Two-level percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for highly migrated upper lumbar disc herniation: A case report

BACKGROUND The technique of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy(PELD)as a transforaminal approach has been used to treat highly migrated lower lumbar disc herniations.However,due to the different anatomic characteristics of the upper lumbar spine,conventional transforaminal PELD may fail to remove the highly migrated upper lumbar disc nucleus pulposus.Therefore,the purpose of this study was to describe a novel surgical technique,two-level PELD,for the treatment of highly migrated upper lumbar disc herniations and to report its related clinical outcomes.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old male presented with a complaint of pain at his lower back and right lower limb.The patient received 3 mo of conservative treatments but the symptoms were not alleviated.Physical examination revealed a positive femoral nerve stretch test and a negative straight leg raise test for the right leg,and preoperative visual analog scale(VAS)score for the lower back was 6 points and for the right leg was 8 points.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)demonstrated L2-L3 disc herniation on the right side and the herniated nucleus pulposus migrated to the upper margin of L2 vertebral body.According to physical examination and imaging findings,surgery was the primary consideration.Therefore,the patient underwent surgical treatment with two-level PELD.The pain symptom was relieved and the VAS score for back and thigh pain was one point postoperatively.The patient was asymptomatic and follow-up MRI scan 1 year after operation revealed no residual nucleus pulposus.CONCLUSION Two-level PELD as a transforaminal approach can be a safe and effective procedure for highly migrated upper lumbar disc herniation.     

椎间盘突出临近退变节段是否导致腰痛

背景：椎间盘突出症患者腰痛原因很难判断,一直以来,认为突出的椎间盘是椎间盘突出症患者腰痛及腿痛重要原因,椎间盘突出临近退变节段是否导致腰痛需进一步研究证实。目的：通过椎间盘造影判断突出临近退变节段是否是椎间盘突出症患者腰痛原因,并报告经椎间盘镜摘除椎间盘后残留腰痛在临近退变疼痛椎间盘经亚甲蓝注射治疗的效果。方法：20例同时具有腰痛和腿痛椎间盘突出症患者行椎间盘造影检查,这些患者腰椎MRI表现为有1个突出椎间盘外至少合并1个或1个以上的临近退变的椎间盘,全部患者均经椎间盘镜摘除椎间盘切除突出的椎间盘,5例临近退变椎间盘造影阳性患者在椎间盘镜切除后经椎间盘内注射亚甲蓝治疗。腰痛、腿痛采用目测类比评分评定。结果与结论：20例患者总共64个椎间盘行椎间盘造影,共11个椎间盘造影阳性,其中6个位于椎间盘突出临近退变节段,5个位于引起神经根性痛的椎间盘突出节段。全部病例腿痛行椎间盘镜切除突出椎间盘后明显缓解,腰痛有部分缓解,6例临近椎间盘造影阳性患者经椎间盘镜摘除椎间盘后腰痛明显,影响日常生活,其中5例行临近疼痛椎间盘亚甲蓝注射后腰痛缓解,1例患者拒绝亚甲蓝注射治疗仍有明显腰痛。结果显示椎间盘突出症患者腰痛可能来源于突出临近退变节段。     

椎间盘突出临近退变节段是否导致腰痛

背景:椎间盘突出症患者腰痛原因很难判断,一直以来,认为突出的椎间盘是椎间盘突出症患者腰痛及腿痛重要原因,椎间盘突出临近退变节段是否导致腰痛需进一步研究证实.目的:通过椎间盘造影判断突出临近退变节段是否是椎间盘突出症患者腰痛原因,并报告经椎间盘镜摘除椎间盘后残留腰痛在临近退变疼痛椎间盘经亚甲蓝注射治疗的效果.方法:20例同时具有腰痛和腿痛椎间盘突出症患者行椎间盘造影检查,这些患者腰椎MRI表现为有1个突出椎间盘外至少合并1个或1个以上的临近退变的椎间盘,全部患者均经椎间盘镜摘除椎间盘切除突出的椎间盘,5例临近退变椎间盘造影阳性患者在椎间盘镜切除后经椎间盘内注射亚甲蓝治疗.腰痛、腿痛采用目测类比评分评定.结果与结论:20例患者总共64个椎间盘行椎间盘造影,共11个椎间盘造影阳性,其中6个位于椎间盘突出临近退变节段,5个位于引起神经根性痛的椎间盘突出节段.全部病例腿痛行椎间盘镜切除突出椎间盘后明显缓解,腰痛有部分缓解,6例临近椎间盘造影阳性患者经椎间盘镜摘除椎间盘后腰痛明显,影响日常生活,其中5例行临近疼痛椎间盘亚甲蓝注射后腰痛缓解,1例患者拒绝亚甲蓝注射治疗仍有明显腰痛.结果显示椎间盘突出症患者腰痛可能来源于突出临近退变节段.     

腰椎小关节病的CT检查和表现

目的 对腰椎小关节病ＣＴ表现作出归纳,提高对此病作为腰腿痛的重要病因的认识。方法连续２００例腰腿痛患,主要作了腰椎Ｌ４－５和Ｌ５－Ｓ１的小关节ＣＴ平扫,并运用骨窗和软组织窗对图像进行分析和测量。结果 有１３５例（占６７．５％）患表现为不同节段的腰椎小关节病,ＣＴ表现为：骨赘形成;小关节突增生肥大;关节间隙变窄;关节真空现象以及关节囊的钙化等。腰椎小关节病常伴有其它腰椎疾病。讨论 腰椎小关节病是     

Spontaneous regression of a large sequestered lumbar disc herniation: a case report and literature review

Lumbar disc herniation is a common disorder in adults that is accompanied by lower back and radicular pain. A 32-year-old man visited our clinic with 1-week history of persistent lower back pain and weakness in his right big toe. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his lumbar spine revealed herniated discs at L3/L4, L5/S1 and L4/L5, where a right-sided intraspinal mass lesion deep to the L4 vertebral body was causing compression of the nerve root. The patient underwent conservative treatment and reported no symptoms referrable to his back or leg 4 months later. Follow-up MRI showed no herniation of the nucleus pulposus at the L4/L5 level or lesion deep to the vertebral body of L4, whereas no changes had occurred to the status of the herniated L3/L4 and L5/S1 discs. The present case and a literature review show that a sequestered lumbar disc herniation can regress within a relatively short timeframe without surgery. The authors emphasise the utility of conservative therapy for patients who do not have a definitive surgical indication.     

颈椎病慢性颈肩痛的多模态MRI研究进展

颈椎病是一种慢性退行性疾病,颈椎间盘退变是其主要表现之一,临床上多表现为颈肩背部疼痛、上肢麻木等。功能磁共振成像可准确评估颈椎间盘形态改变,反映慢性疼痛引起的大脑、脊髓结构与功能的细微变化,为神经病理学机制的研究及临床疗效的评估提供依据。作者主要综述多模态MRI(常规MRI、扩散张量成像、基于体素的形态学分析、血氧水平依赖功能MRI、磁共振波谱)在颈椎病慢性疼痛中的研究现状和进展。     

Low back pain. Evaluation and treatment in the emergency department setting

The author outlines the most common clinical syndromes causing back pain, including degenerative disc disease, disc herniation syndrome, and cauda equina syndrome. Also discussed are specific guidelines regarding the need for immediate orthopedic and neurosurgical consultation or admission to the hospital.     

Developments in intervertebral disc disease research: pathophysiology,mechanobiology, and therapeutics

Low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide and the second most common cause of physician visits. There are many causes of back pain, and among them, disc herniation and intervertebral disc degeneration are the most common diagnoses and targets for intervention. Currently, clinical treatment outcomes are not strongly correlated with diagnoses, emphasizing the importance for characterizing more completely the mechanisms of degeneration and their relationships with symptoms. This review covers recent studies elucidating cellular and molecular changes associated with disc mechanobiology, as it relates to degeneration and regeneration. Specifically, we review findings on the biochemical changes in disc diseases, including cytokines, chemokines, and proteases; advancements in disc disease diagnostics using imaging modalities; updates on studies examining the response of the intervertebral disc to injury; and recent developments in repair strategies, including cell-based repair, biomaterials, and tissue engineering. Findings on the effects of the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, on nucleus pulposus tissue engineering are presented. Studies described in this review provide greater insights into the pathogenesis of disc degeneration and may define new paradigms for early or differential diagnostics of degeneration using new techniques such as systemic biomarkers. In addition, research on the mechanobiology of disease enriches the development of therapeutics for disc repair, with potential to diminish pain and disability associated with disc degeneration.     

双平板DSA引导下经皮穿刺臭氧消融术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效观察（附37例报告）

目的：观察双平板DSA及其类CT功能在经皮穿刺臭氧消融术治疗腰椎间盘突出症中的应用及临床疗效。方法回顾性分析37例腰腿疼痛或麻木患者,平均年龄（49.38±13.05）岁,共44个病变椎间盘,经CT或MRI证实为腰椎间盘突出症,在双平板DSA设备透视引导下行经皮穿刺臭氧消融术,术中每个椎间盘内注射臭氧4～25 mL（平均13.82±3.62 mL）,盘外神经根周围注射臭氧0～15 mL（平均7.73±2.87 mL）,并于盘内外注射曲安奈德水针共5 mL。观察术前及术后1周、1个月、3个月、6个月、1年腰腿疼痛变化情况,同时观察术中术后并发症发生情况。结果37例患者中,34例于臭氧消融术后腰腿疼痛VAS评分明显下降,并且疼痛缓解时间大于1年,改良Macnab疗效评定总有效率91.89%;3例疼痛缓解不明显,其中1例出现椎间盘感染。结论双平板DSA引导下经皮穿刺臭氧消融术治疗腰椎间盘突出症,创伤小,并发症少,止痛效果确切。     

Discography

Discography is a purely diagnostic interventional procedure performed to confirm or refute the hypothesis that a specific lumbar disc is the predominant source of a patient's low back pain. In patients with severe low back pain, unresponsive to conservative care, discography is used when clinical evaluation suggests that the pain is emanating from the intervertebral disc and other sources of pain have been ruled out. The evidence for its use remains controversial. There is variability and subjectivity in discography techniques and diagnostic criteria, making some investigators question its validity. When standardized diagnostic criteria are used, however, the specificity of discography improves dramatically. Recently long-term side effects have been studied, and lumbar discography seems to increase disc degeneration and herniation as detected on magnetic resonance imaging. Although the clinical significance is unclear, it is an important risk to consider prior to performing discography, and changes in discography techniques may be indicated. Discography remains the only technique, however, that can be used to determine whether a patient's low back pain is emanating from the intervertebral disc and is a valid test when coupled with careful patient selection, strict adherence to standardized technique and diagnostic criteria, and consideration of possible long-term sequelae.     

腰椎间盘突出髓核的自身免疫性

背景：引起椎间盘源性腰腿痛的发病机制很多,在椎间盘退变的发生和发展过程中血管内皮生长因子与T,B淋巴细胞的表达与突出类型、病程等是否具有相关性还未完全清楚。目的：观察不同类型腰椎间盘突出症患者腰椎间盘组织中T,B淋巴细胞及血管内皮生长因子的表达变化,分析其与患者症状、体征的相关性。方法：选取腰椎间盘突出症患者的腰椎间盘标本作为实验组,包括游离脱出型、突出型及膨出型;以腰椎骨折患者的正常椎间盘作为对照。采用苏木精-伊红染色法观察椎间盘标本中血管形成及周边淋巴细胞聚集情况,免疫组化法检测CD4,CD8,IgG,IgM及血管内皮生长因子的分布。结果与结论：①在突出髓核组织中有大量新生血管形成并可见血管内皮细胞,在其周围可见明显的淋巴细胞聚集。②实验组均有活化的CD4,CD8阳性T细胞、IgG,IgM阳性B细胞和血管内皮生长因子表达,其中脱出游离组和突出组的阳性细胞率高于膨出组（P〈0.05）,而对照组均无阳性表达。提示髓核组织暴露于自身免疫系统中可以激活T、B细胞,引起自身免疫反应,血管内皮生长因子参与了退变椎间盘新生血管的形成,并可能与T,B细胞引起的自身免疫反应对椎间盘突出腰腿痛机制有协同作用。     

Lumbar disc sequestration mimicking a tumor: Report of four cases and a literature review

BACKGROUNDDisc herniation refers to the displacement of disc material beyond its anatomical space. Disc sequestration is defined as migration of the herniated disc fragment into the epidural space, completely separating it from the parent disc. The fragment can move in upward, inferior, and lateral directions, which often causes low back pain and discomfort, abnormal sensation, and movement of lower limbs. The free disc fragments detached from the parent disc often mimic spinal tumors. Tumor like lumbar disc herniation can cause clinical symptoms similar to spinal tumors, such as lumbar soreness, pain, numbness and weakness of lower limbs, radiation pain of lower limbs, etc. It is usually necessary to diagnose the disease according to the doctor''s clinical experience, and make preliminary diagnosis and differential diagnosis with the help of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced MRI. However, pathological examination is the gold standard that distinguishes tumoral from non-tumoral status. We report four cases of disc herniation mimicking a tumor, and all the pathological results were intervertebral disc tissue.CASE SUMMARYThe first case was a 71-year-old man with low back pain accompanied by left lower extremity radiating pain for 1 year, with exacerbation over the last 2 wk. After admission, MRI revealed a circular T2-hypointense lesion in the spinal canal of the L4 vertebral segment, with enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI suggesting neurilemmoma. The second case was a 74-year-old man with pain in both knees associated with movement limitation for 3 years, with exacerbation over the last 3 mo. MRI revealed an oval T2-hyperintense lesion in the spinal canal at the L4–5 level, with obvious peripheral enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI. Thus, neurilemmoma was suspected. The third case was a 53-year-old man who presented with numbness and weakness of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity for 2 wk. MRI revealed a round T2-hyperintense lesion in the spinal canal at the L4–5 level, with obvious rim enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI. Thus, a spinal tumor was suspected. The fourth case was a 75-year-old man with right lower extremity pain for 2 wk, with exacerbation over the last week. MRI revealed a round T1-isointense lesion in the spinal canal of the L3 vertebral segment and a T2-hyperintense signal from the lesion. There was no obvious enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI, so a spinal tumor was suspected. All four patients underwent surgery and recovered to ASIA grade E on postoperative days 5, 8, 8, and 6, respectively. All patients had an uneventful postoperative course and fully recovered within 3 mo.CONCLUSIONDisc herniation mimicking a tumor is a relatively rare clinical entity and can be easily misdiagnosed as a spinal tumor. Examinations and tests should be improved preoperatively. Patients should undergo comprehensive preoperative evaluations, and the lesions should be removed surgically and confirmed by pathological diagnosis.     

Schmerzen und Funktionsstörungen des Iliosakralgelenks bei Bandscheibenvorfällen der unteren Lendenwirbelsäule

Back and leg pain in patients with lumbar disc herniation can be caused by various mechanisms. In addition to nerve root compression, functional alterations in the sacroiliac joint, facet joint or the iliolumbar and sacrotuberal ligaments can produce "pseudoradicular" lower back syndrome. The following study attempts to show whether or not pain and functional alterations in the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) correlate with herniations revealed by computed tomography (CT). The study also attempts to determine the correlation between pain and functional changes of the SIJ and the size and level of the disc herniation. Fifty patients with monosegmental disc herniations revealed by CT who showed no signs of bone or soft tissue alterations were included in this study. The average duration of the patients' complaints of leg or back pain was 5.7 years. Ninety-six percent of these patients had received conservative treatment before admission to our hospital. All patients were compared to a control group consisting of 16 healthy subjects of comparable age. All patients underwent a comprehensive functional, neurologic and radiologic examination. The CTs were analyzed by a standardized three-dimensional method. All of the 50 patients had sciatica complaints and a disc herniation revealed by CT. In two cases hemiation of the L3-4 disc was demonstrated, in 14 cases L4-5 disc herniation and in 34 cases a L5-S1 disc herniation. In contrast to the control group of 15 healthy subjects, the patients showed a significant number of functional disorders upon examination. In 84% of all patients, movement of the SIJ was restricted. Painful palpation of the symphysis was demonstrated in 46% of all cases. Thirty-five percent of patients with herniation of L4-5 disc demonstrated SIJ tenderness as opposed to 65% of the patients with herniation of the L5-S1 disc. This SIJ tenderness did not correlate with motion of the SIJ. In addition, SIJ motion and frequency of sensory dysfunction showed no correlation with the size of the disc herniation. Paralysis and loss of reflexes showed a positive correlation with the increasing size of the disc herniation. SIJ tenderness decreased as the size of the herniation increased. Dysfunction of the ipsilateral SIJ is explained by increased muscular tone caused by irritation of the n. sinuvertebralis and its lumbar coupling. Frequency of SIJ tenderness is significantly higher in patients with herniations between L5 and S1. Since the SIJ is innervated by the r. dorsalis of the sacral roots, the increased tenderness can be explained by the change in neurovegetative innervation of the SIJ. Due to the high correlation between lumbar disc herniation and SIJ dysfunction, disc herniation should be considered as a possible cause of sacroiliac-joint syndrome.     

肺癌骨转移并肩背软组织疼痛误诊1例报道

目的分析肺癌骨转移引起肩背疼痛症状导致误诊的原因及预防。方法结合文献分析1例误诊为颈椎间盘突出症、颈肩背部慢性软组织损害的肺癌骨转移致肩背痛患者的诊疗过程。结果受累椎体发生溶骨性破坏或楔形变,肿瘤侵犯骨皮质或其周围软组织肿块刺激脊髓或神经根而引起肩背疼痛的症状,是引起本病误诊的常见原因。结论仔细询问病史,认真查体,不断养成系统鉴别诊断的思维方式,结合早期特异性强的影像学检查可降低误诊率。     

极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症磁共振分级与下腰痛评分的相关性

目的 探讨磁共振（MRI）分级与下腰痛评分的相关性及其在诊断极外侧型腰椎间盘突出症（ Far lateral lumbar disc herniation , FLLDH）中的价值。方法 回顾性分析2009年8月至2014年4月收治的经手术确诊的35例FLLDH患者的MRI表现,并选择同时期其他类型的腰椎间盘突出症（LDH）包括中央型、侧后型共35例作为对照组,根据其突出间盘大小及与神经根受累情况进行MRI分级,并分析MRI分级与各自下腰痛评分[采用日本骨科学会（JOA ）腰痛评分]的相关性。MRI分级评分越高表示突出间盘越大及神经根受累情况越严重;下腰痛评分越低表示功能障碍越明显。结果（1）MRI下,FLLDH与其他类型LDH分布节段差异有统计学意义（P〈 0.05） , FLLDH多见于L3-L4 , L4-L5节段,而L5-S1,无FLLDH分布。（ 2） FLLDH的MRI分级高于其他类型LDH（t=5.714,P〈0.01）,下腰痛评分低于其他类型LDH（t=4.406 ,P 〈0.01）,两组间差异均有统计学意义。（ 3 ） FLLDH的MRI分级与下腰痛评分呈负相关关系（r=-0.754 , P 〈0.05）。结论MRI的FLLDH分级评分与神经根受压引起的下腰痛虽然有一定的相关性,但在临床应用中还应注意其他影响因素。     

Morgagni hernia and accessory liver lobe torsion in an adult

Accessory liver lobe (ALL) is a rare congenital anomaly of the liver and is related to the focal excessive development of liver tissue. Accessory liver lobe torsion (ALLT) is a rare condition that can present with acute abdominal pain. Delay in diagnosis can lead to life-threatening complications such as sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Imaging methods, especially computed tomography (CT), are of great importance for prompt diagnosis of acute abdominal pain causes, and CT images should be carefully examined. Herein we present a case of ALLT that was occurred due to Morgagni hernia in a 54-year-old male patient who presented with acute abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed and CT demonstrated the Morgagni hernia and herniation of the accessory liver lobe into the hernia sac. CT showed decreased contrast-enhancement in the accessory liver lobe, compatible with ischemia. We also aimed to emphasize the clinical and CT imaging findings of ALLT.     

Computed tomorgaphy diagnostic of lumbar spondylolysis

Background. Low back pain is the main reason of reduction in physical activity. The aim of this study was to determine lumbar spine changes in patients with spondylolysis using computed tomography (CT) completed with multiplanar (MPR) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions. Material and methods. The investigation was performed on 35 patients at the age from 13 to 79 years suffering from chronic low back pain with recognised lumbar spondylolysis. All these patients were subjected to anteroposterior and lateral radiography, and computed tomography (CT) and CD reconstructions Results. Spondylolysthesis was diagnosed as grade I in thirty patients, grade II in two patients and grade IV in other two patients. No signs of spondylolysthesis observed in three cases. The deformations of intervertebral foramina were confirmed in 26 patients (74.29%) and their craniocaudal narrowing was present in 22 cases (62.86%). The osteophytes around fissure margin of lumbar spondylolysis were found in 20 patients (57.14%). The herniation of nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc was shown in 11 patients (31.43%). The degenerative changes of L4-L5 and L5-S1 intervertebral joints were present in 9 cases (25.71%), whereas the spina bifida of S1 vertebra was stated in four patients (11.43%). Conclusions. 1. High percentage of deformations and narrowing of the intervertebral foramen and the osteophytes around fissure margin of lumbar spondylolysis, and the intervertebral disc herniation were diagnosed in patients with low back pain and spondylolysis using computed tomography completed with MPR and 3D reconstructions. 2. The axial scans completed with multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstructions are very usefull in diagnostic of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.     

Magnetic resonance imaging and the diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the femoral head

Low back pain and/or pain radiating to one or both lower limbs can result from causes other than intervertebral disc disease. Recently three patients presented with low back pain radiating down the legs. When CT examination of the lumbar spine proved unrewarding, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head was diagnosed and subsequently treated before femoral head collapse occurred. In patients with unexplained low back pain, AVN of the hip should be considered and ruled out by MRI, even if conventional plain films, polytomes, and radionuclide scans are negative. The early diagnosis of AVN of the femoral head may be critical in determining whether a surgical revascularization procedure might be successful in treatment, or replacement with an endoprosthesis will be necessary, if femoral head collapse has already occurred.     

Lumbar Epidural Varix Causing Radicular Pain: A Case Report and Differential Diagnosis of Lumbar Cystic Lesions

Lumbar epidural varices are a rare cause of radicular pain mimicking lumbar disc herniation or other cyst-like masses including sequestrated disc herniation, facet joint synovial cyst, or perineural cyst. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman presenting with lumbar radicular pain caused by a lumbar epidural varix. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic lesion in the ventral epidural space posterior to the right L4 body. Surgery was conducted and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of an epidural varix. Lumbar epidural varices and other lumbar cystic lesions can commonly cause radicular pain. Physicians will benefit from increased awareness of epidural varices as a cause of lumbosacral radicular pain and the associated radiologic findings supporting differential diagnosis. In particular, careful interpretation of MRI scans may help ensure proper diagnosis of an epidural varix versus other cystic lesions.

Sciatic neuropathy secondary to a uterine fibroid: a case report

Lesions of the sciatic nerve outside the pelvis have been well described. Lesions within the pelvis, however, are far less common. We report the case of a 55-yr-old woman with a history of chronic low back pain who presented with progressive right buttock and posterolateral right lower limb pain associated with right foot numbness and tingling. She denied any associated low back or left lower limb pain. The patient was initially treated for a probable right lumbosacral radiculopathy, without improvement. A subsequent magnetic resonance image of the lumbosacral spine revealed multilevel disc degeneration at L3-4 through L5-S1, without disc herniation or canal stenosis. A magnetic resonance image of the pelvis revealed a markedly enlarged uterus, with a large pedunculated myoma impinging on the right sciatic foramen. The patient underwent a subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, with resolution of her right lower limb pain. This case illustrates the importance of considering intrapelvic causes of sciatic neuropathy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of sciatic neuropathy secondary to a uterine fibroid.