Use of navigation for anterior and posterior instrumentation in the surgical management of pediatric pathologic lumbosacral deformity

We report the use of computerized tomography (CT)-guided navigation for complex spinal deformity correction (anterior and posterior) in an 8-year-old patient with neurofibromatosis complicated by dystrophic pedicles, dural ectasia, and extensive vertebral scalloping. A retrospective review was conducted of the patient's medical records for the past 3 years, including the patient's office visit notes, operative reports, pre- and 2-year postoperative imaging studies. The patient successfully underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion from L3-S1 using CT-guided navigation to negotiate the challenges posed by dural ectasia and vertebral body scalloping. One week after the anterior procedure, she underwent navigation-guided T10-to-pelvis posterior instrumented fusion. There were no perioperative or postoperative complications at 2 years. In patients with complex deformities of the spine, including dural ectasia, scalloped vertebral bodies, and decreased pedicle integrity, the use of intraoperative CT-guided navigation can benefit surgeons by facilitating the safe placement of interbody spacers and pedicle screws.