They are made in different shapes based on the method of approach to the Identify their position in radiographs and to enable their assessment. Most cages contain 2 radiopaque markers to Usually made of titanium carbon fibers, polyetherether ketan (PEEK) or Replace a vertebra after its removal (i.e. Cages are filled withīone-graft material and inserted into the intervertebral space or Spacers could be solid (ramp) or hollow (cages). They attach the lamina of 2 adjacent vertebrae. These devices can be used when posterior spinal elements are intact. 9–11 Some of the commonly used instruments and systems, and their specifications, are summarized in Table 1. Sizes have been developed for anterior or posterior spine fusion. Rectangle that attaches to the spine by sublaminar wires and The Hartshill rectangle is seldom used today. Multisegment fusion because of their ability to span a long segment. Rods are usually preferred over plates for They areĪttached to the spine by hooks, pedicle screws or sublaminar or Straight, L-shaped or can be cut and fashioned as required. Radiologists should be able to identify the devices mostĬommonly used and understand their biomedical principles and Instrumentation has undergone considerable advances during the lastĬentury. The defective parts and maintain anatomic reduction. Implants in spinal surgeries are used to stabilize the spine, replace Substantial soft-tissue or neural injury.

Revision and the potential for migration of the components, leading to FracturedĪnd dislodged implants are often removed because of the need for Surgery, intact implants are generally left in place for life. Be-cause of the morbidity associated with repeated Stability during bone fusion, and their function is complete when this

The most widely accepted cause of low-back pain and the underlyingĬoncept promoting the use of spinal fusion is nonphysiologic movement of Mulholland 8 inĪ recent review of instability and low-back pain hypothesized that theĬause of low-back pain could be due to abnormal disc loading. Stability is described as resistance of the spine to deformation under physiologic stress. Potential complications to properly appraise postoperative images. Surgical methods used in spinal fusion, types of instrumentation and Radiologists should also be familiar with different Modalities is necessary for optimal evaluation of patients with spinal Knowledge of the advantages and limitations of different imaging Instrumentation, possible complications and the extent of bone-graftįusion. Imaging is used to assess disease progression, positioning of Includes the category of degenerative disc diseases. The current indication for spinal arthrodesis is broad and it Spondylolisthesis, congenital deformities, spinal instability in trauma Spinal tuberculosis in 1911 5–7 there have been a great manyĪdvances in surgical methods and instrumentation, as well as many more Spinal fusion surgery by Fred Albee and Russel Hibbs in treatment of 3,4 Since the initialĭescription of spinal instrumentation by Harda in 1889 and subsequent Syndrome can be prevented to a large extent by meticulous pre- and Pseudarthrosis or continued natural progression of disease. The syndrome can result from: mistakenĭiagnoses, technique error, poor application, inappropriate indication, In theīest of all situations, this syndrome occurs after a minimum of 20% of Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is definedĪs failure to relieve lower back pain symptoms following surgery. Is a common belief that immobilization and/or removal of the painful Instrumentation are the main surgical procedures performed in the U.S. Decompression and occasional arthrodesis with frequent Pain is the third most common indication for surgical procedures in the Pharmacotherapy typically resolve such pain. Noninvasive methods of treatment such as physical therapy and Fortunately, in mostĬases, the underlying pathology is benign and the pain is self-limited. Population experience low-back pain each year. It is the second mostįrequent reason for visits to a physician and ranks fifth as the reasonįor hospital admission. Younger than 45 years in the United States. Tehranzadeh isĬhief of Radiology at Long Beach VA and Professor Emeritus and ViceĬhair of Radiology, Department of Radiological Sciences, University ofĬalifornia, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA.īack pain is the most common cause of limited activity in people Hayeri is a former Research Fellow, Division of MSK Imaging at University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA, and Dr.

Use spine align bolt