title: Intraoperative evaluation of bone decompression in anterior cervical spine surgery by three-dimensional fluoroscopy.
abstract: Sufficient bone decompression of osteophytes is essential for functional long-term outcome in surgery for spondylotic cervical myelopathy. Postoperative CT scans clearly show that decompression is sometimes insufficient. Intraoperative CT scanning has been used to monitor sufficient decompression. Instead of standard intraoperative fluoroscopy, we used an isocentered three-dimensional (3D) fluoroscopy with 3D image reconstruction to evaluate the extent of bone decompression. From October 2003 to April 2004, we have used intraoperative 3D fluoroscopy on seven patients with anterior cervical spine surgery due to cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Five patients were operated on in one level, two patients had surgery in two segments. If surgery was performed in two levels or preoperative cinetic MRT showed cervical instability, internal plate fixation was done additionally. All patients were positioned on a radiolucent operating table, made of carbon fibers. Three-dimensional fluoroscopy was always performed before wound closure to evaluate sufficient bone removal. The scanning time was 120 s and the whole procedure from scanning to evaluation is approximately 5 min. In all patients we were able to evaluate the extent of bone decompression. Additionally, placement of cage, plates and screws can be evaluated intraoperatively. In one patient, 3D fluoroscopy showed insufficient decompression, especially on the right side. Further bone removal was performed before the end of the procedure. Intraoperative 3D fluoroscopy is a valuable tool for imaging bone decompression and implant location in anterior cervical spine surgery. The technique is safe, reliable and should help us to avoid incomplete decompression or misplacement of implants and therefore improve long-term functional outcome in cervical spine surgery in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Zentralklinikum St. Poelten, Propst Führerstrasse 4, 3100 St. Poelten, Austria. r.deinsberger@kh-st-poelten.at
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deinsberger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Regatschnig
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ungersböck
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
references.citation: Eur Spine J. 2003 Oct;12 Suppl 2:S188-94
references.pmid: 13680314
references.citation: J Neurosurg. 2003 Jan;98(1 Suppl):96-9
references.pmid: 12546399
references.citation: Neurosurgery. 1989 Jun;24(6):864-72
references.pmid: 2501709
references.citation: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1993 Oct 15;18(14):1968-73
references.pmid: 8272945
references.citation: Neurosurgery. 1991 Oct;29(4):498-503
references.pmid: 1944828
references.citation: Neurosurgery. 2004 May;54(5):1131-6; discussion 1136-7
references.pmid: 15113467
references.citation: J Neurosurg. 1981 Jul;55(1):108-16
references.pmid: 6787179
references.citation: J Neurosurg. 1991 Feb;74(2):163-70
references.pmid: 1988583
references.citation: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1958 Jun;40-A(3):607-24
references.pmid: 13539086
references.citation: J Neurosurg. 2001 Jan;94(1 Suppl):8-11
references.pmid: 11147872
references.citation: Neurosurgery. 2004 May;54(5):1138-42; discussion 1142-3
references.pmid: 15113468
references.citation: J Neurosurg. 1958 Nov;15(6):602-17
references.pmid: 13599052
references.citation: J Neurosurg. 1999 Jan;90(1 Suppl):35-41
references.pmid: 10413123
references.citation: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1999 Apr 15;24(8):826-30
references.pmid: 10222537