Do neurosurgeons subscribe to the guideline lumbosacral radicular syndrome?

Background: This study presents a survey of the opinion of neurosurgeons on the multidisciplinary clinical guideline ‘lumbosacral radicular syndrome’. The aim was to describe to what extent neurosurgeons in the Netherlands endorse the content of this guideline. The guideline was issued in 1996 by the Netherlands Institute of Quality Health Care and this is the first attempt to evaluate the implementation of this guideline. Methods: All active neurosurgeons (n=92) in the Netherlands were invited to complete a questionnaire investigating to what extent they agree with the 26 recommendations in the guideline ‘lumbosacral radicular syndrome’. The results are represented in frequencies (%) in order to express the magnitude of their consent or dissent with the recommendations. Results: Overall, 75% of the neurosurgeons responded and, of these, 94% agreed (at least partially) with the content of the guideline. Of the 26 recommendations in the guideline, seven were not fully endorsed by the neurosurgeons. Three of these seven recommendations may need revision based on newly published data. Conclusion: This survey shows that almost all neurosurgeons subscribed (at least partially) to the multidisciplinary LRS guideline. Therefore, one important aspect of the implementation process has been fulfilled, i.e. acceptance of the content of the guideline.     

Association between sitting and occupational LBP

Low back pain (LBP) has been identified as one of the most costly disorders among the worldwide working population. Sitting has been associated with risk of developing LBP. The purpose of this literature review is to assemble and describe evidence of research on the association between sitting and the presence of LBP. The systematic literature review was restricted to those occupations that require sitting for more than half of working time and where workers have physical co-exposure factors such as whole body vibration (WBV) and/or awkward postures. Twenty-five studies were carefully selected and critically reviewed, and a model was developed to describe the relationships between these factors. Sitting alone was not associated with the risk of developing LBP. However, when the co-exposure factors of WBV and awkward postures were added to the analysis, the risk of LBP increased fourfold. The occupational group that showed the strongest association with LBP was Helicopter Pilots (OR=9.0, 90% CI 4.9–16.4). For all studied occupations, the odds ratio (OR) increased when WBV and/or awkward postures were analyzed as co-exposure factors. WBV while sitting was also independently associated with non-specific LBP and sciatica. Vibration dose, as well as vibration magnitude and duration of exposure, were associated with LBP in all occupations. Exposure duration was associated with LBP to a greater extent than vibration magnitude. However, for the presence of sciatica, this difference was not found. Awkward posture was also independently associated with the presence of LBP and/or sciatica. The risk effect of prolonged sitting increased significantly when the factors of WBV and awkward postures were combined. Sitting by itself does not increase the risk of LBP. However, sitting for more than half a workday, in combination with WBV and/or awkward postures, does increase the likelihood of having LBP and/or sciatica, and it is the combination of those risk factors, which leads to the greatest increase in LBP.     

Morbus de Anquin or spinous engagement syndrome

Summary We report on a rare disease called to Anquin's disease or spinous engagement or impingement syndrome. Low-back pain in this specific syndrome probably combined with sciatica is caused by a hypertrophic spinous process along with a spina bifida occulta of the underlying vertebra. Mostly, the enlarged spinous process is seen at L5 and the spina bifida occulta at S I. Conservative therapy consists of physiotherapy with postural exercises including improvement of lumbar flexion. If conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgical treatment is indicated. Surgical therapy should include resection of the hypertrophic spinous process, probably combined with revision of the nerve roots and division of adhesions. Between 1981 and 1993 six patients were treated surgically after long-lasting periods of conservative therapy. All patients were re-examined clinically and radiologically after a mean follow-up period of 2.9 years. In all but one patient a distinct release from lumbar back pain and/or sciatica was observed. Regarding this, the most important fact in de Anquin's disease is to be aware of this specific syndrome. If low-back pain can be traced to a hypertrophic spinous process the first choice of therapy should be conservative. In unsuccessful cases simple surgical resection probably combined with division of the adhesion can lead to significant release from pain and is recommended.     

Effects of continuous epidural block on motor nerve conduction velocity in patients with lower spine disorders

Thirty-one patients with severe low back pain were treated by continuous epidural block for 18±3 (mean±SEM) days. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) of the common peroneal nerve was measured before and after the treatment. After the treatment, the visual analogue scale score (VAS) and straight leg-raising (SLR) test were markedly reduced (P<0.01), and MCV was increased significantly (P<0.001). A significant correlation (P<0.01) between the SLR test and MCV was found before the treatment. A significant correlation (P<0.001) between VAS and MCV was demonstrated after treatment. However, in three patients who showed no reduction in VAS even after the treatment, MCV became significantly (P<0.05) slower in spite of nearly normal SLR test results. These results suggest that epidural block treatment improves not only pain but also MCV, and that two parameters, SLR test and pain intensity, are related closely to the MCV.     

Lumbar Facet Joint Block: A Simplified Technique

Lumbar facet joint arthropathy is now recognized as an important cause of lumbago and sciatica. Intra-articular block with local anaesthetics and steroids can confirm symptomatic facet arthropathy. A simplified technique for lumbar facet joint block is described to facilitate safe and rapid intra-articular therapy.     

Development of an assessment schedule for patients with low back-associated leg pain in primary care: a Delphi consensus study

Purpose

The objectives of this study were to develop consensus on (i) the content of a clinical assessment for adults presenting to primary care with low back and leg pain, and (ii) the most important items for diagnosing spinal nerve root involvement.

Methods

Existing literature and expert knowledge was used to compile a list of items pertaining to clinical history questions and examination tests employed in the assessment of patients with low back pain with suspected spinal nerve involvement. A Delphi consensus method was employed to rate the importance of items for clinical assessment and for diagnosis in two web-based rounds. A multidisciplinary group of 42, including GPs, physiotherapists, osteopaths, rheumatologists, spinal orthopaedic surgeons and chiropractors took part. Items were included in the final assessment when over 70% of participants rated them as important.

Results

Thirty-four items were included in the clinical assessment, and 15 items for diagnosis. History items included pain distribution in the leg, pain quality and behaviour, altered sensation, functional limitations and yellow flags, previous history of similar symptoms and outcome of previous treatment/management. Examination items included typical neurological tests including neural tension and ‘demonstration of movement that produces symptoms’.

Conclusions

We have developed a clinical assessment schedule for patients with low back pain and leg pain presenting in primary care. History and clinical items considered important for their contribution in the diagnosis of nerve root involvement were also established.     

前列腺素E2在突出腰椎间盘中的表达及其与坐骨神经痛的关系

目的探讨前列腺素(PG)E2在突出腰椎间盘组织中的表达及其在坐骨神经痛发病机制中的作用。方法 42个突出椎间盘标本取自42例腰椎间盘突出并有坐骨神经放射性疼痛症状的手术治疗患者,其中膨隆型12例,破裂型15例,游离型15例,取材部位为紧贴神经根突入椎管的椎间盘组织(A部位)和椎间隙内残存的椎间盘组织(B部位)。术前采用视觉模拟评分(VAS)对所有患者坐骨神经痛严重程度进行评分。应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测PGE2含量。结果 A部位PGE2含量自膨隆型、破裂型至游离型逐渐升高,差异有显著性(P<0.01);A部位PGE2含量高于B部位(P<0.01);PGE2含量与患者坐骨神经痛VAS评分存在明显相关性(r=0.848,P<0.01)。结论 PGE2参与了腰椎间盘退变、突出的发病机制,PGE2含量与坐骨神经痛程度呈正相关性。     

Sacral Magnetic Stimulation for Pain Relief from Pudendal Neuralgia and Sciatica

INTRODUCTION: Magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots is used for neurologic examination. However, no one has reported therapeutic efficacy of pain relief from pudendal neuralgia with sacral magnetic stimulation. METHODS: Five patients with pudendal neuralgia or sciatica received 30 to 50 pulsed magnetic stimuli of the sacral nerve roots. The median age of the patients was 59 (range, 28–69) years; there were 3 females. RESULTS: Sacral magnetic stimulation immediately eliminated the pain. The pain relief lasted between 30 minutes and 56 days (median, 24 hours). Adverse effects were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study indicates that magnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots may be a promising therapeutic modality for pain relief from pudendal neuralgia and sciatica. Further studies should be performed to determine the appropriate intensity and frequency, as well as the utility of a second course, of magnetic stimulation treatment.     

Pelvic hydatid disease: CT and MRI findings causing sciatica.

Pelvic masses, especially hydatid disease, rarely present with sciatica (1, 2). We present the computed tomography (CT) and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a 49-year-old female patient with presacral hydatid disease, who was evaluated for her sciatica. We also want to emphasize the importance of assessing the pelvis of patients with symptoms and clinical findings that are inconsistent and that cannot be satisfactorily explained by the spinal imaging findings.     

电针加穴位注射治疗坐骨神经痛的观察护理

目的:探讨电针加穴位注射治疗坐骨神经痛的疗效。方法:将227例坐骨神经痛的患者按住院号随机分为治疗组116例,对照组111例。治疗组运用电针加穴位注射结合的方法,并实施相关的护理措施;对照组采用牵引及按摩治疗。结果:治疗组在减轻症状和改善各项体征方面较对照组有明显的优势(P<0.05)。结论:电针加穴位注射能促进血液循环,是治疗坐骨神经痛的理想方法。