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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Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is an uncommon benign histiocytic proliferative disorder commonly involving the cervical lymph nodes and less frequently extranodal sites, including, rarely, the central nervous system, mainly intracranially. Spinal involvement is unusual. RDD is characterized by pathognomonic histopathological features, which are decisive in the definitive diagnosis. We present the case of a 75-year-old lady who presented with an isolated thoracic vertebral lesion. She underwent 3 CT-guided biopsies, all not confirmative for a definite diagnosis, and 2 open biopsies and debulking of the lesion. ⋯ This case demonstrates the challenge in making a diagnosis. RDD should be considered as a differential diagnosis in case of spinal lesion and non-diagnostic biopsy, especially in steroid sensitive lesions. The implications of the case are discussed.
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Multicenter Study
Sacropelvic fixation in adult spinal deformity (ASD); a very high rate of mechanical failure.
Sacropelvic fixation (SPF) is an integral part of ASD surgery. Literature suggests that combination of S1 and iliac screws may be associated with lowest rate of complications. ⋯ Pelvic fixation is still associated with a very high rate of mechanical failure. Major risk factors appear to be age and type of fixation. Although could not be shown to be statistically significant, failure to restore the optimal sagittal balance may be a contributing factor as well. So in conclusion, in cases with suboptimal sagittal plane correction, S2AI with polyaxial screws seem to have higher risk of short-term acute failure compared to IwL.
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Retro-odontoid synovial cysts are rare and attributable to degenerative changes in the atlantoaxial joints. An anterolateral approach facilitates access to lesions located anterior to the craniocervical junction without harming the atlantoaxial joints, and can also treat small lesions in the ventral mid-portion of the craniocervical junction without compression of spinal cord. ⋯ The anterolateral approach for the retro-odontoid synovial cyst had little effect on C1-2 instability and yielded neurological improvements.
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Tracheostomy may become indispensable for patients with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries. However, the early prediction of a tracheostomy is often difficult. Previous prediction models using the pulmonary function test (PFT) have limitations because some severely injured patients could not provide acceptable PFT results. We aim to develop an alternative model for predicting tracheostomy using accessible data obtained from the bedside. ⋯ We suggest using the CART model in clinical applications. Patients with AAMS ≤ 1 exhibit an increased likelihood of requiring a tracheostomy. For patients with an AAMS in the range of 2-22, surgeons should consider giving these patients a tracheostomy once respiratory complications occur. Surgeons should be cautious to give a tracheostomy to patients with an AAMS ≥ 23, if the patient experiences an incomplete spinal cord injury and the HSC in the spinal cord is at C3 level or lower based on MRI. For other patients, close observation is necessary; generally, patients with complete SCI might require a tracheostomy more frequently.
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We report on a patient with an unusual cause of non-discogenic sciatica. ⋯ The present case suggested that an intrapiriformis lipoma can cause secondary piriformis syndrome and medical practitioners should be aware of this condition and consider lipomas and other occupying lesions of the pelvic muscles as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with radicular pain.