Topography of the uncinate fascicle and adjacent temporal fiber tracts

Summary A prospective intra-operative analysis of the location of lumbar disc herniation was performed in 131 patients with verified 54% contained (incomplete) and 46% non-contained (complete) lumbar disc herniations. Bulging discs or protrusions are not included in this study.Complete disc herniations occurred more frequently in the upper lumbar spine. The localization of the lumbar disc herniations within its segment showed no correlation to the affected level. 64% of the disc herniations were located medio-laterally, 20% laterally, 12% within or lateral of the intervertebral compartment and 5% in the midline. Nearly one third of all herniations were found at the level of the disc space. Medio-lateral disc herniations were displaced more often in a caudal direction, lateral herniations were found displaced upwards and downwards with similar frequency while extraforaminal herniations migrated significantly more often in a cranial direction.The pathomechanism and anatomical pathways of disc fragment migration are discussed on the basis of a new concept of the anterior extradural space.Dedicated to Prof. Peter Huber, our respected neuroradiologist and friend.     

Computed tomographic investigation of the effect of traction on lumbar disc herniations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of static horizontal traction on disc herniations by computed tomographic investigation. Changes occurring under the effect of a traction load of 45 kg have been evaluated in 30 patients with lumbar disc herniation. The herniated nuclear material (HNM) has retracted in 11 (78.5%) of median, six (66.6%) of posterolateral, and four (57.1%) of lateral herniations. Clinical response of these cases to conservative treatment varied with the amount and location of HNM, the retraction of HNM, and calcification of protruded disc. Static lumbar traction showed variable effects on lumbar disc herniations, especially in relation with the amount and location of HNM.     

Far-lateral disc herniations: the results of conservative management

The far-lateral herniated lumbar disc has become increasingly recognized as a cause for low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy as well as for "failed back syndrome" in certain improperly diagnosed cases. Several authors have reported that the majority of patients show poor response to conservative measures. To better understand the natural history, we performed a retrospective review of all lumbar herniated discs during a 3-year period, collecting 16 patients with 17 far-lateral disc herniations. All displayed radicular pain in the distribution of the root exiting at the same level as the herniated disc, with or without associated back pain. Twelve of the 17 disc herniations responded to conservative measures and had complete resolution of their radicular pain at follow-up. Also, at long-term follow-up, essentially all patients had experienced satisfactory subjective resolution of their weakness or sensory complaints. Five patients required surgery because of intractable pain despite conservative measures. Although our series for far-lateral disc herniations is small, we found that conservative measures do afford a relatively high nonoperative success rate of approximately 71%. This is in contrast to earlier implied or stated opinions indicating a low rate of successful nonoperative management as low as 10% in one series.     

显微减压术治疗椎间孔内腰椎间盘突出

目的 :总结显微减压术治疗椎间孔内腰椎间盘突出的临床应用结果。方法 :2005年9月至2013年5月,对16例椎间孔内腰椎间盘突出患者采用显微减压术治疗,其中男12例,女4例;年龄32~56岁,平均38.6岁;L3,41例,L4,510例,L_5S_15例。结果:16例均获随访,时间20~48个月,平均36个月。术后恢复率按Macnab腰腿痛手术治疗评定标准进行疗效评定,优12例,良好4例,未发生与该项技术操作相关的并发症。结论:显微减压术适宜治疗椎间孔内腰椎间盘突出,老年人更容易耐受。     

Experiences with lumbar disc herniations in adolescents

AIM: Lumbar disc herniation is rare in adolescents and often misread. The difference of etiology, symptoms and therapy in comparison to adults were investigated and the long-term outcome of conservative and surgically treatment evaluated. METHOD: We analysed informations obtained from the medical records of 51 patients younger than 20 years with 79 lumbar disc herniations. For the long-term follow-up we prepared a questionnaire composed of general questions about the patient's lifestyle, pain level and remaining symptoms. RESULTS: The average period from the beginning of the symptoms to the finding of the right diagnosis took about 14,3 months. We compared disc herniations in adolescents with the current literature of disc herniations in adults and found differences in etiology and symptoms. In 16 % of our patients the beginning of the pain was associated with a trauma, in 12 % the pain began during sports activity (microtrauma). In 49 % we found radiological signs of spinal aberrations. Low back pain and monoradicular sciatica were the main complaints, but findings of neurological deficits were rare. 27 patients were managed conservatively and 24 surgically. On the day of discharge 94 % of patients reported excellent or good results. The outcomes of the follow-up period were similar in both treatment groups. Almost all patients were able to attain a normal activity level and few reported restrictions of their daily life. The success rate of the pain frequency was 85 % and pain intensity was 81 %. CONCLUSION: The etiology of lumbal disc herniations in adolescents has a multifactoral basis. Conservative treatment should be pursued as a mainstay of treatment. Only if conservative treatment fails, surgical treatment should be considered.     

极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症15例报告

目的 探讨极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症的临床和CT特征,提高该病的诊断率。方法 对15例经手术证实的患者临床和CT影像进行回顾性分析。结果 腰4／5间隙多发,椎间孔和椎间孔外联合突出多见,临床上常可见单侧两节神经根受损的表现。结论 临床与CT相结合是诊断极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症的关键。     

Facet tropism: a comparison between far lateral and posterolateral lumbar disc herniations

STUDY DESIGN: An assessment of the difference in the degree of facet tropism and disc degeneration between far lateral and posterolateral lumbar disc herniations. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the difference in the degree of the facet tropism and disc degeneration with respect to the development of far lateral lumbar disc herniation and posterolateral lumbar disc herniation, and to compare the effect between the two types of herniations. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The effect of facet tropism on the development of posterolateral lumbar disc herniation has been investigated previously, but there has been no study on far lateral lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: Thirty-eight lumbar disc herniations (far lateral, n = 19; posterolateral, n = 19) were included this study. The degree of facet tropism and disc degeneration was measured at the herniated disc level by using magnetic resonance imaging. The results were compared to show any differences between the two types of lumbar disc herniations. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the degree of facet tropism (24.74 vs. 14.26, P = 0.004) and disc degeneration (23.92 vs. 15.08, P = 0.005) between the far lateral and posterolateral lumbar disc herniations. There was no significant correlation between the degree of facet tropism and the degree of disc degeneration in far lateral lumbar disc herniation (r = -0.369, P = 0.120). CONCLUSION: This results suggest that the differences in the degree of facet tropism and disc degeneration might be considered a key factor in distinguishing the development of far lateral lumbar disc herniation from that of posterolateral lumbar disc herniation.     

老年腰椎间盘突出症的特点与手术治疗

目的:探讨老年腰椎间盘突出症的特点与手术治疗效果。方法:对98例老年腰椎间盘突出症患者的临床与病理特点进行分析。男55例,女43例,平均年龄65.7岁。均行腰椎后路椎板减压髓核摘除术,其中小切口开窗56例,半椎板切除32例,全椎板切除10例,根据手术前后JOA评分评价手术疗效。结果:老年腰椎间盘突出症病理以髓核组织的脱水,纤维环的破裂,小关节囊、周围韧带及软骨终板退变为主要特点。临床特点为下肢疼痛多发,腰部活动受限较多;双下肢神经系统检查肌力下降明显,生理反射改变明显。98例平均随访2.2年,JOA评分术后平均改善率为70.9%,手术前后JOA评分比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。结论:老年腰椎间盘突出症患者病程长,体征多,病理改变明显,行腰椎后路椎板减压髓核摘除术,手术效果满意。     

Automated percutaneous discectomy: a prospective multi-institutional study

A prospective multi-institutional study was carried out to evaluate automated percutaneous discectomy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniations. Of the 327 patients who prospectively met the study criteria and were followed for longer than 1 year, 75.2% were successfully treated. When patients (n = 168) who prospectively did not meet the study criteria were treated, the success rate was 49.4%. One case of discitis was reported; otherwise, no other serious complications were noted, and specifically no vascular or nerve damage was encountered. This study indicates that automated percutaneous discectomy can be used successfully to treat lumbar disc herniations with minimal morbidity and emphasizes the need for proper patient selection.     

Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae and their relationship with lumbar extradural defects

The relationship between herniated lumbar disc and abnormalities of the transverse process of the lumbosacral junction was investigated. Two hundred consecutive patients with positive myelographic findings of herniated lumbar disc were reviewed. Sixty patients presented abnormalities of the transverse process to satisfy the criteria for lumbosacral transitional vertebra. A new classification of lumbosacral transitional vertebra is presented based upon the morphologic and clinical characteristics with respect to herniated nucleus pulposus. Type I represents a "forme fruste" of lumbosacral transitional vertebra and shows no difference in the incidence of the location of herniations. In types III and IV, there are no herniations at the level of the lumbosacral transitional vertebra and no increase in the incidence of herniations just proximal to the lumbosacral transitional vertebra. The Type II lumbosacral transitional vertebra presents herniated lumbar disc at the level of transition. It also presents a greater than normal incidence of herniations at the level just above the lumbosacral transitional vertebra.     

Lumbar microdiscectomy

Lumbar disc herniations are seen frequently in pain management practices. Specialists are well versed in the nonsurgical treatments for lumbar radiculopathy. Although most disc herniations would resolve without the need for surgery; it should be considered when patients have refractory pain or motor deficit. The following article discusses the surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation—microdiscectomy. Pertinent literature has been reviewed and the surgical outcomes are highlighted.     

Intradural lumbar disc herniation—Is it predictable preoperatively? A report of two cases

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Intradural disc herniations are thought to be rare events, and there have been relatively few literature reports of intradural disc herniations available with regard to magnetic resonance imaging findings. PURPOSE: The authors describe two patients with intradural lumbar disc herniations, one with and one without preoperative diagnosis, who had different postoperative outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Case study METHODS: The first patient underwent an extended L3 subtotal laminectomy followed by bilateral medial facetectomy and foraminotomy at L3-L4. A durotomy uncovered large disc fragments comprised of friable disc materials and end plates, after no clear disc herniation was found in the epidural space. The second patient underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion after a preoperative diagnosis of intradural disc herniation. RESULTS: The first patient experienced a marked reduction of pain and progressive recovery of sensory disturbance, but neurologic examination showed right foot drop postoperatively. Two years after surgery, she can not walk without a cane because the neurologic deficit of the right ankle has shown no improvement. Two days after surgery, the second patient was allowed to ambulate with a lumbar orthosis. Neurologic examination showed no motor deficit. Twenty-one months after surgery, the patient reports minimal back pain when sitting on a chair for prolonged periods of time. CONCLUSION: Our cases highlight the importance of preoperative diagnosis in the treatment of intradural lumbar disc herniations. The potential presence of an intradural disc herniation must always be considered preoperatively on a patient whose magnetic resonance imaging study demonstrates the "hawk-beak sign" on axial imaging as well as abrupt loss of continuity of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL). This association results in an adequate surgical approach, thereby reducing the chance of postoperative neurologic deficit. Finally, anterior lumbar interbody fusion can be a reasonable alternative in the treatment of intradural lumbar disc herniations.     

A patient with two upper lumbar disc herniations.

Of all lumbar disc herniations, less than 5% occur in the upper lumbar area. Though protrusions are common at all levels, truly extruded disc herniations in the upper lumbar area from L1 to L3 are rare. Even more unusual is the multilevel occurrence of herniations in this area. The authors stress the importance of accurate diagnosis and clinically directed medical imaging work-ups.     

The microsurgical approach to extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations. An analysis of 15 cases

AIM: Extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations are uncommon, but thanks to recent progress in imaging procedures, they may be easily diagnosed. Several surgical approaches have been described and employed to remove these herniations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical, radiological and surgical features which differentiate the treatment of this type of hernia from the more common surgical approaches to other types of lumbar disc hernias. METHODS: The authors report the results of the surgical treatment of 15 cases of extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation through an extracanalicular, intertransverse microsurgical approach and describe the technique employed. RESULTS: All cases experienced a prompt recovery from the preoperative symptoms with no complications, which notably reduced the time necessary for postoperative care. No instability was documented and none of the cases observed presented the neuropathic pain sometimes reported with this method of approach to these herniations. CONCLUSION: This particular site of disc herniation can be approached effectively through the extracanalicular route. The procedure, however, requires an extremely accurate preoperative anatomical evaluation and a good microsurgical experience.     

Repeat chemonucleolysis

A review of 33 patients in whom repeat chemonucleolysis was performed in the period between 1979 and 1983 indicates satisfactory results in 24 patients for a 73% success rate. Immediate sensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis) were seen in three patients and all were successfully managed by appropriate medical therapy. The last 12 patients were pretreated with histamine1 antagonists (hydroxyzine) and histamine2 antagonists (cimetidine). In this group there was not a single anaphylactic reaction. According to these results, repeat chemonucleolysis is a viable alternative to laminectomy and discectomy for patients suffering from recurrent lumbar disc herniations that are refractory to conservative therapy. The increased risk of sensitivity to the enzyme can be minimized by pretreatment with histamine blockers.     

Epidural injections for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar herniated discs

Epidural steroid injections are widely used as part of the conservative care for symptomatic herniated lumbar discs. There are studies showing their effectiveness, and some studies demonstrating no clinical benefits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of epidural steroid injections for patients with symptomatic lumbar disc herniations who were surgical candidates. Sixty-nine patients were diagnosed with a herniated disc in the lumbar spine and remained symptomatic despite conservative care, and were treated with an epidural injection in an attempt to avoid surgical discectomy. Of the total group of 69 patients (average age = 44.8 years, range 19-77 years, average follow-up = 1.5 years), 53 (77%) had successful resolution or significant decrease of their symptoms and were able to avoid surgery. Only 16 (23%) patients failed to have significant relief of their symptoms and required surgical treatment of their herniated disc. Epidural steroid injections have a reasonable success rate for the alleviation of radicular symptoms from lumbar herniated discs for up to twelve to twenty-seven months. Patients treated with injections may be able to avoid surgical treatment up to this period and perhaps even longer.     

Relationship between neovascularization and degenerative changes in herniated lumbar intervertebral discs

Purpose

Lumbar disc degeneration may be associated with intensity of neovascularization in disc herniations. Our study was designed to evaluate how much the severity of histodegeneration is related to the development of neovascularization and to the level of pleiotrophin in the herniated lumbar discs.

Methods

Surgically excised lumbar disc specimens were obtained from 29 patients with noncontained (i.e., extruding through the posterior longitudinal ligament) and 21 patients with contained disc herniations. The histodegeneration scores and levels of neovascularization were estimated according to semiquantitative analysis in lumbar disc and endplate samples. Immunohistochemical staining were performed to identify the newly formed blood vessels and to detect the presence of pleiotrophin in the specimens.

Results

Higher levels of disc and endplate neovascularity were registered in noncontained herniations. The level of neovascularization was significantly related to the score of histodegeneration in the herniated disc tissues but not in the endplate specimens. Both contained and noncontained herniations had the highest values of histodegeneration in conjunction with the highest level of neovascularization but the relations between neovascularity and degenerative changes remained to be significant only in the group of noncontained herniations. Registration or frequency of pleiotrophin positive cells did not correlate significantly with histodegeneration or level of neovascularization in the disc samples.

Conclusion

Severe histodegeneration of the lumbar disc herniations is associated with enhanced neovascularization and potentially also spontaneous regression of the herniated tissue.     

Herniated lumbar disc in patients over the age of fifty

Fifty patients ranging in age between 50-78 years (mean, 56) underwent surgery for a herniated lumbar disc between January 1986 and July 1988. All had objective clinical and radiographic evidence of a herniated disc. All had had failure during an appropriate period of conservative treatment. Far lateral herniation occurred in 8%, and 28% had disc herniations at L2 or L3. Surgical results were 64% excellent, 28% good, 6% fair, and 2% poor. Complications including urinary tract infection, wound infection, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism were observed in 8% of patients. Lumbar disc herniation in the elderly is common. After thorough evaluation to exclude neoplasm or infection, decompression of neural structures can lead to 90% good to excellent results. Spinal stenosis must be carefully considered both preoperatively and intraoperatively. Also, a higher incidence of more cephalad lumbar herniations and far lateral herniations was observed in older patients.     

Evaluation of standard nucleotomy for lumbar disc herniation using the Love method: results of follow-up studies after more than 10 years

A retrospective analysis of long-term follow-up results more than 10 years after a standard nucleotomy for lumbar disc herniation with the Love method was done to determine the effectiveness of this procedure. Nucleotomy according to Love was the standard treatment for lumbar disc herniation before the various minimally invasive alternatives were recently introduced. Without long-term follow-up analysis of Love operations, evidence-based evaluation of those new methods is impossible. We believe that the standard nucleotomy procedure should now be evaluated precisely. In this study we present a comparison of 1-year follow-up results to the results more than 10 years after lumbar nucleotomy. Seventy-six consecutive patients who had undergone lumbar nucleotomy were identified. It was possible to assess 54 (71.1%) of the cases more than 10 years after surgery. The initial and final outcomes were assessed using the MacNab classification and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. With the MacNab classification a successful outcome 1 year after surgery was achieved in 87.0% of the cases. At the final follow-up, this result was reduced to 74.1%. Seven patients required a second operation and patients under 21 years of age were at risk for reoperation. Patient overall satisfaction with the results of the standard nucleotomy was high. The disc height of the operation site significantly decreased after surgery; nevertheless, this did not affect the clinical outcome. A standard lumbar nucleotomy according to Love is a safe and reliable method of treating selected patients with lumbar disc herniations.     

The delayed OP--indications for surgery of lumbar disc herniations

In Germany, lumbar disc herniations require surgical treatment in about 50,000 patients/year. The clinical and socio-economical results are determined by the preoperative duration of symptoms and preoperative time out of work (highly predictive). Other parameters such as severity of neurological deficits, morphology of disc herniation, age, associated diseases, type of surgery, working conditions or litigation processes are only weak predictors of outcome. Postoperative improvement of clinical symptoms as well as professional reintegration is strongly determined by the time period between onset of symptoms and surgery. Surgery performed "too early" diminishes the chance for improvement by conservative therapy. If surgery is performed "too late" the risk of a bad result is high, and the reintegration of the patient into his preoperative social and professional activities may be prevented. The duration of conservative therapy including so-called semi-invasive procedures is critical in this sense. If a therapeutic success (= professional and social reintegration) cannot be achieved by conservative measures and if there is a clear morphological correlate (= disc herniations with corresponding clinical symptoms) of the clinical symptoms an early change of the strategy towards surgical therapy is recommended.