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01-03-2018 | Original Article

Transforaminal intrathecal delivery of nusinersen using cone-beam computed tomography for children with spinal muscular atrophy and extensive surgical instrumentation: early results of technical success and safety

Authors: John J. Weaver, Niranjana Natarajan, Dennis W. W. Shaw, Susan D. Apkon, Kevin S. H. Koo, Giri M. Shivaram, Eric J. Monroe

Published in: Pediatric Radiology | Issue 3/2018

Abstract

Background

Nusinersen, the only treatment approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is delivered intrathecally. Many children with SMA have extensive spinal instrumentation and deformities, often precluding the use of standard approaches for gaining intrathecal access. Furthermore the anatomical distortion that often occurs with rotoscoliosis can complicate the use of fluoroscopic guidance. Compared to fluoroscopy, CT affords superior guidance for complex needle placements. This opens up alternatives to the posterior (interlaminar) technique, including transforaminal and caudal approaches.

Objective

This study describes the early results of technical success, complications and radiation dose of intrathecal delivery of nusinersen using cone-beam CT guidance with two-axis fluoroscopic navigational overlay.

Materials and methods

We conducted a retrospective review of 15 consecutive nusinersen injections performed in four children with SMA and extensive spinal hardware precluding standard posterior lumbar puncture techniques. These children were treated using transforaminal thecal access employing cone-beam CT with navigational overlay. We analyzed results including technical success, complications and total fluoroscopy time.

Results

All procedures were technically successful. No major complications and one minor complication were reported; the minor complication was a post-procedural neuropathic headache that was attributed to procedural positioning and was treated successfully with gabapentin. The average procedural fluoroscopy time and air kerma were 1.9 min and 55.8 mGy, respectively.

Conclusion

Cone-beam CT guidance with two-axis navigational overlay is a safe, effective method for gaining transforaminal intrathecal access in children with spinal abnormalities and hardware precluding the use of standard techniques.

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Title: Transforaminal intrathecal delivery of nusinersen using cone-beam computed tomography for children with spinal muscular atrophy and extensive surgical instrumentation: early results of technical success and safety
Authors: John J. Weaver
Niranjana Natarajan
Dennis W. W. Shaw
Susan D. Apkon
Kevin S. H. Koo
Giri M. Shivaram
Eric J. Monroe
Publication date: 01-03-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Pediatric Radiology / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 0301-0449
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1998
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-017-4031-6

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Springer Medicine

Transforaminal intrathecal delivery of nusinersen using cone-beam computed tomography for children with spinal muscular atrophy and extensive surgical instrumentation: early results of technical success and safety

Abstract

Background

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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