Transforaminal Thoracic Interbody Fusion (TTIF) for Treatment of a Chronic Chance Injury

Multiple anterior and posterior approaches to the thoracic disc space have been reported. However, we are not aware of any previous reports describing a transforaminal approach for thoracic disc release and interbody cage placement. In this case report, we describe a method to perform transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion (TTIF), which is an adaptation of an established lumbar fusion technique (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion). Key differences between the two procedures are discussed. A 24-year-old woman presented after sustaining a T11-12 Chance fracture that had been treated in a brace. She had severe, debilitating pain and a rigid segmental kyphotic deformity of 38°. The patient was treated 3 months post-injury with T10-L1 fusion with anterior release and interbody fusion with cage placement at T11-12. Anterior column release and fusion were performed via a transforaminal approach. The patient had anatomic reduction of deformity, solid arthrodesis, and relief of pain at 1-year follow-up. The TTIF approach permits access to the anterior column of the thoracic spine for the purpose of reduction of deformity and interbody fusion with reduced morbidity compared to anterior–posterior surgery.     

Spondylolisthesis caused by extreme pedicle elongation in osteogenesis imperfecta

Although osteogenesis imperfecta is a well-known skeletal disorder, reports of spondylolisthesis in osteogenesis imperfecta are rare. Only very few cases of spondylolisthesis caused by elongation of lumbar pedicles have been described in the literature. Here we report three patients suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta showing a severe form of hyperlordosis caused by lumbar pedicle elongation and consecutive spondylolisthesis. Radiographs in the course of childhood and adolescence show a rapid progression of pedicle elongation and hyperlordosis with increased mechanical loads. The treatment strategy consists of physiotherapy, medical treatment with bisphosphonates, and orthopedic surgery and is preferably conservative. In the three patients reported here, one patient was treated with laminectomy and postero-lateral fusion, whereas in the other two patients surgery is currently not considered as necessary.     

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: technique, complications, and early results

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the safety, surgical efficacy, and advantages of the transforaminal approach for lumbar interbody fusion when combined with pedicle screw fixation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 22 patients (age range, 34-63 yr; mean, 49 yr) with Grade I or II spondylolisthesis who underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Nineteen patients presented with low back pain and associated radiculopathy, and three presented with low back pain only. Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion was performed at L4-L5 in 8 patients, L5-S1 in 11 patients, L3-L4 and L4-L5 in 2 patients, and L4-L5 and L5-S1 in 1 patient. Periodic follow-up took place 1 to 12 months after surgery (mean, 5.3 mo). Decompression is performed according to clinical circumstances. Pedicle screws are placed, and a discectomy is carried out. The cartilaginous endplates are removed. The interspace is gradually distracted, resulting in lost disc height being regained, and interbody fusion cages are positioned. The pedicle screw-and-rod construct is then compressed, restoring lumbar lordosis. RESULTS: Low back pain completely resolved in 16 patients, moderate relief from pain was achieved in 5 patients, and the pain was unchanged in one patient. Nonneurological complications included intraoperative durotomy in one patient and postoperative wound infection in two. In one patient, postoperative mild L5 motor paresis resolved. One patient had a temporary brachial plexopathy due to intraoperative positioning, and one patient had peripheral polyneuropathy secondary to prolonged intraoperative blood pressure cuff inflation. CONCLUSION: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion is a safe and effective method for achieving circumferential spinal fusion via a single-stage procedure. This procedure is particularly useful in restoring disc space height and lumbar lordosis.     

High-grade L5 spondylolisthesis associated with dural ectasia in neurofibromatosis

A 15-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital with severe low back pain. She had scoliosis dextra and tight hamstrings. A plain radiograph showed high-grade L5 spondylolisthesis with vertebral scalloping from the fourth lumbar to the first sacral vertebra. L5 wide laminectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion by iliac bone graft was performed using the Galveston method of sacral fixation and a pedicle screw system. The rod and hook system was used from T9 to the bilateral iliac wing. We added posterolateral fusion from T10 to S1 by autograft and allograft. The patient became pain free and was able to return to student life. Three years after surgery, the radiographs demonstrated good bony fusion; however, careful long-term follow-up is needed.     

Single-level instrumented posterolateral fusion versus non-instrumented anterior interbody fusion for lumbar spondylolisthesis: a prospective study with a 2-year follow-up

BackgroundSurgery for lumbar spondylolisthesis is widely performed. However, there have been no reports comparing posterolateral and anterior interbody fusion prospectively. We compared instrumented posterolateral fusion with anterior interbody fusion for L4 spondylolisthesis in a prospective study.MethodsForty-six patients diagnosed with L4 degenerated spondylolisthesis were divided into two groups. Twenty-two consecutive patients underwent non-instrumented anterior interbody fusion using an iliac bone graft (ALIF; L4-L5 level), and 24 consecutive patients underwent instrumented posterolateral fusion with local bone (PLF; L4-L5 level). The rates of bone union, visual analog scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), surgical invasion, and complications were evaluated before and 2 years after surgery.ResultsAge, VAS score, JOA score, and ODI were not significantly different between the two groups before surgery (P > 0.05). Success of bone union between the two groups was not significantly different (P > 0.05). Blood loss during surgery was significantly less; however, periods of bed rest and hospital stay were significantly longer in the ALIF group (P < 0.05). Overall patient satisfaction, and low back and leg pain in both groups were significantly improved after surgery; however, low back pain showed greater improvement in the ALIF group compared with the PLF group (P < 0.05). Complications such as donor site pain (4 patients in the ALIF group) and dural tearing (3 patients in the PLF group) were observed.ConclusionsIf single level fusion for L4 spondylolisthesis is performed, both anterior and posterior methods reduce patients' low back and leg pain. Improvement of low back pain was significantly greater after ALIF; however, periods of hospital stay and of bed rest were significantly longer.     

Spontaneous resolution of scoliosis associated with lumbar spondylolisthesis

Background contextScoliosis in association with spondylolisthesis is a common phenomenon. According to the traditional opinion, scoliosis should be managed depending on its classification and flexibility. Recently, Crostelli and Mazza proposed a new opinion toward this topic. They advocate that spondylolisthesis-associated scoliosis, especially severe scoliosis, should be considered as idiopathic scoliosis and must be treated with the same principles used in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. According to their viewpoints, more scoliotic curves in association with spondylolisthesis need to be treated, either surgically or conservatively.PurposeTo describe the spontaneous correction of a severe case of scoliosis by internal fixation of the spondylolisthesis.Study designCase report of a patient with scoliosis developing in association with high-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis.MethodsA 12-year-old girl presented with a 2-year history of spinal curvature. She did not have low back or leg pain. The scoliotic deformity corrected readily in the supine position. Radiographs revealed 88% slippage of L5 on S1 in addition to a long section curve of the spine with the main 50° curve at the thoracic level. The spondylolisthesis was repaired with segmental instrumentation and circumferential fusion of L5 and S1.ResultsThe scoliosis showed spontaneous resolution gradually after lumbosacral fusion and reached a complete correction 2 years after surgery.ConclusionsThe relationship between scoliosis and spondylolisthesis is complex. If scoliosis is considered to be caused by spondylolisthesis, surgery for the latter condition might be the only required intervention for the patient. Unnecessary operation for scoliosis should be avoided.     

Thoracic kyphoscoliosis resembling neurofibromatosis: a case report focusing on subfascial instrumentation.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The management of early-onset progressive scoliosis is controversial. PURPOSE: To describe the unusual surgical management of a young female with an early-onset progressive, short, angular kyphoscoliosis resembling neurofibromatosis. STUDY DESIGN: A case report reviewing the treatment of an unusual occurrence of kyphoscoliosis. METHODS: After compliant Milwaukee brace wear had failed to stop deformity progression, surgical management including segmental anterior and posterior T5-T10 arthrodesis, and posterior T3-L4 subfascial rod instrumentation was performed at age 4 years and 6 months. After 10 rod lengthenings, segmental anterior T10 to L3 arthrodesis and posterior T3-L4 instrumentation and arthrodesis were done at age 11 years and 5 months. RESULTS: From preoperative to 3-year postoperative definitive surgery, her T3 to L4 instrumented spine length increased by 9.5 cm; 4 cm after the initial surgery, 3 cm between the initial surgery and the definitive surgery and 2.5 cm after the definitive surgery. From preoperative to latest follow-up, her thoracic scoliosis was reduced from 89 to 31 degrees, her thoracolumbar compensatory scoliosis from 59 to 37 degrees and her kyphosis from 70 to 17 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of early definitive anterior and posterior major curve arthrodesis with a subfascial rod lengthening program to control the remainder of the thoracolumbar spine was a satisfactory solution for this unusual case of early-onset, progressive, short, angular kyphoscoliosis.     

Transvertebral Transsacral strut grafting for high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis L5-S1 with fibular allograft

STUDY DESIGN: A clinical retrospective study was conducted. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of 25 consecutive patients with symptomatic high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 treated by decompression and transvertebral, transsacral strut grafting with fibular allograft. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Symptomatic high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis serves as a challenging clinical problem. Traditional treatment by in situ posterolateral arthrodesis has been associated with pseudarthrosis rates up to 50%. Even with successful posterolateral fusion, the graft is in an unfavorable biomechanical environment, owing to it being under tension, which can allow for progression of lumbosacral kyphosis (slip angle) and sagittal translation (slip). Open reduction of spondylolisthesis improves the biomechanical situation by allowing a trapezoidal interbody graft at L5-S1, but is associated with neurologic deficits in up to 30% of patients. The technique used in this particular study achieves the biomechanical goal of a structural interbody construct without the necessity of anatomically reducing the translational slip. The fibular strut grafts were placed through an anterior approach as part of an anterior/posterior procedure, or via a posterior approach as part of a posterior-only procedure. METHODS: A consecutive series of 25 symptomatic patients with high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 had an average age of 29.8 years. Six patients were 16 years or younger. Eight patients underwent a posterior-only approach with posterior transosseous fibular strut grafting across S1 into the L5 vertebral body combined with posterolateral arthrodesis L4-S1 using a pedicle screw-rod construct. Seventeen patients underwent a combined anterior/posterior approach with transosseous fibular allograft strut grafting at L5-S1 and L4-L5 interbody arthrodesis using a femoral ring allograft supplemented with L4-S1 posterior pedicle screw-rod instrumentation. No reduction attempts were performed, other than those occurring spontaneously by patient positioning and decompression. Patients were evaluated for clinical improvement and radiographically. Clinical outcomes were measured with the scoliosis research society outcome instrument. Radiographs were followed for arthrodesis, translation, and slip angle. Mean follow-up was 39 months (range, 30 to 71 mo). All patients preoperatively had a grade III to V slip using the Meyerding classification (mean 3.7). The slip angle averaged 37 degrees. RESULTS: The postoperative mean slip grade was 3.5 compared with 3.7 preoperatively (no significant difference). The mean slip angle improved to 27 degrees (8 to 40 degrees) postoperatively from 37 degrees (13 to 51 degrees) preoperatively (P<0.05). All patients went on to a stable arthrodesis, with no progression in slip or slip angle. There were no permanent neurologic deficits among any of the subjects, and all patients demonstrated improvement in their preoperative gait disturbance. Scoliosis research society functional outcome score showed 24/25 extremely satisfied or somewhat satisfied at latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment by this method showed improvement in lumbosacral kyphosis while avoiding the neurologic injury risk associated with open slip-reduction maneuvers. Despite no reduction in translational deformity, this technique offers excellent fusion results, good clinical outcomes, and prevents further sagittal translation and lumbosacral kyphosis progression.     

Spinal deformity, pulmonary compromise, and quality of life in osteogenesis imperfecta.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional radiologic and clinical study of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether pulmonary compromise is more closely correlated with scoliosis, kyphosis, or chest wall deformity in the population with osteogenesis imperfecta, and to assess the impact of spinal deformity, chest wall deformity, and pulmonary function on quality of life. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The incidence of scoliosis in osteogenesis imperfecta is between 39% and 80%. Up to 60% of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta have significant chest wall deformities. Pulmonary compromise is the leading cause of death in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta. METHODS: Fifteen patients with osteogenesis imperfecta between the ages of 20 and 45 were evaluated with sitting or standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the entire spine, pulmonary function testing, and a validated health self-assessment questionnaire (Short Form-36). Radiographs were evaluated for thoracic scoliosis, thoracic kyphosis, and chest wall deformity. Correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS: Thoracic scoliosis was strongly correlated with decreased predicted vital capacity (r = -0.76). Significant diminution in vital capacity below 50% occurred at a curve magnitude of 60 degrees. Kyphosis and chest wall deformity were not predictive of decreased pulmonary function. Physical health (PCS) was closely correlated with predicted vital capacity (r = 0.65; P < 0.01) and with scoliosis (r = -0.52; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic scoliosis of more than 60 degrees has severe adverse effects on pulmonary function in those with osteogenesis imperfecta. This finding may partly explain the increased pulmonary morbidity noted in adult patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and scoliosis compared with that in the general population.     

Clinical outcome of trans-sacral interbody fusion after partial reduction for high-grade l5-s1 spondylolisthesis

STUDY DESIGN: A clinical retrospective study was conducted. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcome of reduction followed by trans-sacral interbody fusion for high-grade spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In situ posterior interbody fusion with fibula allograft has improved the fusion rates for patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis. The use of this technique in conjunction with partial reduction has not been reported. METHODS: Nine consecutive patients underwent treatment of high-grade (Grade 3 or 4) spondylolisthesis with partial reduction followed by posterior interbody fusion using cortical allograft. The average age at the time of surgery was 27 years (range, 8-51 years), and the average follow-up period was 43 months (range, 24-72 months). Before surgery, eight patients had low back pain, seven patients had radiating leg pain, and five patients had hamstring tightness. The average grade of spondylolisthesis by Meyerding grading was 3.9 (range, 3-5). Charts and radiographs were evaluated, and outcomes were collected by use of the modified SRS outcomes instrument. RESULTS: Radiographic indexes demonstrated significant improvement with partial reduction and fusion. The slip angle, as measured from the inferior endplate of L5, improved from 41.2 degrees (range, 24-82 degrees ) before surgery to 21 degrees (range, 5-40 degrees ) after surgery. All the patients were extremely or somewhat satisfied with surgery. The two patients who underwent this operation without initial instrumentation experienced fractures of their interbody grafts. Both of these patients underwent repair of the pseudarthrosis with placement of trans-sacral pedicle screw instrumentation and subsequent fusion. CONCLUSIONS: Partial reduction followed by posterior interbody fusion is an effective technique for the management of high-grade spondylolisthesis in pediatric and adult patient populations, as assessed by radiographic and clinical criteria. Pedicle screw instrumentation with the sacral screws capturing L5 is recommended when this technique is used for the treatment of high-grade spondylolisthesis. According to the clinical and radiographic results from this study, partial reduction and posterior fibula interbody fusion supplemented with pedicle screw instrumentation is an effective technique for select patients with high-grade spondylolisthesis at L5-S1.     

Scoliosis associated with lumbar spondylolisthesis: a case presentation and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The association between scoliosis and spondylolisthesis is well documented, but criteria and methods for managing the deformity in patients with debilitating pain are not clear. PURPOSE: To describe correction of scoliosis by internal fixation of the spondylolisthesis. STUDY DESIGN: Case report of a patient with scoliosis developing in association with spondylolisthesis. METHODS: A 17-year-old female presented with a 6-month history of back and leg pain. No spinal curvature was noted in radiographs taken at the onset of symptoms. Significant curvature appeared during the 6-month history of pain in association with an L5-S1 spondylolisthesis. The spondylolisthesis was repaired with posterior pedicle screw instrumentation. RESULTS: The pain and the spinal curvature almost completely resolved after surgery, and the outcome remained excellent 14 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: In the properly diagnosed patient, surgical repair of the spondylolisthesis can relieve pain and correct spinal curvature.     

Percutaneous axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF) of the L5-S1 segment: initial clinical and radiographic experience

INTRODUCTION: Anterior access to the L5-S1 disc space for interbody fusion can be technically challenging, frequently requiring the use of an approach surgeon for adequate exposure. We reviewed our experience with a novel minimally invasive technique for L5-S1 interbody fusion that exploits the presacral space and its relative dearth of critical structures. METHODS: 35 patients (20 F:15 M, mean age 54 years) were included in this analysis. Average follow-up was 17.5 months. Back pain was secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), degenerative lumbar scoliosis, or lytic spondylolisthesis. All patients had radiographic evidence of L5-S1 degeneration and underwent percutaneous paracoccygeal axial fluoroscopically-guided interbody fusion (axiaLIF) with cage, local bone autograft, and rhBMP. RESULTS: Mean operative time for the L5-S1 axiaLIF procedure was 42 minutes. Twenty-one patients underwent axiaLIF followed by percutaneous L5-S1 pedicle screw-rod fixation. Two patients underwent axiaLIF followed by percutaneous L4-L5 extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) and posterior instrumentation. Ten patients had a stand-alone procedure. Unfavorable anatomy precluded access to the L5-S1 disc space during open lumbar interbody fusion in 2 patients who subsequently underwent axiaLIF at this level as part of a large construct. Thirty-two patients (91%) had radiographic evidence of stable L5-S1 interbody cage placement and fusion at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The percutaneous paracoccygeal approach to the L5-S1 interspace provides a minimally invasive corridor through which discectomy and interbody fusion can safely be performed. It can be used alone or in combination with minimally invasive or traditional open fusion procedures. It may provide an alternative route of access to the L5-S1 interspace in those patients who may have unfavorable anatomy for or contraindications to the traditional open anterior approach to this level.     

Treatment of symptomatic spondyloptosis in an adult previously treated with in situ fusion and instrumentation by L5 vertebrectomy and L4-S1 instrumented reduction.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: One traditional treatment for spondylolisthesis is fusion. However, for high-grade spondylolisthesis and spondyloptosis, posterior fusion has had high rates of nonunion, progression, and persistent physical deformity. Thus, some surgeons have recommended reduction and instrumentation. One such technique (Gaines procedure) entails a two-stage procedure: L5 vertebrectomy anteriorly, followed by resection of the L5 posterior elements and instrumented reduction of L4 onto S1. However, to our knowledge, there is no report of reversing the fusion and deformity reduction in a symptomatic patient with previous solid fusion of the spondyloptosis at L5-S1. PURPOSE: To present the first reported revision via the Gaines procedure for failed fusion secondary to spondyloptosis. STUDY DESIGN: Patient report. METHODS: A 24-year-old woman, who had undergone multiple procedures for L5-S1 spondylolisthesis and a final fusion and instrumentation attempt, presented with continued urinary retention, leg and back pain, and inability to stand. She subsequently underwent posterior hardware removal, followed by anterior L5 vertebral body resection. In the second stage, she had posterior osteotomy of the previous L5-S1 fusion, resection of the posterior elements of L5, and reduction and instrumentation of L4 to S1. RESULTS: At the 2-year follow-up, she had full resolution of symptoms, full return of motor strength, and resolution of urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS: The Gaines procedure has been performed successfully in patients without previous fusions at the level of spondylolisthesis or spondyloptosis. Patients for whom the traditional posterior fusion fails still may be candidates for this procedure, albeit at increased risk of neurologic injury.     

腰椎滑脱症的翻修手术治疗和原因分析

目的探讨腰椎滑脱症内固定治疗术后症状复发原因和翻修手术的方式及疗效。方法对19例腰椎滑脱症术后症状复发患者（滑脱节段不稳定、滑脱复位丢失6例;内固定物松动或断裂、滑脱加重13例）均采用后路椎弓根螺钉复位内固定加椎体间或横突间自体髂骨植骨融合术,术后定期随访和影像学检查。结果患者均获随访,时间5~36（22.5±0.8）个月。植骨均融合良好,滑脱椎体再次复位后矫正度无丢失,椎弓根螺钉无松动及断裂。按侯树勋等的疗效评定标准：优11例,良6例,可1例,差1例。结论腰椎滑脱症术后翻修的主要原因与初次手术方式选择不当、忽视植骨融合以及手术操作不当有关。翻修手术的关键是彻底减压和复位以及充分的椎间及后外侧植骨。     

Severe kyphoscoliosis associated with osteomalacia.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Kyphoscoliosis is one of the most frequent complications of osteomalacia, which only rarely results in severe deformity requiring surgery. To the best of our knowledge, there has been only one previous report of a spinal deformity as a complication of osteomalacia that was sufficiently severe so as to require surgical treatment. PURPOSE: To report here the case of a 27-year-old woman who experienced back pain of gradual onset accompanied by progressive scoliosis resulting in severe dyspnea. STUDY DESIGN: A case report. METHODS: She was diagnosed with hypophosphatemic osteomalacia and secondary hyperparathyroidism. She underwent posterior surgical correction and fusion from Th4-L1 using the ISOLA spinal system. RESULTS: At the last follow-up (3 year and 9 months postoperatively), her body balance was good and the dyspnea had disappeared. Plain radiographs demonstrated no loss of correction and also showed no evidence of instrumentation failure. CONCLUSIONS: We present a unique instance of a young woman with severe kyphoscoliosis who underwent posterior surgical correction/fusion with spinal instrumentation.     

A concise follow-up of a previous report: posterior reduction and anterior lumbar interbody fusion in symptomatic low-grade adult isthmic spondylolisthesis

We report the updated results for a previously evaluated surgical treatment for adult low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis. In 12 patients a decompressive laminectomy was performed followed by a circumferential fusion using posterior pedicle screw instrumented reduction and staged anterior cage-assisted interbody fusion. Average time to follow-up was 5.6 (range 4.9–6.6) years. The average Oswestry Disability Index at last follow-up was 14 compared to 13 at 2.1-year follow-up. The average VAS score for back pain at last follow-up was 2.3 compared to 2.8 at 2.1-year follow-up. Ten patients had resumed their pre-symptom work status. This study demonstrates maintenance of the good clinical and radiological 2.1-year outcome after 5.6-year follow-up with no deterioration of back-pain scores.     

采用微创腰椎椎间融合联合椎弓根钉棒固定治疗腰椎滑脱症的临床疗效

目的 探讨腰椎侧方入路融合术(OLIF)联合椎弓根钉棒固定(Wiltse入路)置入治疗腰椎滑脱症(LS)的临床疗效.方法 2017年1月至2020年7月江苏省连云港市灌云县人民医院骨科收治的腰椎滑脱症患者27例,在正常L3～S1节段CT扫描的基础上采用OLIF联合Wiltse入路的方法,设为观察组;同时以单纯小切口 W...     

Treatment of congenital spondyloptosis in an 18-month-old patient with a 10-year follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To present the case of a patient with congenital spondyloptosis treated and followed over 10 years. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The surgical management of spondyloptosis in children is variably reported in the literature. Some authors propose that posterior fusion in situ is a safe and reliable procedure, whereas others suggest that reduction of the slipped vertebra may prevent some of the adverse sequelae of in situ fusion, which include nonunion, bending of the fusion mass, and persistent lumbosacral deformity. Many investigators advocate a combined anterior and posterior fusion using instrumentation. METHODS: At the time of the first symptoms an 18-month-old boy with congenital spondyloptosis of L5-S1 was referred to the authors' institution. Because of the progression of pain, neurologic disturbance, mild foot deformity, muscle contractures, and lumbosacral kyphosis, surgical intervention was undertaken. Operative intervention began with a resection of the L5 lamina and wide bilateral L5 nerve root decompression. This was followed by anterior subtotal resection of L5 and interbody bone graft of the morcelized vertebral body for fusion from L5 to S1. The next step was reduction of the spondyloptosis and stabilization by posterior instrumentation L2-S1 with a sacral Cotrel-agraffe device. RESULTS: The procedure achieved almost complete reduction of the spondyloptosis with near-normal restoration of lumbar lordosis allowing more physiologic lumbar spinal biomechanics. There were no neurologic complications. After surgery there was no suggestion of back pain or gait disturbance and no progression of any deformity. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of severe congenital spondylolisthesis a staged procedure of decompression, reduction, and instrumented fusion is recommended for those cases in which intervention is indicated.     

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis: features and surgical treatment

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis is a de novo deformity of the spine occurring after the fourth or fifth decade of life in patients with no history of scoliosis in the growing age. We evaluated complications and functional and radiographic outcomes of twelve patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis, treated by spinal decompression associated with posterolateral and/or interbody fusion. Mean lumbar scoliosis angle was 18° (SD=4°) and mean age at surgery was 57 years (SD=6 years). Average follow–up was 3.5 years. Surgical treatment consisted in decompression of one or more roots, associated with stabilization with pedicle screws and posterolateral fusion. To correct the deformity, the collapse of the disc was corrected by implanting a cage in the anterior interbody cage. Clinical symptoms and functional tolerance for daily activities improved after surgery. Radiographic evaluation showed a reduction in the deformity on the frontal and sagittal planes. There were no infections, evidence of pseudoarthrosis, instrumentrelated failures or re–operations in this series. In patients with persisting pain caused by degenerative scoliosis associated with spinal stenosis, in whom conservative treatment has failed, spinal decompression and segmented fusion with instrumentation represents a valid treatment option.