Purpose Recently, a new minimally invasive technique called 'vertebral body stenting' (VBS) was introduced for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The technique was developed to prevent the loss of reduction after deflation of the balloon and to reduce the complication rate associated with cement leakage. Methods The amount of kyphosis correction, improvement of vertebral body height and quantitative cement leakage rate by applying CT-based quantitative volumetry after VBS were measured in 27 patients (55 vertebra) and compared with a control group (29 patients, 61 vertebrae), which was treated with conventional vertebroplasty. Results After VBS, a significant improvement was seen in vertebral height, compared to conventional vertebroplasty. The mean improvement in segmental kyphosis and vertebral kyphosis were 5.8°(p \ 0.05) and 3.5°( p \ 0.05), respectively. In the VBS group, the mean injected volume of cement per vertebral body was 7.33 cm 3 (3.34-10.19 cm 3 ). The average amount of cement outside the vertebrae was 0.28 cm 3 (0.01-1.64 cm 3 ), which was 1.36 % of the applied total cement volume. In the vertebroplasty group, the applied mean volume of the cement per level was 2.7 cm 3 (1-5.8 cm 3) and the average amount of cement outside the vertebrae was 0.15 cm 3 (0.01-1.8 cm 3 ), which was 11.5 % (0.2-60 %) of the applied total volume of cement. Conclusion The frequency of cement leakage after VBS was 25.5 % compared to 42.1 % in the vertebroplasty group. VBS led to a significant decrease in the leakage rate compared with conventional vertebroplasty.

Purpose Cervical disc arthroplasty has become a commonplace surgery for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. Most manufacturers derive their implant dimensions from early published cadaver studies. Ideal footprint match of the prosthesis is essential for good surgical outcome. Methods We measured the dimensions of cervical vertebrae from computed tomography (CT) scans and to assess the accuracy of match achieved with the most common cervical disc prostheses [Bryan (Medtronic), Prestige LP (Medtronic), Discover (DePuy) Prodisc-C (Synthes)]. A total of 192 endplates in 24 patients (56.3 years) were assessed. The anterior-posterior and mediolateral diameters of the superior and inferior endplates were measured with a digital measuring system. Results Overall, 53.5 % of the largest device footprints were smaller in the anterior-posterior diameter and 51.1 % in the mediolateral diameter were smaller than cervical endplate diameters. For levels C5/C6 and C6/C7 an inappropriate size match was noted in 61.9 % as calculated from the anteroposterior diameter. Mismatch at the center mediolateral diameter was noted in 56.8 %. Of the endplates in the current study up to 58.1 % of C5/C6 and C6/ C7, and up to 45.3 % of C3/C4 and C4/C5 were larger than the most frequently implanted cervical disc devices. Conclusion Surgeons and manufacturers should be aware of the size mismatch in currently available cervical disc prostheses, which may endanger the safety and efficacy of the procedure. Undersizing the prosthetic device may lead to subsidence, loosening, heterotopic ossification and biomechanical failure caused by an incorrect center of rotation and load distribution, affecting the facet joints.

Purpose The Cobb angle as an objective measure is used to determine the progression of deformity, and is the basis in the planning of conservative and surgical treatment. However, studies have shown that the Cobb angle has two limitations: an inter-and intraobserver variability of the measurement is approximately 3-5 degrees, and high variability regarding the definition of the end vertebra. Scoliosis is a three-dimensional (3D) pathology, and 3D pathologies cannot be completely assessed by two-dimensional (2D) methods, like 2D radiography. The objective of this study was to determine the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of end vertebra definition and Cobb angle measurement using X-rays and 3D computer tomography (CT) reconstructions in scoliotic spines. Methods To assess interoberver variation the Cobb angle and the end vertebra were assessed by five observers in 55 patients using X-rays and 3D CT reconstructions. Definition of end vertebra and measurement of the Cobb angle was repeated two times with a three-week interval. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to determine the interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities. 95% prediction limits were provided for measurement errors. Results Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed excellent reliability for both methods. The measured Cobb angle was on average 9.2 degrees larger in the 3D CT group (72.8°, range 30-144) than on 2D radiography (63.6°, range 24-152). Conclusions In scoliosis treatment it is very essential to determine the curve magnitude, which is larger in a 3D measurement compared to 2D radiography.

IntroductionSurgical site infections occur in 1–6% of spinal surgeries. Effective treatment includes early diagnosis, parenteral antibiotics and early surgical debridement of the wound surface.Materials and methodsOn a human cadaver, we executed a complete hydro-surgery debridement including a full surgical setup such as draping. The irrigation fluid was artificially contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538). Surveillance cultures were used to detect environmental and body contamination of the surgical team.ResultsFor both test setups, environmental contamination was observed in an area of 6 × 8 m. Both test setups caused contamination of all personnel present during the procedure and of the whole operating theatre. However, the concentration of contamination for the surgical staff and the environment was lower when an additional disposable draping device was used.ConclusionsThe study showed that during hydro-surgery debridement, contaminated aerosols spread over the whole surgical room and contaminate the theatre and all personnel.

Purpose Due to the disadvantages of iliac crest bone and the poor bone quality of autograft gained from decompression surgery, alternative filling materials for posterior lumbar interbody fusion cages have been developed. b-Tricalcium phosphate is widely used in cages. However, data regarding the fusion rate of b-TCP assessed by computer tomography are currently not available. Materials A prospective clinical trial involving 34 patients (56.7 years) was performed: 26 patients were treated with single-level, five patients double-level and three patients triple-level PLIF filled with b-TCP and bone marrow aspirate perfusion, and additional posterior pedicle screw fixation. Fusion was assessed by CT and X-rays 1 year after surgery using a validated fusion scale published previously. Functional status was evaluated with the visual analogue scale and the Oswestry Disability Index before and 1 year after surgery. Results Forty-five levels in 34 patients were evaluated by CT and X-ray with a follow-up period of at least 1 year. Clinically, the average ODI and VAS for leg and back scores improved significantly (P \ 0.001). CT assessment revealed solid fusion in 12 levels (26.67 %) and indeterminate fusion in 15 levels (34.09 %). Inadequate fusion (non-union) was detected in 17 levels (38.63 %). Conclusion The technique of PLIF using b-TCP yielded a good clinical outcome 1 year after surgery, however, a high rate of pseudoarthrosis was found in this series therefore, we do not recommend b-TCP as a bone graft substitute using the PLIF technique.