RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Various full-endoscopic techniques have been developed to reach the lateral recess of the lumbar spine. However, specialized surgical tools, including expensive spinal endoscopic systems, and a steeper learning curve to mastering the technique are required. METHOD: We present a novel target-addressed unilateral biportal endoscopic technique to reach directly the lumbar lateral recess, particularly useful at L4-L5 and L5-S1. The technique follows an inclined-ipsilateral trajectory to preserve the lateral extension of ligamentum flavum and the facet joint as much as possible. CONCLUSION: This technique was associated with all the advantages of minimally invasive decompressive procedures and outstanding outcomes.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Anterior cage migration is the most infrequent and dangerous complication seen in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedures. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman who underwent PLIF at the L5-S1 level. During the surgery, one of the PLIF-cages dislodged anteriorly into the abdominal cavity without vascular injury. An anterior retroperitoneal approach to remove the cage and complete the fusion was made. The patient was discharged 2 weeks later with encouraging clinical results. In a patient hemodynamically stable, removing the cage by a vascular surgeon, and complete the Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion could be a feasible option at L5-S1.

La migración anterior del implante para fusión lumbar es la complicación más infrecuente y peligrosa asociada a la fusión intersomática posterior (PLIF). Reportamos el caso de un paciente femenino de 74 años, operada de PLIF en L5-S1. Durante la cirugía, una de las cajas usadas migró a la cavidad abdominal, sin ocasionar lesión vascular. Para remover el implante y completar la fusión lumbar un abordaje retroperitoneal anterior fue realizado. La paciente fue egresada 2 semanas después con éxito. En un paciente hemodinamicamente estable, este abordaje puede ser una opción para revertir la complicación y completar la fusión lumbar vía anterior.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Lumbar burst fractures (complete or incomplete) of L5 have a low incidence, accounting for 1.2% of all spinal burst fractures. Treatment for these fractures remains controversial. Decompression of neural elements and stabilization of the spine to preserve lordosis and avoid kyphotic deformity are recommended when a patient has a neurological deficit and an unstable fracture. Otherwise, the fracture could be managed conservatively. METHODS: We report a detailed step-by-step unilateral biportal endoscopy technique used in a patient with an L5 incomplete burst fracture and neurological deficit. RESULTS: The patient had an acceptable immediate postoperative course; lower back pain and radicular symptoms improved significantly after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our unilateral biportal endoscopy technique for L5 incomplete burst fractures offers the capability to perform enough decompression of neural elements and assist other procedure-related maneuvers under direct endoscopic visualization. This technique could be considered another minimally invasive spine surgery option for treating selected patients with L5 incomplete burst fractures.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The principal advantage of intraoperative spinal navigation is the ease of screw placement. However, visualization and the integration of navigation can be explored with the use of navigation-guided full-endoscopic techniques. OBJECTIVE: To describe the stepwise intraoperative navigation-assisted unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-TLIF) technique and to present our preliminary results in a Mexican population. METHODS: A 10-step summary of the UBE-TLIF operative technique was described, and the clinical and radiological results are presented and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 7 patients were treated. We observed the value of integrating navigation and endoscopic visualization when decompression had to be performed. CONCLUSION: Together, intraoperative navigation and direct visualization through the endoscope may be a useful surgical tool for surgeons with experience in endoscopic spinal surgery.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Objetivo: Presentar un caso de histiocitoma fibroso maligno vertebral a nivel de la cuarta vértebra lumbar que recibió tratamiento por una espondilectomía L4 y colocación de expansor intervertebral y fijación posterior. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino de 47 años de edad sin antecedentes de importancia, que presenta dolor lumbar de 2 meses de evolución. Se trata de forma conservadora, con una leve mejoría del dolor; sin embargo, persiste con dolor lumbar con irradiación a miembros pélvicos de predominio izquierdo, acompañado de debilidad y claudicación. Clínicamente presenta paraparesia 3/5 e hipoestesia L4, L5 y S1 de predominio izquierdo. La tomografía axial computarizada de la región lumbosacra evidencia una lesión osteolítica en cuerpo de L4 de predominio izquierdo con invasión a canal lumbar con márgenes poco delimitados. En el estudio de resonancia magnética de columna lumbosacra se observa lesión hiperintensa en T2, heterogénea, de bordes irregulares, que involucra más del 60% del cuerpo vertebral de L4 con invasión al canal raquídeo que ocasiona compresión a raíces. Se manejó con una espondilectomía L4 y la colocación de un expansor intervertebral y fijación posterior. Conclusión: La espondilectomía es una opción viable y efectiva para el tratamiento del histiocitoma fibroso maligno. La localización lumbar baja conlleva abordajes combinados; sin embargo, el desafío es mayor, ya que requiere de un conocimiento de los grandes vasos abdominales y de una intervención multidisciplinaria

Objective: To present a case of spinal malignant fibrous histiocytoma in the fourth lumbar vertebra that received treatment by an L4 spondylectomy and placement of intervertebral expander and posterior fixation. Case report: A 47-year-old male patient with no relevant history presented with lumbar pain of 2 months' evolution. Treated conservatively, with slight improvement in pain, the patient persisted with low back pain irradiation to pelvic members, predominantly left-sided, accompanied by weakness and claudication. Clinically, he presented with paresthesias 3/5, hypoaesthesia L4, L5 and S1, predominantly left-sided. Lumbosacral computerized axial tomography evidence of an osteolytic lesion in the L4 body, predominantly left-sided, with invasion of the lumbar canal with poorly delimited margins; lumbosacral spine MRI showed hyperintense lesion in T2, heterogeneous, with irregular borders involving more than 60% of the vertebral body of L4 with invasion of the spinal canal causing compression to the roots. He was treated with an L4 spondylectomy and placement of intervertebral expander and posterior fixation. Conclusion: Spondylectomy is an effective option for the treatment of spinal malignant fibrous histiocytoma that involves combined approaches. However the challenge is greater since it requires a knowledge of the great abdominal vessels and multidisciplinary intervention

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Chiari malformation type 1 (CM-1) is an ectopia of the cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum that causes severe disability due to its neurologic symptoms. The treatment of choice for CM-1 is decompression of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). In some patients only an extradural decompression by removing the atlanto-occipital ligament may be sufficient. In other patients, duraplasty is necessary. In this case, we report the operative technique used to treat a CM-1 in a 16-year-old male patient who presented with severe headache and gait instability. A micro-decompression of the suboccipital bone and posterior arch osteotomy of C1 through a 2-cm midline incision was performed under surgical microscope magnification. A duraplasty was performed through the same approach. The patient was discharged home after 2 days in the hospital and returned to regular activities at school 3 weeks after surgery. The minimally invasive technique presented here is a viable option for the posterior decompression of the CVJ in patients with CM-1 using a low-cost self-retaining retractor.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of spinal malignant fibrous histiocytoma in the fourth lumbar vertebra that received treatment by an L4 spondylectomy and placement of intervertebral expander and posterior fixation. CASE REPORT: A 47-year-old male patient with no relevant history presented with lumbar pain of 2 months' evolution. Treated conservatively, with slight improvement in pain, the patient persisted with low back pain irradiation to pelvic members, predominantly left-sided, accompanied by weakness and claudication. Clinically, he presented with paresthesias 3/5, hypoaesthesia L4, L5 and S1, predominantly left-sided. Lumbosacral computerized axial tomography evidence of an osteolytic lesion in the L4 body, predominantly left-sided, with invasion of the lumbar canal with poorly delimited margins; lumbosacral spine MRI showed hyperintense lesion in T2, heterogeneous, with irregular borders involving more than 60% of the vertebral body of L4 with invasion of the spinal canal causing compression to the roots. He was treated with an L4 spondylectomy and placement of intervertebral expander and posterior fixation. CONCLUSION: Spondylectomy is an effective option for the treatment of spinal malignant fibrous histiocytoma that involves combined approaches. However the challenge is greater since it requires a knowledge of the great abdominal vessels and multidisciplinary intervention.

Asunto(s)