Objective. To assess risk factors for the imbalance of the shoulder girdle and to identify reproducible X-ray criteria for persistent shoulder imbalance after correction of idiopathic scoliosis. Material and Methods. A total of 94 patients with idiopathic scoliosis were included in the retrospective study. All patients underwent primary posterior correction of the deformity using pedicle screw instrumentation. Radiography of the spine throughout its length was performed before surgery, in the early postoperative and in the long-term (at least 12 months after surgery) periods. The shoulder imbalance was considered clinically significant with radiographic shoulder height difference more than 2 cm. Results. A significant decrease in the magnitude of all curves after surgery and in the long-term period was noted. The magnitude of the proximal curve decreased from 25.38° ± 15.89° to 14.51° ± 8.17° (p < 0.0001) and to 14.29° ± 8.25° (p = 0.24); the main thoracic curve from 59.33° ± 20.76° to 20.096° ± 9.89° (p < 0.0001) and to 20.87° ± 9.48° (p = 0.19); and thoracolumbar curve from 47,20° ± 15,99° to 15.69° ± 8.66° (p < 0.0001) and to 16.98° ± 7.6° (p = 0.01), respectively. The shoulder imbalance was recorded in 27 patients (28.72 %) after surgery and in 13 (13.83 %)-in the long-term period. In these patients, various Lenke types of deformity were presented. A correla-Цель исследования. Оценка факторов риска развития дисбаланса плечевого пояса и выявление воспроизводимого рентгенологического критерия стойкого плечевого дисбаланса после коррекции идиопатического сколиоза. Материал и методы. В ретроспективное исследование включены 94 пациента с идиопатическим сколиозом. Всем пациентам проводили первичную дорсальную коррекцию деформации с использованием транспедикулярных винтовых конструкций. Рентгенографию позвоночника на всем его протяжении выполняли перед операцией, в раннем послеоперационном и в отдаленном (не менее 12 мес. после операции) периодах. Плечевой дисбаланс считали клинически значимым при рентгенологической разнице высоты надплечий более 2 см. tion of the distal adding-on phenomenon with self-correction of the shoulder balance is revealed (r = 0.56; p < 0.005). Persistent shoulder imbalance correlated with presence of a structural proximal thoracic curve (p = 0.041642), residual proximal curve magnitude after surgery (r = 0.22; p = 0.03), and presence of a symptom of double rib hump on radiographs after surgery (r = 0.75; p ≤ 0.005). Conclusion. The most characteristic pattern of persistent shoulder imbalance is the presence of asymmetry in the proximal and main regions of the chest. This sign can be detected by intraoperative lateral radiography of the spine, which will allow the surgeon to take measures to eliminate this phenomenon and reduce the probability of persistent shoulder imbalance development.

Objective. To assess inter-expert agreement among spine surgeons having different levels of clinical experience when working with the AOSpine classification (TLCS, 2013). Materials and Methods. The study involved nine surgeons divided into three equal groups depending on work experience. All respondents were asked to classify the MSCT data of 50 patients with acute injuries to the thoracic and lumbar spine pursuant to TLCS (2013) classification. To evaluate inter-expert agreement, a Kappa coefficient interpreted according to Landis-Koch criteria was used. Results. The overall coefficient of inter-expert agreement for all observations among all groups of respondents was 0.43, which reflects a moderate level of agreement. Moderate inter-expert agreement was revealed for injury types A (0.45) and C (0.56), and satisfactory-for type B (0.34). The highest levels of agreement were obtained for subtypes A1 (0.67) and A4 (0.80) in the group of advanced specialists and for type C (0.70) in the group of specialists with a basic level of experience. Conclusion. The study demonstrated predominantly moderate level of inter-expert agreement when working with the AOSpine classification (TLCS, 2013). The accuracy of its use increases with a gain in practical experience of a surgeon.

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Background. Minimally invasive technology of fusion broadly introduced in clinical practice represent one of modern trends in spinal surgery on the other hand those technical solutions lack to provide posterior fusion. As a consequence, patients treated with minimally invasive techniques are vulnerable in terms of pseudarthrosis and implant instability therefore measures focused on those complications’ prevention are still actual.The study objective is to evaluate efficacy and safety of suggested percutaneous facet joints arthrodesis technique as an auxiliary option to interbody fusion.Materials and methods. This is a prospective non-randomized study of 80 patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine who were treated applying minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, lateral lumbar interbody fusion and anterior lumbar interbody fusion. In 20 cases out of those enrolled interbody fusion was supplemented with percutaneous posterior facet joints arthrodesis. Computed tomography was administered at the period of 6 and 12 months after surgery to assess anterior and posterior fusion. The minimal follow-up period accounted for 12 months.Results. The suggested percutaneous facet joints arthrodesis fifty-fold increased the probability of posterior fusion formation compared to the rate of spontaneous spinal fusion (p <0.0001, logistic regression was applied). In three cases posterior fusion formed prior to interbody fusion providing stability of segment operated on. No adverse events and no complications associated with percutaneous arthrodesis were detected.Conclusion. The suggested percutaneous facet joints arthrodesis is safe and effective minimally invasive technique that facilitates additional posterior spinal fusion formation in a short-term period herewith decreasing symptomatic pseudarthrosis development in patients operated on using minimally invasive spinal fixation and fusion.

Objective. To analyze cases of pulmonary cement embolism and to determine possible causes of the complication. Material and Methods.A heterogeneous group of 49 patients was retrospectively analyzed. Vertebroplasty was prescribed to the patients for restoration of vertebral support ability after osteoporotic compression fractures and hemangiomas, and as an auxiliary manipulation for transpedicular fixation of the osteoporotic spine. Thoracic computed tomography was performed and pulmonary cement embolism was revealed in the early or late postoperative periods.Results. Pulmonary cement embolism was revealed in 7 (14 %) patients, two of them presented with massive pulmonary cement embolism. In one case it was caused by excessive injection of cement, and in the other -by anomalous anastomosis. In one case, the vertebroplasty was cancelled taking into account the results of venospodilography. Conclusion