Unstable thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures treated with the AO fixateur interne.

Twenty-five consecutive patients with unstable thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures were surgically treated with the AO Fixateur Interne (Synthes USA, 1690 Russell Rd., Paoli, PA). Indications for surgery included a progressive neurologic deficit, spinal canal compromise greater than 50%, vertebral body collapse greater than 50%, or sagittal angulation greater than 20 degrees. Twenty males and five females ranging in age from 16 to 60 years (average 31) were treated surgically and prospectively followed. Twenty-one fractures occurred at the thoracolumbar junction (T10-L2) and 4 in the lumbar spine (L3-5). Twenty-four patients were followed for a minimum of 12 months, ranging from 12 to 38 months (average 22); one patient was lost to follow-up after 1 month postoperatively. Preoperatively, 12 patients had partial neurologic deficits; postoperatively, 11 improved at least 1 Frankel grade. Preoperatively, the 12 patients with partial neurologic deficits averaged 45 points (range 24-49) on the lower extremity motor index scale. After surgery, these patients improved an average of five points (range 1-23) on the motor index scale. Both patients with complete spinal cord injuries remained unchanged neurologically postoperatively; no patients deteriorated neurologically after surgery. The average preoperative sagittal kyphosis at the fracture site was +16 degrees (range +10 degrees to +31 degrees); the immediate postoperative sagittal angular correction averaged -4 degrees (lordosis) and ranged from +12 degrees (kyphosis) to -26 degrees (lordosis). At last follow-up, the sagittal angular correction remained unchanged in three patients and decreased in 21 patients to an average of +5 degrees (range +37 degrees to -14 degrees).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

“Outcome of thoracolumbar compression fractures following non-operative treatment”

Axial compressive/flexion moderate forces on the anterior spinal elements may cause vertebral compression fractures (VCF), compromising the anterior column of the spine, reducing vertebral body height and leading to characteristic wedge-shaped deformity. 60% to 75% of VCFs are located in the thoracolumbar junction (T12 – L2) due to mechanical forces upon the transition from the relatively fixed thoracic to the relatively mobile lumbar spine. Compression force spinal fractures vary in literature according to the classification system in use, resulting in controversial treatment options. Type A fracture patterns of AO classification are eligible for non-operative treatment provided the posterior complex is intact and there are no neurologic complications. That includes both simple compressive and burst fractures. The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term consequences of non-operative treated compressive thoracolumbar fractures regarding posttraumatic deformity, chronic back pain, and functional status. A retrospective study of 75 patients with stable (compressive and burst type A AO) spinal fractures of the thoracolumbar spine (T12-L2) without neurological symptoms and treated non-operatively was conducted. Post traumatic regional kyphosis, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to evaluate deformity progression, pain and alteration of the quality of life during follow up. There was no significant correlation between magnitude of posttraumatic regional kyphosis, sex, pain score and disability index. Statistically significant correlation between patients age and disability index was revealed.     

Pathomechanisms of spinal cord injuries caused by injuries of the cervical spine

The pathomechanism of injuries of the spinal cord due to injuries of the cervical spine in 158 patients treated during the last ten years has been presented. It has been determined that total and irreversible injuries of the spine occurred most often after fractures of the spine with displacement from hyperflexion (29.7 per cent) crushed fractures (24.7 per cent), and dislocation of the spine (24.7 per cent). In the majority of the patients, the spinal cord was irreversibly damaged already at injury, and in 29.2 per cent, the symptoms of deformity of the lumen of the vertebral canal and compression of the spinal cord remained. In about 24 per cent of the patients, the symptoms of congenital or habitual relative stenosis of the vertebral canal occurred. The performed examination has shown that knowledge of the pathomechanism of injury of the spine may facilitate determination of the degree of injury of the spinal cord as early as immediately after trauma.     

The nonoperative treatment of burst fractures of the thoracolumbar junction

Treatment of thoracolumbar spine burst fracture with a neurologically intact patient is controversial, with advocates of operative and nonoperative approaches. Of 404 patients in a prospective spinal trauma study, 21 had burst fractures, were neurologically intact, and had greater than 1-year followup. This group was analyzed to evaluate treatment with early mobilization using a thoracolumbar total contact orthosis. The average time in a brace was 6 months. Two patients had pulmonary embolus treated successfully with anticoagulants. No patient required subsequent surgery for increasing kyphosis or neurologic deficit. Change in K angle at followup was 4.6 degrees (+/- 5.7) and change in anterior vertebral height was 6.1 degrees (+/- 10). All patients had a satisfactory pain score and most individuals returned to full employment. It is concluded that it is not necessary to routinely treat patients operatively with burst fractures if they fulfill the following criteria: 1) neurologically intact; 2) kyphosis angle less than 35 degrees; 3) other injuries do not preclude the use of a total contact orthosis; and 4) the patient is capable of understanding and cooperating with the treatment regime. These criteria are irrespective of the CT findings of posterior vertebral retropulsion and spinal canal narrowing.     

经后路保留胸椎后柱结构椎体次全切术治疗胸椎爆裂骨折及胸椎Kümmell病伴脊髓损伤的疗效观察

目的 探讨经后路保留胸椎后柱结构椎体次全切术治疗胸椎爆裂骨折及胸椎Kümmell病伴脊髓损伤的临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析自2013-08-2017-08采用经后路保留胸椎后柱结构椎体次全切术治疗的19例胸椎爆裂骨折及胸椎Kümmell病伴脊髓损伤,比较术前与术后6个月胸椎管前后径比值、横断面积比值、JOA评分以及ASI...     

Osteoporotic spinal deformity: a biomechanical rationale for the clinical consequences and treatment of vertebral body compression fractures

This review article develops a biomechanical rationale for the clinical consequences and treatment of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fracture. In patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures and spinal deformity, altered spinal biomechanics and global spinal imbalance are important factors in the increased morbidity and mortality reported in this population. Severe spinal deformity impairs physical functioning, health, and quality of life. The spinal deformity itself, independent of pain, is a significant cause of disability. Spinal deformity is also an independent risk factor for hip fracture. Treatments directed at osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures should ideally address spinal deformity as well as pain. Balloon kyphoplasty, the minimally invasive technique of reduction and internal fixation of osteopenic vertebral body compression fractures that addresses pain and spinal deformity, is discussed.     

高位颈髓压迫症的外科治疗

目的: 探讨高位颈髓压迫症的外科治疗。方法: 高位颈髓压迫症 228例, 其中齿突骨折 58例 (新鲜骨折 38例, 陈旧性骨折 20例), Hangman骨折 45例 (其中新鲜骨折 28例, 陈旧性骨折 17例), 寰椎横韧带断裂 24例, 寰椎单侧后弓骨折 19例, 类风湿性关节炎 17例, 一侧关节突骨折 9例, Jefferson骨折并慢性不稳 3例, 先天畸形 49例, 肿瘤 4例。根据复位情况及脊髓受压部位选择不同的术式, 重建其稳定性。结果: 平均随访 4年 11个月。JOA评分术前平均 7. 5分, 随访时评分 14. 9分, 改善率 79. 9%。结论: 充分减压是最大限度恢复神经功能的有效方法, 稳定性的重建非常必要。     

钉棒及钩棒系统治疗胸腰椎多节段脊柱骨折

目的评价钉棒及钩棒系统治疗胸腰椎多节段脊柱骨折的临床疗效。方法23例多节段胸腰椎骨折患者，后路切开复位，选择性椎管减压．钉棒或钩棒系统内固定及后外侧植骨融合进行手术治疗。其中相邻多节段型13例，非相邻多节段型8例，混合型2例。结果全组病例平均随访14个月，未发现内固定物松动、断离，无继发性脊柱后凸畸形加重。椎体高度由术前平均48．4％恢复至术后平均92．4%。2例完全性及11例不完全性脊髓损伤者．脊髓神经功能获改善。结论在椎管进行充分减压的基础上．钉棒及钩棒系统能有效复位椎体骨折，重建脊柱稳定性，是多节段胸腰椎不稳定性骨折合并脊髓神经损伤后路手术的理想选择。     

上颈椎失稳并脊髓不全损伤的外科治疗

目的讨论上颈椎失稳并脊髓不全损伤的诊断和治疗方法。方法男116例，女76例，平均年龄41岁。齿突骨折47例(新鲜骨折38例，陈旧性骨折9例)，Hangman骨折45例(新鲜骨折28例，陈旧性骨折17例)，寰椎横韧带断裂24例，先天畸形23例，寰椎单侧椎弓骨折19例，类风湿性关节炎17例，一侧关节凸骨折9例，Jefferson骨折并慢性不稳3例，肿瘤4例。齿突螺钉固定29例，颈2-3椎间融合10例，寰枢椎Apofix固定融合27例，颈枕融合Axis固定29例、Cervifix固定36例，Simmos寰枢固定融合32例，Brooks固定融合8例，钢丝加关节突螺钉固定8例：经椎弓根加压螺钉固定，植骨融合4例，其他方法1例。结果平均随访4年9个月。189例获得骨性愈合，延迟愈合3例，钢丝断裂2例，椎体移位1例。椎动脉损伤6例次，神经根损伤12例次，退钉10枚。JOA改善率79．9％，无脊髓损伤加重者。结论恰当的手术方法是治疗的基础，内固定物的选择可减少并发症.     

下腰椎骨折

目的 探讨下腰椎骨折的损伤特点及治疗。方法 对一组45例下腰椎骨折病例作回顾性分析,其中压缩性骨折24例,爆裂性骨折14例,屈曲分离性骨折3例,骨折脱位4例。完全性瘫痪3例,不完全性瘫痪9例,无神经损害33例。非手术治疗26例,手术治疗19例。结果 随访1～15年。神经功能改善程度优33例,良4例,可1例,无变化7例,非手术病例与手术病例神经功能改善程度无显著差异(P>0.05),但手术病例腰背疼痛程度明显低于非手术病例(P<0.05)。结论 由于解剖学和生物力学的特殊性,下腰椎骨折具有其相应的损伤特点。多数下腰椎压缩性骨折为稳定性骨折,可行非手术治疗。而对于爆裂性骨折及屈曲分离性骨折椎管狭窄及后凸畸形明显者以及骨折脱位则应行手术治疗。     

Spine-shortening vertebral osteotomy in a patient with tethered cord syndrome and a vertebral fracture. Case report

The authors report a rare case of tethered cord syndrome with low-placed conus medullaris complicated by a vertebral fracture that was successfully treated by a spine-shortening vertebral osteotomy. The patient was a 57-year-old woman whose neurological condition worsened after a T-12 vertebral fracture because a fracture fragment and the associated local kyphotic deformity directly compressed the tethered spinal cord. An osteotomy of the T-12 vertebra was performed in order to correct the kyphosis, remove the fracture fragment, and reduce the tension on the spinal cord. Postoperative radiographs showed the spine to be shortened by 22 mm, and the kyphosis between T-11 and L-1 improved from 23 degrees to 0 degrees . Two years after the surgery, the patient's neurological symptoms were resolved. The bone union was complete with no loss of correction.     

胸腰段椎体骨折的手术治疗

目的探讨胸腰段椎体骨折的手术治疗方法及其临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2003年1月至2010年12月我院76例新鲜胸腰段椎体骨折手术治疗病例。其中T113例,T1219例,L;40例,L214例。根据AO胸腰椎骨折分类,A型骨折34例,B型骨折7例,c型骨折35例。术前脊髓损伤（americanspinalinjuryassociation,ASIA）分级,A级14例,B级14例,C级38例,D级5例,E级5例。胸腰椎损伤分类及损伤程度评分系统（thoracolumbarinjuryclassificationandseverityscore,TLICS）评分均大于4分。采用后路减压固定后外侧植骨融合术66例,前路减压固定椎体间植骨融合10例,其中多节段固定31例,单节段固定45例。根据Oswestry功能障碍指数（oswestrydisabilityindex,ODD评分标准和脊髓损伤ASIA分级结合椎体压缩率、Cobb角和椎管狭窄率变化进行术前和术后的疗效评价,并对术前和术后椎体压缩率、Cobb角和椎管狭窄率进行统计学分析。结果76例患者获得12～48个月随访,平均32个月。ODI术后平均手术改善率为62．5％,优良率为69．8％;术后脊髓损伤ASIA分级均有不同程度的改善;术后所有患者的椎体压缩率、Cobb角和椎管狭窄率均有明显改善,与术前相比差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论根据胸腰段椎体骨折患者病情和影像学检查结果,确定椎体骨折节段、损伤程度、AO分类及脊髓损伤严重程度等,选择适合的手术方法：术中椎管彻底减压,恢复和重建椎体高度,坚强稳定的内固定和植骨融合,可避免术后椎体高度丢失、内固定松动及断裂等并发症,获得较好的手术疗效。     

胸腰椎爆裂性骨折后椎管重建—兼论非手术治疗的意义

目的 证实胸腰椎爆裂性骨折后的椎管重建现象,并探讨非手术治疗的意义。方法 回顾性分析３１例胸腰椎爆裂性骨折,其中未治疗７例,非手术治疗１６例,手术治疗８例,随访时间３～７年。记录初次诊治入院时和随访时脊髓损伤程度。以及出院和随访时椎管狭窄率。结果 ３１例患者的椎管狭窄率由初次诊治出院时的１２．３％～７４．５％（平均２６．２％）降至随访时的５．４％～４６．５％（平均１９．２％）,差异具有极显著性意义     

Scoliosis Research Society. Multicenter spine fracture study.

This study consisted of 1,019 spinal fracture patients followed prospectively for 2 years. Sixty-four physicians from 12 countries participated. The purpose of the study was to determine: 1) the relationship between neurologic deficit and fracture type, level, and spinal canal compromise; 2) the neurologic outcome comparing surgical versus nonsurgical treatment and anterior versus posterior surgery; and 3) the relationship of pain to both kyphotic deformity and to surgical and nonsurgical treatment. The main findings of this study are as follows: 1) seat belts reduced the incidence of severe neurologic injury; 2) there was a higher incidence of neurologic deficit with fracture-dislocations and a higher incidence of neurologically intact patients with compression and flexion-distraction injuries; 3) there was a greater incidence of complete neurologic deficits caused by fractures at the spinal cord level, and a diminished incidence at the cauda equina level; 4) for burst fractures there was a weakly positive relationship between canal compromise and neurologic deficit, including bladder function; 5) surgical intervention led to a greater percentage of improved neurologic function than nonoperative treatment, but the rate of improvement was not statistically different; 6) anterior surgery was not more effective than posterior surgery in improving the neurologic function when function was assessed using the Frankel or Motor Index scales, but it was statistically significant when compared to the Manabe scale; 7) in patients who deteriorated before surgery and underwent surgery, there was a greater improvement neurologically, particularly for anterior surgery, compared to those patients treated nonoperatively or to the overall surgically treated group; 8) There was a statistically significant relationship between bladder function and fracture type, with an increased incidence of absent function seen with fracture-dislocations, of impaired function with burst fractures, and of intact bladder function with compression and flexion-distraction injuries; 9) anterior surgery was more beneficial in improving complete bladder impairment to partial impairment compared to posterior surgery; 10) a kyphotic deformity of greater than 30 degrees at 2-year follow-up was associated with an increased incidence of significant back pain; 11) patients who had surgery complained less of severe pain than those who were treated without surgery.     

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty in Spinal Trauma

Abstract Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty have become recognized procedures for the treatment of vertebral fractures, especially in patients with osteoporosis. In most cases of osteoporotic spinal vertebral fracture in elderly patients, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement is used to fill the defect and stabilize the vertebral body. The techniques of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty differ in the possibility of realignment and reconstruction of the vertebral body and spinal column. Long-term results in terms of integration of the cement and bioreactivity of the vertebral body are still lacking; so, these procedures are still no options in the treatment of younger patients. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty show different success in the management of fresh traumatic spine fractures. The acute traumatic vertebral fracture has to be classified sensitively, to find the right indication for cement augmentation. Mild acute compression fractures can be treated by vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, severe compression and burst fractures by combination of internal fixation and kyphoplasty. The indications for use of biological or osteoinductive cement in spinal fracture management must still be regarded as restricted owing to the lack of basic biomechanical research data. Such cement should not be used except in clinical studies.     

Kyphosis secondary to infectious disease

Infections of the spine usually involve the vertebral body and therefore by definition produce a kyphosis. Non-tuberculous infection usually staphylococcal and in the lumbar spine, is often diagnosed late and can involve the cord. Open exploration and stabilization with graft should therefore be considered. The destruction is usually less extensive and therefore the kyphosis less severe than in late neglected tuberculous infections. Tuberculous spinal infection accounts for 59% of all orthopedic tuberculosis. It invariably involves vertebral bodies and is progressive. Destruction of the bodies is by infection and avascular necrosis, kyphosis is inevitable and cord compression a common threat. While L-1 is the most commonly affected body T-10 is statistically the most commonly associated with cord compression. The treatment of spinal tuberculosis should be aimed at correcting 5 basic defects associated with the disease and the deformity: mechanical instability; chronic smoldering infection; spinal cord and nerve root compression; disturbance of spinal growth; depressed lung function. The cornerstone to effective treatment for spinal tuberculosis is drug therapy and the anterior fusion operation. For the established tuberculous kyphosis, which is always a fixed deformity, multiple staged operations and gradual correction used the Halo-pelvic apparatus is the best treatment available at present.     

Changes of the adjacent discs and vertebrae in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated with or without bone cement augmentation

BACKGROUND CONTEXTAlthough vertebral augmentation with bone cement has been commonly used to treat symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, relatively little is known about the impact of augmentation on the adjacent spinal components.PURPOSETo determine the imaging effects of vertebral augmentation on the adjacent discs, the augmented vertebra, and the involved spinal segment.STUDY DESIGNRetrospective radiographic study.PATIENT SAMPLEPatients with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures who underwent vertebral augmentation or nonoperative treatments.OUTCOME MEASURESOn baseline and follow-up mid-sagittal T2W magnetic resonance images, quantitative measurements of disc degeneration, including disc height, bulging, and signal, vertebral height, wedge angle, and segmental kyphotic angle were acquired.METHODSLumbar spine magnetic resonance images of patients with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures at a local hospital in Eastern China between 2010 and 2017 were reviewed. Student's t-tests and χ² tests were used to examine the differences of baseline and changes over time between vertebrae underwent vertebral augmentation and those did not. Paired t-tests were used to examine the differences between baseline and follow-up to study the changes of adjacent disc degeneration, creep deformity of the vertebra and progression of segmental kyphosis.RESULTSThere were 112 acute vertebral compression fractures (72 treated with kyphoplasty and 40 with nonoperative treatments) in 101 subjects. At final follow-up (mean 21.5 months), the cranial disc of the augmented vertebra decreased in height (p<.001), and both cranial and caudal discs decreased in signal intensity (p≤.02). The discs in the nonoperative group did not undergo such degenerative changes. For the fractured vertebra, vertebral height significantly decreased (p<.01 for both) and vertebral wedge angle significantly increased (p≤.01 for both), regardless of augmentation treatment or not. Segmental kyphotic angle significantly increased in vertebral fractures that underwent vertebral augmentation (p<.001), but not in those underwent nonoperative treatments.CONCLUSIONSPatients that underwent vertebral augmentation had more advanced disc degeneration at adjacent disc levels as compared to those without augmentation. The fractured vertebral body height decreased and the wedge angle increased, regardless of vertebral augmentation treatment or not. Vertebral augmentation may be associated with increased creep deformity of the adjacent vertebra and the progression of segmental kyphosis.     

Spinal cord compression secondary to kyphosis associated with radiation therapy for metastatic disease

Three patients were treated for pathologic fractures of the thoracolumbar spine causing progressive neurologic deficit. An anterior decompression with partial removal of the diseased vertebra was performed with improvement of neurologic function in each patient. Active tumor was not found, but necrotic bone with collapse and secondary kyphosis were the causes of anterior compression of the spinal cord. In two patients, the spine was stabilized with an anterior fibular strut graft that initially provided stability; later collapse progressed and deformity recurred. In the third patient, stabilization was secured with internal fixation that has prevented a recurrent deformity. Late collapse of a vertebral body after irradiation for tumor may be secondary to necrosis resulting from tumor infiltration and/or radiotherapy. Anterior decompression and stabilization with adjunctive internal fixation can be beneficial in selected cases.     

Classification of vertebral fractures

Although it is a cardinal feature of involutional osteoporosis, there is often disagreement on what constitutes a vertebral fracture. We measured vertebrae T4-L5 in 52 healthy women to develop a normal range (mean +/- 3 SD) for vertebral shape and used these data to assess the prevalence of vertebral fractures. We classified vertebral fractures by type of deformity (wedge, biconcavity, or compression) and further by the degree of deformity (grades 1 and 2). In 195 postmenopausal women who were an age-stratified random sample of the Rochester population (ages 47-94), 40 (21%) had vertebral fractures (mean, 2 per person). There was a similar number of compression and wedge fractures, and grade 2 fractures were as common as grade 1. In a referral sample of 74 women with suspected osteoporosis, 62 (84%) had vertebral fractures (mean, 3.3 per person). Wedge fractures were most common, and grade 2 fractures were more common than grade 1. The distribution of type and grade of fractures differed between the two patient groups (P less than 0.01). Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine was related to mean fracture grade (r = -0.33, P less than 0.05) and to fracture number (r = -0.57, P less than 0.001) but not to fracture type. We conclude that a comprehensive approach is required in describing vertebral fractures. Using this approach we found distortion in the fracture characteristics of women referred to an osteoporosis clinic compared to women in the community.     

高位颈髓压迫症的治疗策略

目的：探讨高位颈髓压迫症的外科治疗。方法：商位颈髓压迫症228例,其中齿突骨折58例（新鲜骨折38例,陈旧性骨折20例）,Hangman骨折45例（其中新鲜骨折28例,陈旧性骨折17例）,寰椎横韧带断裂24例,寰椎单侧后弓骨折19例,类风湿性天节炎17例,一侧关节突骨折9例,Jefferson骨折并慢性不稳3例,先天畸形48例,肿瘤4例。根据复位情况及脊髓受乐部何选择不同的术式,重建其稳定性。结果：平均随访4年11个月。JOA评分术前平均7．5分,随访时评分14．9分,改善率79．9％。结论：充分减压是最大限度恢复神经功能的有效方法,稳定性的重建非常必要。