颈椎前路减压术中硬膜外造影术

A new technique of intraoperative epidurography for assessing the adequacy of decompression in anterior cervical surgical procedures

目的在颈前路减压手术的同时行硬膜外造影术,以避免减压节段内残留压迫性组织并探讨此术式的临床效果。方法在直视下完成颈椎前路间隙或椎体次全切除减压术后,切开或切除后纵韧带,使用18#软套管注射针头,将5￣10mlOmnipaque300造影剂注入减压节段的上下方,采用“C”型臂X线机透视,观察造影剂在硬膜囊前方的分布情况,以此判断脊髓是否获得完全减压。共64例颈椎病患者进行了术中硬膜外造影术,男39例,女25例;年龄32～64岁,平均49岁。术后39例获得随访,随访9～16个月,平均13个月,其中18例在术后1￣12周内复查MRI。采用JOA评分比较手术前后神经功能。结果完成椎管减压后,首次造影显示造影剂连续者49例(77%),其中11例术后复查MRI,显示再无脊髓压迫。首次造影显示造影剂不连续者15例(23%),经进一步减压,造影剂开始出现连续;其中7例术后复查MRI,显示再无脊髓受压。39例获得随访的病例,术后神经功能恢复率52%,终末随访时,神经功能恢复率上升至61%,无一例神经症状加重者。终末随访时JOA评分与术前、术后相比,差异有统计学意义。结论在颈椎前路减压手术中,硬膜外造影术能够有效判断椎管内减压情况,操作方法简单,安全可靠。

Objective To assess the adequacy of decompression immediately in anterior cervical surgical procedures with epidurography, and to prevent from leaving compressive materials. Methods After completing primary decompression of anterior cervical intervertebral space by discectomy or corpectomy, posterior longitudinal ligaments were incised or resected, 5-10 ml Omnipaque 300 contrast medium was injected into upper and lower segments of decompressed area through a soft 18# injection needle. Distribution of the contrast medium in front of dura mater was observed by fluoroscopy so as to identify whether the spinal cords were decompressed completely. 64 patients suffered from cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and spinal cords were compressed respectively by giant intervertebral disc prolapse, osteophyte or short segmental OPLL. Intraoperative epidurography was performed after primary anterior decompression. If contrast medium in front of dura mater was discontinued by fluoroscopy, incomplete decompression was judged. 39 of 64 patients were followed up after operation, and in 18 patients of them MRI were taken within 1-12 weeks after operation. Neurological function was compared between preoperation, immediate postoperation and final follow-up by means of JOA scores. Results After completing primary decompression, epidurographs showed that the contrast medium were continuous in front of dura mater in 49 cases(77%), 11 patients of them were examined by MRI during follow-up and the images indicated that cervical cords were free of compression. In 15 cases (23%), the contrast medium was not continuous in front of dura mater, then decompression was performed further until the contrast medium no any interruption. 7 patients of them were confirmed by MRI that cervical cords were no more compressed. 39 patients were followed up postoperatively with a mean follow-up of 13 months. Neurological function was recovered immediately after operation by 52% and 61% at final follow-up. No neurological deficit progressed in all of them. Conclusion Intraoperative epidurography is effective and safe for assessment of decompression during anterior cervical surgical procedures.