Diagnosis and treatment of severe dysplastic spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolisthesis, the anterior or posterior displacement of one vertebra on another, usually affects the lumbar region. Five percent of the population has one of the five classes of spondylolisthesis, which include dysplastic, isthmic, degenerative, traumatic, and pathologic spondylolisthesis. This article focuses on the dysplastic type, which makes up 14% to 21% of all spondylolisthesis. Dysplastic spondylolisthesis usually causes no symptoms in children; pain usually begins in adolescence. The key to diagnosis is the appropriate use of radiography in the evaluation of low back pain. This report describes a case involving a 21-year-old woman presenting with back pain to the family physician. Also, it details how the diagnosis was achieved and evaluates conservative and aggressive treatment options.     

Degenerative spondylolisthesis: surgical treatment.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis occurs most frequently at the 4th lumbar vertebra in aging females. It does not occur before the fifth decade or in conjunction with neural arch defects. The amount of slipping does not exceed 30 per cent. The forward slipping occurs as a result of forward remolding of the z-a joints secondary to localized degenerative arthritis of these joints. The degenerative arthritis results from instability of L4 in spines which are unduly stable at the lumbosacral level. The degenerative changes and the forward slipping combine to produce localized spinal stenosis which may compress the nerve roots and cauda equina. The cardinal symptom is pain in the low back and/or lower extremity. It is characterized by remissions and is usually not incapacitating. Ten per cent of patients have sufficient pain and disability to require surgical decompression which is best accomplished by excision of the distal half of the laminae and spinous process of the slipped vertebra and the proximal half of the laminae and spinous process of the slipped vertebra. The medial half of each z-a joint is also excised to complete the decompression. If the decompression is adequate lasting relief of pain can be expected, but some low back symptoms due to instability may be noted postoperatively. These symptoms diminish with the passage of time.     

Radiographic evaluation of indirect decompression of mini-open anterior retroperitoneal lumbar interbody fusion: oblique lateral interbody fusion for degenerated lumbar spondylolisthesis

Purpose

Extreme lateral interbody fusion provides minimally invasive treatment of spinal deformity, but complications including nerve and psoas muscle injury have been noted. To avoid nerve injury, mini-open anterior retroperitoneal lumbar interbody fusion methods using an approach between the aorta and psoas, such as oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) have been applied. OLIF with percutaneous pedicle screws without posterior decompression can indirectly decompress the spinal canal in lumbar degenerated spondylolisthesis. In the current study, we examined the radiographic and clinical efficacy of OLIF for lumbar degenerated spondylolisthesis.

Methods

We assessed 20 patients with lumbar degenerated spondylolisthesis who underwent OLIF and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation without posterior laminectomy. MR and CT images and clinical symptoms were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery. Cross sections of the spinal canal were evaluated with MRI, and disk height, cross-sectional areas of intervertebral foramina, and degree of upper vertebral slip were evaluated with CT. Clinical symptoms including low back pain, leg pain, and lower extremity numbness were evaluated using a visual analog scale and the Oswestry Disability Index before and 6 months after surgery.

Results

After surgery, significant increases in axial and sagittal spinal canal diameter (12 and 32 %), spinal canal area (19 %), disk height (61 %), and intervertebral foramen areas (21 % on the right side, 39 % on the left), and significant decrease of upper vertebral slip (?9 %) were found (P < 0.05). Low back pain, leg pain, and lower extremity numbness were significantly reduced compared with before surgery (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Significant improvements in disk height and spinal canal area were found after surgery. Bulging of disks was reduced through correction, and stretching the yellow ligament may have decompressed the spinal canal. Lumbar anterolateral fusion without laminectomy may be useful for lumbar spondylolisthesis with back and leg symptoms.

     

Childhood leukemia presenting with back pain and vertebral compression fractures

Vertebral body collapse and back pain are an unusual presentation for childhood leukemia. This report is intended to promote greater awareness that acute lymphocytic leukemia can cause significant back pain in children without other systemic symptoms. We describe four cases in which patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia presented with back pain and vertebral compression fractures. All of the patients were initially misdiagnosed. No patient had neurologic compromise, despite extensive vertebral body collapse. The back pain was relieved after chemotherapy.     

Sacral insufficiency fracture diagnosed after vertebroplasty for L2 and L3 compression fractures: a case report

Vertebroplasty for osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures usually results in complete and immediate cessation of pain symptoms. Occasionally the procedure does not relieve pain and further intervention is required. We herein report the case of a 62-year-old female with L2 and L3 vertebral compression fractures treated with vertebroplasty. Her symptoms did not improve and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging showed focal changes in the S1 and S2 vertebral bodies; bone scintigraphy showed the characteristic Honda sign of a sacral insufficiency fracture. Sacroplasty at S1 and S2 completely relieved the patient's back pain. If a vertebroplasty fails to relieve back pain immediately after the procedure as expected, surgeons should be aware of the possibility of a concomitant sacral insufficiency fracture.     

NeuroSpine Surgery Research Group (NSURG) Classification System for Grading Lumbar Synovial Cysts

To classify facet joint cysts (FJC) which will assist in identification of patient groups to best fit with a particular intervention. Sagittal T₂‐weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) of these patients are used to measure cyst size, while axial T₂‐weighted MRI are used to determine the percentage of the vertebral canal occupied by the cyst. The degree of spondylolisthesis is also measured through standing X‐rays or sagittal MRI. The proposed grading system is as follows. Grade I includes cysts that occupy less than 25% of the canal diameter that usually present with unilateral radiculopathy. Grade II includes cysts that occupy less than 50% of the canal diameter and may present with radiculopathy, with or without claudicant symptoms. Grade III cysts may present with radiculopathy and claudication with bilateral leg symptoms, along with facetogenic pain symptoms. Grades IV and V include potential instability as defined by greater than 15% spondylolisthesis in addition to either less than or greater than 50% canal stenosis. With higher grade cysts, presentation may include: facetogenic back pain, radiculopathy and claudicant pain in variable degrees of severity. The optimal classification system grades FJC from I to V on the basis of canal compression and degree of spondylolisthesis. Prospective studies are required to confirm the validity of this grading scale for long‐term use.     

椎板重建在腰椎滑脱症手术治疗中的应用

目的:探讨椎管减压椎弓根钉复位固定椎间植骨加椎板重建术治疗腰椎滑脱症的临床疗效。方法:自2007年8月至2008年8月,选择32例腰椎滑脱症患者行全椎板切除椎管减压椎弓根钉复位固定椎间植骨术,然后在椎板切除减压区硬膜外植微粒骨重建椎板,其中26例获得1年以上随访,男16例,女10例;年龄55～76岁,平均62.5岁;病程2～10年。所有病例术前有不同程度的腰痛,一侧或双下肢麻木、疼痛、间歇性跛行等。影像学检查为L3、L4或L5的Ⅰ-Ⅲ度前滑脱,其中退行性滑脱18例,峡部裂性滑脱8例。术后3个月及末次随访时从临床症状体征改善程度、滑脱椎体复位情况、植骨融合情况及椎管狭窄情况等方面对疗效进行评定。结果:26例患者平均随访时间为1年8个月(1～3年)。术后切口均愈合良好,无并发症发生。临床改善情况按JOA下腰痛评分标准,术前为(5.2±1.5)分,术后3个月为(23.1±1.9)分,优20例,良5例,可1例;末次随访评分(22.9±2.4)分,优19例,良5例,可2例。术后3个月和末次随访JOA评分较术前有明显改善(P=0.00),术后3个月和末次随访时疗效无明显差异(P>0.05)。滑脱椎体复位情况:Ⅰ度滑脱的17例完全复位;Ⅱ度滑脱的7例中5例完全复位,2例改善为Ⅰ度;Ⅲ度滑脱的2例改善为Ⅰ度。植骨融合情况:术后3个月20例融合,末次随访时全部融合,重建椎板骨质大片融合形成替代椎板。椎管狭窄情况:术后3个月及末次随访时CT检查示椎管无狭窄,神经根、硬膜囊无压迫。结论:椎管减压椎弓根钉复位固定椎间植骨加椎板重建术治疗腰椎滑脱症可以同时达到椎体复位、充分减压和脊柱生物力学稳定,能有效预防术后腰椎不稳以及瘢痕压迫、粘连等形成的医源性椎管狭窄,早期及中期疗效满意,为腰椎滑脱症的治疗提供了另外思路。     

Decompression and distraction-derotation arthrodesis for degenerative spondylolisthesis

Degenerative spondylolisthesis is the result of chronic disc degeneration with secondary segmental spinal instability. Localized collapse and translational and rotational vertebral subluxation result in low back pain and radiculopathy. Twenty patients with L4-5 degenerative spondylolisthesis having back pain and radiculopathy were treated with a combination of decompressive laminectomy and distraction arthrodesis with short parallel Harrington rods. Patients were ambulated immediately after operation. Minimum follow-up was 2 years (average, 31.6 months). Satisfactory results were obtained in 17 patients (85%). No intraoperative complications occurred. The spondylolisthesis progressed significantly in one patient and the Harrington rods loosened in another. The procedure appears to assist in reducing pathologic motion contributing to low back pain and to relieve traction or compression forces on neural structures by restoring spinal canal anatomy.     

Etiology of spondylolisthesis.

The etiology of spondylolisthesis is multiple according to the type of the vertebral slipping. In fact all the following basic pathological processes may be involved: congenital malformation of the upper sacrum in the dysplastic spondylolisthesis; growth dysplasia of the vertebral arch in the "isthmic spondylolisthesis" where an hereditary background and mechanical stresses play a determining role; degenerative conditions of the intervertebral joints in "degenerative spondylolisthesis" of Newman or the "pseudospondylolisthesis" of Junghanns; infections and benign or malignant tumors destroying the articular bolt maintaining the vertebral line; traumatic lesions such as multiple fractures of the bony hook or much more rarely an isolated bilateral fracture of the pars interarticularis.     

Long-term results of pediculo-body fixation and posterolateral fusion for lumbar spondylolisthesis

Grob et al. (Eur Spine J 5:281–285, 1996) illustrated a new fixation technique in inveterate cases of grade 2–3 spondylolisthesis (degenerative or spondylolytic): a fusion without reduction of the spondylolisthesis. Fixation of the segment was achieved by two cancellous bone screws inserted bilaterally through the pedicles of the lower vertebra into the body of the upper slipped vertebra. Since 1998 we have been using this technique according to the authors’ indications: symptomatic spondylolisthesis with at least 25% anterior slippage and advanced disc degeneration. Afterwards this technique was used also in spondylolisthesis with low reduction of the disc height and slippage less than 25%. In every case we performed postero-lateral fusion and fixation with two AO 6.5 Ø thread 16 mm cancellous screws. From 1998 to 2002 we performed 62 fusions for spondylolisthesis with this technique: 28 males (45.16%) and 34 females (54.84%), mean age 45 years (14–72 years). The slipped vertebra was L5 in 57 cases (92%), L4 in 2 cases (3.2%), L3 in 1 case (1.6%), combined L4 and L5 in 2 cases (3.2%). In all cases there was an ontogenetic spondylolisthesis with lysis. Lumbar pain was present in 22 patients and lumbar-radicular pain was present in 40 patients. The mean preoperative VAS was 6.2 (range 5–8) for lumbar pain, and 5.5 (range 4–7) for leg pain. The fusion area was L5–S1 in 53 cases (85.5%), L3–L4 in 1 case (1.6%), L4–S1 in 8 cases (12.9%). A decompression of the spinal canal by laminectomy was performed in 33 procedures (53%). When possible a bone graft was done from the removed neural arc, and from the posterior iliac crest in the other cases. The mean blood loss was about 254 ml (100–1,000). The mean operative time was 75 min (range 60–90). The results obtained by computerized analysis at follow-up at least 5 years after surgery showed a significant improvement in preoperative symptoms. The patients were asymptomatic in 52 cases (83.9%); strained-back pain was present in 8 cases (12.9%), and there was persistent lumbar-radicular pain in 2 cases (3.2%). The mean ODI score was 2.6%, the mean VAS back pain was 1.3, the mean VAS leg pain 0.7. Some complications were observed: a nerve root compression by a screw invasion of intervertebral foramen, resolved by screw removal; an iliac artery compression by a lateral exit screw from pediculo, resolved by screw removal; a deep iliac vein phlebitis with thrombosis caused by external compression due to a wrong intraoperative position, treated by medicine. Two cases of synthesis mobilization and two cases of broken screws was detected. No cases of pseudoarthrosis and immediate or late superficial or deep infection were observed. The analysis of the long-term results of the spondylolisthesis surgical treatment with direct pediculo-body screw fixation and postero-lateral fusion gave a very satisfactory response. The technique is reliable in allowing an optimal primary stability, creating the best biomechanical conditions to obtain a solid fusion.

     

Low back pain vs. leg dominant pain

There are two patterns of back pain: 1) back-dominant pain and 2) leg pain dominant, greater than back pain. The causes of back pain are very different and numerous, but mostly are due to vertebral, mechanical etiology, and rarely because of non vertebral, visceral etiology. Leg pain greater than back pain is mostly disease of spinal nerve root, generally presented by radicular pain in a dermatomal distribution. Mechanical compression of spinal roots, caused by disc herniation or by spinal stenosis, results in radicular symptoms. Rarely, in about 1% of patients, there are some other reasons except vertebral mechanical cause, like infection, tumor or fracture. There are several causes of pseudoradicular pain like periferal neuropathy, myifascial syndromes, vascular diseases, osteoarthritis. Spondylarthropathies should be taken in cosideration as well. A complete history and physical examination is important to determine further diagnostic evaluation and to provide eficient therapy.     

Surgical observations in extremely lateral lumbar disc herniation

About 10% of lumbar disc herniations are localized in an extreme lateral position refered to as extracanalicular. The clinical syndrome is a typical one with compression signs of the lateral, extra-formainal nerve root and minimal lumbar pain. A reliable diagnosis can be made only since high resolution spinal computed tomography has become available. Surgical treatment will be rendered difficult by the hidden localisation of the disc fragments. A total number of 15 patients has been operated on in our department during the last year. In 10 patients, we used the lateral microsurgical approach proposed by Reulen, in five cases a combined procedure with lateral sequestrotomy and medial nucleotomy. In the first group, re-sequestration occured in three cases and further surgery including medial nucleotomy was performed then. A good result with remission could be achieved in 13 cases, whereas in two cases with additional spondylolisthesis, lumbar back pain continued, but the radicular symptoms were reduced.     

Spontaneous reduction of spondylolisthesis during growth: a case report

Isthmic spondylolisthesis is a common cause of low back pain in children. It is associated with a defect in the pars interarticularis of the vertebra. The treatment depends on the clinical course and degree of spondylolisthesis. Low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis usually shows a benign course without significant progression and therefore, conservative treatment is advised. Although isthmic pars defect can heal, initial existing degree of slippage persists. A complete reversion of deformity was never described yet. We present the case of a 7?-year-old girl with symptomatic grade 2 isthmic spondylolisthesis according to the Meyerding classification. Without any specific therapy, there was a radiologically documented near total reversion of slippage and total relief of clinical symptoms during 8 years of follow-up. Computed tomography scan after this period showed persisting pars interarticularis defect without signs of healing. This case report indicates that during growth, spontaneous reversion of vertebral slip in isthmic spondylolisthesis can occur, even without healing of the pars defect.     

Prevalence of osteoarthritis, osteoporotic vertebral fractures, and spondylolisthesis among the elderly in a Japanese village

PURPOSE: To study the prevalence of osteoarthritis, osteoporotic vertebral fractures, and spondylolisthesis among elderly residents of a Japanese village and to examine the correlation between radiographic evidence of abnormality and lower back pain. METHODS: 205 men (mean age, 70.7 years) and 323 women (mean age, 70.5 years) in a Japanese village participated in this cross-sectional study. Plain lateral radiographs were taken from the lower thoracic spine to the sacral spine. They were evaluated by 3 independent orthopaedic surgeons for degree of osteoarthritis (using Weiner grading system) and the presence of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and spondylolisthesis. RESULTS: The prevalence of osteoarthritis in elderly Japanese villagers was 38.3%, whereas that of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and spondylolisthesis was 17.8% and 8.9%, respectively. There was no significant difference in osteoarthritis between men and women, but osteoporotic vertebral fractures and spondylolisthesis were significantly more common in females (p<0.01). No significant correlation was observed between lower back pain and radiographic evidence of degenerative spinal disease. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of spondylolisthesis in elderly Japanese was much lower than that in whites or African Americans. The prevalence of osteoarthritis or osteoporotic vertebral fractures was comparable with other English or US studies. Radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis, osteoporotic vertebral fractures, and spondylolisthesis is not necessarily associated with lower back pain.     

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents: I. Diagnosis, natural history, and nonsurgical management

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are often diagnosed in children presenting with low back pain. Spondylolysis refers to a defect of the vertebral pars interarticularis. Spondylolisthesis is the forward translation of one vertebral segment over the one beneath it. Isthmic spondylolysis, isthmic spondylolisthesis, and stress reactions involving the pars interarticularis are the most common forms seen in children. Typical presentation is characterized by a history of activity-related low back pain and the presence of painful spinal mobility and hamstring tightness without radiculopathy. Plain radiography, computed tomography, and single-photon emission computed tomography are useful for establishing the diagnosis. Symptomatic stress reactions of the pars interarticularis or adjacent vertebral structures are best treated with immobilization of the spine and activity restriction. Spondylolysis often responds to brief periods of activity restriction, immobilization, and physiotherapy. Low-grade spondylolisthesis (< or =50% translation) is treated similarly. The less common dysplastic spondylolisthesis with intact posterior elements requires greater caution. Symptomatic high-grade spondylolisthesis (>50% translation) responds much less reliably to nonsurgical treatment. The growing child may need to be followed clinically and radiographically through skeletal maturity. When pain persists despite nonsurgical interventions, when progressive vertebral displacement increases, or in the presence of progressive neurologic deficits, surgical intervention is appropriate.     

Tophaceous gout causing thoracic spinal cord compression: Case report and review of the literature

Objective

To improve neurologists’ awareness of spine gout by showing a rare case of tophaceous gout in thoracic spine and a summary of vertebral gout in order.

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。     

Marfan syndrome and symptomatic sacral cyst: Report of two cases

Context

Meningeal abnormalities such as dural ectasia are seen in Marfan syndrome, but spinal meningeal cysts are rarely seen. These cysts usually asymptomatic and often found incidentally on magnetic resonance imaging, large cysts may cause neurological deficits and pain secondary to nerve root compression.

Design

Case reports.

Findings

Two patients with Marfan syndrome presented with urinary symptoms secondary to dural ectasia and sacral cysts. Patient 1 had a history of low back pain, erectile dysfunction, and occasional urinary incontinence and groin pain with recent symptom worsening. He underwent L5 partial laminectomy and S1-S2 laminectomy with sacral cyst decompression. Nine weeks later, he underwent drainage of a sacral pseudomeningocele. Pain and urinary symptoms resolved, and he remains neurologically normal 2 years after surgery. Patient 2 presented after a fall on his tailbone, complaining of low back pain and difficulty urinating. Physical therapy was implemented, but after 4 weeks, urinary retention had not improved. He then underwent resection of the sacral cyst and S1-S3 laminectomy. Pain and paresthesias resolved and bowel function returned to normal. Other than needing intermittent self-catheterization, all other neurologic findings were normal 30 months after surgery.

Conclusion/clinical relevance

Surgical goals for sacral cysts include resection as well as closure of the dura, which can be challenging due to thinning from ectasia. Neurosurgical intervention in Marfan syndrome is associated with a high risk of dural tears and osseous complications, and should be performed only when symptoms are severe.     

Correlation between disability and MRI findings in lumbar spinal stenosis: a prospective study of 109 patients operated on by decompression

Background and purpose

MRI is the modality of choice when diagnosing spinal stenosis but it also shows that stenosis is prevalent in asymptomatic subjects over 60. The relationship between preoperative health-related quality of life, functional status, leg and back pain, and the objectively measured dural sac area in single and multilevel stenosis is unknown. We assessed this relationship in a prospective study.

Patients and methods

The cohort included 109 consecutive patients with central spinal stenosis operated on with decompressive laminectomy or laminotomy. Preoperatively, all patients completed the questionnaires for EQ-5D, SF-36, Oswestry disability index (ODI), estimated walking distance and leg and back pain (VAS). The cross-sectional area of the dural sac was measured at relevant disc levels in mm², and spondylolisthesis was measured in mm. For comparison, the area of the most narrow level, the number of levels with dural sac area < 70 mm², and spondylolisthesis were studied.

Results

Before surgery, patients with central spinal stenosis had low HRLQoL and functional status, and high pain levels. Patients with multilevel stenosis had better general health (p = 0.04) and less leg and back pain despite having smaller dural sac area than patients with single-level stenosis. There was a poor correlation between walking distance, ODI, the SF-36, EQ-5D, and leg and back pain levels on the one hand and dural sac area on the other. Women more often had multilevel spinal stenosis (p = 0.05) and spondylolisthesis (p < 0.001). Spondylolisthetic patients more often had small dural sac area (p = 0.04) and multilevel stenosis (p = 0.06).

Interpretation

Our findings indicate that HRQoL, function, and pain measured preoperatively correlate with morphological changes on MRI to a limited extent.MRI plays a central role in the diagnosis of spinal stenosis. Despite this, the correlation between MRI characteristics and clinical symptoms remains elusive as a considerable number of asymptomatic subjects have MRI-verified spinal stenosis (Boden et al. 1990). The relationship between the hard pathomorphological data as seen on MRI and the more subjective data from accepted outcome tools in terms of HRLQoL, functional status, and pain is unknown but is clinically relevant.The absolute reduced cross-sectional area that gives neurological symptoms of central spinal stenosis has been estimated to be around 75 mm² (critical size) (Schönström 1988) and some studies today use a value of 70–80 mm² as a definition of spinal stenosis (Malmivaara et al. 2007). Since MRI is used for the preoperative planning, any correlation between MRI findings and preoperative symptoms and disability would be of interestWe therefore investigated the relationship between the minimal dural sac area (mm²), number of levels with stenosis, and spondylolisthesis in relation to preoperative subjective measures of disease in terms of: self reported walking distance, the visual analog scale (VAS) for leg and back pain, Oswestry disability index, the 4 physical domains of the SF-36, and the EQ-5D.     

Discitis and isthmic spondylolisthesis: a case report

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are common causes of low back pain in children and adolescents. Disc space infection is less common, but is another cause of severe back pain in this population. The combination of both processes in the same segment is rare. This case report is of a 13-year-old patient with isthmic lumbosacral spondylolisthesis and disc space infection at the same level. A patient who presented with severe low back pain and a radiological picture of isthmic slip with end plate irregularities and anterior bridging osteophyte was diagnosed with disc space infection at the slip level. He was managed with intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks, followed by oral medication for an additional 2 weeks. At follow-up 28 weeks later, a spontaneous radiological fusion at the slip level was noted with complete relief of his symptoms. The patient was able to resume sports activities. In conclusion, isthmic spondylolisthesis and disc space height infection might coexist. Nonoperative treatment will usually result in spontaneous fusion and the complete relief of symptoms.