M. Masini, V. Maranhão


March 2005, Volume 6, Issue 2, pp 89 - 92 Original Article Read Full Article 10.1007/BF01358738

First Online: 09 March 2005

Neurological deficit is a serious though not well-known complication associated with spinal deformity. Sharp-angle kyphosis may be congenital, traumatic, degenerative, infectious, or iatrogenic in origin. Many kyphotic deformities are underestimated, thus leading to severe neurological deficit. In order to determine exactly what procedures of angulation the patients should undergo to stabilize the spine, which are major operations, the authors analyzed in an experimental model the effects of progressive sharp angulation on the anatomy of spinal canal and cord. We found that sharp anterior angulation of 50° causes ante rior-posterior stenosis and the dura will touch the spinal cord. At 90° of angulation, the spinal cord will be squeezed and the pressure in the canal will be double what it was initially, probably leading to ischemia. The experimental confirmation (determination) of these angulations allows the physician in charge to define early in the treatment program when a surgical stabilization procedure should be included, before the angulation causes any neurological damage.


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