Is extensive cervical laminoplasty an effective treatment for spinal cord sarcoidosis combined with cervical spondylosis?

Patients with neurosarcoidosis are usually initially treated with steroid administration even when they have concomitant cord compression on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Operative intervention may be indicated in patients with spinal cord sarcoidosis requiring either tissue biopsy for diagnosis or associated with progressive neurologic symptoms. However, there have been no previous reports describing clinical outcomes of laminoplasty for spinal cord sarcoidosis. The objectives of this study are to investigate whether extensive cervical laminoplasty is an effective treatment for spinal cord sarcoidosis combined with spondylotic changes and/or cervical spinal canal stenosis. Open-door laminoplasty was performed in three patients with spinal cord sarcoidosis. All patients received intensive corticosteroid therapy after the operation MRI imaging was performed in all patients before and after the operation. Operative outcomes were not satisfactory and the clinical courses of the patients fluctuated after corticosteroid therapy. Daily life activities were not significantly improved after treatments in any of the three patients, and in the long-term follow-up period the clinical course of one patient was one of inexorable deterioration to a state of quadriplegia. The possibility of spinal cord sarcoidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis, when a distinct high signal intensity area is observed within the spinal cord on T2-weighted MR images in patients with spondylotic changes. Laminoplasty is not an effective intervention for the treatment of spinal cord sarcoidosis even when patients have spondylotic changes and/or a constitutionally narrowing cervical spinal canal. Patients with neurosarcoidosis should be treated first with steroid administration even when they have concomitant cord compression on MRI.     

Minimum 2-year outcome of cervical laminoplasty with deep extensor muscle-preserving approach: impact on cervical spine function and quality of life

In this retrospective cohort study, two surgical methods of conventional open-door laminoplasty and deep extensor muscle-preserving laminoplasty were allocated for the treatment of cervical myelopathy, and were specifically compared in terms of axial pain, cervical spine function, and quality of life (QOL) with a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. Eighty-four patients were divided into two groups and received either a conventional open-door laminoplasty (CL group) or laminoplasty using a deep extensor muscle-preserving approach (MP group). The latter approach was performed by preserving multifidus and semispinalis cervicis attachments followed by open-door laminoplasty and re-suture of the bisected spinous processes at each decompression level. The average follow-up period was 38 months (25–53 months). The preoperative and follow-up evaluations included the original Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, the new tentative JOA score including cervical spine function and QOL, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) of axial pain. Radiological analyses included cervical lordosis and flexion–extension range of motion (flex–ext ROM) (C2–7), and deep extensor muscle areas on MR axial images. The JOA recovery rates were statistically equivalent between two groups. The MP group demonstrated a statistically superior cervical spine function (84% vs 63%) and QOL (61% vs 45%) when compared to the CL group at final follow-up (P < 0.05). The average VAS scores at final follow-up were 2.3 and 4.9 in MP and CL groups (P < 0.05). The cervical lordosis and flex–ext ROM were statistically equivalent. The percent deep muscle area on MRI demonstrated a significant atrophy in CL group compared to that in MP group (56% vs 88%; P < 0.01). Laminoplasty employing the deep extensor muscle-preserving approach appeared to be effective in reducing the axial pain and deep muscle atrophy as well as improving cervical spine function and QOL when compared to conventional open-door laminoplasty.     

Centerpiece钢板应用于颈椎后路单开门椎板成形术的临床效果观察

目的观察探讨Centerpiece钢板应用于颈椎后路单开门椎板成形术的临床疗效。方法回顾性纳入78例2009年9月~2011年3月手术治疗的颈椎单开门椎板成形Centerpiece内固定术患者,其中男性65人,女性13人,平均年龄60岁﹙35~81岁﹚。采用JOA评分评价患者术前术后神经功能,在颈椎X线侧位片上测量椎管失状径并计算相应Pavlov值,术前术后CT上测量椎管横截面积、开门角度。结果手术时间136±34min,手术出血量266±156ml,平均随访时间23﹙14~34﹚月。术前椎管失状径、Pavlov值、最狭窄平面横截面积、JOA评分分别为9.7±2.0mm、0.47±0.12、135±30 mm2、7.5±3.4,术后末次随访分别为20.1±3.1mm、0.89±0.15、275±44mm2、12.7±4.1,与术前比较均有统计学意义﹙<0.05﹚,且术后2年随访观察无明显变化。术后神经功能缓解率为﹙60±29﹚%,开门角度31.7±6.4°。结论Centerpiece钢板应用于颈椎后路椎板成形术的椎板固定,无螺钉松动和钢板断裂,有效维持了椎板的开门状态,防止再关门的发生;术后神经功能恢复良好,临床效果佳。     

Importance of preserving the C7 spinous process and attached nuchal ligament in French-door laminoplasty to reduce postoperative axial symptoms

A comparative clinical trial was conducted to clarify the importance of preserving the C7 spinous process and attached nuchal ligament for the reduction of the axial symptoms after French-door laminoplasty in cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients. Forty-one cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients were enrolled. French-door laminoplasty from C3 to C7 in 22 patients (group 1), and from C3 to C6 in 19 patients (group 2) was performed. The whole structure of the C7 spinous process and the attached nuchal ligament were preserved in group 2. The pre- and post-operative evaluation regarding severity of clinical symptoms was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Pre-operative and subjective outcome regarding axial symptoms were also assessed using a visual analog pain scale questionnaire (VAS: 10-0, where a higher score indicates greater pain) at 1- and 2-year follow-up. Non-parametric testing (Mann-Whitney's U test) was used to establish differences between the two groups for categorical data (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in pre- and post-operative JOA score. The mean VAS was 5.6 +/- 1.4 in group 1, 5.4 +/- 1.7 in group 2 pre-operatively, and 6.4 +/- 1.7 in group 1 and 2.4 +/- 1.9 in group 2 at 1-year follow-up. The mean VAS score at 2-year follow-up exhibited 6.2 +/- 1.9 in Group 1, 2.3 +/- 1.8 in group 2. There was no significant difference in VAS between the two groups before surgery (P = 0.506), but significant differences were noticed at 1-year and 2-year follow-up (P < 0.05), indicating the presence of significantly fewer post-operative axial symptoms in group 2. Laminoplasty of the entire C7 structure is not necessary to obtain satisfactory recovery based on JOA score. Preservation of the C7 spinous process and the attached nuchal ligamentous structures is important to reduce post-laminoplasty axial symptoms.     

The transverse placement laminoplasty using titanium miniplates for the reconstruction of the laminae in thoracic and lumbar lesion

Laminoplasty for thoracic and lumbar spine surgery enables surgeons to preserve the posterior arch of the spine while preventing invasion of hematoma and scar tissue, postoperative instability, subluxation, and kyphotic deformities. The authors have developed a new surgical technique: namely, transverse placement laminoplasty (TPL) using titanium miniplates. Eight patients and 18 laminae underwent TPL using a titanium mini-plate. The preoperative diagnoses were six intradural tumors, one ossification of a yellow ligament and one spontaneous spinal cord herniation. The mean blood loss was 219 g and the mean duration of surgery was 3 h and 54 min. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 2 years and 1 month. All eight patients started to sit with a soft brace within the second postoperative day, and were able to walk within the fifth postoperative day. There were no cases of spinal deformity, an invasion of hematoma or scar tissue into the spinal canal on magnetic resonance imaging, or back pain. TPL simultaneously enables surgeons to obtain sufficient field of vision and rigid early fixation of the reduced lamina at the time of surgery. Moreover, our novel technique also simplifies the postoperative treatment, while preserving the posterior arch of the spine, and also preventing an invasion of a hematoma and scar tissue, postoperative instability, subluxation, and kyphotic deformities.     

改良颈椎板"双开门"扩大成形术治疗颈椎管狭窄症

目的观察改良颈椎板双开门扩大成形术治疗颈椎管狭窄的疗效.方法 8例发育性和24例混合性颈椎管狭窄症患者,按JOA的标准,严重(0～4分)10例,重度(5～8分)18例,中度(9～12分)4例,采用颈椎板双开门,中央嵌入同种脱钙骨基质,粗丝线固定,行椎管扩大成形术,术后用石膏领外固定3个月.术后3～6个月复查SEP、X线平片、MRI及临床变化,随访时间1～11年,平均4.3年,3例失访.结果 SEP均有不同程度改善,植入骨基质钙化融合良好,椎管中矢状径扩大4～6 mm.随访29例,按JOA的标准,严重者9例,术后优8例(88.9%)、良1例(11.1%);重度16例,术后优10例(62.5%)、良5例(31.25%)、不变1例(6.25%);中度4例,术后优2例(50%)、良1例(25%)、不变1例(25%).全组总有效率93.1%.结论该手术方式对颈椎管狭窄症有良好的疗效.     

Impact of deep extensor muscle-preserving approach on clinical outcome of laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: comparative cohort study

Introduction

This study aimed to compare patients undergoing deep extensor muscle-preserving laminoplasty and conventional open-door laminoplasty for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). We specifically assessed axial pain, cervical spine function, and quality of life (QOL) with a minimum follow-up period of 3 years.

Patients and methods

Ninety patients were divided into two groups and underwent either conventional open-door laminoplasty (CL group) or laminoplasty using the deep extensor muscle-preserving approach (MP group). The latter approach was undertaken by preserving the multifidus and semispinalis cervicis attachments followed by open-door laminoplasty and resuturing of the bisected spinous processes at each decompression level. The mean follow-up period was 7.7 years (range, 36–128 months). Preoperative and follow-up evaluations included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, a tentative version of the JOA Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ) including cervical spine function and QOL, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for axial pain. Radiological analyses included cervical lordosis and flexion–extension range of motion (C2–7), as well as deep extensor muscle areas on axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results

The mean number of decompressed laminae was 3.9 and 3.3 in CL and MP groups, respectively, which was statistically equivalent. Japanese Orthopaedic Association recovery was statistically equivalent between the two groups. The MP group demonstrated a superior QOL score (57 vs. 46 %) compared with the CL group at final follow-up (p < 0.05). Mean VAS scores at final follow-up were 2.2 and 4.3 in MP and CL groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Cervical lordosis and flexion–extension range of motion were statistically equivalent. The percentage deep muscle area on MRI was significantly lesser in the CL group compared with the MP group (58 vs. 102 %; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

We demonstrated the superiority of deep extensor muscle-preserving laminoplasty in terms of postoperative axial pain, QOL, and prevention of atrophy of the deep extensor muscles over conventional open-door laminoplasty for the treatment of CSM.     

Prediction of lower limb functional recovery after laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy: focusing on the 10-s step test

Objective

Operative decompression is indicated for progressive neurological deterioration in patients with cervical compressive myelopathy (CCM). However, the best timing to ensure clinical recovery has not been determined because of the lack of a suitable method. 10 s step (“step”) test is an easily performed physical test to assess the severity of CCM, particularly for the severity of lower limb dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to analyze the predictive value of preoperative step test results in relation to the results of expansive laminoplasty in patients with CCM.

Materials and methods

Clinical and imaging data were prospectively collected from 101 patients who underwent cervical expansive laminoplasty for CCM. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and the lower limb function section of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ-L) were used to evaluate surgical outcomes. Cutoff value was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to predict clinical recovery after surgery. JOA recovery rate exceeding 50% was defined as an effective clinical result. The treatment was judged to be effective in 30 patients based on the JOACMEQ-L. The cutoff value of the step test was 14.5 in cases of an effective judgment with JOA and JOACMEQ-L. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative patient age and duration of symptoms were predictive parameters for effectively judging JOA scores. A preoperative step test result of greater than or equal to 14.5 and male gender were significant predictive parameters for an effective judgment with JOACMEQ-L.

Conclusions

Preoperative step test results significantly reflected the effective results of JOACMEQ-L and were predictive of improved lower limb function after laminoplasty in patients with CCM. Patients with a score of greater than or equal to 14.5 can experience effective lower limb functional recovery.     

单开门椎管成形术与全椎板减压融合内固定术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的临床疗效比较

目的探讨颈后路单开门椎管成形术与全椎板减压侧块螺钉植骨融合内固定术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法 2006年9月-2009年9月,对143例多节段(≥3个)脊髓型颈椎病患者分别采用颈后路单开门扩大椎管成形术(A组,87例)及全椎板减压侧块螺钉植骨融合内固定术(B组,56例)治疗,两组患者性别、年龄、病程、病变分型、病变节段等一般资料比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),具有可比性。随访观察并比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后神经功能恢复[采用日本骨科协会(JOA)17分评分法]及手术并发症发生情况,并对两组患者手术前后颈椎曲率指数(cervical curvature index,CCI)、颈椎活动度(range of motion,ROM)及颈肩部疼痛[采用疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)及颈椎功能障碍指数量表(NDI)评分]等指标进行评估。结果两组患者手术时间和术中出血量比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组患者均获随访,随访时间18～30个月,平均24个月。A、B组术后分别有4例(4.60%)和5例(8.93%)出现C5神经根麻痹症状,比较差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.475,P=0.482)。两组术后均无深部感染、假关节形成及螺钉松动需再手术等并发症发生。A组患者术后均无椎板再关门发生;B组患者末次随访时无螺钉脱出、断裂及继发神经损伤等发生。末次随访时A、B组分别有35例(40.23%)和11例(19.64%)有颈部轴性症状,比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=6.612,P=0.009)。两组患者术前JOA评分、CCI、颈椎ROM及VAS评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);末次随访时两组JOA评分、颈椎ROM、VAS评分及A组CCI均较术前有显著改善(P<0.05)。末次随访时,A、B组间JOA评分及改善率、VAS评分比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);A组ROM大于B组,CCI小于B组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);末次随访时NDI评分,A组在疼痛程度、上举能力、工作、驾车、反应及总分方面均显著优于B组(P<0.05)。结论两种手术方式在术后神经功能改善率上无明显差异,全椎板减压植骨融合内固定术能有效缓解术前疼痛,但颈椎活动度降低较大;单开门椎管成形术并发症较少,近期疗效满意。