Sylvester T Youlo1, Michael T Merrick, Jeffrey A Cassidy, Matthew A Halanski. 1. *Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin/American Family Children's Hospital, Madison, WI; and †Pediatric Orthopaedics, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case report of 2 cases. OBJECTIVE: To describe 2 cases of cervical spinal cord injury/vascular insult after posterior instrumentation of thoracic/thoracolumbar scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal cord injury is an uncommon but well-documented complication associated with spinal deformity surgery. The midthoracic spinal cord is most vulnerable to these presumed vascular insults. Injuries above the level of instrumentation are rare. METHODS: In this report, we review the clinical histories of 2 adolescent females undergoing posterior spinal fusion with subsequent cervical spinal cord injuries. RESULTS: In both cases, intraoperative cervical alignment appeared neutral and all hardware appeared appropriately positioned. Spinal cord monitoring demonstrated changes in 1 patient but not in the other. With time, both patients improved clinically. CONCLUSION: Cervical spinal cord injuries may occur after distal deformity correction.
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case report of 2 cases. OBJECTIVE: To describe 2 cases of cervical spinal cord injury/vascular insult after posterior instrumentation of thoracic/thoracolumbar scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal cord injury is an uncommon but well-documented complication associated with spinal deformity surgery. The midthoracic spinal cord is most vulnerable to these presumed vascular insults. Injuries above the level of instrumentation are rare. METHODS: In this report, we review the clinical histories of 2 adolescent females undergoing posterior spinal fusion with subsequent cervical spinal cord injuries. RESULTS: In both cases, intraoperative cervical alignment appeared neutral and all hardware appeared appropriately positioned. Spinal cord monitoring demonstrated changes in 1 patient but not in the other. With time, both patients improved clinically. CONCLUSION: Cervical spinal cord injuries may occur after distal deformity correction.