The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Review Case Reports
Giant cell tumor of fifth lumbar vertebrae: two case reports and review of the literature.
complete or total en bloc spondylectomy has been recommended for giant cell tumors of the spine. Wide local resection of the fifth lumbar vertebra carries potential risks of major complications because of its anatomical features. Only nine cases of the giant cell tumors involving the fifth lumbar vertebra have been reported in the literature. ⋯ There was no recurrence of the tumor after the combined single-stage anterior and posterior tumor resection and adjuvant radiotherapy for the second case for over 7 years follow-up. However, complete resection of the vertebra and tumor at the fifth lumbar vertebra is still challenging to accomplish.
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The posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) is thought to contribute significantly to the stability of thoracolumbar spine. Obvious translation or dislocation of an interspace clearly denotes injury to the PLC. A recent survey of the Spine Trauma Study Group indicated that plain radiographic findings, if present, are most helpful in determining PLC injury. However, confusion exists when plain radiography shows injury to the anterior spinal column without significant kyphosis or widening of the posterior interspinous space. ⋯ In a setting of normal-appearing plain radiographs, PLC injury as displayed on T1-weighted MRI and diastasis of the facet joints on CT scan seem to be the most popular determinants of probable PLC injury among members of the Spine Trauma Study Group. Between MRI and CT scan, most members feel that various characteristics on MRI studies were more helpful.
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Review Case Reports
Minimally invasive far lateral microendoscopic discectomy for extraforaminal disc herniation at the lumbosacral junction: cadaveric dissection and technical case report.
Extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations (ELDHs) at the lumbosacral junction are an uncommon cause of L5 radiculopathy. The surgical anatomy of the extraforaminal space at L5-S1 is uniquely challenging for the various open surgical approaches that have been described for ELDHs in general. Reports specifically describing minimally invasive surgical approaches to lumbosacral ELDHs are lacking. ⋯ FLMED offers a safe and efficacious approach to ELDHs at the lumbosacral junction by combining satisfactory visualization for adequate resection of the sacral ala with the benefits of reduced tissue injury and faster recovery times that accompany minimally invasive techniques.
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Comparative Study
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery compared with thoracotomy: early and late follow-up of radiographical and functional outcome.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a new technique that allows for access to anterior spinal pathology using a minimally invasive approach. Proponents of this procedure argue that anterior thoracic spine surgery can be performed with the same accuracy and completeness as is possible by the conventional open approach but through much smaller skin and muscle incisions. Advantages of VATS include decreased blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and improved cosmesis. ⋯ VATS is equally effective as thoracotomy with respect to fusion rate, major curve correction, and functional outcome scores. Although a decrease in operative blood loss was seen in the VATS patients, this was not clinically significant.
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Retrolisthesis is relatively rare but when present has been associated with increased back pain and impaired back function. Neither the prevalence of this condition in individuals with lumbar disc herniations nor its possible relation to preoperative back pain and dysfunction has been well studied. ⋯ We found no significant relationship between retrolisthesis in patients with L5-S1 disc herniation and worse baseline pain or function. It is possible that the contribution of pain or dysfunction related to retrolisthesis was far overshadowed by the presence of symptoms caused by the concomitant disc herniation. It remains to be seen whether retrolisthesis will affect outcome after discectomy in these patients.