European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Tuberculosis of the spine is probably one of the earliest diseases to have affected the human race. Over the past few decades, the epidemiology, pathology, natural history and diagnostic methodology have been well studied. ⋯ Although it appears from this study that conservative treatment is as effective as surgical intervention for earlier and milder diseases, there are still reservations on the effect of such treatment at much longer follow-ups and for more severe diseases. Further developments in diagnosis using molecular genetic techniques, more effective antibiotics and more aggressive surgical protocols in the next millennium may help in solving the problems of late severe deformity and paraplegia in the debilitated immunocompromised patients.
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Low back pain (LBP) among children and adolescents has become the subject of an increasing amount of literature over the last 15 years. This topic, which was considered almost insignificant less than two decades ago, was the focus of a recent international meeting organised in Grenoble (France) in March 1999. This review paper is the result of an literature update search performed by members of three groups which have been active in this field for many years. Current epidemiological data on LBP is summarized as well as the role of the major risk factors according to studies published in the principal peer reviewed journals interested in the topic.
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Review Case Reports
Hypoglossal nerve injury as a complication of anterior surgery to the upper cervical spine.
Injury to the hypoglossal nerve is a recognised complication after soft tissue surgery in the upper part of the anterior aspect of the neck, e.g. branchial cyst or carotid body tumour excision. However, this complication has been rarely reported following surgery of the upper cervical spine. We report the case of a 35-year-old woman with tuberculosis of C2-3. ⋯ The hypoglossal palsy persisted, although with minimal functional disability. The only other reported case of hypoglossal lesion after anterior cervical spine surgery in the literature also failed to recover. It is concluded that hypoglossal nerve palsy following anterior cervical spine surgery is unlikely to recover spontaneously and it should be carefully identified.
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Review Case Reports
Traumatic L5-S1 spondylolisthesis: report of three cases and a review of the literature.
The literature reports that traumatic spondylolisthesis of L5 is an uncommon lesion. The authors report their experience of three cases of this particular fracture-dislocation of the lumbosacral spine. ⋯ A preoperative MRI study appears mandatory in order to evaluate the integrity of the L5-S1 disc. In the event of a traumatic disruption of the disc, they state the importance of posterior interbody fusion by means of a strut graft carved from the ilium or, in case of iliac wing fracture (which is not uncommon in these patients), by means of interbody cages.
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Review Case Reports
Cervical synovial cysts: case report and review of the literature.
The authors describe the case of a 58-year-old man with a 6-month history of severe myelopathy. CT scan and MRI of the spine revealed a cystic formation, measuring about 1 cm in diameter, at C7-T1 at a right posterolateral site at the level of the articular facet. At operation the mass appeared to originate from the ligamentum flavum at the level of the articular facet and was in contact with the dura mater. ⋯ There may also be a hypointense rim on T2-weighted images, which enhances after i.v. administration of gadolinium. Surgical treatment consists of removal of the mass. Fixation of the vertebral segments involved is not always necessary.