Delayed Traumatic Diaphragm Hernia after Thoracolumbar Fracture in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Traumatic diaphragm hernia can occur in rare cases and generally accompanies thoracic or abdominal injuries. When suffering from ankylosing spondylitis, a small force can develop into vertebral fracture and an adjacent structural injury, and lead to diaphragm hernia without accompanying concomitant thoracoabdominal injury. A high level of suspicion may be a most reliable diagnostic tool in the detection of a diaphragm injury, and we need to keep in mind a possibility in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and a thoracolumbar fracture, even in the case of minor trauma.     

Surgical Outcomes after Traumatic Vertebral Fractures in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objective

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory rheumatic disease mainly affecting the axial skeleton. The rigid spine may secondarily develop osteoporosis, further increasing the risk of spinal fracture. In this study, we reviewed fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis that had been clinically diagnosed to better define the mechanism of injury, associated neurological deficit, predisposing factors, and management strategies.

Methods

Between January 2003 and December 2013, 12 patients with 13 fractures with neurological complications were treated. Neuroimaging evaluation was obtained in all patients by using plain radiography, CT scan, and MR imaging. The ASIA Impairment Scale was used in order to evaluate the neurologic status of the patients. Management was based on the presence or absence of spinal instability.

Results

A total of 9 cervical and 4 thoracolumbar fractures were identified in a review of patients in whom ankylosing spondylitis had been diagnosed. Of these, 7 fractures were associated with a hyperextension mechanism. 10 cases resulted in a fracture by minor trauma. Posttraumatic neurological deficits were demonstrated in 11 cases and neurological improvement after surgery was observed in 5 of these cases.

Conclusions

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are highly susceptible to spinal fracture and spinal cord injury even after only mild trauma. Initial CT or MR imaging of the whole spine is recommended even if the patient''s symptoms are mild. The patient should also have early surgical stabilization to correct spinal deformity and avoid worsening of the patient''s neurological status.     

Foraminal Synovial Cyst Associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is frequently associated with inflammatory lesions of the spine and continuous fatigue stress fractures; however, an association with an intraspinal synovial cyst has not been previously reported. A 55-year-old man with a five year history of AS who presented with back pain and a right radiculopathy was admitted to the hospital. Five years previously, he underwent a percutaneous vertebroplasty for an osteoporotic L1 compression fracture, and was diagnosed with AS at that time. Plain radiographs showed aggravated kyphosis and a stress fracture through the ossified posterior element, below the prior vertebroplasty. Magnetic resonance images revealed a right foraminal cystic lesion at the L2-L3 level with effacement of the nerve root. A 1.6 cm cystic lesion that appeared to arise from the L2-L3 facet joint without direct communication was excised from the L2-L3 foramen. Pathological examination confirmed synovial cyst. The patient''s symptoms resolved immediately after surgery except for a mild dysesthesia of the right leg. We report herein a rare case of foraminal synovial cyst associated with AS accompanying posterior element fracture with a review of literature.     

The Incidence and Management of Dural Tears and Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage during Corrective Osteotomy for Ankylosing Spondylitis with Kyphotic Deformity

ObjectiveTo present the incidence and management of dural tears and cerebrospinal fluid leakage during corrective osteotomy [Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy (PSO) or Smith-Petersen Osteotomy (SPO)] for ankylosing spondylitis with kyphotic deformity.MethodsA retrospective study was performed for ankylosing spondylitis patients with fixed sagittal imbalance, who had undergone corrective osteotomy (PSO or SPO) at lumbar level. 87 patients were included in this study. 55 patients underwent PSO, 32 patients underwent SPO. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 41.7 years (21-70 years). Of the 87 patients, 15 patients had intraoperative dural tears.ResultsThe overall incidence of dural tears was 17.2%. The incidence of dural tears during PSO was 20.0%, SPO was 12.5%. There was significant difference in the incidence of dural tears based on surgical procedures (PSO vs. SPO) (p<0.05). The dural tears ranged in size from 12 to 221 mm². A nine of 15 patients had the relatively small dural tears, underwent direct repair via watertight closure. The remaining 6 patients had the large dural tears, consequently direct repair was impossible. The large dural tears were repaired with an on-lay graft of muscle, fascia or fat harvested from the adjacent operation site. All patients had a successful repair with no patient requiring reoperation for the cerebrospinal fluid leak.ConclusionThe overall incidence of dural tears during PSO or SPO for ankylosing spondylitis with kyphotic deformity was 17.2%. The risk factor of dural tears was complexity of surgery. All dural tears were repaired primarily using direct suture, muscle, fascia or fat graft.     

高颈段髓外硬膜下肿瘤的诊断与治疗

目的探讨高颈段髓外硬膜下肿瘤的诊断及临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2000年1月至2005年1月我院收治的7例高颈段髓外硬膜下肿瘤的临床及影像学特征、手术方法、手术结果及手术并发症等。结果肿瘤全切6例,次全切1例;痊愈6例,好转1例。随访8月￣6年未见肿瘤复发。结论MRI是髓外硬膜下肿瘤最好的诊断方法,一旦确诊,即应积极处理。恰当的手术入路及精确的显微操作能够提高肿瘤的全切率,减少并发症,取得较好的疗效。     

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Pain Management in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case Report

Introduction. The classic presentation of ankylosing spondylitis not only impairs spinal mobility but also imposes functional limitations, and fatigue is common. Methods. We report here the outcomes of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the case of a 47‐year‐old man with low back and hip/thigh pain due to ankylosing spondylitis, with failed responses to conservative therapies aimed at treating this pain. Results. Spinal cord stimulation induced axial low back and bilateral hip paresthesia resulting in complete subjective pain relief, cessation of analgesic medications, reduced fatigue, and improved sleep patterns. SCS also resulted in improved socioeconomic outcomes with a return to work. Conclusions. With further research in patients with broader presentations of the disease, SCS may prove efficacious in suppressing intractable pain symptoms due to ankylosing spondylitis, thus improving quality of life measures.     

Cauda Equina Syndrome Associated with Dural Ectasia in Chronic Anlylosing Spondylitis

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) associated with dural ectasia is a rare neurologic complication in patients with longstanding ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We report a 68-year-old male with a 30-year history of AS who presented a typical symptom and signs of progressive CES, urinary incontinence and neuropathic pain of the lumbosacral radiculopathy. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings showed the unique appearances of dural ectasia, multiple dural diverticula, erosion of posterior element of the lumbar spine, tethering of the conus medullaris and adhesion of the lumbosacral nerve roots to the posterior aspect of the dural ectasia. Considering the progressive worsening of the clinical signs, detethering of the conus medullaris through resection of the filum terminale was performed through a limited laminectomy. However, the urinary incontinence did not improve and there was a partial relief of the neuropathic leg pain only. The possible pathogenetic mechanism of CES-AS and the dural ectasia in this patient with longstanding AS are discussed with a literature review.     

Cervical Fibrous Dysplasia Presenting as a Pathologic Fracture in an Older Patient

Vertebral involvement of fibrous dysplasia (FD) is rare, especially in the cervical spine. Moreover, cervical FD presenting as a pathologic fracture in older patients is extremely rare. We report a case of symptomatic cervical FD associated with pathologic fracture in a 63-year-old man. The patient presented with progressive weakness of the left arm and pain in the shoulder and arm. Radiologic studies revealed a collapsed and typical ''ground glass'' radiolucency of C4. Multiple lytic lesions involved the odontoid process of C2 and the body, left pedicle, and posterior elements of C4. Combined anterior and posterior decompression and reconstruction were performed. Post-operatively, the histopathologic examination confirmed FD. On the post-operative follow-up examination, the neurologic deficits had completely resolved.     

Posterior Cervical Fixation with Nitinol Shape Memory Loop in the Anterior-Posterior Combined Approach for the Patients with Three Column Injury of the Cervical Spine : Preliminary Report

Objective

The authors reviewed clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with three column injury of the cervical spine who had undergone posterior cervical fixation using Nitinol shape memory alloy loop in the anterior-posterior combined approach.

Materials

Nine patients were surgically treated with anterior cervical fusion using an iliac bone graft and dynamic plate-screw system, and the posterior cervical fixation using Nitinol shape memory loop (Davydov™) at the same time. A retrospective review was performed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Frankel grading method. We reviewed the radiological parameters such as bony fusion rate, height of iliac bone graft strut, graft subsidence, cervical lordotic angle, and instrument related complication.

Results

Single-level fusion was performed in five patients, and two-level fusion in four. Solid bone fusion was presented in all cases after surgery. The mean height of graft strut was significantly decreased from 20.46±9.97 mm at immediate postoperative state to 18.87±8.60 mm at the final follow-up period (p<0.05). The mean cervical lordotic angle decreased from 13.83±11.84° to 11.37±6.03° at the immediate postoperative state but then, increased to 24.39±9.83° at the final follow-up period (p<0.05). There were no instrument related complications.

Conclusion

We suggest that the posterior cervical fixation using Nitinol shape memory alloy loop may be a simple and useful method, and be one of treatment options in anterior-posterior combined approach for the patients with the three column injury of the cervical spine.     

下颈椎骨折脱位的手术治疗

目的 观察下颈椎骨折脱位伴脊髓损伤减压内固定手术治疗的效果。方法 采用闭合复位结合前路或一期前、后路手术治疗急性下颈椎骨折脱位伴脊髓损伤患者46例。术后随访6-32个月，定期摄片观察植骨融合和颈椎稳定性。以Frankel分级作为脊髓恢复情况的判断标准。结果 术后检查证实植骨均在4-6个月内融合，颈椎稳定性好，无内固定松动、脱出，脊髓功能有不同程度的恢复。结论 术前牵引复位，可以使大部分骨折脱位复位．安全有效。有选择地采用一期前后路或单纯前路内固定手术可使受伤节段达到术后即刻稳定，方便术后护理和功能锻炼，有利于脊髓功能的恢复。     

The Management of Bilateral Interfacetal Dislocation with Anterior Fixation in Cervical Spine : Comparison with Combined Antero-Posterior Fixation

Objective

Combined antero-posterior fixation has been a standard method for bilateral interfacetal dislocation in cervical spine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and complication of anterior cervical stabilization in treatment of bilateral interfacetal dislocation.

Methods

A total of 65 cases of traumatic bilateral interfacetal dislocation in cervical spine who were managed in our institution, from Mar. 1997 to Feb. 2006, were included in this study. Closed reduction was tried in all cases before operation. If closed reduction was accomplished successfully, only anterior cervical fixation was performed (Group I), and attempted to place screws bicortically as possible with unicortical screws. If failed, posterior open reduction with fixation was first tried, followed by anterior cervical fixation (Group II). All patients were evaluated for neurological outcome and radiological evidence of healing.

Results

The Group I included 47 patients and the Group II, 18 patients. The improvement of Frankel grade and increase of mean cervical lordosis angles were not statistically different between two groups. Screw-plate system used did not influence the outcome. On follow up, solid bone fusion was evident and there were no cases of instability in both groups.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that anterior cervical fixation on BID is safe and effective in comparison with combined antero-posterior cervical fixation.     

中重型颅脑损伤合并颈椎损伤的临床诊断

目的探讨中重型颅脑损伤合并颈椎损伤的临床诊断。方法回顾性分析16例中重型颅脑损伤合并颈椎损伤的临床诊断和影像学检查资料。结果所有患者均行头颅CT和颈椎CT检查,除因伤情严重放弃治疗3例外,余均行颈髓MR检查。头颅CT均有异常发现,颈椎CT发现异常14例;颈椎CT正常,但颈髓MR异常,即无放射影像异常颈髓损伤有2例。结论中重型颅脑损伤患者易合并颈椎损伤,可在头颅CT扫描的同时行颈椎CT扫描,及时行颈髓MR检查可避免漏诊无放射影像异常颈髓损伤。     

Quantification of Pediatric Cervical Growth: Anatomical Changes in the Sub-Axial Spine

ObjectiveIn order to provide normal values of the pediatric sub-axial cervical spinal canal and vertebral body growth pattern using computed tomographic scans, a total of 318 patients less than 10 years old were included.MethodsThe growth of the vertebral body and canal space was investigated using four different age groups. The Torg ratio (TR) was calculated and all patients were classified into a low TR group and a high TR group according to a cutoff value of 1.0. To account for spinal curvature, the C3-7 angle was measured.ResultsVery little axial expansion and growth in height were observed (2.9 mm and 3.4 mm, respectively), and the spinal canal increments (1.8 mm) were much smaller than the dimensions of the vertebral body. The mean TR values were 1.03±0.14 at the C3 vertebral level, 1.02±0.13 at C4, 1.05±0.13 at C5, 1.04±0.13 at C6, and 1.02±0.12 at C7 in all patients. The mean sub-axial angle (C3-7) was 7.9±10.6° (range: -17-47°).ConclusionThe upper sub-axial spinal canal continuously increased in size compared to the lower sub-axial spine after 8 years of age. Considerable decrements in the TR was found after late childhood compared to younger ages. Generally, there were no significant differences between boys and girls in vertical length of the cervical vertebrae. However, the axial dimension of the vertebral body and the spinal canal space varied according to gender.     

Charcot Spine Treated Using a Single Staged Posterolateral Costotransversectomy Approach in a Patient with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Charcot spine is a progressive and destructive process that affects the vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, and posterior facets. It is the result from repetitive microtrauma in patients who have decreased joint protective mechanisms due to loss of deep pain and proprioceptive sensation, typically because of spinal cord injury. The objective of the study is to report an unusual case of Charcot spine, as a late complication of traumatic spinal cord injury, treated by a circumferential arthrodesis performed with a single staged posterolateral costotransversectomy approach.     

地震中颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤和(或)肺部并发症患者救治体会

目的 分析四川大地震中颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤患者肺部并发症的发生原因并总结救治体会.方法 回顾性分析泸州医学院附属医院神经外科自2008年5月12日至2008年8月6日收治的9例颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤患者的临床资料.结果 颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤患者均采取手术治疗,其中6例伤后5 d内发生肺部并发症,其中肺炎3例,通气障碍2例,肺水肿和血气胸1例,经积极的呼吸道管理等非手术治疗,肺部并发症都得到有效控制.结论 颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤急性期(<5 d)常发生严重肺部并发症.以高位损伤(C4>以上)、合并胸部损伤、高龄、有肺部疾患史与吸烟史者更易发生,早期发现后内科治疗效果好.     

Resultados quirúrgicos de fracturas cervicales traumáticas en pacientes con espondilitis anquilosante

Objective

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory rheumatic disease mainly affecting the axial skeleton. The rigid spine may secondarily develop osteoporosis, further increasing the risk of spinal fracture. In this study, we reviewed fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis that had been clinically diagnosed to better define the mechanism of injury, associated neurological deficit, predisposing factors, and management strategies.