Lateral Access Spine Surgery following Liver Transplantation: A Report of Two Cases

Case Reports

. 2021 Mar 13;2021:5581952.


doi: 10.1155/2021/5581952.


eCollection 2021.

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Case Reports

Koji Akeda et al.


Case Rep Orthop.


.

Abstract

With improving prognosis for recipients of liver transplantation, the necessity of medical care for musculoskeletal disorders, including spinal diseases, of these patients is also increasing. Only a few reports are available on cases of spine surgery following liver transplantation. Furthermore, a case of lateral access surgery following liver transplantation has not thus far been reported. The purpose of this study is to present the first two cases of patients treated with lateral access spine surgery following liver transplantation. Case 1. A 49-year-old female had received living donor liver transplantation (LT) for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) ten years prior to spine surgery. The patient underwent two levels of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) followed by posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for degenerative lumbar disease. Although neurological symptoms in the lower extremity improved, a liver disorder resulting from acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity occurred at an early stage following spine surgery. Case 2. A 66-year-old female had received living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) six years prior to spine surgery. She underwent posterior instrumentation surgery followed by a T12 corpectomy using a wide-foot print expandable cage for T12 vertebral collapse. Following surgery, her weakened muscle strength in the lower extremities was significantly improved. Lateral access spine surgery for lumbar and thoracolumbar lesions can be successfully performed for patients following liver transplantation. However, careful follow-up should be performed for complications related to the function of the liver graft following spine surgery.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article.

Figures


Figure 1


Figure 1

Preoperative lumbar spinal radiographs of a 49-year-old woman with degenerative lumbar disease. (a) anteroposterior view, (b) lateral view, and (c) lateral view (flexion position). Arrows indicate an intervertebral instability at L3/4 and L4/5.


Figure 2


Figure 2

T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine of a 49-year-old woman with degenerative lumbar disease. Midsagittal section.


Figure 3


Figure 3

Postoperative radiographs and computed tomography (CT) image of the lumbar spine of a 49-year-old woman with degenerative lumbar disease. (a) anteroposterior view X-ray, (b) lateral view X-ray, and (c) sagittal CT image two years following surgery.


Figure 4


Figure 4

Temporal changes in serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). (a) all drugs, except for immunosuppressant drug and acetaminophen, were stopped. (b) Liver biopsy was performed. (c) The use of per-request medication (acetaminophen) was stopped.


Figure 5


Figure 5

Preoperative thoracolumbar computed tomography (CT) images and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of a 66-year-old woman with collapse of the 12th thoracic (T12) vertebra. (a) sagittal CT image; (b) sagittal T2-weighted MRI; (c) axial CT image at the T12 vertebra; (d) Axial MRI image at the T12 vertebra.


Figure 6


Figure 6

Postoperative radiographs and computed tomography (CT) images of the thoracolumbar spine of a 66-year-old woman with collapse of the 12th thoracic (T12) vertebra. (a) anteroposterior view X-ray; (b) lateral view X-ray; (c) sagittal CT image two years following surgery.

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