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
-
Case Reports
Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma during Factor Xa inhibitor treatment (Rivaroxaban).
We report on a 61-year-old female patient who developed a spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma (SSEH) after being treated by rivaroxaban, a new agent for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events in orthopaedic surgery. Although the pathogenesis of SSEH is unclear, anticoagulant therapy is a known risk factor. The patient sustained a sudden onset of severe back pain in the thoracic spine, followed by paraplegia below T8, 2 days after proximal tibial osteotomy and rivaroxaban therapy. ⋯ Whilst preparing for the emergency evacuation of the SSEH, the neurological symptoms recovered spontaneously 4 h after onset without surgery. After monitored bed rest for 48 h the MRI was repeated and the SSEH was no longer present. This rare condition of spinal cord compression and unusually rapid spontaneous recovery has not previously been reported following rivaroxaban therapy.
-
Claudication is a typical symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Differential diagnosis of PAD and LSS is often difficult due to the subjective natures of symptoms and atypical signs. The authors aimed to determine the usefulness of ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement for the differential diagnosis of PAD and LSS when the etiology of claudication is uncertain. ⋯ ABI is a recommended screening test for the differential diagnosis of lower leg claudication when clinical symptoms are atypical.
-
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of intraoperative powdered vancomycin on the rates of postoperative deep spinal wound infection. The use of intraoperative powdered vancomycin as a prophylactic measure in an attempt to reduce the incidence of postoperative spinal wound infection has not been sufficiently evaluated in the existing literature. A retrospective review of a large clinical database was performed to determine the rates of deep wound infection associated with the use of intraoperative operative site powdered vancomycin. ⋯ 15 of the 1,512 patients (0.99%) were identified as having evidence of postoperative deep wound infection. At least one pre-existing risk factor for deep infection was present in 8/15 pts (54%). Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were the most commonly identified organisms (11/15 cases). The rate of deep wound infection was 1.20% (8/663) for instrumented spinal surgeries, and 0.82% (7/849) for uninstrumented surgeries. Deep infection occurred in only 1.23% (4/324) of multilevel instrumented posterior spinal fusions, 1.37% (1/73) of open PLIF procedures, and 1.23% (1/81) of single-level instrumented posterior fusions. Deep infection was not observed in any patient who had uninstrumented spinal fusion (0/64). The deep infection rate for revision surgeries was 1.15% (1/87) and 0.55% (1/183) for trauma surgery. Increased rates of complications related to powdered vancomycin use were not identified in this series. Conclusion In this series of 1,512 consecutive spinal surgeries, the use of 1 g of powdered intraoperative vancomycin placed in the wound prior to wound closure appears to associated with a low rate deep spinal wound infection for both instrumented and uninstrumented cases. Rates of deep infection for instrumented fusion surgery, trauma, and revision surgery appear to be among the lowest reported in the existing literature. Further investigation of this prophylactic adjunctive measure is warranted.
-
Erysipelas is an animal disease caused by Gram-positive bacteria Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Among the domestic animals, domestic pig (Sus scrofa f. domestica) suffers most frequently from the disease in human environment. This is a typical animal-borne disease observed mainly in occupational groups employed in agriculture, farming (of animals and birds), fishing and manufacturing industry. ⋯ Various complications of the disease, such as endocarditis and heart valves disturbances, are well known and are the most severe complications of the generalised infection. Proper targeted and long-term antibiotic therapy is crucial.
-
Case Reports
Kyphoscoliosis associated with congenital neuromuscular disease with uniform type 1 fibers.
To report the first case of surgical treatment for severe kyphoscoliosis associated with respiratory disorder in a patient with congenital neuromuscular disease with uniform type 1 fibers (CNMDU1), including management of the possible onset of malignant hyperthermia (MH) in general anesthesia. CNMDU1 is rare among congenital neuromuscular diseases, and surgery for spinal deformity in CNMDU1 has not been described. Onset of MH in general anesthesia is a concern in this disease. ⋯ Spinal deformity in CNMDU1 has a risk of severe progression, which makes early diagnosis by biopsy important. The surgery may be recommended before severe progression of spinal deformity and respiratory disorder. Perioperative MH is a concern, but can be managed by appropriate procedures.