vertebra.

Case Presentation

On June 8, 2022, our department treated a patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy—whose high posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) occupied the central position of the vertebral body—with modified ACDF. The preoperative surgical plan was designed based on the relevant imaging data and assay index. Also, the visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, and imaging parameters of neck pain were recorded and compared. Postoperative imaging data showed that cervical curvature was recovered and spinal canal compression was relieved. The VAS score for neck pain decreased from 7 preoperatively to 1.5 at the last follow-up, while the JOA score increased from 10 preoperatively to 29 at the last follow-up. The volume of the spinal canal was restored. Simultaneously, the patient's extremity muscle strength improved and muscle tension decreased.

Conclusions

Modified ACDF may be an effective surgical method for resolving spinal cord compression in a specific location when bone mineral density is good. We can effectively avoid iatrogenic nerve injury and symptom recurrence by removing the vertebral body and the lesion directly.     

Effects of Neonatal Enzyme Replacement Therapy and Simvastatin Treatment on Cervical Spine Disease in Mucopolysaccharidosis I Dogs

Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I) is a lysosomal storage disease characterized by deficient α‐L‐iduronidase activity, leading to the accumulation of poorly degraded glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Children with MPS I exhibit high incidence of spine disease, including accelerated disc degeneration and vertebral dysplasia, which in turn lead to spinal cord compression and kyphoscoliosis. In this study we investigated the efficacy of neonatal enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), alone or in combination with oral simvastatin (ERT + SIM) for attenuating cervical spine disease progression in MPS I, using a canine model. Four groups were studied: normal controls; MPS I untreated; MPS I ERT‐treated; and MPS I ERT + SIM–treated. Animals were euthanized at age 1 year. Intervertebral disc condition and spinal cord compression were evaluated from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images and plain radiographs, vertebral bone condition and odontoid hypoplasia were evaluated using micro–computed tomography (µCT), and epiphyseal cartilage to bone conversion was evaluated histologically. Untreated MPS I animals exhibited more advanced disc degeneration and more severe spinal cord compression than normal animals. Both treatment groups resulted in partial preservation of disc condition and cord compression, with ERT + SIM not significantly better than ERT alone. Untreated MPS I animals had significantly lower vertebral trabecular bone volume and mineral density, whereas ERT treatment resulted in partial preservation of these properties. ERT + SIM treatment demonstrated similar, but not greater, efficacy. Both treatment groups partially normalized endochondral ossification in the vertebral epiphyses (as indicated by absence of persistent growth plate cartilage), and odontoid process size and morphology. These results indicate that ERT begun from a very early age attenuates the severity of cervical spine disease in MPS I, particularly for the vertebral bone and odontoid process, and that additional treatment with simvastatin does not provide a significant additional benefit over ERT alone. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Treatment of spinal cord compression by epidural malignancy in childhood

Epidural spinal cord compression by a malignant tumor is a rare occurrence in children. Both the tumors involved and the extent of involvement of the vertebral column are different in children and adults. Often, the epidural tumor in a child is identified before significant spinal canal compromise has occurred, and these children frequently can be managed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. There is a group of children, however, who have severe spinal canal encroachment by a tumor, as evidenced by a near complete or complete block on myelography. In this study, we report a group of patients with severe spinal cord compression, as documented by imaging studies. We compared the results of a decompressive laminectomy and subtotal tumor resection followed by adjuvant therapy with the results obtained with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy alone. Thirty-three patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Twenty-six were treated with a laminectomy and adjuvant therapy, and 7 were treated without surgical intervention. With surgical therapy, 25 of 26 epidurals were either improved or stable, whereas 4 of 7 nonsurgical patients deteriorated. Especially notable was a decrease in pain in the operative patients immediately after their procedure. There was no surgical mortality or morbidity. The results of this study indicate that children with severe spinal cord compression as evidenced by a near complete or complete block on myelography or filling of 50% or more of the spinal canal on magnetic resonance imaging are best treated by a combination of surgical decompression and tumor removal followed by adjuvant therapy.     

症状性椎体血管瘤的外科治疗

目的：探讨症状性椎体血管瘤通过多途径外科治疗的适应证及效果.方法：症状性胸段椎体血管瘤患者8例,男6例,女2例.表现为单纯疼痛的2例患者行经皮穿刺椎体成形术;表现为脊髓压迫的6例患者根据压迫部位的不同分别采用：1）前方经胸腔椎体切除＋内同定2例;2）后方减压＋椎体内骨水泥注射3例;3）后方减压＋椎体内骨水泥注射＋后方内固定1例.6例有脊髓压迫患者中5例手术前行脊髓血管造影,4例成功栓塞.结果：随访4～40个月,平均14个月,表现为局部疼痛的2例患者术后第1d症状即完全缓解;脊髓压迫的6例患者术后早期恢复不明显,但无加重,随访期间,除1例手术前即已经完全截瘫的患者外,其余5例患者的运动功能障碍均完全恢复正常.5例患者在随访期间行MRI检查,未见肿瘤复发.结论：症状性椎体血管瘤应根据不同症状选择不同的手术方式,以改善症状为主,而不是强求肿瘤全切.     

Use of topically applied rt-PA in the evacuation of extensive acute spinal subdural haematoma

Spontaneous spinal subdural haematoma is a rare cause of spinal cord compression, usually confined to a few vertebral levels. When the haematoma extends over several spinal segments, surgical decompression is a major undertaking. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) has previously been used in a number of surgical procedures, but not in the setting of acute spinal subdural haematoma. A minimally invasive technique of decompression, using topical rt-PA, is presented in two patients with extensive spinal intradural haematoma. Two patients receiving long-term anticoagulation therapy presented with acute-onset back pain progressing to paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine demonstrated spinal subdural haematomas extending over 15 vertebral levels in one patient and 12 in the other. An angiography catheter was introduced into the subdural space through a limited laminectomy. Thrombolysis and evacuation of haematoma was then achieved by intermittent irrigation of the subdural space with rt-PA, followed by saline lavage. Postoperative imaging demonstrated satisfactory decompression in both patients. There was significant improvement of neurological function in one patient. Topical application of rt-PA for spinal subdural haematoma allows evacuation of the haematoma through a limited surgical exposure. Decompression of the subdural space by this minimally invasive technique may be advantageous over extensive surgery by minimising surgical exposure, reducing postoperative pain and risk of neuronal injury. This technique may be useful in patients presenting with compression extending over several vertebral levels or poor surgical candidates.     

Radical surgery and vertebral body replacement in aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine

6 cases of aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine are presented. The clinical picture, diagnostic procedures and operative treatment will be discussed. Although aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign, non-neoplastic lesion its spreading tumor growth with destruction of important bony structures of the vertebral body, consecutive instability and cord compression presents a considerable menace to the mostly teenage-patient. Spinal computerized tomography is the diagnostic method of choice. The goal of surgical therapy of the aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine should include radical tumor excision in order to avoid recurrent tumor growth followed by vertebral body replacement and osteosynthetic stabilisation.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the thoracic spine: treatment by excision and segmental stabilization with Luque rods

Preoperative radiological evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography was valuable in planning the surgical management of a destructive lesion of the posterior elements of the thoracic spine that was causing spinal cord compression in an 18-year-old woman. Preoperative recognition of bilateral involvement of the pedicles in addition to the laminae and spinous process led to use of prophylactic segmental stabilization of the spine with Luque rods after successful excision of an aneurysmal bone cyst. This case provides an example of the usefulness of computed tomographic scanning and magnetic resonance imaging in assessing the distribution and location of vertebral tumor and its potential effect on spinal stability. The efficacy of combining radical excision with stabilization for treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine is emphasized.     

Aggressive thoracic actinomycosis complicated by vertebral osteomyelitis and epidural abscess leading to spinal cord compression

STUDY DESIGN: Report of a successfully diagnosed and treated case of spinal cord compression due to epidural actinomycosis. OBJECTIVE: To illustrate that proper use of imaging strategy can greatly facilitate diagnosis and management of this rare condition. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal actinomycosis causing epidural abscess and significant spinal cord compression is an uncommon condition. Although diagnosis is difficult, favorable results are widely reported when specific therapy is instituted. METHODS: A 32-year-old Chinese man had extensive dorsal thoracic soft tissue swelling and lower limb weakness. Collapse of the T5 vertebral body was found on plain radiographs with mediastinal infiltrates on chest radiograph. It took magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to fully delineate the epidural abscess and dorsal muscular abscesses, which were not depicted by computed tomographic (CT) scan. Diagnosis was made by examination of CT-guided aspirate and tissue recovered during surgery by a microbiologist. The patient received high-dose intravenous penicillin and prompt spinal decompression once diagnosis of actinomycosis was confirmed. RESULTS: The dorsal muscular abscesses and upper thoracic epidural abscess resolved rapidly after intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage. This was well documented by follow-up MRI and the full recovery of motor power and lower limb sensation in the patient. CONCLUSIONS: High clinical suspicion and proper use of imaging data led to timely diagnosis of this rare case of mediastinal, epidural, and intramuscular thoracic actinomycosis. Specific antibiotic therapy and timely, well-targeted surgical intervention greatly improve the outcome of this condition.     

Response of fractured osteoporotic bone to polymethylmethacrylate after vertebroplasty: case report

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is the most commonly used bone cement for vertebroplasties to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Several studies have described the reaction of normal bone to PMMA, but it is still unclear how fractured osteoporotic bone responds to PMMA. PURPOSE: To describe the response of fractured osteoporotic bone to PMMA after vertebroplasty. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Case report. METHODS: A 69-year-old woman with a previous vertebroplasty at T8 to treat an osteoporotic VCF was admitted to the hospital after she developed lower extremity motor weakness, diffuse hypoesthesia and decreased rectal tone. Magnetic resonance imaging studies of the thoracic spine showed that she had severe spinal cord compression at the level of T8 and T9, as well as akyphotic deformity. A corpectomy of T8 and T9 was performed as part of a spinal cord decompression procedure. Tissue from vertebral body T8, intervertebral discs T7-T8 and T8-T9 and the PMMA implant were then submitted for histologic evaluation.RESULTS: Vertebral body T8 demonstrated viable bone trabeculae, osteoid. fibrosis, granulation tissue and multinucleated giant cells containing PMMA. Scattered necrotic bone fragments were identified throughout the vertebral body, most evident near the PMMA. PMMA leakage into the T7-T8 disc was identified without significant disc inflammation or necrosis. CONCLUSION: Fractured osteoporotic bone is capable of undergoing a reparative healing response after vertebroplasty using PMMA.     

Clinical applicability of magnetic resonance imaging in acute spinal cord trauma

Purpose

To assess the clinical application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with acute spinal cord trauma (SCT) according to the type, extension, and severity of injury and the clinical–radiological correlation.

Methods

Diagnostic imaging [computed tomography (CT) and MRI] tests of 98 patients with acute SCT were analyzed to assess their clinical diagnostic value. The following radiological findings of SCT were investigated: vertebral compression fractures, bursts and dislocations, posterior element fractures, C1 and C2 lesions, vertebral listhesis, bone swelling, spinal canal compression, disk herniation, extradural hematoma, spinal cord contusions, spinal cord swelling, and posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) injuries.

Results

The radiological findings were better visualized using MRI, except for the posterior elements (p = 0.001), which were better identified with CT. A total of 271 lesions were diagnosed as follows: 217 using MRI, 154 using CT, and 100 (36.9 %) using both MRI and CT. MRI detected 117 more lesions than CT.

Conclusion

MRI was significantly superior to CT in the diagnosis of bone swelling, PLC injury, disk herniation, spinal canal compression, spinal cord contusion and swelling present in SCT. MRI detected a larger number of lesions than CT and is highly useful for the diagnosis of soft tissue and intrathecal injuries.     

Lumbar vertebral haemangioma causing pathological fracture, epidural haemorrhage, and cord compression: a case report and review of literature

CONTEXT: Vertebral haemangiomas are recognized to be one of the commonest benign tumours of the vertebral column, occurring mostly in the thoracic spine. The vast majority of these are asymptomatic. Infrequently, these can turn symptomatic and cause neurological deficit (cord compression) through any of four reported mechanisms: (1) epidural extension; (2) expansion of the involved vertebra(e) causing spinal canal stenosis; (3) spontaneous epidural haemorrhage; (4) pathological burst fracture. Thoracic haemangiomas have been reported to be more likely to produce cord compression than lumbar haemangiomas. FINDINGS: A forty-nine year old male with acute onset spinal cord compression from a pathological fracture in a first lumbar vertebral haemangioma. An MRI delineated the haemangioma and extent of bleeding that caused the cord compression. These were confirmed during surgery and the haematoma was evacuated. The spine was instrumented from T12 to L2, and a cement vertebroplasty was performed intra-operatively. Written consent for publication was obtained from the patient. Clinical Relevance: The junctional location of the first lumbar vertebra, and the structural weakness from normal bone being replaced by the haemangioma, probably caused it to fracture under axial loading. This pathological fracture caused bleeding from the vascularized bone, resulting in cord compression.     

原发性肺隐球菌病的外科治疗

目的 探讨原发性肺隐球菌病的临床特点、诊断与治疗。方法 回顾分析1996年-2004年解放军总医院胸外科收治的11例原发性肺隐球菌病患者的临床资料。结果 64％（7／11）的患者有全身或呼吸道症状。全部患者胸部X线片及胸部CT检查误诊为肺癌、肺炎或结核。3例行^18氟脱氧葡萄糖-正电子发射体层显像（FDG—PET）检查,均表现为高代谢病灶。全部患者抗炎与抗结核治疗后病变无变化。术前仅2例行超声引导下穿刺病理检查明确诊断,口服抗真菌药物治疗后病灶不能完全吸收。所有患者病变均手术切除,术后仅1例多发病变患者行抗真菌治疗。术后随访9～130个月（中位时间32个月）,均无复发。结论 原发性肺部隐球菌病的临床症状、化验检查、影像学表现均无特异性,病理检查为确诊的依据,治疗采用局部切除为宜,切除彻底术后可不行抗真菌治疗。     

MRI diagnosis of tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis

Two patients with suspected tuberculous spondylitis and one patient with previous Pott's disease were evaluated preoperatively with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI provided more exact anatomic localization of vertebral and paravertebral tuberculous abscesses in multiple planes not previously available with more conventional diagnostic methods in the patients with suspected tuberculous spondylitis. This was helpful for localization in planning of surgical approaches. In the patient with previous Pott's disease, spinal cord compression was detected using MRI, which showed no evidence of active tuberculosis. Two case reports are offered to show the benefit of using MRI as a diagnostic technique in preoperative evaluation and as a method of monitoring treatment response of tuberculous spondylitis. The third case shows the benefit of using MRI to rule out active infection and to detect other forms of spinal pathology.     

Intradural Extramedullary Tuberculoma Mimicking En Plaque Meningioma

A 24-year-old man with tuberculosis meningitis developed acute paraplegia and sensory disturbances 5 weeks after receiving conventional antituberculous therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural extramedullary long segmental mass mimicking en plaque meningioma at the T2-T6 vertebrae levels. Prompt surgical decompression was performed. A histology examination of the mass revealed a tuberculoma. After surgery, the patient showed improved motor power and a normal bladder function. Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord is rare complication of tuberculosis meningitis, which can occur as a response to conventional antituberculous therapy.