Cervical spine trauma

Cervical spine trauma encompasses a wide of injuries, ranging from stable, minor lesions to unstable, complex lesions that can lead to neurologic sequelae or vascular involvement. The Canadian C-Spine Rule and the NEXUS criteria aim to identify individuals with a low risk of cervical spine trauma who can safely forgo imaging tests. In high-risk patients, an imaging test is indicated. In adult patients the imaging test of choice is multidetector computed tomography. Complementary imaging tests such as CT angiography of the supra-aortic vessels and/or magnetic resonance imaging are occasionally necessary. It can be challenging for radiologists to diagnose and classify these lesions, because some of them can be subtle and difficult to detect. This paper aims to describe the most important imaging findings and the most widely used classification systems.

Atlanto-occipital dislocation with concomitant severe traumatic brain injury: A retrospective study at a level 1 trauma center

BACKGROUND

Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) is a life-threatening injury. Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with increased mortality in AOD patients, a detailed individual analysis of these patients is lacking in the literature.

METHODS

Patients ≥16 years old who were diagnosed of AOD with concomitant severe TBI from 2010 to 2020 were included in this retrospective study. We examined the epidemiology, injury mechanisms, associated injuries, and outcomes of these patients.

RESULTS

Eight patients were included. Six patients died before any intervention could be performed, and two patients underwent an occipito-cervical fixation, showing a notorious neurologic improvement on follow-up. Cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) was a strong predictor of subsequent death. CT signs of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) were present in most patients and were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in survivors. Although TBI was not the main cause of death, it was responsible for the delayed neurological improvement and deferred stabilization. The average sensitivity of the different used methodologies for AOD diagnosis ranged from 0.50 to 1.00, being the Basion Dens Interval (BDI) and the Condyle-C1 interval (CCI) sum the most reliable criteria. Non-survivors tended to show greater distraction measurements. The high incidence of condylar avulsion fractures suggests that their visualization on the initial CT study should heighten the suspicion for AOD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that patients with AOD and concomitant severe TBI might be salvageable patients. In those who survive beyond the first hospital days and show neurological improvement, surgical treatment should be performed as they can achieve an important neurologic recovery.

Outcomes of spinal cord injury following cervical fracture in ankylosing spondylitis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH): A prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

The ankylosed spine is prone to increased fractures risk even after minor trauma. The lower cervical spine is most frequently injured, and fractures of the ankylosed spine tend to precipitate spinal cord injury (SCI). The objective of the current study is to assess the incidence, management, and outcomes of patients with ankylosis of the spine sustaining a cervical fracture with associated SCI over a 7-year period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective cohort study. Patients referred to the institution with a cervical fracture associated with SCI on a background of AS or DISH from 2009 to 2017 were reviewed. Demographics, mechanism of injury, fracture type, neurological level of injury, time to surgery, surgical management, neurological status (AIS), spinal cord independence measure (SCIMIII) scale at admission and discharge, and hospital length of stay. In September 2019 the summative data was analyzed using NDI, VAS, SV-QLI/SCI and length of survival were analyzed for statistical significance. Pathological fractures and dementia were excluded.

RESULTS

1613 patients with traumatic SCI were admitted in this period of whom 37 (12 AS and 25 DISH) met the inclusion criteria (mean age 65 years AS; 67 DISH). Fracture-dislocation was the most frequent fracture type (33% AS patients, 24% DISH patients). C4 was the most common neurological level of injury. SCIMIII score at admission was 1 point and 59 at discharge. AIS at admission was A (50%). At time of discharge no patient had neurologically deteriorated. Post-discharge mortality was 58% in AS patients and 32% in DISH patients (p=0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

Both AS and DISH patients have high levels of disability and mortality associated with trauma to the cervical spine. Despite their distinct clinical differences, in this cohort there were no statistically significant differences between AS and DISH patients regarding fracture type, SCIMIII, AIS, hospital stay, mortality, VAS, and SV-QLI/SCI after cervical fracture over 7 years follow-up.

Intubation through 2 supraglottic airway device in cervical spine immobilization: a randomized trial of residents' use of the intubating laryngeal mask airway and the intubating laryngeal tube in manikins

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the intubating laryngeal mask (iLM) airway and the new intubating laryngeal tube (iLTS-D) in use by residents with minimal previous intubation experience during simulated conditions of reduced cervical spine mobility.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty first-year residents in anesthesiology participated in the study (18 women). All participants had minimal intubation experience (fewer than 10 previously performed intubations) and were novices in the specialty. Both devices were used by each participant after random assignment of order. We recorded the time required to insert the device and start to ventilate through it (T1) and the time from insertion and intubation to successful ventilation (T2). Efficacy of intubation and each resident's assessment of ease of use were also assessed.Observational study using biomechanical inertial sensors to detect movement in the spinal column during removal of helmets.

RESULTS

The residents' mean (SD) T1 values were similar for the 2 devices (iLMA, 15.3 [5.5] seconds; iLTS-D, 15.4 [5.5] seconds; P=.938). T2 was shorter with the iLTS-D (25.4 [8.6] seconds vs 31.9 [8.8] seconds with the iLMA; P=.005). There were no failed intubation attempts with the iLTS-D.

CONCLUSION

The new iLTS-D may be a good alternative to the iLMA because a patient can be intubated and successfully ventilated in less time. The rate of successful intubation is also better with the iLTS-D.

[Results to 4-year follow-up of the treatment of the cervical stenosis by corpectomy, titanium mesh cage and anterior plate fixation]

BACKGROUND

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is caused by cervical stenosis. Several techniques have been described for the treatment of multilevel disease, such as the anterior corpectomy with titanium mesh cage and anterior cervical plate placement, which has the advantage of performing a wider decompression and using the same bone as graft. However, it has caused controversy since the collapse of the mesh cage continues being a major limitation of this procedure.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A prospective 4-year follow-up study was conducted in 7 patients diagnosed with cervical stenosis, who were treated surgically by one level corpectomy with titanium mesh cage and anterior cervical plate placement, evaluating them by radiographs and clinical scales.

RESULTS

7 patients, 5 women and 2 males were studied. The most common level was C5 corpectomy (n=4). The Neck Disability Index (NDI) preoperative average was 30.01±24.32 and 4-year postoperative 16.90±32.05, with p=0.801. The preoperative and 4-year postoperative Nürick was 3.28± 48 and 3.14±1.21 respectively, with p=0.766. Preoperative lordosis was 14.42±8.03 and 4-year postoperative 17±11.67 degrees, with p=0.660. The immediate postoperative and 4-year postoperative subsidence was 2.69±2.8 and 6.11±1.61 millimeters respectively, with p=0.0001.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the small sample, the subsidence of the mesh cage is common in this procedure. No statistically significant changes were observed in the lordosis or Nürick scale and NDI.

The degenerative cervical spine

Imaging techniques provide excellent anatomical images of the cervical spine. The choice to use one technique or another will depend on the clinical scenario and on the treatment options. Plain-film X-rays continue to be fundamental, because they make it possible to evaluate the alignment and bone changes; they are also useful for follow-up after treatment. The better contrast resolution provided by magnetic resonance imaging makes it possible to evaluate the soft tissues, including the intervertebral discs, ligaments, bone marrow, and spinal cord. The role of computed tomography in the study of degenerative disease has changed in recent years owing to its great spatial resolution and its capacity to depict osseous components. In this article, we will review the anatomy and biomechanical characteristics of the cervical spine, and then we provide a more detailed discussion of the degenerative diseases that can affect the cervical spine and their clinical management.

[Tumours of the upper cervical spine]

OBJECTIVE

Vertebral tumours arising in the upper cervical spine are rare. We present our experience in managing these neoplasms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the case histories of patients treated at our institution between January 2000 and June 2011.

RESULTS

There were 9 patients with tumours in C1-C2-C3: 2metastases, 3chordomas, 2plasmocytomas, 1chondrosarcoma and 1osteochondroma. All patients complained of neck pain at the time of diagnosis. Three patients underwent an anterior and posterior approach, 3 an exclusively posterior approach and 3 an exclusively anterior surgical approach. Tumour resection was intralesional in 7 cases. Chemo-radiotherapy was used as adjuvant therapy in patients with malignant tumours.

CONCLUSIONS

Vertebral tumours in the upper cervical spine are usually malignant. Achieving en bloc resection is particularly challenging and is technically unfeasible in many cases. This worsens the prognosis and makes adjuvant treatment very important.