European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Spinal deformity is the commonest orthopaedic manifestation in neurofibromatosis type-1 and is categorized into dystrophic and non-dystrophic types. Management should be based on a meticulous assessment of the spine with plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out the presence of dysplastic features that will determine prognosis and surgical planning. MRI of the whole spine should also be routinely obtained to reveal undetected intraspinal lesions that could threaten scheduled surgical interventions. ⋯ Bracing of dystrophic curves has been unsuccessful. Combined anterior/posterior spinal arthrodesis including the entire structural component of the deformity is indicated in most cases, particularly in the presence of associated sagittal imbalance. This should be performed using abundant autologous bone graft and segmental posterior instrumentation to minimize the risk of non-union and recurrence of the deformity.
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Comparative Study
Atlantoaxial fusion using anterior transarticular screw fixation of C1-C2: technical innovation and biomechanical study.
This study is an attempt to describe a new technique for anterior transarticular screw fixation of the atlantoaxial joints, and to compare the stability of this construct to posterior transarticular screw fixation with and without laminar cerclage wiring. Nine human cadaveric specimens were included in this study. The C1-C2 motion segment was instrumented using either anterior transarticular screws (group 1), posterior transarticular screws alone (group 2), or posterior screws with interlaminar cerclage wires (group 3). ⋯ Anterior transarticular screw fixation of the atlantoaxial spine has several advantages over posterior fixation techniques, and is as stable as posterior transarticular fixation in all clinically significant planes of motion. The addition of posterior interlaminar cerclage wiring further improves resistance to flexion-extension forces. Anterior transarticular screw fixation of the atlantoaxial joint is a useful technique for achieving C1-C2 stabilization.