J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2007 Sep;14(3):164-170. 10.4184/jkss.2007.14.3.164.

The Changes in the Dimensions of Neural Foramen After Anterior Interbody Fusion in the Spondylolisthesis

• Jeon CH
• Jeong US
• Min HT
• Park JW

• KMID: 1941648
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2007.14.3.164

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective radiological assessment was performed using computerized tomography measurements.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the dimensions of the neural foramen after anterior interbody fusion with posterior fixation in spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion distracts the height and width of the neural foramen.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Anterior interboody fusion with posterior fixation was performed in twenty-five patients. The sagittal parameters were the height and area of the neural foramen. The fused lumbar segments was imaged in the direct sagittal projections in a CT (SOMATOM Senstaion; SIMENS, Germany) and 1-mm slice thickness before surgery and after solid fusion. Computer digitation was used for the measurements independently by three different observers. Statistical analysis was performed using a Wilcoxon signed test and a paired T-test to determine the correlation between the measurements, and Pearson correlation to determine the level of interobserver and intraobserver agreement.
RESULTS
After anterior interbody fusion and posterior fixation, the height and the area of the neural foramen had increased significantly by 15.5+/-14.0%(p.0.001) and 23.2+/-17.7%(p.0.001). There was a significant confidence in interobserver (0.9466~0.9996) and intraobserver(0.8896~0.9991) agreement.
CONCLUSIONS
Anterior interbody fusion significantly increased the changes in the dimensions of the neural foramen. Anterior distraction and decompression with anterior interbody fusion increased the area of the neural foramen This study shows that anterior interbody fusion can be used to decompress the neural foramen in the spondylolisthesis.

Keyword

Lumbar; Neural foramen; Spondylolisthesis; Anterior interbody fusion

MeSH Terms

Decompression
Humans
Prospective Studies
Spondylolisthesis*

Figure

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  Fig. 1. CT measurement were done via sagittal reconstruction at the level of the mid pedicle on axial CT cut

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  Fig. 2. Diagram showing the measurements made in the discs and neural foramens. (a) height of neural foramen

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  Fig. 3. Measurements of foraminal height (A: pre-operative measurement B: postoperative measurement)

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