Primary epidural lumbar Ewing sarcoma presenting as cauda equina syndrome in an adult patient who underwent surgical decompression: A case report

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare primary neoplasm in the lumbar adult spine and may mimic a benign tumor. In this case, after a patient's three-month history of lower back pain and rapidly progressing leg numbness and weakness, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass in the third lumbar vertebra. At a two-month follow-up, imaging showed a fracture, compression and lesion enlargement. Decompression and fixation confirmed ES, and the patient began combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Two months postoperatively, residual ES was suspected on MRI. The patient underwent a second surgery, and histopathology confirmed necrosis. A six-month follow-up after the first surgery showed no tumor recurrence. This case supports the inclusion of ES in the differential diagnosis of pathologic spinal fracture. Early decompression and spinal fixation are critical for preserving neurologic and spinal functions in ES complicated by a compression fracture. Combined adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy remain the standard therapeutic strategy.     

脊柱-骨盆矢状面参数与腰椎椎间盘突出症相关性研究进展

腰椎椎间盘突出症(LDH)是指腰椎椎间盘发生退行性病理改变,纤维环破裂,髓核组织从破裂处突出/脱出,刺激或压迫神经引起的以腰腿痛为主要症状的病变,给患者的工作生活带来一定影响。近年有研究发现,脊柱-骨盆矢状面参数与LDH密切相关,正常脊柱-骨盆形态可使身体处于最佳平衡状态,若发生改变则平衡状态被破坏,导致脊柱矢状面生物力学发生改变,从而加速脊柱退行性变[1-3]。本文查阅分析脊柱-骨盆矢状面参数与LDH的相关性研究,发现脊柱-骨盆矢状面失衡不仅与LDH的发生机制相关,且与其临床症状和预后也有关联,现综述如下。     

放松功辅助治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效观察

目的:观察放松功辅助治疗腰椎间盘突出症(LDH)的临床疗效。方法:2018年5月至11月于上海市气功研究所医疗门诊部收集63例LDH患者,将其随机分为治疗组(32例)与对照组(31例)。治疗组予以电针结合放松功治疗,对照组仅给予电针治疗,两组电针治疗频率均为每周2次,治疗组放松功习练频率为每天1次,每次约20min,两种治疗方法均连续治疗3个月。治疗前后,利用VAS评分、CODI指数、表面肌电指标进行临床疗效评定。结果:治疗组有效率为90.3%(28/31),对照组有效率为83.3%(25/30)。治疗后,治疗组VAS评分显著低于同期对照组(P<0.05),治疗组患侧与健侧多裂肌MF值均高于对照组同侧(P<0.05)。结论:放松功在改善LDH患者疼痛与腰部肌肉疲劳度方面疗效明显,值得进行临床推广应用。     

Does post dural puncture headache exist in idiopathic intracranial hypertension? A pilot study

Background/ObjectiveOccurrence of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) after diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) may seem very unlikely in clinical practice. Nevertheless, it has been suggested by several studies, mainly in sub-group analyses. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of PDPH in an IIH population and determine any eventual predictive factors of PDPH occurrence.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective multiple-center observational study. All newly diagnosed IIH patients who met the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) or the Dandy modified criteria were included from three different French hospitals. They all underwent LP following the same process with the same type of needle. We recorded PDPH occurring within five days after LP, as defined by ICHD-3 criteria.ResultsSeventy-four IIH patients were recruited, of whom 23 (31%) presented with PDPH. Neither classical risk factors for PDPH such as body mass index, age or gender, nor cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure, or specific IIH features were associated with occurrence of PDPH.ConclusionPDPH can occur after LP in IIH patients. Clinicians should be aware of this possible event during the IIH diagnosis assessment and should not automatically reconsider IIH diagnosis. PDPH prevention using an atraumatic needle and dedicated PDPH treatment seem relevant in IIH patients.     

The impact of long-term corticosteroid use on acute postoperative complications following lumbar decompression surgery

BackgroundCorticosteroids have a negative impact on the human immune system’s ability to function at an optimal level. Studies have shown that patients on long-term corticosteroids have higher infection rates. However, the rates of infection and other complications following lumbar decompression surgery remains under-investigated. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of preoperative long-term corticosteroid usage on acute, 30-day postoperative complications in a subset of patients undergoing lumbar spine decompression surgery, without fusion or instrumentation. We hypothesize that patients on long-term corticosteroids will have higher rates of infection and other postoperative complications after undergoing lumbar decompression surgery of the spine.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database data from 2005 to 2016. Lumbar decompression surgeries, including discectomies, laminectomies, and others were identified using CPT codes. Chi-square analysis was used to evaluate differences among the corticosteroid and non-corticosteroid groups for demographics, preoperative comorbidities, and postoperative complications. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine if long-term corticosteroid use predicts incidence of postoperative infections following adjustment.Results26,734 subjects met inclusion criteria. A total of 1044 patients (3.9%) were on long-term corticosteroids prior to surgical intervention, and 25,690 patients (96.1%) were not on long-term corticosteroids. Patients on long-term corticosteroids were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), female (p < 0.001), nonsmokers (p < 0.001), and have a higher American Society of Anesthesiologist class (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that long-term corticosteroid usage was associated with increased overall complications (odds ratio [OR]: 1.543; p < 0.001), and an independent risk factor for the development of minor complications (OR: 1.808; p < 0.001), urinary tract infection (OR: 2.033; p = 0.002), extended length of stay (OR: 1.244; p = 0.039), thromboembolic complications (OR: 1.919; p = 0.023), and sepsis complications (OR: 2.032; p = 0.024).ConclusionLong-term corticosteroid usage is associated with a significant increased risk of acute postoperative complication development, including urinary tract infection, sepsis and septic shock, thromboembolic complications, and extended length of hospital stay, but not with superficial or deep infection in patients undergoing lumbar decompression procedures. Spine surgeons should remain vigilant regarding postoperative complications in patients on long-term corticosteroids, especially as it relates to UTI and propensity to decompensate into sepsis or septic shock. Thromboembolic risk attenuation is also imperative in this patient group during the postoperative period and the surgeon should weigh the risks and benefits of more intensive anticoagulation measures.     

微创臭氧治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效

目的评价微创臭氧治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效。方法选取2018年10月-2019年10月深圳市龙岗区第三人民医院收治的腰椎间盘突出症患者60例作为研究对象,按照抽签法分为对照组和观察组各30例。对照组给予传统治疗,观察组采用微创臭氧治疗,比较两组患者的视觉模拟评分量表(VAS)评分和日本骨科协会评分表(JOA)评分。结果两组VAS评分经治疗后均明显低于治疗前,且观察组治疗后的VAS评分明显低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组JOA评分经治疗后均明显高于治疗前,且观察组治疗后的JOA评分明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论微创臭氧治疗腰椎间盘突出症效果良好,不仅能缓解腰椎疼痛,还有助于腰椎功能的提升,值得临床推广应用。     

康复运动操联合牵引在老年腰椎间盘突出症患者中的应用效果研究

目的探讨康复运动操联合牵引在老年腰椎间盘突出症患者中的应用效果及对腰椎活动度的影响。 方法选择2018年10月至2019年9月老年腰椎间盘突出症患者86例作为对象，随机分为对照组（n=43例）和观察组（n=43例）。对照组采用常规牵引治疗，观察组在对照组基础上联合康复运动操治疗，4周治疗后对患者效果进行评估，比较两组视觉模拟疼痛（VAS）评分、炎症因子水平、腰椎活动度及满意度。 结果观察组治疗后1、2、3、4周VAS评分低于对照组（P<0.05）；观察组治疗后4周IL-1β、TNF-α及TXB2水平均低于对照组（P<0.05）；观察组治疗后4周前屈、后伸、侧屈均高于对照组（P<0.05）；观察组治疗后4周遵医治疗、康复运动、定期复查、治疗效果及治疗形式满意度均高于对照组（P<0.05）。 结论康复运动操联合牵引能减轻老年腰椎间盘突出症患者疼痛，提高患者腰椎活动度，且两种方法干预能降低机体炎症瀑布联级反应，提高患者治疗满意度，值得推广应用。     

A prospective study of non-surgical versus surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis without instability

ObjectiveEven if analyzed through meta-analyses or systemic reviews ensued lately, we could say that at least it is inconclusive which of the surgical or non-surgical treatment to lumbar spinal stenosis is better particularly in short to intermediate-term. This study compared non-surgical and surgical outcomes in surgical candidates for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).MethodsSurgical candidates for LSS were prospectively screened. Patients were offered the option to be enrolled in a randomized cohort, an observational cohort, or not to participate. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated at baseline, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcomes were measures of pain and functional outcomes such as the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), the EuroQol 5-Dimension instrument (EQ-5D), and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).ResultsOne hundred and ten patients were enrolled in the randomized cohort and 37 patients in the observational cohort. Among them, 97 patients received non-surgical treatment, and 50 patients underwent surgical treatment. At 12 months, the non-surgical treatment group had less improvements in the primary outcome measures of back pain (mean change: non-surgery, 2.34 vs. surgery, 3.99), leg pain (2.92 vs. 3.40), K-ODI (5.12 vs. 8.31), EQ-5D utility index (0.19 vs. 0.25), and EQ-5D VAS (9.68 vs. 16.0). Most SF-36 section parameters also showed less improvement in the non-surgical treatment group than in the surgical treatment group throughout the 12-month follow-up.ConclusionsIn LSS patients without instability, non-surgical treatment resulted in less pain improvement and functional recovery through 1 year.