[Recommendations for the treatment of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine injuries]

This paper gives recommendations for treatment of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine injuries. The recommendations are based on the experience of the involved spine surgeons, who are part of a study group of the "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie" and a review of the current literature. Basics of diagnostic, conservative, and operative therapy are demonstrated. Fractures are evaluated by using morphologic criteria like destruction of the vertebral body, fragment dislocation, narrowing of the spinal canal, and deviation from the individual physiologic profile. Deviations from the individual sagittal profile are described by using the monosegmental or bisegmental end plate angle. The recommendations are developed for acute traumatic fractures in patients without severe osteoporotic disease.

[Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in osteoporotic fractures of vertebral bodies -- a prospective 1-year follow-up analysis]

PURPOSE

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty offer two minimally invasive operative stabilization procedures for vertebral compression fractures. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate whether both procedures are able to reduce pain and to preserve postoperative vertebral height during a 1-year follow up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures were treated in 42 cases, 20 patients (15 female, 5 male) underwent vertebroplasty, 22 patients (14 female, 8 male) underwent kyphoplasty. 32 vertebral fractures were treated with vertebroplasty and 35 vertebral fractures were treated with kyphoplasty. Symptomatic levels were identified by correlating the clinical presentation with conventional radiographs, CT or/and MRI. During the follow up reduction of pain was determined. Radiographic scans were performed pre- and postoperatively and after 3, 6 and 12 months. The vertebral height and endplate angles were measured to assess the restoration of the sagittal alignment. The effects on pain symptoms were measured on a self-reported Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry score was documented.

RESULTS

The median pain scores (VAS) decreased significantly for kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty from pre- to post-treatment, as did the Oswestry score (p < 0.05). No significant differences could be found between both groups for the median pain score (VAS) and the Oswestry score. Kyphoplsty led to a significant restoration of the vertebral height and reduction of kyphosis (p < 0.05). During the 1-year follow up both operation techniques were able to stabilize the height of the vertebral body.

CONCLUSION

Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are effective minimally invasive procedures for the stabilization of osteoporotic vertebral fractures leading to a statistically significant reduction in pain. Kyphoplasty restores significantly vertebral body height in fresh fractures. The restoration of vertebral height and reduction of kyphosis may have an influence on the long term clinical outcome. This has to be evaluated in a long term prospective study.

Maintained pain reduction in five patients with multiple myeloma 12 months after treatment of the involved cervical vertebrae with vertebroplasty

PURPOSE

To evaluate in a prospective study the clinical and radiographic outcome of vertebroplasty in patients with osteolytic lesions of the cervical spine caused by multiple myeloma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Pathological vertebral fractures associated with multiple myeloma were treated in five patients. Vertebroplasty was performed in 12 vertebral bodies. Symptomatic levels were identified by correlating the clinical presentation with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), conventional radiographs, and computed tomography (CT). During the 12-month follow-up, pain symptoms were measured on a self-reported visual analog scale (VAS), neck pain disability index (NPDI, range 0-100%), and cervical spine functional score (CSFS, range 0-100). Medical imaging was performed pre- and postoperatively and after 3, 6, and 12 months. The vertebral height was measured to assess the restoration of the sagittal alignment.

RESULTS

The median pain scores (VAS) as well as the NPDI and CSFS decreased significantly after vertebroplasty (P<0.05). Cement leakage occurred in two of 12 vertebral bodies (16.6%), without clinical relevance. The vertebral body height was stabilized during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Vertebroplasty in the cervical spine is an effective open surgical procedure for the stabilization of pathological vertebral fractures caused by multiple myeloma leading to a statistically significant reduction of pain status. Vertebral body height is stabilized and further deformities are avoided.

Two-level ACDF with a zero-profile stand-alone spacer compared to conventional plating: a prospective randomized single-center study

PURPOSE

Stand-alone zero-profile devices have already proven safety, and a reduced dysphagia rate was assumed. So far, no level-one evidence is available to prove the proposed advantages of zero-profile implants in multilevel procedures. The aim of this RCT was to compare the clinical and radiological outcome of a zero-profile spacer versus cage + plate in two-level ACDF.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with contiguous two-level cDD were randomly assigned either to the interventional group (zero-profile device) or to the control group (cage + plate). Primary endpoint of the study was the prevalence of dysphagia at 24 months. Disability, progress of adjacent segment degeneration, fusion status and loss of correction were analyzed as secondary outcome measure. Primary outcome parameter was statistically analyzed by Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients met inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to the interventional and the control group. Dysphagia was frequent in either group at 3 months FU favoring interventional group (p = 0.078). At final FU, less patients of the interventional group complained about dysphagia, but the difference was not significant. No relevant differences at final FU were recorded for NPDI, loss of correction and adjacent-level degeneration. Fusion rate was slightly lower in the interventional group.

DISCUSSION

Two-level ACDF either by a stand-alone zero-profile spacer or cage + plate is safe. Using a zero-profile cage dysphagia was infrequent at 24 months, but the value did not reach statistical significance in comparison with the cage + plate. Hence, this randomized trial was not able to prove the proposed clinical superiority for dysphagia rates for zero-profile anchored spacer in two-level cDD.

[Benign placental trophoblast nodule. Case report with overview of proliferative diseases of the intermediate stage trophoblast]

This report reviews proliferative diseases of intermediate trophoblast cells and summarises clinical findings and pathohistological and immunohistochemical features of a placental site nodule. This recently described entity is an endometrial or endocervical benign proliferation of intermediate trophoblast cells occurring after intrauterine gestation. Patients usually present with a history of abnormal vaginal bleeding and frequently cells that are present in their cervical smears are misinterpreted as squamous dysplasia. In such cases it is important to distinguish the placental site nodule from squamous lesions or decidual polyps; this is possible by means of immunohistochemistry.

[Biodegradable cage. Osteointegration in spondylodesis of the sheep cervical spine]

Bioabsorbable implants are commonplace in knee and shoulder surgery. Bioabsorbable poly(l-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) (PLDLLA) cage devices have potential benefits over autologous tricortical iliac crest bone graft and metallic cages for cervical spine interbody fusion. The purpose of this study was to compare interbody fusion of an autologous tricortical iliac crest bone graft with that of a bioabsorbable cage using a sheep cervical spine interbody fusion model. This study was designed to determine differences in (1) the ability to preserve postoperative distraction, (2) biomechanical stability, and (3) histological characteristics of intervertebral bone matrix formation. Sixteen full-grown Merino sheep underwent C3/4 discectomy and fusion. After 12 weeks, there was no significant difference between the results with the bioabsorbable PLDLLA cages and tricortical bone grafts. The cage also did not show advanced interbody fusion but did, however, show large osteolysis, which allows skepticism regarding the value of this bioabsorbable implant.

Single- and Multilevel Corpectomy and Vertebral body replacement for treatment of spinal infections. A retrospective single-center study of 100 cases

Background

The optimal operative approach for treating spinal infections remains a subject of debate. Corpectomy and Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR) have emerged as common modalities, yet data on their feasibility and complication profiles are limited.

Methods

This retrospective single-center study examined 100 consecutive cases (2015-2022) that underwent VBR for spinal infection treatment. A comparison between Single-level-VBR and Multi-level-VBR was performed, evaluating patient profiles, revision rates, and outcomes.

Results

Among 360 cases treated for spinal infections, 100 underwent VBR, located in all spinal regions. Average clinical and radiologic follow-up spanned 1.5 years. Single-level-VBR was performed in 60 cases, Two-level-VBR in 37, Three-level-VBR in 2, and Four-level-VBR in one case.Mean overall sagittal correction reached 10° (range 0-54°), varying by region. Revision surgery was required in 31 cases. Aseptic mechanical complications (8% pedicle screw loosening, 3% cage subsidence, 6% aseptic adjacent disc disease) were prominent reasons for revision. Longer posterior constructs (>4 levels) had significantly higher revision rates (p < 0.01). General complications (wound healing, hematoma) followed, along with infection relapse and adjacent disc infection (9%) and neurologic impairment (1%).Multilevel-VBR (≥2 levels) displayed no elevated cage subsidence rate compared to Single-level-VBR. Three deaths occurred (43-86 days post-op), all in the Multi-level-VBR group.

Conclusion

This study, reporting the largest number of VBR cases for spinal infection treatment, affirmed VBR's effectiveness in sagittal imbalance correction. The overall survival was high, while reinfection rates matched other surgical studies. Anterior procedures have minimal implant related risks, but extended dorsal instrumentation elevates revision surgery likelihood.

[The AOSpine Classification of Thoraco-Lumbar Spine Injuries]

Optimal treatment of injuries to the thoracolumbar spine is based on a detailed analysis of instability, as indicated by injury morphology and neurological status, together with significant modifying factors. A classification system helps to structure this analysis and should also provide guidance for treatment. Existing classification systems, such as the Magerl classification, are complex and do not include the neurological status, while the TLICS system has been accused of over-simplifying the influence of fracture morphology and instability. The AOSpine classification group has developed a new classification system, based mainly upon the Magerl and TLICS classifications, and with the aim of overcoming these drawbacks. This differentiates three main types of injury: Type A lesions are compression lesions to the anterior column; Type B lesions are distraction lesions of either the anterior or the posterior column; Type C lesions are translationally unstable lesions. Type A and B lesions are split into subgroups. The neurological damage is graded in 5 steps, ranging from a transient neurological deficit to complete spinal cord injury. Additional modifiers describe disorders which affect treatment strategy, such as osteoporosis or ankylosing diseases. Evaluations of intra- and inter-observer reliability have been very promising and encourage the introduction of this AOSpine classification of thoracolumbar injuries to the German speaking community.