Zeitschrift für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie
-
Several non-fusion technologies have been developed as an alternative to fusion procedures in the past decades, in order to avoid typical problems related to fusion. The Dynesys (Zimmer, USA), which was inaugurated 7 years ago, consists of pedicle screws, flexible spacers and cords and is intended to control segmental motion and to realign the lumbar spine. Since this device is new, it was the goal of this study to analyse the perioperative morbidity of lumbar stabilisation with Dynesys retrospectively. ⋯ The perioperative morbidity of lumbar stabilisation with Dynesys seems to be similar to posterior fusion techniques. However, an additional morbidity due to interbody fusion, which may necessitate also autogenous bone, is avoided.
-
Lumbar spinal canal stenosis is a common disease of the elderly patient, with a high prevalence and clinical importance. MRI is the established method of choice for the imaging of spinal canal stenosis. However, there is often a discrepancy between the clinical symptoms and the spinal canal stenosis as shown using MRI in a supine position. In such cases preoperative functional imaging is often warranted. ⋯ Using upright MRI a functional spinal canal stenosis can be shown. The pathomechanisms of the spinal canal stenosis are discussed. The possibilities and limitations of this new imaging modality are presented and analysed.
-
Comparative Study
[Intraoperative control of pedicle screw position using three-dimensional fluoroscopy. A prospective study in thoracolumbar fractures].
Screw misplacement affects the stability of the internal fixateur and may cause neurovascular complications. However, only a computer tomographic scan can show the exact position of the screws. This study was undertaken to assess the reliability of intraoperative three-dimensional imaging (3-D) to view screw positions. ⋯ Intraoperative imaging by 3-D fluoroscopy can predict very exactly the position of pedicle screws, especially, when a good scan quality is available and the spine section viewed is T 11-L 5. The scan offers the advantage of immediate correction of screw malposition. Thus, computer tomography to control pedicle screw position is dispensable.
-
We report the case of an 82-year-old man with a pertrochanteric fracture of the hip and an avulsion of the lesser trochanter. During the third postoperative week after unproblematic correction with a gamma nail, a swelling of the proximal thigh occurred. Angiographs showed a false aneurysm of the deep femoral artery which was treated by suture.