The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
-
The impact of patient factors and medical comorbidities on the risk of mortality and complications after spinal arthrodesis has not been well described. Prior works have been limited by small sample size, single center data, or the inability to be broadly generalized. ⋯ Several factors, including patients' age, BMI, ASA classification more than 2, pulmonary conditions, procedural times, and nutritional status likely influence the risk of postoperative morbidity to varying degrees. The risk factors identified here may be more generalizable to the American population as a whole because of the design and methodology of the NSQIP in comparison with previously published studies.
-
The influence of the posterior pelvic ring ligaments on pelvic stability is poorly understood. Low back pain and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain are described being related to these ligaments. Computational approaches involving finite element (FE) modeling may aid to determine their influence. Previous FE models lacked in precise ligament geometries and material properties, which might have influence on the results. ⋯ Posterior pelvic ring cartilage and ligaments significantly contribute to pelvic stability. Their effects are region- and stiffness dependent. While sitting, load concentrations occur at the IL, ISL, and PSL, which goes in coherence with the clinical findings of these ligaments serving as generators of low back pain.
-
Lateral interbody fusion (LIF) is a minimally invasive procedure that is designed to achieve a solid interbody fusion while minimizing the damage to the surrounding soft tissue. Although short-term results have been promising, few data have been published to date regarding its risks and complication rate. ⋯ Hip flexion was weakened immediately after the LIF procedure, which may be attributed to psoas muscle injury during the procedure. However, this damage was temporary, with almost complete return to baseline values by 2 weeks.
-
Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) (INFUSE, Medtronic, Memphis, TN, USA) has been used off-label for posterolateral lumbar fusions for many years. ⋯ rhBMP-2 utilization for posterolateral lumbar fusions has a low symptomatic nonunion rate. Prior rhBMP-2 exposure and male sex were related to symptomatic nonunion formation. rhBMP-2-associated neural compression acutely with seroma formation and delayed with foraminal bone formation is concerning and associated with higher rhBMP-2 concentrations.
-
Acquired hyperpneumatization of the skull base and upper cervical vertebrae is extremely rare and is thought to occur in patients who habitually perform the Valsalva maneuver or engage in repetitive positive pressure activities such as scuba diving or free diving. Craniocervical hyperpneumatization has been reported to cause intracranial and extracranial pneumatoceles but is not generally considered as a cause of pneumorrhachis (air in the spinal canal). Pneumorrhachis is relatively rare, and usually occurs in a localized form, either in the cervical spine secondary to skull base fractures or in the thoracic spine secondary to pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax. Here, we report a case of extensive pneumorrhachis extending from the skull base to the thoracolumbar junction in association with marked axio-atlanto-occipital hyperpneumatization and pneumomediastinum. This unique constellation of findings likely resulted from complications of the Valsalva maneuver during strenuous exercise. ⋯ Craniocervical hyperpneumatization is a rare complication of the Valsalva maneuver. Most reported cases have involved only the skull base, or the skull base and C1, and many have been further complicated by microfractures leading to pneumocephalus or extracranial pneumatoceles. We present a unique case of extensive craniocervical hyperpneumatization that extended to the level of C2 and was complicated by microfractures causing severe pneumorrhachis. Concurrent pneumomediastinum in this case may have been an independent complication of the Valsalva maneuver, which could have contributed to pneumorrhachis. Alternatively, pneumomediastinum may have been caused by migration of gas through the neural foramen from the epidural space, driven by positive pressure generated by the one-way valve effect of the Eustachian tube during periods of exertion.