经皮激光腰椎间盘减压术后腰椎关节突关节和椎间高度的变化

目的：观察经皮激光椎间盘减压术（percutaneous laser disc decompression，PLDD）治疗腰椎间盘突出症术后腰椎关节突关节和椎间高度的变化。方法：应用半导体激光系统对32例腰椎间盘突出症患者进行PLDD治疗。29例患者为单节段突出，其中L3/4 3例，L4／5 18例，L5/S1 8例；3例患者同时合并IA／5和L5/S1节段突出。利用Macnab标准评价随访患者的疗效，并观察术前、术后椎间盘突出节段关节突关节角的形态，测量L3，4、L4/5和L5／S1椎间高度指数和椎间盘突出节段关节突关节角的角度。结果：所有患者无术中和术后并发症。随访14～22个月，平均17个月，按Macnab标准评价：优14例（43．75％），良13例（40．63％）；可3例（9．37％），差2例（6．25％），优良率84．38％。术后L5/S1椎间高度指数与术前相比显著性下降（P〈0．05），但L3/4和L4／5椎间高度指数无显著性改变；关节突关节无明显退变；L4／5和L5／S1椎间盘突出侧的关节突关节角角度显著性下降（P〈0．05），但L3/4椎间盘突出侧的关节突关节角度无显著性改变。结论：经皮激光腰椎间盘减压术后患者的L5／S1椎间高度和腰椎间盘突出侧关节突关节角角度下降．有可能增加腰椎滑脱的风险。     

Coronary vasospasm during percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy

A case of myocardial infarction as a result of coronary vasospasm during percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy is presented. Potential consequences of the profound sympathetic response during this procedure are discussed. Invasive haemodynamic monitoring as well as prophylaxis with nitrates and calcium antagonists may be useful in patients prone to coronary vasospasm who undergo this procedure.     

Percutaneous radiofrequency lumbar facet rhizotomy guided by computed tomography fluoroscopy

X-ray fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous radiofrequency facet rhizotomy is used to treat chronic low back pain. The traditional fluoroscopic approach to the medial branch of the posterior rami, however, is associated with a small incidence of complications. We describe a new method for radiofrequency lumbar facet rhizotomy in which computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy is used to guide needle placement. Three patients with chronic intractable low back pain underwent CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous facet rhizotomy. After the safest and shortest route to the target site was determined on the CT image, the needle was advanced along the predetermined route under real-time CT fluoroscopy. When the needle tip was located at the target site, electrical stimulation was applied to verify proper electrode placement. After confirming the clinical effect and lack of complications under test block with a local anesthetic, denervation was performed using radiofrequency current. Pain scores of all patients were reduced after the procedure without any complications such as paralysis or neuritic pain. None of the patients complained of severe discomfort during the procedure. CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous lumbar facet rhizotomy appears to be safe, fast, and effective for patients with lumbar facet pain.     

腰椎管成形在儿童选择性脊神经后根切断术中的应用及临床转归

[目的]探讨棘突椎板韧带复合体回植腰椎管成形在儿童选择性脊神经后根切断(SPR)术中的应用价值及术后转归。[方法]回顾性分析2007年7月～2009年12月本院腰椎SPR手术的脑瘫患儿36例68椎。手术时平均年龄6.5岁。椎管成形方法为棘突椎板棘上韧带复合体整块取出后纵劈开大,原位覆盖回植,丝线固定并重建棘上韧带连续性。术后随访患者症状和影像学评估腰椎稳定性、回植椎板骨融合及转归。[结果]随访平均32个月。术后患者均无腰痛。双下肢肌张力级别由术前平均2.2±0.6降至术后平均0.5±0.2,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。腰椎X线片19例未见明显异常;16例可见腰椎术后改变;12例腰椎屈伸位相术前和随访时比较未见明显变化。腰椎CT,椎管形态均基本完整,回植椎板融合率(85.3%),吸收率(61.8%)二者之间呈统计学负相关关系。2例腰椎MRI可见回植椎板部分缺失,硬膜囊无受压,棘上韧带连续。[结论]棘突椎板韧带复合体回植腰椎管成形应用于儿童SPR术可较好重建腰椎稳定性,随访2年以上有回植椎板吸收现象,但对腰椎发育无明显影响,残存椎板与周围软组织共同对椎管内神经起保护作用。     

Sensory disturbance following percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy

Nineteen patients with tic douloureux were treated with glycerol injection in the trigeminal cistern. Facial sensibility was measured with an electrical stimulator one day before and one day after the glycerol treatment. The thresholds for perception and pain, and the maximal pain tolerance rose by about 50% (p less than 0.01, 0.01, and 0.001, respectively). The hypaesthesia and hypalgesia were most marked just below the eye, whereas the mandibular division showed only slight sensory impairment. In 13 patients a follow-up sensimetry study was done 1-7 months after surgery. Thirteen patients became completely free of pain and one almost completely free from pain (74%). Two had no pain relief. Twelve patients had no subjective complaints of the treatment. Three reported on dysaesthesiae (16%) over the previously painful area. Seven patients (37%) had subjective sensations of diminished or altered sensibility: numbness and hypalgesia in the face. Corneal hypaesthesia was recorded in ten patients (53%). Glycerol has a non-specific neurotoxic effect which is equal for tactile and nociceptive fibres. Sensory impairment may be a conditio sine qua non for a good clinical result.     

Long-term follow-up of percutaneous radiofrequency sacral rhizotomy

A series of 7 patients undergoing percutaneous radiofrequency sacral rhizotomy to change a hyperreflexic to an areflexic bladder was reported in 1978. A patient from this original series was seen for treatment nine years later with successful preservation of good vesical capacity enabling him to use Credé maneuver and intermittent catheterization to evacuate his urine. In addition, there has been no recurrence of symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia during that period.     

Lumbar facet joint syndrome. A randomised clinical trial

A group of 109 patients with unilateral low back pain for over three months were randomised to receive one of three types of injection treatment: cortisone and local anaesthetic injected into two facet joints (28), the same mixture around two facet joints (39), or physiological saline into two facet joints (42). The effect of the treatment was evaluated in relation to work attendance, pain, disability and movements of the lumbar spine. Patients were examined one hour and two and six weeks after treatment and also completed a questionnaire after three months. A significant improvement was observed in work attendance, pain and disability scores, but this was independent of the treatment given and movements of the lumbar spine were not improved. Of the 70 patients with initial pain relief after injection, 36% reported persisting benefit at the three month follow-up, independent of the mode of treatment given. We conclude that facet joint injection is a non-specific method of treatment and the good results depend on a tendency to spontaneous regression and to the psychosocial aspects of back pain.     

Lumbar facet joint asymmetry. Intervertebral disc herniation.

A study of 136 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation was undertaken to test the hypothesis that asymmetry of the facet joints is associated with the level, type, and side of herniation. Fifty cases of central herniation and 86 cases of lateral herniation, all at the L4-5 or L5-S1 levels, were studied by computed tomographic scans. Adjacent (nonherniated) levels were used as controls. The facet joint angles were measured at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels of the control, central, and lateral herniated levels. The results showed a similar degree of facet joint asymmetry at all levels. In cases of lateral herniation, there was a significant difference in the facet angle between the herniated and nonherniated side at the L5-S1 level, but not the L4-5 level. The mean difference, however, was less than 3 degrees and not considered to be clinically relevant. There was no difference in the distribution of the more coronally or sagittally facing facet joints with respect to the side of lateral herniation. These results do not support the hypothesis that facet asymmetry is associated with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.     

内窥镜下脊神经背内侧支切断术治疗腰椎小关节综合征的临床疗效分析

目的探讨内窥镜下脊神经背内侧支切断术治疗腰椎小关节综合征的临床疗效。方法选择2012-08-2015-03我院诊治的腰椎小关节综合征患者78例,根据随机抽签原则分为观察组与对照组各39例,对照组给予局部封闭保守治疗,观察组给予内窥镜下脊神经背内侧支切断术治疗。结果所有患者均完成治疗,观察组术中见脊神经背内侧支存在多种变异;经过评定,两组治疗后1 d和3个月的疼痛评分均明显低于治疗前(P0.05),同时观察组治疗后3个月的疼痛评分也明显低于对照组(P0.05)。观察组治疗3个月内的神经根损伤、皮肤感觉功能缺失、疼痛性感觉迟钝、肺部感染等并发症发生情况明显少于对照组(P0.05)。治疗3个月后,观察组的优良率为94.9%,对照组为76.9%,观察组的优良率明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论内窥镜下脊神经背内侧支切断术治疗腰椎小关节综合征,有明显的镇痛效果,术后并发症少。     

Percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy and percutaneous cordotomy under general anesthesia.

Most percutaneous procedures for the treatment of pain are done under local anesthesia and considerable pain can be involved. If the patient is elderly or confused because of severe pain, it is difficult or impossible to perform these procedures successfully. We treated 3 elderly patients with trigeminal neuralgia and 1 patient with severe bone pain due to metastatic osteosarcoma in the lumbosacral region by percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy and percutaneous cordotomy under general anesthesia with intratracheal intubation. We conclude that percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy and percutaneous cordotomy can be safely done under general anesthesia.     

Lumbar facet joint and intervertebral disc loading during simulated pelvic obliquity

Background contextIntervertebral disc and facet joints are the two primary load-bearing structures of the lumbar spine, and altered loading to these structures may be associated with frontal plane spinal deviations.PurposeTo determine the load on the lumbar facet joint and intervertebral disc under simulated frontal plane pelvic obliquity combined loading, an in vitro biomechanical study was conducted.Study design/settingAn in vitro biomechanical study using a repeated-measures design was used to compare L4–L5 facet joint and intervertebral disc loading across pure moment and combined loading conditions.MethodsEight fresh-frozen lumbosacral specimens were tested under five loading conditions: flexion/extension, lateral bending, axial rotation using pure moment bending (±10 Nm), and two additional tests investigating frontal plane pelvic obliquity and axial rotation (sacrum tilted left 5° and at 10° followed by a ±10-Nm rotation moment). Three-dimensional kinematics, facet load, and intradiscal pressures were recorded from the L4–L5 functional spinal unit.ResultsSagittal and frontal plane loading resulted in significantly smaller facet joint forces compared with conditions implementing a rotation moment (p<.05). The facet joint had the highest peak load during the 10° combined loading condition (124.0±30.2 N) and the lowest peak load in flexion (26.8±16.1 N). Intradiscal pressure was high in lateral flexion (495.6±280.9 kPa) and flexion (429.0±212.9 kPa), whereas intradiscal pressures measured in rotation (253.2±135.0 kPa) and 5° and 10° combined loading conditions were low (255.5±132.7 and 267.1±127.1 kPa, respectively).ConclusionsFacet loading increased during simulated pelvic obliquity in frontal and transverse planes, whereas intradiscal pressures were decreased compared with sagittal and frontal plane motions alone. Altered spinopelvic alignment may increase the loads experienced by spinal tissue, especially the facet joints.     

Lumbar facet anatomy changes in spondylolysis: a comparative skeletal study

Opinions differ as to the exact mechanism responsible for spondylolysis (SP) and whether individuals with specific morphological characteristics of the lumbar vertebral neural arch are predisposed to SP. The aim of our study was to reveal the association between SP and the architecture of lumbar articular facets and the inter-facet region. Methods: Using a Microscribe three-dimensional apparatus (Immersion Co., San Jose, CA, USA), length, width and depth of all articular facets and all inter-facet distances in the lumbar spine (L1–L5) were measured. From the Hamann-Todd Human Osteological Collection (Cleveland Museum of Natural History, OH, USA) 120 normal male skeletons with lumbar spines in the control group and 115 with bilateral SP at L5 were selected. Analysis of variance was employed to examine the differences between spondylolytic and normal spines. Results: Three profound differences between SP and the norm appeared: (1) in individuals with SP, the size and shape of L4’s neural arch had significantly greater inter-facet widths, significantly shorter inter-facet heights and significantly shorter and narrower articular facets; (2) only in the L4 vertebra in individuals with SP was the inferior inter-facet width greater in size than the superior inter-facet width of the vertebra below (L5) (38.7 mm versus 40 mm); (3) in all lumbar vertebrae, the right inferior articular facets in individuals with SP were flatter compared to the control group. Conclusions: Individuals with L4 “SP” characteristics are at a greater risk of developing fatigue fractures in the form of spondylolysis at L5.     

选择性限制性脊神经后根切断术后脑瘫患儿腰椎稳定性的变化

目的观察痉挛型脑瘫患儿选择性限制性脊神经后根切断术(limitedselectiveposteriorrhizotomy,LSPR)后,腰椎稳定性、切除椎板再生及脊柱生长发育情况。方法将125例痉挛型脑瘫患儿根据年龄(<8岁、≥8岁)及手术方式(软组织矫形手术、LSPR手术、软组织矫形 LSPR手术)分组。在手术前、后及随访时,分别摄站立位及动力位腰椎正侧位X线片,测量手术前、后腰骶角、L5S1矢状位椎体位移率等指标。分析比较各组之间及手术前、后各项指标的差异。观察术后切除椎板再生及脊柱生长发育情况。结果(1)软组织矫形手术组手术前、后各项指标差异无统计学意义;(2)LSPR组及软组织矫形 LSPR手术组手术前、后各项指标差异显著;(3)行LSPR手术的<8岁组手术前后各项指标差异有统计学意义,≥8岁组手术前后仅L5S1矢状位椎体位移率差异显著;(4)LSPR术后发现L5S1Ⅰ度滑脱3例(3.90%),脊柱侧凸4例(5.19%,Cobb角15°～34°),腰椎前凸3例(3.90%);(5)LSPR术后见切除椎板部分再生。结论LSPR手术对脑瘫患儿腰椎稳定性有一定影响,但不是惟一的因素。儿童LSPR术后,切除的椎板有再生能力。Lumbar stabilityobservationofchildrenwith cerebralpalsyafterlimitedselectiveposteriorrhizoto-my YANG Chao,WANG Qiu-gen,ZHANG Qiu-lin,etal.Department     

Percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy of lumbar medial branch (facet rhizotomy)--a report of 6 cases

We performed radiofrequency neurotomy of lumbar medial branch as a treatment of facet syndrome. Our six cases had no indication for surgical therapy, such as neuralgia, spinal canal stenosis without neurological deficit except for pain and deformed spines. Facet joint injection with regional anesthetics and steroids could not prevent their recurrent back pain. By facet rhizotomy, they could obtain relief of back pain for several months to a year. We conclude that facet rhizotomy is a more effective method for facet syndrome when a proper indication is present.