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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Case Reports
Use of PET/CT in the early diagnosis of implant related wound infection and avoidance of wound debridement.
Delayed infections after spinal instrumentation typically require complete implant removal and extensive wound debridement due to the difficulties in establishing an early diagnosis. We report a case of occult late infection after posterior spinal instrumentation that was detected early using PET/CT and therefore was successfully treated with antibiotics alone. ⋯ PET/CT provides detailed diagnostic information for occult infections in the absence of morphological changes and thus, is valuable for an early diagnosis of late infection after spinal instrumentation. It is possible to retain the instrumentation in the case of late infection, if early detection and efficacious treatment can be achieved timely.
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This case series describes a novel condition characterized by familial pseudotail associated with scoliosis, and synpolydactyly that has not been previously reported in literature. ⋯ The described cases represent a novel condition that has not been previously reported in the literature. Familial pseudotail scoliosis synpolydactyly syndrome is a newly recognized form of familial pseudotail.
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Calcific discitis is a self-limiting process most commonly seen in the cervical spine of children. Rare literature exists regarding the natural history and management of this condition in adults, especially when it presents as a giant thoracic disc herniation into the spinal canal. Giant herniations in the thoracic spine are typically surgically removed to reduce the chance of permanent neurologic deficit from spinal cord compression. However, when associated with calcific discitis, they may undergo spontaneous regression with the need for surgery obviated. ⋯ The demonstration of spontaneous resorption of giant calcified thoracic disc herniations in two adult patients with calcific discitis supplements the existing literature and provides the first evidence that giant calcified thoracic disc herniations may still undergo spontaneous remission and a "wait and watch" strategy may be justified at least in the initial management of these patients, even with the presence of mild myelopathy.
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In this article, we aim to describe the presentation and management of a case of spontaneous intracranial hypotension caused by a dural tear from a ventral thoracic osteophyte at the T12 level that was refractory to non-surgical treatment modalities. A review of the literature has been performed. Also a proposal of diagnostic and treatment algorithm is presented. Intracranial hypotension and CSF leak as a result of dural tear is a common phenomenon. However, the detection of the source of CSF leak from a thoracic spinal osteophyte has rarely been reported. ⋯ Spontaneous resolution is the norm for intracranial hypotension of most etiologies and management of all such cases begins with fluid resuscitation coupled with bed rest. On failure of conservative therapy, autologous epidural blood patches into the spinal epidural space should be tried, which often produce an immediate relief of symptoms. Osteophyte-induced dural tear and consequent intracranial hypotension may require surgical intervention if the symptoms are refractory to conservative treatment. Under all circumstances a careful step-wise approach for diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension needs to be followed, as we have proposed in our article.