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Biomedical subjects

Robert F Heary

Publications and source records attributed to Robert F Heary.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Complication avoidance: thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures.

Most thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures can be treated conservatively. Unstable fractures or fractures resulting in neurologic deficits usually require surgical treatment. Choosing an appropriate surgical approach requires a thorough understanding of the various techniques for decompression, fusion, and stabilization. Surgical options include an anterior approach, a posterior approach, or a combined anteroposterior approach. Each surgical option has unique advantages and disadvantages. Generally, the anterior approaches are best used at the thoracolumbar junction, posterior approaches are ideal for low lumbar injuries and lumbar injuries that result in complete spinal cord injuries,and anteroposterior surgeries typically are reserved for highly unstable fracture subluxations. Case illustrations show the various treatment options.

Decompression, Surgical↗
PubMed2006

Pedicle subtraction osteotomy in the treatment of chronic, posttraumatic kyphotic deformity.

OBJECT: Thoracolumbar fractures, treated operatively or nonoperatively, may cause painful kyphotic deformities over time. A pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is a single-stage posterior procedure designed to correct sagittal plane deformity. Although it was initially used to treat nontraumatic conditions, a PSO can be highly effective in chronic, posttraumatic fractures of the lumbar spine. In this report the authors review details obtained in the treatment of three patients with severe, posttraumatic spinal deformities. They describe the surgical technique used to correct the sagittal malalignments. METHODS: All three patients were middle aged, and good bone mineral density had been demonstrated in each case preoperatively. After PSO, a mean 51 degrees improvement in sagittal alignment was achieved and maintained until a solid arthrodesis was documented in each case. Substantial improvements in pain relief and functional outcome were observed. A detailed, procedure-specific literature review was undertaken. CONCLUSIONS: A PSO is a valuable tool to add to the armamentarium of neurosurgeons who treat patients suffering from painful posttraumatic deformity following fractures of the upper lumbar spine.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation and treatment of adult spinal deformity. Invited submission from the Joint Section Meeting on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, March 2004.

Spinal deformity is a complex and dynamic process that occurs in both the sagittal and coronal planes of the thoracolumbar spine. Successful treatment is aimed at achieving satisfactory balance in both of these planes. The spinal curvatures in the adult differ greatly from those in adolescents. As a general rule the adult curves tend to be stiffer, whereas adolescent curves are more flexible. In addition to cosmetic concerns, adult patients frequently present with pain and neurological symptoms in contrast to adolescents who usually do not experience this degree of pain or neurological symptoms. The treatment of adult spinal deformity differs substantially from that of adolescent deformity. Surgeries in the former tend to be more complex procedures associated with higher rates of intra- and perioperative complications. The goals of surgery in the adult are to obtain a solid fusion with a balanced spine, to relieve pain, and to prevent further deformity. A secondary goal is to correct the curve, and, in so doing, to improve the cosmetic appearance. In this review the author addresses the basic principles of spinal corrective surgery in the adult and provides insight into the varied treatment options available.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Thoracic pedicle screws: postoperative computerized tomography scanning assessment.

OBJECT: The authors evaluated the accuracy of placement of thoracic pedicle screws by performing postoperative computerized tomography (CT) scanning. A grading system is presented by which screw placement is classified in relation to neurological, bone, and intrathoracic landmarks. METHODS: One hundred eighty-five thoracic pedicle screws were implanted in 27 patients with the assistance of computer image guidance or fluoroscopy. Postoperative CT scanning was conducted to determine a grade for each screw: Grade I, entirely contained within pedicle; Grade II, violates lateral pedicle but screw tip entirely contained within the vertebral body (VB); Grade III, tip penetrates anterior or lateral VB; Grade IV, breaches medial or inferior pedicle; and Grade V, violates pedicle or VB and endangers spinal cord, nerve root, or great vessels and requires immediate revision. Based on anatomical morphometry, the spine was subdivided into upper (T1-2), middle (T3-6), and lower (T7-12) regions. Statistical analyses were performed to compare regions. The mean follow-up period was 37.6 months. The following postoperative CT scanning-documented grades were determined: Grade I, 160 screws (86.5%); Grade II, 15 (8.1%); Grade III, six (3.2%); Grade IV, three (1.6%); and Grade V, one (0.5%). Among cases involving screw misplacements, Grade II placement was most common, and this occurred most frequently in the middle thoracic region. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' grading system has advantages over those previously described; however, further study to determine its reliability, reproducibility, and predictive value of clinical sequelae is warranted. Postoperative CT scanning should be considered the gold standard for evaluating thoracic pedicle screw placement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Circumferential fusion for spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine.

There are many options for the surgical treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis, including anterior and posterior techniques. Among the most versatile is a 360 degrees fusion. In consideration of the added risk of morbidity of two procedures, circumferential fusion leads to the highest fusion rates. This is particularly useful for patients at high risk for pseudarthrosis, such as patients with diabetes, posttransplant recipients, and those in whom fusion procedures have failed. Likewise, a 360 degrees fusion may also be useful in achieving fusion in biomechanically disadvantageous situations, such as at the L5-S1 level or with high-grade subluxation. The options for 360 degrees fusion are many and are determined, among other factors, by surgical pathology and surgeon preference. Standard open techniques are still considered the gold standard, although newer less invasive methods of circumferential fusion are being used more frequently. The operating surgeon must have a thorough knowledge of all available maneuvers for critical and effective decision making.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

Use of intraventricular tissue plasminogen activator and Guglielmi detachable coiling for the acute treatment of casted ventricles from cerebral aneurysm hemorrhage: two technical case reports.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We report two cases of massive intraventricular hemorrhage resulting from subarachnoid hemorrhage. Both patients had experienced a ruptured cerebral aneurysm and were initially moribund. The patients were treated with Guglielmi detachable coiling and then administration of intraventricular tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Rapid clot resolution was demonstrated radiographically in both. Both patients survived and had a meaningful functional neurological recovery. These are the first reported cases of the acute use of intraventricular tPA after Guglielmi detachable coiling treatment for ruptured cerebral aneurysm. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man presented with high-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage. Both had had extensive casting of their ventricular systems with blood. INTERVENTION: The patients were treated with Guglielmi detachable coiling thrombosis of the aneurysm and then intraventricular administration of tPA for dissolution of blood clots. Both patients survived; one is able to carry out activities of daily living with moderate assistance, and the other is able to communicate with his family. CONCLUSION: This is a novel method to manage patients with high-grade aneurysms with massive intraventricular blood clots. The tPA reduced the mass effect of the blood clot, possibly helping to improve the neurological grade; in addition, the administration of tPA helped keep the external ventricular drains functional, enabling treatment of the acute hydrocephalus. The safety of administering tPA after endovascular thrombosis was demonstrated in these two patients. Further investigation is required to determine the applicability of this approach on a broader scale.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Persistent iliac crest donor site pain: independent outcome assessment.

OBJECTIVE: This study objectively defines the incidence of donor site pain in an independent outcome analysis. In addition, this study identifies the significant discrepancies that are observed when independent outcome assessment results are compared with the incidences determined by review of the operating surgeon's documented findings. METHODS: A review of patients who underwent iliac bone graft harvesting by a single neurosurgeon was conducted. The presence of iliac crest donor site pain, at a time remote from surgery, as determined by specific questioning and recorded in the neurosurgeon's written evaluation was compared with independent assessment findings obtained in structured telephone questionnaire interviews. During a 4-year period, 105 patients met the inclusion criteria. Both the operating surgeon' and independent interviewer's follow-up evaluations were completed for all study patients. Pain was classified into three categories, i.e., no pain, acceptable pain, or unacceptable pain. Patients were also asked to assess the severity of their donor site pain by using a visual analog scale. Statistical analyses comparing the incidences of iliac crest donor site pain in the operating surgeon's evaluations and the independent assessments were performed. RESULTS: When evaluated at a time remote from surgery, the true incidence of iliac crest donor site pain after graft harvest procedures (34%) was significantly greater than previously appreciated by the neurosurgeon (8%). Although occasional or mild pain was observed for 31% of patients, only 3% of all patients experienced unacceptable pain. CONCLUSION: Independent outcome assessment values should be provided to patients in preoperative discussions regarding donor site morbidity. Objective outcome analysis, based on independent observations, is crucial for the most accurate interpretation of perceptions of iliac crest donor site pain.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gunshot wounds to the spine.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The incidence of violent crimes has risen over the past decade. With it, gunshot injuries have become increasingly more common in the civilian population. Among the most devastating injuries are gunshot wounds to the spine. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to provide a thorough review of the pathomechanics, diagnosis and treatment of gunshot wounds to the spine. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Literature review article. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of gunshot spine fractures differs from other mechanisms. Fractures are usually inherently stable and rarely require stabilization. In neurologically intact patients, there are few indications for surgery. Evidence of acute lead intoxication, an intracanal copper bullet or new onset neurologic deficit can justify operative decompression and/or bullet removal. Overzealous laminectomy can destabilize the spine and lead to late postoperative deformity. For complete and incomplete neural deficits at the cervical and thoracic levels, operative decompression is of little benefit and can lead to higher complication rates than nonsurgically managed patients. With gunshots to the T12 to L5 levels, better motor recovery has been reported after intracanal bullet removal versus nonoperative treatment. The use of steroids for gunshot paralysis has not improved the neurologic outcome and has resulted in a greater frequency of nonspinal complications. Although numerous recommendations exist, 7 to 14 days of broad-spectrum antibiosis has lead to the lowest rates of infection after transcolonic gunshots to the spine.

Combined Modality Therapy↗