The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Atlantooccipital dislocation (AOD) results in profound patient morbidity and mortality and is difficult to accurately diagnose using current evaluation techniques. ⋯ The revised CCI (>2.5 mm abnormal) and condylar sum (≥5 mm abnormal) are highly sensitive and reliable radiographic criteria for the detection of AOD when applied to CT imaging.
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In recent literature, a soft-tissue communication between the rectus capitis posterior major (RCPma) muscle and the cervical dura mater has been identified. To the best of our knowledge, this communication has yet to be validated from a histological perspective nor has it been examined for neural tissue. ⋯ The existence of a true connection between the RCPma and the cervical dura mater provides new insight in understanding the complex anatomy of the atlantoaxial interspace. The presence of a neural component within this connection suggests that it may serve another function aside from simply anchoring this muscle to the dura mater. Such a connection may be involved in monitoring dural tension and may also play a role in certain cervicogenic pathologies. This study also supports previous reports that no true membrane joins the posterior arch of the atlas to the laminae of the axis and contradicts the conventional belief that the ligamentum flavum joins these two structures.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of open and minimally invasive techniques for posterior lumbar instrumentation and fusion after open anterior lumbar interbody fusion.
Minimally invasive techniques for spinal fusion have theoretical advantages for the reduction of iatrogenic injury. Although this topic has been investigated previously for posterior-only interbody surgery, such as transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, similar studies have not evaluated these techniques after anteroposterior spinal fusion, a study design that can more accurately determine the effect of pedicle screw placement and decompression via a minimally invasive technique without the confounding effect of simultaneous interbody cage placement. ⋯ Our case-control study comparing patients who underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion followed by open posterior instrumentation with those who underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion followed by minimally invasive posterior instrumentation demonstrated that patients undergoing MIS fusion without decompression had less blood loss, less need for transfusion in the perioperative period, and a shorter hospital stay. In contrast, most outcome measures were similar between MIS and Open groups for patients who underwent decompression.
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Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory disease involving the spine with predilection for the craniovertebral segment. Surgery is usually reserved to patients with symptomatic craniovertebral junction (CVJ) instability, basilar invagination, or upper spinal cord compression by rheumatoid pannus. Anterior approaches are indicated in cases of irreducible ventral bulbo-medullary compression. Classically performed through the transoral approach, the exposure of this region can be now achieved by a minimally invasive endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA). ⋯ Anterior decompression by a minimally invasive EEA could represent an innovative option for the treatment of irreducible ventral CVJ lesions in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This approach permits the preservation of the anterior C1 arch and the avoidance of a posterior fixation, thus preserving the rotational movement at C0-C2 segment and reducing the risk of a subaxial instability development.
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Patient satisfaction ratings are increasingly being used in health care as a proxy for quality and are becoming the focal point for several quality improvement initiatives. Affective disorders, such as depression, have been shown to influence patient-reported outcomes and self-interpretation of health status. We hypothesize that patient psychiatric profiles influence reported satisfaction with care, independent of surgical effectiveness. ⋯ Our study suggests that independent of the surgical effectiveness, the extent of preoperative depression influences the reported patient satisfaction after revision lumbar surgery. Quality improvement initiatives using patient satisfaction as a proxy for quality should account for the patients' baseline depression as potential confounders.