scholarly journals Upper Cervical Spine Fracture-Dislocation in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: Application of Halo Vest Before and During Posterior Surgery

Author(s):  
Haisong Yang ◽  
Yuling Sun ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
Chunyan Gao ◽  
Fengbin Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background It is a challenge to reduce and immobilize the broken “bamboo spine”, especially for the upper cervical spine, in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) before and during posterior surgery. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the case histories, operations, neurologic outcomes, follow-up data, and imaging records of 17 patients with AS and upper cervical spine fracture-dislocation who underwent surgical treatment in three clinical spine center from 2010 to 2019. A halo vest was used to reduce and immobilize fractured spinal column ends. The neurological injury was evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale score and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before and after operation. Complications and time of bone fusion were recorded. Results Fourteen patients achieved closed anatomical reduction after halo vest application. No displacement in fracture ends and loss of reduction occurred after prone position. No patient presented with secondary neurological deterioration. All patients was performed posterior surgery. The surgery improved the ASIA grade in all patients (P < 0.001). The mean JOA score also increased significantly at last follow-up compared to preoperation (14.5 ± 2.3 vs. 9.2 ± 2.4, P < 0.01). No severe complication and death occurred. All patients reached solid bony fusion at 12-month follow-up. Conclusions Use of a halo vest before and during the operation is safe and effective in patients with AS who develop upper cervical spine fracture-dislocation. This technique makes positioning, awake nasoendotracheal intubation, nursing, and the operation more convenient. It can also provide satisfactory reduction and rigid immobilization and prevent secondary neurologic deterioration. .

2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoeri Vankan ◽  
Philippe Demaerel ◽  
Sam Heye ◽  
Frank Van Calenbergh ◽  
Johannes van Loon ◽  
...  

✓ The authors report an unusual case of a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) in the cervical spine after a C1–2 fracture. The patient presented with a delayed epidural hematoma and quadriparesis. The DAVF was successfully treated by coil embolization and the patient made a full recovery. The possibility of a DAVF as a late complication of an upper cervical spine fracture should be considered when a patient presents with a spinal epidural hematoma.


2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 212-218

Introduction: The authors analyzed a series of ankylosing spondylitis patients with cervical spine fracture undergoing posterior stabilization using spinal navigation based on intraoperative CT imaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and safety of navigated posterior stabilization and to analyze the adequacy of this method for treatment of fractures in ankylosed cervical spine. Methods: Prospectively collected clinical data, together with radiological documentation of a series of 8 consecutive patients with 9 cervical spine fracture were included in the analysis. The evaluation of screw insertion accuracy based on postoperative CT imaging, description of instrumentation- related complications and evaluation of morphological and clinical results were the subjects of interest. Results: Of the 66 implants inserted in all cervical levels and in upper thoracic spine, only 3 screws (4.5%) did not meet the criteria of anatomically correct insertion. Neither screw malposition nor any other intraoperative events were complicated by any neural, vascular or visceral injury. Thus we did not find a reason to change implant position intraoperatively or during the postoperative period. The quality of intraoperative CT imaging in our group of patients was sufficient for reliable trajectory planning and implant insertion in all segments, irrespective of the habitus, positioning method and comorbidities. In addition to stabilization of the fracture, the posterior approach also allows reducing preoperative kyphotic position of the cervical spine. In all patients, we achieved a stable situation with complete bone fusion of the anterior part of the spinal column and lateral masses at one year follow-up. Conclusion: Spinal navigation based on intraoperative CT imaging has proven to be a reliable and safe method of stabilizing cervical spine with ankylosing spondylitis. The strategy of posterior stabilization seems to be a suitable method providing high primary stability and the conditions for a subsequent high fusion rate.


2021 ◽  
pp. 219256822110391
Author(s):  
Yakubu Ibrahim ◽  
Hao Li ◽  
Geng Zhao ◽  
Suomao Yuan ◽  
Yiwei Zhao ◽  
...  

Study Design: Retrospective. Objectives: To present rarely reported complex fractures of the upper cervical spine (C1-C2) and discuss the clinical results of the posterior temporary C1-2 pedicle screws fixation for C1-C2 stabilization. Methods: A total of 19 patients were included in the study (18 males and 1 female). Their age ranged from 23 to 66 years (mean age of 39.6 years). The patients were diagnosed with complex fractures of the atlas and the axis of the upper cervical spine and underwent posterior temporary C1-2 pedicle screws fixation. The patients underwent a serial postoperative clinical examination at approximately 3, 6, 9 months, and annually thereafter. The neck disability index (NDI) and the range of neck rotary motion were used to evaluate the postoperative clinical efficacy of the patients. Results: The average operation time and blood loss were 110 ± 25 min and 50 ± 12 ml, respectively. The mean follow-up was 38 ± 11 months (range 22 to 60 months). The neck rotary motion before removal, immediately after removal, and the last follow-up were 68.7 ± 7.1°, 115.1 ± 11.7°, and 149.3 ± 8.9° ( P < 0.01). The NDI scores before and after the operation were 42.7 ± 4.3, 11.1 ± 4.0 ( P < 0.01), and the NDI score 2 days after the internal fixation was removed was 7.3 ± 2.9, which was better than immediately after the operation ( P < 0.01), and 2 years after the internal fixation was removed. The NDI score was 2.0 ± 0.8, which was significantly better than 2 days after the internal fixation was taken out ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: Posterior temporary screw fixation is a good alternative surgical treatment for unstable C1-C2 complex fractures.


2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo D. Vilela ◽  
Eric C. Peterson

Even though fractures in children with immature spines occur predominantly in the upper cervical spine, isolated C-1 fractures are relatively rare. The fractures in almost all cases reported to date were considered stable due to the presence of the intact transverse ligament. The authors report the case of a young child who sustained a Jefferson fracture and in whom MR imaging revealed disruption of the transverse ligament. Although surgical treatment has been suggested as the treatment of choice for children with unstable atlantoaxial injuries, external immobilization alone allowed a full recovery in the patient with no evidence of instability at follow-up.


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