Routine anteroposterior radiographs have limited utility for patients after anterior cervical decompression and fusion

Spine
Daniel J BlizzardJonathan N Grauer

Abstract

A retrospective case series. To assess the diagnostic utility of sequential anteroposterior (AP) radiographs for following patients with postoperative anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF). There are currently no widely accepted standards for radiographical follow-up after ACDF. Many spine surgeons routinely obtain at least AP and lateral films at serial follow-up visits. It is generally accepted that lateral films are of utility to assess overall alignment, evaluate union, and detect any potential construct-related issues. It is our perception that the AP view adds little or no clinical value after documentation of alignment on an initial film. All follow-up imaging series were evaluated for 100 patients who underwent ACDF. Variables thought to be potentially detected on the AP film were evaluated on both the AP and lateral films (visualization of the implant and instrumented vertebral bodies and any construct-related issues). In addition, angulation of the implant relative to the vertebral axis of the instrumented levels was measured on the AP film. For the 100 patients evaluated, the follow-up period was 1.2 ± 0.5 months (mean ± SD), with 4.39 ± 1.52 imaging series obtained per patient. Instrumented vertebral bod...Continue Reading

References

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Aug 6, 2008·Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques·Andrew K SimpsonJonathan N Grauer
Mar 11, 2010·Spine·Satyajit MarawarStavros G Memtsoudis

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Citations

Aug 19, 2016·Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery·Shepard P JohnsonJennifer F Waljee
Oct 24, 2017·Skeletal Radiology·Kimia Khalatbari Kani, Felix S Chew

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