Detailed pathological changes of human lumbar facet joints L1–L5 in elderly individuals

Facet joints play an important role in intervertebral load transmission and are crucial for rotational kinematics. Clinically, the role of facet joints as a possible source of low back pain is seen as controversial and at present is not sufficiently investigated. In this study, human lumbar facet (zygapopyhysial) joints from donors with advanced age were analyzed macroscopically, for degenerative changes. The aim was to determine the extent and morphology of degenerative changes in these joints. Lumbar facet joints (L1–L5) of 32 donors were studied (mean age 80.1±11.2 years). Joint capsules were carefully removed and joint surfaces (5 zones) examined using magnifying glasses and probes. In the result, the majority of facet joints showed cartilage defects of varying extent. Defects were located mostly at the margins of the articular surface, the central zone being relatively well preserved. Defect localization was different between superior (most cartilage defects in superior zone) and inferior (most defects inferiorly) facets. Further, defects were more severe caudal (level of L5) and in older persons. Osteophytes were present in up to 30%, located mostly at the latero-dorsal enthesis of the joint capsule on the superior facet. In conclusion, most margins of the articular facets are subject to degenerative changes in the lumbar spine of elderly persons, the topographical pattern being different in superior and inferior facets. This observation can be explained by the segmental motion patterns during extension/flexion movements of the facets. Sometimes, due to the marginal extension, it is obvious that not all changes can be assessed by CT or MRI.     

椎弓根螺钉内固定及植骨融合治疗退行性腰椎滑脱的临床疗效评价

目的　评价腰椎管减压、后外侧植骨和椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗退行性腰椎滑脱的临床疗效。方法　 1993年 1月～ 2 0 0 2年 9月对 74例腰椎退行性滑脱的患者行腰椎管减压、后外侧植骨和椎弓根螺钉内固定 ,采用的椎弓根内固定技术包括Dick 8例、Steffee 10例、RF 9例、Socon 2 5例、Tenor 2 0例、Moss Miami 2例。滑脱水平在L4的患者有 4 4例、L3 有 9例、L5有 16例 ,两节水平的滑脱有 5例。Ⅰ°滑脱 37例 ,Ⅱ°31例 ,Ⅲ°6例。患者平均年龄为 5 3.6岁 (30～ 79岁 )。根据手术前、后日本骨科协会 (TDA)评分评价临床症状改善的程度。结果　平均随访时间为 4 4个月 (12～ 10 4个月 ) ,所有患者最后随访的JOA评分中客观症状为 (6 .7± 1.0 )分 ,临床体征为 (4 .7± 1.1)分 ,日常活动为 (11.8± 1.9)分 ,总评分为 (2 3.0± 2 .5 )分。手术前、后的JOA评分比较 ,术后主观症状改善 70 % ,临床体征改善 6 8% ,日常活动改善 77%。根据患者的年龄分为A组 (30～ 39岁 )、B组 (4 0～ 4 9岁 )、C组 (5 0～ 5 9岁 )、D组 (≥ 6 0岁 ) ,以JOA的评分结果 >2 5分定为满意 ,A、B、C、D组的满意率分别为91%、75 %、6 9%、6 1%。结论　椎板减压、后外侧植骨融合和椎弓根螺钉内固定是治疗不稳定腰椎滑脱的一种有效方法 ,临床疗效     

Surgical treatment of symptomatic degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis by decompression and instrumented fusion

Degenerative spondylolisthesis is characterized by the slippage of one vertebral body over the one below, with association of intervertebral disc degeneration and degenerative arthritis of the facet joints, which cause spinal stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of 22 patients with symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis, operated on by decompressive laminectomy and instrumented posterolateral fusion associated with interbody fusion (PLIF). Mean age at surgery was 64 years (range, 57–72). Clinical results were evaluated on a questionnaire at the last follow-up visit concerning postoperative low back and leg pain, restriction of daily life activities, and resumption of sports activity. Lumbar spine radiographs were used to evaluate the status of fixation devices, the reduction of the spondylolisthesis, the lumbar sagittal balance and the presence of spinal fusion. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. There were no superficial or deep infections, fixation device loosening, or hardware removal. Mean follow-up time was 4 years (range, 3–6 years). Clinical outcome was excellent or good in 19 patients and fair in 3 patients. Preoperatively, mean forward vertebral slipping on neutral lateral radiographs was 5 mm, while postoperatively it decreased to 3 mm. Preoperatively, mean sagittal motion was 3 mm and angular motion was 8°, while postoperatively these values decreased to 1 mm and 1°, respectively. This study demonstrated that spinal decompression followed by transpedicular instrumentation associated with PLIF technique is a valid surgical option for the treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis with symptomatic spinal stenosis. Clinical outcome, intended as relief of pain and resumption of activity, was improved significantly and fusion rate was high.     

退行性腰椎管狭窄症相关指南的质量评价和推荐意见比较研究

背景 退行性腰椎管狭窄症（DLSS）是一种老年多发,严重影响患者正常生活且医疗费用负担较重的疾病。DLSS治疗方法较多,开发高质量的临床实践指南和临床医生应用高质量指南是提高DLSS诊疗水平的重要途径。目的 采用AGREEⅡ及RIGHT评价DLSS相关指南的方法学及报告质量,为DLSS指南制订及报告提供参考依据。方法 计算机检索中国生物医学文献数据库（CBM）、中国知网（CNKI）、万方数据知识服务平台（Wanfang Data）、维普网（VIP）、PubMed,补充检索医脉通数据库（Medlive）、世界卫生组织（WHO）、英国国家临床优化研究所（NICE）、国际指南协作网（GIN）、美国国立指南文库（NGC）和苏格兰院际间协作网（SIGN）等指南库中有关DLSS的临床实践指南、共识或规范,检索时限均为2010-01-01至2022-01-01。由两位评价员独立对纳入文献进行方法学质量及报告质量评价,并在文献中推荐意见等级统一前提下进行比较。结果 共纳入6篇文献,其中4篇指南,2篇共识;1篇指南为中医指南,3篇指南为循证指南。AGREEⅡ评价结果显示纳入6篇文献的实际总得分/总最高可...     

经皮脊柱内镜下可视化置钉在Endo-LIF椎弓根螺钉置钉中的应用价值

研究经皮内镜下可视化置钉在经皮内镜下后路腰椎融合术（End-PLIF）椎弓根螺钉置钉中的应用价值。方法 纳入2020年10月—2021年4月我院有腰椎融合手术指征的腰椎间盘源性腰痛、腰椎管狭窄症伴腰椎不稳、腰椎间盘突出症伴腰椎不稳、腰椎滑脱症（Meyerding分级I、II）患者共50例。50例患者随机分为甲、乙两组,每组25例。甲组的手术方式为经皮内镜下后路腰椎融合术+经皮脊柱内镜下可视化椎弓根螺钉置钉,乙组的手术方式为经皮内镜下后路腰椎融合术+传统X线透视下经皮椎弓根螺钉置钉。比较两组X线透视总次数、导丝置入时间、手术时间、术后住院时间;采用Gertzbein-Robbins标准评价置钉优良率;术前及术后24 h VAS评分和ODI指数、改良Macnab标准及术后并发症的发生率评价疗效。同时对经皮内镜下改进的置钉器械进行3D打印制造并验证其可行性、实用性。通过上述指标观察其医患X线辐射情况、微创性、置钉的优良率及手术效果。结果 全部患者均完成了手术和随访。甲组患者X线透视总次数、手术时间、导丝置入时间,均少于乙组（P＜0.05）,两组术后住院时间比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。两组术前、术后24 h VAS、ODI比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,但两组术后24 hVAS、ODI均较术前改善（P＜0.05）。末次随访时,两组患者改良Macnab标准的优良率比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。甲组经皮内镜置钉优良率优于乙组（P＜0.05）。两组患者术后并发症发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论 经皮内镜下置钉能减少医患X线辐射次数,降低医患辐射暴露风险,且置钉的优良率较高;同时,3D打印的经皮内镜下置钉器械具有可行性和实用性     

骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉固定治疗老年退行性腰椎疾病的疗效观察

目的评价骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉固定治疗老年退行性腰椎疾病的近期临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2011年6月~2013年5月采用聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉固定结合后路椎体间植入聚醚醚酮(PEEK)材质椎间融合器治疗老年退行性腰椎疾病30例。所有患者术前骨密度检测均符合骨质疏松诊断(超声骨密度值测定-2.5)。结果 30例患者均顺利完成手术,术中无神经及硬膜损伤,骨水泥无严重渗漏,术后复查X线、CT显示骨水泥分布均匀。随访10~21个月,平均(16±2.11)个月,神经受压症状均得到改善。VAS评分术前(7.01±1.44)、术后6个月随访为(3.00±0.57)、末次随访为(2.23±1.19);JOA评分术前为(9.98±5.64)、术后6个月随访为(17.99±1.41)、末次随访为(18.42±1.47);ODI评分术前为(0.64±0.24)、术后6个月为(0.27±0.07)、末次随访为(0.22±0.09)。三项评分术后6个月、末次随访分别与术前对比差异有统计学意义;术后6个月和末次随访对比差异无统计学意义。末次随访时复查X线或CT显示椎弓根螺钉无松动,椎间融合器无下沉,椎间融合满意,融合率为86.7%。结论使用骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉能够提高螺钉对伴有骨质疏松的椎体的握持力,防止椎弓根螺钉松动,保证较高的椎间融合率,是治疗老年退行性腰椎疾病一种安全而有效的手术方式。     

Pedicle marrow signal intensity changes in the lumbar spine: a manifestation of facet degenerative joint disease

Objective. Signal intensity changes in lumbar pedicles, similar to those described in vertebral body endplates adjacent to degenerated discs, have been described as an ancillary sign of spondylolysis on MRI. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pedicle marrow signal intensity changes also occur in association with facet degenerative joint disease. Design. Eighty-nine lumbar spine MRI examinations without spondylolysis were reviewed for marrow signal intensity changes in pedicles and vertebral bodies as well as for facet degenerative joint disease. Results. Five percent (46/890) of lumbar pedicles in 23 patients had marrow signal intensity changes. Ninety-one percent (42/46) of the abnormal pedicles had adjacent degenerative joint disease of the facets, while only 21% (189/890) of normal pedicles had adjacent facet degenerative joint disease (p<0.001). Eighty-nine percent (41/46) of the pedicles with marrow signal intensity changes had adjacent degenerative disc disease. Conclusions. Pedicle marrow signal intensity changes are not a specific sign of spondylolysis; they are commonly seen with adjacent facet degenerative joint disease in the absence of spondylolysis. Pedicle marrow signal intensity changes are probably a response to abnormal stresses related to abnormal motion or loading caused by the degenerative changes in the spinal segment. Received: 2 May 2000 Revision requested: 18 July 2000 Revision received: 25 August 2000 Accepted: 1 September 2000