An evaluation of image-guided technolouies in the placement of anterior thoracic vertebral body screws in spinal trauma: A cadaver study

Background: Image guidance provides additional anatomic information to the surgeon, which may allow more accurate insertion of spinal implants. Imprecise placement of anterior thoracic screws places the spinal cord and paraspinal structures at risk for injury. Image guidance may afford a safety benefit to patients when anterior thoracic screws are required in the setting of spinal stabilization after trauma. Objectives: To compare the accuracy of anterior thoracic screw placement using standard fluoroscopy, computer-assisted fluoroscopic image guidance, Iso-C3D image guidance, and electromagnetic fluoroscopic image guidance. Study Design: A surgical simulation study in human cadaver spine specimens. Methods: After an open thoracotomy approach, anterior thoracic screws were placed by experienced spine surgeons using 4 different image-guided techniques in 4 human cadaver thoracic spines. Screws were placed in the 9th, 10th, and 11th thoracic vertebrae of each specimen. The specimens were then examined with thin-cut computed tomography (CT) scans, and with sagittal and coronal reconstructions. Measurements included the distance of the screw from the spinal canal, the angle of the screw path in relation to a perpendicular to a line that bisects the spinous process, and the angle of screw divergence from the superior endplate. Results: There was no evidence of spinal canal penetrance with any of the image-guided techniques used to place anterior thoracic vertebral body screws. Screws inserted with standard fluoroscopy tended to aim anterolaterally by 18 degrees. The image-guidance systems allowed more accurate placement of anterior thoracic screws in the transverse plane compared with standard fluoroscopy. There was no statistically significant difference in coronal plane screw angulation (angle of divergence with the superior endplate) between any of the imaging methods. Conclusions: Spinal image-guidance systems may allow spine surgeons to place anterior thoracic screws more precisely, particularly in the axial plane. The improved accuracy of spinal implant insertion could ultimately provide a benefit to patient safety, especially in the setting of malaligned vertebral bodies after trauma.