Post-Op Cervical Graft Dislodging

[mipaji]

Why is it so hard to find information regarding possible conditions resulting from the total dislodging of a cervical bone graft. I have this problem. A large mass in the supra-clavicular area is negative for lymphoma however it has been the source of a great deal of pain for several years now and is getting worse. You can actually see a raised area under the skin in the aforementioned area now and is quite sensitive to any pressure. Is this going to continue to increase in size and severity? Is it possible that if it had not dislodged I would not have needed a second surgery? And why am I having such a difficult time getting anyone to address this problem? I sure could use some input. It's just a little bit scary. Thanks. God Bless and Merry Christmas.

[sonu78]

Hi,
It looks like you had posted a similar question in the orthopedic forum, for which I had posted comments. I would repeated it here.
   Hi,
With these radiology reports, it is definite that graft  has dislodged and displaced.A rare complication.
Now since your graft has dislodged, it means that bone graft is out with no blood supply and hence of it becoming is very high. The dead bone is called sequestrum and if it is inside the body,it would form in abscess and later on discharge outside through a sinus.
This could be the possibility. Hence consult your surgeon and seek his opinion on removal of that bone graft.

[mipaji]

It looks like I have what is referred to as a sequestrum(sp?). New one on me. I've enjoyed researching the many neuro/ortho conditions I've had but never ran across this one before.
Thanks...God Bless and Merry Christmas.

[noops01]

Hi,
Yes i think radiology report will be very helpful in diagnosing if this is the bony graft that went missing.Good luck!

[noops01]

Hi,
Yes i think radiology report will be very helpful in diagnosing if this is the boby graft that went missing.Good luck!

[mipaji]

No aspiration as yet. However, I just had a CT scan w/without contrast and my doctor said the results ruled out tumor/lymphoma. The mass is very hard. I've had no prior injury to that area. Right now I feel that the period of time since the surgery, 1997 up to the present coupled with the now visible evidence of the mass might indicate this is the graft that came up missing and subsequently caused the need for a second surgery. The first was without any instrumentation and the graft was harvested from the iliac crest. I've ordered films from the two surgery's with doctors notes and radiology findings. I'm hoping this will help my doctor better assess the situation so we can come to a decision for diagnosis and course of treatment/ remedy.

[noops01]

Hi,
There can be several causes of mass in supraclavicular area. Was this swelling secondary to the dislodgement of cervical bone graft? Also a fine needle aspiration biosy is an invaluable and almost accurate tool to diagnose neck mass. Did you undergo that?