RESULTS OF SURGICAL TREATMENT IN THE CRANIOCERVICAL JUNCTION IN MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS

ABSTRACT Objective: Evaluate the results after decompression and stabilization of craniocervical junction in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). Method: Retrospective study of 10 patients with MPS through the analysis of medical records and additional tests. Result: All patients with mid-term and long-term follow-up achieved consolidation of the arthrodesis and 87.5% had neurological improvement of Nurick score. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and intervention in cases of stenosis and/or craniocervical instability of patients with MPS provide patients a good recovery of neurological function, despite the great technical difficulty and risk of complications

RESULTS OF THE USE OF PEEK CAGES IN THE TREATMENT OF BASILAR INVAGINATION BY GOEL TECHNIQUE

ABSTRACT Objective: Analysis of the use of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages for atlantoaxial facet realignment and distraction for treatment of basilar invagination by Goel technique. Method: Retrospective descriptive statistical analysis of the neurological status, pain, presence of subsidence and bone fusion with the use of PEEK cages in 8 atlantoaxial joints of 4 patients with basilar invagination. All patients were treated with atlantoaxial facet distraction and realignment and subsequent arthrodesis C1-C2 by the technique of Goel modified by the use of PEEK cage. Results: All patients showed improvement in Nurick neurological assessment scale and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain. There were no cases of subsidence, migration, or damage to the vertebral artery during the insertion of the cage. All joints evolved with bone fusion, assessed by dynamic radiographs, and computed tomography. Two patients developed neuropathic pain in dermatome of C2 and one patient had unilateral vertebral artery injury during C2 instrumentation treated with insertion of pedicle screw to control the bleeding. Conclusion: The results of the treatment of basilar invagination by the Goel technique with the use of PEEK cages shown to be effective and safe although further studies are needed to confirm this use