Predictors of residual low back pain after acute osteoporotic compression fracture

BackgroundStudies on the clinical and radiographic risk factors for the residual low back pain beyond 6 months after osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) are lacking. Hence, this study aimed to characterize a patient population with residual low back pain 48 weeks after acute OVFs and to identify the risk factors associated with residual low back pain.MethodsThis prospective multicenter study included 166 female patients aged 65–85 years with acute one-level OVFs. We defined the residual low back pain as visual analog scale (VAS) for low back pain ≥3.5 at 48 weeks in this study, as VAS score ≥3.5 is used to describe moderate or severe pain. Thus, outcome and risk factor analyses were performed by comparing patients with VAS scores <3.5 and ≥ 3.5. In the radiographic analysis, the anterior vertebral body compression percentage was measured at 0, 12, and 48 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at enrollment and 48 weeks.ResultsOf the 166 patients analyzed, 58 complained of residual low back pain at 48 weeks after OVFs. At 0 weeks, the VAS score was significantly higher, and the JOABPEQ mental health score and anterior vertebral body compression percentage were significantly lower in patients with persistent pain 48 weeks after OVFs. The independent risk factors in the acute phase for persistent pain 48 weeks after OVFs were a high VAS score, MRI T2 fluid-intensity image pattern, and a lower anterior vertebral body compression percentage.ConclusionsSevere low back pain, MRI T2 fluid-intensity image pattern, and severe vertebral body collapse in the acute phase were significant risk factors for residual low back pain 48 weeks after OVFs. Patients with acute OVFs who have these risk factors should be carefully monitored for the possible development of residual chronic low back pain.     

Percutaneous vertebroplasty for vertebral compression fractures in the patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is an interventional treatment for painful vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis and malignant diseases such as multiple myeloma and metastatic bone tumors. We present the first case of PVP performed on a man in his thirties with vertebral compression fractures secondary to acute lymphoblastic leukemia. PVP at T11 and L1 levels resulted in a marked improvement in refractory pain although he developed delayed pyogenic spondylitis two months after the intervention. This case suggests that PVP could be one of the useful therapeutic procedures for intractable back pain associated with vertebral compression fractures in acute lymphoblastic leukemia if we are extremely vigilant for the risk of spondylitis.     

Back pain in osteoporotic vertebral fractures

SUMMARY: This review article examines the epidemiology and pathogenesis of back pain and vertebral fractures in osteoporosis, reviewing the management of pain in patients with vertebral fractures and the direct and indirect effect of osteoporosis treatments on back pain. INTRODUCTION: The management of patients with vertebral fractures has largely concentrated on the prevention of further fractures by the treatment of underlying osteoporosis, with drug treatment for acute and chronic back pain and the non-pharmacological management of vertebral fractures receiving less attention. DISCUSSION: Emerging evidence suggests that, in addition to reducing the incidence of vertebral fractures, calcitonin, intravenous bisphosphonates and teriparatide may also have a direct effect on bone pain. Targeted analgesia, tailored to individual need is often required in both the acute and chronic phases following vertebral fracture. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have also been approved for use in the management of vertebral fractures and may prove useful in selected patients unresponsive to conventional pain relief. There is some evidence to support the use of individualised tailored exercise programmes aimed at strengthening back muscles to maintain bone density and reduce further fracture incidence. In addition the use of specific orthoses may help to reduce kyphosis, improve mobility and reduce pain. CONCLUSION: Chronic back pain associated with vertebral fracture provides a great challenge to health care professionals and the patient. This demands a combination of options, including not only therapeutic interventions, but also physiotherapy, psychological support and patient education.     

Vertebral body compression fracture after removal of pedicle screws: a report of two cases

While the risks of pedicle screw insertion are well established, there is a paucity of reports on complications associated with implant removal. We report two cases of acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures of the instrumented vertebral body adjacent to the fractured vertebra due to removal of pedicle screws in two female patients previously treated for vertebral lumbar burst fractures. Both patients had experienced only mild occasional pain at the thoracolumbar junction prior to the removal of the implants. In the formerly almost asymptomatic individuals, the acute osteoporotic fractures led to persistent severe back pain despite prolonged intensive treatment. Patients must be thoroughly informed of the rare but potential risks of spinal implant removal, particularly in cases of osteoporosis. We therefore do not recommend removal of spinal implants unless there are clear clinical indications for implant removal.     

The course of the acute vertebral body fragility fracture: its effect on pain,disability and quality of life during 12 months

The vertebral body fracture is the most frequent bone fragility fracture. In spite of this there is considerable uncertainty about the frequency, extent and severity of the acute pain and even more about the duration of pain, the magnitude of disability and how much daily life is disturbed in the post-fracture period. The aim of the present study was to follow the course of pain, disability, ADL and QoL in patients during the year after an acute low energy vertebral body fracture. The study design was a longitudinal cohort study with prospective data collection. All the patients over 40 years admitted to the emergency unit because of back pain with a radiologically acute vertebral body fracture were eligible. A total of 107 patients were followed for a year. The pain, disability (von Korff pain and disability scores), ADL (Hannover ADL score), and QoL (EQ-5D) were measured after 3 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months. Two-thirds of the patients were women, and were similar in average age, as the men around 75 years. A total of 65.4% of the fractures were due to a level fall or a minor trauma, whereas 34.6% had no recollection of trauma or a specific event as the cause of the fracture. A total of 76.6% of the fractured patients were immediately mobilized and allowed to return home while the remaining were hospitalized. The average pain intensity score after 3 weeks was 70.9 (SD 19.3), the disability score 68.9 (SD 23.6), the ADL score 37.7 (SD 22.1) and EQ-5D score of 0.37 (SD 0.37). The largest improvements, 10–15%, occurred between the initial visit and the 3 months follow-up and were quite similar for all the measures. From 3 months, all the outcome measures leveled out or tended to deteriorate resulting in a mean pain intensity score of 60.5, disability score of 53.9, ADL score of 47.6, and EQ-5D score 0.52 after 12 months. After a whole year the fractured patients’ condition was similar to the preoperative condition of patients with a herniated lumbar disc, central lumbar spinal stenosis or in patients 100% work disabled due to back or neck problems. Instead of the generally believed good prognosis for the greater majority of those fractured, the acute vertebral body fracture was the beginning of a long-lasting severe deterioration of their health.     

椎弓根螺钉固定结合可注射型人工骨治疗严重腰椎爆裂性骨折

目的 探讨应用椎弓根螺钉固定结合可注射型人工骨(MIIG)治疗严重腰椎爆裂性骨折的临床疗效. 方法 自2002年3月至2004年1月,采用此方法治疗严重腰椎爆裂性骨折患者38例,Denis分型:A型5例,B型16例,c型8例,D型3例,E型6例.观察手术前后后凸畸形、椎体前后缘高度变化、腰背疼痛VAS评分、神经功能分级,并行单因素方差统计分析. 结果 所有患者获得18～36个月(平均26个月)随访.骨折椎体近似解剖复位34例,椎体高度恢复4/5者4例,手术前后Cobb角、椎体前缘高度、腰背疼痛VAS评分手术前、后均存在明显差异(P<0.05),术后均无神经症状加重或出现新的神经症状,未见人工骨灌注后造成椎管渗漏,随着新骨的长入MIIG逐步完全被新骨替代.全部骨性愈合,无断钉、断棒、退钉及松动现象.于术后10～15个月取出内固定,骨折椎体未发生再塌陷,仅2例遗留腰背痛. 结论 严重腰椎爆裂性骨折应用椎弓根螺钉固定结合可注射型人工骨治疗可减少椎体高度、角度丢失及纠正后凸畸形,减轻腰背疼痛,手术安全性高,疗效确切.     

Acute back pain associated with a calcified Schmorl's node: a case report.

This is a case report of a 56-year-old woman with an unusual acute attack of back pain associated with a calcified intervertebral disk and herniation into the 10th dorsal vertebral body.     

Pneumococcal vertebral osteomyelitis: a unique case with atypical clinical course.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report and discuss a case of pneumococcal vertebral osteomyelitis with meningitis in a previously healthy 51-year-old immunocompetent woman who presented with acute onset lower back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: To the authors' knowledge, pneumococcal vertebral osteomyelitis with meningitis in an immunocompetent person with no other predisposing factor has not been reported previously. METHODS: The patient was diagnosed to have pneumococcal meningitis 10 days after the onset of acute and severe lower back pain. Significant improvement of clinical symptoms from meningitis was achieved with appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Lumbar CT and MRI scans were performed on persistence of fever and lower back pain. Loss of height and peridiscal inflammation at L3-L4 and epidural and bilateral psoas abscesses were detected. RESULTS: Diagnosis of pneumococcal vertebral osteomyelitis was established after evaluation of the material obtained from CT-guided aspiration of the psoas abscess and biopsy of the L3 body. With appropriate antimicrobial treatment, the patient's complaints resolved completely. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of pneumococcal vertebral osteomyelitis with meningitis.     

经椎弓根植骨治疗老年人胸腰椎爆裂性骨折

目的　探讨经椎弓根植骨结合短节段内固定对防止老年人胸腰椎爆裂性骨折后期后凸畸形及腰背部疼痛的意义。方法　采用经椎弓根植骨结合短节段内固定治疗老年胸腰椎爆裂性骨折 1 6例 ,术后及随访期间摄X线片测定椎体成角、上下终板成角、椎体前缘高度与正常高度的比值 ,了解患者后期腰背部疼痛情况 ,了解有无内固定失败等并发症。结果　通过经椎弓根植骨结合短节段内固定治疗 ,椎体成角、上下终板成角、椎体前缘高度与正常高度的比值均明显改善 ,术后随访测量以上结果与术后相比无明显变化。随访期间 3例有轻度腰背部疼痛 ,其余无腰背部疼痛。无一例发生内固定折断、拔出、松动等并发症。结论　采用经椎弓根植骨结合短节段内固定治疗老年胸腰椎爆裂性骨折可有效地防止后期出现后凸畸形及腰背部疼痛 ,是治疗老年胸腰椎爆裂性骨折较理想的方法之一     

气囊扩张椎体后凸成形术的初步报告

目的:初步评价气囊扩张后突成形术治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的手术操作、安全性、及疗效。方法:观察21例骨质疏松患者,30节椎体,新鲜骨折24椎节,陈旧性骨折6椎节,均有局部腰背疼痛,无神经症状。C-arm透视下,两侧同时经皮穿刺,气囊扩张骨折复位后,骨水泥灌注入椎体。随访4～7月。记录患者局部止痛的疗效,骨折的复位,及并发症等情况。结果:完全止痛14例,部分止痛7例,24节新鲜骨折气囊扩张的复位率是28.2％,6节陈旧性骨折复位率是2.1％。并发症2例,骨水泥外漏到椎间隙。其他椎体再次骨折2例,余无疼痛复发及椎体高度丢失。结论:气囊扩张后突成形术能恢复脊柱的稳定性,部分矫正脊柱后突,止痛疗效好,创伤小,并发症少,值得推广。     

微创球囊扩张椎体后凸成形术治疗中老年胸腰椎骨质疏松压缩性骨折

目的 探讨微创球囊扩张椎体后凸成形术(percutaneous kyphoplasty,PKP)在骨质疏松性胸腰椎压缩性骨折(osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture,OVCF)的临床疗效及相关问题.方法 采用球囊扩张PKP治疗椎体OVCF 26例,术前患椎明显疼痛,但无神经症状及体征;术前CT示椎体后壁均完整.结果 26例患者腰背部疼痛在术后24 h缓解并下床活动,椎体高度基本恢复,后凸畸形矫正9°,无脊髓神经损伤、骨水泥漏、肺栓塞等并发症.结论 PKP治疗胸腰椎OVCF可有效缓解疼痛,部分恢复椎体高度,疗效满意.     

Vertebral body MRI related to lumbar fusion results

The evaluation of continued pain after a technically successful posterolateral lumbar spine fusion is often challenging. Although the intervertebral disc is often a source of low back pain, abnormal endplates may also be a focus of pain, and possibly a source of continued pain after a posterolateral fusion. MRI allows noninvasive evaluation for disc degeneration, as well as for abnormal endplates and adjacent vertebral body marrow. Previous studies have found inflammatory marrow changes, adjacent to abnormal endplates, associated with disc degeneration in low back pain patients. In this study, preoperative MRI scans in 89 posterolateral lumbar fusion patients were reviewed, by an independent radiologist, to determine whether vertebral body marrow changes adjacent to the endplates were related to contined pain. Independent chart review and follow-up telephone interview of all patients at a 4-year follow-up (mean) formed the basis for the clinical results. Vertebral body MRI signals consistent with inflammatory or fatty changes were found in 38% of patients, and always occurred adjacent to a degenerated disc. Inflammatory MRI vertebral body changes were significantly related to continued low back pain atP = 0.03. We conclude that posterolateral lumbar fusion has a less predictable result for the subset of degenerative disc patients with abnormal endplates and associated marrow inflammation. More research is needed to determine the biological and biomechanical effects of a posterolateral fusion upon the endplate within the fused segments. If indeed further study supports the hypothesis that abnormal endplates associated with inflammation are a source of pain, then treating the endplates directly by anterior fusion may be a preferred treatment for this subset of degenerative patients.     

Vertebral collapse and normal peripheral blood cell count at the onset of acute lymphatic leukemia in childhood

Acute lymphatic leukemia presenting with bone pain and spine involvement is a recognized clinicopathologic complex that can mimic a wide range of orthopaedic conditions. Bone pain as the presenting complaint is common, with a reported incidence of 27% to 50%. Radiologic abnormalities associated with leukemia in children has been described previously. In the literature, the incidence of spinal involvement is controversial, but there is agreement that the spine is less commonly involved than are the long bones. At the onset of the disease, only 10% of children have normal peripheral blood counts. If the patient has spinal involvement and a normal leukocyte count, the diagnosis is often unclear. Only three of these patients have been described in the literature; this article adds one more patient with acute lymphatic leukemia with back pain as the main symptom, vertebral collapse, and a normal peripheral blood cell count at the time of initial presentation. It illustrates that delay in diagnosis frequently occurs, with the classic features of the disease being uniformly absent.     

The management of patients with back pain and idiopathic vertebral sclerosis

Twenty-two patients with severe back pain associated with radiologic evidence of vertebral sclerosis are reported. There were 19 women and 3 men; the average age was 42 years. Duration of pain averaged 4.3 years. The characteristic radiologic findings were diffuse sclerosis of the anterior inferior portion of the vertebral body and narrowing of the adjacent disc space. There was no extension of the sclerosis beyond the vertebral body, no paravertebral mass, and no loss of vertebral height. These radiologic characteristics, in conjunction with other clinical findings, should permit a diagnosis without the need for biopsy.     

Vertebral body fracture after anterolateral instrumentation and interbody fusion in two osteoporotic patients

Background contextThe XLP plate is an anterolateral instrumentation system developed as a part of the eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) system for lateral transpsoas interbody fusion, an alternative to anterior interbody fusion.PurposeTo report two cases of atraumatic coronal plane vertebral body fractures in the early postoperative period after interbody fusion using XLIF cages, lateral plating using the XLP plate, and unilateral posterior pedicle screw instrumentation.Study designCase report.Methods/summariesBoth patients were septuagenarian women with normal body mass indices and osteoporosis. The patients underwent L4–L5 XLIF with anterolateral instrumentation followed by posterior decompression and fusion using unilateral pedicle screws. In the early postoperative period (≤6 weeks), the patients developed acute onset of severe low back pain without history of trauma. Imaging demonstrated coronal plane vertebral body fracture through the screw hole of the XLP plate in the superior vertebral body in one case and the inferior vertebral body in the other. One patient required kyphoplasty at the L4 level for pain relief. The other was treated conservatively. The nondisplaced fractures went on to union with pain resolution and successful fusion in both patients.ResultsCoronal plane fractures occurred in 2 of 13 patients treated by the senior author using XLIF, the XLP plate, and unilateral pedicle screw instrumentation. Osteoporosis was likely a contributing factor in both patients. One potential mechanism for this unusual fracture pattern is subsidence of the cage with resultant cut-through of the fixed-angle screws through the osteoporotic vertebral body. Alternately, the fracture could have resulted from the stress riser created by the screw hole traversing an area of relative stress concentration directly adjacent to the cage.ConclusionCoronal plane vertebral fracture may occur in osteoporotic patients treated with XLIF and XLP lateral instrumentation. Unilateral pedicle screw instrumentation does not prevent this complication.     

Balloon kyphoplasty as a single or as an adjunct procedure for the management of symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas

Vertebral haemangiomas are usually asymptomatic and discovered fortuitously during imaging. A small proportion may develop variable degrees of pain and neurological deficit. We prospectively studied six patients who underwent eight surgical procedures on 11 vertebral bodies. There were 11 balloon kyphoplasties, six lumbar and five thoracic. The mean follow-up was 22.3 months (12 to 36). The indications for operation were pain in four patients, severe back pain with Frankel grade C paraplegia from cord compression caused by soft-tissue extension from a thoracic vertebral haemangioma in one patient, and acute bleeding causing Frankel grade B paraplegia from an asymptomatic vascular haemangioma in one patient. In four patients the exhibited aggressive vascular features, and two showed lipomatous, non-aggressive, characteristics. One patient who underwent a unilateral balloon kyphoplasty developed a recurrence of symptoms from the non-treated side of the vertebral body which was managed by a further similar procedure. Balloon kyphoplasty was carried out successfully and safely in all patients; four became asymptomatic and two showed considerable improvement. Neurological recovery occurred in all cases but bleeding was greater than normal. To avoid recurrence, complete obliteration of the lesion with bone cement is indicated. For acute bleeding balloon kyphoplasty should be combined with emergency decompressive laminectomy. For intraspinal extension with serious neurological deficit, a combination of balloon kyphoplasty with intralesional alcohol injection is effective.     

Pseudoarthrosis of vertebral fracture: radiographic and characteristic clinical features and natural history

Background We examined mobility based on radiographic appearance, clinical appearance, and the natural course of osteoporotic vertebral pseudoarthrosis (VPA) in a prospective study in 34 consecutive cases of VPA in 27 patients with osteoporosis. Methods Conventional lateral, lateral flexion, and extension stress radiography (XP) and supine cross-table lateral XP were performed. Anterior vertebral body height and vertebral kyphotic angle were measured to assess vertebral mobility. If vertebral cleft or vertebral instability, which means a difference in vertebral body height between conventional and supine cross-table lateral XP, was present, VPA was diagnosed. Back pain was classified into five grades. Results The average anterior vertebral height was 9.9 ± 5.6 mm on conventional lateral XP; it increased to 11.4 ± 6.5 mm on extension stress XP (not significant) and 18.3 ± 5.7 mm on cross-table lateral XP (significant). The verte-bral kyphotic angle was 24.1° ± 9.7° on conventional lateral XP; it decreased to 21.6° ± 9.8° on extension stress XP (not significant) and 11.8° ± 8.5° on cross-table lateral XP (significant). Intravertebral clefts were detected by conventional lateral XP, extension stress XP, and supine cross-table XP in 3 of 34 (8.8%), 7 of 21 (33.3%), and 28 of 34 (82.4%) vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), respectively. Surgical treatment was performed in seven patients (two because of severe pain and five because of neurological deficits) and in one patient who died. Except in these eight patients, back pain decreased by at least one grade with time in 18 of 19 patients (95%) in whom the clinical course was analyzed. Radiographic follow-up using supine cross-table XP was performed in 15 of 19 patients. Although 11 of these 15 patients (73%) showed vertebral instability on supine cross-table lateral XP, 10 of 11 patients (91%) did not complain of intolerable back pain during daily activity at the final follow-up. Conclusions VPA is often detected on supine cross-table lateral XP but not usually on extension stress XP. Despite the presence of vertebral instability, many patients did not complain of intolerable back pain during their daily activity. Surgical treatment to alleviate back pain should be performed for painful VPA after conservative treatment for about 4 months.     

扩张管辅助下Wiltse入路小关节融合短节段内固定治疗不稳定胸腰椎骨折

目的探讨扩张管辅助下Wiltse入路小关节融合短节段内固定治疗不稳定胸腰椎骨折的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析自2014-01—2017-06采用扩张管辅助后路经Wiltse入路小关节融合伤椎置钉短节段内固定治疗的42例不稳定胸腰椎爆裂骨折,比较手术前后椎体楔形角、椎体前缘高度、椎体后缘高度、椎体横断面积、腰痛VAS评分。结果42例均顺利完成手术且获得完整随访,随访时间平均18个月。术后2例合并尿道相关泌尿系感染,1例合并伤口皮缘坏死,未出现伤口感染、血管及脊髓损伤、神经根损伤、内固定松动等并发症。术后椎体楔形角角度、椎体前缘高度、椎体后缘高度、椎体横断面积、腰痛VAS评分较术前均显著改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论扩张管辅助下Wiltse入路小关节融合短节段固定治疗不稳定型胸腰椎骨折手术创伤小,术后恢复快,有良好的临床及影像学表现。     

Comparison of kyphoplasty with use of a calcium phosphate cement and non-operative therapy in patients with traumatic non-osteoporotic vertebral fractures

One of the current standard treatment options for younger patients with stable traumatic vertebral fractures is conservative treatment using braces. Kyphoplasty as a minimally invasive procedure has been shown to be effective in stabilizing vertebral body fractures, resulting in immediate pain relief and improved physical function. The purpose of this prospective study was to clarify whether patients with acute traumatic vertebral fractures benefit more from kyphoplasty or from conservative treatment with a brace. A prospective study was undertaken in two centers. Forty patients with acute painful traumatic vertebral body fractures type A1–A3 (AO-classification) after adequate trauma, without osteoporosis, suitable for kyphoplasty or therapy by brace were included into the study. Follow-up was 12 months. Patients of the kyphoplasty group showed an immediate beneficial and significant effect postoperatively, and better outcomes 1 and 3 months after operation compared to the conservatively treated group in pain feeling, mobility and vertebral body height. After 12 months the difference between both groups was not significant excepting the vertebral body height. Kyphoplasty provides early and lasting reduction of pain and improvement of daily activity. However, there are clinically asymptomatic cement leakages in up to 45% of which we do not know the consequences in long term. Every patient with traumatic vertebral body fracture treated by kyphoplasty has to be informed about that. Long-time results are outstanding and our findings require confirmation by randomized controlled trials.     

Is every chronic low back pain benign? Case report

BACKGROUND: There is a well-recognized association between chronic back pain and the existence of an AAA. In literature, there are few reported AAA cases that describe patients with extensive pressure erosion of the vertebral body. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors present the case of a 38-year-old woman with chronic low back pain for the last 2 years in whom an AAA was formed during the follow-up period. The patient presented with an episode of low back pain following hard work 2 years ago. MR imaging of the lumbar spine was reported as disc degeneration at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels. She was given medical treatment and was doing well with occasional back pain for a year. One year later, she suffered another disabling pain attack, and MR imaging revealed an additional focal disc protrusion at the L4-5 level. She was again medically treated. In August 2004, she presented with severe low back pain, and this time, MR imaging showed edema and erosion at the anterior part of L3 vertebra body. MR imaging studies (2- and 3-dimensional) depicted AAA as the cause. She was operated on, and the aneurysm was resected with graft repair of the site. She was pain-free in the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of a patient with chronic back pain needs a thorough clinical and radiological workup. Limited evaluation of the bony and nervous structures of the spinal canal radiologically is insufficient. Pre- and paravertebral structures as well as vertebral body should carefully be evaluated to diagnose other causes of pain.