OBJECT: Tumors involving the cervicothoracic junction can have a high propensity for causing instability, with kyphosis and spinal cord compression resulting. Treatment with decompression only can lead to further instability and worsening neurological status. In this article, the authors review their surgical experience in the treatment of 19 patients with tumors involving the cervicothoracic junction. The various approaches and instrumentation techniques involved in decompression and stabilization of the cervicothoracic junction are also reviewed. METHODS: Aggressive instrumentation-augmented fusion after decompression of the cervicothoracic region can provide for immediate stabilization and early rehabilitation. Recent development of new hardware such as dual-diameter transition rods, polyaxial screws, and interlocking devices have enhanced the ability to fashion a strong construct for stabilization of the cervicothoracic junction. CONCLUSIONS: Familiarity with complex instrumentation techniques and various surgical approaches to the cervicothoracic junction will be required for effective treatment of tumors causing instability of this region.
OBJECT: Tumors involving the cervicothoracic junction can have a high propensity for causing instability, with kyphosis and spinal cord compression resulting. Treatment with decompression only can lead to further instability and worsening neurological status. In this article, the authors review their surgical experience in the treatment of 19 patients with tumors involving the cervicothoracic junction. The various approaches and instrumentation techniques involved in decompression and stabilization of the cervicothoracic junction are also reviewed. METHODS: Aggressive instrumentation-augmented fusion after decompression of the cervicothoracic region can provide for immediate stabilization and early rehabilitation. Recent development of new hardware such as dual-diameter transition rods, polyaxial screws, and interlocking devices have enhanced the ability to fashion a strong construct for stabilization of the cervicothoracic junction. CONCLUSIONS: Familiarity with complex instrumentation techniques and various surgical approaches to the cervicothoracic junction will be required for effective treatment of tumors causing instability of this region.
Authors: Heiko Koller; Axel Hempfing; Frank Acosta; Michael Fox; Armin Scheiter; Mark Tauber; Ulrich Holz; Herbert Resch; Wolfgang Hitzl Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2008-01-26 Impact factor: 3.134
Authors: Oscar García-González; J Nicolás Mireles-Cano; Natalia Sánchez-Zavala; Miguel A Chagolla-Santillan; Segio M Orozco-Ramirez; Pedro Silva-Cerecedo; Mario Murguia-Perez; Fernando Rueda-Franco Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2017-11-11 Impact factor: 1.475
Authors: Heiko Koller; Axel Hempfing; Luis Ferraris; Oliver Maier; Wolfgang Hitzl; Peter Metz-Stavenhagen Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2007-06-29 Impact factor: 3.134