• Bernhard Wilhelm Ullrich, Philipp Schenk, Ulrich J Spiegl, Thomas Mendel, and Hofmann Gunther Olaf GO Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, "BG Klinikum Bergmannstrost", Merseburger Str. 165, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany. .
• Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, "BG Klinikum Bergmannstrost", Merseburger Str. 165, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany.
• Eur Spine J. 2018 Dec 1; 27 (12): 3034-3042.

Study DesignA retrospective, longitudinal cohort study.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine whether Hounsfield units (HUs), as an alternative bone mineral density measurement to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and quantitative computed tomography, which lead to additional radiation exposure for patients, has an effect on the maintenance of reduction in bisegmental Cobb angle (CA) and cage subsidence in patients who receive bisegmental spine stabilization after traumatic thoracolumbar spine fractures.MethodsA total of 81 patients with a mean follow-up of 12 months were analyzed. CAs and cage subsidence were measured intraoperatively and at follow-up. HU was measured, and patients were subsequently assigned based on HU to three HU subgroups (group 1: HU < 110 [poor bone quality (BQ)]; group 2: HU 180-110 [diminished BQ]; group 3: HU > 180 [good BQ]).ResultsFollowing anterior stabilization, loss of reduction and cage subsidence differed between patients with poor and diminished BQ but not significantly, and both groups showed significantly more loss of reduction and cage subsidence than patients with good BQ.ConclusionBQ, estimated with HU, had significant effects on cage subsidence and loss of reduction. We recommend measuring HU before surgery and applying additional treatment strategies, such as polymethylmethacrylate augmentation of endplates or anterior plates, for patients with HU < 180. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

35 keywords...

hide…