J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2006 Mar;13(1):48-53. 10.4184/jkss.2006.13.1.48.

The Evaluation of Bony Union after Posterior Occipitocervical Fusion

• Chang H
• Chae JW
• Park JB
• Bae TY
• Moon MS

• KMID: 2040780
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2006.13.1.48

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: The results of posterior occipitocervical fusions were analyzed retrospectively based on the results of post-operative radiographs.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate subjective methods for the evaluation of occipitocervical stabilization by posterior fusion. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Few studies have been performed that describe the methods utilized for the evaluation of the union of the instrumented segments.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Occipitocervical fusions were performed in 16 patients from 1995 to 2004. The patients underwent occipitocervical fusions with autogenous iliac bone grafting and wire fixation (5), loop and sublaminar wire fixation (3), C-D occipitocervical rod (2), and contoured reconstruction plate (6). The stability and failure of the instrumentation in the fusion sites were evaluated with flexion/extension lateral radiographs. The stability was evaluated by a change in the degrees and distances between the occiput and cervical vertebrae.
RESULTS
Two of five patients who had undergone wire fixation with autogenous bone grafting were considered to have a nonunion because of persistent segmental instability: greater than 2 degrees and 2 mm three months postoperatively. In the other patients, we were unable to determine the presence of a solid fusion mass at the fusion site, because of overlapping of the instrumentation devices and graft bones. However, since there was no definite motion that indicated segmental instability and instrumentation breakage or loosening on flexion and extension radiographs, we considered these as stable fixations.
CONCLUSION
It was difficult to evaluate whether or not the grafts were incorporated into the recipient sites, due to the complexity of the occipitocervical junction and the overlapping of the instrumentation. After removal of the external immobilization 3 months postoperatively, although flexion/extension radiographs taken 6 months postoperatively, demonstrated no motion at the fusion site, the occipitocervical fusions were judged to be stabilized rather than fused.

Keyword

Posterior occipitocervical fusion; Evaluation of fusion; Stabilization

MeSH Terms

Bone Transplantation
Cervical Vertebrae
Female
Humans
Immobilization
Retrospective Studies
Transplants

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Atlantoaxial subluxation due to rheumatoid arthritis and os odontoideum. (A) Preoperative flexion/extension radiograms show atlantoaxial subluxation with instability. (B) Preoperative open mouth view shows ossicle of dens and Preoperative T2 sagittal MRI shows cervicomedullary cord compression. (C) Postoperative 6 months flextion/extension radiograms show definite motion of occipitocervical junction.

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  Fig. 2. Os odontoideum with myelopathy. (A)Preoperative flexion/extension radiograms show marked anterior subluxation of atlantoaxial joint with instability. (B) Postoperative radiogram shows relatively good alignment of occipitocervical region. (C) Postoperative 4 years flexion/extension radiograms show no definite abnormal motion, even though radiogram does not show solid bony union at occiput-graft bone junction.

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  Fig. 3. Nonunion after atlantoaxial fusion of Os odontoideum with myelopathy. (A) Preoperative flexion/extension radiograms show atlantoaxial subluxation due to instrument failure and nonunion. (B) Postoperative 3 months flexion/extension radiograms show good occipitocervical alignment and no definite abnormal motion. (C) Postoperative 1 year flexion/extension radiograms show no definite motion and solid grafted bone at occipitocervical region.

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