Previous Presentations

The following is the description of a case treated at the University of Minnesota by Dr. Mollman.

The patient is an adult male in his 20’s that developed severe neck pain while playing broom ball. The patient was seen by a neurosurgeon in the community and subsequently referred to Dr. Mollman at the University for evaluation and treatment.  The patient had a destructive process of the upper cervical spine resulting in instability between C1 and C2
cervical vertebrae placing the patient at great risk for injury to the cervical spinal cord.

CT scan images demonstrating the lytic lesions of C1 and C2
MRI sagital scan – enlargement on the left shows the lytic lesion involving C1 and C2

The patient was treated using a surgical technique termed a far lateral posterior approach.
This avoids the anterior approach through the pallet and all of its potential complications, and avoids the need for both an anterior and posterior fusion.  The spinal lesion was a benign neuroblastoma that was resected.   The spine was reconstructed using a combination of bone graft and a plastic polymer.  The polymer is initially a viscous liquid
that polymerizes into a solid.  While the polymer was curing, a titanium screw was placed into the mass.  Once the polymer had hardened the screw was used to stabilize the anterior portion of the construct to the rod and pedicle screws posteriorly.

Lateral Post op film	AP post op film

The patient and his wife were kind enough to submit a testimonial to the University of Minnesota prior to Dr. Mollman’s departure and it is included below.

From the Uninversity of Minnesota: A Frightening Diagnosis - A Favorable Outcome

May 2007 - In January, we received a very frightening diagnosis of a destructive bone tumor that had eaten away at my husband's first and second cervical vertebrae. The initial neurosurgeon that had examined and diagnosed my husband was unable to treat him due to the complexity of his condition, so he referred us to the University of Minnesota, and Dr. H. Dennis Mollman.

From the first point of contact, we were treated like family, with great care and concern. The scope of our care went well beyond professional courtesy, but to real concern of our fears and honest, sympathetic answers to our questions. Dr. Mollman and his staff took us through the pre-surgical process, giving us the knowledge we needed to be actively involved, and to truly understand what would happen during my husband's surgery, and post-operatively.

After an 8 hour surgery, Dr. Mollman was able to give us a complete picture of the danger my husband had been in, and how much of a complete miracle it was that he wasn't paralyzed or no longer with me. The tumor had destroyed my husband's C1 and C2 vertebrae, and there had
been no support for his neck. Dr. Mollman was able to reestablish new vertebrae with a synthetic material, and give Steve's neck support with rods down through C5, and titanium screws to hold it all together.

Steve's recovery was difficult at first, but the care we received in and out of the hospital was second to none, and for that we will be forever grateful. My husband Steve is truly a walking, talking miracle. The good Lord, The University of Minnesota Neurosurgery department, and Dr. Mollman saved
my husband's life!

Steve & Jaymi Danz

Powerpoint Presentations

• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) 0908