Pedicle screws and bone mineral density

Abstract

Study design: Thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent surgeries for decompression, and one-level fusions with Cotrel-Dubousset pedicle screws for spinal canal stenosis were included in this study. The relationship between bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and the rate of successful fusion and screw problems was studied.

Objectives: Bone mineral density of the third lumbar vertebral body was measured by quantitative computed tomography preoperatively, and the degree of osteoporosis was graded by radiographic films of lumbar spines. The films were followed with anteroposterior and lateral dynamic radiographic examinations of lumbar spines. These examinations were evaluated clinically after surgery. Follow-up duration was at least 19 months, with a mean of 28 months.

Summary of background data: The mean bone mineral density of all the patients was 117.1 mg/mL (SD = 42.5). The rate of successful fusion was 88.6%, the non-union rate was 5.7%, and the rate of fusions that were undetermined was 5.7%. The incidence of screw loosening occurred in 5.7% of the patients, screw breakage occurred in 5.7% of patients, and symptomatic screws related to non-union were present in 5.7% of patients. The degree of bone mineral density or radiographic gradings of osteoporosis and the successful fusion or the incidence of symptomatic screws, which were defined as screws related to non-union, were not related.

Methods: The patients were divided into two groups. One group consisted of 12 patients who had less than 100 mg/mL of bone mineral density, with a mean of 72.0 mg/mL (SD = 21.2). The other group consisted of 23 patients who had more than 100 mg/mL of bone mineral density, with a mean of 140.6 mg/mL (SD = 30.0). The rate of successful fusion or non-union and the rate of screw problems such as screw loosening or screw breakage were compared in the two groups. The presence of bony trabeculation in grafted bone is the most important criterion for successful fusion.

Results: A statistical difference did not occur between the two groups. Non-union, screw breakage, and screw loosening were observed in patients with both increased and decreased bone mineral density and those with increased and decreased grade osteoporosis. Radiographic grading of osteoporosis was not correlated to bone mineral density, but patients with unexpected bone mineral density were frequent in this series.

Conclusions: The use of decompression and pedicle screws for spinal canal stenosis due to degenerative lumbar disorders can be done safely with one-level fusion in patients with decreased bone mineral density if patients with grade III osteoporosis are excluded. Bone mineral density is more reliable than radiographic grading to evaluate the degree of osteoporosis and should be included in the preoperative evaluation of patients with osteoporosis.