Spinal complications in osteogenesis imperfecta 47 patients 1-16 years of age

We examined in a cross-sectional study, 47 children (mean age 7.7 (1-16) years) with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) to find the prevalence of spinal deformities and to correlate these observations with anthropometry. The associations between dentinogenesis imperfecta, joint hypermobility and spinal deformities were also studied.

Disproportion in stature in OI type I and type IV was mainly caused by spinal involvement, as evidenced by a greater decrease in body height than in leg length. In OI type I, the decrease in sitting height was mainly caused by platyspondyly, whereas in OI types III and IV, it was also caused by progressive scoliosis and kyphosis. Scoliosis was present in 22 children, and pathological kyphosis in 18, mainly in the severe OI types. Basilar impression was observed in 10 children, mainly in type III.

Children with dentinogenesis imperfecta seemed to be prone to develop scoliosis, pathological kyphosis and basilar impression. Children with generalized joint hypermobility were less prone to develop scoliosis and basilar impression. Our observations may contribute to a better understanding of the risk factors for progressive spinal deformities in OI.     

组合可调式Halo-骨盆固定支具的设计及初步临床应用

目的设计新型组合可调式Halo-骨盆固定支具并观察该装置联合截骨术治疗重度僵硬型脊柱畸形的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2015年2月—2017年6月采用Halo-骨盆固定支具术前牵引联合截骨术治疗的8例重度僵硬型脊柱畸形(特发性侧凸7例,结核性后凸1例)患者的临床资料。记录并观测患者治疗前后脊柱侧凸/后凸Cobb角、躯干偏移距离、躯干高度(T_1～S_1)及身高的改善程度。结果 8例患者均顺利完成手术。7例特发性侧凸患者牵引后及术后Cobb角、躯干高度(T_1～S_1)、躯干偏移距离及身高均较术前显著改善,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05);牵引后及术后Cobb角矫正率分别为29.3%、46.8%。1例结核性后凸患者,牵引后及术后后凸Cobb角及身高均较术前显著改善,牵引后及术后后凸Cobb角矫正率分别为4.9%、34.0%。牵引过程中2例发生盆针皮肤切割伴感染,1例发生颅钉松动脱落,均经对症治疗后痊愈。结论组合可调式Halo-骨盆固定支具可满足重度僵硬型脊柱畸形患者术前脊柱固定和牵引的治疗需求,通过术前缓慢牵引可逐步矫正重度脊柱畸形,是一种简便、安全、有效的辅助治疗手段。     

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion in adult spine deformity – A review of literature

IntroductionSurgery for adult spine deformity presents a challenging issue for spinal surgeons with high morbidity rates reported in the literature. The minimally invasive lateral approach aims at reducing these complications while maintaining similar outcomes as associated with open spinal surgeries. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on the use of lateral lumbar interbody fusion in the cases of adult spinal deformity.MethodsA literature review was done using the healthcare database Advanced Research on NICE and NHS website using Medline. Search terms were “XLIF” or “LLIF” or “DLIF” or “lateral lumbar interbody fusion” or “minimal invasive lateral fusion” and “adult spinal deformity” or “spinal deformity”.ResultsA total of 417 studies were considered for the review and 44 studies were shortlisted after going through the selection criteria. The data of 1722 patients and 4057 fusion levels were analysed for this review. The mean age of the patients was 65.18 years with L4/5 being the most common level fused in this review. We found significant improvement in the radiological parameters (lordosis, scoliosis, and disk height) in the pooled data. Transient neurological symptoms and cage subsidence were the two most common complications reported.ConclusionLLIF is a safe and effective approach in managing adult spinal deformity with low morbidity and acceptable complication rates. It can be used alone for lower grades of deformity and as an adjuvant procedure to decrease the magnitude of open surgeries in high-grade deformities.     

经后路全椎体切除矫正僵硬性脊柱后凸或侧后凸的初期临床报道

目的探讨经后路全椎体切除技术治疗僵硬性脊柱后凸或侧后凸畸形的手术技术并评估其临床效果。方法回顾性分析2004年10月-2006年7月，采用单纯后路全椎体切除技术治疗的12例僵硬的脊柱后凸或侧后凸患者。术前后凸Cobb角平均68°；合并侧凸者平均76°。以加压-撑开-开放-闭合矫形力获得矫形。结果后凸及侧凸矫正率分别为77．6％和66．7％，均获得满意的躯干平衡。随访时间为6-12个月，无内固定松动或断裂发生。结论在脊髓可耐受的范围内，全椎体切除术为脊柱全方位的矫形提供机会，可作为常规手术技术的补充手段。     

Etiology-Based Classification of Adjacent Segment Disease Following Lumbar Spine Fusion

Background

Adjacent segment disease (ASDz) is a potential complication following lumbar spinal fusion. A common nomenclature based on etiology and ASDz type does not exist and is needed to assist with clinical prognostication, decision making, and management.

Questions/Purposes

The objective of this study was to develop an etiology-based classification system for ASDz following lumbar fusion.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 65 consecutive patients who had undergone both a lumbar fusion performed by a single surgeon and a subsequent procedure for ASDz. We established an etiology-based classification system for lumbar ASDz with the following six categories: “degenerative” (degenerative disc disease or spondylosis), “neurologic” (disc herniation, stenosis), “instability” (spondylolisthesis, rotatory subluxation), “deformity” (scoliosis, kyphosis), “complex” (fracture, infection), or “combined.” Based on this scheme, we determined the rate of ASDz in each etiologic category.

Results

Of the 65 patients, 27 (41.5%) underwent surgery for neurogenic claudication or radiculopathy for adjacent-level stenosis or disc herniation and were classified as “neurologic.” Ten patients (15.4%) had progressive degenerative disc pathology at the adjacent level and were classified as “degenerative.” Ten patients (15.4%) had spondylolisthesis or instability and were classified as “instability,” and three patients (4.6%) required revision surgery for adjacent-level kyphosis or scoliosis and were classified as “deformity.” Fifteen patients (23.1%) had multiple diagnoses that included a combination of categories and were classified as “combined.”

Conclusion

This is the first study to propose an etiology-based classification scheme of ASDz following lumbar spine fusion. This simple classification system may allow for the grouping and standardization of patients with similar pathologies and thus for more specific pre-operative diagnoses, personalized treatments, and improved outcome analyses.

     

Impact of spinal imbalance and back muscle strength on locomotive syndrome in community-living elderly people

BackgroundThe Japanese Orthopaedic Association has proposed the term locomotive syndrome (“locomo”) to designate a condition of individuals in high-risk groups with musculoskeletal disease who are highly likely to require nursing care. The specific characteristics of “locomo” must still be determined. The spinal column is a major and important component affected by “locomo,” but no literature has examined the relationship between spinal factors and “locomo.” The current study investigates the influence of spinal factors on “locomo” in the elderly.MethodsA total of 135 subjects >70 years old were enrolled in the study (Yakumo study). Those answering yes to least one of the seven categories in the self-assessment checklist for “locomo” were defined as having “locomo.” We evaluated lateral lumbar radiographs, sagittal parameters, sagittal balance using the spinal inclination angle (SIA) as an index, spinal mobility as determined with SpinalMouse®, back muscle strength (BMS), and body mass index (BMI).ResultsAge, BMS, and SIA showed significant correlations with “locomo” and five of the seven self-assessment categories. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that a decrease in BMS (OR 0.971, p < 0.001) and an increase in SIA (OR 1.144, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with “locomo.” BMS had significant negative correlations with age (r = ?0.363), SIA (r = ?0.294), and lumbar kyphosis (r = ?0.254), and positive correlations with sacral slope angle (r = 0.194). SIA had significant negative correlations with BMS (r = ?0.294), lumbar spinal range of motion (ROM) (r = ?0.186) and total spinal ROM (r = ?0.180), and positive correlations with age (r = 0.403) and lumbar kyphosis (r = 0.593).ConclusionsA decrease in BMS and an increase in SIA may be the most important risk factors for “locomo.” Lumbar kyphosis is an important factor related to BMS and SIA. Back muscle strengthening and lumbar spinal ROM exercises could be useful for improving the status of an individual suffering from “locomo.”     

A novel approach to gradual correction of severe spinal deformity in a pediatric patient using the magnetically-controlled growing rod

Background contextAcute correction of severe spinal deformities significantly increases the risk of neurologic complications. Previously used methods to safely correct these deformities include halo-traction devices and internal distraction rods.PurposeThis report introduces a novel method for gradual correction of severe spinal deformity by using the magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR).Study designThis is a case report.MethodsA 12-year-old girl with severe kyphoscoliosis and concurrent syringomyelia and Arnold-Chiari Type I malformation underwent implantation of the MCGR. After implantation of the device, daily distractions of the implant were performed over the course of 2.5 months.ResultsThe patient underwent MCGR implantation without acute correction of her left-sided thoracic scoliosis (109° from T6 to T11) and upper thoracic kyphosis (72°). After 2.5 months of daily distractions in the ward, the scoliosis improved to 66° and the kyphosis to 62°. Final fusion was performed without problems, and her overall truncal balance was much improved.ConclusionsThis report is the first to note the safety and efficacy of the MCGR in treating young patients with severe spinal deformities. This technique allows correction of the deformity while the patient is awake so that neurology can be continuously monitored. The patient is also ambulatory throughout the distraction process and can be distracted on an outpatient basis. Repeated surgery can be avoided, and the MCGR has been shown to be safe and effective with this case illustration.     

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis in Chinese Han population: prevalence and relationship to age, gender, bone mineral density, and body mass index

Purpose

To investigate the prevalence of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) in Chinese Han population, as well as its correlation with age, gender, bone mineral density (BMD), and body mass index (BMI); and to determine factors that might affect the curve severity.

Methods

A prospective study was performed on adults visiting the dual-energy X-ray absorption clinics for physical examination from January 2011 to March 2012. 2,395 subjects aged older than 40 years and having no history of previous spinal trauma, surgeries or scoliosis, were enrolled in this study. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent variables related to the presence of scoliosis. Besides, the relationship between curve severity and these variables was also analyzed with partial linear correlation analysis.

Results

The prevalence of DLS was approximately 13.3 %. The logistic regression analysis showed that age, T score, and gender all had remarkable correlation with the occurrence of DLS, with the odd ratios being 4.2, 1.5, and 1.6, respectively. According to the receiver operating characteristics curve, the best dividing point for age and T score of female subjects was 65 and −2.0, respectively. Partial linear correlation analysis indicated that there existed no obvious correlation between the above variables and the severity of scoliosis.

Conclusion

The prevalence of DLS in Chinese Han population aged older than 40 years was approximately 13.3 %, which had a significant correlation with age, gender, and BMD. Osteopenia, gender of female, and aged older than 65 years could contribute to the presence of DLS. The curve severity was not associated with age, gender, BMI, or BMD.     

短节段内固定并椎体成形术治疗重度椎体骨质疏松性骨折伴脊柱后凸畸形

目的 评估行后路内固定并椎体成形术治疗椎体骨质疏松性压缩性骨折的疗效.方法 2007年1月～2011年12月,对32例椎体压缩＞2/3并伴脊柱后凸畸形的老年患者行后路脊柱后凸矫正及椎体成形术.对手术前后患椎高度、脊柱后凸Cobb角、腰背部疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analog scale,VAS）评分和Oswestry功能障碍指数（Oswestry disability index,ODI）进行评价分析.结果 全部病例平均随访13.5个月.手术前,患椎平均剩余高度为27.8 %,脊柱后凸Cobb角25.3°,腰背痛VAS评分8.06,ODI为90%;术后1周,各项指标分别为63.1%,8.5°,3.14,59.7%;手术后3个月,分别为62.7%,8.69°,1.4,31.32%.与术前相比,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论对于重度椎体骨质疏松性骨折合并脊柱后凸畸形的患者,行脊柱后凸矫正及开放椎体成形术,治疗效果良好.     

Natural history of Pott’s kyphosis

The natural history of Pott’s kyphosis is different from that of other spinal deformities. After healing of the spinal infection, the post-tubercular kyphosis in adults is static but in children variable progression of the kyphosis is seen. The changes occurring in the spine of children, after the healing of the tubercular lesion, are more significant than the changes that occur during the active stage of infection. During growth, there is a decrease in deformity in 44 % of the children, an increase in deformity in 39 % of the children and no change in deformity in 17 % of the children. The critical factor leading to the progress of the deformity is dislocation of the facets. This can be identified on radiographs by the “Spine-at-risk” signs. Dislocation of facets at more than two levels can lead to the “Buckling collapse” of the spine, which is characteristically seen only in severe tubercular kyphosis in children. Age below 10 years, vertebral body loss of more than 1–1.5 pre-treatment deformity angle of greater than 30° and involvement of cervicothoracic or thoracolumbar junction are the other risk factors for deformity progression. In children, the kyphosis can progress even after healing of the spinal infection and hence children with spinal tuberculosis must be followed-up till skeletal maturity.

     

Anterior lengthening in scoliosis occurs only in the disc and is similar in different types of scoliosis

BACKGROUND CONTEXTRelative anterior spinal overgrowth was proposed as a generalized growth disturbance and a potential initiator of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, anterior lengthening has also been observed in neuromuscular (NM) scoliosis and was shown to be restricted to the apical areas and located in the intervertebral discs, not in the bone. This suggests that relative anterior spinal overgrowth does not rightfully describe anterior lengthening in scoliosis, as it seems not a generalized active growth phenomenon, nor specific to AIS.PURPOSETo determine if compensatory curves in congenital scoliosis exhibit a mechanism of anterior lengthening without changes in the vertebral body, similar to curves in AIS and NM scoliosis.STUDY DESIGN/SETTINGCross-sectional.PATIENT SAMPLECT-scans were included of patients in whom a short segment congenital malformation had led to a long thoracic compensatory curve without bony abnormality. Based on data of other scoliosis types, the calculated required sample size was n=12 to detect equivalence of vertebral bodies as compared with nonscoliotic controls. Out of 143 congenital scoliosis patients, 18 fit the criteria and compared with 30 nonscoliotic controls, 30 AIS and 30 NM scoliosis patients.OUTCOME MEASURESThe anterior-posterior length discrepancy (AP%) of the total curve and for vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs separately.METHODSOf each vertebral body and intervertebral disc in the compensatory curve, the anterior and posterior length was measured on CT-scans in the exact mid-sagittal plane, corrected for deformity in all three planes. The AP% was calculated for the total compensatory curve (Cobb-to-Cobb) and for the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral discs separately. Positive AP% indicated that the anterior side was longer than the posterior side.RESULTSThe total AP% of the compensatory curve in congenital scoliosis showed lordosis (+1.8%) that differed from the kyphosis in nonscoliotic controls (−3.0%; p<.001) and was comparable to the major curve in AIS (+1.2%) and NM scoliosis (+0.5%). This anterior lengthening was not located in the bone; the vertebral body AP% showed kyphosis (−3.2%), similar to nonscoliotic controls (−3.4%) as well as AIS (−2.5%) and NM scoliosis (−4.5%; p=1.000). However, the disc AP% showed lordosis (+24.3%), which sharply contrasts to the kyphotic discs of controls (−1.5%; p<.001), but was similar to AIS (+17.5%) and NM scoliosis (+20.5%).CONCLUSIONSThe current study on compensatory curves in congenital scoliosis confirms that anterior lengthening is part of the three-dimensional deformity in different types of scoliosis and is exclusively located in the intervertebral discs. The bony vertebral bodies maintain their kyphotic shape, which indicates that there is no active anterior bony overgrowth. Anterior lengthening appears to be a passive result of any scoliotic deformity, rather than being related to the specific cause of AIS.     

Successful heart-lung transplantation in a patient with kyphoscoliosis.

The association is well established between congenital heart disease and spinal deformities such as scoliosis or kyphosis, but data are not available for risks and the outcome of heart surgery in patients with spinal deformities. We report a case of successful orthotopic heart lung transplantation in a patient with complex congenital heart disease and severe chest deformity who had undergone previous spinal fusion surgery for progressive right convex thoracic kyphoscoliosis.     

Knee or Spine Surgery First? A Survey of Treatment Order for Patients With Concurrent Degenerative Knee and Lumbar Spinal Disorders

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) and lumbar spine surgery have been reported to affect the outcomes of each other. There is insufficient evidence to guide the choice of treatment order for patients with both disorders that are equally symptomatic.MethodsFive clinical scenarios of concurrent, advanced, degenerative knee and lumbar spinal disorders were designed to survey surgeons’ choices of treatment order and rationale. The spinal disorder was consistently degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, but the knee conditions varied to include (1) osteoarthritis (OA) with varus deformity, (2) OA with valgus deformity, (3) rheumatoid arthritis with a severe flexion contracture, (4) OA without deformity, and (5) bilateral OA with windswept deformities. The survey was distributed to selected clinical members of the Knee Society and Scoliosis Research Society in North America. The surgeons’ choices were compared among the 5 scenarios, and their comments were analyzed using text-mining.ResultsResponses were received from 42 of 74 (57%) knee arthroplasty surgeons and 55 of 100 (55%) spine surgeons. The percentages of knee arthroplasty surgeons recommending “TKA first” differed significantly among scenarios: 29%, 79%, 55%, 7%, and 81% for scenarios 1 through 5, respectively (P < .001). A similar pattern was noted for the spine surgeons.ConclusionFor patients with concurrent degenerative knee and lumbar spinal disorders, the severity and type of knee deformity influenced the preference of treatment order in both specialties. Severe valgus deformity and windswept deformities of the knee would drive the decision toward “TKA first.”     

The “slide technique”: an improvement on the “funnel technique” for safe pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine

Study design

Technical note.

Objectives

To report and describe a new free-hand technique for pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine especially in severe deformities.

Summary of background data

Because of distortion of anatomic landmarks scoliosis, this free-hand placement technique based on pedicle access through the decancelled transverse process is a safe procedure.

Methods

Transverse process is widely exposed and its posterior cortex is decorticated. The cancellous bone content of the transverse process is completely removed using a small curette. Bone wax is applied to avoid local bleeding and then the decancelled transverse process is inspected. The entry of the pedicle is then easily identified by the presence of remaining cancellous bone. A pedicular probe is then inserted and gently advanced. During pedicle probe insertion, the cortex of the anterior aspect of transverse process and the lateral margin of the pedicle act as a “slide” to permit safe insertion of the instrument.

Results

In our experience, no patient required additional procedures for screw revision, and no neurologic deficit occurred stemming from malpositioning of pedicle screws. The key point of the “slide technique” is to use the cortex of the anterior aspect of transverse process and the lateral margin of the pedicle as a “slide” to permit correct probe positioning during pedicle probe insertion.

Conclusions

This technique is very close to the “funnel technique”. The “funnel” and then the “slide” technique are mostly useful in complex spinal deformities as in neuromuscular patients. The “slide technique” is a safe, effective and cost-effective technique for pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine especially in severe deformities.

Level of evidence

IV.

     

Increasing body mass index predicts increasing difficulty,failure rate,and time to discovery of failure of epidural anesthesia in laboring patients

Study objectiveObese parturients both greatly benefit from neuraxial techniques, and may represent a technical challenge to obstetric anesthesiologists. Several studies address the topic of obesity and neuraxial analgesia in general, but few offer well described definitions or rates of “difficulty” and “failure” of labor epidural analgesia. Providing those definitions, we hypothesized that increasing body mass index (BMI) is associated with negative outcomes in both categories and increased time needed for epidural placement.DesignSingle center retrospective chart review.SettingLabor and Delivery Unit of an inner city academic teaching hospital.Patients2485 parturients, ASA status 2 to 4, receiving labor epidural analgesia for anticipated vaginal delivery.InterventionsNone.MeasurementsWe reviewed quality assurance and anesthesia records over a 12-month period. “Failure” was defined as either inadequate analgesia or a positive test dose, requiring replacement, and/or when the anesthesia record stated they failed. “Difficulty” was defined as six or more needle redirections or a note indicating difficulty in the anesthesia record.Main resultsOverall epidural failure and difficulty rates were 4.3% and 3.0%, respectively. Patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or higher had a higher chance of both failure and difficulty with two and almost three fold increases, respectively. Regression analysis indicated that failure was best predicted by BMI and less provider training while difficulty was best predicted by BMI. Additionally, increased BMI was associated with increased time of discovery of epidural catheter failure.ConclusionsObesity is associated with increasing technical difficulty and failure of neuraxial analgesia for labor. Practitioners should consider allotting extra time for obese parturients in order to manage potential problems.     

脊柱结核后凸畸形发生的相关因素及研究进展

脊柱结核是导致严重脊柱后凸畸形的常见原因之一。脊柱结核后凸畸形的形成是受多因素影响的,主要包括感染时年龄、累计节段数、治疗前椎体丢失高度以及"脊柱危险体征"等。尽管抗结核药物的使用取得了良好的疗效,但对于药物治疗后治愈的脊柱结核患者,后凸畸形会继续进展,逐渐发展成为严重的后凸畸形。进而出现外观、心理、肋骨-骨盆撞击、心肺功能障碍以及神经脊髓压迫等一些列问题。治疗前椎体丢失高度和"脊柱危险体征"的X线征象有助于预测未来畸形发生的严重程度。因此,全面认识脊柱结核后凸畸形的形成以及尽早根据病变的具体情况,个体化选择手术方式,可以有效阻止后凸畸形的形成并减少脊髓神经功能损伤和迟发性瘫痪的发生率。