Severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with Guillain-Barré syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUNDGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder that typically presents with ascending weakness, pain, paraesthesias, and numbness, which mimic the findings in lumbar spinal stenosis. Here, we report a case of severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with GBS.CASE SUMMARYA 70-year-old man with a history of lumbar spinal stenosis presented to our emergency department with severe lower back pain and lower extremity numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of severe lumbar spinal stenosis. However, his symptoms did not improve postoperatively and he developed dysphagia and upper extremity numbness. An electromyogram was performed. Based on his symptoms, physical examination, and electromyogram, he was diagnosed with GBS. After 5 d of intravenous immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/d for 5 d) therapy, he gained 4/5 of strength in his upper and lower extremities and denied paraesthesias. He had regained 5/5 of strength in his extremities when he was discharged and had no symptoms during follow-up.CONCLUSIONGBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal disorder, even though magnetic resonance imaging shows severe lumbar spinal stenosis. This case highlights the importance of a careful diagnosis when a patient has a history of a disease and comes to the hospital with the same or similar symptoms.     

Primary epidural lumbar Ewing sarcoma presenting as cauda equina syndrome in an adult patient who underwent surgical decompression: A case report

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare primary neoplasm in the lumbar adult spine and may mimic a benign tumor. In this case, after a patient's three-month history of lower back pain and rapidly progressing leg numbness and weakness, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass in the third lumbar vertebra. At a two-month follow-up, imaging showed a fracture, compression and lesion enlargement. Decompression and fixation confirmed ES, and the patient began combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Two months postoperatively, residual ES was suspected on MRI. The patient underwent a second surgery, and histopathology confirmed necrosis. A six-month follow-up after the first surgery showed no tumor recurrence. This case supports the inclusion of ES in the differential diagnosis of pathologic spinal fracture. Early decompression and spinal fixation are critical for preserving neurologic and spinal functions in ES complicated by a compression fracture. Combined adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy remain the standard therapeutic strategy.     

针刀配合针灸治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效观察

目的:分析针刀与针灸配合应用于腰椎间盘突出症患者中的临床治疗效果。方法:在我院针灸康复科2017年12月-2018年12月治疗的腰椎间盘突出症患者中选取64例,并严格按照系统随机分配原则分为对照组和观察组,各32例。其中对照组采用针灸进行治疗,观察组采用针刀与针灸配合治疗,观察对比两组患者治疗后临床效果和治疗前后运动功能评分(Fugl-Meyer)、腰椎日本骨科学会(Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA)评分、视觉模拟评分法(Visual Analogue Scale,VAS)评分以及临床症状改善情况。结果:两组患者治疗前Fugl-Meyer、VAS、JOA评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗后对照组VAS评分高于观察组,Fugl-Meyer、JOA评分低于观察组,且对照组总有效率低于观察组,对照组腰骶疼痛评分和腿疼痛评分均低于观察组,直腿抬高度高于观察组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:予以腰椎间盘突出症患者针刀与针灸配合治疗效果显著,效果优于单一使用针灸治疗,可有效缓解患者疼痛感,改善临床症状,值得推广。     

椎管扩大成形术治疗腰椎管狭窄

目的：探讨椎管扩大成形术治疗腰椎管狭窄的效果。方法：椎板减压后复位，用棘突或髂骨植于一侧开槽处扩大椎管，并进行椎板及关节突关节植骨，对54例随访病人的手术前后临床表现及X线和CT进行比较。结果：随访6—39个月，临床优良率为81．1％。随访X线片显示椎板明显后移，CT测量与术前对比显示椎管内径扩大明显。结论：椎管扩大成形术操作简单，效果满意，术后并发症少，是治疗腰椎管狭窄的又一选择。     

腰椎终板、椎间盘退变及椎间盘造影疼痛激发试验的相关性研究

目的探讨下腰痛患者腰椎终板Modic退变、椎间盘退变及CT引导下腰椎间盘造影疼痛激发试验的相关性.方法对45例下腰痛患者常规行腰椎X线和MR检查,分别按Modic终板退变标准（0～3级）与Pearce椎间盘退变标准（Ⅰ～Ⅴ级）对终板和椎间盘进行评估.在CT引导下对45例患者中的40例（120个椎间盘）进行造影和疼痛激发试验,并按Dallas椎间盘造影分级系统（DDD）测评椎间盘退变程度.采用SPSS 11.5统计学软件分析腰椎终板Modic退变、椎间盘退变与腰椎间盘造影疼痛激发试验之间的相关性.结果40例下腰痛患者的腰椎终板Modic分级与椎间盘退变Pearce分级存在较强的相关性（Pearson x^2=43.326,P=0.000）,与椎间盘造影疼痛激发试验有显著相关性（Pearson x^2=27.858,P=0.000）;椎间盘退变Pearce分级与CT椎间盘造影椎间盘退变Dallas分级也呈较强的相关性.结论腰椎终板Modic退变分级与椎间盘退变Pearce分级密切相关,而与椎间盘疼痛激发试验有显著相关性,提示终板Modic退变可能是下腰痛的原因之一.     

The value of a pantaloon cast test in surgical decision making for chronic low back pain patients: a systematic review of the literature supplemented with a prospective cohort study

The results of lumbar fusion in chronic low back pain (LBP) patients vary considerably, and there is a need for proper patient selection. Lumbosacral orthoses have been widely used to predict outcome, however, with little scientific support. The aim of the present study was to determine the value of a pantaloon cast test in selecting chronic LBP patients for lumbar fusion or conservative management. First, a systematic review of the literature was carried out in which two independent reviewers identified studies in Medline, Cochrane and Current Contents databases. Three papers met the selection criteria. In the only study with a control group, a significantly better outcome after fusion compared to conservative treatment was found in patients who reported significant pain relief while in a cast (i.e. a positive cast test). The results of lumbar fusion, however, were not significantly different for patients with a positive and those with a negative cast test. In addition to the review, a clinical cohort study of 257 LBP patients, who had been allocated to either lumbar fusion or conservative management by a temporary external transpedicular fixation trial, was performed. Prior to allocation, all had undergone a pantaloon cast test. Patients with no history of prior spine surgery and with a positive pantaloon cast test had a better outcome after lumbar fusion than those treated conservatively (P = 0.002, χ ² test). In patients with previous spine operations the outcomes were poor and the test was of no value. From the literature and the present patient cohort, it was concluded that only in chronic LBP patients without prior spine surgery, a pantaloon cast test with substantial pain relief suggests a favorable outcome of lumbar fusion compared to conservative management. The test has no value in patients who have had previous spine surgery.     

Sciatic Neuropathy: Case Report and Discussion of the Literature on Postoperative Sciatic Neuropathy and Sciatic Nerve Tumors

Sciatic nerve injury and dysfunction is not an uncommon cause of lower extremity symptoms in a musculoskeletal practice. We present the case of a man who presented with lower extremity weakness, pain, and cramps, and was initially diagnosed at an outside institution with bilateral S1 radiculopathies and recommended for spine surgery. He came to us for a second opinion. Electrodiagnostic testing revealed an isolated sciatic neuropathy and the patient was referred for imaging, which showed a sciatic nerve sheath tumor. Review of the literature on sciatic neuropathies shows that there can be many possible etiologies of sciatic nerve dysfunction, but that hip arthroplasty continues to be the leading risk factor. Sciatic nerve tumors are not commonly described in the literature and their definitive management remains unclear.