伴或不伴马尾冗余征腰椎管狭窄症患者行斜外侧腰椎椎间融合术联合后路经皮内固定术的疗效分析

目的：探讨伴或不伴马尾冗余征(redundant nerve roots,RNRs)腰椎管狭窄症患者行斜外侧腰椎椎间融合术(oblique lumbar interbody fusion,OLIF)联合后路经皮内固定术的临床疗效。方法：回顾性分析2019年6月至2022年6月于本院采用斜外侧腰椎椎间融合术联合后路经皮内固定术治疗的92例腰椎管狭窄症患者,男32例,女60例,年龄44～82(63.67±9.93)岁。根据冗余与否将所有患者分为RNRs阳性组和RNRs阴性组。RNRs阳性组38例,男15例,女23例;年龄45～82(65.45±10.37)岁;病程24.00(12.00,72.00)个月。RNRs阴性组54例,男17例,女37例;年龄44～77(62.42±9.51)岁;病程13.50(9.00,36.00)个月。记录两组手术时间、术中出血量、并发症;手术前后影像学参数,包括狭窄节段数、椎间隙高度、腰椎前凸角、硬膜囊面积;采用视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)进行背部和腿部疼痛评价,采用Oswestry功能障碍指数(Oswestry disa...     

伴与不伴马尾神经冗余征腰椎管狭窄症的手术疗效比较

[目的]比较伴与不伴马尾神经冗余征(redundant nerve roots, RNRs)腰椎管狭窄症患者的手术疗效。[方法] 2015年1月～2016年11月本院收治的腰椎管狭窄症患者294例,男138例,女156例,年龄41～83岁,平均(59.36±8.84岁),行仰卧位MRI检查,按矢状位椎管内马尾神经是否冗余分为RNRs阳性组和RNRs阴性组,观察手术时间、术中失血量、术后引流量及手术前、后腰部VAS、腿部VAS和ODI评分,评估其手术疗效。[结果] 294例腰椎管狭窄症患者,其中RNRs阳性102例,RNRs阴性192例。两组患者术前一般资料比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。RNRs阳性组患者在手术时间、术中失血量、术后引流量上均明显高于RNRs阴性组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。术后随访12～27个月,平均(14.35±2.87)个月,两组患者术后VAS和ODI评分均较术前显著下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。RNRs阳性组患者术后7d及末次随访腿部VAS评分均高于RNRs阴性组患者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);RNRs阳性组术后7 d及末次随访ODI评分,亦均高于RNRs阴性组患者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。随访期间均未发现严重并发症。[结论]伴马尾神经冗余征较不伴有该征者术后恢复较差,临床上应予以重视。     

腰椎管狭窄合并神根松弛症的临床与影像学特点分析

目的探讨腰椎管狭窄合并神经根松弛症(Redundant nerve roots,RNRs)患者的临床及影像学特点。方法回顾性分析自2014-01-2015-12本院手术治疗的腰椎管狭窄症患者298例,依据磁共振T2序列腰椎椎管内马尾神经迂曲团状的信号影,分成单纯椎管狭窄组195例,椎管狭窄合并RNRs组103例。比较两组在年龄、性别、椎管狭窄水平及RNRs等方面的临床及影像学特点。结果两组患者性别差异统计学意义(P0.05),但椎管狭窄合并RNRs组的年龄显著高于单纯椎管狭窄组(P0.05),提示年龄较大者更易合并RNRs;椎管狭窄合并RNRs组的L2-L4节段椎管狭窄比例更高(P0.05),提示该节段椎管狭窄者更易合并RNRs。位于椎管狭窄节段水平之上的马尾神经长度,显著大于狭窄节段水平之下者,提示其更易发生RNRs(P0.05)。结论高龄、狭窄段L2-L4的腰椎管狭窄患者,以及狭窄节段水平之上的马尾神经更易合并RNRs。     

侧方入路腰椎椎间融合术治疗腰椎管狭窄症伴马尾神经冗余征的疗效分析

目的 ：探讨侧方入路腰椎椎间融合术治疗腰椎管狭窄症伴马尾神经冗余征(redundant nerve roots,RNRs)的临床疗效。方法：回顾性分析2018年1月～2022年7月在我院接受侧方入路腰椎椎间融合术治疗48例腰椎管狭窄症伴马尾神经冗余征的病例资料,男23例,女25例,年龄45～81岁,平均65.4±7.5岁,接受单节段手术17例,多节段手术31例。患者术前及术后均进行腰椎MRI扫描,按术后的RNRs是否解除分为RNRs解除组(A组)与RNRs未解除组(B组)。测量两组患者术前术后马尾神经冗余节段的椎间隙高度、椎间隙角度、椎管横截面积等指标进行影像学评估。术前和术后1个月时采用疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、Oswestry功能障碍指数(Oswestry disability index,ODI)、日本骨科协会(Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores,JOA)评分评估手术疗效。结果：所有患者均顺利完成手术。A组术前的椎管横截面积为65.2±21.5mm²,B组为35.9±1...     

单侧双通道内镜与单通道内镜下减压治疗腰椎管狭窄症的疗效比较研究

目的 比较单侧双通道内镜（unilateral biportal endoscopy,UBE）技术与单通道内镜（uniportal interlaminar endoscopy,UIE）技术行单侧入路双侧椎管减压术（unilateral laminotomy and bilateral decompression,ULBD）治疗腰椎管狭窄症的疗效。方法 回顾分析2021年3月—2022年11月收治且符合选择标准的52例腰椎管狭窄症患者临床资料,其中采用UBE技术行ULBD 23例（UBE组）、UIE技术29例（UIE组）。两组患者年龄、性别构成、身体质量指数、手术节段构成、腰椎狭窄类型以及术前腰痛疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）、腿痛VAS评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数（ODI）、椎间盘高度、硬膜囊面积等基线资料比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。比较两组患者围术期指标（手术时间、切口长度、住院时间、手术并发症情况）、临床指标（术前以及术后3 d及1、6、12个月腰腿痛VAS评分、ODI）和影像学指标（术前及术后1、12个月椎间盘高度、硬膜囊面积,硬膜囊扩张面积）。结果 两组...     

神经根沉降征与重度中央型/混合型腰椎管狭窄受压节段硬膜囊横截面积变化的相关性研究

目的:评价神经根沉降征与重度中央型/混合型腰椎管狭窄节段硬膜囊横截面积变化之间的关系,并探讨其可能的发生机制。方法:回顾性分析2012年1月~2015年6月齐齐哈尔医学院附属第二医院明确诊断为腰椎管狭窄症(LSS)的87例患者的MRI图像,均被确诊为中央型或混合型LSS,MRI明确显示L3/4或L4/5节段至少一个扫描层面的硬膜囊横截面积(cross-sectional area,CSA)≤80mm~2。患者均有间歇性跛行,行走距离≤500m。单节段狭窄61例,其中L3/4狭窄19例,L4/5狭窄42例;双节段(L3/4、L4/5)狭窄26例,共筛选出符合标准的狭窄节段113个,分析其中神经根沉降征阳性的发生率,并将其分为沉降征阳性组与沉降征阴性组。L3/4、L4/5节段各扫描3层,在横截面MRI T2加权相图像上测量最小硬膜囊CSA、最小椎管正中矢状径(PAD)、最大硬膜囊横截面积差(CSAD),组间比较采用t检验;进一步采用受试者工作特征曲线(receiver operating characteristic curve,ROC-curve)即ROC曲线分析神经根沉降征阳性发生率与最小硬膜囊CSA、最小椎管PAD、最大硬膜囊CSAD之间的相关性。结果:在113个重度腰椎管狭窄节段中,28个狭窄节段沉降征阴性,85个狭窄节段沉降征阳性,神经根沉降征阳性发生率为75.22%。神经根沉降征阳性组最小椎管PAD为12.00±2.10mm,阴性组为11.47±2.04mm,两组比较有统计学差异(P0.05);阳性组最大硬膜囊CSAD为36.94±13.97mm~2,阴性组为18.60±7.70mm~2,两组比较有统计学差异(P0.01);阳性组最小硬膜囊CSA为47.34±12.55mm~2,阴性组为45.16±15.35mm~2,两组比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。最小椎管PAD的ROC曲线下面积值(AUC)为0.64(P0.05);最大硬膜囊CSAD的ROC曲线下面积值(AUC)为0.929(P0.01);最小硬膜囊CSA的ROC曲线下面积值(AUC)为0.557(P0.05)。结论:阳性神经根沉降征的发生与狭窄节段硬膜囊受压变窄的变化程度有关,硬膜囊最大CSAD可作为评估腰椎管狭窄节段硬膜囊受压变窄的变化程度的指标。     

两种术式治疗多节段腰椎管狭窄症的疗效对比

[目的]探讨两种不同减压范围的手术方式治疗多节段腰椎管狭窄症的临床疗效。[方法]将2009年3月~2013年12月在本科收治的97例多节段腰椎管狭窄患者随机分成两组,责任椎组仅对责任节段进行处理,多节段组对所有狭窄节段均进行处理。采用视觉模拟评分(VAS)、Oswestry功能障碍指数问卷表(ODI)、生存质量表(SF-36)对其疗效进行评估和比较。[结果]随访12~27个月,平均(16.85±3.85)个月。两组患者术后3、6、12个月的VAS疼痛评分、ODI功能评分以及生存质量评分较术前均有明显的改善(P0.05),但两组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05);责任椎组患者在术后第3 d的VAS疼痛评分显著低于多节段组(P0.05);责任椎组患者在手术时间、出血量、总费用等方面明显优于多节段组。[结论]对于治疗多节段腰椎管狭窄症,采用单纯处理主要责任节段的手术方式具有手术创伤小、时间短、出血量少、花费少等诸多优点,在充分减压的基础上,既减少了对腰椎结构的破坏,又能获得良好的治疗效果,可以作为治疗多节段腰椎管狭窄症的有效治疗方法。     

退行性腰椎管狭窄症临床功能障碍程度与影像学参数的相关性分析

目的 分析退行性腰椎管狭窄症临床功能障碍程度与影像学参数的相关性.方法 回顾性分析自2018-05-2021-04诊治的68例退行性腰椎管狭窄症,17例为轻中度功能障碍(ODI指数＜40％,Ⅰ组),30例为重度功能障碍(ODI指数40％～60％,Ⅱ组),21例为严重功能障碍(ODI指数＞60％,Ⅲ组).比较3组硬膜囊面...     

肌肉减少症对传统腰椎后路开放手术治疗腰椎管狭窄症临床疗效的影响北大核心CSCD

目的 探究肌肉减少症(简称肌少症)对传统腰椎后路开放手术治疗腰椎管狭窄症患者临床疗效的影响。方法 回顾分析2017年8月—2020年12月符合选择标准的50例腰椎管狭窄症患者临床资料,依据欧洲老年人肌少症工作组(EWGSOP)的诊断标准,基于计算L3水平骨骼肌指数(skeletal muscle index,SMI),以SMI<45.4 cm^(2)/m^(2)(男性)和SMI>34.4 cm^(2)/m^(2)(女性)作为诊断阈值分为肌少症组(25例)和非肌少症组(25例)。两组患者性别、年龄、病程、腰椎管狭窄节段、手术融合节段、合并症等一般资料比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);肌少症组患者身体质量指数明显低于非肌少症组,差异有统计学意义(t=-3.198,P=0.002)。记录并比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、住院时间、并发症,术前及末次随访时腰痛和坐骨神经痛疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI);采用改良MacNab评定标准评价手术疗效。结果 两组手术时间、术中出血量及术后引流量比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);肌少症组住院时间显著长于非肌少症组(t=2.105,P=0.044)。两组患者均获随访,随访时间7~36个月,平均29.7个月。肌少症组术中出现硬膜撕裂及脑脊液漏1例、随访期间内固定物松动1例,两组各发生1例切口渗液、愈合不良,随访期间两组均未发生邻近节段退变及下肢深静脉血栓形成;两组并发症发生率(12%vs.4%)比较差异无统计学意义(χ^(2)=1.333,P=0.513)。末次随访时,两组患者腰痛及坐骨神经痛VAS评分和ODI评分均较术前显著改善(P<0.05)。肌少症组患者腰痛VAS评分及ODI评分手术前后差值显著低于非肌少症组(P<0.05),两组坐骨神经痛VAS评分手术前后差值比较差异无统计学意义(t=-1.494,P=0.144)。按照改良MacNab评定标准评价疗效,肌少症组优良率为92%,非肌少症组优良率为96%,两组差异无统计学意义(χ^(2)=1.201,P=0.753)。结论 与非肌少症患者相比,肌少症合并腰椎管狭窄症患者术后康复时间可能更长,手术临床疗效更差。肌少症需引起脊柱外科医生关注,可通过早期筛查发现有手术预后不良风险的肌少症患者,从而在围术期进行康复指导和营养干预。     

神经根沉降征在退行性腰椎椎管狭窄治疗中的评估价值

目的探讨神经根沉降征在退行性腰椎椎管狭窄(LSS)治疗中的评估价值。方法120例退行性LSS患者根据神经根位置将沉降征分为阳性组(60例)和阴性组(60例)。比较两组患者术前及术后3个月疼痛VAS评分、ODI评分、步行距离、硬膜囊横截面积(CSA),并根据MacNab标准评价疗效。结果患者均获得随访,时间3个月。与阴性组比较,阳性组患者椎管狭窄阳性节段、中央型狭窄、重度狭窄的发生率更高(P<0.05),骨质疏松症发生率更低(P<0.05)。术后3个月,腰部VAS评分、ODI评分阳性组较阴性组更低(P=0.001),下肢VAS评分两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),MacNab疗效优良率阳性组明显高于阴性组(P<0.05)。术后3个月,两组步行距离及CSA均明显高于术前(P<0.05);阳性组步行距离及CSA显著优于阴性组(P=0.001)。结论神经根沉降征阳性患者术后更可能从减压手术中获益。     

Coflex棘突间动力内固定装置治疗退行性腰椎管狭窄

目的：评价采用Coflex棘突间动力内固定装置治疗退行性腰椎管狭窄的疗效及其影像学变化。方法：2007年10月至2009年2月对诊断为退行性腰椎管狭窄的30例行Coflex棘突间动力内固定治疗。其中男17例,女13例;年龄39～65岁,平均45岁。手术在L4,5节段20例,L5S1节段9例,1例同时行L4,5、L5S1双节段治疗。所有患者手术前后均行Oswestry功能障碍指数评分（ODI）和日本骨科学会评分（JOA）。影像学观察指标包括X线中立位椎间隙腹、背侧高度,动力位手术节段上下两椎体的边缘与其相邻椎体的边缘连线的夹角变化;CT测量指标包括椎管面积、硬膜囊面积、椎管矢状径、硬膜囊横矢状径。手术采用椎板开窗或部分切除,椎管减压后棘突间植入Coflex装置。结果：随访5～19个月,ODI分值由术前的平均（62.41±10.38）分下降到平均（10.49±5.93）分（P〈0.01）,JOA分值由术前的平均（8.96±2.76）分提高到平均（25.36±1.55）分（P〈0.01）。3例术后疼痛改善不明显而需药物或封闭治疗,3例麻痹及感觉减退症状无改善,其余患者症状均获明显改善,未再出现间歇性跛行及神经根压迫症状。未发现与Colfex装置本身相关的并发症。X线检查椎间隙背侧高度明显增大,手术节段相邻椎体间运动幅度无明显增大。CT检查术后椎管内空间,硬膜囊面积均有所增加。结论：采用Coflex棘突间动力内固定治疗退行性腰椎管狭窄,短期相关并发症少,同时对增加椎管及硬膜囊面积,增加椎间隙后缘高度,防止相邻节段运动幅度增加以及预防邻椎病发生具有积极的作用。     

腰椎过伸位MRI在腰椎管狭窄诊断中的临床应用

目的：通过腰椎过伸位MRI检查,研究腰椎过伸位下椎管狭窄程度的变化,评估腰椎过伸位MRI扫描对腰椎管狭窄的诊断价值。方法：2018年9月至2020年2月,纳入26例腰椎管狭窄进行腰椎中立位和过伸位MRI扫描,男11例,女15例;年龄43~85（64.00±10.37）岁。由于6例患者在过伸位下诱发并加重了腰腿痛症状,无法采集到合格的MRI数据,最终完成检查共采集到20例患者的合格数据,采用Mimics 21.0医学图像处理软件测量腰椎管狭窄的相关诊断参数,统计分析其变化规律,评价过伸位下腰椎管的狭窄程度和神经受压情况。结果：腰椎管矢径及横截面积不随体位发生明显变化;硬膜囊矢径、盘黄间隙在过伸位时均有不同程度变小。结论：对于腰椎管狭窄的影像学诊断,腰椎过伸位MRI扫描可较好地补充常规中立位MRI检查,对腰椎管狭窄程度的临床诊断更具敏感性。     

MRI中椎管及硬膜囊大小与单节段腰椎间盘突出症治疗的相关性研究

目的:探讨MRI中椎管及硬膜囊大小对椎间盘突出症治疗方法选择的参考价值。方法:对2010年1月至2012年12月非手术和手术治疗的144例腰椎间盘突出症患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。其中非手术组91例,男55例,女36例,年龄20～ 68岁,平均(43.37±12.48)岁;手术组53例,男28例,女25例,年龄20～ 64岁,平均(42.98±12.95)岁。采用JOA评分(29 分)对两组患者治疗前后的临床表现(包括症状、体征、日常活动受限度和膀胱功能)及效果进行量化评价。同时在腰椎MRI T2轴位测量椎管和硬膜囊大小的相关参数(包括椎管正中矢径和有效矢径、侧隐窝宽度、椎管和硬膜囊面积),并计算有效矢径/正中矢径、隐窝宽度/正中矢径和膜囊面积/椎管面积的比值。将两组患者的各参数值进行统计学比较,并分析其与治疗前JOA评分的相关性。结果:(1)144例患者随访1～3年,平均2.1年。治疗前非手术组和手术组的JOA评分分别为16.27±2.96和12.64±3.30,差异有统计学意义(t=6.319,p<0.01).末次随访非手术组与手术组比较,JOA评分(25.41±2.22 vs 25.76±2.29;t=-0.853,p=0.396>0.05),改善率[(72.95±12.54)% vs (76.80±9.45)%;t=-1.855,p=0.065>0.05]和优良率(84.91% vs 78.02%;χ₂=3.704,p=0.295>0.05)的差异均无统计学意义;但非手术组的复发率(14.29%)较手术组(5.67%)高。(2)手术组椎管正中矢径和有效矢径、侧隐窝宽度、椎管和硬膜囊面积、有效矢径/正中矢径、隐窝宽度/正中矢径均小于非手术组,硬膜囊面积/椎管面积则大于非手术组,两组比较差异均有统计学意义(p<0.01).(3)治疗前JOA评分与椎管正中矢径和有效矢径、侧隐窝宽度、椎管及硬膜囊面积有正相关性(p<0.01);与有效矢径/正中矢径、侧隐窝宽度/正中矢径也有正相关性(p<0.05);而与硬膜囊面积/椎管面积有负相关性(p<0.01).结论:非手术和手术治疗腰椎间盘突出症均能获得良好的效果,但非手术治疗复发率较高。术前测量椎管及硬膜囊的MRI参数对椎间盘突出症治疗方法的选择有一定的临床参考价值,但需要进一步完善和临床验证。     

A Novel Method for the Quantitative Evaluation of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Study design A retrospective study of computed tomography (CT) myelographic images in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).Objectives To introduce a new technique for the quantitative evaluation of LSS.Background Advances in hardware and software technology now permit inexpensive digitalization of radiological images, and enable methodologies for quantifying space available for neural elements in spinal canal. However, a valid method with quantitative evaluation of spinal stenosis in living patients has not been developed yet.Methods and materials Preoperative CT myelographic scans of 50 patients with degenerative LSS were collected for retrospective investigation. The patients subsequently underwent lumbar decompressive surgery. They included scans from thoracic vertebra 12 (T12) to sacrum (S1), in which each segment was scanned through both the vertebral body and disk. All CT scan films were digitized using a high-resolution digital camera. ImageTool™ software was used to measure three parameters: cross-sectional area of dural sac at disk level (A), cross-sectional area of spinal canal at midpedicular level (B), and cross-sectional area of vertebral body (C). The dural sac canal ratio (DSCR) was calculated as A/B×100%. Low DSCR implied severe dural sac compression with a high degree of stenosis. The spinal canal vertebral ratio (CVR) was also calculated as B/C×100%. Low CVR implied a low baseline of canal capacity for neural elements. They were calculated from T12 to S1.Results The study consisted of 26 male and 24 female patients, with an average age of 68.4 (35–97) years. A total of 295 segments were evaluated, of which 118 (40%) were surgically decompressed. There were wide ranges of canal cross-sectional areas (140–475 mm²) and dural sac cross-sectional area (54–435 mm²). Male patients had a slightly larger canal cross-sectional area than female patients at each level. The mean CVR was found decreased from T12 (26.1%) to L4 (18.3%). This was higher in female than in male patients, especially from T12 to L2 (P < 0.01). There were significant correlations between spinal canal and dural sac cross-sectional area (r = 0.55, P < 0.001), and also between CVR and DSCR (r = 0.31, P < 0.001). Of the levels decompressed, 82% was performed from the level L2 to L5, in which there was no significant difference in canal cross-sectional area and CVR between decompression and nondecompression (P > 0.05). There was a good correspondence between decreasing mean DSCR and increasing percentile of levels decompressed.Conclusion DSCR represents a useful method for the quantitative diagnosis of lumbar spinal canal stenosis. ImageTool™ software is a useful tool in measuring spinal morphometry.     

The pathomorphology of spinal stenosis as seen on CT scans of the lumbar spine

This study examines different morphologic measurements in the evaluation of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Preoperative CT scans from 24 patients who underwent surgery for central lumbar stenosis were analyzed. No correlation was observed between the size of the bony spinal canal and the size of the dural sac. A new measurement, the transverse area of the dural sac, is introduced. Normal values are provided. Correlation between the cross-sectional area of the dural sac and the anteroposterior diameter of the dural sac was excellent.     

经皮内窥镜下经椎间孔入路腰椎椎间融合术治疗退行性腰椎椎管狭窄症

目的 探讨经皮内窥镜下经椎间孔入路腰椎椎间融合术(TLIF)治疗退行性腰椎椎管狭窄症(DLSS)的疗效.方法 2018年10月—2019年10月,南阳市中心医院收治DLSS患者40例,采用随机数字表法分为A组(20例,采用经皮内窥镜下TLIF治疗)、B组(20例,采用传统开放TLIF治疗).记录2组切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量、卧床时间、住院时间及并发症发生情况.记录术前及术后1、6、12个月椎间隙高度、硬膜囊横断面积、椎间孔面积评价手术减压效果.术前及术后1、6、12个月采用日本骨科学会(JOA)评分和Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)评价腰椎功能.结果 所有手术顺利完成.所有患者随访时间>12个月.A组切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量、卧床时间、住院时间及并发症发生率均优于B组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).2组术后各时间点椎间隙高度、硬膜囊横断面积及椎间孔面积均较术前显著改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);各时间点组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).2组术后各时间点JOA评分及ODI均较术前显著改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且术后各时间点A组JOA评分及ODI均优于B组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 相较于传统开放TLIF,经皮内窥镜下TLIF治疗DLSS可有效减小手术创伤,加快恢复速度,改善腰椎功能,减少并发症的发生,且不影响减压效果.     

The increase in dural sac area is maintained at 2 years after X-stop implantation for the treatment of spinal stenosis with no significant alteration in lumbar spine range of movement

Background contextThe X-stop interspinous process decompression (IPD) device has been used effectively in the management of symptomatic spinal stenosis. This study examines the radiological outcomes at 2 years postoperatively after X-stop implantation.PurposeTo measure the effect of X-stop IPD device on the dural sac and foraminal areas at 24 months postoperatively at instrumented level in symptomatic lumbar canal stenosis. We also aimed to assess its effect on change in lumbar spine movement.Study designProspective observational study.Patient sampleForty-eight patients treated with X-stop had preoperative positional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, 40 of whom had 2 years postoperative positional MRI scans. Complete scans were available for 39 of these patients.Outcome measuresPositional MRI scans were performed pre- and postoperatively. Measurements were done on these scans and are presented as the outcome measures.MethodsAll patients had a multipositional MRI scan preoperatively and at 6 and 24 months postoperatively. Foraminal area was measured in flexion and extension. Dural cross-sectional area was measured in standing erect and in sitting neutral, flexion, and extension (sitting) positions. The total range of movement (ROM) of the lumbar spine and individual segments was also measured.ResultsComplete scan data for 39 patients' scans were available. An increase in mean dural sac area was found in all positions. At 24 months after surgery, the mean dural sac area increased significantly in all four postures mentioned above. A small increase in mean foraminal area was noted, but this was not statistically significant. Mean anterior disc height reduced from 5.9 to 4.1 mm (p=.006) at 24 months at the instrumented level in single-level cases, from 7.7 to 6.1 mm (p=.032) in double-level cases caudally, and from 8.54 to 7.91 (p=.106) mm cranially. We hypothesize that the reduction in anterior disc heights could be a result of the natural progression of spinal stenosis with aging. There was no significant change in posterior disc heights at instrumented level or adjacent levels. The mean lumbar spine motion was 21.7° preoperatively and 23° at 24 months (p=.584) in single-level cases. This was 32.1° to 31.1° (p=.637) in double-level cases. There was no significant change in the individual segmental range of motion at instrumented and adjacent levels.ConclusionX-stop interspinous device remains effective in decompressing the stenosed spinal segment by increasing the anatomic dural cross-sectional area and foraminal area of spinal canal. It does not significantly alter the ROM of lumbar spine at instrumented and adjacent levels at 24 months postoperatively.     

Transabdominal ultrasound measurement of the lumbar spinal canal. Its value for evaluation of lumbar spinal stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis, most commonly caused by hypertrophic changes in the soft tissues of the spinal canal, is itself a clinical entity, but in the early phase it can also serve as a factor influencing general back disorder morbidity. It can be identified reliably by measuring the anteroposterior diameter of the dural sac on myelography films and/or the transverse area of the dural sac on computed tomography (CT) scans. In the present study, 76 patients with general back disorders were examined with ultrasound (US) transabdominally through the intervertebral disc. In those 50 patients (66%) in which all three of the lowest lumbar intervertebral spaces could be visualized, the measurements made by US differed by +/- 5 mm from those obtained by myelography and +/- 25 mm2 from those made by CT. In a subset of ten patients with spinal stenosis, US was able to demonstrate the small size of the dural sac, but the cause of the stenosis could not be reliably evaluated. In addition to diagnosing central spinal stenosis, ultrasonography is also well suited for screening purposes.     

The diagnostic value of a treadmill test in predicting lumbar spinal stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a frequent indication for spinal surgery. The predictive quality of treadmill testing and MRI for diagnostic verification is not yet clearly defined. Aim of the current study was to assess correlations between treadmill testing and MRI findings in the lumbar spine. Twenty-five patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were prospectively examined. Treadmill tests were performed and the area of the dural sac and neuroforamina was examined with MRI for the narrowest spinal segment. VAS and ODI were used for clinical assessment. The median age of the patients was 67 years. In the narrowest spinal segment the median area of the dural sac was 91 mm². The median ODI was 66 per cent. The median walking distance in the treadmill test was 70 m. The distance reached in the treadmill test correlated with the area of the dural sac (Spearman’s ρ = 0.53) and ODI (ρ = −0.51), but not with the area of the neuroforamina and VAS. The distance reached in the treadmill test predicts the grade of stenosis in MRI but has a limited diagnostic importance for the level of clinical symptoms in lumbar spinal stenosis.