Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2011 Mar;54(3):217-220. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2011.54.3.217.

A Case of Suspension Laryngoscope Assisted Removal of Migrating Cervical Screw after Anterior Cervical Fusion

• Shim BS
• Ha MS
• Han KY
• Song YJ

• KMID: 2277219
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2011.54.3.217

Abstract

Anterior cervical approaches to the cervical spine have been widely and safely used in spine surgery in recent years; however, they also have posed some otorhinolaryngological complications. We present a case of suspension laryngoscope assisting in the removal of a cervical screw. The patient was a 63-years-old man who was operated on traumatic cervical herniated disc. Surgical interference included C5 corpectomy, iliac bone autograft, anterior cervical fusion at C4-C6 level using an anterior cervical plate and screws. Five years later, he presented a foreign body sensation in the neck and odynophagia. The laryngoscopic exam showed the medial wall of the right pyriform sinus protrusion and the migration of an upper screw was observed in plain films and computed tomography of the cervical spine. The suspenson laryngoscope and C-arm fluoroscope were used for the transpharyngeal screw removal. The removal of the screw in question was successful with no complications. We report this case with a review of the literature.

Keyword

Foreign bodies; Spinal fusion; Bone screws; Laryngoscopic surgery

MeSH Terms

Bone Screws
Foreign Bodies
Humans
Intervertebral Disc Displacement
Laryngoscopes
Laryngoscopy
Neck
Pyriform Sinus
Sensation
Spinal Fusion
Spine