Lumbosacral plexopathy due to a rupture of a common Iliac artery aneurysm

We report a case of lumbosacral plexopathy caused by the rupture of a common iliac artery aneurysm. The patient presented with sciatic type symptoms of lower back pain radiating to his left leg with associated numbness and weakness in the L4–S1 distribution. He also had reduced anorectal tone. A CT scan showed a large haematoma in the left side of the pelvis from a ruptured 8 cm common iliac artery aneurysm. Sciatica is commonly due to a prolapsed intervertebral disc, although spinal canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, piriformis syndrome and spinal tumours and other causes need to be considered. This case serves to increase the awareness of the possibility of another uncommon cause, especially when additional atypical neurological symptoms exist.     

Psoas compartment blockade in a laterally herniated disc compressing the psoas muscle -a case report-

A psoas compartment block has been used to provide anesthesia for orthopedic surgical procedures and analgesia for post-operative pain. Currently, this block is advocated for relieving pain in the lower extremity and pelvic area resulting from various origins. We report a case of a 69-year-old male patient who had gait abnormality with posterior pelvic and hip pain, which were both aggravated by hip extension. From the magnetic resonance image, the patient was found to have a laterally herniated intervertebral disc at the L2/3 level, which compressed the right psoas muscle. This was thought to be the origin of the pain, so a psoas compartment block was performed using 0.25% chirocaine with triamcinolone 5mg, and the pain in both the pelvis and hip were relieved.     

Spontaneous regression of a large sequestered lumbar disc herniation: a case report and literature review

Lumbar disc herniation is a common disorder in adults that is accompanied by lower back and radicular pain. A 32-year-old man visited our clinic with 1-week history of persistent lower back pain and weakness in his right big toe. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his lumbar spine revealed herniated discs at L3/L4, L5/S1 and L4/L5, where a right-sided intraspinal mass lesion deep to the L4 vertebral body was causing compression of the nerve root. The patient underwent conservative treatment and reported no symptoms referrable to his back or leg 4 months later. Follow-up MRI showed no herniation of the nucleus pulposus at the L4/L5 level or lesion deep to the vertebral body of L4, whereas no changes had occurred to the status of the herniated L3/L4 and L5/S1 discs. The present case and a literature review show that a sequestered lumbar disc herniation can regress within a relatively short timeframe without surgery. The authors emphasise the utility of conservative therapy for patients who do not have a definitive surgical indication.     

Lumbosacral plexopathy due to common iliac artery aneurysm misdiagnosed as intervertebral disc herniation

We report a case of lumbosacral plexopathy caused by an isolated aneurysm in the common iliac artery. The patient presented with low back and buttock pain radiating to the right leg and numbness in the L5 and S1 dermatomes. A computed tomography scan showed an aneurysm of the right common iliac artery. This case serves to increase awareness of the possibility of lumbosacral plexopathy in patients with symptoms of a prolapsed intervertebral disc.     

Two-level percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for highly migrated upper lumbar disc herniation: A case report

BACKGROUND The technique of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy(PELD)as a transforaminal approach has been used to treat highly migrated lower lumbar disc herniations.However,due to the different anatomic characteristics of the upper lumbar spine,conventional transforaminal PELD may fail to remove the highly migrated upper lumbar disc nucleus pulposus.Therefore,the purpose of this study was to describe a novel surgical technique,two-level PELD,for the treatment of highly migrated upper lumbar disc herniations and to report its related clinical outcomes.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old male presented with a complaint of pain at his lower back and right lower limb.The patient received 3 mo of conservative treatments but the symptoms were not alleviated.Physical examination revealed a positive femoral nerve stretch test and a negative straight leg raise test for the right leg,and preoperative visual analog scale(VAS)score for the lower back was 6 points and for the right leg was 8 points.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)demonstrated L2-L3 disc herniation on the right side and the herniated nucleus pulposus migrated to the upper margin of L2 vertebral body.According to physical examination and imaging findings,surgery was the primary consideration.Therefore,the patient underwent surgical treatment with two-level PELD.The pain symptom was relieved and the VAS score for back and thigh pain was one point postoperatively.The patient was asymptomatic and follow-up MRI scan 1 year after operation revealed no residual nucleus pulposus.CONCLUSION Two-level PELD as a transforaminal approach can be a safe and effective procedure for highly migrated upper lumbar disc herniation.     

Lumbar disc sequestration mimicking a tumor: Report of four cases and a literature review

BACKGROUNDDisc herniation refers to the displacement of disc material beyond its anatomical space. Disc sequestration is defined as migration of the herniated disc fragment into the epidural space, completely separating it from the parent disc. The fragment can move in upward, inferior, and lateral directions, which often causes low back pain and discomfort, abnormal sensation, and movement of lower limbs. The free disc fragments detached from the parent disc often mimic spinal tumors. Tumor like lumbar disc herniation can cause clinical symptoms similar to spinal tumors, such as lumbar soreness, pain, numbness and weakness of lower limbs, radiation pain of lower limbs, etc. It is usually necessary to diagnose the disease according to the doctor''s clinical experience, and make preliminary diagnosis and differential diagnosis with the help of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced MRI. However, pathological examination is the gold standard that distinguishes tumoral from non-tumoral status. We report four cases of disc herniation mimicking a tumor, and all the pathological results were intervertebral disc tissue.CASE SUMMARYThe first case was a 71-year-old man with low back pain accompanied by left lower extremity radiating pain for 1 year, with exacerbation over the last 2 wk. After admission, MRI revealed a circular T2-hypointense lesion in the spinal canal of the L4 vertebral segment, with enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI suggesting neurilemmoma. The second case was a 74-year-old man with pain in both knees associated with movement limitation for 3 years, with exacerbation over the last 3 mo. MRI revealed an oval T2-hyperintense lesion in the spinal canal at the L4–5 level, with obvious peripheral enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI. Thus, neurilemmoma was suspected. The third case was a 53-year-old man who presented with numbness and weakness of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity for 2 wk. MRI revealed a round T2-hyperintense lesion in the spinal canal at the L4–5 level, with obvious rim enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI. Thus, a spinal tumor was suspected. The fourth case was a 75-year-old man with right lower extremity pain for 2 wk, with exacerbation over the last week. MRI revealed a round T1-isointense lesion in the spinal canal of the L3 vertebral segment and a T2-hyperintense signal from the lesion. There was no obvious enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI, so a spinal tumor was suspected. All four patients underwent surgery and recovered to ASIA grade E on postoperative days 5, 8, 8, and 6, respectively. All patients had an uneventful postoperative course and fully recovered within 3 mo.CONCLUSIONDisc herniation mimicking a tumor is a relatively rare clinical entity and can be easily misdiagnosed as a spinal tumor. Examinations and tests should be improved preoperatively. Patients should undergo comprehensive preoperative evaluations, and the lesions should be removed surgically and confirmed by pathological diagnosis.     

Osteoid Osteoma: Benign Osteoblastic Tumor of the Lumbar L4 Transverse Process Associated with Radicular Pain: A Case Report

Osteoid osteomas of the spine are benign bone tumors typically presenting with progressive pain without neurological deficit. This report presents a case of an osteoid osteoma in the lumbar spine associated with radicular pain. The patient, a young male athlete, presented with severe chronic nightly left low‐back pain radiated to the ipsilateral lower extremity who failed to respond to physical therapy and analgesic medications. Initial radiologic examination was reported as normal, but closer inspection of the T1‐ and T2‐weighted magnetic resonance image as well as technetium‐99m total body bone scan and a computed tomography scan revealed a bony lesion in the left transverse process of the L4 vertebra consistent with the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. A selective L3 nerve root block provided significant relief. Surgical excision of the osteoid osteoma resolved the symptoms. This case emphasizes the importance of early suspicion and diagnostic interventions in the detection and treatment of osteoid osteoma.     

sciatic hernia with incarcerated ileum: CT and radiographic diagnosis

An elderly woman presented with postprandial cramps in the right lower abdomen and recurrent episodes of low back pain radiating down to the dorsal aspect of her right thigh. Computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis and barium enema with small bowel reflux demonstrated the herniation of an ileal loop through the greater sciatic foramen on the right side. The diagnosis and management of this case are herein described and previous publications on sciatic hernias are reviewed.     

Imaging the back pain patient

Imaging is an integral part of the clinical examination of the patient with back pain; it is, however, often used excessively and without consideration of the underlying literature. The primary role of imaging is the identification of systemic disease as a cause of the back or limb pain; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) excels at this. Systemic disease as a cause of back or limb pain is, however, rare. Most back and radiating limb pain is of benign nature, owing to degenerative phenomena. There is no role for imaging in the initial evaluation of the patient with back pain in the absence of signs or symptoms of systemic disease. When conservative care fails, imaging may be undertaken with due consideration of its risks: labeling the patient as suffering from a degenerative disease, cost, radiation exposure, and provoking unwarranted minimally invasive or surgical intervention. Imaging can well depict disc degeneration and disc herniation. Imaging can suggest the presence of discogenic pain, but the lack of a pathoanatomic gold standard obviates any definitive conclusions. The imaging natural history of disc herniation is resolution. There is very poor correlation between imaging findings of disc herniation and the clinical presentation or course. Psychosocial factors predict functional disability due to disc herniation better than imaging. Imaging with MRI, computed tomography (CT), or CT myelography can readily identify central canal, lateral recess, or foraminal compromise. Only when an imaging finding is concordant with the patient's pain pattern or neurologic deficit can causation be considered. The zygapophysial (facet) and sacroiliac joint are thought to be responsible for axial back pain, although with less frequency than the disc. Imaging findings of the structural changes of osteoarthritis do not correlate with pain production. Physiologic imaging, either with single-photon emission CT bone scan, heavily T2-weighted MRI sequences (short-tau inversion recovery), or gadolinium enhancement, can detect inflammation and are more predictive of an axial pain generator.     

Lumbar Epidural Varix Causing Radicular Pain: A Case Report and Differential Diagnosis of Lumbar Cystic Lesions

Lumbar epidural varices are a rare cause of radicular pain mimicking lumbar disc herniation or other cyst-like masses including sequestrated disc herniation, facet joint synovial cyst, or perineural cyst. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman presenting with lumbar radicular pain caused by a lumbar epidural varix. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic lesion in the ventral epidural space posterior to the right L4 body. Surgery was conducted and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of an epidural varix. Lumbar epidural varices and other lumbar cystic lesions can commonly cause radicular pain. Physicians will benefit from increased awareness of epidural varices as a cause of lumbosacral radicular pain and the associated radiologic findings supporting differential diagnosis. In particular, careful interpretation of MRI scans may help ensure proper diagnosis of an epidural varix versus other cystic lesions.

Lumbar extension exercises in conjunction with mechanical traction for the management of a patient with a lumbar herniated disc

ABSTRACT

Low back pain resulting from lumbar disc herniation is a common reason for referral for physical therapy. There is no evidence to support the management of lumbar disc herniation and derangement using mechanical traction combined with lumbar extension exercises. Therefore, the purpose of this case report was to describe and discuss the use of mechanical traction in conjunction with lumbar extension exercises for a patient with a lumbar herniated disc. The patient was a 49-year-old male referred to physical therapy with a medical diagnosis of a lumbar herniated disc at L5-S1 with compression of the L5 nerve root confirmed by MRI. The patient's chief complaint was pain over the left lumbosacral and central lumbar region with radiating pain into the left buttock accompanied by numbness and tingling in the left lower leg and foot. The patient was seen for a total of 14 visits. The first 5 days (2 weeks) of therapy consisted of lumbar extension exercises. For the following nine visits (over a 3-week period), mechanical traction was added as an adjunct to the extension exercises. Outcome measures included the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, Back Pain Function Scale (BPFS), and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Results from initial evaluation to discharge (Oswestry: 36% to 0%; BPFS: 33/60 to 57/60; NPRS: 7/10 to 0/10) demonstrated that the patient no longer experienced low back pain and improved in terms of functional status and pain-related disability. The patient no longer complained of numbness and tingling in the left lower extremity and the goals for the patient had been attained. The data from this case report suggests lumbar extension exercises in conjunction with mechanical traction facilitated the patient's improvement in pain and return to prior level of function.     

Thoraco lumbar junction syndrome: a case report

This case report describes a 46-year-old female who experienced symptoms of low back pain with pain radiating into the right gluteal area. Initial intervention addressed mechanical dysfunction at the lumbosacral junction. Reduction in symptoms was observed following manual therapy procedures that addressed the lumbosacral junction; however, the right gluteal pain persisted with recurrence of back pain. Subsequent examination revealed non-neutral dysfunction at the thoracolumbar junction. Treatment was continued with manual therapy procedures that addressed facet restriction and soft tissue dysfunction in the thoracolumbar junction. A marked relief in symptoms was reported thereafter, with a decrease in right gluteal pain and improved functional ability. The anatomical and clinical relevance to this scenario is described. The thoracolumbar junction is described as a predominant contributor to the symptomatology. Its complementary role to the lumbosacral junction is enumerated.     

Bilateral leg pain and unilateral calf atrophy caused by polymyositis accompanying lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation: a case report

Polymyositis is a subgroup of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies characterized by symmetric proximal limb weakness and chronic skeletal muscle inflammation. We herein report the first case of bilateral leg pain and unilateral calf atrophy caused by polymyositis accompanying lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation. A 52-year-old man presented with intermittent claudication and calf pain that had become gradually aggravated during the last 3 months. Magnetic resonance imaging showed spinal stenosis at the L3/4 and L4/5 levels and lumbar disc herniation at the L4/5 level. Preoperative laboratory investigations revealed elevated muscle enzyme concentrations. Magnetic resonance imaging also showed atrophy, fatty degeneration, and edema in both calf muscles. Histological examination showed inflammatory myositis and fibrosis in the perifascicular connective tissues. The patient was diagnosed with polymyositis. We performed decompressive laminectomy at the L3/4 and L4/5 levels and discectomy at the L4/5 level. After administration of prednisolone for 6 months and methotrexate for 3 months, the patient’s bilateral calf pain and abnormal laboratory findings improved. The combination of surgical decompression and adequate medical treatment resulted in a successful recovery. Polymyositis should be suspected in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis or lumbar disc herniation who exhibit increased muscle enzyme concentrations or lower extremity muscle atrophy.     

Pelvic pain and organic dysfunction in a patient with low back pain: response to distractive manipulation: a case presentation

Many patients with low back pain demonstrate pelvic symptomatology attributable to lower sacral nerve root compression. Lower sacral nerve root compression has been identified as a cause of pelvic pain and pelvic organ dysfunction. Pelvic symptomatology secondary to lower sacral nerve root compression is given. Lower sacral nerve root compression is most commonly the result of lumbosacral disc lesion. A case of low back pain accompanied with pelvic symptomatology is presented along with its response to distractive manipulation. chiropractic treatment may be an effective means of treating pelvic disorders secondary to lower sacral nerve root compression provided that the underlying disc lesion is dealt with, although further study is needed.     

腰骶椎矢状位形态学改变与椎间盘退变的MRI评价

背景：目前关于椎间盘退变在MRI上的影像学表现及其与下腰痛的关系报道甚多,但腰骶椎矢状位形态学改变与椎间盘退变程度的关系国内尚未见相关报道。目的：观察下腰痛患者腰骶椎矢状位形态学改变与椎间盘退变的关系,并探讨其临床意义。方法：对主诉下腰痛来安徽医科大学第一附属医院门诊就诊并行MRI检查的患者做回顾性分析,选择年龄20～30岁的女性患者167例,在MRI正中矢状面的T2W1图像上观察椎间盘的信号改变及退变程度,评价退变分级,测量每个患者的腰椎前凸角,骶骨平台角及骶椎后凸角度。结果与结论：椎间盘退变组与无椎间退变组腰椎前凸角分别为（24.31±3.48）°和（26.29±3.74）°,差异有显著性意义（P=0.001）;骶骨平台角分别为（102.97±5.58）°和（100.70±3.26）°,差异有显著性意义（P=0.002）;骶骨后凸角分别为（163.45±7.03）°和（167.24±6.71）°,差异有显著性意义（P=0.001）。提示腰椎前凸角、骶骨后凸角、骶骨平台角是评价椎间盘退变程度的形态学参数,腰椎前凸角和骶骨后凸角随椎间盘退变加重而减小,骶骨平台角随椎间盘退变加重而增大。     

Chronic low back pain in traumatic lower limb amputees

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of back pain amongst traumatic lower limb amputees attending a regional rehabilitation centre and to determine the possible causes of back pain. DESIGN: All traumatic lower limb amputees given a semi-structured questionnaire to complete and a comparative subgroup of amputees with back pain and without back pain underwent physical examination, gait analysis, magnetic resonance scanning (MRI) and gait/standing stability analysis. SETTING: A subregional amputee rehabilitation centre. RESULTS: Transfemoral amputees were more likely to suffer from back pain (81 %) than transtibial amputees (62%) (p<0.05) and of those suffering from severe back pain, 89% and 81% also suffered from severe pain in the phantom limb and severe stump pain respectively. In two comparative subgroups of amputees there was no significant difference between back pain and pain-free groups except those with pain were more likely to have a body mass index (BMI) ratio above 50% of the recommended ratio. No difference in degeneration or disc disease between the groups on MR scans was found. Impact ground reaction forces during walking, irrespective of limb, were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the pain-free group than in the pain group, as was walking speed. Gait asymmetry measures were similar in both groups. Centre of pressure displacement measures during standing were greater in the pain group than in the pain-free group. CONCLUSIONS: Low back pain in amputees is a significant problem equal to that of pain in the phantom limb and a biomechanical (myofascial) rather than a degenerative aetiology is suggested.     

Isolated septic discitis associated with Streptococcus bovis bacteremia

Streptococcus bovis is a Gram-positive coccus that can be found in the intestinal flora of healthy people; it is also associated with colon cancer and infective endocarditis. We report on a 79-year-old male who initially presented with acute-onset lower back pain. Streptococcus bovis was detected in repeated blood cultures, and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine revealed septic discitis of the L2-L3 intervertebral disc. Excision and debridement of the intervertebral disc was performed and a tissue culture tested positive for S. bovis. Repeat echocardiography and colonoscopy showed no signs of vegetation or tumor lesions, respectively. We diagnosed the patient with isolated septic discitis caused by S. bovis-induced bacteremia. The patient was discharged after six weeks of antibiotic therapy.     

T2-3 Thoracic disc herniation with myelopathy

We report a case of thoracic disc herniation in a 53-year-old woman who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with a 2-week history of acute lower back numbness and intermittent fecal incontinence. On examination, she had lower extremity hyperreflexia, an abnormal gait, and lower lumbar pain but lacked any radicular findings. A magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed a large focal paracentral herniated disc at the T2-3 level. The patient underwent successful T2-3 anterior discectomy with T2-3 rib autograft fusion. Nine months after surgery her weakness and gait had improved, but she continued to have recurrent intermittent fecal incontinence. Thoracic disc herniation is an uncommon, but treatable cause of spinal cord compression. Prompt recognition and early treatment are the keys to preventing permanent neurologic sequelae.     

Diabetic neuropathic pain in a leg amputated 44 years previously

The mechanism of neuropathic pain in the diabetic limb is far from clear. Phantom limb pain likewise is of obscure aetiology. The development of typical pain in an absent leg in a patient with diabetes many years after the amputation stimulates thought as to the mechanism, not only of neuropathic pain, but also of phantom limb pain. A 58-year-old man was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 44 years after having undergone left below knee amputation for congenital AV malformation, at the age of 13. Eight months before the diagnosis of diabetes he began to complain of pain in the leg on the amputated side-pain very similar to that described in typical diabetic neuropathy. This was followed by similar pain in the right leg. MR scan of the spine revealed a small syringohydromyelia of the thoracic cord in addition to a prolapse of disc at L(5)/S(1) level on the left side, which was first noted 5 years previously. There were no other features of S(1) compression. The typical neuropathic character of the pain involving both the amputated and the intact limbs that developed with the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes suggest that the neuropathic pain may originate from centres higher than peripheral nerves.     

Minimally invasive and simultaneous removal of herniated intracanal and extracanal lumbar nucleus pulposus with a percutaneous spinal endoscope

Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) in the lumbar spine is usually found in the neural canal (in the intracanal space) and occasionally in the extracanal space, where it is known as a lateral HNP. HNP is rarely found simultaneously in both spaces. However, we experienced such a case in a 48‐year‐old man who presented with right leg pain and lower back pain that had lasted for more than a year. MRI revealed HNP in both the right intracanal and extracanal spaces at L2‐L3. A transforaminal approach was used to complete a percutaneous endoscopic discectomy. An 8‐mm incision was made with the patient under local anesthesia, and the percutaneous endoscope was inserted at the affected disc space. First, the HNP fragments in the intracanal space were removed, and then the cannula and endoscope were extracted to the extracanal space where the extracanal fragments were removed. Two hours after the surgery, the patient stood and walked. Right leg pain and lower back pain had disappeared. Unlike other techniques such as Love's procedure and the microendoscopic discectomy technique, the use of a transforaminal approach with the percutaneous endoscopic technique enables the HNP fragments in the intracanal and extracanal spaces to be removed at the same time with a single approach.