Multiple vertebral osteonecrosis

Vertebral osteonecrosis classically presents with an intravertebral vacuum cleft phenomenon or a fluid-filled cleft on MR images. These clefts are usually found in older patients presenting with more severe fractures, more significant collapse and instability. Therefore, although considered for a long time as pathognomonic for vertebral osteonecrosis, vertebral clefts are now considered to represent fracture non-union. The double-line sign is classically described for osteonecrosis of long bones, but has been reported in one case of concurrent spinal cord and vertebral bone marrow radionecrosis. We present a case of a histologically confirmed multilevel vertebral osteonecrosis manifesting as a double-line sign in the absence of an associated vertebral collapse and unrelated to radiotherapy.     

Vertical fracture of the odontoid process. A case report

Odontoid process fractures are commonly classified as types I through III according to the Anderson & D'Alonzo scheme. A fourth type of fracture not included in this classification has been described as "vertical odontoid fracture". These fractures are located in the vertical plan of the dens. We describe a new case of an oblique coronally oriented fracture through the odontoid process with extension to the body of C2. Our patient is a 22-year-old lady who sustained a road traffic accident with head, facial and cervical trauma. Computed tomography with 2D and 3D reconstruction characterized the fracture. We suppose that the mechanism of injury was an axial load associated with dorsal to ventral force. The patient was placed on a halo-vest for 12 weeks with good healing and no evidence of instability on flexion-extension studies 6 months later. This case demonstrates that the odontoid and C2 vertebral body fractures belong to the same spectrum and are determined by the patient's anatomy and the mechanism of the injury.     

Verbundosteosynthese zur Versorgung einer osteoporotischen LWK-1-Berstungsfraktur bei einer 76-jährigen Patientin

The surgical treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures is rarely necessary and is mostly done in fractures with neurological deficit. We present a case of compound osteosynthesis in an osteoporotic fracture of the first lumbar vertebra as a "salvage procedure" after a dislocation of a dorsal internal fixator in a 76 year old female sustaining incomplete paraplegia. In this case, an additional ventral stabilization using a vertebral body replacement was not practicable because of old age and previous pneumonia. We performed an additional compound osteosynthesis using bone cement because of insufficient stability when only using cement for augmentation of the pedicle screws.     

Behandlung von Handwurzelfrakturen

The primary goal in the treatment of carpal fractures is the preservation of a painless wrist function. Scaphoid fractures are the most common carpal fractures and when such a fracture is clinically suspected CT or MRI scans are usually advisable. Only stable and non-displaced scaphoid fractures can be treated conservatively, all other fractures require internal fixation with restoration of normal anatomy. Second most common are fractures of the triquetrum which can occur as chip avulsions of the dorsal rim and are usually treated symptomatically. Fractures of the body of the triquetrum should be treated according to the degree of instability and displacement. This is virtually true for all carpal bones. Perilunate fracture dislocations of the carpus deserve special attention. In these severe injuries a fracture line can run through all carpal bones but the scaphoid is mostly affected. Accurate reduction and internal fixation by screws and K-wires are indicated not only in these cases, but also in carpometacarpal fracture dislocations.     

绝经后女性骨质疏松性椎体骨折与腰椎体骨密度的相关性

随着我国步入老龄化社会,骨质疏松症的患病率明显升高。骨质疏松症最严重的危害来自骨质疏松性骨折,绝经后女性尤其多见。由于脊柱独特的解剖学和生物力学特点,骨质疏松患者更易发生椎体骨折。骨密度测量是诊断骨质疏松的金标准。本文通过回顾近年来相关文献,探讨腰椎体骨密度检测对绝经后女性骨质疏松性椎体骨折的意义,发现:绝经后骨质疏松性椎体骨折患者的BMD水平比绝经后骨质疏松症但无脊椎骨折者明显减少;绝经后骨质疏松症患者的BMD水平越低,其发生椎体骨折的风险越高;有椎体骨折史的绝经后骨质疏松症患者的BMD水平与发生再次椎体骨折的风险呈负相关。药物干预通常可明显提高绝经后骨质疏松症患者的BMD水平,同时还可减少椎体骨折的发生。尚存在一些不足:腰椎骨密度可能出现假性增高;需进一步探讨预测骨质疏松性椎体骨折的骨密度阈值;药物干预的研究中BMD水平与椎体骨折发生的相关性并没有得到深入研究;缺少大规模的绝经后骨质疏松性椎体骨折的流行病学,现有研究也大都存在病例收集方法不规范、样本量小、年龄分布存在差异等不足。对绝经后骨质疏松性椎体骨折的深入研究需要多学科共同协作。     

Prognostic utility of a semiquantitative spinal deformity index

The semiquantitative spinal deformity index (SDI) is a summary measure of the vertebral fracture status of the spine incorporating both the number and severity of vertebral fractures. For each vertebra, a visual semiquantitative grade of 0, 1, 2, or 3 is assigned for no fracture or mild, moderate, or severe fracture, respectively, and the SDI is calculated by summing the fracture grades of all vertebrae (T4 to L4). We investigated the effect of prevalent vertebral fracture number and severity, as integrated by the SDI, on 3-year vertebral fracture risk by performing logistic regression modeling with data from the MORE trial. There was a striking linear relationship between baseline SDI and the model-based vertebral fracture risk estimates, with a near-perfect correlation (r = 0.98, P < 0.001). However, the SDI may be overly simplistic, as a given SDI value can be attained through differing vertebral fracture scenarios (i.e., an SDI of 3 can be realized three ways), each corresponding to potentially different vertebral fracture risk. To address this issue, a second, more complex model was constructed that included individual predictor variables for number of mild, number of moderate, and number of severe prevalent vertebral fractures. The model-based risk estimates for vertebral fracture using the SDI and the more complex model were highly correlated (r = 0.91, P < 0.001), giving almost identical values up to an SDI of 5. Thus, for most clinical scenarios, it is not necessary to consider the particular fracture configuration that led to a given SDI score for predicting a patient's future vertebral fracture risk. These results validate the SDI as an accurate tool for assessing future vertebral fracture risk; patients with greater baseline SDI had greater future risk for vertebral fractures.     

Effects of Raloxifene on Fracture Severity in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis: Results from the MORE Study

Raloxifene reduces the risk of new vertebral fractures, but its effect on the severity of these new fractures has not been determined. The MORE (Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation) trial studied the effects of placebo, raloxifene 60 or 120 mg/day in 7705 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Radiologists assessed new vertebral fractures from radiographs and graded the fracture severity as normal (no fracture) or mild, moderate or severe. New clinical vertebral fractures were defined as new vertebral fractures associated with symptoms, such as back pain, and confirmed in radiographs. In the total study population, the majority (76.4%) of the women who experienced clinical vertebral fractures were diagnosed with new moderate/severe vertebral fractures. In turn, women with moderate/severe vertebral fractures in the overall population were more likely to experience clinical symptoms suggestive of fracture than were women who had new mild-only vertebral fractures. The incidence of new mild-only and moderate/severe fractures was the same in women without prevalent vertebral fractures, but the incidence of new moderate/severe fractures was 2 to 3 times higher than that for new mild-only fractures in women with prevalent vertebral fractures. Raloxifene 60 mg/day decreased the risk of at least 1 new moderate/severe vertebral fracture by 61% in women without prevalent vertebral fractures [RR 0.39 (95% CI 0.17, 0.69)], and by 37% in women with prevalent vertebral fractures [RR 0.63 (95% CI 0.49, 0.83)] at 3 years. The risk reductions for at least 1 new moderate/severe vertebral fracture were not significantly different between the raloxifene doses, in women with and without prevalent vertebral fractures. The effects of raloxifene on significantly decreasing the risk of new moderate/severe vertebral fractures may explain the risk reduction for new painful clinical vertebral fractures observed with raloxifene, and is particularly important in postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis who are at higher risk for moderate or severe fractures. Received: 11 April 2002 / Accepted: 19 June 2002 Correspondence and offprint requests to: Ethel Siris, MD, Toni Stabile Osteoporosis Center, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 180 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA. Tel: +1 (212) 305 2529. Fax: +1 (212) 305 6482. e-mail: es27@columbia.edu     

Therapiekonzepte bei Frakturen des thorakolumbalen Überganges und der Lendenwirbelsäule

Thoracolumbar vertebral fractures are not only characterized by frequent osteoligamentous instability, but also often by irreversible damage to to the intervertebral disk. Treatment guidelines can be formulated based on an accurate classification system. In addition to reconstructing the axis of rotation, it is crucial that the width of the spinal canal be restored when neurological deficits are present. Both indirect dorsal compression and ventral endoscopically guided direct decompression are equally of decisive importance. To achieve long-term stability with as little corrective loss as possible, the ventral column absorbing pressure is surgically stabilized by diligently resecting a destroyed intervertebral disk and vertebral fragments and replacing it with a corticocancellous bone graft or cage. The goal should always be to keep the fusion length as short as possible.     

Sacral insufficiency fracture diagnosed after vertebroplasty for L2 and L3 compression fractures: a case report

Vertebroplasty for osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures usually results in complete and immediate cessation of pain symptoms. Occasionally the procedure does not relieve pain and further intervention is required. We herein report the case of a 62-year-old female with L2 and L3 vertebral compression fractures treated with vertebroplasty. Her symptoms did not improve and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging showed focal changes in the S1 and S2 vertebral bodies; bone scintigraphy showed the characteristic Honda sign of a sacral insufficiency fracture. Sacroplasty at S1 and S2 completely relieved the patient's back pain. If a vertebroplasty fails to relieve back pain immediately after the procedure as expected, surgeons should be aware of the possibility of a concomitant sacral insufficiency fracture.     

Traumatische Schultergelenkluxation (akut und chronisch)

It is essential to differentiate primary dislocation, ventral instability and chronic neglected dislocation. Open procedures are indicated only rarely and in specific cases after primary dislocation of the shoulder: with fracture of the ventral glenoid rim, huge humeral head impression fracture (reversed Hill-Sachs lesion) and rupture of the rotator cuff. Early reconstruction of rotator cuff rupture is very important for the outcome of treatment. Bony lesions of the glenoid rim are fixed with lag screws, while impression fractures of the humeral head are elevated and buttressed with cancellous bone grafts. The standard procedure for ventral shoulder instability is open reconstruction of the labrum–capsule complex according to Bankart, if necessary combined with a capsular shift and / or closure of any defect in the rotator cuff interval. The indications for rotation osteotomy according to Weber and ¶J-span plasty according to Resch are highly specific and must be strictly observed. Other procedures should be avoided. For neglected chronic dislocations, which are dorsal dislocations, no standard procedure can be defined. We prefer to perform internal rotation osteotomy of the upper arm in such cases.     

Minimalinvasive Versorgung von thorakolumbalen Wirbelfrakturen

Minimally invasive surgery for vertebral fractures means less approach-related morbidity, decreased postoperative pain and rapid mobilization of patients. Such procedures can be performed even in elderly patients. However, along with the many advantages, minimally invasive procedures are technically demanding, require sophisticated tools and there is a learning curve for surgeons. Intraoperative visualization is often possible only radiologically and implants are generally much more expensive. Using the data from some 1,000 vertebral fracture cases treated over the past 3.5 years, we have developed a differentiated treatment concept, depending on the age of the patient and the fracture characteristics, which are presented here. Unstable fractures with involvement of the posterior edge are stabilized from a posterior approach, percutaneously with a fixator. In patients under 60 years, monoaxial screws with inserted rods (top loading) are used with which distraction and restoration of lordosis are also possible. Patients over 60 years are treated percutaneously with a polyaxial sextant system with rods inserted to avoid avulsion of the pedicle screws from the vertebral body. To avoid cutting through the vertebra, the fenestrated screws can be augmented with cement. If a vertebral defect remains after posterior treatment, anterior fusion can also be performed endoscopically with an iliac crest bone graft and an anterior plate if necessary. In older patients, often kyphoplasty is sufficient here. For recent, stable osteoporotic fractures with enhancement of the short time inversion-recovery (STIR) T2 sequence on magnetic resonance imaging and severe pain despite analgesics kyphoplasty is performed. This is possible even in high thoracic fractures to T3 using thinner balloons. In 0.34% (2 out of 564) of cases post-operative neurological deficits were observed after cement extravasation.     

Behandlung der Wirbelsäulenfraktur bei ankylosierender Spondylitis

Clinical guidelines for the treatment of vertebral fractures associated with ankylosing spondylitis are derived from case reports and a review of literature. The coincidence of paravertebral calcifications and fracture formations leads to problems in the establishment of a proper initial diagnosis. Therefore computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have to be employed to define the extent of fracture and the presence of spinal lesions. As a rule vertebral fractures based upon spondylitic alterations are extremely unstable and tend to secondary dislocation with a high risk of spinal cord injuries. Operative osteosynthesis is the method of choice in the fracture treatment. A successful stabilization requires an extended spondylodesis comprising at least five vertebral segments by a dorsal or a combined ventral instrumentation.     

Mittelhandfrakturen im Kindesalter

Fractures of the metacarpal bones are rarely reported in growing children. Compression fractures affecting the metaphyses and epiphysial separations are the most frequent types in the central area of the hand, usually with a metaphyseal outbreak wedge. Genuine Bennet and Rolando fractures do not occur in children whose joints are still open. As with every other fracture treatment, therapy should be efficient and give an optimal result with minimum expenditure. A definitive primary therapy is the best method of treatment, but redislocations can make therapy changes necessary. This was the case in 4 of our 64 patients. There are not many treatment procedures that can be considered for metacarpal fractures in children: different types of plaster cast and Kirschner wires are the only methods used. Fractures with no dislocation are treated only by means of plaster casts. With dislocations the spontaneous correction that can be expected must of course be considered. These mainly affect younger children and axial malalignments in the sagittal plane. In the case of dislocation fractures every effort should be made to provide emergency care within the first 6 h after the accident.     

Seizure-induced muscle force can caused lumbar spine fracture

Patients suffering form epilepsy have an increased risk for fractures. Beside fractures caused by fall or accident muscles forces alone generated during tonic-clonic seizure can result in severe musculoskeletal injury. Contractions of strong paraspinal muscles can lead to compression fracture of the mid-thoracic spine. We report a patient who had suffered from a tonic-clonic seizure during early morning hours. After a cracking sound the patient woke up in a state of post-ictal disorientation, loss of urine and tongue bite. He was admitted to our facilities with the suspected vertebral fracture albeit he just reported of mild lower back pain. Native X-rays and computer-tomography scans showed instable burst fractures of L2 and L4. The fractures were stabilised with a dorsally instrumented internal fixator from L1 to L5 followed by hemi-laminectomy and ventral spondylodesis. Muscle force alone can result in severe skeletal trauma including vertebral fractures. This example emphasizes the importance of critical examination of patients after grand mal seizures. Seizures-induced injuries can appear clinically asymptomatic and can easily be overseen due to absence of trauma and post-ictal impairment of consciousness.     

Secular trends in the incidence of postmenopausal vertebral fractures

Summary Several studies suggest secular increases in hip fracture incidence through this century, but little is known about such trends for vertebral fracture. We have examined changes in the incidence of clinically ascertained vertebral fractures among Rochester, Minnesota residents aged 35–69 years, that were first diagnosed between 1950 and 1989. Our results indicate no overall increase in incidence over the 40-year period. Categorization of fractures according to the level of preceding trauma, however, revealed a significant increase in the incidence of fractures following moderate trauma among women aged 60–69 years. This increase occurred between 1950 and 1964, and leveled off thereafter. Rates for severe trauma fractures among postmenopausal women, and for vertebral fractures from any cause among younger men and women, remained stable. The rise in moderate trauma fractures in postmenopausal women paralleled that for hip fractures in Rochester and began to plateau at around the same time. It might have resulted from increased diagnosis of vertebral fractures, but the increase in hip fracture incidence is inconsistent with this explanation. An increase in the prevalence of osteoporosis, however, might account for the trend in both types of fractures.     

Vertebral locking lesion following cervical spine fracture in ankylosing spondylitis

Spine fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis frequently extend to all 3 columns, which can lead to displacement and deformity with severe instability. Cervical spine fractures occasionally cause severe kyphotic deformities, such as chin-on-chest deformities. In such cases, the patients typically exhibit a chronic progression of hyperkyphosis after the traumatic event. This article describes a unique case of ankylosing spondylitis associated with an acute chin-on-chest deformity following a spine fracture due to a vertebral locking lesion.A 60-year-old man fell while walking and sustained a compression fracture of the C6 vertebra. Two weeks later, the patient acutely developed an inability to raise his head, difficulties with chewing and swallowing, and a horizontal gaze. Radiographs demonstrated a severe kyphosis in the cervical spine with a locking lesion between the anterior wall of the C5 and C6 vertebrae. The patient also presented with neurological impairment in his hands. Because the anterior approach to the spine was anatomically impossible, halo traction was initially applied under a close observation of neurological symptoms. Three days after halo traction, release of the vertebral locking lesion and realignment of the spine were seen. The patient subsequently underwent spinal fusion using a combined anterior-posterior approach.Postoperatively, neurological dysfunction improved, and solid fusion was confirmed at 6 months. In cases of acute kyphotic deformity following cervical spine fracture in ankylosing spondylitis patients, halo traction followed by circumferential spine fusion is a safe and effective approach for improving the alignment and stability of the spine.     

Severity of prevalent vertebral fractures and the risk of subsequent vertebral and nonvertebral fractures: results from the MORE trial

Prevalent vertebral fractures and baseline bone mineral density (BMD) predict subsequent fracture risk. The objective of this analysis is to examine whether baseline vertebral fracture severity can predict new vertebral and nonvertebral fracture risk. In the randomized, double-blind 3-year Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) trial, 7705 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (low BMD or prevalent vertebral fractures) were randomly assigned to placebo, raloxifene 60 mg/day, or raloxifene 120 mg/day. Post hoc analyses studied the association between baseline fracture severity and new fracture risk in the placebo group and the effects of placebo, raloxifene 60 mg/day, and raloxifene 120 mg/day on new fracture risk in women with the most severe prevalent vertebral fractures (n = 614). Vertebral fracture severity was visually assessed using semiquantitative analysis of radiographs and categorized by estimated decreases in vertebral heights. Reported new nonvertebral fractures were radiographically confirmed. Baseline vertebral fracture severity predicted vertebral and nonvertebral fracture risk at 3 years. In women without prevalent vertebral fractures, 4.3 and 5.5% had new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures, respectively. In women with mild, moderate, and severe prevalent vertebral fractures, 10.5, 23.6, and 38.1% respectively had new vertebral fractures, whereas 7.2, 7.7, and 13.8% respectively experienced new nonvertebral fractures. Number of prevalent vertebral fractures and baseline BMD also predicted vertebral fracture risk, but the severity of prevalent vertebral fractures was the only predictor of nonvertebral fracture risk and remained a significant predictor after adjustment for baseline characteristics, including baseline BMD. In patients with severe baseline vertebral fractures, raloxifene 60 mg/day decreased the risks of new vertebral [RR 0.74 (95% Cl 0.54, 0.99); P = 0.048] and nonvertebral (clavicle, humerus, wrist, pelvis, hip, and leg) fractures [RH 0.53 (95% CI 0.29, 0.99); P = 0.046] at 3 years. To prevent one new fracture at 3 years in women with severe baseline vertebral fractures with raloxifene 60 mg/day, the number needed to treat (NNT) was 10 for vertebral and 18 for nonvertebral fractures. Similar results were observed in women receiving raloxifene 120 mg/day. In summary, baseline vertebral fracture severity was the best independent predictor for new vertebral and nonvertebral fracture risk. Raloxifene decreased new vertebral and nonvertebral fracture risk in the subgroup of women with severe vertebral fractures at baseline. These fractures may reflect architectural deterioration, independent of BMD, leading to increased skeletal fragility.     

Mild morphometric vertebral fractures predict vertebral fractures but not non-vertebral fractures

Summary

In this meta-analysis of the control arms of four phase 3 trials, mild vertebral fractures were a significant risk factor for future vertebral fractures but not for non-vertebral fracture.

Introduction

A prior vertebral fracture is a risk factor for future fracture that is commonly used as an eligibility criterion for treatment and in the assessment of fracture probability. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of a morphometric fracture according to the severity of fracture.

Methods

We examined the control (placebo) treated arms of four phase 3 trials. Vertebral fracture status was graded at baseline in 7,623 women, and fracture outcomes were documented over the subsequent 20,000 patient-years. Fracture outcomes were characterised as a further vertebral fracture, a non-vertebral fracture or a clinical fracture (non-vertebral plus clinical vertebral fracture). The relative risk of fracture was computed from the merged β coefficients of each trial weighted according to the variance.

Results

Mild vertebral fractures were a significant risk factor for vertebral fractures [risk ratio (RR)?=?2.17; 95 % CI?=?1.70–2.76] but were not associated with an increased risk of non-vertebral fractures (RR?=?1.08; 95 % CI?=?0.86–1.36). Moderate/severe vertebral fractures were associated with a high risk of vertebral fractures (RR?=?4.23; 95 % CI?=?3.58–5.00) and a moderate though significant increase in non-vertebral fracture risk (RR?=?1.64; 95 % CI?=?1.38–1.94).

Conclusions

Prior moderate/severe morphometric vertebral fractures are a strong and significant risk factor for future fracture. The presence of a mild vertebral fracture is of no significant prognostic value for non-vertebral fractures. These findings should temper the use of morphometric fractures in the assessment of risk and the design of phase 3 studies.     

Therapie von Glenoid- und Skapulafrakturen

Fractures of the scapula are caused by direct or indirect trauma and can be isolated or associated with multiple injuries. Most such fractures can be diagnosed in plain X-rays of the shoulder in the a-p plane. In the case of more complex injuries computer tomography is a great help in deciding whether or not surgery is indicated. As the shoulder blade is surrounded by powerful muscles, which give adequate stability in the case of bone fracture, conservative treatment of scapular fractures is usually possible. If dislocated fracture of the joint or shoulder instability with fracture of the clavicle is present or the movement in the thoracoscapular joint is impaired surgical stabilization is necessary. Anterior access is used mainly in the case of rim fractures. When a dorsal or combined access route to the shoulder is used the particular anatomical conditions in this region must be borne in mind to avoid iatrogenic vascular and/or neural injuries. The triangular bony structure of the shoulder blade with its almost paper-thin centre allows the fixation of devices for osteosynthesis only at the edges and in the glenoid region (Kirschner wires, fragment screws, plates). A wide variety of classification systems take account of anatomical and functional aspects and those suggesting what treatment is indicated. Carrier bags and the Gilchrist and Desault bandage are both suitable for the initial immobilization. Physiotherapy is started when posttraumatic or postoperative pain fades away.