title: Bovine bone grafting in occipito-cervical fusion for atlanto-axial instability in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Bovine bone chips (Surgibone) were used in occipito-cervical fusion in nine patients with atlanto-axial instability due to rheumatoid arthritis. The patients were examined with CT 12-15 months after surgery. Graft resorbtion was observed in one patient. The other 8 patients showed preserved grafts, in most cases the grafts appeared to be in contact with the underlying bone. One patient was revised, and at the grafted site a bony bridge was found. In conclusion, the use of bovine chips in posterior occipito-cervical fusion will not lead to predictable bone union. However, there seem to be exceptions to that rule.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Säveland
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aspenberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zygmunt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Herrlin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Christensson
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rydholm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous