Pedicle Screws Adjacent to the Great Vessels or Viscera A Study of 2132 Pedicle Screws in Pediatric Spine Deformity

Publication Date

2014

Journal Title

J Spinal Disord Tech

Abstract

Study Design: A retrospective study. Objective: To determine the incidence of pedicle screws close to vital structures and to identify patient or curve characteristics that increase the risk of screw misplacement. Summary and Background: Most pedicle screw misplacements are asymptomatic, thus they are frequently undetected. This study identifies the rate of screw placement in proximity to vital structures using postoperative computed tomography scans. Methods: A total of 2132 screws in 101 patients, who underwent posterior spinal fusion for spinal deformity, were reviewed. Screws adjacent to great vessels and viscera were identified and evaluated. Patients with screws at risk (group B) were compared with patients without screws at risk (group A). Patient and curve characteristics were analyzed to determine whether a correlation with screw misplacement exists. Results: A total of 40 at risk screws (similar to 2%) were identified in 25 patients (similar to 25%). These 40 screws were in proximity to the aorta (31), left subclavian artery (1), esophagus (3), trachea (3), pleura (1), and diaphragm (1). Of the 31 screws close to the aorta, 10 screws in 6 patients were impinging or distorting the aortic wall. One hundred percent of misplaced screws were in the thoracic spine, 50% were misplaced laterally, 50% were 35 mm long, 57.5% were in pedicles with normal morphology, and 75% were in curves between 40 and 70 degrees. Median screw misplacement rate was 10% in group A and 13% in group B. Adjusted for age and preoperative Cobb angle, patients with a higher misplacement rate were more likely to have screws adjacent to vital organs [adjusted odds ratio: 1.06 (95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.13), P=0.033]. Conclusions: Although only a small number of screws were at risk, they occurred in a large percentage of patients (25%). A single at-risk screw causes a significant complication for the patient. Postoperative imaging beyond routine x-rays may be needed to detect at-risk screws in asymptomatic patients.

Volume Number

27

Issue Number

2

Pages

64-69

Document Type

Article

Status

Northwell Researcher

Facility

Northwell Health

Primary Department

Orthopedic Surgery

PMID

24658152

DOI

10.1097/BSD.0b013e31825bfecd

For the public and Northwell Health campuses

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