Intravertebral polymethylmethacrylate augmentation of anterior cervical discectomy fusion and plating in the setting of osteoporosis.

Department

Neurosurgery

Document Type

Article

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe a novel approach for anterior cervical fixation, which uses cement augmentation in a patient with osteoporosis.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Osteoporotic bone presents a challenge for the treating spine surgeon, and techniques to overcome the difficulty of cervical spine fixation in these patients are lacking.

METHODS: A 75-year-old woman with osteoporosis presented with cervical myelopathy and was found to have multiple-level cervical stenosis and C3-4 degenerative instability. The patient underwent anterior cervical discectomy fusion and plating from C3-7, with vertebroplasty polymethylmethacrylate augmentation through the screw pilot holes. Because of the patient's grossly soft bone, she also underwent postoperative halo placement.

RESULTS: No cement extravasation was observed. The halo was removed after 3 months. At 6 months follow-up, the patient had full resolution of her myelopathy. Imaging showed the cervical interbody fusions to be healed at all levels, with no screw pullout or graft subsidence.

CONCLUSIONS: This represents the first comprehensive description of successful cement augmentation during anterior cervical discectomy fusion and plating in a patient with osteoporosis, accomplishing both an increase in screw pullout strength and a decreased likelihood of graft subsidence. With further study, this technique may represent a viable treatment option in patients with osteoporosis requiring cervical decompression and fusion.

Medical Subject Headings

Aged; Bone Cements; Bone Screws; Cervical Vertebrae; Diskectomy; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Osteoporosis; Polymethyl Methacrylate; Radiography; Spinal Cord Diseases; Spinal Fusion

Publication Date

5-1-2014

Publication Title

Journal of spinal disorders & techniques

ISSN

1539-2465

Volume

27

Issue

3

First Page

185

Last Page

188

PubMed ID

24945297

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1097/BSD.0000000000000052

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