Health-related quality of life in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a matched follow-up at least 20 years after treatment with brace or surgery

No results on long-term outcome in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQL) have previously been presented for patients treated for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. A consecutive series of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, treated between 1968 and 1977 before the age of 21, either with distraction and fusion using Harrington rods [surgical treatment group (ST), n=156; 145 females and 11 males] or with a brace [brace treatment group (BT), n=127; 122 females and 5 males] were followed at least 20 years after completion of the treatment. Ninety-four percent of ST and 91% of BT patients filled in a questionnaire comprising the SF-36, Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB), Oswestry Disability Back Pain Questionnaire, parts of SRS/MODEM'S questionnaire and study-specific questions concerning the treatment, as a part of an unbiased personal follow-up examination including radiography and clinical examination. An age- and sex-matched control group of 100 persons was randomly selected and subjected to the same examinations. The results showed no differences in terms of sociodemographic data between the groups. Both ST and BT patients had a slightly, but significantly, reduced physical function using the SF-36 subscales, SF-36/Physical Component Summary (PCS) score as well as the Oswestry Disability Back Pain Questionnaire compared to the controls. Neither the mental subscales and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) score of SF-36 nor the PGWB index showed any significant difference between the groups. Forty-nine percent of ST, 34% of BT and 15% of controls admitted limitation of social activities due to their back [P<0.001 ST vs controls, P=0.0010 BT vs controls, and n.s. (P=0.024) ST vs BT], mostly due to difficulties with physical participation in activities or self-consciousness about appearance. Pain was a minor reason for limitation. No correlation was found between the outcome scores and curve size after treatment, curve type, total treatment time or age at completed treatment. Patients treated for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were found to have approximately the same HRQL as the general population. A minority of the patients (4%) had a severely decreased psychological well-being, and a few (1.5%) were severely physically disabled due to the back.     

Pain and function after intradiscal electrothermal treatment (IDET) for symptomatic lumbar disc degeneration

The goal of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of intradiscal electrothermal treatment (IDET) for chronic discogenic low back pain. Twenty consecutive patients with symptomatic degenerative discs were treated with IDET and evaluated preoperatively, and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Pain was measured with a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) and function was evaluated with the Oswestry score and SF-36 questionnaire. The VAS scores improved by 14 mm on average (P=0.046), but the individual scores show great variation. The Oswestry scores did not improve significantly. The SF-36 showed improvement, but only for the subscales vitality (P=0.023) and bodily pain (P=0.047). Based on these results, we conclude that IDET is not effective in reducing pain and improving functional performance in a sample of 20 patients treated for chronic discogenic low back pain after 6 months follow-up.     

Patient outcomes after Harrington instrumentation for idiopathic scoliosis: a 15- to 28-year evaluation

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was performed, using the Short Form-36 Health Survey and the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire, to investigate patient outcomes after fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using Harrington rod instrumentation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate health-related quality of life and low back pain in a long-term follow-up study of surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The commonly accepted surgical treatment for idiopathic evolutive scoliosis is vertebral fusion. It has been suggested that this procedure may cause low back pain and a poor quality of life over the long term. Outcome measures after surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis have focused mainly on objective parameters such as radiographic measures. However, this information has proved to be correlated only weakly with outcomes that are more relevant to patients, such as functional status and symptoms. Until recently, only a few long-term outcome studies have used standardized and validated patient-oriented tools to evaluate surgically treated patients with scoliosis. METHODS: In this study, 70 patients treated with a standard Harrington technique were recontacted and evaluated by means of self-administered questionnaires (Short Form-36 Health Survey and Roland and Morris Disability, clinical examination, and radiographic analysis. Preoperative and follow-up radiographic findings were registered. Relations between radiographic and patient-oriented data were evaluated. RESULTS: A comparison between the current sample and the Italian age-matched normative data for the Short Form-36 Health Survey showed them to have a similar pattern. Findings showed the patient-oriented outcome to be correlated inversely with the extension of vertebral fusion and the preoperative Cobb angle. CONCLUSION: Long-term follow-up evaluation of Harrington rod fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis showed no important impairment of health-related quality of life, as measured by patient-oriented evaluation.     

The long-term effect of posterolateral fusion in adult isthmic spondylolisthesis: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Today there is some evidence-based medicine support for a positive short-term treatment effect of fusion in chronic low back pain in spondylolisthesis and in nonspecific degenerative lumbar spine disorders. The long-term effect is, however, unknown. PURPOSE: To determine the long-term outcome of lumbar fusion in adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized controlled study comparing a 1-year exercise program with instrumented and non-instrumented posterolateral fusion with average long-term follow-up of 9 years (range, 5-13). PATIENT SAMPLE: 111 patients aged 18 to 55 years with adult lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis at L5 or L4 level of all degrees, and at least 1-year's duration of severe lumbar pain with or without sciatica. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain and functional disability was quantified by pain (VAS), the Disability Rating Index (DRI), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) work status, and global assessment of outcome by the patient into much better, better, unchanged or worse. Quality of life was assessed by the SF-36. METHODS: The patients were randomly allocated to treatment with 1) a 1-year exercise program (n=34), 2) posterolateral fusion without pedicle screw instrumentation (n=37), or 3) posterolateral fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation (n=40). Long-term follow-up was obtained in 101 (91%) patients. Nine patients in the exercise group were eventually operated on. RESULTS: Longitudinal analysis: At long-term follow-up pain and functional disability were significantly better than before treatment in both surgical groups. No significant differences were observed between instrumented and non-instrumented patients in any variable studied. In the exercise group the pain was significantly reduced but not the functional disability. Compared with the 2-year follow-up a significant increase in functional disability was observed, as measured by the DRI, but not the ODI, in the surgical group at long term. In the exercise group no significant changes were observed between the 2-year and the long-term follow-up. Cross-sectional analysis: Between the surgical and conservative group no significant differences were observed in any outcome measurement at long-term follow-up except for global assessment, which was significantly better for surgical patients. Of surgical patients 76% classified the overall outcome as much better or better compared with 50% of conservatively treated patients (p=0.015). Quality of life as estimated by the SF-36 at long term was not different between treatment groups in any of the eight domains studied but was considerably lower than for the normal population. CONCLUSIONS: Posterolateral fusion in adult lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis results ina modestly improved long-term outcome compared with a 1-year exercise program. Although the results show that some of the previously reported short-term improvement is lost at long term, patients with fusion still classify their global outcome as clearly better than conservatively treated patients. Furthermore, because the long-term outcome of the patients conservatively treated most likely reflects the natural course, one can also conclude that no considerable spontaneous improvement should be expected over time in adult patients with symptomatic isthmic spondylolisthesis. Substantial pain, functional disability and a reduced quality of life will in most patients most likely remain unaltered over many years.     

金天格胶囊对经皮球囊椎体后凸成形术后患者骨密度、骨代谢及生活质量的影响

目的观察骨质疏松椎体压缩性骨折患者,在经皮球囊椎体后凸成形术(percutaneous kyphoplasty,PKP)后服用金天格胶囊对骨密度、骨代谢及生活质量的改善情况。方法选取2016年5月至2019年1月在我院行PKP治疗的骨质疏松椎体压缩性骨折患者80例,根据治疗方法不同分为治疗组(n=40)与对照组(n=40);在术后1周治疗组口服金天格胶囊治疗,对照组口服钙尔奇D3片。在治疗前、治疗后6个月记录骨密度(腰椎、股骨颈)、血清骨钙素(OC)和血清Ⅰ型胶原C末端肽(S-CTX)评估骨密度和骨代谢改善情况;在治疗前及治疗后3、6个月记录健康调查简表(SF-36)、疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)及Oswestry功能障碍指数评分(ODI)评估生活质量改善情况。结果对比治疗前,两组患者的骨密度、SF-36量表、VAS评分与ODI评分在6个月随访中均显著改善(P<0.05);治疗组的骨密度、SF-36量表、VAS评分和ODI评对比对照组改善更为显著(P<0.05);治疗组的OC水平升高,S-CTX水平降低,对照组OC与S-CTX水平较治疗前无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论PKP术后服用金天格胶囊可提升患者骨密度,调节骨代谢,进一步缓解腰背部疼痛,改善术后生活质量。     

The Impact of Standing Regional Cervical Sagittal Alignment on Outcomes in Posterior Cervical Fusion Surgery

BACKGROUND:: Positive spinal regional and global sagittal malalignment has been repeatedly shown to correlate with pain and disability in thoracolumbar fusion. OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the relationship between regional cervical sagittal alignment and postoperative outcomes for patients receiving multilevel cervical posterior fusion. METHODS:: From 2006 to 2010, 113 patients received multilevel posterior cervical fusion for cervical stenosis, myelopathy, and kyphosis. Radiographic measurements made at intermediate follow-up included the following: (1) C1-C2 lordosis, (2) C2-C7 lordosis, (3) C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (C2-C7 SVA; distance between C2 plumb line and C7), (4) center of gravity of head SVA (CGH-C7 SVA), and (5) C1-C7 SVA. Health-related quality-of-life measures included neck disability index (NDI), visual analog pain scale, and SF-36 physical component scores. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated between pairs of radiographic measures and health-related quality-of-life scores. RESULTS:: Both C2-C7 SVA and CGH-C7 SVA negatively correlated with SF-36 physical component scores (r = -0.43, P < .001 and r = -0.36, P = .005, respectively). C2-C7 SVA positively correlated with NDI scores (r = 0.20, P = .036). C2-C7 SVA positively correlated with C1-C2 lordosis (r = 0.33, P = .001). For significant correlations between C2-C7 SVA and NDI scores, regression models predicted a threshold C2-C7 SVA value of approximately 40 mm, beyond which correlations were most significant. CONCLUSION:: Our findings demonstrate that, similar to the thoracolumbar spine, the severity of disability increases with positive sagittal malalignment following surgical reconstruction. ABBREVIATIONS:: CGH, center of gravity of headHRQOL, health-related quality-of-lifeNDI, neck disability indexPCSz, physical composite scoreSVA, sagittal vertical axisVAS, visual analog scale.     

Intradiscal electrothermal treatment for chronic discogenic low back pain: a prospective outcome study with minimum 1-year follow-up

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of patients with chronic low back pain whose symptoms did not improve with aggressive nonoperative care and who chose (intradiscal electrothermal anuloplasty) IDET as an alternative to chronic pain management or interbody fusion surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Patients with unremitting chronic discogenic low back pain are faced with the choice of long-term pain management or fusion surgery. Intradiscal electrothermal anuloplasty (IDET) was developed as an alternative minimally invasive treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients from the author's practice who had chronic low back pain unresponsive to nonoperative care, no evidence of compressive radiculopathy, and concordant pain reproduction at one or more disc levels on provocative discography were enrolled in the study. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and Short Form (SF)-36 Health Status Questionnaire Physical Function subscale and SF-36 Bodily Pain subscale scores were assessed at baseline and at least 1 year later. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 16 months, and mean preoperative duration of symptoms was 60 months. Baseline and follow-up outcome measures demonstrated a mean change in VAS score of 3.0 (P < 0.001), mean change in SF-36 physical function of 20 (P < 0.001), and mean change in SF-36 bodily pain of 17 (P < 0.001). Symptoms improved in 44 (71%) of 62 of the study group on the SF-36 physical function subscale, in 46 (74%) of 62 on the SF-36 Bodily Pain subscale, and in 44 (71%) of 62 on the VAS scores. Twelve (19%) of 62 of the patients did not show improvement on any scale. CONCLUSION: A cohort of patients with chronic unremitting low back pain of discogenic origin whose symptoms had failed to improve with aggressive nonoperative care demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement on the SF-36 and the VAS scores at a minimum follow-up of 1 year after IDET. The positive results should be validated with placebo-controlled randomized trials and studies that compare IDET with alternative treatments.-     

The effect of spinal fusion on the long-term outcome of idiopathic scoliosis. A case-control study.

We have investigated the effect of multisegmental spinal fusion on the long-term functional and radiological outcome in patients with scoliosis. We compared these patients both with those whose spine had not been fused, and with a control group. We studied 68 patients with idiopathic scoliosis (34 operative and 34 non-operative) who had been followed up for a minimum of five years after treatment. They were matched for age (mean 44 years) and Cobb angle (mean 54 degrees) at follow-up. An age- and gender-matched control group of 34 subjects was also recruited. All participants completed a questionnaire to assess spinal function and to grade the severity of back pain using a numerical rating scale. Radiographs of the spine were taken in the patients with scoliosis and lumbar degenerative changes were recorded. The spinal function scores for the patients with scoliosis who had had a fusion were similar to those who had not. Both scoliosis groups, however, had lower scores than the control group (p < 0.001). The frequency and severity of back pain were lower for patients with scoliosis and fusion than for those without, but higher for both scoliosis groups compared with the control group. Radiographs showed similar degenerative changes in both scoliosis groups.     

Management of chronic discogenic low back pain with a thermal intradiscal catheter. A preliminary report

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective nonrandomized clinical trial. OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome in a group of patients with chronic, function-limiting low back pain who met the criteria for interbody fusion surgery, but were instead treated with an intradiscal thermal catheter (SpineCath, Oratec Interventions, Inc., Menlo Park, CA). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: This study represents the first reported trial of treatment for chronic discogenic low back pain with a novel thermal intradiscal catheter. METHODS: The authors evaluated 25 consecutive patients. The minimum duration of nonoperative care with the authors was 6 months. The visual analog pain scores, sitting tolerance times, and SF-36 summary scores were tabulated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 7 months, and the mean duration of symptoms 58.5 months. Of the 25 patients, 20 (80%) reported a reduction of at least 2 points in visual analog pain scores, and 18 (72%) reported an improvement in sitting tolerance as well as reduction or discontinuance of analgesic medication. Visual analog pain scores improved by a mean reduction of 3.74, a 51% change (P = 0.0001). On the SF-36 physical function subscale, 72% of the patients improved by a mean increase of 15 points (P = 0.001), a mean change of 38%, and by a mean increase of 14 points on the bodily pain subscale (P = 0.004), a mean change of 48%. CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant improvement in functional outcome was obtained in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain treated thermally by the SpineCath.     

Physical and mental health in young adults operated on for idiopathic scoliosis

In this study, physical and mental health were investigated in 30 young adults who were operated on for idiopathic scoliosis, 2–3 years after surgery, and the results compared to an age- and sex-matched control group of 40 individuals. We used the short form of the 36 health survey (SF-36 version 1.2), which is a 36-item questionnaire measuring health functioning on eight scales: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, emotional role limitation, and general mental health. The patient scores indicated lower than the controls in physical health but higher in mental health. Otherwise, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Overall, this study showed that young adults operated on for idiopathic scoliosis were satisfied, and that their mental health was even better than the normal group, but their physical health was somewhat poorer. Thus, the surgical procedure was well tolerated and had not traumatized the patient.     

Back pain and disability after lumbar laminectomy: is there a relationship to muscle retraction?

OBJECTIVE: Preliminary studies have suggested that prolonged retraction of the paraspinal muscle during spinal surgery may produce ischemic damage. We report the continuous measurement of intramuscular pressure (IMP) during decompressive lumbar laminectomy and its relationship to subsequent back pain and disability. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing two-level decompressive lumbar laminectomy for lumbar canal stenosis were recruited. Back pain and disability were assessed by use of the Visual Analog Score (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey. During surgery, IMP was recorded continuously from the multifidus muscle by use of a pressure transducer. The intramuscular perfusion pressure (IPP) was estimated as the difference between the patient's mean arterial pressure and IMP. RESULTS: Two muscle retractors were used: the Norfolk and Norwich (n = 10) and the McCulloch (n = 10). The mean duration of deep muscle retraction was 62.7 +/- 8 minutes (range, 19-133 min). On application of deep muscle retraction, there was a rapid and sustained increase in IMP (P < 0.001), and overall, the calculated mean IPP approached 0 mm Hg or less during this period (P < 0.001). On release of deep muscle retraction, there was a rapid decrease in IMP to preoperative levels. The IPP was greater with the Norfolk and Norwich than the McCulloch retractor (P < 0.001). Compared with preoperative values, there was a decrease in ODI (P < 0.001) and VAS for back pain (P < 0.001) at discharge and 4 to 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. In addition, there was a decrease in SF-36 scores at 6 months compared with preoperative values (P < 0.001). Total duration of muscle retraction greater than 60 minutes was associated with worse VAS scores for back pain and ODI and SF-36 scores for disability at 6 months after surgery (P < 0.05). There was no relationship between the VAS, ODI, and SF-36 scores and other parameters measured, including the mean IPP, retractor type, operating surgeon, and wound length. CONCLUSION: The McCulloch retractor generates a higher IMP than the Norfolk and Norwich retractor. However, postoperative improvement in VAS, ODI, and SF-36 scores in these patients was associated with a shorter duration of muscle retraction and not the degree of IMP or IPP generated. In this respect, periodic relaxation of the paraspinal muscle retractors during surgery to allow muscle perfusion may help to reduce postoperative back pain and disability.     

后路腰椎间融合治疗腰椎管狭窄症患者腰痛的疗效分析

[目的]分析腰椎管狭窄症患者腰痛的原因,探讨后路腰椎间融合术对腰椎管狭窄症腰痛的治疗效果.[方法]比较腰痛明显的腰椎管狭窄症患者和典型间歇性跛行症状的腰椎管狭窄症患者的年龄、术前腰椎失稳、生理前凸消失和退变性侧弯的发生率;分析后路腰椎间融合 (posterior lumbar interbody fusion, PLIF) 治疗腰椎管狭窄症患者下腰痛的随访结果.[结果]腰痛明显组的腰椎管狭窄症患者的平均年龄、腰椎节段性失稳率、腰椎前凸消失和退变性侧弯的比率高于间歇性跛行组的腰椎管狭窄症患者.PLIF术后腰痛症状明显减轻,JOA评分改善,退变性侧弯程度减轻,腰椎前凸恢复,椎间均达到骨性融合.[结论]PLIF可消除腰椎管狭窄症的多种腰痛病因,是治疗腰椎管狭窄症下腰痛的较好术式选择.     

Further development and validation of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) outcomes instrument

STUDY DESIGN: Outcome study to determine response distribution, internal consistency, and validity of a Modified SRS Outcomes Instrument (MSRSI). OBJECTIVES: Refinement and validation of the SRS Outcomes Instrument for idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Experience with the SRS Outcomes Instrument suggested several refinements and the need for validation. METHODS: Following experience-based modification, the Modified SRS Outcomes Instrument and Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires were administered to 35 previously surveyed postoperative idiopathic scoliosis patients. RESULTS: Thirty (86%) patients with an average age of 25 years returned the questionnaires at an average of 10 years postoperative. Distribution of scores was acceptable. Internal consistency utilizing Cronbach's alpha was 0.80, 0.81, 0.77, 0.89, and 0.88 for pain, self-image/appearance, function/activity, mental health, and satisfaction with surgery, respectively. Validity, determined by Pearson correlation coefficients with comparable SF-36 domains, was 0.70 or greater for 13 of the 14 relevant domains between SF-36 and MSRSI (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The SRS Outcomes Instrument is simple and internally consistent. Based on experience, a number of modifications have been made that improve the instruments scope and internal consistency. Finally, the instrument is valid in comparison to SF-36.     

Pain and disability correlated with disc degeneration via magnetic resonance imaging in scoliosis patients

Prior imaging studies of scoliosis patients attempted to demonstrate a relationship between plain radiographic curve patterns and curve progression and pain, or used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to focus on spinal cord abnormalities. Pain in scoliosis patients may differ from nondeformity patients, yet may still be discogenic. The purpose of this study was to assess the possible relationship of degenerative disc findings on MRI to scoliosis patients’ pain. This prospective study enrolled scoliosis and control patients, all of whom had assessment for back pain (visual analog scale) and disability (Oswestry Index) and spinal MRI to identify prevalence and distribution of degenerative disc findings. Specifically, we assessed 60 consecutive pediatric and adult idiopathic scoliosis patients who had progressed to surgical treatment, 60 age- and gender-matched asymptomatic controls, and 172 nondeformity symptomatic degenerative disc disease patients who had progressed to surgical treatment. All subjects had independent analysis of their preoperative MRI for disc degeneration, disc herniation, Schmorl’s nodes, and inflammatory end plate changes. Imaging findings of the scoliosis patients were compared to those from asymptomatic and symptomatic control groups. Our results found that both pediatric and adult scoliosis patients had significantly more pain and disability than did asymptomatic controls (P < 0.001). The adult idiopathic scoliosis patients had pain and disability similar to those of surgical degenerative disc disease control groups. Disc degeneration and herniation (contained) were not related to pain. However, in the pediatric scoliosis patients, those with Schmorl’s nodes often had greater pain than those without (P = 0.01). Adults with painful scoliosis, typically occurring at the apex of the scoliosis or at the lumbosacral junction, had a significantly higher frequency of inflammatory end plate changes on MRI than did controls (P < 0.001). Prior studies have demonstrated a correlation of inflammatory end plate changes to lumbar discogenic pain. In conclusions, scoliosis patients who have progressed to surgical intervention, pediatric patients have varying degrees of pain, and those with Schmorl’s nodes may be at greater risk for pain. Adult scoliosis patients have multifactorial pain of which one component may be related to degeneration of the lower lumbar discs similar to that in nondeformity patients. Additionally, adult scoliosis patients may have MRI findings consistent with discogenic pain at the apex of their curvature, most commonly at the proximal lumbar levels.     

中文改编版颈部疼痛和残疾量表的信度和效度

目的评估中文改编版颈部疼痛和残疾量表（SC-NPAD）的信度和效度。方法将颈部疼痛和残疾量表翻译、修订成中文版,对2008年5月至2009年3月117例第二军医大学附属长海医院骨科门诊患者进行测试,其中106例（90．1%）患者完成问卷。对量表进行因子分析,定义分量表并评估其内部一致性。第一次完成问卷5～7d,随机选择36例患者对应发放第二份问卷,共35例进入重复性测试;同时对SF-36健康调查量表（SF-36）进行发放和回收。对SC-NPAD和SF-36量表进行相关性分析。结果因子分析结果表明,SC-NPAD4个分量表——“疼痛”、“残疾”、“颈部特殊功能”和“情感和认知的影响”的内部一致性分别为0．935、0．952、0．955和0．910,重测信度良好（r=0．813,P=0．000）。SC-NPAD的所有分量表与SF-36及其生理功能、社会功能、物理职能、活力、躯体疼痛等5个独立域明显相关。结论SC-NPAD具有良好的信度和效度,适用于对中国颈部疼痛人群的评估。     

终板源性腰痛的诊断和外科治疗分析

目的探讨严重终板源性腰痛的诊断和外科治疗方法。方法所有患者行影像学检查,并用腰椎间盘造影术确定疼痛椎间隙融合节段。用视觉疼痛模拟评分（VAS）和Oswestry功能障碍问卷调查表,对每个患者术前和术后的腰痛症状和腰椎功能障碍指数（ODI）分别评分,评估腰椎融合术疗效。结果本组21例患者,经腰椎间盘造影术诊断为终板源性腰痛,全部行腰椎前路或后路融合术。术后随访2—6年,平均3年5个月。除1例仍有腰痛外,其余20例（95％）腰痛症状明显改善或完全消失,腰椎物理功能明显改善。VAS和ODI评分在术前和术后的比较,差异有统计学意义（P=0．0001）。结论研究表明腰椎间盘造影术是诊断终板源性腰痛的可靠手段,腰椎融合术是治疗终板源性腰痛的有效方法。     

Lumbar fusion outcomes stratified by specific diagnostic indication

BACKGROUND: One of the primary difficulties in evaluating the effectiveness of lumbar fusion is that, with the exception of spondylolisthesis, specific diagnostic indications for surgery are poorly defined. Diagnostic specificity beyond the symptom of low back pain or the presence of lumbar degeneration needs to be delineated such that outcomes data can be effectively translated into clinical decision making or evidence-based guidelines. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report on prospectively collected clinical outcome measures, stratified by diagnosis, among a series of patients with lumbar degenerative disease whose treatment included lumbar spine fusion. STUDY DESIGN: Demographics, diagnostic categorization, and clinical outcome measures were prospectively collected by six spine surgeons at a single tertiary spine center, as part of the surgeons' standard clinical practice. PATIENT SAMPLE: Four hundred and twenty-eight patients were enrolled in the study and complete 1- and 2-year Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) data were available in 327 patients whose treatment included decompression and posterolateral lumbar fusion. OUTCOME MEASURES: The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form-36 (SF-36), numeric rating scales for back pain and leg pain. METHODS: Preoperative diagnosis was classified, in the primary surgical cases, as disc pathology, spondylolisthesis, instability, stenosis, or scoliosis. In revision cases, the diagnosis was classified as nonunion, adjacent level degeneration, or postdiscectomy revision. Patient-reported outcomes at 1 and 2 years post-op were assessed based on diagnostic stratification. Statistical evaluation of clinical outcome was performed for both mean net change in outcome scores and the percentage of patients reaching a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) threshold for each outcome measure. RESULTS: Preoperative diagnosis was spondylolisthesis (n=80), scoliosis (n=17), disc pathology (n=33), instability (n=21), stenosis (n=46), postdiscectomy revision (n=67), adjacent level degeneration (n=40), or nonunion (n=23). Evaluation of 2-year post-op HRQOL measures by diagnostic subgroup revealed the most substantial improvement in ODI score for patients with spondylolisthesis (22.7 points) and scoliosis (21.2 points). Patients with the diagnosis of disc pathology (16.2 points), postdiscectomy revision (14.0 points), instability (12.7 points), stenosis (10.6 points), and adjacent level degeneration (9.5 points) demonstrated a progressively smaller magnitude of ODI improvement. The least ODI improvement at 2 years after surgery was seen in patients with nonunion of a prior fusion (5.5 points). The percentage of patients reaching MCID for ODI at 2 years post-op ranged from 71.0% in the spondylolisthesis subgroup to 34.8% in the nonunion subgroup. The greatest SF-36 physical component score improvement at 2-year follow-up was seen in patients with disc pathology (7.9 points) and spondylolisthesis (7.7 points), followed by scoliosis (6.6 points) and stenosis (6.5 points), instability (5.6 points), postdiscectomy revision (5.3 points) nonunion (3.1 points) and adjacent level degeneration (2.5 points). No significant changes from Year 1 to Year 2 were noted in any of the subgroups. For SF-36 physical component score, percentage of patients reaching MCID ranged from 63.6% in the disc pathology subgroup to 25% in the nonunion subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the concept that added diagnostic specificity is a critical component in building an improved evidence base for lumbar fusion surgery. The magnitude of HRQOL improvement was not equal among diagnostic subgroups. The percentage of patients reaching an MCID level of improvement was also significantly influenced by diagnostic stratification. Without diagnostic specificity for entities beyond spondylolisthesis, the absence of well-defined study populations will continue to limit our ability to move toward evidence-based decision making.     

两种术式治疗3节段退变性腰椎管狭窄症早期疗效比较

目的比较后路椎体间融合术(PLIF)与微创通道辅助下经椎间孔入路腰椎椎间融合术(MIS-TLIF)治疗3节段退变性腰椎管狭窄症的早期疗效。方法按手术方式不同,将60例3节段退变性腰椎管狭窄症患者分为PLIF组(36例)和MIS-TLIF组(24例),比较两组手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间和随访时腰背疼痛VAS评分、下肢疼痛VAS评分、ODI评分、SF-36评分以及术后并发症。结果患者均获得随访,PLIF组随访12~20个月,MIS-TLIF组随访13~21个月。手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间两组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。腰背疼痛VAS评分、下肢疼痛VAS评分、SF-36评分、ODI评分两组术后6、12个月与术前比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后6、12个月下肢疼痛VAS评分、SF-36评分、ODI评分两组比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。腰背疼痛VAS评分术后6个月两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),但术后12个月两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。PLIF组发生脑脊液漏3例,MIS-TLIF组发生脑脊液漏1例、浅表手术部位感染2例,两组并发症例数比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。影像学显示,两组患者手术节段均在术后1年内获得良好的节段融合。结论与PLIF比较,MIS-TLIF治疗3节段退变性腰椎管狭窄症出血量少、住院时间短、术后腰背疼痛症状改善速度快。