Objective: Vertebral artery injury (VAI) after cervical spine trauma often remains undiagnosed. Despite various clinical studies suggesting simultaneous occurrence of VAI with cervical spine trauma, guidelines regarding screening and management of posttraumatic VAI are yet to be formulated. The primary objective of the current study was to formulate a low-cost screening protocol for posttraumatic VAI, thereby reducing the incidence of missed VAI in developing countries. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center prospective study performed on 61 patients using plain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a screening tool to assess the frequency of VAI and routine X-ray to detect morphological fracture patterns associated with the VAI in posttraumatic cervical spine cases. If the MRI study showed any evidence of vascular disruption, then further investigation in the form of computed tomography angiography was done to confirm the diagnosis. Results: This study showed the incidence of VAI was 14.75% (9/61). Of 61 patients, 16 had supraaxial, and 45 patients sustained subaxial cervical spine fractures. In the cohort of nine cases of VAI, eight patients had subaxial cervical spine injuries, of which seven were due to flexion-distraction injury. C5–C6 flexion-distraction injury was most commonly associated with VAI (4 cases). Of the nine cases, five succumbed to injury (mortality 55.55%), and 19 patients from the non-VAI group succumbed to injury (mortality 36.53%). From surviving four cases with VAI, two had improvement in the American Spinal Injury Association scale by Grade 1. Conclusion: VAI in cervical spine trauma is an underrecognized phenomenon. Plain MRI axial imaging sequence can be an instrumental low-cost screening tool in resource-deficient parts of the world. VAI has tendency to occur with high-velocity trauma like bi-facetal dislocation, which has a high mortality and poor neurological recovery.

Introduction: Thoracolumbar kyphosis is common cause of sagittal spinal malalignment. Neglected tuberculous infection in childhood often presents as kyphotic deformity in adulthood, especially in India, where tuberculosis is endemic. Complete clinical and radiological evaluation is necessary to decide need for surgical intervention. We came across this case of severe thoracolumbar kyphosis extending into lower lumbar spine due to block vertebra formation from fusion of T12 to L4 vertebrae. Case Report: The patient presented with debilitating mechanical low back pain without any neurological abnormality in lower limb. The patient was treated surgically with posterior corrective three-column osteotomy and fixation in view of the persistent mechanical low back pain. At 1-year follow-up, the patient showed significant improvement in low back disability score. Conclusion: After performing three-column osteotomy, we obtained 63% correction in thoracolumbar kyphosis resulting in relief of symptomatic severe axial low back pain and ambulatory capacity with Oswestry Disability Score of 10%. This case highlights long-term natural history of neglected post-tuberculous affection of thoracolumbar region of vertebral column and management challenges of severe thoracolumbar kyphosis. Keywords: Kyphosis, thoracolumbar, spinal osteotomy.

Study Design: Prospective observational study. Objectives: Studying the effect of degenerative cervical spondylosis(CS) on blood flow velocity of vertebral artery (VA) during cervical spine rotation in different head positions and its association with vertigo. Introduction: Vertigo is one of the most common complaints seen in an out-patient clinic. Its association with CS remains an enigma for a treating physician. This study planned to systematically analyze the association between vertigo and CS by evaluating VA blood flow dynamics in different head positions. Methods: 100 patients with ages ranging from 20-80 years were recruited. First group of 50 patients with CS with vertigo were compared with second study group of 50 patients having CS without vertigo. Cervical radiographs were used to evaluate CS using cervical degenerative index (CDI). Color doppler was used to measure VA blood flow with head in neutral position and 60° lateral rotation with 30° extension. Same procedure was repeated on opposite side. Measurements performed included peak systolic blood flow velocity(PSV) and end diastolic blood flow velocity (EDV). Results: Among patients with CS, patients having vertigo showed significantly more evident degenerative changes (CDI ≥25) ( P=<0.001). High grade CS patients (CDI ≥25) with vertigo had statistically significant lower blood flow parameters with head rotation in the left and right VAs as compared to CS patients without vertigo. Conclusion: This study highlights important pathophysiological mechanism of vertigo observed in patients of CS. The magnitude of reduction in VA blood flow was significantly higher in patients with advanced CS presenting as vertigo.

Study Design: This was a retrospective study. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the functional outcome and cost of surgery for tuberculosis (TB) of the thoracic spine between two commonly used fixation modalities “pedicular screws and rods” and “Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wires.” Overview of Literature: TB is a common ailment in Asia. Surgical indications have remained almost unchanged since the middle-path regimen was advocated by Tuli. Pedicle screws and Hartshill loop rectangle with sublaminar wires are the two common fixation techniques used. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed at a single tertiary center. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the method of fixation (pedicle screw rod/Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wires). All patients were evaluated preoperatively by X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were assessed clinically by preoperative and postoperative neurology and Visual Analog Scale score and radiologically assessed by the K angle. These variables were separately compared in both the groups. Results: The functional outcomes of Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation and that of pedicular screw fixation were comparable. Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation was found to be more cost-effective. Conclusion: Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation gets purchase over the posterior column structures alone when compared to pedicle screws which have a 3-column hold. However, when combined with meticulous neural decompression and skillful preparation of osteogenic bed with autologous strut grafting and additional onlay grafting, it gives overall adequate stabilization of the column with functional outcome comparable to pedicular screw and rod fixation with additional benefit of cost-effectiveness. Although Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation is less commonly used now, it has a special place in the management of TB, especially in a resource-poor setting like some countries of Asia.

We hereby present a rare case of pharyngocutaneous fistula associated with locking screw loosening causing internal cricopharynx perforation and Horner's syndrome following anterior cervical plating. A 27-year-old male patient had undergone anterior cervical plating at C5–C7 level due to gunshot injury to the neck, and 1 month postsurgery, he developed fistula in the neck showing discharge of consumed food contents. He presented to us 1 year postsurgery with the discharging fistula, left upper-limb weakness, and Horner's syndrome that developed after surgery. The previously unexplored right side was used to remove implant, and owing to solid union at corpectomy, no additional fixation was performed. Intraoperatively, pharyngeal wall dehiscence was observed. Attempt of removal of impinged screw was abandoned since it migrated into the esophagus. Serial abdomen radiographs revealed successive passage of screw through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract until it could not be visualized. As the patient showed reduced discharge, a GI surgeon gave a conservative trial with nasogastric intubation. Currently, fistula is showing minimal discharge with no food. Having knowledge of this possible rare outcome and awareness of various multidisciplinary approaches for management makes practicing spine surgeon equipped to handle such undesirable complications.