The clinical risk of vertebral artery injury from cervical pedicle screws inserted in degenerative vertebrae.
METHODS
Postoperative outcomes of cervical pedicle screw (CPS) placement were evaluated. The screws were inserted in degenerative vertebrae using anatomic landmarks.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the risks of this procedure caused by misplacements and subsequent complications.


BACKGROUND
The CPS gives superior vertebral fixation but risks causing vertebral artery and spinal cord injury. However, few clinical reports have been published concerning CPS misplacement and subsequent complications. Therefore, the risk of this procedure is still unclear.


METHODS
There were 18 consecutive patients, who submitted to CPS fixation of degenerative vertebrae C2-C6, evaluated using computerized tomography (CT). In 5 of 9 patients in whom the screw critically violated the transverse foramen, viability of the vertebral artery was evaluated using multi-detector row CT angiography.


RESULTS
There were no intraoperative vertebral artery or spinal cord injuries and no serious postoperative complications. A total of 86 screws were inserted, and 25 (29%) breached the pedicle cortex. Of them, 84% deviated laterally and violated the transverse foramen. There were 13 screws (15%) that deviated more than 2 mm. However, multi-detector row CT angiography showed the continuity of the vertebral artery in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The deviation rate of CPS placement using anatomic landmarks was higher than anticipated, although no serious complications were encountered. Refinement of the technique (e.g., using a computer-assisted navigation system) is strongly recommended.
Neo
Masashi
M
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. neo@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Sakamoto
Takeshi
T
Fujibayashi
Shunsuke
S
Nakamura
Takashi
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*