title: Percutaneous approach to the upper thoracic spine: optimal patient positioning.
abstract: Percutaneous access to the upper thoracic vertebrae under fluoroscopic guidance is challenging. We describe our positioning technique facilitating optimal visualisation of the high thoracic vertebrae in the prone position. This allows safe practice of kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty and biopsy throughout the upper thoracic spine.
authors: Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Bayley
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Clamp
authors: Bronek M
authors: BM
authors: Boszczyk
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods