title: Hyperthermia during occipito-cervical fusion with acrylic cement. Epidural thermometry in 23 cases.
abstract: In 22 patients, 23 posterior occipito-cervical fusions using acrylic cement were studied; 18 had seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and 4 traumatic atlanto-axial instability. The mean age was 60 (39-75) years. During the curing of the cement, epidural temperature measurements were performed over the cerebellum and between the foramen magnum and C1. Temperatures up to 69 degrees C were recorded. Cooling with profuse surface irrigation using normal saline solution or precooled 8 degrees C fluid did not influence the maximal temperatures recorded under the cement. Even though no gross neurological damage was noted, the epidural temperatures in occipito-cervical fusion with acrylic cement can be of sufficient degree to be hazardous; surface irrigation does not seem to be an effective way to reduce this risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Lund University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zygmunt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toksvig-Larsen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Säveland
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rydholm
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ryd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D004824:Epidural Space; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013817:Thermography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements