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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Review Case Reports
Management of aortic injury during minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion.
Minimally invasive lateral approaches to the lumbar spine allow for interbody fusion with good visualization of the disk space, minimal blood loss, and decreased length of stay. Major neurologic, vascular, and visceral complications are rare with this approach; however, the steps in management for severe vascular injuries are not well defined. We present a case report of aortic injury during lateral interbody fusion and discuss the use of endovascular repair. ⋯ This case highlights the importance of immediate recognition and imaging of any potential vascular injury during minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion. Given the poor outcomes associated with attempted open repair, endovascular techniques provide a valuable tool for the treatment of these complex injuries with significantly less morbidity.
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In this study, we addressed the correlation between the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the dural sac and the nerve root sedimentation sign (SedSign) and the correlation between the distance of claudication and the CSA of the dural sac or SedSign in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. We also evaluated the reliability of clinical symptom prediction. ⋯ Increasing severity of SedSign indicates progressively smaller dural sac CSA, but there is an inconsistent association with clinical symptoms. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest that spinal stenosis is severe in patients with severe symptoms.
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Case Reports
Real-time ultrasound-MRI fusion image virtual navigation for locating intraspinal tumour in a pregnant woman.
Standard fluoroscopic guidance (C-arm fluoroscopy) has been routinely used for intraoperative localization of spinal level for surgical removal of intraspinal tumour, while it is not suitable for selected patients, e.g. pregnant women, who need to avoid radiation exposure. Fusion imaging of real-time ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a radiation-free technique which has been reported to have good localization accuracy in managing several conditions. ⋯ We presented the first case of using VNT based fusion imaging of real-time US/MRI to guide the surgical resection of an intraspinal tumour. Future study with larger patient number is needed to validate this technique as an alternative to fluoroscopy in patients who need to avoid radiation exposure.
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To help guide treatment strategies and create insight into functional outcomes in patients with Giant herniated thoracic discs (GHTD), which are defined as occupying more than 40% of spinal canal. ⋯ Surgery for giant herniated thoracic disc has favorable outcome in majority (91%) of patients. However, significant approach-related complications are to be anticipated in patients undergoing thoracotomies, most of them being manageable. Author recommends costotransversectomy, only in paracentral discs with smaller percentage canal stenosis.
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To determine the health-related quality of life (QOL), safety and radiologic parameters after thoracoscopic treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar fractures using a distractible cage in patients without spinal cord injury (SCI). ⋯ Thoracoscopic anterior stabilization leads to a high percentage of bony fusion in highly unstable thoracic and thoracolumbar fractures with limited post-operative loss of correction and no hardware failure. QOL of these patients does not return to normal population values but is comparable to that of patients with less severe fractures treated with solely posterior instrumentation. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.