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Biomedical subjects

H H Bohlman

Publications and source records attributed to H H Bohlman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Anterior excision of herniated thoracic discs.

Twenty-two herniations of a thoracic disc in nineteen patients were surgically excised between 1972 and 1984. An anterior transthoracic decompression or a costotransversectomy was used for all discectomies. Pain and paraparesis were the most common symptoms preoperatively. The average length of follow-up was forty-eight months. Sixteen patients had an excellent or a good result, one had a fair result, and two had a poor result. Twelve of the fourteen patients who had had motor weakness preoperatively had varying degrees of improvement in motor function postoperatively. Pain was relieved in ten patients, reduced in eight, and unchanged in one. Anterior decompression of herniated thoracic discs yielded gratifying results, but the procedure is associated with some risk of damage to the spinal cord. It therefore requires meticulous preoperative planning and careful surgical technique.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Cervical cord compression from ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in non-orientals.

We report 14 cases of symptomatic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) diagnosed in non-oriental men between 1978 and 1985. All 14 patients had incomplete spinal cord syndromes due to OPLL in the cervical spine and had been referred undiagnosed from other institutions. Twelve had severe myelopathy and seven were wheelchair-bound before OPLL was diagnosed, while six patients had had operations elsewhere for their neurological dysfunction. There was a close association between OPLL and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (Forestier's disease) on plain radiographs, seven patients having both disorders. Enhanced CT scans proved to be the best diagnostic method for the localisation of cord compression, and magnetic resonance imaging, used on four recent cases, provided the best visualisation of the extent of involvement in the sagittal plane. We aim to heighten awareness of OPLL in non-orientals, in whom the clinical features, histological characteristics, and radiographic patterns are very similar to those of oriental patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The anterior retropharyngeal approach to the upper part of the cervical spine.

Since 1959, we have used a superior extension of the anterior approach to the cervical spine of Robinson and Smith in a consecutive series of seventeen patients. This approach provided anterior access to the neural elements from the clivus to the body of the third cervical vertebra, without the need for posterior dissection of the carotid sheath or entrance into the hypopharynx or oral cavity. It also provided adequate exposure for the insertion of iliac or fibular strut grafts, which was necessary in thirteen patients. The approach gave excellent exposure for anterior intralesional excision of a tumor in ten patients, marginal excision of an osteochondroma, two corpectomies of the second cervical vertebra combined with removal of the odontoid process, corpectomy of the second cervical vertebra for the treatment of fixed atlanto-axial subluxation, removal of a bullet anterior to the clivus, reduction of a dislocation of the second on the third cervical vertebra secondary to an unstable fracture of the pedicles of the second cervical vertebra, and anterior débridement for treatment of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. In contrast to the reported results of transmucosal approaches to the atlas and axis, there were no infections or iatrogenic neurological deficits of the spine in the present series. Twelve patients who were followed for two years or more had a solid anterior fusion and no subsequent loss of cervical stability. Pain in the neck was relieved in all of the patients who had had a pathological or traumatic fracture.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Occipitocervical fusion. Indications, technique, and long-term results in thirteen patients.

Thirteen patients who underwent occipitocervical fusion that was performed using the same operative technique were followed for an average of 3.6 years (range, two to seven years). The indications for surgery were occipitocervical instability, neurological deficit, or intractable pain that was not responsive to non-operative treatment. Of the thirteen patients, eight had rheumatoid arthritis, two had atlanto-axial osteomyelitis, and one patient each had trauma, ankylosing spondylitis, and atlanto-occipital osteoarthritis. At follow-up, all of the thirteen patients had a solid arthrodesis and relief of severe pain in the neck. Of the ten patients who had had myelopathy preoperatively, all improved, but of four patients who had been unable to walk preoperatively because of severe motor involvement, only one was considered to be able to walk. Of the thirteen patients, ten had a satisfactory result. Occipitocervical arthrodesis using iliac grafts and the wiring technique that is described herein achieves immediate stable fixation, allowing early mobilization with a successful arthrodesis, and it should be undertaken before severe myelopathy occurs in patients who have instability of the cervical spine. The operation may optimize the patient's chances of neurological recovery.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Pyogenic osteomyelitis of the occiput, the atlas, and the axis. A report of five cases.

Pyogenic osteomyelitis rarely affects the first and second cervical vertebrae, and when it does it can progress to abscess formation, compressing the spinal cord. If the process is unrecognized, it can be fatal. The cases of five patients are reported. Two patients were treated by anterior débridement and posterior cervical-occipital arthrodesis; one, by transoral drainage; one, by posterior cervical-occipital arthrodesis; and the fifth, by posterior atlanto-axial arthrodesis. The causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus in four patients and Pasteurella multocida in one. In all patients, intravenous antibiotics were used, followed by prolonged administration of oral antibiotics. All five patients recovered.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Comparison of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in the diagnosis of upper cervical spinal cord compression.

Because of its ability to visualize soft-tissue structures in greater detail than any previous radiographic modality, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been heralded as one of the greatest advances in recent years. It is particularly well suited in diagnosis of spinal disorders since it can visualize the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid without intrathecal contrast agents. This is a preliminary report of our experience of NMR examination in 106 patients studied since November 1982 at Case Western Reserve University Hospital. One of the best applications of NMR is for compressive lesions of the upper cervical spine because "functional" images can be obtained. The information from NMR was compared with computed tomography (CT) in 14 patients with various etiologies of neural compression--atlanto-occipital subluxation in Down's syndrome, fixed post-traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation, rheumatoid atlantoaxial subluxation and basilar impression of the odontoid, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, Klippel-Feil syndrome, congenital spinal stenosis, cervical spondylosis, Arnold-Chiari malformation, etc. Unlike CT, NMR can directly image in the sagittal plane without computer reformatting of axial cuts. This readily provides direct images of the spinal cord in neutral, flexion, and extension to show the mechanism of neural compression. Disadvantages of NMR compared with CT include poorer image resolution, slightly increased imaging time, and no patients with intracranial aneurysm clips or cardiac pacemakers can be studied. Advantages include no radiation exposure, no intrathecal contrast agent is required to differentiate CSF from neural tissue, and direct sagittal, coronal, and oblique images can be obtained. As a result of this preliminary experience, computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging appear to be complimentary studies--CT provides better osseous detail, whereas NMR offers superior soft tissue resolution.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Failure of stabilization of the spine with methylmethacrylate. A retrospective analysis of twenty-four cases.

Twenty-four patients who had a major complication after attempted stabilization of the spine with methylmethacrylate were referred for treatment. The initial instability that necessitated stabilization was caused by a traumatic condition in fifteen of these patients and by a metastatic tumor in nine. The average length of time before failure of fixation was 208.3 days for the patients who had a traumatic condition and 193.7 days for those who had a neoplasm. In eleven patients a progressive neural deficit developed postoperatively, and in six others the recovery of neural function was possibly hindered by the cement. A deep wound infection developed in six patients, and in five of them treatment by removal of the methylmethacrylate and metal, followed by a prolonged period of cervical traction, was required. Loosening and failure of fixation was the most common complication--it occurred in twelve of the fifteen patients who had a traumatic lesion and in eight of the nine who had a neoplasm. Salvage operations that included removal of the cement and conventional bone-grafting procedures were performed in eleven of the twelve patients who had loosening associated with a traumatic lesion and in six of the eight who had loosening and a tumor. Stability was restored in every patient. Improved long-term results can be achieved by using grafts of iliac bone and triple-wire stabilization methods (a midline wiring between the spinous processes and two iliac-crest grafts, one on each side, wired to the posterior elements) instead of methacrylate in the primary treatment of traumatic injuries. The treatment of choice for instability caused by neoplastic destruction of two or more vertebral bodies includes a construct of methylmethacrylate anteriorly. However, if cement is used, early augmentation with posterior fusion of the spine and stabilization should be considered. As a rule, combined anterior and posterior stabilization is recommended for the reconstruction of a spine that is unstable due to neoplastic destruction. In general, whenever methylmethacrylate is used for spinal stabilization, it should be augmented with grafts of iliac bone to provide long-term stability.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Primary neoplasms of the cervical spine. Diagnosis and treatment of twenty-three patients.

The records of twenty-three patients with a primary benign or malignant osseous neoplasm of the cervical spine were reviewed in an attempt to clarify the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment methods for such tumors. Thirteen patients had a benign tumor and ten patients had a malignant tumor. Nineteen patients had been followed for two to eighteen years (average, six years), and four had died from the malignant disease between one and five months after its discovery. In addition to surgery, medical treatment in the ten patients with a malignant tumor included radiation therapy in seven and chemotherapy in two. Surgical treatment consisted of an anterior and posterior partial resection combined with an arthrodesis in four patients; an anterior partial resection in three, two with an arthrodesis; a posterior partial resection and an arthrodesis in two; and a biopsy but no further treatment in one patient. The duration of survival ranged from one to five months for four patients and from two to three years for four, and was eight and sixteen years in two patients. Two of the thirteen patients with a benign tumor received radiation therapy. Surgical treatment included both an anterior and a posterior resection with arthrodesis in four, an anterior resection in three (with arthrodesis in two), a posterior resection in four (with arthrodesis in three), and a biopsy without surgical resection in two. At follow-up, twelve patients were pain-free and had a solid arthrodesis, although one had required a repeat excision posteriorly. One patient with Gorham's disease (diffuse hemangiomatosis) died. During the period of thirty years (1953 to 1983) when these patients were seen, both the diagnostic methods available and the surgical approaches used have changed. Our present opinion is that all primary osseous lesions of the cervical spine should be carefully defined by arteriography, tomography, bone-scanning, computed tomographic scanning, and myelography in order to properly plan the surgical approach. Total excision of suspect malignant lesions is not attempted, but a major intralesional excision should be carried out to decompress neural and vascular structures and to obtain a biopsy specimen, followed by an arthrodesis to stabilize the spine. For both malignant and benign tumors, an anterior resection should be performed if the tumor is located anteriorly, and a posterior approach should be used if the tumor is predominantly in the posterior vertebral elements. Both of these procedures should be combined with an arthrodesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Anterior decompression of traumatic thoracolumbar fractures with incomplete neurological deficit using a retroperitoneal approach.

Between 1973 and 1981, seventy patients with a spinal cord injury secondary to a thoracolumbar fracture were treated by anterior spinal-canal decompression through a retroperitoneal approach. All of these patients had an incomplete neurological deficit caused by retropulsed vertebral-body fragments and intervertebral disc material in the spinal canal. Forty-eight patients have been followed for an average of 3.4 years (range, two to 8.6 years). Either computed tomography or lateral tomography, or both, was performed after surgery on these forty-eight patients, and confirmed the successful removal of the cause of compression in all of them. No patient lost further cord or cauda equina function after the anterior decompression. Thirty-seven of the forty-two patients who had a motor deficit improved by at least one class in motor strength. Fourteen of the thirty patients whose quadriceps and hamstrings were too weak to permit walking regained full independent walking ability. Twelve of the thirty-two patients who had a conus medullaris injury demonstrated neurogenic bowel and bladder recovery. The degree of neurological recovery of spinal cord injury after anterior spinal decompression of thoracolumbar fractures appears more favorable than after other, previously reported techniques that do not decompress the spinal canal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

The results of treatment of acute injuries of the upper thoracic spine with paralysis.

We studied the cases of 218 patients who had had trauma to the upper region of the thoracic spine (first to tenth thoracic vertebra) that resulted in paralysis. Of these, 184 patients had a complete and thirty-four had an incomplete lesion of the spinal cord. Of the 184 patients who had a complete lesion of the spinal cord, none of the 149 patients who were followed for two to fifteen years recovered any significant neurological function, regardless of the type of operative or non-operative treatment. Thirty of the patients with an incomplete lesion of the spinal cord were followed for two to twenty years. Three others were lost to follow-up, and one died with ascending necrosis of the spinal cord and pulmonary failure three months after the laminectomy. Of the remaining thirty patients, twenty-three had an anterior cord syndrome, four had a central cord syndrome, and three had a Brown-Séquard syndrome. Five patients with an incomplete lesion were treated without surgery. Three of these patients recovered the ability to walk while two recovered some function but were still not able to walk. Seventeen patients with an incomplete lesion of the spinal cord were treated by laminectomy. Of these patients, two also had cord-cooling, two had a posterior fusion, and one had cord-cooling, spine fusion, and posterior instrumentation with Harrington rods. Five patients recovered partial ability to walk with braces, four did not, and eight lost neurological function or became completely paraplegic after surgery and did not recover. Eight patients with an incomplete lesion of the spinal cord were treated with anterior transthoracic decompression and fusion, three of whom had had a previous laminectomy that had not improved their status. Five patients recovered the ability to walk without aids, two walked with braces, and one recovered some motor function but was not able to walk. From this study, we concluded that laminectomy is contraindicated for incomplete lesions of the upper region of the thoracic spinal cord and that anterior transthoracic decompression and fusion offers the best chance of recovery of neurological function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Complications following Harrington instrumentation for fractures of the thoracolumbar spine.

The purposes of using Harrington instrumentation for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures are to reduce the fracture, decompress the spinal canal, create stability at the fracture site, and shorten the hospitalization period. However, technical problems or the injudicious use of Harrington-instrumentation systems can also complicate the management of these fractures. We have studied forty patients (forty-five Harrington-instrumentation stabilization procedures) who had significant complications. Twenty-six of the thirty patients who were followed for more than two years required additional spinal reconstructive surgical procedures. Five patients had neurological deterioration (one died), nine patients had an inadequate reduction of translational displacement of a vertebral fracture, sixteen patients had dislodgment or disengagement of the Harrington components with resultant loss of fixation, six patients had a deep wound infection, three patients had a complete wound dehiscence with exposure of metal, and sixteen patients had persistent unrecognized neural compression. Several factors were associated with these failures of Harrington instrumentation: translational (flexion-rotation) injuries of the osteoligamentous middle column; failure to obtain either myelographic or computed tomographic studies, or both, postoperatively; failure to identify persistent neural compression; wound dehiscence; the use of distraction rods for high thoracic kyphosis; and instrumentation across the lumbosacral joint.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Charcot's arthropathy of the spine following spinal cord injury. A report of five cases.

Between 1955 and 1968, we treated five patients who had post-traumatic Charcot's arthropathy of the spine. All of the patients had a neurologically complete spinal-cord lesion. A laminectomy was implicated as the cause in four of the five patients. Spinal arthrodesis was used successfully to correct the deformity, stabilize the spine, restore sitting balance, and prevent complications resulting from neuropathic arthropathy of the vertebrae following complete spinal-cord injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The use of epidural morphine to decrease postoperative pain in patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy.

In a double-blind study of fifty patients that was done to test the ability of epidural morphine to decrease the discomfort after lumbar laminectomy, we found that during the first postoperative day the patient's pain was lessened appreciably but that the total dose of morphine received postoperatively was not diminished. We used a three-milligram dose of epidural morphine, and there were no problems with respiratory depression. The addition of epinephrine to the morphine solution had no beneficial effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Pyogenic and fungal vertebral osteomyelitis with paralysis.

A retrospective review of the cases of sixty-one patients with vertebral osteomyelitis revealed that the associated diseases of diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis as well as increased age and a more cephalad level of infection predisposed to paralysis. For patients with paralysis and a long-term follow-up, the prognosis for isolated nerve-root deficits is good with or without surgery. For patients with spinal cord compression, the results generally are better with anterior decompression and stabilization than with laminectomy. Early treatment should be directed at prevention of intrinsic spinal-cord damage, which is irreversible.

Adult↗