Percutaneous vertebroplasty through a transdiscal access route after lumbar transpedicular instrumentation.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Transpedicular vertebroplasty is an effective procedure to reduce pain and stabilize osteoporotic vertebral fractures. It is, however, difficult to perform after transpedicular instrumentation because the pedicle screws are in the way. PURPOSE: To determine if vertebroplasty can be performed in patients who have previously undergone osteosynthesis pedicle-screw fixation. STUDY DESIGN: We postulate that an alternate transdiscal route can be used in cases with instrumentation in order to successfully perform vertebroplasty. METHODS: We report the case of a 73-year-old male patient presenting with a fresh osteoporotic fracture of L2 and L3 6 weeks after having undergone a dorsal operative stabilization between L3 and L5. RESULTS: Vertebroplasty was performed using a transdiscal descending approach to treat the two adjacent vertebral levels. The patient reported a 50% decrease in pain and was able to walk with a stick at 3 months. At late follow-up at 18 months his walking had further improved and he experienced only sporadic lumbar pain. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebroplasty can be performed in patients having previously undergone transpedicular instrumentation. The transdiscal route represents such a new approach.     

Posterior transpedicular Zielke instrumentation of the lumbar spine

Thirty-three patients treated by posterior transpedicular Zielke instrumentation of the lumbar spine were followed 1.1-2.7 years postoperatively. The average age of the patients was 64 years. The transpedicular technique allowed excellent fixation in patients with poor bone stock secondary to osteoporosis and extensive laminectomy defects. In particular, it allowed distraction and realignment of asymmetrically collapsed foramina with relief of pedicular kinking, correction of lateral deformity, and correction of reduced and fixed listhetic segments. Complications included one broken rod in the immediate postoperative interval while in the hospital. There was no late breakage of rods. The technique of transpedicular fixation with the ability to selectively distract or compress individual segments prevented any further collapse or displacement and allowed correction of areas of scoliotic collapse with relief of root entrapment. A normal lordosis was maintained as indicated by preoperative and postoperative measurements.     

Percutaneous transpedicular polymethylmethacrylate vertebroplasty for the treatment of spinal compression fractures

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety, feasibility, and clinical outcome of percutaneous transpedicular polymethylmethacrylate vertebroplasty (PTPV) for the treatment of spinal compression fractures causing refractory pain. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive group of patients undergoing PTPV at our institution between April 1998 and January 2001. Outcome measures included analgesic requirements, ambulatory status, sleep comfort, and overall quality of life 2 weeks after the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients (73 women and 24 men) underwent 258 PTPV procedures during 133 treatment sessions. The mean age was 76 years (range, 42-99 yr). The mean duration of follow-up was 14.7 months (range, 2-35 mo). Most of the patients had osteoporotic compression fractures, although some had osteolytic malignancies. Complete follow-up was obtained in 81 patients (84%). Narcotic and analgesic usage decreased in 63% of patients, increased in 7%, and remained the same in 30%. Ambulation and mobility were improved in 51%, worse in 1% and the same in 48%. One-half of the patients were able to sleep more comfortably after the procedure, whereas the other half remained the same. Most patients who reported no change in sleep or ambulation had experienced no impairment of these activities before PTPV. Overall, 74% of patients believed that PTPV significantly enhanced their quality of life and 26% reported no change. No patient was worse after PTPV. One patient with preexisting pneumonia died of respiratory failure after the procedure; another died of an acute stroke weeks later. One patient developed symptomatic pulmonary embolism of cement, and another developed transient quadriceps weakness from radiculopathy. Other complications were minor and infrequent. There were no infections. CONCLUSION: PTPV provided significant relief in a high percentage of patients with refractory pain. PTPV is a safe and feasible treatment for patients with spinal compression fractures.     

Percutaneous transpedicular vertebroplasty with PMMA: operative technique and early results

Vertebroplasty-percutaneous cement augmentation of osteoporotic vertebrae is an efficient procedure for the treatment of painful vertebral fractures. From a prospectively monitored series of 70 patients with 193 augmented vertebrae for osteoporotic and metastatic lesions, we analysed a group of 17 patients suffering from back pain due to osteoporotic fractures. The reinforcement of 45 vertebral bodies in these patients led to a significant and lasting pain reduction (P < 0.01). The presented technique is useful, as, in one session, at least four injections can be performed when required, allowing the prophylactic reinforcement of adjacent vertebrae as well. The use of a low-viscosity polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in combination with a non-ionic liquid contrast dye provides a reliable and safe procedure. Extraosseous cement leakage was seen in 20% of the interventions; however, none of them had clinical sequelae. Received: 31 January 2000/Revised: 18 May 2000/Accepted: 22 May 2000     

腰椎后路椎体间融合及内固定治疗低度腰椎滑脱

[目的]阐述、探讨腰椎后路椎体间融合（posterior lumbar interbody fusion，PLIF）及椎弓根内固定治疗低度腰椎滑脱的疗效及临床体会：[方法]回顾性分析2004年1月～2005年9月收治的53例行腰椎后路减压椎间融合及椎弓根内固定治疗的低度腰椎滑脱患者。分析手术前后的Boxall滑脱率、滑脱角及椎间高度的变化。分析临床疗效及融合率、手术方式、并发症之关系，阐述临床治疗新体会。[结果]53例患者均获得随访，平均随访16个月（9～21个月），49例（92，5％）病人获得椎体间骨性融合。术前与术后的Boxall指数、滑脱角及椎间高度均有显著差异（P〈0．01）。并发症：1例患者发生融合器后移；1例患者发生椎间隙低毒性感染；2例患者发生神经根牵拉伤；1例发生融合器下沉。[结论]腰椎滑脱通过腰椎后路一次完成减压、椎间植骨融合及椎弓根内固定，疗效显著。并发症发生与围手术期密切相关，手术过程因人而异，并发症的发生与手术操作技巧、协调性关系尤为密切。     

Congenital lumbar "pseudohernia".

At the age of 11 mo, a boy, born by breech presentation, was seen with signs suggesting a congenital lumbar hernia. Signs of already healing epiphysiolysis humeri and costal fractures suggested a traumatic origin of the hernia due to neuropraxia of the intercostal nerves. Full recovery ensued without active treatment.     

Percutaneous instrumentation of the thoracic and lumbar spine

The development of percutaneous instrumentation systems has been a significant milestone in the ability of surgeons to perform complex spinal procedures through minimally invasive approaches. These systems rely on cannulated screws or portal systems and using intraoperative imaging to allow accurate placement of the spinal implants without a full traditional exposure of the spine. This article reviews the operative concepts and techniques used to place percutaneous instrumentation in the thoracolumbar spine.     

Anterior transpedicular instrumentation of the lumbar spine: an anatomical study.

Lumbar burst fractures or massive tumorous destruction of the lumbar spine generally require a combined anterior-posterior surgical approach for adequate decompression and stabilization. Anatomical studies in 10 adult cadavers with 100 pedicle screw placements from a single strictly anterior approach showed that this new method represents a safe and promising way for stable lumbar spine instrumentation, avoiding the risks of a bilateral approach. The technique provides a stability comparable with bilateral instrumentation. Exact knowledge of the geometry of the corresponding vertebral bodies and the spinal canal by computed tomography scanning is a prerequisite for this surgical technique. First clinical applications using this technique reconfirm the experiences of the anatomical study.     

Percutaneous transpedicular biopsy of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae--method and diagnostic validity

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transpedicular needle biopsy was performed on thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies with a thin trocar (2.0 mm outer diameter) under observation with a conventional X-ray image intensifier in order to establish a correct histopathological diagnosis. We also evaluated the clinical validity of this less invasive diagnostic method in terms of the accuracy of the pathological diagnosis. METHODS: Twenty-eight thoracic or lumbar vertebrae of 26 patients with abnormalities observed on routine X-ray, CT, or MRI images underwent percutaneous transpedicular needle biopsy under local anesthesia. A threaded trocar with an outer diameter of 2.0 mm was screwed into the intra-vertebral lesion through the pedicle from the posterior side under control of X-P imaging, and a small amount of tissue or fluid was collected. RESULTS: For all patients but two, where inadequate specimens were obtained, correct diagnoses were made, which were confirmed by pathological diagnoses of massive tissue obtained during subsequent reconstructive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy rate of diagnosis with this biopsy method was 92% without significant intra- or postoperative complications. Therefore, it can be concluded that this less invasive biopsy method used in conjunction with conventional X-ray apparatus has good potential to result in correct preoperative diagnosis of thoracic and lumbar lesions so that more effective treatment can be determined.     

经皮穿刺后路脊柱内固定术治疗胸腰椎骨折

目的 探讨经皮穿刺胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉系统内固定的可行性及临床意义。方法 2002年9月至2003年12月采用经皮穿刺胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉系统内固定，椎管减压，经椎弓根椎体内植骨，治疗胸腰椎骨折16例。结果 手术时间：130—210min，平均162min。术中出血量：20—320ml，平均160ml。手术后节段后凸Cobb角纠正率平均达85．2％。椎体塌陷纠正事平均为80．2％。均在术后3周佩戴腰围支具下床。术后3周复查ASIA分级，C缓恢复至D级3例，D级恢复至E级9例，保持D级2例，保持E级2例。结论 经皮穿刺胸腰椎椎弓根螺钉系统内固定创伤小，可以完成开放手术的所有步骤．但技术难度高、X线暴露时间长。     

经皮椎体成形术治疗症状性胸、腰椎体血管瘤

目的探讨经皮椎体成形术（percutaneous vertebroplasty，PVP）治疗症状性椎体血管瘤的临床疗效。方法2002年12月。2005年4月共治疗10例，其中胸椎6例，腰椎4例，均在数字减影血管造影引导下进行，单侧或双侧椎弓根入路进针。PMMA按粉、液及造影剂比例为3：2：1进行调配，“牙膏期”用螺旋式加压装置推入，骨水泥注射量胸椎为4—6ml，平均4．8ml，耀椎为5～8ml。平均6．0ml。结果10例PVP顺利完成，手术时间25—60min，平均39．5min。术中出血量10-50ml，平均19．6ml。无骨水泥渗漏、肺动脉栓塞等并发症发生。10例术后随访2—30个月，平均18个月，9例症状体征消失。未出现新的椎体压缩性骨折，血管瘤无复发；1例L3血管瘤术后1年仍感腰部轻度阵发性隐痛，但可正常生活工作，无神经功能障碍出现。结论经皮椎体成形术是治疗症状性椎体血管瘤的安全有效的微创手术。     

PLIF加椎弓根内固定治疗腰椎间盘源性腰痛

[目的]研究后路椎体间融合加椎弓根固定治疗腰椎间盘源性腰痛的手术疗效。[方法]36例腰椎间盘源性下腰痛，选择后路椎体间植骨融合（posterior lumbar interbody fusion，PLIF）加椎弓根螺钉系统内固定术。分别于术前、术后对病人的腰痛情况进行视觉疼痛自我评定（visual analogue scale，VAS）评分，同时评估术后腰椎融合率。[结果]术后随访时间8—28个月，平均16个月。36例行PLIF治疗者，33例术后腰腿痛症状基本消失，3例仍有轻度腰痛，术前、术后VAS腰痛评分，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。行PLIF患者，融合率为90％。[结论]严格掌握手术适应证，后路腰椎椎体间融合术（PLIF）加椎弓根内固定是治疗腰椎间盘源性下腰痛的有效方法。     

Late results of thoracolumbar fractures after posterior instrumentation and transpedicular bone grafting

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective clinical study was performed. OBJECTIVE: To study clinical and radiologic late results after posterior stabilization of thoracolumbar fractures with internal fixator and interbody fusion via transpedicular bone grafting. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The posterior approach, using an internal fixator, is a standard procedure for stabilizing the injured thoracolumbar spine. Transpedicular bone grafting was invented by Daniaux in 1986 for achieving an interbody fusion. Pedicle screw fixation with additional transpedicular fusion has remained controversial because of inconsistent reports and a lack of late results. METHODS: Between January 1989 and July 1992, 76 patients with thoracolumbar fractures were operatively treated, and after a mean of more than 3 years, 56 of 62 patients (90%) still alive who had their implants removed were examined. RESULTS: According to the Magerl classification, 33 patients sustained Type A, 13 Type B, and 10 Type C fractures. Three patients with incomplete paraplegia returned to normal. In one case of complete paraplegia, no change occurred. The mean operative time was 3 hours. In this study, two complications (3.6%) were observed: one iatrogenic vertebral arch fracture without consequences and one deep infection. Compared with the preoperative status, follow-up examinations demonstrated permanent physical and social sequelae: The percentage of individuals able to do physical labor was reduced by half (22 to 11 patients), whereas the share of unemployed or retired patients doubled (4 to 8 patients). At the time of follow-up examination, only 21 of 42 patients continued in sports. The assessment of reported problems and functional outcome with the Hannover spine score reflected a significant difference between the status before injury (96.6/100 points) and at the time of follow-up evaluation (71. 4/100 points) (P < 0.001).The radiographic assessment in the lateral plane (Cobb technique) demonstrated a significant (P < 0.001) mean restoration from an initial angle of -15.6 degrees (kyphosis) to +0. 4 degrees (lordosis). Serial postoperative radiographic follow-up assessment showed progressive loss of correction. At follow-up examination, a mean difference from the postoperative angle of 10.1 degrees was found (P < 0.001). Compared with the preoperative deformity, a mean improvement of 6.1 degrees (average, -9.7 degrees ) at follow-up examination was noted. The addition of transpedicular cancellous bone grafting did not decrease the loss of correction. Computed tomography scans after implant removal were performed in nine cases: Only three of nine patients showed evidence of intervertebral fusion. No correlation could be found between the Magerl classification and radiographic outcome. However, the preoperative wedge angle of the vertebral body correlated significantly with the postoperative loss of reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the disappointing results from this study, the authors cannot recommend the additional transpedicular cancellous bone grafting as an interbody fusion technique after posterior stabilization in cases of complete or incomplete burst injury to the vertebral body.     

Percutaneous minimally invasive instrumentation for traumatic thoracic and lumbar fractures: a prospective analysis

Open posterior instrumentation is still the standard procedure for unstable traumatic thoracic and lumbar fractures. There is a general tendency towards minimally invasive approaches in various surgical disciplines. The Sextant II Rod Insertion system is one of these. The authors prospectively studied this system in 51 patients with thoracic and lumbar fractures, between October 2007 and January 2011. Most fractures (31/51) were situated at the lumbar level. In 7 older patients the technique was combined with kyphoplasty and/or cement augmentation of the pedicle screws. The median operative time was 61 minutes (range: 26-130). The median fluoroscopy time was 132 seconds (range: 24-414). Most pedicle screws were correctly placed: 197 out of 204 screws. All fractures showed bony union after 6 weeks, but the multiaxial pedicle screws were not able to conserve the slight correction obtained peroperatively via positioning and longitudinal traction. Percutaneous minimally invasive stabilization of the spine needs further improvement.     

强迫性侧卧位下经皮椎体成形术治疗腰椎转移性肿瘤

目的 探讨强迫性侧卧位下行经皮椎体成形术(percutaneous vertebroplasty,PVP)治疗腰椎转移性肿瘤的手术技巧及临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析2014年12月至2015年12月于我科治疗的因无法耐受俯卧位而采用强迫性侧卧位下行PVP的6例腰椎转移性肿瘤病人,收集统计所有病人的手术前后影像学资料、疼痛视觉模拟量表(visual analogue scale,VAS)评分及肿瘤复发情况,评价强迫性侧卧位下PVP治疗腰椎转移性肿瘤的临床疗效.结果 本组病人手术时间为16~32 min,平均为(24.4±4.3)min.病人均获得随访,随访时间为6~12个月,平均为(10.0±2.0)个月.术后所有病人至末次随访均未见肿瘤破坏加重,其中2例病人于术后6~7个月死于多器官功能衰竭.所有病人术前、术后影像学资料完整,均无骨水泥外漏,术中无骨水泥反应,术中、术后无脊髓、神经根损伤等并发症发生,术后无穿刺部位感染.病人术前VAS评分为(6.6±1.3)分,与术后的(1.9±1.1)分比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 腰椎转移性肿瘤病人采用强迫性侧卧位,行PVP手术可有效缓解病人疼痛,取到较好的临床疗效.