SPINE

19th SGS annual meeting

Letter to the Editor concerning “Clival screw and plate fixation by the transoral approach for the craniovertebral junction: a CT-based feasibility study” by Lin J, Kong G, Xu X, Liu Q, Huang Z, Zhu Q, Ji W (Eur Spine J. 2019; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-019-06039-5)

Announcements

Expert’s Comment concerning Grand Rounds Case entitled “The natural history of thoracolumbar kyphosis in achondroplasia” by Ahmed M, El-Makhy M, Grevitt M (Eur Spine J; 2016: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-016-4861-1)

Answer to the Letter to the Editor of A. Goel concerning “Clival screw and plate fixation by the transoral approach for the craniovertebral junction: a CT-based feasibility study” by Lin J, Kong G, Xu X, Liu Q, Huang Z, Zhu Q, and Ji W (Eur Spine J. 2019; doi:10.1007/s00586-019-06039-5)

EUROSPINE Meetings 2019

Correction to: Sagittal balance of the spine The Fig. 20 is not from the study by Shiba et al., but is a courtesy from Dr. Stéphane Armand, Laboratory of Kinesiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.

Correction to: Axial loading during MRI reveals insufficient effect of percutaneous interspinous implants (Aperius™ PerCLID™) on spinal canal area Unfortunately, the ninth reference was incorrectly published in the original publication. The complete correct reference is given below.

The natural history of thoracolumbar kyphosis in achondroplasia Abstract  There are little published data on the natural history and evolution of thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity in achondroplasia. Furthermore, there are few published reports indicating the probability of symptoms and at what kyphotic angle progressive deformity might occur. The lack of knowledge of the fundamental natural history does not allow firm guidelines for the management of this problem. In this respect the role of bracing remains uncertain both in terms of altering the prognosis for further vertebral wedging and overall sagittal profile. This report describes three illustrative cases of thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK) that occurred in achondroplastic infants. The long-term outcomes are presented to illustrate the diverse clinical behaviour of TLK in this patient group.

Ultrasound-guided transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy: a new guidance method that reduces radiation doses Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to establish a new method to reduce the radiation dose during puncture and cannulation in percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). Methods Sixty patients with lumbar disk herniation undergoing PELD were prospectively enrolled and randomly divided into an ultrasound (US) guidance group and an X-ray guidance group. The puncture, cannulation, and total operation times; number of fluoroscopy shots; and radiation dose were recorded in both groups. The factors influencing the operation were analyzed. The clinical effect of PELD was evaluated using the straight leg elevation test, visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI). The researchers who collected and analyzed the data were blinded to the group assignments. Results The puncture, cannulation and operation times in the US group were comparable to those in the X-ray group. The patients in the US group received 2.13 ± 0.35 fluoroscopy shots and a radiation dose of 5.34 ± 0.63 (mSV), which were significantly lower than the values in the X-ray group (7.57 shots ± 2.99 shots and 18.25 mSV ± 10.52 mSV) (P < 0.001). In the US group, the puncture time was significantly longer at the L5–S1 level, in patients with a BMI greater than 28 kg/m2 and in patients with a high iliac crest. The US and X-ray groups had comparable VAS and ODI scores 1 h and 3 months after PELD, and the VAS scores were significantly lower after PELD (all P < 0.001). No complications were observed in either group. Conclusions US guidance is a new method that reduces the radiation dose required during puncture and cannulation in PELD. Graphical abstract These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.