Atlantoaxial rotatory displacement in children

AIM To correlate the Pang and Lee class with the clinical course in a consecutive series of patients presenting with painful torticollis.METHODS Forty-seven dynamic rotational computed tomography(CT) scans in 35 patients were classified into one of the five types defined by Pang and Li, including types Ⅰ(atlantoaxial rotatopry fixation), Ⅱ("pathologic stickiness" without crossover of C1 on C2), Ⅲ("pathologic stickiness" with crossover of C1 on C2), Ⅳ(normal or muscular torticollis), and Ⅴ(diagnostic grey zone). The Pang and Li class was then compared with the radiologist's report, which was graded abnormal, diagnosis of rotatory subluxation or fixation, or non-diagnostic. Medical records were reviewed and the clinical course was compared among the five subtypes.RESULTS We reviewed 47 CT scans in 35 patients, and the majority were performed without sedation. The average age was 7.7 years(4-14 years old) and associated conditions included minor trauma(20%), surgical procedures around the head and neck(29%), and Grisels syndrome(20%). Twenty-six percent of our studies fell within the pathologic spectrum(5% type 1 or rotatory fixation, 21% types 2 and 3 or rotatory subluxation), while 45% were classified as muscular torticollis(45%) and 28% fell within the diagnostic grey zone. Seven radiologists interpreted these studies, and their interpretation was discordant in 45% of cases. Clinical resolution occurred in 27 of 29 cases for which follow-up was available. One of two patients with fixed rotatory subluxation required a C1-C2 arthrodesis.CONCLUSION The Pang and Li classification characterizes a spectrum of abnormalities in rotation to facilitate communication, although the indications for dynamic CT scan should be further defined.

The Anatomic Study on Replacement of Artificial Atlanto-odontoid Joint through Transoral Approach

In order to provide anatomical basis for transoral approach （TOA） in dealing with the ventro lesions of craniocervical junction, and the design and application of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint, microsurgical dissecting was performed on 8 fresh craniocervical specimens layer by layer through transoropharyngeal approach. The stratification of posterior pharyngeal wall, course of vertebral artery, adjacent relationship of atlas and axis and correlative anatomical parameters of replacement of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint were observed. Besides, 32 sets of atlanto-axial joint in adults＇ fresh bony specimens were measured with a digital caliper and a goniometer, including the width of bony window of anterior arch of atlas, the .width of bony window of axis vertebra, the distance between superior and inferior two atlas screw inserting points, the distance between two axis screw inserting points etc. It was found that the width of atlas and axis which could be exposed were 40.2±3.5 mm and 39.3±3.7 mm respectively. The width and height of posterior pharyngeal wall which could be exposed were 40.1±5.2 mm and 50.2±4.6 mm respectively. The distance between superior and inferior two atlas screw inserting points was 28.0±2.9 mm and 24.0±3.5 mm respectively, and the distance of bilateral axis screw inserting points was 18.0±1.2 mm. The operative exposure position through TOA ranged from inferior part of the clivus to the superior part of the C3 vertebral body. Posterior pharyngeal wall consisted of 5 layers and two interspaces： mucosa, submucosa, superficial muscular layer, anterior fascia of vertebrae, anterior muscular layer of vertebrae and posterior interspace of pharynx, anterior interspace of vertebrae. This study revealed that it had the advantages of short operative distance, good exposure and sufficient decompression in dealing with the ventro lesions from the upper cervical to the lower clivus through the TOA. The replacement of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint is suitable and feasible. The design of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint should be based on the above data.

CLINICAL STUDY ON MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT OF DERANGEMENT OF THE ATLANTOAXIAL JOINT

The derangement of the atlantoaxial joint is one of main cervical sources of dizziness and headache, which were based on the observation on the anatomy of the upper cervical vertebrae, analysis of X-ray film of the atlantoaxial joint, and the manipulative treatment in 35 patients with cervical spondylosis. The clinical diagnosis of derangement consists of: dizziness, headache, prominence and tenderness on one side of the affected vertebra, deviation of the dens for 1 mm-4 mm on the open-mouth X-ray film, abnormal movement of the atlantoaxial joint on head-rotated open-mouth X-ray film. An accurate and delicate adjustment is the most effective treatment.

C1-C2 Pott’s Disease, a Rare Location of Spine Tuberculosis

The authors report a new case of spine tuberculosis of C1-C2 occurred in a 58-year-old negative HIV patient that was responsible of inflammatory cervical pain with multidirectional stiffness and complicated by spastic quadriplegia. The diagnosis was made on the basis of presumptive elements, including cervical spinal CT scan, which showed atlan-to-axial subluxation (C1-C2) with destruction of the odontoid apophysis and lateral mass of the atlas and favorable evolution under specific antibiotic treatment with ethambutol, isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and immobilization with brace cast, despite the absence of bacteriological and anatomo-pathological evidence of certainty. The evolution has been favorable, with the disappearance of cervical pain, progressive motor recovery and resumption of autonomy of walking.

Rod and Screw Fixation for Cranio-Cervical Instability

Background Data: Atlanto-occipital dislocation is a rare and fatal condition. Pain, limitation of movements, and weakness, were the main complaints of patients with upper cervical lesions. Internal fixation and fusion was indicated in all patients of Atlanto occipital dislocation with deficits. CT scan is the imaging modality of choice for evaluation. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rod and screw fixation in cranio-cervical instability. Study Design: Retrospective study reviewed all patient treated by rod and screw fixation, they were 12 patient operated for atlanto-occipital instability from April 2013 to April 2016 in Alazher University Hospital Damietta. Pre and postoperative data collection and analysis of the outcome were completed based on the Frankel classification and grading. Patients and Methods: We operated 12 patients, 10 with traumatic and 2 with pathologically diagnosed Atlanto occipital instability. From April 2013 to April 2016. All patients presented with neck pain, limitation of neck movement, and neurological deficits. The patients were investigated by standard plain X ray to the cervical spine, CT scan and MRI of the cervical spine pre-operatively, and they operated thorough posterior Cranio-cervical fixation. These patients followed post-operatively clinically for improving neural functions and radiologically for alignment, stability, fusion and efficacy of hard ware fixation. Results: The mean age of the studied cases was 42.1 years, trauma was the cause of instability in 10 patients, and 2 patients one with rheumatoid arthritis and one with neoplastic lesion. The mean follows up period is 14.7 months. We used screw rod system in posterior craniocervical fixation with iliac bone graft without operative or post-operative complications. All our patients were improved neurologically post-operatively and no hardware failure during the follow up period. Conclusion: Craniocervical instability was rare condition, with miss diagnosis and may be fatal condition. Posterior occipitocervical fixation when indicated can be done by various techniques. The screw rod system was the most upgraded used technique with immediate rigid fixation. Surgery in this area was possible with confident results.

Study on the angle of needling Yamen (GV 15) in atlanto-axial dislocation patients

Objective: To compare the risk angle and safety angle of n eedli ng Ya me n (GV 15) betwee n the atla nto-axial dislocati on (AAD) patients and healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 177 AAD patients diagnosed and treated at the Center of Upper Cervical Vertebra of Beijing Chin a-Japa n Frie ndship Hospital betwee n January 2010 and January 2018 were in eluded in the AAD group. Ano ther 207 healthy subjects were included in the normal group. There were totally 191 males and 193 females. The MRI sean was performed for the cervical vertebrae to measure the risk angle and safety angle of acup un cture at Ya me n (GV 15) on the sagittal image. Results: In the AAD group, the risk angle was (13.14±3.99)° and the relative safety angle was (10.31±3.23)° for the perpendicular needling, while the oblique needling risk angle was (9.09±3.09)° for the male;the risk angle was (12.12±2.74)° and the relative safety angle was (10.56±2.09)° for the perpendicular needling, while the oblique needling risk angle was (9.70±2.95)° for the female. In the normal group, the risk angle was (7.89±1.59)° and the relative safety angle was (10.21±3.55)° for the perpendicular needling, while the oblique needling risk angle was (16.07±1.77)° for the male;the risk angle was (6.93±1.45)° and the relative safety angle was (10.70±2.94)° for the perpendicular needling, while the oblique needling risk angle was (14.89±2.18)° for the female. The perpendicular needling risk angles for the males and females in the AAD group were larger than those in the normal group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.01);for the inner-group comparison, there was no sigrHficant difference in the perpendicular needling risk angle between the male and the female in the AAD group (P>0.05);however, the perpendicular needling risk angle for the male was larger than the female, and the differenee was statistically significant in the normal group (P<0.01). There were no sign讦icant differences in the relative safety angle for both the male and the female between the AAD group and the normal group (both P>0.05). For the inner-group comparison, there was no sign讦icant differenee in the relative safety angle between the male and the female (P>0.05). The oblique needling risk angles for both the males and females were smaller in the AAD group than those in the normal group, and the differences were statistically sign讦icant (both P<0.01);the oblique needling risk angle for the male was not significantly different from that for the female in the AAD group (P>0.05);in the normal group, the oblique needling risk angle for the male was larger than that for the female, and the differenee was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: Un der the AAD condition, the risk angle and safety angle of acup un cture at Ya me n (GV 15) cha nge significantly, perpe ndicular n eedli ng should be better if performed slightly lower tha n the horiz on tai di recti on, and the oblique needling should be safer across the occipital foramen toward the occipital bone.

Quantitative anatomic study of atlanto-odontoid joint and design of an artificial atlanto-odontoid joint for the orthopedic clinic

Objective： To observe and measure morphological parameters of the Chinese atlanto-odontoid joint anatomically in order to provide an anatomic data for designing artificial atlanto-odontoid joint used for substituting the destroyed atlanto-odontoid joint in the orthopedic clinic. Methods： The relative anatomic parameters of 32 sets of fresh Chinese adults ＇atlanto-odontoid joint specimens were measured with a digital caliper and a goulometer, including the width of anterior arch of atlas （ AW）, the thickness of atlas at the junction of anterior arch and lateral mass （ AD）, the thickness and height of anterior tubercle of atlas （ AT and AH ）, the middle height, length and width of the lateral mass （MHL, L and LW ）, the height, transverse and anteroposterior distance of odontoid process （DH, DW and DD）, the retroversion angle of odontoid process （ β° ）, the facial angle of odontoid process （ θ° ） and so on. The data were statistically analyzed in order to ascertain the morphological parameter ranges of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint. An artificial atlanto-odontoid joint was designed according to these data. The operations of anlanto-odontoid joint arthroplasty were conducted in 3 cases of adult cadaver specimens. Resnits： The width of AW was （ 20.45 ± 1.5 3 ） nun, AD （3.91 ±1.32） nun, AT and AH （9.43± 1.93） nun and （ 10.23± 1.32 ） mm, respectively, MHL and LW （ 13.68 ± 1.38 ） mm and （ 12.98 ±1.52 ） mm, respectively, DH （15.25±2.11）mm, DW and DD （9.69±1.38）mm and （ 11.26 ± 1.02 ） ram, respectively, β° （ 12.23 ± 4.27 ） degree, θ° （ 65.48 ±2.17 ） degree. The prosthesis was composed of atlas part, axis part and accessories. Neither the vertebral artery nor the medulla oblongata was injured. Conclusions： The design of artificial atlantoodontoid joint is feasible according to these parameters. The artificial joint can not only rebuild the stability of atlanto-axial joint, but also reserve the rotation function between atlas and axis. Every part of the joint has their own parameter ranges in purpose to firm fixation, convenient operation and good motion without further injury. The prosthesis can be used for patients suffering from compression of medulla oblongata and resection of dens when it is required.

One stage anterior-posterior approach for traumatic atlantoaxial instability combined with subaxial cervical spinal cord injury

Objectives： To explore the clinical fea- tures of traumatic atlantoaxial instability combined with subaxial cervical spinal cord injury （CSCI）, and to analyze the feasibility, indication and therapeutic effects of anterior-posterior approach in such cases. Methods： From March 2004 to September 2009, 16 cases with this trauma were admitted and surgically treated in our department. Before surgery, skull traction was performed. Posterior atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation and bone graft fusion were conducted to manage traumatic atlantoaxial instability. As for subaxial CSCI, anterior cervical corpectomy or discectomy decompression, bone grafting and internal fixation with steel plates were applied. Results： All operations were successful. The average operation time was 3 hours and operative blood loss 400 ml. Satisfactory reduction of both the upper and lower cervical spine and complete decompression were achieved. All patients were followed up for 12 to 36 months. Their clinical symptoms were improved by various levels. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association （JOA） scores ranged from 10（improvement rate=70.10%）. X-rays, spiral CT and MRI confirmed normal cervical alignments, complete decompression and fine implants＇ position. There was no breakage or loosening of screws, nor exodus of titanium mesh or implanted bone blocks. The grafted bone achieved fusion 3-6 months postoperatively and no atlantoaxial instability was observed. Conclusions： Traumatic atlantoaxial instability may combine with subaxial CSCI, misdiagnosis of which should be especially alerted and avoided. For severe cases, one stage anterior-posterior approach to decompress the upper and lower cervical spine, together with reposition, bone grafting and fusion, as well as internal fixation can immediately restore the normal alignments and stability of the cervical spine and effectively improve the spinal nervous function, thus being an ideal approach.

Clinical observation of tuina manipulations for tic disorders in kids

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of tuina manipulations in treating different types of tic disorders(TD).Methods:Eligible TD patients were classified into three types,transient tic disorders(TTD),chronic multiple tic disorders(CMTD)and Tourette syndrome(TS),according to their disease duration and severity.The three types of children were treated with the same tuina manipulations.Changes in the Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)score,effective rate for tic,and cervical spine imaging examination results(including asymmetry of the lateral atlanto-dental interval,broadened anterior atlanto-dental interval,C2 spinous process deviation,occipito-atlanto-axial flexion/extension instability)were observed after 1-month and 3-month treatments respectively.Results:The YGTSS score changed significantly after 1-month and 3-month treatments compared with that before treatment(both P<0.01);the effective rate for TD was 46.6%and 86.7%respectively after 1-month and 3-month treatments;there were significant differences comparing the effective rate for tic between different types of TD after 1-month and 3-month treatments(all P<0.05);comparing the effective rate for tic after 1-month treatment with that after 3-month treatment for the same type,the intra-group differences were statistically significant[TTD group(P<0.01),CMTD group(P<0.01),TS group(P<0.05)];the abnormal parameter rates in neck imaging examination after 3-month treatment were significantly different from those before treatment(all P<0.01).Conclusion:Tuina manipulation is effective for TTD,CMTD and TS.It can correct the abnormal alterations of patients'cervical vertebrae,and its efficacy for TTD is most significant.

Clinical observation on acupuncture plus chiropractic treatment for cervical spondylosis

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of Governor Vessel-unblocking and yang-regulating acupuncture plus chiropractic treatment on upper cervical spondylosis. Methods： A total of 64 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an observation group （n=32） and a control group （n=32） according to the random digital table. Cases in the observation group were treated with Governor Vessel-unblocking and Yang-regulating needling method, fine adjustment of the upper cervical spine and lumbosacral Ban-pulling manipulation; cases in the control group were treated with routine acupuncture and same spinal adjustment as the observation group. The treatment was done once a day in both groups. The therapeutic efficacies were observed after 10 times of treatment. Results： The total effective rate was 78.1% in the observation group and 67.5% in the control group. The difference in the total effective rate between the two groups was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Governor Vessel-unblocking and yang-regulating acupuncture and regulate yang plus chiropractic therapy is better than routine acupuncture plus chiropractic therapy in the therapeutic effect in the treatment of upper cervical spondylosis.