Title

The use of sublaminar wiring in the sub-axial cervical spine as an adjuvant to lateral mass and pedicle screw fixation in a patient with metastatic carcinoma of the upper thoracic spine

Authors

Calvin C Whaley, Advocate Aurora Health
Michael Young, Advocate Aurora Health
Jason M Seibly

Recommended Citation

Whaley CC, Young M, Seibly JM. The Use of Sublaminar Wiring in the Sub-Axial Cervical Spine as an Adjuvant to Lateral Mass and Pedicle Screw Fixation in a Patient with Metastatic Carcinoma of the Upper Thoracic Spine. Cureus. 2020 Jan 15;12(1):e6671. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6671. PMID: 32104614; PMCID: PMC7026871

Affiliations

Neurosurgery, Advocate Health Care

Neurosurgery, Advocate Health Care

Abstract

A 60-year-old male presented with kyphotic deformity caused by a non-small cell lung cancer metastasis in the cervical-thoracic junction. His pathology caused spinal cord compression and segmental instability. The patient underwent a posterior decompression to try and improve neurological function as well as posterior lateral mass and pedicle screw fixation crossing the cervical-thoracic junction to stabilize his instability. A novel technique incorporating sublaminar wiring across a cross-link was utilized to increase pull out strength of the superior lateral mass screws. Also included is a discussion regarding the safe use of sublaminar wires, the history of posterior cervical and thoracic fusion, and the prevalence of instrumentation failure.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

32104614

DOI

10.7759/cureus.6671