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。     

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.     

Precise and limited decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis

Summary Fifty-eight consecutive patients with lumbosacral nerve root entrapment due to spinal stenosis were treated with modified microsurgical decompression. Only the clinically relevant sides and levels were decompressed while the spinous processes, the interspinous ligaments, the medial portion of ligamentum flavum and the functionally important parts of the facet joints were preserved. The reviewers rated recovery as good or excellent in 71% of patients while patient self-assessment indicated 76% good or excellent outcome. These data suggest that microsurgical decompression of spondyloarthritic changes can effectively relieve the signs and symptoms of nerve root compression and that with careful evaluation of all available data the number of nerve roots requiring decomperession is often fewer than what is suggested by diagnositic images alone.     

通用型脊柱内固定系统椎弓根螺钉翻修作用的生物力学研究

目的测试自行设计的通用型脊柱内固定系统(generalspinesystem,GSS)椎弓根螺钉以及SOCON、TSRH和Diapason螺钉置入椎体的拔出力及旋入力矩,评价GSS螺钉的翻修作用。方法将36个正常成人腰椎椎体标本随机分为三组,每组12个椎体(24侧椎弓根)。各组标本每个椎体的每侧椎弓根均先拧入CCD螺钉(直径6.0mm,长45mm),行螺钉拔出试验,测试并记录螺钉的最大旋入力矩和最大轴向拔出力。然后各组标本每个椎体均随机选择一侧椎弓根经原钉道拧入GSS螺钉(直径6.5mm,长45mm);第一组另一侧拧入SOCON螺钉(直径7.0mm,长45mm),第二组另一侧拧入TSRH螺钉(直径7.0mm,长45mm),第三组另一侧拧入Diapason螺钉(直径6.7mm,长45mm)。分别测试螺钉最大旋入力矩及最大轴向拔出力。结果第一组GSS螺钉最大轴向拔出力为CCD螺钉的114%,SOCON螺钉为CCD螺钉的108%;GSS螺钉最大轴向拔出力大于SOCON螺钉,差异无显著性(P>0.05);GSS螺钉最大旋入力矩小于SOCON螺钉,差异无显著性(P>0.05)。第二组GSS螺钉最大轴向拔出力为CCD螺钉的127%,TSRH螺钉为CCD螺钉的64%;GSS螺钉最大轴向拔出力大于TSRH螺钉,差异有显著性(P<0.01);GSS螺钉最大旋入力矩大于TSRH螺钉,差异有显著性(P<0.01)。第三组GSS螺钉最大轴向拔出力为CCD螺钉的122%,Diapason螺钉为CCD螺钉的8