Transverse process anatomy as a guide to vertebral artery exposure during anterior cervical spine approach: A Cadaveric Study.

Safe exposure of the vertebral artery (VA) is needed during resection of tumors close to the artery and during repair of lacerations. We defined the anatomy of the anterior root of each transverse process (TP) from C3 to C6 for identification and exposure of the VA during the anterior approach. We examined the anatomy of the TP and assessed two approaches for safe identification of the VA, lateral to medial and medial to lateral dissection of the TP, in 20 cadavers.

An unusual course of the vertebral artery posterior to the nerve root in the inter-transverse space: a cadaveric study.

Background: The V2 segment of the vertebral artery is very vulnerable to injury during cervical spine surgery. The incidence of vertebral artery injury during anterior cervical spine procedures is reported to be 0.22-2.

A safe approach to explore/identify the V(2) segment of the vertebral artery during anterior approaches to cervical spine and/or arterial repairs: anatomical study.

Object: The purpose of this study was to find a landmark according to which the surgeon can dissect the cervical spine safely, with the lowest possibility of damaging the vertebral artery (VA) during anterior approaches to the cervical spine or the VA.

Methods: The "safe zone" for each level of the cervical spine was described as an area where the surgeon can start from the midline in that zone and dissect the soft tissue laterally to end up on the transverse process and cross the VA while still on the transverse process. In other words, safe zone signifies the narrowest width of the transverse process at each level.

Spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma masquerading as an abscess on magnetic resonance imaging scan.

Objective: The aims of the study are to describe a case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) without any predisposing factors and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of epidural abscess and to highlight the importance of high clinical suspicion.

Clinical Features: A 75-year-old male presented to the emergency department after a severe neck pain. He progressively showed sensory and upper motor signs on the left side of the body.

A comparison of the torsional stiffness of the lumbar spine in flexion and extension.

Objective: The main mechanism of injury to the spine is torsion especially when coupled with compression. In this study, the in vitro torsional stiffness of the lumbar spine segments is compared in flexion and extension positions by cyclic and failure testing.

Methods: Fifteen lumbar spines were sectioned from fresh cadavers into 15 L2/3 and 15 L45 motion segments.

Percutaneous spine biopsy: a meta-analysis.

Background: Percutaneous spine biopsy has widely replaced open biopsy. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of the inner diameter of the biopsy needle and the method of imaging guidance on the adequacy and accuracy of tissue samples and to evaluate the complication rates associated with the different needle diameters and imaging guidance methods.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE for studies that evaluated either the adequacy (whether or not a diagnosis could be made on the basis of pathologic examination) or the accuracy (whether or not the primary diagnosis was correct) of samples obtained by means of percutaneous spine biopsy.

Bilateral isthmic L3 spondylolisthesis in an adult female.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe an incidental finding of bilateral isthmic L3 spondylolysis in an adult female.

Clinical Features: A 26-year-old woman with sickle cell anemia was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Lumbar radiographs were reported normal.

Case report: bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphyses and hormone replacement.

A 24-year-old woman presented with an 11-year history of bilateral hip pain. Radiographs of the hips revealed severe bilateral slipped upper femoral epiphyses; the left side was more severely slipped than the right. While moving the hips under fluoroscopy we observed motion at the physes and reproduced the patient's pain; the motion confirmed the diagnosis of chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

The prevalence of wrong level surgery among spine surgeons.

Study Design: A questionnaire study.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of wrong level surgery among spine surgeons and their use of preventive measures to avoid its occurrence.

Summary Of Background Data: Wrong site surgery fails to improve the patient's symptoms and has medical, emotional, social, and legal implications.

Esophageal perforation with a locking screw: a case report and review of the literature.

Study Design: A case report with a review of the literature.

Objectives: Anterior cervical spine surgery (ACS) has received widespread acceptance, and as a result, a variety of complications have been reported. Several cases of esophageal complications, arising from the use of various implants and grafts, have been described.

Lumbar synovial joint hematoma in a patient on anticoagulation treatment.

Study Design: Case report.

Objective: To describe a case of spinal epidural hematoma arising from the synovial joint due to anticoagulation therapy.

Summary Of Background Data: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rarity in the literature with a variety of etiologies.

Upper cervical anterior diskectomy and fusion improves discogenic cervical headaches.

Study Design: Retrospective patient identification and prospective data collection were performed.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion for discogenic cervical headaches.

Summary Of Background Data: Cervicogenic headaches affect up to 2.