Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:Our hypothesis was that lumbar adhesive arachnoiditis (AA)/chronic lumbar AA (CAA) are clinical diagnoses that do not require radiographic confirmation. Therefore, patients with these syndromes do not necessarily have to demonstrate significant radiographic abnormalities on myelograms, MyeloCT studies, and/or MR examinations. When present, typical AA/CAA findings may include; central or peripheral nerve root/cauda equina thickening/clumping (i.e. latter empty sac sign), arachnoid cysts, soft tissue masses in the subarachnoid space, and/or failure of nerve roots to migrate ventrally on prone MR/Myelo-CT studies. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:We reviewed 3 articles and 7 clinical series that involved a total of 253 patients with AA/CAA to determine whether there was a significant correlation between these clinical syndromes, and myelographic, Myelo-CT, and/or MR imaging pathology. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:We determined that patients with the clinical diagnoses of AA/CAA do not necessarily exhibit associated radiographic abnormalities. However, a subset of patients with AA/CAA may show the classical AA/CAA findings of; central or peripheral nerve root/cauda equina thickening/clumping (empty sac sign), arachnoid cysts, soft tissue masses in the subarachnoid space, and/or failure of nerve roots to migrate ventrally on prone MR/ Myelo-CT studies. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:Patients with clinical diagnoses of AA/CAA do not necessary show associated neuroradiagnostic abnormalities on myelograms, Myelo-CT studies, or MR. Rather, the clinical syndromes of AA/CAA may exist alone without the requirement for radiolographic confirmation.

Background/UNASSIGNED:Spine surgeons encounter occasional complex cerebrospinal fluid fistulas/dural tears (CSF/DT) during lumbar spinal surgery. In some cases, these leaks are found during the index procedure, but others may appear postoperatively, or in the course of successive procedures. Here we asked, whether these complex CSF fistulas/DT could be more readily repaired utilizing a "bone suture anchor" technique, particularly where there is no residual dural margin/remnant. Methods/UNASSIGNED:With the combined expertise of the orthopedist and neurosurgeon, mini/micro bone suture anchors, largely developed for hand surgery, facilitated repair of complex DT occurring during lumbar spine surgery. This technique was utilized to suture in place fascia, periosteal, or muscle grafts, and was followed by the application of microfibrillar collagen, and a fibrin sealant. Results/UNASSIGNED:This mini/micro suture anchor technique has now been utilized to repair multiple significant intraoperative and/or postoperative recurrent DT, largely avoiding the need to place lumbar drains and/or lumbo- peritoneal shunts. Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:Here, we reviewed how to directly suture dural grafts utilizing a mini/micro bone suture anchor technique to repair complex intraoperative primary/recurrent DT occurring during lumbar spine surgery. The major advantages of this technique, in addition to obtaining definitive occlusion of the DT, largely avoids the need to place lumbar drains and/or lumbo-peritoneal shunts with their attendant risks and complications.

Background/UNASSIGNED:A traumatically shattered lumbosacral junction/pelvis may be difficult to repair. Here the authors offer a pelvic fixation technique utilizing routine pedicle screws, interbody lumbar fusions, bilateral iliac screws/ rods/crosslinks, and bilateral fibular strut allografts from the lumbar spine to the sacrum. Methods/UNASSIGNED:A middle aged male sustained a multiple storey fall resulting in a left sacral fracture, and right sacroiliac joint (SI) dislocation. The patient had previously undergone attempted decompressions with routine pedicle screw L4-S1 fusions at outside institutions; these failed twice. When the patient was finally seen, he exhibited, on CT reconstructed images, MR, and X-rays, a left sacral fracture nonunion, and a right sacroiliac joint dislocation. Results/UNASSIGNED:The patient underwent a bilateral pelvic reconstruction utilizing right L4, L5, S1 and left L4, L5 pedicle screws plus interbody fusions (L4-L5, and L5, S1), performed from the left. Unique to this fusion construct was the placement of bilateral double iliac screws plus the application of bilateral fibula allografts from L4-sacrum filled with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). After rod/screw/connectors were applied, bone graft was placed over the fusion construct, including the decorticated edges of the left sacral fractures, and right SI joint dislocation. We additionally reviewed other pelvic fusion reconstruction methods. Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:Here, we utilized a unique pelvic reconstruction technique utilizing pedicle screws/rods, double iliac screws/rods, and bilateral fibula strut grafts extending from the L4-sacrum filled with BMP.

Background/UNASSIGNED:Based upon a select review of the literature, in my opinion, spine surgeons, not just our medical/cardiological colleagues, need to know when to stop anticoagulant, anti-platelet aggregates, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medications prior to spine surgery to avoid perioperative bleeding complications. Methods/UNASSIGNED:Typically, medical/cardiological consultants, who "clear our patients" are not as aware as we are of the increased risks of perioperative bleeding if anticoagulant, anti-platelet, and NSAIDs are not stopped in a timely fashion prior to spine surgery (e.g. excessive intraoperative hemorrhage, and postoperative seromas, hematomas, and wound dehiscence). Results/UNASSIGNED:Different medications need to be discontinued at varying intervals prior to spinal operations. The anticoagulants include; Warfarin (stop at least 5 preoperative days), and Xa inhibitors (Eliquis (Apixaban: stop for 2 days) and Xarelto (Rivaroxaban: stop for 3 days)); note presently data vary. The anti-platelet aggregates include: Aspirin/Clopidogrel (stop >7-10 days preoperatively). The multiple NSAIDs should be stopped for varying intervals ranging from 1-10 days prior to spine surgery, and increase bleeding risks when combined with any of the anticoagulants or anti-platelet aggregates. NSAIDs (generic name/commercial names should be stopped preoperatively for at least; 1 day- Diclofenac (Voltaran), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Ketorolac (Toradol); 2 days- Etodolac (Lodine), Indomethacin (Indocin); 4-days-Meloxicam (Mobic) and Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox); 4 days- Nabumetone (Relafen); 6 days - Oxaprozin (Daypro); and 10 days- Piroxicam (Feldene). Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:Spine surgeons need to know when anti-platelet, anticoagulant, and NSAIDs therapies should be stopped prior to spine surgery to avoid perioperative bleeding complications.

Background/UNASSIGNED:The diagnosis of a lumbar herniated disc, stenosis, and other degenerative findings are typically established preoperatively with MR scans, supplemented with non-contrast CT studies. Here, a 77-year-old female, diagnosed as having L2-S1 stenosis and a large left-sided L2-L3 herniated disc was found at surgery to have a massive left-sided L2-L3 synovial cyst. Case Description/UNASSIGNED:A 77-year-old female was followed by pain management for 6-months with proximal left lower extremity weakness. The lumbar MR at that time was read as demonstrating a large left L2-L3 disc herniation with inferior migration to the L3 mid pedicle level, accompanied by L2-S1 lumbar stenosis. When she finally consulted neurosurgery, she exhibited severe left iliopsoas and quadriceps weakness (2/5), absent lower extremity reflexes, and profound decreased pin appreciation in the left L2-L3 distributions. The repeat MR and new CT studies confimred a large left L2-L3 disc accompanied by moderate/marked L2-S1 stenosis. However, at surgery, consisting of a laminectomy L2-S1, the supposed left L2-L3 disc proved to be a massive synovial cyst. Postoperatively, the patient regained normal function, and remained neurologically intact 6 months later. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:In this 77 year-old female, the preoperative MR and CT scans were interpreted as showing a "typical" large left L2-L3 herniated disc. This proved at surgery to be a massive left L2-L3 synovial cyst. As demonstrated in this case, older patients with degenerative lumbar disease/stenosis, may have synovial cysts that mimic disc herniations both clinically and on preoperative diagnostic studies.