Butterfly Vertebra

A 41-year-old man with low back pain and lumbar disc disease was found to have L-3 butterfly vertebra on imaging studies as an incidental finding. This uncommon congenital anomaly of the vertebral column is usually asymptomatic and of no clinical significance. Awareness of this deformity and its imaging features is important diagnostically.     

Fluoronavigation-assisted,lumbar vertebroplasty for a painful Schmorl node

Lumbar Schmorl nodes usually remain asymptomatic. Painful nodes either heal spontaneously or respond to conservative therapy in most instances. Diagnosis and treatment may be difficult in patients presenting with chronic back pain. We present a 31-year-old man with a lumbar Schmorl node that was unrecognised for 10 years as the origin of his severe chronic back pain. Finally, MRI revealed a significant oedematous rim around a huge Schmorl node in the L4 vertebra. After conservative therapy failed the patient underwent a successful fluoronavigation-assisted, percutaneous vertebroplasty. In the absence of other pathological conditions, an oedematous rim around the node (as seen on MRI) is probably the pain generator in chronic back pain. We believe that the relevant nociceptors are located in the oedematous rim and not in the node itself. Therefore, cement augmentation of the rim is expected to be a successful treatment. Fluoronavigation facilitates safe access to the vertebral body.     

L5 spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis: a comprehensive review with an anatomic focus

Introduction

Spondylolysis is most commonly observed in the lumbar spine, particularly L5, and is associated with spondylolisthesis, or anterior “slippage” of a vertebra in relation to an adjacent vertebra. Isthmic spondylolisthesis is the result of a pars interarticularis defect and will be the only type of spondylolisthesis addressed in this review.

Conclusions

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis represent a relatively common cause of low back pain, especially in young athletes, and a less common cause of neurologic compromise. When discovered in a symptomatic patient with corroborating imaging findings, early intervention provides an excellent prognosis. Herein, we review the anatomy and pathology of spondylosis and spondylolisthesis of the L5 vertebra.     

Transforaminal epidural steroid injection for the treatment of severe back pain caused by cement leakage during kyphoplasty procedure

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that is increasingly used to treat pain caused by compression fractures of vertebral bodies. A 56-year-old woman who had a compression fracture on the vertebral body of L5 vertebra was admitted to the Algology Department with a severe low back and leg pain. Kyphoplasty was planned for pain relief. She suffered severe pain in her back and left leg immediately after the procedure because of a leakage of injected cement through the fracture line. After injection of triamcinolone and bupivacaine transforaminally into the L5-S1 anterior epidural space, her pain complaints ended. If radicular pain symptoms caused by cement leakage are secondary to a chemically mediated non-cellular inflammatory reaction, transforaminal epidural steroid injection should be useful.     

退变性腰椎疾患小关节囊中P物质的表达及其意义

[摘要] 目的 探讨退变性腰椎疾患中小关节囊病理变化及其疼痛机理。 方法 采用术前诊断性封闭方法筛选出18例退变性慢性腰痛患者,行小关节囊切除,切除的小关节囊标本作为实验组,选取18例骨折前无腰痛的腰椎骨折患者的小关节囊标本为对照组,进行P物质（Substance P,SP）免疫组化染色,观察SP免疫组化染色阳性神经纤维的分布情况。结果 实验组中13例可见SP阳性神经纤维,5例未见阳性反应。SP神经纤维在小关节囊内的定位与分布基本一致,关节囊上的SP神经纤维大部分沿血管走行,血管周围阳性神经纤维密度较大,也有一些SP 神经不与血管伴行,独立走行于关节囊基质中,另外在小关节软骨下骨区亦有少量独立走行的SP纤维。对照组腰椎小关节囊中3例可见少量SP阳性神经纤维,15例为阴性。结论 腰椎小关节囊病理改变与退变性腰痛有明显关系,小关节囊中SP阳性神经纤维可能参与了退变性腰痛疼痛的发生。小关节囊病理改变在小关节源性腰痛发生中起重要作用。     

Existence of two separate facet joints on the same side: case of a congenital anomaly

We present a case that had two separate facet joints on the same side causing an intervertebral instability. The embryological pathogenesis of the congenital existence of two separate facet joints on the same side of the vertebra is not conclusively known. A 68-year-old woman presented with lower back pain and severe left leg pain. Neuroradiological evaluation including dynamic plain radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine revealed the existence of two separate facet joints on the same side of the first sacral vertebra, severe degenerative changes of both right and left L5-S1 facet joints, and Grade II L5-S1 spondylolisthesis. Subsequently, she underwent surgery. Intraoperatively, two separate facet joints on the same side of the first sacral vertebra were confirmed. The patient's symptoms were resolved after decompression and fusion surgery. This is a unique case of the congenital existence of two separate facet joints on the same side of the first sacral vertebra.     

Seizure control by mesothalamic reticular stimulation

A 53 year old woman with chronic back pain and headaches also was considered to have a reticular formation generated "absence status." Both the chronic pain and the absence status were relieved by electrical stimulation in the mesothalamic reticular formation. The various psychologic and physiologic factors contributing to the patient's illness were analyzed and presented to demonstrate the progression of the illness. The discussion considers electrical "mini-discharges" in the reticular formation as the generator of the absence status and associated chronic pain. Therapeutic reticular stimulation electrically "jams" the reticular "mini-discharge" generator and thereby alleviates the absence attacks and pain.     

Estimated Number of Korean Adults with Back Pain and Population-Based Associated Factors of Back Pain : Data from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Objective

We estimated the number of Korean adults with back pain and evaluated population-based associated factors of back pain from a representative sample data from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Methods

The number of Korean adults who experienced back pain (experienced patients), those who experienced back pain lasting for three or more months during the past year (chronic patients), and those who were currently suffering from back pain (current patients) were estimated by analyzing the data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2007 using surveyfreq procedure of the SAS statistical package. Population-based odds ratios for being experienced, chronic, and current patient according to demographic (age and gender), socioeconomic (education and occupation), and lifestyle factors (smoking, drinking, and exercise) were estimated using surveylogistic procedure.

Results

It was estimated that there were 5,554,256 (proportion, 15.4%; 95% CI, 4,809,466 - 6,299,046) experienced patients, 2,060,829 (5.7%; 1,557,413-2,564,246) chronic patients, and 3,084,188 (8.5%; 2,600,197 - 3,568,179) current patients among 36,107,225 Korean adults aged 20-89 years in 2007. Each of explanatory variables was significantly associated with at least one of the response variables for back pain.

Conclusion

Based on our study results, further efforts to investigate epidemiology of back pain, to evaluate associated factors, and to improve treatment outcomes are needed.     

Flexion-distraction injury of the L1 vertebra treated with short-segment posterior fixation and Optimesh.

We report a patient with a flexion-distraction injury of the L1 vertebra treated with a combination of short-segment posterior fixation and Optimesh (Spineology Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA), a flexible balloon-shaped mesh that is deployed into the fractured vertebra together with allograft. The patient, a 47-year-old man, was admitted after sustaining a motor vehicle accident. Imaging studies showed an L1 compression fracture. The patient had no neurologic deficits and was treated conservatively. However, intense back pain persisted and significant kyphosis was noted when he mobilized. Review of the imaging studies strongly suggested disruption of the posterior spinal ligaments. Surgical intervention was performed to address both restoration of the posterior tension band and anterior column height simultaneously. The combined procedure consisted of short-segment posterior fixation from T12 to L2, and placement of Optimesh filled with allograft into the L1 vertebral body. The anterior column height was restored and spinal alignment was corrected by the procedure, and the patient's back pain subsided soon after the procedure. The role of minimally invasive procedures for reconstruction of the vertebral column height, including the Optimesh system, in patients with thoracolumbar compression fracture seems promising. However, the long-term efficacy of these new techniques is unknown. It also remains to be seen how the delivery of allograft into the fractured vertebra via Optimesh affects remodeling, and whether the restored vertebral height is maintained.     

Pain Fear Avoidance and Pain Acceptance: A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Their Influence on Adjustment to Chronic Pain Across Three Samples of Patients

Background

Prior studies found that pain fear avoidance and pain acceptance are significantly associated with adjustment to chronic pain.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the influence of pain fear avoidance and pain acceptance on adjustment to chronic pain across three samples: patients with chronic back pain treated at primary care centres, patients with heterogeneous pain conditions treated at a pain clinic and patients with pain associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods

Structural equation modelling was used to test for differences between groups in the linear relationships between variables.

Results

The model had the best fit for the group of patients with back pain. Three significant relationships were equal across the groups: experiential avoidance on pain fear avoidance, pain intensity on pain fear avoidance, and pain fear avoidance on negative mood.

Conclusions

The associations between both pain fear avoidance and pain acceptance and adjustment to chronic pain vary depending on the pain condition and the type of health care centres where the patients are treated.     

Peripheral Nerve Field Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: Preliminary Results of Long‐Term Follow‐up: A Case Series

Objective. Our objective was to determine the efficacy of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) for the treatment of chronic lower back pain. PNFS is becoming increasingly recognized as a safe, minimally invasive, and easily reversible treatment for a variety of chronic pain conditions. Chronic low back pain is a common cause of disability and one that is difficult to treat effectively. We hypothesized that PNFS would be a safe, effective alternative for patients with chronic low back pain, which has not been previously reported. Materials and Methods. Six patients with chronic low back pain who had failed conventional therapies were implanted in the subcutaneous tissues of the low back region with neurostimulation leads. Leads were placed superficially in the region of maximum pain, as identified by each individual patient. Patients initially underwent a trial of stimulation to assess response, and a permanent system was subsequently implanted if patients reported greater than 50% pain relief in the low back during the trial. Results. In each case presented here, PNFS enabled patients to decrease their pain medication and increase their level of activity. The patients all reported reduction in pain as measured by visual analog scale scores and an improved quality of life. Conclusion. We conclude that PNFS is a safe and effective alternative treatment for patients with chronic low back pain, and should be considered in this population.     

A spell in the epilepsy clinic and a history of "chronic pain" or "fibromyalgia" independently predict a diagnosis of psychogenic seizures

The clinical suspicion for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) is based on multiple features obtained in the history. We reviewed the records of all patients evaluated over 5 years in a single epilepsy clinic for refractory seizures who eventually underwent EEG/video monitoring. We designated two groups: (1) patients with a diagnosis of "fibromyalgia" or "chronic pain" and (2) patients who had a seizure during the visit, either in the waiting area or in the examining room. Of 36 patients with "fibromyalgia" or "chronic pain," 27 (75%) were found to have PNES. Of 13 patients who had a "seizure" during their clinic visit, 10 (75%) were found to have PNES. We conclude that each of these findings has a predictive value of 75%.     

Aggression bei Migräne und chronischem Rückenschmerz – eine Querschnittsstudie

Whether chronic pain is associated more with inwardly or outwardly directed aggression is a matter of discussion. In the present investigation, female patients with migraines, as well as female patients with chronic back pain, were studied with respect to their potential for aggression. The results from female inpatients with migraines (N = 40) and chronic back pain (N = 40) were compared with the results from a healthy control group (N = 40). The study was carried out with two standardized questionnaires, the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), as well as with a projective prospective procedure, the Rosenzweig Picture Frustration Test (PFT). Female patients with migraines, as well as those with back pain, showed significantly higher values for aggression/hostility (SCL-90-R) than the control group. Both groups of patients had significantly higher scores on the Anger-In scale (STAXI), and on the Aggression-Expression-Index (PFT) than the control group, which, however, could not be replicated on the PFT scale for intropunitiveness. The superego pattern E-E of the PFT, as a measure of outward aggression, resulted in a significant difference only between the migraine patients and control group. The results of this study suggest that female patients with migraines, as well as female patients with chronic back pain, have strong perceptions of aggression. These perceptions might be clearly directed inwardly. The unambiguousness of this statement is, however, limited by the very specific random sample and the non-validated PFT measurement.     

The Effectiveness of Endoscopic Radiofrequency Denervation of Medial Branch for Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of endoscopic radiofrequency ablation of medial branch in patients with chronic low back pain originating from facet joints.

Methods

Between October 2010 and December 2013, 52 consecutive patients had suffering from chronic low back pain had undergone endoscopic radiofrequency denervation of medial branch of dorsal ramus. The clinical outcomes of these 52 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), and patients'' satisfaction with the procedure were assessed.

Results

The pain scores on the VAS for back pain had improved significantly from a preoperative mean of 7.1 to a postoperative mean of 2 at the last follow-up (p<0.001). The clinical outcomes based on the K-ODI had also improved significantly from a preoperative mean of 26.5% to postoperative mean of 7.7% at the last follow-up (p<0.001). 80% of patients were satisfied with the procedure. There were no complications associated with the procedure.

Conclusion

Our preliminary results demonstrate that endoscopic radiofrequency denervation of medial branch could be an effective alternative treatment modality for chronic back pain originating from facet joints that provides long-term pain relief.     

Pain conditions among veterans with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the rates of chronic, noncancer pain conditions in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) System.

Method

This cross-sectional study used administrative data extracted from VHA treatment records of all individuals receiving VHA services in fiscal year 2008 (N= 5,195,551). The associations between severe psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) and chronic pain (arthritis, back pain, chronic pain, migraine, headache, psychogenic and neuropathic) were evaluated using a series of logistic regression analyses.

Results

Veterans with schizophrenia [odds ratio (OR)=1.21] and bipolar disorder (OR=2.17) were significantly more likely to have chronic pain overall relative to veterans without these psychiatric conditions. These associations were slightly lower than for the association between depression and pain in this sample (OR=2.61). The highest associations between specific psychiatric diagnosis and pain condition were found with chronic pain, headache and psychogenic pain.

Conclusions

Noncancer pain conditions occur in elevated rates among patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Future research could further examine possible barriers to adequate pain treatment among people with serious mental illness, as well as the extent to which chronic pain might impact mental health recovery.     

Controversies about instrumented surgery and pain relief in degenerative lumbar spine pain. Results of scientific evidence

Investigation and development of new techniques for intrumented surgery of the spine is not free of conflicts of interest. The influence of financial forces in the development of new technologies an its immediately application to spine surgery, shows the relationship between the published results and the industry support. Even authors who have defend eagerly fusion techniques, it have been demonstrated that them are very much involved in the revision of new articles to be published and in the approval process of new spinal technologies. When we analyze the published results of spine surgery, we must bear in mind what have been call in the "American Stock and Exchange" as "the bubble of spine surgery". The scientific literature doesn't show clear evidence in the cost-benefit studies of most instrumented surgical interventions of the spine compare with the conservative treatments. It has not been yet demonstrated that fusion surgery and disc replacement are better options than the conservative treatment. It's necessary to point out that at present "there are relationships between the industry and back pain, and there is also an industry of the back pain". Nonetheless, the "market of the spine surgery" is growing up because patients are demanding solutions for their back problems. The tide of scientific evidence seams to go against the spinal fusions in the degenerative disc disease, discogenic pain and inespecific back pain. After decades of advances in this field, the results of spinal fusions are mediocre. New epidemiological studies show that "spinal fusion must be accepted as a non proved or experimental method for the treatment of back pain". The surgical literature on spinal fusion published in the last 20 years following the Cochrane's method establish that: 1- this is at least incomplete, not reliable and careless; 2- the instrumentation seems to slightly increase the fusion rate; 3- the instrumentation doesn't improve the clinical results in general, lacking studies in subgroups of patients. We still are needing randomized studies to compare the surgical results with the natural history of the disease, the placebo effect, or the conservative treatment. The European Guidelines for lumbar chronic pain management show a "strong evidence" indicating that complex and demanding spine surgery where different instrumentation is used, is not more effective than a simple, safer and cheaper posterolateral fusion without instrumentation. Recently, the literature published in this field is sending a message to use "minimally invasive techniques", abandon transpedicular fusions and clearly indicating that we must apply the knowledge accumulated at least along the last 20 years based on the scientific evidence. In conclusion, based in recent information, we must recommend the "abandon of the instrumented pathway" in a great number of present indications for degenerative spine surgery, and look for new strategies in the field of rehabilitation and conservative treatments correctly apply, using before the decompressive and instrumented surgery all the interventional and minimally invasive techniques that are presently offer in the field of modem lumbar chronic pain treatment.     

Patients with chronic pain exhibit individually unique cortical signatures of pain encoding

Chronic pain is characterised by an ongoing and fluctuating intensity over time. Here, we investigated how the trajectory of the patients'' endogenous pain is encoded in the brain. In repeated functional MRI (fMRI) sessions, 20 patients with chronic back pain and 20 patients with chronic migraine were asked to continuously rate the intensity of their endogenous pain. Linear mixed effects models were used to disentangle cortical processes related to pain intensity and to pain intensity changes. At group level, we found that the intensity of pain in patients with chronic back pain is encoded in the anterior insular cortex, the frontal operculum, and the pons; the change of pain in chronic back pain and chronic migraine patients is mainly encoded in the anterior insular cortex. At the individual level, we identified a more complex picture where each patient exhibited their own signature of endogenous pain encoding. The diversity of the individual cortical signatures of chronic pain encoding results bridge between clinical observations and neuroimaging; they add to the understanding of chronic pain as a complex and multifaceted disease.     

Mindfulness-based stress reduction for chronic pain conditions: Variation in treatment outcomes and role of home meditation practice

Objective

This study compared changes in bodily pain, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and psychological symptoms during an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program among groups of participants with different chronic pain conditions.

Methods

From 1997-2003, a longitudinal investigation of chronic pain patients (n=133) was nested within a larger prospective cohort study of heterogeneous patients participating in MBSR at a university-based Integrative Medicine center. Measures included the Short-Form 36 Health Survey and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Paired t tests were used to compare pre-post changes on outcome measures. Differences in treatment effect sizes were compared as a function of chronic pain condition. Correlations were examined between outcome parameters and home meditation practice.

Results

Outcomes differed in significance and magnitude across common chronic pain conditions. Diagnostic subgroups of patients with arthritis, back/neck pain, or two or more comorbid pain conditions demonstrated a significant change in pain intensity and functional limitations due to pain following MBSR. Participants with arthritis showed the largest treatment effects for HRQoL and psychological distress. Patients with chronic headache/migraine experienced the smallest improvement in pain and HRQoL. Patients with fibromyalgia had the smallest improvement in psychological distress. Greater home meditation practice was associated with improvement on several outcome measures, including overall psychological distress, somatization symptoms, and self-rated health, but not pain and other quality of life scales.

Conclusion

MBSR treatment effects on pain, HRQoL and psychological well-being vary as a function of chronic pain condition and compliance with home meditation practice.     

Subjective health complaints, sensitization, and sustained cognitive activation (stress)

INTRODUCTION: This review argues that "subjective health complaints" is a better and neutral term for "unexplained medical symptoms." The most common complaints are musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal complaints and "pseudoneurology" (tiredness, sleep problems, fatigue, and mood changes). These complaints are common in the general population, but for some these complaints reach a level that requires care and assistance. THEORETICAL ASSUMPTIONS: We suggest that these complaints are based on sensations from what in most people are normal physiological processes. In some individuals these sensations become intolerable. In some cases it may signal somatic disease, in most cases not. Cases without somatic disease, or with minimal somatic findings, occur under diagnoses like burnout, epidemic fatigue, multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic musculoskeletal pain, chronic low back pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. These complaints are particularly common in individuals with low coping and high levels of helplessness and hopelessness. CONCLUSION: The psychobiological mechanisms for this is suggested to be sensitization in neural loops maintained by sustained attention and arousal.     

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Pain Consciousness: Cortical Networks of Pain Critically Depend on What is Implied by "Pain"

Brain imaging studies, using primarily functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), are reviewed. These studies are aimed at developing imaging approaches that can be used in the clinical setting to investigate clinically relevant pain states. To this end, our recent studies indicate that by taking advantage of the temporal variations in pain perception, we are able to identify cortical regions that may be uniquely involved in pain consciousness. This procedure in turn becomes a general approach with which clinical pain states can be studied. Preliminary results are shown in patients suffering from chronic reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and chronic back pain. The review emphasizes that different experimental pain states, and chronic and acute clinical pain states, seem to involve dramatically different networks, the details of which remain to be worked out. It is concluded that these procedures need to be applied in the larger clinical setting in which multicentered studies may be conducted to begin building the brain pain network atlas.