BACKGROUND:Atlantoaxial dislocation is often facilitated by interlaminar bone grafting.However,there are relatively few reports on the treatment of complex atlantoaxial dislocation with posterior atlantoaxial lateral mass interarticular release and fusion. OBJECTIVE:To explore the safety and effectiveness of atlantoaxial dislocation treated by simple posterior atlantoaxial lateral block interarticular release and fusion. METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 30 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation who were treated from January 2017 to July 2021,all of whom suffered from reducible atlantoaxial dislocation.Posterior atlantoaxial lateral mass interarticular release and fusion were performed in all patients.During the surgery,patented instruments were used to release the atlantoaxial lateral mass joint,and posterior screw reduction and fixation were used with bone grafting in the lateral mass joint space.The postoperative follow-up period was 6 to 24 months,mean(13.0±5.4)months.During the follow-up period,cervical MRI was reviewed to observe the decompression of the upper cervical spine.X-ray films and CT scans were reviewed to observe the reduction of the upper cervical spine,as well as the internal fixation for looseness and breakage.CT scans were reviewed to assess interlateral block implant fusion.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was used to evaluate the improvement of spinal cord function.The neck disability index and the quality of life scale were used to assess the improvement of daily life function.The atlanto-anterior interspace and atlanto-planar spinal effective space were used to evaluate atlantoaxial repositioning and decompression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The surgery of 30 patients went smoothly,and no serious complications such as spinal nerve and vertebral artery injuries occurred during the operation.Postoperative review of cervical MRI showed that the spinal cord compression was lifted.X-ray film and CT showed that the atlanto-anterior gap was significantly reduced;the effective space of atlantoaxial spinal cord was significantly increased,and neurological dysfunctional symptoms were significantly reduced.(2)During the follow-up period,X-ray film and CT showed that the internal fixation was solid;no broken nails or rods occurred,and there was no recurrence of atlantoaxial dislocation.(3)The Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores,neck disability index,and quality of life scores were significantly improved at the last follow-up compared with the preoperative period(P<0.05).The average improvement rate of Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores at the last follow-up was 73.1%.The average neck disability index was 8.80%.All of the patients had a continuous bone-scalp connection between atlantoaxial lateral block joints to achieve osseous fusion.(4)These findings indicate that the use of simple posterior atlantoaxial lateral block interarticular release and fusion for the treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation can significantly increase the fusion rate and shorten the fusion time.

A patient with a history of sulfonamide allergy and dermatomyositis was admitted to the hospital due to secondary infection.After admission,a comprehensive examination confirmed the presence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia(PJP)along with cytomegalovirus(CMV)and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections.Clinical pharmacists actively participated in the treatment process by referring to relevant clinical guidelines.For patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii infection,compound sulfamethoxazole(TMP-SMX)should be considered as the primary choice,while desensitization treatment is recommended for those with a history of sulfonamide allergy.Prior to treatment,the patient had pre-existing liver insufficiency and was on long-term glucocorticoid therapy,with complex medications.The clinical pharmacists provided individualized pharmaceutical care for this case,assisting clinicians in formulating scientifically and reasonably tailored drug treatment plans.They also offered new insights and references for selecting appropriate drugs considering the patient's previous sulfonamide allergies.After sulfonamide desensitization,the patients were administered a combination of TMP-SMX and carpofungin for anti-PJP treatment,along with ganciclovir for anti-CMV treatment,resulting in favorable therapeutic outcomes.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.