Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society

The Korean Neurosurgical Society (대한신경외과학회)
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A Case of Pedicle Screw Loosening Treated by Modified Transpedicular Screw Augmentation with Polymethylmethacrylate

  • Kang, Suk-Hyung (Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University) ;
  • Kim, Kyoung-Tae (Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University) ;
  • Park, Seung-Won (Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University) ;
  • Kim, Young-Baeg (Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University)
  • Received : 2010.01.18
  • Accepted : 2011.01.13
  • Published : 2011.01.28
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Abstract

We report a case of pedicle screw loosening treated by modified transpedicular screw augmentation technique using polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA), which used the anchoring effect of hardened PMMA. A 56-year-old man who had an L3/4/5 fusion operation 3 years ago complained of continuous low back pain after this operation. The computerized tomography showed a radiolucent halo around the pedicle screw at L5. We augmented the L5 pedicle screw with modified pedicle screw augmentation technique using PMMA and performed an L3/4/5 pedicle screw fixation without hook or operation field extension. This modified technique is a kind of transpedicular stiffness augmentation using PMMA for the dead space around the loosed screw. After filling the dead space with 1-2 cc of PMMA, we inserted a small screw. Once the PMMA hardened, we removed the small screw and inserted a thicker screw along the existing screw threading to improve the pedicle screws' pullout strength. At 10 months' follow-up, x-ray showed strong fusion of L3/4/5. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of his back pain was improved from 9 to 5. This modified transpedicular screw augmentation with PMMA using anchoring effect is a Simple and effective surgical technique for pedicle screw loosening. However, clinical analyses of long-term follow-up and biomechanical studies are needed.

Keywords

References

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