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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Endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy (EEO) has been described as a potential approach for craniovertebral junction (CVJ) disease which could cause anterior bulbomedullary compression and encroaching. Due to the atlantoaxial junction's uniqueness and complex biomechanics, treating CVJ pathologies uncovers the challenge of preventing C1-C2 instability. A large series of patients treated with endonasal odontoidectomy is reported, analyzing the feasibility and necessity of whether or not to perform posterior stabilization. Furthermore, the focus is on the long-term follow-up, especially those whom only underwent partial C1 arch preservation without posterior fixation. ⋯ The outcomes, even in C1 arch preservation without posterior fixation, are promising, and it could be said that the endonasal route potentially represents a valid option to treat lesions above the nasopalatine line.
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Occipitocervical junction (OCJ) instability is commonly treated with fixation via open posterior approach. The use of intraoperative navigation allows us to perform occipitocervical fixation via minimally invasive approach. We report a series of patients treated with percutaneous occipitocervical fixation, describing the surgical procedure in detail and discussing the technique. ⋯ Described method of occipitocervical fixation is a minimally invasive method that has a similar outcome to the open technique. It requires the experience in open techniques and the assist of intraoperative 3D imaging and navigation to be performed efficiently.
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The pathological changes of basilar invagination (BI) and atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) include vertical and horizontal dislocations. Current surgical techniques have difficulty in accurately controlling the degree of reduction in these two directions and often require preoperative traction, which increases patients' pain, hospital stay, and medical cost. This study aimed to introduce a novel technique for accurately reducing horizontal and vertical dislocation without preoperative traction and report the radiological and clinical outcomes. ⋯ TSDR enables horizontal and vertical reduction. It is a safe, simple, and effective technique for patients with BI and AAD. Despite the absence of preoperative skull traction, the degree of reduction and clinical outcomes were satisfactory.
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The purpose of the current study was to explore radiographic predictors for recurrence of lumbar symptoms after prioritized cervical surgery in patients with tandem spinal stenosis (TSS). ⋯ Finding of the current study indicated that LSI > 10 was associated with recurrence of lumbar symptoms in TSS patients following cervical surgery.
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This study aimed to compare the effect of needle puncture and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) injection on inducing intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) in rabbits. ⋯ Both AF needle puncture and ChABC injection can successfully induce IVDD in rabbits. Compared with ChABC injection, AF needle puncture can induce more severe IVDD.