Lateral position and utility of navigation for posterior fixation of unstable cervical fracture with ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a seronegative spondyloarthropathy within the spectrum of rheumatologic diseases. The systemic inflammation that characterizes AS leads to bone resorption and reformation. Pathologic remodeling may include kyphosis, osteoporosis, and multi‑segment auto‑fusion. Cervical fractures account for 53–78% of spinal trauma seen with AS. Surgical planning is often challenging owing to spinal deformity, medical comorbidities, the cervicothoracic foci of injury, and gross instability of these fracture. Case Description: A 55‑year‑old male with AS was presented with a three‑column injury at the C6 level. The C6 vertebra was fractured, minimally displaced, and there was a focal kyphotic deformity. Attempted posterior fixation 2 days after presentation was aborted; the patient could not tolerate prone positioning, and there were further technical limitations to a posterior approach. Cervicothoracic fixation from C2 to T2 was then performed using the right lateral decubitus position employing the Mayfield head holder, a beanbag, and spinal neuronavigation. Conclusion: In this study, we presented a unique approach to posterior fixation of an unstable cervicothoracic fracture in a patient with AS utilizing the lateral position and neural navigation under intraoperative physiological monitoring.