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European Spine Journal
Published in: European Spine Journal 6/2016

01-06-2016 | Ideas and Technical Innovations

Transuncovertebral joint screw placement: technical note

Authors: Tomoyuki Takigawa, Masato Tanaka, Takuya Morita, Yoshihisa Sugimoto, Ozaki Toshifumi

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 6/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

Although a C2 pedicle screw and a C1–2 transarticular screw are the most rigid anchors, these screws cannot be used in cases with bilateral high-riding vertebral arteries. The authors describe their recent experience using a novel method of C2–3 transuncovertebral joint screw placement for occipitocervical fixation.

Methods

A 67-year-old patient suffered myelopathy due to instability at C1–2. The patient had bilateral high-riding vertebral arteries that precluded the use of a C2 pedicle screw or a C1–2 transarticular screw.

Results

A C2–3 transuncovertebral joint screw was applied bilaterally under 3D navigation guidance. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and his neurological status improved after the surgery. Bony fusion was achieved after the surgery.

Conclusions

This is the first report to describe the technique of transuncovertebral joint screw. Using a C2–3 transuncovertebral joint screw, a long screw could be used, and it provided an anchor at C3 and C2 from a posterior approach.
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Metadata
Title
Transuncovertebral joint screw placement: technical note
Authors
Tomoyuki Takigawa
Masato Tanaka
Takuya Morita
Yoshihisa Sugimoto
Ozaki Toshifumi
Publication date
01-06-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Spine Journal / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-4343-x

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