Survival after traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation is rare. Severe persistent neurological deficits are common in the survivors, but early resuscitation and the use of the newer diagnostic techniques have contributed to improved outcomes. We present here the case of a 42 year old man with traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation combined with a dens fracture, and the patient obtained good clinical results after we applied a Halo-vest and performed posterior fusion.
Dislocations ; Humans ; Resuscitation ; Survivors

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective preparative study and prospective study OBJECTIVE: We instituted and verified the precautions against postoperative spinal infection. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: Postoperative infection comes from contamination during the operation and various strategies have been recommended to prevent it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 583 cases that underwent instrumented posterior spinal fusion during two years (group I), were reviewed to discover the risk factors, and intraoperative cultures were done to detect the contamination routes and the causative microorganisms for the next 4 months. Six precautions, based on the results, were instituted. We analyzed 354 cases that underwent operation in the following year (group II) using the precautions. RESULTS: Twenty cases (3.4%) were infected in group I and the types of infection were superficial wound infection (4 cases), deep wound infection (4 cases), osteomyelitis around the interbody space (7 cases), osteomyelitis around the pedicle screws (4 cases) and a combination of wound infection and osteomyelitis around the pedicle screws (1 case). Infections happened more frequently in the cases of interbody fusion (p=0.034), revision (p=0.087) and those done in the summer season (p=0.025). S. epidermidis, as the causative bacteria, was cultured from both the operation environments and wounds. Six precautions based on the preliminary results were instituted as follows; irrigation method reformation, delayed opening of instruments, turning-off local air conditioners, changing of gowns before instrumentation, local bone irrigation and limited indications for interbody fusion. After implementation, two cases (0.6%) of infection developed in group II (p=0.002, odds ratio=0.160; 95% confidence interval = 0.037 to 0.688). CONCLUSION: Wounds, grafted bones or instruments can be contaminated under longer-time exposure to operating room air and so produce interbody or pedicle osteomyelitis without wound infection. The precautions were effective to decrease the postoperative infection rates following posterior spinal fusion.
Bacteria ; Operating Rooms ; Osteomyelitis ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Spinal Fusion ; Transplants ; Wound Infection

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective radiologic study OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyze the signals and configurations of the MRI findings of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and the clinical consequences of each type of the MRI findings. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: There have been some reports that have focused on the MR findings for the differentiation of osteoporotic and metastatic fractures, but there are few reports on the characteristics of the early stage of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2002 to April 2008, the MRI findings and medical records of 97 patients who were diagnosed with acute or subacute osteoporotic vertebral fractures and who were followed-up for more than 1 year were analyzed. The patients with minor trauma within 3 months before obtaining MRIs and they had decreased bone density were included in this study. Those with fractures due to severe trauma or pathologic causes or normal bone density were excluded. Three spine surgeons evaluated, at three times per each surgeon, the T1-weighted, T2-weighted and fat suppression T1-enhanced sagittal images for the signal of the vertebral body bone marrow and the type of the intravertebral body lesion shape. The relationships between the type of MRI findings and the time from the trauma and the follow up clinical consequences were analyzed. RESULTS: The MRI patterns of 97 patients with 111 fractures of the vertebrae were divided into three types. There were 56 cases of Type I (50.5%), which was defined as diffuse typical signal intensity in the vertebral body, 39 cases (35.1%) of Type II, which was defined as geographic low signal in the center of the vertebral body with typical signal changes, and 16 cases (14.4%). of type III, which was defined as atypical signal intensity or a shape of lesion that did not correspond to type 1 nor type 2. The average time from trauma was 10.8+/-19.0days (0~90) for type I, 19.1+/-24.9days (0~90) for type III and 37.5+/-31.1days (0~90) for type III, which showed differences among each types (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the relationship between the time from trauma and the signal intensity and the type of lesion on MRI examination revealed that the low signal intensity in the typical vertebral body signal or an atypical signal or shape were poor prognostic factors of osteoporotic vertebral fracture
Bone Density ; Bone Marrow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: This is a mechanical study of polymethylmetacrylate(PMMA) mixed with blood as a filler. OBJECTIVE: We tried to change the properties of PMMA so that it is more suitable to use for percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: The mechanical changes by adding a filler into PMMA were expected to decrease the Young's modulus, the polymerization temperature and the setting time. These changes of PMMA were considered to be more suitable and adaptable conditions for PVP for treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Porous PMMA was produced by mixing 2 ml (B2), 4 ml (B4) and 6 ml (B6)-blood as a filler, and the mechanical properties were investigated in comparison with regular PMMA(R) in view of Young's modulus, the polymerization temperature, the setting time and the optimal passing-time within the injectable viscosity (20~50N-needed) through a 2.8mm-diameter cement-filler tube. Porosity was inspected by performing microcomputated tomography (micro-CT). RESULTS: Young's modulus was decreased from 919.5 MPa (R) to 701 MPa (B2), 693.5 MPa (B4) and 545.6 MPa (B6) in each group. The polymerization temperature decreased from 74.2degrees C (R) to 59.8degrees C (B2), 54.2degrees C (B4) and 47.5degrees C(B6), respectively. The setting time decreased from 1065sec (R) to 624sec (B2), 678sec(B4) and 606sec (B6), respectively, and the optimal passing-time decreased from 75.6sec (R) to 46.6sec (B2), 65.0sec (B4) and 79.0sec(B6), respectively. The porosity increased from 4.2%(R) to 27.6%(B2), 27.5%(B4) and 29.5%(B6), respectively. A homogenous microstructure with very fine pores was seen on inspection of all the blood-mixed PMMAs. CONCLUSION: Blood mixed with PMMA was considered as an excellent filler that was easy to make and had good biocompatibility. The 6ml blood-mixed PMMA (B6) showed more suitable mechanical properties, including a decreased elastic modulus due to more porosity, less heating and a retarded optimal passing-time by the serum barrier, which diminished the friction between the PMMA and a cement-filler tube.
Elastic Modulus ; Fractures, Compression ; Friction ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Porosity ; Vertebroplasty ; Viscosity

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: We wanted to analyze the frequency of instrument breakage and the long term reduction loss for patients who received pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fractures. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: A pedicle screw fixation system for thoracolumbar fractures has become popular since the late 1980s, but it is difficult to find articles mentioning its mid and long term results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients those received pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fractures and dislocations and who were followed up more than 5 years were included. The average follow-up period was 139.0 months. We compared the anterior column height, the kyphotic angle and the local kyphotic angle on serial radiographs, and we measured the changes of the intervertebral disc height and the changes of the angle between screws. We also investigated the breakage and loosening of instruments. RESULTS: The breakage of screws was observed in 11 cases (40.7%) and it had a statistical correlation with the loss of the lower intervertebral disc height and the loss of angles between the screws. During the follow-up, the kyphotic angle, the upper and lower disc height and the interscrew angle were decreased over time, whereas the anterior column height and wedge angle of the vertebra were maintained after the operation. There was no statistical correlation between the breakage of instruments and the degree of lower back pain. CONCLUSIONS: On the mid and long-term follow-up of the patients who were treated by pedicle screws for thoracolumbar fractures, the correction of the kyphotic angle was lost over time and breakage of screws may eventually occur. The loss of the kyphotic angle was mainly due to the continuous loss of the intervertebral disc height.
Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Low Back Pain ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study OBJECTIVES: This study compared the clinical outcomes of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using hydroxyapatite blocks with PLIF using a metal or poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) cage. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: There are few reports on the clinical outcomes of PLIF using a hydroxyapatite block for treating lumbar degenerative disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 27 PLIF cases (62 units, HA block) that were followed up for 1-year were compared with 13 cases using a metal cage and 13 cases using a PEEK cage. Pedicle screw fixation was performed for all the cases. If the local bone is deficient, then an additional bone graft with autogeous iliac bone or bone substitute was used. The visual analog scale(VAS) for low back pain and radiating pain, the Oswestry disability index (ODI), the intervertebral height and the halo sign around the cages and pedicle screws were comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean VAS score for low back pain before PLIF and using the HA block, the metal cage and the PEEK cage was 7.5, 8.3 and 6.2, respectively, and this was 3.3, 2.9 and 4.8 after PLIF (P<0.05 with using the HA block and the metal cage (Wilcoxon test). The mean VAS score for radiating pain before PLIF was 7.9, 8.3 and 8.5, respectively, and the VAS score was 3.5, 3.1 and 3.9, respectively, after PLIF (P<0.05 for all cases, Wilcoxon test). For the ODI, the means before PLIF were 60.3, 51.2 and 53.8, respectively, and they changed to 30.5, 24.9 and 29.7, respectively, after PLIF (P<0 .05 for all cases, Wilcoxon test). On the X-ray images, there was no halo sign greater than 2 mm near the pedicle screws or greater than 1 mm near the cages and no breakage of the HA block. No additional bone graft was needed for the PLIF using the HA block and local bone. There was no statistically significant differences among the groups (P>0.05, One-way ANOVA). CONCLUSION: PLIF using a HA block showed improvements, including the back pain, and the ODI was satisfactory and this didn't fall below those ODIs of using metal or PEEK cages. Although a HA block may have higher tendency to break, there was no breakage at the 1-year follow up.
Back Pain ; Bone Substitutes ; Durapatite ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ketones ; Low Back Pain ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective review of 10 consecutive patients with spinal cord injury without radiographic evidence of abnormalities (SCIWORA) and 17 spinal cord injury patients without radiographic evidence of trauma (SCIWORET). OBJECTIVES: We wanted to assess the MRI and clinical findings, the prognosis and effect of anterior decompression of the spinal cord in SCIWORET patients. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: SCIWORET is not uncommon among middle-age and elderly people. It is less reported in adults as compared with children. There are no studies on the method for the treatment or the effectiveness of anterior decompression of the spinal cord. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 1994 to December 2005, this study included 27 patients who had cervical spinal cord injury without radiographic evidence of trauma on the plain roentgenography and MRI. Ten patients had no spinal cord compression (SCIWORA patients, group 1) and 17 had their spinal cord compressed from the anterior (SCIWORET patients, group 2), We conservatively treated the group 1 patients and 10 of the group 2 patients, and anterior decompression and fusion were done for 7 of the group 2 patients. Neurological evaluation was performed initial and at last follow up using an ASIA motor score and the Frankel grade. RESULTS: The patients who had spinal cord edema on MRI had a better prognosis than those who had contusion (p=0.06). There is no statistical difference between the two groups for the neurologic changes at the initial period and the last follow up period (p=0.06, 0.61). Decompression of the spinal cord anteriorly was not effective for the neurologic recovery (p=0.25) and the involved segments were not related to the neurologic changes (p=0.34, 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: It was presumed that patients with edema of the spinal cord had a better prognosis than those with contusion of the spinal cord. There was no difference between the SCIWORA and SCIWORET groups for the neurologic changes and anterior decompression was not effective for the recovery of neurologic symptoms. This study was limited by its retrospective nature and the small number of patients, so a multi-center study is needed.
Adult ; Aged ; Asia ; Child ; Contusions ; Decompression ; Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spinal Cord Injuries

STUDY DESIGN: Cases report OBJECTIVES: We report 1 case of relatively rare osteochondroma that was in thoracic spine. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Osteochondroma is one of the most common benign tumor in bone, consist of 40%, but, rare in spine area occupying only 2%. We report a case of osteochondroma that was in the 12th vertebra of thoracic spine, that had severe right flank pain. We performed en bloc excisional biopsy of the bony mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A fourty seven-year-old male complained right flank pain. He had mass of 12th thoracic costovertebral junction and underwent open excision and biopsy. RESULTS: The preoperative pain disappeared and any signs of recurrence were not found on the follow up performed at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The painful osteochondroma of thoracic spine is treated successfully by surgical technique.
Biopsy ; Flank Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Osteochondroma ; Recurrence ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective clinical study. OBJECTIVES: We wanted to compare the clinical results of conventional vertebroplasty(VP) and the newly devised unilateral partial vertebroplasty(UPVP). SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There has not been any study on how to reduce the amount of cement used while maintaining the height of the vertebral body and minimizing the adjacent compression fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2004 to 2008, Group 1 underwent VP and group 2 underwent UPVP. We compared the difference of the VAS score, the period of hospitalization, the infused amount of cement, the progression of the vertebral body collapse and fresh fracture of the adjacent vertebral body on the follow-up simple radiographs. RESULTS: In group 1, the mean VAS score changed from 6.69 to 2.80, the mean period of hospitalization was 2.30 days and the mean amount of cement infused was 6.50cc. The degree of vertebral body collapse was 0.83, 0.76, 0.69 and 0.63 on follow-up, and 3 cases had fresh fracture. In group 2, the mean VAS score changed from 6.41 to 2.61, the mean period of hospitalization was 2.23 days and the mean amount of cement infused was 3.74cc. The degree of collapse was 0.71, 0.69, 0.68 and 0.63 on follow up and 1 case had fresh fracture. The two groups showed no statistical significance for the change of the VAS score and the period of hospitalization, and the amount of cement was significantly less in group 2. The degree of collapse was not significantly different on the 4 times of follow-up. The frequency of fresh fracture was significantly less in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: UPVP could achieve similar results for pain relief, the period of hospitalization and vertebral body collapse as compared to that of VP, but fresh fracture of the adjacent vertebral body was less. So, UPVP could be a better method than VP.
Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Prospective Studies ; Vertebroplasty

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: We made a scoring system using the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome(CES) and we studied the efficacy of the scoring system. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: There has been no definite scoring system with clear factors that can predict the clinical results of cauda equine syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1998 and 2006, 21 patients who were diagnosed with CES and who were followed for more than 2 years were enrolled in this study. There were 6 cases of HIVD, 6 cases of degenerative spondylosis, 7 cases of vertebral fracture and 2 cases of metastatic spinal tumor. We made a scoring system for CES (SSCES) using 8 symptoms among the general clinical manifestations that accompany CES, which are low back pain, sciatic neuropathy, sensory and motor disorder of the lower extremities, loss of a saddle sensation, voiding difficulty, disorder of the anal sphincter tone and deep tendon reflex disorder. RESULTS: The last clinical outcomes were 3 excellent patients, 5 good patients, 5 fair patients and 8 poor patients. The mean preoperative SSCES was 11.7+/-2.8(7-16) and the mean final follow up score was 7.6+/-3.4(2-13). Eight cases that had a mean preoperative SSCES score of 6 or below showed good clinical results with a mean SSCES of 3.9+/-11(2-5) on the final follow up, and 13 cases with a mean preoperative SSCES score of 7 or above showed bad clinical results with a mean SSCES of 9.9+/-1.9(7-13) on the final follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis was better on the final follow up for the patients with a lowere preoperative SSCES. So, for the treatment of CES, preoperative evaluation using the SSCES is thought to be very useful for predicting the prognosis.
Anal Canal ; Cauda Equina ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Lower Extremity ; Polyradiculopathy ; Prognosis ; Reflex, Stretch ; Retrospective Studies ; Sciatic Neuropathy ; Sensation ; Spondylosis