Thoracic spine localization using preoperative placement of fiducial markers and subsequent CT. A technical report.

Study Design: A retrospective case series evaluating the use of fiducial markers with subsequent computed tomography (CT) or CT myelography for intraoperative localization.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and utility of preoperative fiducial placement, confirmed with CT myelography, for intraoperative localization of thoracic spinal levels.

Summary Of Background Data: Thoracic spine surgery is associated with serious complications, not the least of which is the potential for wrong-level surgery.

Bow hunter's syndrome: the use of dynamic magnetic resonance angiography and intraoperative fluorescent angiography.

Bow hunter's syndrome is a diagnosis typically made using dynamic digital subtraction angiography. The authors present the case of a 68-year-old woman who presented with symptoms consistent with bow hunter's syndrome that was accurately diagnosed utilizing noninvasive dynamic MR angiography. The dynamic MR angiogram clearly illustrated unilateral vertebral artery compression upon turning of the head.

Minimally invasive lumbar transfacet screw fixation in the lateral decubitus position after extreme lateral interbody fusion: a technique and feasibility study.

Study Design: Prospective evaluation of 10 patients undergoing minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative disk disease and radiculopathy.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of percutaneous lumbar transfacet screw fixation in the lateral decubitus position after lateral interbody fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar interbody fusion is commonly performed for the treatment of degenerative disk disease with associated radiculopathy due to foraminal stenosis or disk protrusion.

Minimally invasive resection of lumbar synovial cysts from a contralateral approach.

Synovial cysts of the lumbar spine result from degeneration of the facet capsule and often mimic symptoms commonly seen with herniated intervertebral discs. In symptomatic patients, the prevalence of synovial cysts may be as high as 10%. Although conservative management is possible, the majority of patients will require resection.