Various techniques for anterior column reconstruction have been described after en bloc resection of spinal tumors. Limited evidence exists regarding one being superior to another. The purpose of this study is to evaluate 3D-printed vertebral bodies for spinal reconstruction after en bloc resection in the thoracolumbar spine.
Methods
Prospective observational study on custom-made 3D-printed titanium reconstruction of vertebral bodies after en bloc resection for spinal tumor was conducted between November 2015 and June 2017. 3D-printed vertebral bodies were monitored for mechanical complications such as (1) migration, (2) subsidence into the adjacent vertebral bodies, and/or (3) breakage. Complications and related details were recorded.
Results
Thirteen patients (7 females and 6 males) were enrolled, and reconstruction of the anterior column was performed using custom-made 3D-printed titanium prosthesis after en bloc resection for spinal tumor (8 primary bone tumors and 5 solitary metastases). Subsidence into the adjacent vertebral bodies occurred in all patients at both proximal and distal bone–implant interfaces; however, it was clinically irrelevant (asymptomatic, and no consequences on posterior instrumentation), in 11 out of 12 patients (92%). In 1 patient (#4), severity of the subsidence led to revision of the construct. At an average 10-month follow-up (range 2–16), 1 implant was removed due to local recurrence of the disease and 1 was revisioned due to progressive distal junctional kyphosis.
Conclusion
Preliminary results from this series suggest that 3D printing can be effectively used to produce custom-made prosthesis for anterior column reconstruction.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Wound infections after posterior spinal surgery are a troublesome complication; patients are occasionally forced to remove the internal fixation device, which can lead to instability of the spine and injury to the spinal cord. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of modified vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) for treating an early postoperative spinal wound infection.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study of 18 patients with wound infections after posterior spinal surgery from 2014 to 2017 at a single tertiary center. All patients included in the study received modified VAC treatment (VAC combined with a closed suction irrigation system, CSIS) until the wound satisfied the secondary closure conditions. Detailed information was obtained from the medical records.
Results
Wound size decreased significantly after 1?week of the modified VAC treatment. Three patients were treated with VAC three times and one patient received the VAC treatment four times; the remaining patients received the VAC treatment twice. The patients had excellent wound beds after an average of 8?days. The wound healed completely after an average of 17?days, and the average hospital stay was 33?days. There was no recurrence of infection at the 1-year follow-up.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates that VAC combined with a CSIS is a safe, reliable, and effective method to treat a wound infection after spinal surgery. This improved VAC procedure provides an excellent wound bed to facilitate wound healing and shorten the hospital stay.
This study aimed to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of spinal flexibility measurements using ultrasound imaging on non-surgical candidates with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
Methods
Twenty-eight consecutive consented AIS subjects (25 F; 3 M) were recruited; 24 subjects’ data were used for analysis. This study explored curve magnitude differences between standing, prone and voluntary maximum side-bending postures to assess the reliability of spinal flexibility (SF). Two raters were included in this study. Four flexibility indices, PRSI, BRPI, B-PRSI, BRSI, based on the postural changes from standing to prone and from prone to bending position were defined. The reliability analysis was evaluated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) [1, 2] and the standard error of measurements (SEM).
Results
The ICC [1, 2] values of the intra-rater (R2 only) and inter-rater (R1 vs R2) reliabilities of the measurements (PRSI, BRPI, B-PRSI, BRSI) were (0.82, 0.64, 0.78, 0.91) and (0.78, 0.76, 0.84, 0.94), respectively. Among the four indices, the BRPI had the highest SEM values 1.42, and 0.73 for intra- and inter-raters results, respectively, while BRSI had the lowest SEM 0.04 and 0.02 for intra- and inter-rater, respectively.
Conclusions
The BRPI, BRSI and B-PRSI could be measured reliably on US images when the Cobb angle at prone position was not close to zero. Using these three indices, information may provide more comprehensive information about the SF. Validity of spinal flexibility measurements still needed to be confirmed with a clinical study with more subjects.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Traumatic thoraco-lumbar spine fracture spine with a concomitant blunt aortic injury is uncommon but potentially a fatal association. Our aim was to clarify: morphology of spinal fractures related to vascular damages and vice versa, diagnostic procedures and decision-making process for the best treatment options for spine and vessels.
Methods
We enrolled 42 cases culled from the literature and five personal ones, reviewing in detail by AO Spine Classification, Society of Vascular Surgery classification and Abbreviated Injury Scale for neurological evaluation.
Results
Most fractures were at T11–L2 (29 cases; 62%) and type C (17; 70%). 17 (38%) were neurological. Most common vascular damage was the rupture (20; 43%), followed by intimal tear (13; 28%) and pseudoaneurysm (9; 19%). Vascular injury often required open or endovascular repair before spinal fixation. Distraction developed aortic intimal damage until rupture, while flexion–distraction lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm and rotation–torsion full laceration of collateral branches. CT and angio-CT were investigations of choice, followed by angiography. Neurological condition remained unchanged in 28 cases (90%). Overall mortality was 30%, but it was higher in AIS A.
Conclusion
Relationship between thoraco-lumbar fracture and vascular lesion is rare, but potentially fatal. Comprehension of spinal biomechanics and vascular damages could be crucial to avoid poor results or decrease mortality. Frequently, traction of the aorta and its vessels is realized by C-dislocated fractures. CT and angio-CT are recommended. Spine stabilization should always follow the vascular repair. Early severe deficits worse the prognosis related to neurological recovery and survival.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
The objective of this article is to report a case of type V osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) undergoing posterior instrumented fusion for scoliosis. Type V OI is a moderately severe dysplasia causing primary defects in endochondral bone ossification or mineralisation. It is characterised by hyperplastic callus (HPC) formation, interosseous membrane calcifications, poor bone quality and spinal deformities including scoliosis. Data on the surgical management of spinal deformities in this patient group are lacking.
Case report
A 16-year-old patient with a confirmed diagnosis of type V OI presented with a progressive scoliosis. The patient underwent a T3–L4 posterior instrumented correction and fusion utilising pedicle screws, pedicle hooks and sub-laminar wiring. At 4 months after surgery, the pedicle hooks pulled out and required partial metalwork removal after CT scanning confirmed bony union and no evidence of HPC formation. The patient was successfully discharged with satisfactory correction, confirmed bony union, no neurologic complication and absence of any hyperplastic callus formation.
Conclusion
Type V OI patients requiring surgical intervention for scoliosis correction can safely undergo posterior instrumented fusion using sublaminar wiring and pedicle hook/screw constructs without apparent risk of HPC formation around neural elements. Surgery in this patient group remains challenging due to the associated poor bone quality.
To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) into the Korean language and to test the psychometric properties of the Korean COMI in patients with degenerative lumbar spine diseases.
Methods
A cross-cultural adaptation of the COMI into Korean was carried out using established guidelines. A total of 117 patients with lumbar spinal diseases were recruited from the spinal center of a tertiary care teaching institution and completed a baseline questionnaire including the newly translated COMI, the visual analog scale for back pain and for leg pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the EuroQOL-5 dimensions (EQ-5D). Within 2 weeks after the first assessment, 83 (71%) completed a second COMI questionnaire and a transition question (no change, slight change, moderate change, a lot of change) by phone to assess reproducibility.
Results
COMI summary scores displayed 1.7% floor effects and no ceiling effect. For construct validity, each COMI item and COMI summary score well correlated with its corresponding reference questionnaire. Therefore, the predefined hypotheses for the construct validities of each COMI item (ρ?>?0.4 with the corresponding questionnaire) and the COMI summary score (ρ?>?0.6 with both ODI and EQ-5D) were confirmed. Intraclass correlation coefficients of each COMI item and summary score ranged from 0.93 to 0.98. Therefore, the hypothesis for reliability (ICC?>?0.8) was confirmed.
Conclusions
The present study highlights that the Korean version of the COMI is a reliable and valid outcome tool for use in Korean-speaking patients with degenerative lumbar spinal disease.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
To compare long term clinical and radiographic outcomes in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures of the thoracolumbar spine treated with conservative treatment and percutaneous vertebroplasty.
Methods
The retrospective study with inclusion criteria focused on osteoporotic fractures of the thoracolumbar junction (T10–L2). Clinical outcomes were evaluated by using the VAS, Oswestry and SF36 questionnaires. Radiographic outcomes were evaluated by comparing the following sagittal parameters: body angle, sagittal index of fractured vertebral body and adjacent vertebral segments kyphosis. Complications in terms of adjacent vertebral fractures and cement leakage are reported.
Results
Percutaneous vertebroplasty provided better vertebral body height restoration, but was associated with a higher incidence of adjacent fractures (20%) than conservative treatment (3.5%). This fact may explain why patients treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty had worse overall kyphotic alignment at final follow-up. Cement leakage was frequent, but always asymptomatic and generally no serious complications occurred.
Conclusions
Percutaneous vertebroplasty represents a safe treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, although it may be associated with a higher incidence of adjacent fractures and therefore worse thoracolumbar kyphosis and long-term follow-up than conservative treatment.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Intervertebral kinematic assessments have been used to investigate mechanical causes when back pain is resistant to treatment, and recent studies have identified intervertebral motion markers that discriminate patients from controls. However, such patients are a heterogeneous group, some of whom have structural disruption, but the effects of this on intervertebral kinematics are unknown.
Methods
Thirty-seven patients with treatment-resistant back pain referred for quantitative fluoroscopy were matched to an equal number of pain-free controls for age and sex. All received passive recumbent flexion assessments for intervertebral motion sharing inequality (MSI), variability (MSV), laxity and translation. Comparisons were made between patient subgroups, between patients and controls and against normative levels from a separate group of controls.
Results
Eleven patients had had surgical or interventional procedures, and ten had spondylolisthesis or pars defects. Sixteen had no disruption. Patients had significantly higher median MSI values (0.30) than controls (0.27, p?=?0.010), but not MSV (patients 0.08 vs controls 0.08, p?=?0.791). Patients who received invasive procedures had higher median MSI values (0.37) than those with bony defects (0.30, p?=?0.018) or no disruption (0.28, p?=?0.0007). Laxity and translation above reference limits were not more prevalent in patients.
Conclusion
Patients with treatment-resistant nonspecific back pain have greater MSI values than controls, especially if the former have received spinal surgery. However, excessive laxity, translation and MSV are not more prevalent in these patients. Thus, MSI should be investigated as a pain mechanism and for its possible value as a prognostic factor and/or target for treatment in larger patient populations.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
To present a classification system for vertebral body osteonecrosis (VBON) based on imaging findings and sagittal alignment and consequently to propose treatment guidelines.
Methods
Chart review and classification of imaging and clinical findings. An analysis of literature about VBON has been evaluated to conceive the classification. The current data allows to correlate radiological findings with different stages of the pathophysiological process and consequently to propose a patient-tailored treatment plan.
Results
The classification identifies 4 stages: stage 0 (theoretical phase), stage 1 (early phase), stage 2 (instability phase) and stage 3 (fixed deformity phase). Local (angular kyphosis expressed as anterior–posterior wall height ratio) and global (sagittal vertical axis and pelvic tilt) sagittal alignment are considered as complementary modifiers to tailor the most suitable treatment. Stage 1 is generally managed conservatively. Stage 2 and 3 often require different surgical approaches according to local and global sagittal alignment.
Conclusions
The classification allows a systematic staging of this disease and can help establish a proper and patient-oriented treatment plan. Further researches are advocated to fully validate the proposed classification system.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) carriage may confer a significant risk of surgical site infection (SSI) and is common amongst the UK population. Screening for MSSA is not routinely offered to patients in the UK. Primary aim was to review the impact of introducing a MSSA screening programme, in addition to established Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening, on the incidence of SSIs following lumbar spine surgery.
Methods
A consecutive group of 1307 patients during 12 months before (phase 1: n?=?716) and after (phase 2: n?=?591) introduction of the MSSA screening programme were compared. Analysis was restricted to those with inpatient stay greater than 4 days, readmission within 6 weeks and a rising CRP 7 or more days following the procedure. Diagnosis of SSI was based around the CDC guidelines for wound surveillance. Patients were excluded where the primary surgery was to treat infection, or the procedure was percutaneous. Chi-squared test was used to compare the two groups.
Results
Seven hundred and sixteen patients were in phase 1. Rate of infection was 2.65%. Rate of MRSA colonisation was 0%. Five hundred and ninety-one patients were in phase 2. Rate of infection was 1.02%. Rate of MRSA colonisation was 0%, and rate of MSSA colonisation was 26%. Reduction in incidence of SSIs was 62% (p?=?0.0409).
Conclusion
MSSA colonisation is common, although wound infection following lumbar spinal surgery remains a rare event. A screening programme for MSSA can significantly reduce incidence of SSIs in this patient group. These findings may be applicable to wider elective orthopaedic practice.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
To investigate the effect of the preoperative cross-sectional area (CSA) of the semispinalis cervicis on postoperative loss of cervical lordosis (LCL) after laminoplasty.
Methods
A total of 144 patients who met the inclusion criteria between January 1999 and December 2015 were enrolled. Radiographic assessments were performed to evaluate the T1 slope, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), cephalad vertebral level undergoing laminoplasty (CVLL), preoperative C2-7 Cobb angle, and preoperative CSA of the semispinalis cervicis.
Results
The T1 slope and the summation of the CSAs (SCSA) at each level of the semispinalis cervicis correlated with LCL, whereas the C2-7 SVA, CVLL, and preoperative C2-7 Cobb angle did not. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that a high T1 slope and a low SCSA of the semispinalis cervicis were associated with LCL after laminoplasty in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). The CSA of the semispinalis cervicis at the C6 level had the greatest association with LCL, which suddenly decreased with a LCL of 10°. The best cutoff point of the CSA of the semispinalis cervicis at the C6 level, which predicts LCL?>?10°, was 154.5 mm2 (sensitivity 74.3%; specificity 71.6%; area under the curve 0.828; 95% confidence interval 0.761–0.895).
Conclusion
Preoperative SCSA of the semispinalis cervicis was a risk factor for LCL after laminoplasty. Spine surgeons should evaluate semispinalis cervicis muscularity at the C6 level when planning laminoplasty for patients with CSM.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
The aim of this systematic review is to describe the epidemiology of chordoma and to provide a clear overview of clinical prognostic factors predicting progression-free and overall survival.
Methods
Four databases of medical literature were searched. Separate searches were performed for each of the two objectives. Reference and citation tracking was performed. Papers were processed by two independent reviewers according to a protocol that included risk of bias analysis. Disagreement was resolved by discussion. Pooled analyses were planned if homogeneity of data would allow.
Results
Incidence—incidence rates ranged between 0.18 and 0.84 per million persons per year and varied between countries and presumably between races. On average patients were diagnosed in their late fifties and gender data indicate clear male predominance. Two of the largest studies (n?=?400 and n?=?544) reported different anatomical distributions: one reporting the skull base and sacrococcygeal area affected in 32% and 29% of cases, whereas the other reporting that they were affected in 26% and 45% of cases, respectively.
Prognostic factors
Statistically significant adverse prognostic factors predicting progression-free and overall survival include female sex, older age, bigger tumour size, increasing extent of tumour invasion, non-total resection, presence of metastasis, local recurrence, and dedifferentiated histological subtype.
Conclusions
Incidence rate and anatomical distribution vary between countries and presumably between races. Most chordomas arise in the skull base and sacrococcygeal spine, and the tumour shows clear male predominance. Multiple adverse prognostic factors predicting progression-free and overall survival were identified in subgroups of patients.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Kyphoplasty has been widely used to treat vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). In standard procedure of kyphoplasty, two balloons were inserted into the vertebral body through bipedicular and inflated simultaneously, while using a single balloon two times is also a common method in clinic to lessen the financial burden of patients. However, the effect and safety of single balloon versus double balloon bipedicular kyphoplasty are still controversy.
Methods
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, eligible studies were identified through a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Cochrane library EMBASE, Web of Science, Wanfang, CNKI, VIP and CBM until January 1, 2018. Results from individual studies were pooled using a random or fixed effects model.
Results
Seven articles were included in the systematic review and five studies were consisted in meta-analysis. We observed no significant difference between single balloon and double balloon bipedicular kyphoplasty in visual analog scale (VAS), angle (kyphotic angle and Cobb angle), consumption (operation time, cement volume and volume of bleeding), vertebral height (anterior height, medium height and posterior height) and complications (cement leakage and new VCFs), while the cost of single balloon bipedicular kyphoplasty is lower than that of double balloon bipedicular kyphoplasty. The results of our meta-analysis also demonstrated that single balloon can significantly improve the VAS, angle and vertebral height of patients suffering from VCFs.
Conclusion
This systematic review and meta-analysis collectively concludes that single balloon bipedicular kyphoplasty is as effective as double balloon bipedicular kyphoplasty in improving clinical symptoms, deformity and complications of VCFs but not so expensive.
Graphical Abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Growing evidence suggests an association between lumbar paraspinal muscle degeneration and low back pain (LBP). Currently, time-consuming and laborious manual segmentations of paraspinal muscles are commonly performed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) axial scans. Automated image analysis algorithms can mitigate these drawbacks, but they often require individual MRIs to be aligned to a standard “reference” atlas. Such atlases are well established in automated neuroimaging analysis. Our aim was to create atlases of similar nature for automated paraspinal muscle measurements.
Methods
Lumbosacral T2-weighted MRIs were acquired from 117 patients who experienced LBP, stratified by gender and age group (30–39, 40–49, and 50–59 years old). Axial MRI slices of the L4–L5 and L5–S1 levels at mid-disc were obtained and aligned using group-wise linear and nonlinear image registration to produce a set of unbiased population-averaged atlases for lumbar paraspinal muscles.
Results
The resulting atlases represent the averaged morphology and MRI intensity features of the corresponding cohorts. Differences in paraspinal muscle shapes and fat infiltration levels with respect to gender and age can be visually identified from the population-averaged data from both linear and nonlinear registrations.
Conclusion
We constructed a set of population-averaged atlases for developing automated algorithms to help analyze paraspinal muscle morphometry from axial MRI scans. Such an advancement could greatly benefit the fields of paraspinal muscle and LBP research.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
To clarify the clinical manifestation and radiological characteristics of idiopathic syringomyelia (IS) and to investigate the relationship between syrinx and scoliotic curves in IS-related scoliosis patients.
Methods
Fifty-five patients with IS and scoliosis were identified and reviewed retrospectively from June 2009 to December 2016. Radiographic features of syrinx, scoliosis and clinical manifestations of neurological deficits were collected. The syrinx/cord (S/C) ratio was defined as the anteroposterior diameter of syrinx divided by the diameter of spinal cord at the same level. Patients were classified into two groups, the thoracic group (T group, apex vertebra located from T2 to intervertebral disk of T11–T12) and the thoracolumbar/lumbar group (TL/L group, apex vertebra located from T12 to L5).
Results
There was no correlation between the radiological features of idiopathic syrinx and scoliotic curve parameters. The TL/L group had a lower level of most caudal extent (13.7 compared with 10.6, P?=?0.029) and lower level of largest S/C ratio (12.0 compared with 8.7, P?=?0.016) than that in T group. The deviated side of syrinx was not coincident with major curve convexity (27.2% concordance rate, P?=?0.522) or dominant side of neurological deficit (16.3% concordance rate, P?=?0.212).
Conclusions
Patients with major curves located on the thoracolumbar or lumbar spine had a much lower caudal extent and lower level of greatest S/C ratio compared to patients with major curves located on the thoracic spine. No significant relationships were detected between syrinx features, scoliotic curve parameters and neurological deficits.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Extraforaminal entrapment of the L5 nerve root is uncommon, and its management can sometimes be very challenging.
Methods
We present the case of a 57-year-old female, complaining of a sciatica in her left leg, for 3 years, with no response to any kind of conservative treatment. MRI and CT scan revealed the presence of a large L5S1 strictly lateral osteophyte compressing the left L5 root in its extraforaminal path.
Results
The patient underwent a left anterior retroperitoneal approach with assistance from a vascular surgeon given the very close relation between the osteophyte and the left common iliac vein, lying just on top of it, osteophyte was removed in one piece with the use of an osteotome after retraction of the vessels. The patient progressively recovered from her left sciatic pain with a satisfactory clinical result at 1 year.
Conclusion
Literature is sparse on the treatment of extraforaminal entrapment of the L5 nerve root; the current case shows a successful treatment strategy with the use of an anterior approach for direct vision of the lesion and good control of the vessels.
The purpose of this study was to compare the rates of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), sagittal alignment parameters, and patient-reported outcomes in patients who underwent multi-level versus single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).
Methods
A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on consecutive patients who underwent an ACDF. Pre- and post-operative radiographic assessment included ASD, change in C2–C7 lordosis, T1 angle, levels fused, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), fusion mass lordosis, proximal and distal adjacent segment lordosis. Patient-reported outcomes were obtained.
Results
Of the 404 that underwent an ACDF with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up (average 28 months), there was no significant difference in the rate of radiographic ASD overall (p = 0.479) or in the proximal or distal adjacent segments on multivariate analysis. Secondarily, the multi-level fusions appear to restore significantly greater amounts of lordosis compared to single-level procedures (p < 0.001) and are able to maintain the corrected cervical lordosis and fusion segment lordosis over time. From the immediate post-operative period to final follow-up, the single-level ACDFs show continuing lordosis improvement (p = 0.005) that is significantly greater than that of the multi-level constructs. There were no significant differences between pre-operative, post-operative, or change in patient-reported outcomes.
Conclusions
Two years following an ACDF, patients who underwent multi-level fusions appear to restore significantly greater amounts of lordosis compared to single-level procedures, while single-level ACDFs show significantly greater amounts of lordosis improvement over time. Multi-level procedures may not be at a significantly greater risk of developing early radiographic evidence of ASD compared to single-level procedure.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
Retro-odontoid pseudotumor is common in elderly people and is a cause of cervical myelopathy. The goal of the study was to investigate surgical procedures, outcomes, and post-operative spontaneous regression of posterior cervical retro-odontoid pseudotumors.
Methods
The subjects were 29 patients who underwent surgery for myelopathy due to a retro-odontoid pseudotumor around the craniocervical region at 9 facilities and were followed-up for an average of 54 months (range 12–96 months). Data were collected in a multicenter review of a retrospective database. Comparisons were performed between cases treated with and without fusion.
Results
The JOA recovery rate at final follow-up did not differ significantly between the fusion (n?=?17, including all 15 patients with atlantoaxial subluxation) and non-fusion (n?=?12) groups. However, pseudotumor regression was significantly more frequent in the fusion group (100% vs. 42%, p?<?0.01). In all patients, regression cases had significantly higher rates of contrast enhancement of the pseudotumor on pre-operative T1 gadolinium-enhanced MRI (68% vs. 14%, p?=?0.013) and of JOA recovery (50% vs. 30%, p?<?0.01).
Conclusions
Regression of pseudotumor occurred in all cases treated with fusion surgery. There was a significant difference in pseudotumor regression with or without fusion, and regression was significantly related to gadolinium enhancement on MRI. Therefore, it is preferable to use fusion surgery for a retro-odontoid pseudotumor that shows contrast enhancement, even if there is no apparent instability pre-operatively.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
To use radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the resection of C4 cervical chordoma with a giant paravertebral tumor mass to achieve tumor-free exposed margins and perform a gross total excision.
Methods
A gross total excision using combined posterior and anterior approaches was performed. In the posterior stage, the C4 posterior arch was removed and the C4/C5 nerve roots and vertebral artery were released from the tumor. In the anterior stage, the giant soft mass of tumor from C3 to C6 was treated with RFA to make it shrink and solidify visually to achieve tumor-free exposed margins before resecting the tumor. Finally, a gross total excision was performed followed by the implantation of titanium plate and mesh filled with allograft bone.
Results
A gross total excision was performed with tumor-free exposed margins and radiotherapy. The patient survived more than 5 years without recurrence.
Conclusions
RFA can help achieve tumor-free exposed margins. A gross total excision combined with RFA can improve the local relapse-free survival of patients with cervical chordoma.
Graphical abstract
These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
