Percutaneous vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and osteolytic tumours.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
A G Hadjipavlou
Publications and source records attributed to A G Hadjipavlou.
Percutaneous transpedicular discectomy and drainage in pyogenic spondylodiscitis.
The natural history of uncomplicated hematogenous pyogenic spondylodiscitis is self-limiting healing. However, a variable degree of bone destruction frequently occurs, predisposing the spine to painful kyphosis. Delayed treatment may result in serious neurologic complications. Early debridement of these infections by percutaneous transpedicular discectomy can accelerate the natural process of healing and prevent progression to bone destruction and epidural abscess. The purpose of this manuscript is to present our technique of percutaneous transpedicular discectomy (PTD), to revisit this minimally invasive surgical technique with stricter patient selection, and to exclude cases of extensive vertebral body destruction with kyphosis and neurocompression by epidural abscess, infected disc herniation, and foraminal stenosis. In a previously published report of 28 unselected patients with primary hematogenous pyogenic spondylodiscitis, the immediate relief of pain after PTD was 75%, and in the long-term follow-up, the success rate was 68%. Applying stricter patient selection criteria in a second series of six patients (five with primary hematogenous spondylodiscitis and one with secondary postlaminectomy-discectomy spondylodiscitis), all patients with primary hematogenous spondylodiskitis (5/5) experienced immediate relief of pain that remained sustained at 12-18 months follow-up. This procedure was not very effective, however, in the patient who suffered from postlaminectomy infection. This lack of response was attributed to postlaminectomy-discitis instability. The immediate success rate after surgery for unselected patients in this combined series of 34 patients was 76%. This technique can be impressively effective and the results sustained when applied in the early stages of uncomplicated spondylodiscitis and contraindicated in the presence of instability, kyphosis from bone destruction, and neurological deficit. The special point of this procedure is a minimally invasive technique with high diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness.
Adolescent↗
Intraoperative autotransfusion in hip arthroplasty.
Two groups of patients having primary or revision total hip replacement were studied during a period of 11 months. The first group of 40 consecutive patients consented to have whole blood collected coincident with acute normovolemic hemodilution. An inventory of autologous red blood cells, plasma, and platelets was prepared in the operating room as a preliminary to surgery. Subsequently, the same supplies and equipment were used for autotransfusion intraoperatively. In a case-control study, another 40 patients having total hip replacements were matched for age, gender, and weight. The second group of patients refused hemodilution and received autotransfusion alone. The perioperative transfusion requirements of the two groups were compared. The total blood product donor exposure rate of the first group was 1/4 of the controls (0.6 and 2.4 donor units per patient, respectively). The average length of stay in the hospital after surgery for the first group was shortened significantly (6.2 versus 8.4 days), possibly from less immunogenic insult associated with increased transfusions of autologous blood products. Hemodilution, followed by autotransfusion, was cost effective in primary and revision total hip replacements, autotransfusion alone was cost effective only in revision arthroplasty.
Adult↗
Hematogenous pyogenic facet joint infection.
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence, clinical presentation, diagnostic laboratory values, imaging characteristics, and optimal treatment of hematogenous pyogenic facet joint infections. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are 27 documented cases of hematogenous pyogenic facet joint infections. Data regarding incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment response are incomplete because of the paucity of reported cases. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all cases of hematogenous pyogenic facet joint infection treated at one institution. Data from previous publications were combined with the present series to identify pertinent clinical characteristics and response to treatment. RESULTS: A total of six cases (4%) of hematogenous pyogenic facet joint infection were identified of 140 cases of hematogenous pyogenic spinal infection at our institution. Combining all reported cases reveals the following: The average patient age is 55 years. Ninety-seven percent of cases occur in the lumbar spine. Epidural abscess formation complicates 25% of the cases of which 38% develop severe neurologic deficit. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein are elevated in all cases. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common infecting organism. Magnetic resonance imaging is accurate in identifying the septic joint and associated abscess formation. Percutaneous drainage of the involved joint has a higher rate of success (85%) than treatment with antibiotics alone (71%), but the difference is not significant (P = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: Hematogenous pyogenic facet joint infection is a rare but underdiagnosed clinical entity. Facet joint infections may be complicated by abscess formation in the epidural space or in the paraspinal muscles. Uncomplicated cases treated with percutaneous drainage and antibiotics may fare better than those treated with antibiotics alone. Cases complicated by an epidural abscess and severe neurologic deficit should undergo immediate decompressive laminectomy.
Aged↗
An individualized approach for the implantation of a humeral prosthesis with the proper retroversion in fractures.
We applied a new methodology in 7 patients with a fracture of the upper humeral head that required hemiarthroplasty, to implant a humeral prosthesis with an individualized posterior version. Our goal was to determine preoperatively the distance from the posterior edge of the bicipital groove where the lateral fin of the humeral prosthesis should sit, in order to reproduce the individual retroversion during surgery. Using three computed tomography scan sections of the upper humerus and image processing software, we estimated the above-mentioned distance in the sound humerus and implanted the prosthesis in each patient accordingly. The differences in retroversion between the left and right humeral heads permit a better approximation to normal applying this methodology than inserting the prosthesis in a standard retroversion.
Humans↗
Chemonucleolysis: the state of the art.
This review presents the history of chemonucleolysis, the techniques, indications, contraindications, and complications. Presenting an historical overview and comparison of success rates with surgical discectomy may provide a fresh understanding of the controversy surrounding chemonucleolysis and establish its efficacy in relation to more invasive treatments. A review of the literature from 1973 through 1998 for chemonucleolysis, open discectomy, and microdiscectomy provided published success rates for these procedures, and a mean rate with standard deviation was determined. In the experience and opinion of the authors, chemonucleolysis remains a viable alternative for patients who have exhausted all conservative means of treatment. Proper patient selection leads to success rates comparable to open discectomy and microdiscectomy.
Chymopapain↗
Plaster of Paris as bone substitute in spinal surgery.
In order to assess the effectiveness of calcium sulphate (plaster of Paris; POP) as a substitute for autologous bone graft, we performed lumbar intervertebral fusion in mature sheep using POP and a variety of other graft materials, and reviewed the literature. The osteoconductivity of the POP grafts was compared to that of grafts carried out with autogenous iliac crest, frozen allogeneic bone, and ProOsteon 500 coralline bone. We also compared the osteogenicity of POP to admixtures of autogenous iliac crest bone with POP and coralline bone, and to an osteoinductive demineralized sheep bone preparation (DBM). The substrates were loaded into tubular titanium mesh, implanted into excavated disc spaces and recovered after a period of 4 months. Fusion mass segments tested in flexion and tension showed that POP was equal to autogenous bone and most other substrates. The POP fusions were significantly tougher than the DBM fusions, even though histomorphometry failed to reveal differences in the amount of trabecular bone. We conclude that POP can be used to achieve a biomechanically stable interbody lumbar vertebral fusion. In addition, our literature review indicated that POP can be used as a vehicle for local delivery of antibiotics in bone infections.
Animals↗
Paget's disease of the spine and its management.
A review of the literature was conducted to study the pathomechanics by which Paget's Disease of bone (PD) alters the spinal structures that result in distinct spinal pathologic entities such as pagetic spinal arthritis, spinal stenosis, and other pathologies, and to assess the best treatment options and available drugs. The spine is the second most commonly affected site with PD. About one-third of patients with spinal involvement exhibit symptoms of clinical stenosis. In only 12-24% of patients with PD of the spine is back pain attributed solely to PD, while in the majority of patients back pain is either arthritic in nature or a combination of a pagetic process and coexisting arthritis. Neural element dysfunction may be attributed to compressive myelopathy by pagetic bone overgrowth, pagetic intraspinal soft tissue overgrowth, ossification of epidural fat, platybasia, spontaneous bleeding, sarcomatous degeneration and vertebral fracture or subluxation. Neural dysfunction can also result from spinal ischemia, when blood is diverted by the so-called "arterial steal syndrome". Because the effectiveness of pharmacologic treatment for pagetic spinal stenosis has been clearly demonstrated, surgical decompression should only be instituted after failure of antipagetic medical treatment. Surgery is indicated as a primary treatment when neural compression is secondary to pathologic fractures, dislocations, spontaneous epidural hematoma, syringomyelia, platybasia, or sarcomatous transformation. Since, in the majority of cases with pagetic spinal involvement, there are also coexisting osteoarthritic changes, antipagetic medical treatment alone may be disappointing. Therefore, one must be careful before attributing low back pain to PD alone. Five classes of drugs are available for the treatment of PD: bisphosphonates, calcitonins, mithramycin (plicamycin), gallium nitrate, and ipriflavone. Bisphosphonates are the most popular, and several forms have been investigated, but only the following forms have been approved for clinical use: disodium etidronate, clodronate, aledronate, risedronate, neridronate, pamidronate, tiludronate, ibadronate, aminohydroxylbutylidene bisphosphonate, olpadronate, and zoledronate. Several of these forms are still under investigation.
Humans↗
Hematogenous pyogenic facet joint infection of the subaxial cervical spine. A report of two cases and review of the literature.
Two cases of hematogenous, pyogenic, subaxial cervical facet joint infection are reported, and the literature is reviewed. Infection of the cervical facet joint is a rarely diagnosed condition; only one case has been reported in the literature. Lumbar facet joint infections are also rare but more commonly reported. Approximately one fourth of facet joint infections in the lumbar spine are complicated by epidural abscess formation, which can lead to a neurological deficit. Because of the paucity of reports on cervical facet joint infections, the clinical characteristics of this entity are not well known. Both patients presented with an acute onset of unilateral neck pain that radiated into the ipsilateral shoulder. Frank radicular pain was initially absent. Unilateral upper-extremity motor weakness that was attributed to associated epidural abscess or granulation tissue formation was also demonstrated in both patients. Leukocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were elevated in both cases. Magnetic resonance imaging was necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the offending pathogen in both cases. Decompressive surgery and antibiotic therapy were required to cure the condition. One patient recovered completely and the other sustained a permanent motor deficit. Hematogenous cervical facet joint infection is a rare clinical entity that has many characteristics in common with the more-common lumbar homolog. All three reported cases, however, have been complicated by epidural abscess or granulation tissue formation that has led to a neurological deficit. This finding suggests that a facet joint infection in the cervical spine may have a less benign clinical course than that in the lumbar spine.
Bacteremia↗
Hematogenous pyogenic spinal infections and their surgical management.
STUDY DESIGN: Mainly a retrospective study of 101 cases of pyogenic spinal infection, excluding postoperative infections. Data were obtained through medical record review, imaging examination, and patient follow-up evaluation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Hematogenous pyogenic spinal infection has been described variously as spondylodiscitis, discitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, and epidural abscess. Recommended treatment options have included conservative methods (antibiotics and bracing) and surgical intervention. However, a comprehensive classification that would aid in diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognosis has not yet been devised. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the bacteriology, pathologic entities, complications, and results of treatment options for pyogenic spinal infection. METHOD: All patients received plain radiographs, gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scans, and bone/gallium radionuclide studies. All patients had tissue biopsies. Bacteriology, hematology, and predisposing factors were analyzed. All patients received intravenous and oral antibiotics. A total of 58 patients underwent surgery. Patient outcomes were correlated with clinical status, with treatment method and, where applicable, with location and nature of epidural compression. Statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Spondylodiscitis occurred most commonly with primary epidural abscess, spondylitis, discitis, and pyogenic facet arthropathy, all occurring rarely. Staphylococcus aureus was the main organism. Infection elsewhere was the most common predisposing factor. Leukocyte counts were elevated in 42.6% of spondylodiscitis cases. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated in all cases of epidural abscess. There were 35 cases of epidural abscess (frank abscess, 29; granulation tissue, 6). Epidural abscess complicating spondylodiscitis occurred most often in the cervical spine, followed by thoracic and lumbar areas. The rate of paraplegia or paraparesis also was highest in cervical and thoracic regions. There were no cases of quadriplegia. All patients with either epidural granulation tissue or paraparesis recovered completely after surgical decompression. Only 18% of patients with frank epidural abscess and 23% of patients with paralysis recovered completely after surgical decompression. Patients with spondylodiscitis who were treated nonsurgically reported residual back pain more often (64%) than patients treated surgically (26.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Pyogenic spinal infection can be thought of as a spectrum of disease comprising spondylitis, discitis, spondylodiscitis, pyogenic facet arthropathy, and epidural abscess. Spondylodiscitis is more prone to develop epidural abscesses in the cervical spine (90%) than the thoracic (33.3%) or lumbar (23.6%) areas. Thecal sac neurocompression has a greater chance of causing neurologic deficit in the thoracic spine (81.8%). Treatment of neurologic deficit caused by epidural abscess is prompt surgical decompression, with or without fusion. Patients with frank abscess had less favorable outcomes than those with granulation tissue, and paraplegia responded to treatment more poorly than paraparesis. Surgery was preferable to nonsurgical treatment for improving back pain.
Abscess↗
Plaster of Paris as an osteoconductive material for interbody vertebral fusion in mature sheep.
STUDY DESIGN: In adult female sheep, histologic and biomechanical criteria were used to determine whether the osteoconductive performance of plaster of paris would promote the incorporation of the tubular titanium mesh implants used for interbody vertebral fusions. OBJECTIVES: To compare the osteogenicity of plaster of paris with that of autogenous iliac crest bone and bone marrow 6 months after they were loaded into tubular titanium mesh cages and implanted as L3-L5 bridges after L4 corpectomies. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: One of the aims of surgery for vertebral pathology is to stabilize the spine by interbody fusions. The morbidity associated with the use of iliac crest autograft bone for fusion grafts prompted trials using plaster of paris as an osteoconductive substrate. METHODS: The total volume of bone that invested the L3-L5 mesh cages after 6 months was quantitated by computed tomography scans. All specimens subsequently were cut into fusion mass segments for biomechanical testing in flexion, extension, compression, and torsion, and then embedded in plastic for sectioning and histomorphometry to determine the trabecular bone volume within the titanium mesh. RESULTS: In each experimental model, implants of plaster of paris were the osteoconductive equal of autogenous iliac crest bone/marrow preparations. The volumes of bone formed around and within the titanium mesh were identical, and the tissues were biomechanically indistinguishable. A partial mechanism was determined by modifying the system for midshaft femoral defects. CONCLUSIONS: In the sheep, a tubular titanium mesh packed with plaster of paris forms an osteoconductive conduit to achieve a biomechanically stable interbody lumbar vertebral fusion.
Animals↗
Pyogenic spondylodiskitis: a radiologic/pathologic and culture correlation study.
BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disk tissue is resistant to hematogenous infection because of its avascularity. However, spondylodiskitis is being diagnosed with increasing frequency because of advancement in magnetic resonance imaging technology. There is a dearth of information regarding the bacteriology, histomorphologic features, and radiopathologic correlation of spondylodiskitis. DESIGN: The study population consisted of 20 patients diagnosed as having spondylodiskitis by magnetic resonance imaging with and without gadolinium 67 enhancement and bone scans with technetium Tc 99m or gallium citrate Ga 67. Twenty-seven biopsy and debridement specimens were obtained from these patients. The specimens were cultured for microorganisms and also processed for histopathologic testing. Tissue sections were examined with hematoxylin-eosin and stains for infectious agents (Gomori's methenamine-silver, Gram, and Ziehl-Neelsen stains). RESULTS: Where intervertebral disk tissue was present (23 of 27 cases), the morphologic changes included vascularization (with or without granulation tissue), myxoid degeneration, and necrosis. Chronic osteomyelitis was present in all 27 specimens and was associated with acute osteomyelitis in 7 cases (25%). Twenty-one of 27 cases had positive culture results (mostly pyogenic bacteria), but special stains revealed microorganisms in sections of the disk in only 4 cases (3 cases with gram-positive cocci and 1 with yeast consistent with Blastomyces). Florid acute inflammation was present in all the 4 cases. CONCLUSION: Histopathologic features of acute spondylodiskitis include vascular proliferation, myxoid degeneration, and necrosis of the disk tissue with adjacent chronic osteomyelitis. Acute inflammation is variable and when florid is usually associated with identifiable organisms on histologic examination. At biopsy, tissue should be submitted for culture, since culture has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting the etiologic organism.
Adult↗
Techniques and pitfalls of cervical lateral mass plate fixation.
We studied 35 successive patients who underwent subaxial lateral mass fixation between June 1994 and January 1996. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 3 1/2 years. Postoperative computed tomography scans showed 45 of 146 screws (31%) had suboptimal trajectory, but only 2 screws minimally impinged the foramen transversarium without adverse sequelae. The fusion rate was 89%. Study results show that optimal drilling technique and trajectory (15 degrees-25 degrees rostral in the sagittal plane, 20 degrees-30 degrees lateral in the axial plane) and intraoperative somatosensory evoked potential monitoring are associated with good screw placement and avoidance of complications, and bone grafting is associated with higher fusion rates.
Adult↗
Pathomechanics and clinical relevance of disc degeneration and annular tear: a point-of-view review.
Annular tear is a major cause of intervertebral disc degeneration that results in disabling back pain. Many of the stresses resulting in this type of lesion are common in the workplace: compression, torsion, compression combined with flexion, and vibration. Age-related disc degeneration begins early in adulthood, and progresses thereafter, altering disc morphology and mechanical properties in ways that predispose to disc herniation, and should not be misconstrued as "old age." Acute trauma may produce disc herniation whether or not there are predisposing factors, such as age-related degeneration, but disc herniation in the absence of acute injury requires the presence of preexisting degenerative changes.
Biomechanical Phenomena↗
Audit of autotransfusion in spine surgery.
A prospective evaluation has been undertaken of 382 patients undergoing reconstructive spine surgery during a thirty-six month period. Acute normovolaemic haemodilution and haemapheresis for blood component sequestration was used in 80 patients in the operating theatre. An average of two units each of freshly collected autologous red cells and fresh plasma together with a therapeutic dose of a plateletpheresis product were prepared for each patient prior to surgical incision. The same supplies and equipment were subsequently used for conventional blood salvage and autotransfusion. The other 302 patients received salvaged blood only. Of the total blood transfused, autologous red cells comprised 87% of sequestration and 49% of autotransfusion-only patients. Each group received the same total perioperative red blood cell support. The cost for one red cell equivalent by intraoperative autologous transfusion was competitive with that of providing one unit of cross-matched allogeneic red cells. As compared with salvage alone, sequestration combined with salvage was even more cost effective and decreased reliance on allogenic products and preoperative autologous blood donations. The rate of transfusing autologous blood products was markedly increased.
Adult↗
Blastomycosis of the lumbar spine: case report and review of the literature, with emphasis on diagnostic laboratory tools and management.
We report on the conservative and surgical management of a patient with blastomycosis of the lumbar spine, causing severe and crippling deformity. The diagnosis was made through biopsy. Curative removal, reconstruction and realignment of the spine were achieved. Imaging modalities were highlighted, with a detailed discussion of the histology and conservative and surgical management. We emphasize the importance of early, aggressive treatment of blastomycosis to prevent deformity and disability, and to enable identification of the best management of a destructive lesion with deformity. This case demonstrates that empirical treatment should not be used in cases of unusual sinus and abscess locations. Specific diagnosis and early treatment are indicated to prevent dreadful complications and spinal deformity resulting from blastomycosis. Aggressive antifungal therapy can cure the disease but does not control complications related to deformity. The latter can only be addressed by surgical reconstruction. We review the literature of surgical treatment, focusing on abscess drainage, bone fusion and posterior instrumentation in the absence of addressing the deformity component.
Adult↗
Interventional radiology case conference: the University of Texas Medical Branch. Percutaneous management of pyogenic spondylodiskitis.
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Debridement↗
The effectiveness of gallium citrate Ga 67 radionuclide imaging in vertebral osteomyelitis revisited.
We investigated the role of gallium citrate Ga 67 scanning in diagnosing spondylodiscitis. Scans of 41 patients with suspected spondylodiscitis showed increased radionuclide uptake in 39 patients; these findings correlated with those of magnetic resonance imaging and were proved by biopsy. Two patients with negative findings on gallium scans had been strongly suspected of having spondylodiscitis; biopsy findings in these patients showed degenerative changes. Thirteen patients had negative cultures, while 22 had polygenic infections and 4 had granulomatous infections. Gallium scanning proved to be 100% sensitive, specific, and accurate. The interrater accuracy was excellent. Follow-up scans were used to track therapeutic progress. We recommend complementary bone and gallium scans in cases of suspected spinal infections. If the scan is positive, a biopsy should be done. If the scans are negative, no further investigation is needed.
Adolescent↗