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C1–2 fusion is a challenging procedure because of complex neurovascular anatomy that increases surgical risks and necessitates highly accurate screw positioning. Although a rare occurrence, vertebral artery injury during cervical spine surgery can cause catastrophic bleeding, permanent neurological impairment, stroke, and/or death.1,2 Reported complication rates vary based on surgical approach, with C1–2 posterior fusion carrying the highest risk of vertebral artery injury, ranging from 4.1% to 8.2% of cases.3–6 Advanced imaging is an essential part of preoperative assessment, and a computed tomography angiogram (CTA) is often obtained preoperatively to carefully delineate vascular anatomy and provide guidance on safe screw placement. Use of intraoperative fluoroscopy or computer-assisted navigation during surgery may further reduce surgical complication risk and improve screw accuracy.7,8
The Machine-vision Image Guided Surgery (MvIGS) system (7D Surgical, Inc.) is an intraoperative spinal navigation system that uses optical topographic imaging. Unlike other navigation systems that rely on intraoperative fluoroscopy or CT scans, MvIGS uses nonionizing structured light to obtain a three-dimensional (3D) surface scan of patient anatomy that is automatically registered to the patient’s preoperative CT scan within seconds.9,10 This technology was initially developed to improve surgical workflow and allow intraoperative CT-guided navigation without the need for intraoperative scanning time and without intraoperative surgeon, staff, and patient radiation exposure. However, as this technology is used in more spinal procedures, additional advantages of MvIGS become apparent, such as the ability to navigate intraoperatively with a CTA instead of a standard CT scan. This advantage allows simultaneous visualization of bony and vascular anatomy and the critical spatial relationships between these structures. It also enables visualization of the extraosseous course of the vertebral artery, which is particularly useful in posterior C1–2 fusion procedures.
To the best of our knowledge, 7D’s MvIGS technology is the only navigation system that allows for real-time intraoperative navigation guidance with a CTA, and this is the first reported case using the technology in a C1–2 posterior fusion.
Illustrative Case
History and Presentation
An 86-year-old woman with severe osteoporosis (T-score −6.3), hypertension, and depression suffered a type 2 displaced odontoid fracture after a ground-level fall that was conservatively managed with an Aspen collar at an outside institution. She presented to our clinic several months after the fall with persistent axial neck pain, intermittent numbness in both hands, and unsteady gait. Her neurological exam was normal without evidence of myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient’s cervical spine demonstrated a type 2 odontoid fracture with posterior displacement of the fractured dens and evidence of nonunion (Fig. 1). Given the failure of bony fusion with conservative therapy and the encroachment of the displaced odontoid fracture into the canal, surgical intervention was recommended.
Preoperative radiograph (A), CT scan (B), and T2-weighted magnetic resonance image (C) of type 2 odontoid fracture with posterior displacement of dens.
Operative Technique
The patient was positioned prone on a Jackson table with her head fixed in the radiolucent Mayfield frame. After subperiosteal exposure of the dorsal bony anatomy of the atlas and axis (with removal of all soft tissue), the MvIGS system was brought into the field, and the clamp was placed on the C2 spinous process. Flash registration was performed, matching 1924 points from the C1 posterior arch and 1877 points from the C2 lamina and pars onto the preoperative CTA (Fig. 2A, B, D, and E). The entire registration process took 171 seconds (<3 min) and allowed us to navigate our screw placement based on 3D reconstructions of the cervical spine that included the vascular anatomy (Fig. 2C, F, and G). First, we used the navigated probe (Fig. 3A) to determine the screw trajectory, which was started with the high-speed air drill. Next, we used the navigated drill guide (Fig. 3B) to drill the screw trajectory and the navigated tap (Fig. 3C) to tap the trajectory. The screws were placed using the virtual K-wire feature of the MvIGS system (Fig. 3D and E). All screws accurately followed the trajectory mapped by the MvIGS system, as indicated in the figure with the planned trajectories superimposed on the final screw placement seen in the intraoperative O-arm spin (Fig. 4). A fibular strut graft was also placed in the C1–2 space and secured via a wiring technique to encourage bony fusion. An intraoperative CT scan was obtained to confirm accurate screw placement, per the surgeon’s standard protocol.
MvIGS system. Bony landmarks on C1 and C2 were selected (A and D), and registration of C1 (B) and C2 (E) vertebrae was performed. A navigated probe was used to guide screw trajectory (C and F) on a 3D reconstruction of vertebral artery anatomy (G).
Navigated screw placement. A navigated cervical pedicle probe (A), drill guide with universal tracker (B), and tap with universal tracker (C) were used to drill and tap screw trajectory. The virtual K-wire feature (D and E) was used to guide screw placement.
Screw trajectory alignment. Pedicle screws were placed into the C1 (A and B) and C2 (C and D) vertebrae along the trajectories mapped by the MvIGS system.
Postoperative Course
The patient remained neurologically intact and was discharged to a skilled nursing facility after an uncomplicated hospital course. At her 6-week and 3-month postoperative visits, the patient reported improving incisional neck pain and walked well with a walker. Postoperative radiographs demonstrated excellent hardware position (Fig. 5).
Six-week postoperative posteroanterior (A) and lateral (B) radiographs demonstrating stable hardware.
Discussion
Observations
Atlantoaxial fixation is challenging because of the complex regional anatomy, the small size of the C1 lateral masses and C2 pedicles, and the proximity of important neurovascular structures, including the vertebral arteries.11–13 The incidence of anomalous vertebral arteries ranges from 2.7% in cadaveric studies to 5.4% in imaging studies.14,15 Although the incidence of vertebral artery injury is low, such injuries can be devastating and lead to permanent neurological injury, stroke, or death in 10% to 20% of cases.16,17 Although previous navigation systems enabled the use of a preoperative CT scan for intraoperative real-time navigation,18 angiograms had not yet been used for this purpose. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of real-time intraoperative navigation with MvIGS using a preoperative CTA.
As discussed previously, MvIGS system technology registers onto a preoperative CT scan or CTA in the span of seconds to a few minutes.19 In addition, if the patient or the reference clamp moves during the procedure, the system can be readjusted rapidly with a repeat Flash Fix registration that takes seconds, although this feature was not used in our case. For C1–2 posterior fusions in particular, moving the spinous process clamp can be helpful between screw placements when the clamp is in the way of a specific screw trajectory. This technique has been used by the senior author (C.C.Z.) in other cases of C1–2 instrumentation. Also of note, the MvIGS system is a navigation platform only and can be used with spine implants from any company.
Lessons
Yamazaki and colleagues have demonstrated the value of preoperative 3D CTA reconstructions for identifying abnormal vertebral artery anatomy.20 Although CT-guided navigation is becoming the standard of care in spine surgery,21,22 with improved screw accuracy and decreased fluoroscopic time and blood loss compared to those with traditional fluoroscopic and free-hand techniques,23 traditional spinal navigation systems are unable to visualize vascular anatomy. Hsu et al. found that 50% of cases of vertebral artery injury revealed anomalous vessel anatomy during postoperative review,24 which highlights the importance of preoperative and, potentially, intraoperative visualization of vertebral vasculature. MvIGS offers the additional benefit of intraoperative navigation using a 3D CTA reconstruction, which may enhance surgeon screw placement accuracy and avoid vascular complications. Although navigation systems, including those by 7D, require additional upfront setup time, operating room efficiency may improve in the long term as surgeons and their operative teams overcome the learning curve.25
We present a case of CTA-guided navigation during C1–2 posterior fusion for type 2 odontoid fracture using MvIGS. The MvIGS system minimizes workflow disruption and does not increase radiation exposure. 3D reconstruction of the regional bony and vascular anatomy assists surgeons during screw placement. CTA-guided navigation offers promise in assisting surgeons during complex craniocervical cases.
Disclosures
Dr. Zygourakis is a consultant for Stryker, SpineAlign, 7D, and Globus. Dr. Zygourakis also reported personal fees from 7D while conducting the study and personal fees from Stryker outside the submitted work.
Author Contributions
Conception and design: Zygourakis, Medress, Leung, Sklar. Acquisition of data: Zygourakis, Wadhwa. Analysis and interpretation of data: Zygourakis, Wadhwa, Medress, Leung, Sklar. Drafting the article: Wadhwa, Malacon, Medress. Critically revising the article: all authors. Reviewed submitted version of manuscript: Zygourakis, Wadhwa, Malacon, Medress, Sklar. Approved the final version of the manuscript on behalf of all authors: Zygourakis. Administrative/technical/material support: Zygourakis. Study supervision: Zygourakis, Medress.
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