Morphometric Analysis of the Retroperitoneal Vessels With Respect to Lateral Access Surgery in Adult Scoliosis

Anatomical Analysis of the Gonadal Veins and Spine in Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion

BACKGROUND

The current study aimed to investigate the anatomical position of the gonadal veins (GVs) from the viewpoint of spine surgery and the risk factors associated with lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF).

METHODS

This retrospective study included 99 consecutive patients. The GV locations were divided into the ventral (V), dorsal medial (DM), and dorsal lateral (DL) sides based on lumbar disk levels on axial contrast-enhanced computed tomography images. The DM region surrounded by the vertebral body and psoas muscle had the highest risk of GV injury. The GV at each intervertebral disk level was examined in terms of laterality and sex. The patients were divided into group M (which included those with GV in the DM region at any vertebral level) and group O (which included those without GV in the DM region at any vertebral level). Then, the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

In the case of lower lumbar levels and in women, the GVs were commonly observed in the DM region. Group M had a higher incidence of degenerative scoliosis than group O and a significantly larger Cobb angle.

CONCLUSIONS

We should pay close attention to the GV location on the preoperative image when using LLIF, particularly in female patients with degenerative scoliosis.

Morphometric Analysis of the Ureter with Respect to Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the anatomical location of the ureter in relation to lateral lumbar interbody fusion and evaluate the potential risk of ureteral injury.

METHODS

One hundred eight patients who performed contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scans were enrolled in this study. The location of the ureter from L2-L3 to L4-L5 was evaluated. The distances between the ureter and psoas muscle, intervertebral disc, and retroperitoneal vessels were also recorded bilaterally.

RESULTS

Over 30% of the ureters were close to the working corridor of extreme lumbar interbody fusion at L2-L3. Most of the ureters were close to working corridor of oblique lumbar interbody fusion, especially at L4-L5. The distance from the ureter to the great vessels on the left side was significantly narrowing from L2-L3 to L4-L5 (28.8±9.5 mm, 22.0±8.0 mm, 15.5±8.4 mm), and it was significantly larger than that on the right side (12.3±6.1 mm, 7.4±5.7 mm, 5.4±4.4 mm).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that the location of the ureter varies widely among individuals. To avoid unexpected damage to the ureter, it is imperative to directly visualize it and verify the ureter is not in the surgical pathway during lateral lumbar interbody fusion.

Severe left kidney laceration after minor fall in a patient with lumbar spine scoliosis

Background

The kidneys are one of the organs most commonly affected by blunt trauma; however, the anatomical variations that predispose kidney injury are poorly understood.

Case Presentation

An 80-year-old Japanese woman with lumber scoliosis was brought to our hospital because of severe flank pain after a minor fall at home. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a severe left kidney laceration at the level of an acute angle in the vertebral column caused by scoliosis. Extravasation of contrast medium from the left renal artery branches was also noted. Selective arterial embolization achieved hemostasis. The patient was transferred to a rehabilitation facility without sequelae.

Conclusion

Patients with scoliosis could be at higher risk of severe kidney laceration because of intrusion of the vertebral column into the retroperitoneal space. Therefore, even after low-impact trauma, active exploration for kidney injury could be warranted in patients with spinal curvature disorders.

Not all pseudoaneurysms are femoral-A transcaval transcatheter aortic valve replacement rare complication

We report a case of a 73-year-old male with multiple comorbidities, including postpoliomyelitis severe scoliosis, referred to our tertiary center due to a severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, considered high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). Due to unsuitable femoral and subclavian accesses, the patient underwent a transcaval transcatheter AVR (TAVR) procedure, complicated by the development of an iatrogenic infrarenal aortic pseudoaneurysm with aortocaval fistula. Scoliosis can cause varying anatomic relationships between retroperitoneal vessels and intervertebral disk spaces, which increase the difficulty of the procedure and consequently lead to this vascular complication. Although most aortocaval fistulas close spontaneously after 1 year, the risk of pseudoaneurysm rupture in this critical area was crucial in the decision of a new successful percutaneous aortic stent intervention.

Relation of lumbar sympathetic chain to the open corridor of retroperitoneal oblique approach to lumbar spine: an MRI study

BACKGROUND

Retroperitoneal oblique approach to lumbar spine used surgical corridor between psoas muscle and aorta for exposure to anterior part of lumbar spine. Lumbar sympathetic chain (LSC) runs in the corridor to make it a structure at risk of injury.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does LSC relationship with surgical corridor for minimally invasive retroperitoneal anterolateral oblique approach change in different intervertebral disc level?

METHODS

Left LSC was identified in axial magnetic resonance imaging images at L2-3, L3-4 and L4-5 intervertebral disc levels of 144 patients. Distances between LSC and left psoas muscle and aorta were recorded.

RESULTS

Mean age of the patients was 62.3 years. LSC was identifiable in 90.9% of levels. Distance between LSC and psoas muscle at L2-3, L3-4 and L4-5 was 4.0 mm, 4.7 mm and 5.2 mm. Statistical difference was found between L2-3 and L4-5 level (p = 0.006). Distance between LSC and aorta at each level was 12.4 mm, 12.3 mm and 10.6 mm without statistical difference. In non-scoliosis group distance between LSC and psoas muscle at each level was 3.1 mm, 3.3 mm and 4.0 mm. Statistical difference was found between L2-3 and L4-5 level (p = 0.012) and between L3-4 and L4-5 level (p = 0.041). Distance between LSC and aorta at each level was 11.9 mm, 11.4 mm and 10.2 mm. Statistical difference was found between L2-3 and L4-5 disc level (p = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

LSC moves away from psoas muscle and becomes closer to aorta in L4-5 disc level. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.