Multilevel lumbar laminotomies for focal spinal stenosis: case report

We describe a case of spondylotic lumbar spinal stenosis in an infirm elderly patient successfully treated with multilevel laminotomies. This procedure is less stressful to patients than a full laminectomy. In a selected subgroup of patients with "hourglass" spondylotic stenosis, it may provide adequate decompression.     

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar spine configuration

As life expectancy increases, degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) becomes a common health problem among the elderly. DLSS is usually caused by degenerative changes in bony and/or soft tissue elements. The poor correlation between radiological manifestations and the clinical picture emphasizes the fact that more studies are required to determine the natural course of this syndrome. Our aim was to reveal the association between lower lumbar spine configuration and DLSS. Two groups were studied: the first included 67 individuals with DLSS (mean age 66 ± 10) and the second 100 individuals (mean age 63.4 ± 13) without DLSS-related symptoms. Both groups underwent CT images (Philips Brilliance 64) and the following measurements were performed: a cross-section area of the dural sac, vertebral body dimensions (height, length and width), AP diameter of the bony spinal canal, lumbar lordosis and sacral slope angles. All measurements were taken at L3 to S1. Vertebral body lengths were significantly greater in the DLSS group at all levels compared to the control, whereas anterior vertebral body heights (L3, L4, L5) and middle vertebral heights (L3, L5) were significantly smaller in the LSS group. Lumbar lordosis, sacral slope and bony spinal canal were significantly smaller in the DLSS compared to the control. We conclude that the size and shape of vertebral bodies and canals significantly differed between the study groups. A tentative model is suggested to explain the association between these characteristics and the development of degenerative spinal stenosis.     

对颈腰综合征患者施行一期颈腰椎减压手术的临床效果分析

目的回顾性分析一期颈、腰椎减压手术治疗颈腰综合征的临床效果。方法 2010年10月～2012年10月收治的15例颈腰综合征患者,男10例,女5例;年龄45～83岁,平均67.3岁。行一期颈、腰椎减压手术并进行随访,从手术时间、出血量、日本骨科学会(Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA)评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数(Oswestry disability index,ODI)、住院时间、住院总费用、围手术期并发症、患者满意度等方面来探讨该手术的临床疗效。结果患者手术时间平均为156 min;术中失血量平均为628 mL。术后15例患者均得到随访(6～27个月),JOA(颈椎疾病)、JOA(腰痛)评分术后平均改善率分别为55.10%、36.84%;ODI从术前57.6到术后28.3;患者总体满意度为12/15(80%)。结论对颈腰综合征患者行一期颈、腰椎减压手术,临床效果显著,明显改善患者生活质量;还能降低住院费用,缩短住院时间,减轻心理负担。     

颈胸腰多发性椎间盘突出伴椎管狭窄症

目的 探讨同时发生在颈、胸、腰段的联合性多节段椎管狭窄的临床特点及治疗方法。方法 采用回顾性研究方法对手术治疗颈、胸、腰段的联合性多节段椎管狭窄的病例进行总结分析。结果 7例病人均同时患颈胸腰三处椎管狭窄。椎间盘突出、后纵韧带骨化、椎板及小关节增生肥大为造成颈胸腰椎管狭窄的主要病因。病人接受一处椎管减压3例，二处椎管减压3例，三处椎管减压1例。结论 同时发生在颈胸腰的椎管狭窄因各节段椎管狭窄致病原因复杂，脊髓受压迫时间较长，临床症状上多样化，易于相互影响。治疗上应先对各部位病情及影像学结果综合后作出轻重缓急的判断，以安排治疗上的先后次序。     

Non-contiguous multifocal spinal tuberculosis involving cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral segments: a case report

Main problem: There are only a few cases reported with non-contiguous spinal tuberculosis in the literature. Most of these patients have only two non-contiguous lesions, and in almost all of these cases, surgical treatment is required. Methods: A 17-year-old girl with non-contiguous multifocal spinal tuberculosis involving cervical, thoracic, thoracolumbar, lumbar and sacral segments is reported. The patient presented with systemic tuberculosis symptoms and signs, and progressive paraparesis. Results: The patient was treated with antituberculous drug therapy and was operated twice for thoracolumbar and cervical spinal lesions. She made an excellent neurological recovery. Conclusions: In the patients with non-contiguous spinal involvement, there is a high percentage of requirement of surgical treatment. This may be due to fulminant behaviour of the disease in these patients. Early surgical treatment of the cases with large abscesses and systemic tuberculosis may provide early improvement, and must probably be the first treatment modality after general support to the patient.     

胸椎管狭窄症合并颈椎病的治疗

2014年4月25~26日在北京成功举办了第三届全国胸椎管狭窄症专题研讨会,会上就胸椎管狭窄症与颈椎病的鉴别诊断、多节段胸椎管狭窄症患者的精准定位诊断等问题进行了深入研讨。会议期间与会专家围绕我们提供的1例胸椎管狭窄症合并颈椎病患者进行了热烈讨论,最终达成了部分共识。现将该病例资料及讨论结果报告如下。     

颈、胸、腰椎多节段椎管狭窄症行减压手术的临床疗效

目的分析颈、胸、腰椎多节段椎管狭窄症患者行一期椎管减压术的临床疗效。方法收集2009年10月~2012年5月解放军第八十九医院脊柱外一科收治的颈、胸、腰椎管狭窄症患者临床资料7例,均施行一期椎管扩大减压手术,从手术时间、出血量、日本骨科学会颈髓病评分评级标准(Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA-C)、日本骨科学会下腰痛评分评级标准(Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA-B)、Oswestry功能障碍指数(Oswestry disability index,ODI)、住院时间、围手术期并发症、患者满意度等方面来分析一期椎管减压术的临床疗效。结果 7例患者均得到随访,手术时间180~430 min,平均263 min。术中出血量350~1 500 m L,平均632 m L;JOA-C、JOA-B评分术前分别为(12.6±1.5)分、(14.2±5.3)分,术后(15.6±1.9)分、(20.2±5.5)分,术前术后差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);ODI术前(57.8±7.6)%,术后(28.3±6.8)%,术前术后差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。患者总体满意度为85.71%(6/7)。结论对颈、胸、腰椎多节段椎管狭窄症患者行一期椎管扩大减压手术,有一定临床效果,可改善患者生活质量。     

Coexisting cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis: diagnosis and management

An attempt has been made to identify and manage patients symptomatic from both cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis. The order of operative intervention was related to the degree of myelopathy and radiculopathy. Patients requiring cervical surgery first had absolute stenosis with a spinal canal equal to or less than 10 mm in anteroposterior diameter. Those requiring lumbar surgery first presented with stenosis and a canal between 11 and 13 mm in depth. In the latter group, patients presented with radiculopathy in their upper and lower extremities. A significant portion (50%) had intermittent neurogenic claudication (INC). Motor and sensory changes were severe in those with absolute as compared to relative stenosis. After cervical laminectomy, myelopathy improved or stabilized, and the subsequent lumbar decompression could be completed with less risk. Cervical cord decompression often resulted in improvement in lumbar symptoms with resolution of pain, spasticity, and sensory deficits of myelopathic origin. However, latent symptoms of INC caused by lumbar stenosis were not affected by cervial decompression and increased in severity. Electrodiagnostic studies were helpful in that somatosensory evoked potentials showed conduction delays in the cervical cord in patients with significant disease. The identification of motor neuron disease and peripheral neuropathies was essential. The surgical management included extensive, multiple level laminectomy, unroofing of the lateral recesses, and foraminotomy. Neurolysis and untethering of the spinal cord was essential. Significant improvement was shown by 90% of these patients.     

Adult-onset intradural spinal teratoma in the lumbar spine: A case report

Intradural spinal teratoma is a very rare tumour that can be associated with dysraphic defects. We report a case of adult-onset intradural spinal teratoma in the lumbar spine. The patient was a 54-year-old female who had chief complaints of a gait disturbance. X-rays showed an enlargement of the interpedicular distance at L3/L4 and spina bifida distal to L4. MRI showed a spindle-shaped tumour between L2 and L5. We performed laminotomy using an ultrasonic surgical knife. Pathological diagnosis of the resected tumour was matured teratoma. The diagnosis of matured teratoma was made because the tumour had no epithelium and a layered structure including prostate tissue, matured fat, cartilage and sweat gland.     

Non-contiguous multifocal Staphylococcus aureus discitis: involvement of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine

Introduction  

Multilevel discitis is rare, and classically due to granulomatous organisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, brucella and fungal species.     

Chronic spinal epidural hematoma presenting as lumbar stenosis: clinical, myelographic, and computed tomographic features. A case report

The case of a patient with a chronic spinal epidural hematoma presenting as lumbar stenosis is described. There was no history of major trauma to the lumbar spine, anticoagulant use, or coagulopathy. The clinical, myelographic, and CT findings are presented and discussed.     

Intradural disc herniations in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine: report of three cases and review of the literature

The clinical, neuroradiological, and surgical management of three cases of intradural disc herniations--one each in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions--are presented. Intradural disc herniations comprise only 0.27% of all herniated discs. Three percent occur in the cervical, 5% in the thoracic, and 92% in the lumbar spinal canal. Those with cervical or thoracic lesions frequently exhibit profound myelopathy, whereas those with lumbar lesions demonstrate radicular or cauda equina syndromes. Although varying combinations of the MRI, non-contrast CT, myelogram, and myelo-CT scans may at times fail to accurately establish the diagnosis of an intradural disc herniation prior to surgery, the index of suspicion raised by the lack of clinical correlation with surgical findings justifies an intradural exploration.     

Management of lumbar spinal stenosis: a survey among Dutch spine surgeons

Background

Various surgical and non-surgical treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are widely adopted in clinical practice, but high quality randomised controlled trials to support these are often lacking, especially in terms of their relative benefit and risk compared with other treatment options. Therefore, an evaluation of agreement among clinicians regarding the indications and the choice for particular treatments seems appropriate.

Methods

One hundred and six Dutch neurosurgeons and orthopaedic spine surgeons completed a questionnaire, which evaluated treatment options for LSS and expectations regarding the effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical treatments.

Results

Responders accounted for 6,971 decompression operations and 831 spinal fusion procedures for LSS annually. Typical neurogenic claudication, severe pain/disability, and a pronounced constriction of the spinal canal were considered the most important indications for surgical treatment by the majority of responders. Non-surgical treatment was generally regarded as ineffective and believed to be less effective than surgical treatment. Interlaminar decompression was the preferred technique by 68 % of neurosurgeons and 52 % orthopaedic surgeons for the treatment of LSS. Concomitant fusion was applied in 12 % of all surgery for LSS. Most surgeons considered spondylolisthesis as an indication and spinal instability as a definite indication for additional fusion.

Conclusions

The current survey demonstrates a wide variety of preferred treatments of symptomatic LSS by Dutch spine surgeons. To minimise variety, national and international protocols based on high-quality randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews are necessary to give surgeons more tools to support everyday decision-making.     

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: an evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The objective of the North American Spine Society (NASS) evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) is to provide evidence-based recommendations to address key clinical questions surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of DLSS. The guideline is intended to reflect contemporary treatment concepts for symptomatic DLSS as reflected in the highest quality clinical literature available on this subject as of April 2006. The goals of the guideline recommendations are to assist in delivering optimum, efficacious treatment, and functional recovery from this spinal disorder. PURPOSE: To provide an evidence-based tool that assists practitioners in improving the quality and efficiency of care delivered to patients with DLSS. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Evidence-based clinical guideline. METHODS: This report is from the Spinal Stenosis Work Group of the NASS Clinical Guidelines Committee. The work group comprised medical, diagnostic, interventional, and surgical spinal care specialists, all of whom were trained in the principles of evidence-based analysis. In the development of this guideline, the work group arrived at a consensus definition of a working diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis by use of a modification of the nominal group technique. Each member of the group formatted a series of clinical questions to be addressed by the group and the final list of questions agreed on by the group is the subject of this report. A literature search addressing each question and using a specific literature search protocol was performed on English language references found in MEDLINE, EMBASE (Drugs and Pharmacology), and four additional, evidence-based, databases. The relevant literature to answer each clinical question was then independently rated by at least two reviewers using the NASS-adopted standardized levels of evidence. An evidentiary table was created for each of the questions. Any discrepancies in evidence levels among the initial raters were resolved by at least two additional members' review of the reference and independent rating. Final grades of recommendation for the answer to each clinical question were arrived at in face-to-face meetings among members of the work group using the NASS-adopted standardized grades of recommendation. When Levels I to IV evidence was insufficient to support a recommendation to answer a specific clinical question, expert consensus was arrived at by the work group through the modified nominal group technique and is clearly identified as such in the guideline. RESULTS: Eighteen clinical questions were asked, addressing issues of prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of DLSS. The answers to these 18 clinical questions are summarized in this document along with their respective levels of evidence and grades of recommendation in support of these answers. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical guideline for DLSS has been created using the techniques of evidence-based medicine and using the best available evidence as a tool to aid both practitioners and patients involved with the care of this disease. The entire guideline document including the evidentiary tables, suggestions for future research, and all references is available electronically at the NASS Web site (www.spine.org) and will remain updated on a timely schedule.     

Asymmetrical vertebral collapse from spinal metastasis in lower thoracic and lumbar spine

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between spinal metastasis and osteoporotic compression fractures on plain X-ray images, focusing on asymmetrical vertebral collapse and fracture level.

A thoracic and lumbar spine injury severity classification based on neurologic function grade, spinal canal deformity, and spinal biomechanical stability

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Current well regarded thoracic and lumbar spine injury classifications use mechanistic and anatomical categories, which do not directly rely on quantifiable management parameters. Their clinical usefulness is not optimal. PURPOSE: Formulate an injury severity based classification. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This retrospective investigation studied patients who suffered thoracic and lumbar spine injuries, and examined the following three quantifiable parameters: 1) neurologic function grade; 2) spinal canal deformity; 3) biomechanical stability. These parameters are the primary clinical indications for management decisions. PATIENT SAMPLE: One hundred twenty-six consecutive patients with spinal trauma admitted to a level 1 tertiary trauma center from January 1997 to November 2005 were enrolled in this study. OUTCOME MEASURES: Spine injury severity was independently scored on three parameters: 1) neurologic function impairment grade according to the modified Frankel grading method and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) function scale; 2) spinal canal deformity from translation and intrusion, measured as percent canal cross-sectional area compromise; 3) failure of five possible biomechanical functions in Denis's three anatomic columns, and a sixth group of unstable deformities. All three columns contribute to tensile function. Only the anterior and middle columns provide compression load-bearing function. A combination of three or more column biomechanical function failure or an unstable deformity renders the injury unstable. METHODS: Five fellowship-trained spine surgeons from one institution took part in the study. Hospital medical records, including admission history and physical examination, discharge summary, and operative report (if surgery was performed), were examined for neurologic deficit. Plain radiographs, computed tomographic scans and magnetic resonance imaging were assessed for canal compromise and biomechanical function status. RESULTS: Injuries were located from T3 to L5, 58% of which were at the thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2). Neurologic impairment occurred in 45% (57/126) of patients, with 19 complete paraplegias (Frankel grade A). The average spinal canal cross-sectional area compromise was 56.1% in neurologically impaired and 14.2% for patients who where neurologically intact. The number of tensile element failure patients in neurologically impaired versus intact are as follow: tri-columns 22/4; two columns 16/8; one column 11/17; all columns intact 8/40. Load-bearing element failed in 55/57 neurologically impaired and 63/69 intact patients. Sixty-seven patients had spinal reconstructive surgery. Their average instability profile score was 4.4 out of 6, and canal compromise score was 3.3 out of 5. CONCLUSIONS: A clinically useful thoracic and lumbar spine injury classification should be based on parameters that are the primary indications for management decisions. The same parameters should be injury severity quantifiable as to guide treatment. In this study we introduced spinal canal deformity and column biomechanical functions as quantifiable parameters in thoracic and lumbar injury severity classification. Validation of this method is beyond the scope of this preliminary study.