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Spine May 2024Retrospective Cohort Study.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective Cohort Study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if muscle mass and quality of the lumbar paraspinal muscles was associated with improvements in lumbar lordosis and other sagittal parameters after isolated posterior lumbar decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
Over time, either due to degenerative changes or other spinal conditions, individuals may develop sagittal imbalance. In patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, sagittal imbalance can further exacerbate symptoms of pain and radiculopathy. Sarcopenia of paraspinal muscles has been implicated in previous spine research as a variable with influence on surgical outcomes.
METHODS
Sagittal parameters were measured on preoperative and postoperative lateral lumbar radiographs and included lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), and pelvic tilt (PT). Preoperative MRI images were evaluated at the base of the L4 vertebral body to assess muscles mass of the psoas muscle and paravertebral muscles (PVM) and Goutallier grade of the PVM. Patients were divided into 3 muscle size groups based on PVM normalized for body size (PVM/BMI): Group A (smallest), Group B, and Group C (largest).
RESULTS
Patients in Group C had greater LL preoperatively (51.5° vs. 47.9° vs. 43.2, P=0.005) and postoperatively (52.2° vs. 48.9° vs. 45.7°, P=0.043). There was no significant difference in the ∆LL values between groups (P>0.05). Patients in Group C had larger SS preoperatively (35.2° vs. 32.1° vs. 30.0°, P=0.010) and postoperatively (36.1° vs. 33.0° vs. 31.7°, P=0.030). Regression analysis showed that PVM/BMI was a significant predictor of LL preoperatively (P=0.039) and postoperatively (P=0.031), as well as SS preoperatively (P=0.001) and postoperatively (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Muscle mass of the paravertebral muscles significantly impacts lumbar lordosis and sacral slope in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis before and after posterior lumbar decompression. These findings highlight a need to address risk factors for poor muscle quality in patients with sagittal imbalance.
PubMed: 38809843
DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000005058 -
Pain Physician May 2024The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an interfascial plane block for managing neuropathic thoracic pain. Although the ESPB is applied widely in various clinical...
BACKGROUND
The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an interfascial plane block for managing neuropathic thoracic pain. Although the ESPB is applied widely in various clinical situations, no studies have evaluated the association between the analgesic outcomes of the ESPB and the numerical changes in the perfusion index (PI) and PI ratio.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between the clinical response following ESPB and other possible factors, including changes in the PI and PI ratio.
STUDY DESIGN
A prospective, nonrandomized, and open-label study.
SETTING
The pain clinic of a tertiary university hospital.
METHODS
This study included 92 patients with neck or arm pain who received T2 ESPB using 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine. To aid in the prediction of clinical outcomes, the PI was measured at the blocked side for 30 minutes as soon as the ESPB was finished. Various demographic data were also analyzed to predict the clinical outcomes.
RESULTS
Among 92 patients, 59 patients (64%) showed successful treatment outcomes (> 50% reduction in the numerical rating scale score or > 30% reduction in the neck disability index). The baseline PI of the responders was statistically higher than the nonresponders' (P < 0.05). Also, the responders' PI demonstrated statistically higher values than the nonresponders' at the time points of 4, 6, and 8 minutes after the ESPB. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a higher baseline PI (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.27-2.86; P = 0.002) was an independent factor associated with a successful outcome.
LIMITATIONS
Only a small number of patients with nonspinal diseases were included, except for those who had cervical radiculopathy. Therefore, it is hard to conclude that thoracic ESPB has any therapeutic benefits to patients with nonspinal diseases such as complex regional pain syndrome, adhesive capsulitis, or post-thoracotomy pain syndrome.
CONCLUSION
A successful outcome at 4 weeks after T2 ESPB was achieved in 64% of patients with cervical radiculopathy. A higher baseline PI value was an independent factor associated with a successful response to T2 ESPB.
Topics: Humans; Nerve Block; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Radiculopathy; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Adult; Anesthetics, Local; Aged; Ropivacaine; Pain Measurement
PubMed: 38805530
DOI: No ID Found -
Cureus Apr 2024Introduction The Hoffmann reflex (H reflex) is one of the most studied reflexes in human neurophysiological literature. Detection of the H reflex is useful in the...
Introduction The Hoffmann reflex (H reflex) is one of the most studied reflexes in human neurophysiological literature. Detection of the H reflex is useful in the diagnosis of early polyneuropathy, S1 radiculopathy, early GBS, tibial neuropathy and sciatica, and sacral plexopathy. The H reflex is also used as a tool to measure the excitability of the nervous components of the arc, regardless of the sensitivity of the sensory organs. The monosynaptic nature of reflex circuits makes H-reflex an attractive tool for clinical neurophysiology and research. Objective The objective is to create reference data of soleus H-reflex latency in an adult population from a tertiary care center in India. Materials and methods Seven hundred eighty-four healthy volunteers underwent a physical examination and brief electrophysiological examination before elicitation of the soleus H reflex of both lower extremities using standard techniques. Reference values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation as well as the third and 97th percentiles for latency as the dependent variable. Results The study population included 346 (44.1%) women and 438 (55.9%) men. The men were aged 40.46 ± 14.76 years, and the women were aged 41.63 ± 13.49 years. The average weight of the men was 73.32 ± 10.28 kilograms, and the women were 62.91 ± 7.46 kilograms. The average height of the men was 172.06 ± 4.22 cm, and the women were 159.12 ± 2.42 cm. The third and 97th percentiles for H-reflex latency on the right side were 22.86 ms to 34.22 ms and on the left side were 22.86 ms to 35.39 ms. The average right tibial H latency and left tibial H latency were 28.18 ± 2.59 ms and 28.14 ± 2.70 ms, respectively. Conclusion A sizable subject population was used to provide reference data for this study. Because of the huge sample size and nearly appropriate coverage of different age groups, reference ranges have been established for various age, height, and BMI groups.
PubMed: 38800221
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59083 -
Cureus Apr 2024Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is an established and less invasive surgical approach for patients with adult spinal deformities. This method can also be...
L5 Nerve Root Radiculopathy as a Rare Complication Following Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion at L5/S1 Combined With Posterior Fixation via Percutaneous Pedicle Screws for Adult Spinal Deformity.
Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is an established and less invasive surgical approach for patients with adult spinal deformities. This method can also be applied to the L5/S1 region (termed "OLIF51"); however, reports on L5 nerve root radiculopathy as a rare complication of OLIF51 are limited. Here, we present the case of a 77-year-old woman with progressive adult spinal deformity who was followed up after an initial OLIF for the L3/4 and L4/5 levels. An additional operation was performed to resolve ambulation difficulty and back pain related to adult spinal deformity. Circumferential fixation was performed over two sessions. Initially, OLIF51 was performed concurrently with OLIF for L1/2 and L2/3. Eight days later, posterior fixation surgery from T10 to the ilium via percutaneous pedicle screws was performed. Two days after the second operation, the patient started complaining of left L5 nerve root radiculopathy, for which medication and rehabilitation were both ineffective. Retrospectively, we identified that the left L5/S1 foramen narrowed after the lordotic correction by OLIF51 and posterior fixation. Additionally, posterior facetectomy for L5/S1 was performed, and the left L5 nerve root radiculopathy was resolved. L5 nerve root radiculopathy can develop as a rare complication of OLIF51. Neurosurgeons should be aware of this rare complication related to OLIF51.
PubMed: 38800165
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58969 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024: This study aimed to evaluate the mid-term effectiveness and safety of a combined ultrasound (US) and fluoroscopy (FL)-guided approach in comparison to US-guided and... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Combined Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy versus Ultrasound versus Fluoroscopy-Guided Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection for the Treatment of Unilateral Lower Lumbar Radicular Pain: A Retrospective Comparative Study.
: This study aimed to evaluate the mid-term effectiveness and safety of a combined ultrasound (US) and fluoroscopy (FL)-guided approach in comparison to US-guided and FL-guided caudal epidural steroid injections (CESI) for treating unilateral lower lumbar radicular pain. : A total of 154 patients who underwent CESI between 2018 and 2022 were included. Patients were categorized into three groups based on the guidance method: combined US and FL (n = 51), US-guided (n = 51), and FL-guided (n = 52). The study design was retrospective case-controlled, utilizing patient charts and standardized forms to assess clinical outcomes, adverse events, complications during the procedures. : In all groups, Oswestry Disability Index and Verbal Numeric Scale scores improved at 1, 3, and 6 months after the last injection, with no significant differences between groups ( < 0.05). The treatment success rate at all time points was also similar among the groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that injection method, cause, sex, age, number of injections, and pain duration did not independently predict treatment success. Blood was aspirated before injection in 2% (n = 1), 13.5% (n = 7), and 4% (n = 2) of patients in the combined US and FL groups, FL-guided groups, and US-guided groups, respectively. Intravascular contrast spread was detected in one patient in the combined method groups and seven in the FL-guided groups. : When comparing pain reduction and functional improvement, there was no significant difference between the three methods. The combined method took less time compared to using FL alone. The combined approach also showed a lower occurrence of intravascular injection compared to using FL alone. Moreover, blood vessels at the injection site can be identified with an ultrasound using the combined method. Given these advantages, it might be advisable to prioritize the combined US- and FL-guided therapy when administering CESI for patients with unilateral lumbar radicular pain.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Fluoroscopy; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Injections, Epidural; Steroids; Low Back Pain; Adult; Aged; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Treatment Outcome; Radiculopathy; Case-Control Studies; Lumbar Vertebrae; Ultrasonography; Lumbosacral Region
PubMed: 38792992
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050809 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... May 2024Vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are the most common benign tumors of the spinal column and are often encountered incidentally during routine spinal imaging. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are the most common benign tumors of the spinal column and are often encountered incidentally during routine spinal imaging.
METHODS
A retrospective review of the inpatient and outpatient hospital records at our institution was performed for the diagnosis of VHs from January 2005 to September 2023. Search filters included "vertebral hemangioma," "back pain," "weakness," "radiculopathy," and "focal neurological deficits." Radiographic evaluation of these patients included plain X-rays, CT, and MRI. Following confirmation of a diagnosis of VH, these images were used to generate the figures used in this manuscript. Moreover, an extensive literature search was conducted using PubMed for the literature review portion of the manuscript.
RESULT
VHs are benign vascular proliferations that cause remodeling of bony trabeculae in the vertebral body of the spinal column. Horizontal trabeculae deteriorate leading to thickening of vertical trabeculae which causes a striated appearance on sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), "Corduroy sign," and a punctuated appearance on axial imaging, "Polka dot sign." These findings are seen in "typical vertebral hemangiomas" due to a low vascular-to-fat ratio of the lesion. Contrarily, atypical vertebral hemangiomas may or may not demonstrate the "Corduroy" or "Polka-dot" signs due to lower amounts of fat and a higher vascular component. Atypical vertebral hemangiomas often mimic other neoplastic pathologies, making diagnosis challenging. Although most VHs are asymptomatic, aggressive vertebral hemangiomas can present with neurologic sequelae such as myelopathy and radiculopathy due to nerve root and/or spinal cord compression. Asymptomatic vertebral hemangiomas do not require therapy, and there are many treatment options for vertebral hemangiomas causing pain, radiculopathy, and/or myelopathy. Surgery (corpectomy, laminectomy), percutaneous techniques (vertebroplasty, sclerotherapy, embolization), and radiotherapy can be used in combination or isolation as appropriate. Specific treatment options depend on the lesion's size/location and the extent of neural element compression. There is no consensus on the optimal treatment plan for symptomatic vertebral hemangioma patients, although management algorithms have been proposed.
CONCLUSION
While typical vertebral hemangioma diagnosis is relatively straightforward, the differential diagnosis is broad for atypical and aggressive lesions. There is an ongoing debate as to the best approach for managing symptomatic cases, however, surgical resection is often considered first line treatment for patients with neurologic deficit.
Topics: Humans; Hemangioma; Spinal Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Male; Female; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38789994
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-04799-5 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports May 2024Low back pain persisting after spine surgery presents diagnostic and treatment complexities for spine surgeons. Failed back syndrome is a term usually used to...
INTRODUCTION
Low back pain persisting after spine surgery presents diagnostic and treatment complexities for spine surgeons. Failed back syndrome is a term usually used to characterize chronic back or leg pain following spine surgery. Research has indicated a range of persistent pain occurrences after spine surgery. The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) has been recognized as a potential source of pain for a long time but has not received sufficient attention in subsequent years. Dysfunctions in the SIJ can result in a spectrum of clinical conditions, such as low back pain and lower limb radiculopathy. Traditional treatment approaches for SIJ disorders often involve conservative measures such as physical therapy, medications, intra-articular injections, and surgical options. In the past decade, endoscopic SIJ ablation has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative for managing SIJ pain and dysfunction. This approach combines minimal invasiveness with precise targeting, potentially reducing morbidity and enabling quicker recovery compared to open surgical procedures.
CASE REPORT
A 60-year-old female patient with grade 2 L5-S1 lytic listhesis initially underwent lumbar interbody fusion to address chronic low back pain and radiculopathy, resulting in significant symptom resolution for a brief period. The patient experienced a resurgence of symptoms within a short duration that proved refractory to conventional medical management and interventional pain management procedures. Ultimately, the patient achieved sustained relief after undergoing endoscopic SIJ ablation.
CONCLUSION
This case report highlights the importance of endoscopic SIJ ablation as an innovative treatment for recurrent lower limb radiculopathy. Focusing on the SIJ, often neglected in lumbar spine surgery, this minimally invasive procedure shows promise in alleviating symptoms and enhancing patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38784875
DOI: 10.13107/jocr.2024.v14.i05.4426 -
International Journal of Spine Surgery May 2024Multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion inevitably yields a higher chance of pseudarthrosis or require more reoperations than single-level procedures....
BACKGROUND
Multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion inevitably yields a higher chance of pseudarthrosis or require more reoperations than single-level procedures. Therefore, multilevel cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) could be an alternative surgery for cervical spondylosis, as it (particularly 3- and 4-level CDA) could preserve more functional motility than single-level disc diseases. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of 4-level CDA, a relatively infrequently indicated surgery.
METHODS
The medical records of consecutive patients who underwent 4-level CDA were retrospectively reviewed. These highly selected patients typically had multilevel disc herniations with mild spondylosis. The inclusion criteria were symptomatic cervical spondylotic myelopathy, radiculopathy, or both, that were medically refractory. The clinical outcomes were assessed. The radiographic outcomes, including global and individual segmental range of motion (ROM) at C3-7, and any complications were also analyzed.
RESULTS
Data from a total of 20 patients (mean age: 56 ± 8 years) with an average follow-up of 34 ± 20 months were analyzed. All patients reported improved clinical outcomes compared with that of preoperation, and the ROMs at C3-7 were not only preserved but also trended toward an increase (35 ± 8 vs 37 ± 10 degrees, pre- vs postoperation, = 0.271) after the 4-level CDA. However, global cervical alignment remained unchanged. There was one permanent C5 radiculopathy, but no other neurological deteriorations or any reoperations occurred.
CONCLUSION
For these rare but unique indications, 4-level CDA yielded clinical improvement and preserved segmental motility with low rates of complications. Four-level CDA is a safe and effective surgery, maintaining the ROM in patients with primarily disc herniations and mild spondylosis.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
For patients with mild spondylosis, whose degeneration at the cervical spine is not so severe, CDA is more suitable.
PubMed: 38782588
DOI: 10.14444/8603 -
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Sep 2024Some patients with unexplained neurological symptoms sought care for presumed Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). We aimed to compare patients' characteristics with and without...
INTRODUCTION
Some patients with unexplained neurological symptoms sought care for presumed Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). We aimed to compare patients' characteristics with and without LNB.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
All patients consulting for LNB suspicion and having a lumbar puncture between 2014 and 2020 in a high endemic area of Lyme borreliosis were included in the study.
RESULTS
One hundred fifty-five patients were included. Forty-five patients (29 %) had LNB (mean age: 57.6 years, 28.9 % of women) including 17 with isolated intrathecal synthesis. One hundred and ten patients had no LNB (mainly neurological (29 %) and rheumatological diseases (19 %)). Non-neurological symptoms were similar in patients with LNB and patients with no LNB (asthenia, 31 % vs. 46 %, p = 0.14, arthralgia 20 % vs. 31 %, p = 0.14) with the exception of myalgia, which was less frequent in patients with LNB (4.4 % vs. 19.1 % p = 0.02). In multivariable analysis, factors associated with LNB were presence of facial nerve palsy (OR = 5.7), radiculopathy (OR = 11.3), positive Lyme serology (OR = 5.4) and duration of symptoms less than 3 months (OR = 4.48). Patients with isolated intrathecal synthesis had a longer duration of symptoms (3 vs 1 months) than patients with pleocytosis. Asthenia (5.9 % vs. 32.1 %), headaches (0 % vs. 39.3 %) neuropathic pain (17.6 % vs. 50 %) and facial palsy (11.8 % vs. 39.3 %) were less frequent in patients with isolated intrathecal synthesis than patients with pleocytosis. The presence of isolated subjective neurological symptoms (paresthesia, memory disorders, insomnia, irritability, asthenia, headaches) was reported in 7/17 (41 %) of patients with isolated intrathecal synthesis, 2/28 (7.1 %) in patients with pleocytosis and 75/110 (68 %) in patients without LNB (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
More than one quarter of patients consulted for suspected LNB had non-neurologic symptoms, whether or not they have a LNB. Concerning patients with isolated intrathecal synthesis, the question of presence of sequelae with a spontaneously cured disease or an active Lyme borreliosis requiring antibiotic remain.
Topics: Humans; Lyme Neuroborreliosis; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Aged; Adult; Endemic Diseases; Radiculopathy
PubMed: 38761786
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102353 -
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Jul 2024MIXTURE is a simultaneous morphological and quantitative imaging sequence developed by Philips that provides high-resolution T2 maps from the imaged series. We aimed to...
A novel simultaneous three-dimensional volumetric morphological imaging and T2-mapping method, multi-interleaved X-prepared turbo-spin echo with intuitive relaxometry provides more accurate quantification of cervical spinal nerves.
PURPOSE
MIXTURE is a simultaneous morphological and quantitative imaging sequence developed by Philips that provides high-resolution T2 maps from the imaged series. We aimed to compare the T2 maps of MIXTURE and SHINKEI-Quant (S-Q) in the cervical spine and to examine their usefulness in the functional diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy.
METHODS
Seven healthy male volunteers (mean age: 31 ± 8.0 years) and one patient with cervical disc herniation (44 years old, male) underwent cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and T2-mapping of each was performed simultaneously using MIXTURE and S-Q in consecutive sequences in one imaging session. The standard deviation (SD) of the T2 relaxation times and T2 relaxation times of the bilateral C6 and C7 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and C5/6 level cervical cord on the same slice in the 3D T2-map of the cervical spine coronal section were measured and compared between MIXTURE and S-Q.
RESULTS
T2 relaxation times were significantly shorter in MIXTURE than in S-Q for all C6, C7 DRG, and C5/6 spinal cord measurements. The SD values of the T2 relaxation times were significantly lower for MIXTURE in the C5/6 spinal cord and C7 DRG. In cervical disc herniation, MRI showed multiple intervertebral compression lesions with spinal canal stenosis at C5/6 and disc herniation at C6/7.
CONCLUSION
MIXTURE is useful for preoperative functional diagnosis. T2-mapping using MIXTURE can quantify cervical nerve roots more accurately than the S-Q method and is expected to be clinically applicable to cervical radiculopathy.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Cervical Vertebrae; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Radiculopathy; Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Middle Aged; Spinal Nerves
PubMed: 38761535
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2024.05.004