Cervicothoracic dislocation due to congenital and bone-dysplasia-related vertebral malformations

PURPOSE

To evaluate the approaches to treatment of congenital and bone-dysplasia-related pediatric cervicothoracic dislocations and define the optimal treatment method.

METHODS

The publications available in PubMed and Google Scholar data bases were selected following such criteria as the disease in question, pediatric age, the treatment description, and follow-up results. The paper also includes the descriptions of our own six cases of the cervicothoracic dislocations detected in children with different vertebral malformations.

RESULTS

Only eight patients meeting the abovementioned selection criteria were found in the publications: three of them had the Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS), two had one-level vertebral anomaly, one had neurofibromatosis (NF type 1), one had the Larsen syndrome, and one had a variation of VACTERL association. Their treatment was long term, multi stage, and complicated. Among six our own cases, four patients also had KFS, one had a variation of VACTERL association, and one had NF type 1. All the patients suffered from preoperative neurological disorders. Posterior instrumental fixation with posterior vertebral body resection was performed in four cases and one patient underwent a combined surgery. The parents of one of the patients refused the operation, so he was observed while receiving bracing treatment. Since the treatment was long term and complicated by reoperations, the average follow-up period comprised 5 years.

CONCLUSION

Congenital cervicothoracic dislocations are an extremely rare pathology that manifests itself in early age and requires an early surgical treatment. Failure to provide the treatment leads to the patient's disability. The surgical tactics for such patients is determined individually, but the published data and our own experience demonstrate that early multi-stage combined treatment has been the best option available so far. The cervicothoracic dislocations due to NF 1 manifest later and have a more favorable forecast.

Dexmedetomidine in difficult airway management with a fibre-optic bronchoscope in the awake patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome

Klippel-Feil Syndrome is a disease characterised by congenital fusion of cervical vertebra, which leads to cervical limitation and instability. In these cases, the best option is the orotracheal intubation with the fibre-optic bronchoscope with the patient awake. The advantage is that cervical movements that could lead to neurological damage are minimised. In these patients, adequate sedation, together with instillation of local anaesthetic in the pharynx and hypopharynx, is the key to reducing patient discomfort and achieving successful orotracheal intubation. Dexmedetomidine is a selective α2- adrenergic receptor agonist that produces sedation and analgesia at the locus coeruleus without producing respiratory depression, as well as maintaining patient collaboration. The case is presented of a patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome and difficult airway management, who was given a dexmedetomidine infusion at 0.6μg/kg/h as sedation for an awake fibre-optic endotracheal intubation.

Tracheal intubation using a new CCD camera-equipped device: a report of two cases with a difficult intubation

In two patients, one with Klippel-Feil syndrome and one with fibrous dysplasia of the maxilla, no part of the larynx could be visualized by direct laryngoscopy. In both cases, the use of an intubation device equipped with a charge-coupled device camera, the endotracheal intubation device (EID), allowed smooth tracheal intubation.

The use of a microspinal catheter

A 34-year-old woman with severe kyphoscoliosis, an immobile cervical spine, and short stature due to the Klippel-Feil syndrome presented for elective Caesarean section. She expressed a strong desire to remain awake during the procedure. We chose a technique using a spinal microcatheter to provide spinal anaesthesia on the basis that incremental control of the dose of bupivacaine would reduce the risk of 'high' block. Awake inspection of the larynx was performed as a precaution in the event of respiratory embarrassment. A total of 6.25 mg heavy bupivacaine, 7.5 mg plain bupivacaine, and 10 micrograms fentanyl were administered over 20 min. This provided anaesthesia up to T5 without significant effects on respiratory or cardiovascular function. The patient was successfully delivered of a healthy boy.

The dysplasias of the middle and the inner ear in different types of malformation

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Gas in the orbit associated with orbital cellulitis and paranasal sinusitis

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