Indications • Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are classified into two major categories. Lesions primarily associated with the nerve root are called radicular dural AVFs , and lesions primarily in…

Indications • Conditions requiring ventral decompression of the spinal cord with removal of one to two vertebral bodies at any level of the thoracic spine • Extradural tumors • Infection…

Indications • Thoracoscopic diskectomy is employed for treatment of herniated disks in the thoracic spine anterior to the spinal cord using a minimally invasive anterior approach. • Patients typically present…

Indications • Appropriate patient selection is an essential element when planning spine surgery to optimize patient outcome. The decision to pursue surgery is based on the history, physical examination, and…

Indications • Approximately 50% of the normal rotation of the cervical spine occurs at the atlantoaxial motion segment. Factors that lead to instability at the atlantoaxial junction include traumatic injury…

Indications • Fixed sagittal deformity secondary to previous surgery with an anterior fusion mass, traumatic deformity, neoplastic disease, or congenital anomalies • The need to introduce up to 35 degrees…

Procedure notes Fusion to the pelvis in spine surgery can be difficult because of the complex anatomy of the lumbosacral region, the decreased bone density of the sacrum, and the…

Indications • Primary sacral tumors, many of which benefit from en bloc removal • Locally advanced rectal cancer with sacral involvement, for which pelvic exenteration is indicated • Nonunion of…

Indications • Lumbar disk arthroplasty (LDA) is indicated as a treatment of chronic, incapacitating low back pain that is diskogenic in origin at the L4-5 or L5-S1 level and not…

Indications • Segmental instability requiring fusion for stabilization • Recurrent disk herniation • Symptomatic spinal stenosis with a significant back pain component that would benefit from fusion • Degenerative disk…