Treatments for Spine Trauma, Tumors, and Infections
Spine Trauma
Dr. Anand is the Director of Spine Trauma at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He handles all types of spine trauma both in the acute setting as well as chronic issues associated with spine trauma.
Spinal Trauma begins with evaluation of the nature of spinal injury with emphases on the neurological status and the stability of the spine. The main goal is to maintain and preserve neurological function and at the same time provide for a stable spine. Spine surgeons tend to classify spinal injuries based on various parameters, most important being the above two.
Assessment of spinal trauma usually includes a thorough neurological exam, Xrays, Trauma CT Scan and MRI as needed. Once the nature and severity of the injury is established, surgery may include decompression and posterior stabilization, and/or Anterior corpectomy and/or combined anterior - posterior surgeries.
Dr Anand tries to use minimally invasive techniques to stabilize the spine anytime it is possible which includes Lateral LIF, Minimally invasive corpectomies, minimally invasive posterior stabilization and fusion. In the cervical spine anterior approaches such as ACDF may also be performed besides posterior fusion.
Spinal Tumors and Infections
Tumors
Spinal tumors can present as primary tumors or as metastatic tumors. They can be benign or cancerous. Invasion of bone by a tumor can result in fracture of the bone. Tumors can also evolve within the spinal canal or along a nerve root. Treatment of spinal tumors is determined based on the type of tumor, the presence of lesions in other parts of the body, the patient’s neurologic status, and the patient’s spinal alignment. If surgical intervention is indicated, the goal of surgery is to decompress the nerves and stabilize the spine.
Infection
Infection of the spine can result in bony abnormalities, instability of the spine, poor spinal alignment, and nerve compression. Sometimes infection can be treated with antibiotics. More extensive cases are treated with surgical decompression and stabilization.