Navigation-Assisted Posterior Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in a C-CLAMP Fashion for an Isolated C1 Fracture.

C1 fractures with an intact transverse ligament are usually treated conservatively. Patients who present with a progressive diastasis of bone fragments and a progressive articular subluxation mainly attributed to progressive lengthening of the transverse ligament (TAL) fibers can be treated with a C1 "C-clamp" fusion. A 75-year-old male who sustained a motor vehicle accident was neurologically intact. A computed tomography (CT) imaging demonstrated a Jefferson's type-C1 fracture with a slight lateral displacement of the C1 left lateral mass (LM) and a rotatory subluxation on the right. MRI showed an intact TAL and demonstrated an isolated rupture of the left alar ligament. Conservative treatment was chosen. Radiographic follow-up showed, at 3 months, progressive lateral mass displacement, most likely due to elongation of the TAL fibers; this was also associated with a persistent mechanical neck pain. For this reason, we performed a posterior reduction and internal fixation in a C-clamp fashion by placement of C1 lateral mass screws and posterior compression sparing the C1-2 joint. Using navigation, a 3.5-mm screw was inserted into the LM bilaterally. The screw heads were then connected with a rod and compression was applied before tightening. Postoperative CT scan demonstrated a satisfying reduction and further imaging will be made during the follow-up. The patient had a considerable relief of neck pain. Simple lateral mass fixation with C-clamp technique is a reasonable option in case of isolated C1 fractures in patients who have failed conservative management while preserving the range of motion (ROM) at the atlanto-axial joint. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/x8bsVwzCt_M

Radiosurgery for Benign Vertebral Body Hemangiomas of the Spine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Spinal vertebral hemangiomas (SVHs) are the most common benign tumors of the spine. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of radiosurgery (RS) for SVHs. We reviewed articles published between January 1990 and December 2020 on PubMed. Tumor control, pain relief, and damage to surrounding tissues were evaluated with separate meta-analyses. This study was performed in accordance with the published Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A total of 23 patients with 24 SVHs were reported in 3 studies. Follow-up time was 7.3-84 months. The vast majority of lesions were located at dorsal level (n = 18; 75%). In 20 (83.3%) patients, pain was the initial clinical presentation. Complete, partial, and stable responses after radiation were reported in 45.7% (P < 0.001), 23.6% (P = 0.02), and 37.2% (P = 0.7) of cases. Overall response was reported in 94.1% (P = 0.7). No progressive disease was reported. Pain relief was achieved in 87.5% of patients (P = 0.2). Damage to surrounding tissue caused by irradiation was reported in 22.3% (P = 0.02) of cases in 1 study, in which higher doses of radiation were delivered. Radiosurgery is safe and effective for SVHs. Pain relief after RS in symptomatic patients was extremely high, while no progressive disease was reported. Damage to surrounding tissues was reported in only 1 series and included osteitis, osteonecrosis, or soft tissue injury after higher radiation doses

C2 Odontoid Fracture Associated with C1-C2 Rotatory Dislocation: A Retrospective Analysis of 2 Surgical Techniques.

Odontoid fractures in association with a C1-C2 rotatory luxation reports are seldom found in the literature. The fusion between the lateral mass of C1 and C2 could be of interest to ensure adequate treatment in these particular cases. We report 23 cases where there was coexistence of an odontoid fracture and rotatory subluxation, which were treated surgically using cages between C1 and C2 or just traditional Goel-Harms technique. We evaluated the radiologic fusion rate, reoperation rate, and complications. This was a single-center, retrospective, cohort study of patients with C2 fractures (mixed type and C1-C2 rotatory luxation according to the Fielding classification) who were treated surgically. Radiologic computed tomography scans were used to assess fusion (presence of bridging trabecular bone end plate or pseudoarthrosis) between 6 months and 1.5 years after the surgery. Twenty-three patients were diagnosed with C2 fractures and C1-C2 rotatory luxation that were treated surgically and were suitable for the analysis; 11 patients underwent C1-C2 fusion with intra-articular cages, and 12 underwent a classical Goel-Harms technique. The fusion rate at the C1-C2 joint was higher in the cages group. Only 12 patients exhibited fusion at the level of the odontoid fracture. C2 fractures associated with C1-C2 rotatory dislocation are rare. The fusion rate at the level of the odontoid in these patients appears to be lower than that reported in patients without rotatory dislocation. It may be of special interest to obtain a clear fusion at the C1-C2 joint, where this type of implant seems to offer an advantage

Bone cylinder plug and coil technique for accurate pedicle localization in thoracic spine surgery: A technical note.

Intraoperative identification of the correct level during thoracic spine surgery is essential to avoid wrong-level procedures. Despite technological progress, intraoperative imaging modalities for identifying the correct thoracic spine level remain unreliable and often lead to wrong-level surgery. To counter potential wrong-level operations, here, we have proposed a novel pedicle/bone cylinder marking technique for use in the thoracic spine utilizing biplanar fluoroscopy and confirmed with computed tomography (CT). First, under fluoroscopic guidance, a bone cylinder is removed from the correct thoracic pedicle. Next, endovascular coils are packed into the cancellous bone defect followed by reinsertion of the bony plug. The patient then undergoes a CT scan of the entire thoracolumbosacral spine to precisely identify the marked level before surgery. We utilized this bone cylinder plug/coil technique to identify the T9-T10 level in a 56-year-old female with a soft thoracic disc herniation. The index thoracic pedicle was successfully localized before performing the unilateral minimally invasive laminectomy followed by the transpedicular thoracic disc excision. The bone cylinder plug/coil technique is a safe and effective method for marking the correct level in thoracic spine surgery, while also reducing the operative time

Operative Technique for Resection of Upper Cervical Chordomas: Extended Transoral Transmandibular Approach and Multilevel Reconstruction

Anterior exposure for cervical chordomas remains challenging because of the anatomical complexities and the restoration of the dimensional balance of the atlanto-axial region. In this report, we describe and analyze the transmandibular transoral approach and multilevel spinal reconstruction for upper cervical chordomas. We report two cases of cervical chordomas (C2 and C2-C4) that were treated by marginal en bloc resection with a transmandibular approach and anterior-posterior multilevel spinal reconstruction/fixation. Both patients showed clinical improvement. Postoperative imaging was negative for any residual tumor and revealed adequate reconstruction and stabilization. Marginal resection requires more extensive exposure to allow the surgeon access to the entire pathology, as an inadequate tumor margin is the main factor that negatively affects the prognosis. Anterior and posterior reconstruction provides a rigid reconstruction that protects the medulla and decreases axial pain by properly stabilizing the cervical spine

Minimally invasive resection of a lumbar extradural schwannoma: how I do it.

Complete surgical resection of a foraminal lumbar schwannoma may require an extended surgical exposure and facetectomy and thus secondary instrumentation. The minimally invasive technique through the use of tubular retractors may represent a valid surgical alternative. We describe the resection of a foraminal lumbar schwannoma through the use of tubular retractors, along with its advantages and limitations. A limited medial facetectomy was performed and no stabilization was needed. Minimally invasive surgery is suitable for an efficient and safe resection of foraminal schwannomas and may help in avoiding stabilization when a limited facetectomy is performed

Atlanto-occipital dislocation in a child: a challenging diagnosis. Illustrative case

BACKGROUND: Atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) is a highly unstable injury of the osseoligamentous complex at the craniocervical junction that is more common in children. Its diagnosis remains a challenging process that must integrate clinical presentation and radiological criteria. OBSERVATIONS: A 9-year-old child presented with severe craniocervical trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale score 6) and cardiorespiratory arrest on-site. Prompt resuscitation on-site and transfer to the university hospital were performed, and a computed tomography (CT) scan showed a subarachnoid hemorrhage around the brainstem and a retroclival hematoma. Most of the radiological criteria on CT scans for AOD were negative, except for the occipital condyle–C1 interval, and further imaging with magnetic resonance imaging permitted the diagnosis of AOD with rupture of both the tectorial membrane and the transverse ligament. Occipital-cervical Oc-C1–2 fixation was performed. The neurological outcome was excellent, with full recovery 6 months after the trauma. LESSONS: AOD should be suspected in all high-intensity trauma in children, especially if the clinical presentation includes cardiorespiratory arrest and other brainstem and/or upper cervical cord symptoms along with premedullary subarachnoid hemorrhage. Understanding the ligamentous nature of the injury resulting in “normal” radiographs or CT scans is important to avoid underdiagnosing AOD, which can have detrimental consequences

Minimally invasive posterior percutaneous transarticular C1-C2 screws: how I do it.

Transarticular C1-C2 screw fixation, first described by Magerl, is a widely accepted used technique for C1-C2 instability with a good biomechanical stability and fusion rate. We present a 69-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with a C2 Odontoid fracture type III and primarily treated with conservative treatment and collar. During first 2 weeks of follow-up, the patient developed cervical pain associated with C1-C2 instability. A minimally invasive posterior C1-C2 transarticular screw instrumentation with a percutaneus approach was performed. Minimally invasive approach with tubular transmuscular approach for C1-C2 transarticular screws instrumentation is safe and effective for C1-C2 instability