Electromyographic assessment of condylar screw placement during occipitocervical fusion.

Objective: This is a retrospective study of a series of occipitocervical fusion procedures with condylar screw fixation in which the authors investigated the utility of electromyography (EMG, free-running and triggered) as a reliable tool in assessing the positioning of condylar screws. This series consisted of 197 patients between 15 and 60 years of age who presented with craniocervical instability, and who were treated between October 2014 and December 2017.

Methods: Intraoperative free-running EMG was observed at the placement of condylar screws, as well as at realigning of the spine. After placement the condylar screws were stimulated electrically, and the thresholds were recorded. CT scans were obtained intraoperatively soon after screw stimulation, and the results were analyzed by the surgeon in real time. Free-running EMG results and triggered EMG thresholds were tabulated, and the minimum acceptable threshold was established.

Results: Intraoperative free-running EMG and triggered EMG were able to correlate alerts with condylar screw placement accurately. A triggered EMG threshold of 2.7 mA was found to be a minimum acceptable threshold. A combination criterion of free-running EMG and triggered EMG alerts was found to enable accurate assessment of condylar screw positioning and placement.

Conclusions: Intraoperative free-running EMG and triggered EMG were both found to be invaluable utilities in assessing the placement and positioning of condylar screws. Stimulation thresholds below 2.7 mA correlated with a superior or anterior condylar breach. Thresholds in the 2.7-mA to 9.0-mA range were generally acceptable but warranted additional inspection by the surgeon. Threshold values above 9.0 mA corresponded with solid condylar screw placement.