Re: Weiner BK, Walker M. Autologous growth factors and lumbar intertransverse fusions. Spine. 2003; 28:1968-70; discussion 1971.
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Bone Transplantation↗
Biomedical subjects
Nick Birch
Publications and source records attributed to Nick Birch.
Retrograde ejaculation after anterior lumbar interbody fusion.
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Ejaculation↗
Facet joint cysts causing cauda equina compression.
Facet joint cysts are commonest at the L4-L5 level and are associated with facet joint degeneration and type III (degenerative) spondylolisthesis. It is extremely rare for facet joint cysts to cause symptomatic cauda equina compression. Three elderly patients presented to us with significant cauda equina compression caused by facet joint cysts. One presented with classic symptoms and signs of a cauda equina syndrome, a second with bilateral lower limb neurologic loss associated with uncontrolled epilepsy, and the third with bilateral leg symptoms as well as an upper limb tremor and fasciculation. The diagnosis was easily made after magnetic resonance scanning in two patients, although in one patient, it was significantly delayed because of his confounding neurologic picture. Lumbar spine surgery (decompression and cyst resection) was successful in resolving symptoms in all three, even though two patients had significant neurologic compromise before surgery. The occurrence of facet joint cysts in older patients can be associated with other degenerative neurologic conditions, and the diagnosis might not be apparent early. We suggest that in older patients who have a mixed picture of central and peripheral neurologic compromise, this diagnosis should be considered and investigation of the whole of the spine, not just the brain and spinal cord, should be undertaken.
Aged↗
Avascular necrosis of the femoral head after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis.
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To report a previously undescribed complication of lumbar spinal surgery under prolonged hypotensive anesthesia. BACKGROUND DATA: Avascular necrosis of bone most commonly affects the femoral head. The etiology of the condition is understood in only 75% of cases. There have been no prior reports of this condition following lumbar spine surgery carried out under hypotensive anesthetic. METHODS: Notes review, clinical examination, plain radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosed three patients who developed avascular necrosis of the femoral heads (five joints in total) after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. All three were treated with total hip replacement (five joints), and the diagnosis of avascular necrosis was confirmed in two by histopathological examination. RESULTS: All three patients have recovered full mobility following hip replacement surgery. None had any residual symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis or hip disease, and none of them had shown any clinical evidence of avascular necrosis in any other bone. CONCLUSIONS: The development of avascular necrosis of the femoral heads following surgery for spinal stenosis may be due to hypotensive anesthesia, prone positioning on a Montreal mattress, or a combination of the two. Careful intraoperative positioning may reduce the risk of this occurring after spinal surgery. However, close postoperative surveillance and a high index of suspicion of worsening hip pathology in patients who appear to mobilize poorly after lumbar spinal surgery may be the only method of early detection and treatment for this condition.
Aged↗