scholarly journals Early surgery determines recovery of motor deficits in lumbar disc herniations—a prospective single-center study

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-280
Author(s):  
Nikolaus Kögl ◽  
Konstantin Brawanski ◽  
Pierre-Pascal Girod ◽  
Ondra Petr ◽  
Claudius Thomé

Abstract Background Patients with intervertebral disc herniation undergo surgical removal of herniated disc material in cases of persisting symptoms and/or neurologic deficits. While motor deficits often prompt surgery, little is known about the optimal timing of surgery in these cases. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the impact of timing of disc surgery on motor recovery. Does postponing surgical treatment worsen outcome? Method In total, 120 patients with sciatica and/or sensorimotor deficits due to a lumbar disc herniation were surgically treated at the authors’ center within a 3-month period. In 60 patients, motor deficits were present at the time of admission. Motor function was assessed using manual muscle testing and subdivided according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. Patient demographics, neurologic deficits, duration of motor deficits, treatment characteristics, and outcome were assessed. At a minimum follow-up of 1 year, functional recovery and complications were collated. Patients were subdivided into groups according to the severity of the paresis (MRC ≤ 3/5 vs. MRC 4/5). Intra-group differences were compared based on the duration of the neurologic deficits. Results Patients with moderate and severe paresis (MRC ≤ 3/5) benefit from treatment within 72 h as they were shown to have a significantly higher complete recovery rate at 1-year follow-up (75% vs. 0%; p < 0.001). Conclusion Immediate surgery should be offered to patients with moderate and severe motor deficits to increase the likelihood of neurologic recovery. This prospective data may have an impact on emergency triage in these patients.

1991 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 754-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eddy Garrido ◽  
P. Noel Connaughton

✓ Forty-one patients with herniated lumbar discs in a lateral location underwent unilateral complete facetectomy for removal of their disc herniation. The diagnosis was made by computerized tomography in all patients. The follow-up period varied between 4 and 60 months, with an average of 22.4 months. All patients underwent dynamic lumbar spine x-ray films with flexion and extension exposures at various times during their follow-up period. The results were excellent in 35 patients, good in three, and poor in three. One patient suffered spinal instability postoperatively and required lumbar fusion because of back pain. Unilateral facetectomy gives an excellent view of the affected nerve root and the herniated disc, and the risk of spinal instability is very low.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 1297-1303
Author(s):  
Sara Lener ◽  
Christoph Wipplinger ◽  
Sebastian Hartmann ◽  
Claudius Thomé ◽  
Anja Tschugg

Abstract The negative impact on spinal diseases may apply not only to obesity but also to smoking. To investigate the influence of obesity and smoking on the development and recovery of lumbar disc herniation in young adults. Retrospective analysis of 97 patients who presented with lumbar disc herniation at the authors’ department between 2010 and 2017. Data were collected using the patients’ digital health records including demographics, clinical and neurological characteristics, treatment details, and outcomes. Ninety-seven patients between 17 and 25 years were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients were categorized into two groups according to their body mass index: obese (O, ≥ 30 kg/m2) and non-obese (NO, < 30 kg/m2). The proportion of obese patients in our cohort vs. in the overall population differed significantly (19.4% vs. 3.8–7.1%, RR 3.17; p < 0.01). Group NO showed a trend toward faster recovery of motor deficits (p = 0.067) and pain (p = 0.074). Also, the proportion of regular smokers differed significantly from the numbers of known smokers of the same age (62.4% vs. 30.2%, RR 2.0; p = 0.01). Obesity plus smoking showed a significantly negative impact on motor deficits postoperatively (p = 0.015) and at discharge (p = 0.025), as well as on pain values (p = 0.037) and on analgesic consumption (p = 0.034) at 6 weeks follow-up. The negative impact of obesity and smoking on the occurrence of lumbar disc herniation could be demonstrated for individuals aged 25 or younger. Furthermore, a trend to earlier recovery of motor deficits and significantly lower pain scales for non-obese and non-smoking patients could be shown.


2019 ◽  
Vol 162 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Djuric ◽  
X. Yang ◽  
A. el Barzouhi ◽  
R. Ostelo ◽  
S. G. van Duinen ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective This retrospective observational histological study aims to associate the size and type of disc herniation with the degree of macrophage infiltration in disc material retrieved during disc surgery in patients with sciatica. Methods Disc tissue of 119 sciatica patients was embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin and CD68. Tissue samples were categorized as mild (0–10/cm2), moderate (10–100/cm2), and considerable (> 100/cm2) macrophage infiltration. All 119 patients received an MRI at baseline, and 108 received a follow-up MRI at 1-year. MRIs were reviewed for the size and type of the disc herniations, and for Modic changes in the vertebral endplates. Results Baseline characteristics and duration of symptoms before surgery were comparable in all macrophage infiltration groups. The degree of macrophage infiltration was not associated with herniation size at baseline, but significantly associated with reduction of size of the herniated disc at 1-year post surgery. Moreover, the degree of macrophage infiltration was higher in extrusion in comparison with bulging (protrusion) of the disc. Results were comparable in patients with and without Modic changes. Conclusion Macrophage infiltration was positively associated with an extruded type of disc herniation as well as the extent of reduction of the herniated disc during 1-year follow-up in patients with sciatica. This is an indication that the macrophages play an active role in reducing herniated discs. An extruded disc herniation has a larger surface for the macrophages to adhere to, which leads to more size reduction.


1989 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. J. Fagerlund ◽  
U. E. Thelander

The results of lumbar myelography and computed tomography (CT) were compared in 51 consecutive patients with clinically suggested lumbar disc herniation. A total of 100 intervertebral levels were examined. At 62 levels, either L4/L5 or L5/S1, myelography was normal. CT showed no pathologic changes at 55 levels. The results concurred between myelography and CT in 89 per cent of the patients with normal findings. Four cases of disc herniation and one bulging disc, which had been missed at myelography because of a large epidural space at L5/S1, were picked up by CT. Two of these were verified by surgery and two were treated conservatively. There was one possible false negative case with CT as well. Abnormalities were shown at 38 intervertebral levels, 22 in the bulging and 16 in the herniated disc group. The pathologic changes concurred in 84 per cent between the two investigations. For intervertebral disc herniation the true negative rate was, for myelography 88 per cent and for CT 97 per cent. The treatment strategy could have been based on CT alone at 37 out of 38 levels (97%), and on myelography alone at 34 out of 38 levels (89%). Furthermore, at CT the imaging of soft tissues and intervertebral joints was superior to that at myelography. It is concluded that CT should be the primary examination method of imaging for lumbar disc herniation. Myelography is, however, to be preferred where the level of the lesion is clinically unclear or when the entire lumbar region and thoraco-lumbar junction are to be examined.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241494
Author(s):  
Chien-Min Chen ◽  
Li-Wei Sun ◽  
Chun Tseng ◽  
Ying-Chieh Chen ◽  
Guan-Chyuan Wang

Objective Full endoscopic lumbar discectomy (FELD) for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) has become popular in recent years. Previous studies have proven the efficacy, but few have discussed the possible risk factors of poor outcome. In this study, we reviewed patients who underwent FELD at Changhua Christian Hospital in the past 10 years and sought to identify factors associated with poor surgical outcomes and re-operations. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records from mid-2009 to mid-2018. Patients had undergone FELD and follow-up for ≥1 year were included. Factors included in the outcome evaluations were age, sex, surgical time, body mass index, surgical methods, disc herniation type, extension of herniation, degree of canal compromised, disc degenerative grade, smoking and alcohol use, surgical lumbar level, symptom duration, Oswestry low back disability index, and visual analog scale score. We had evolved from inside-out methods to outside-in methods after 2016, thus, we included this factor in the analysis. The primary outcomes of interest were poor/fair MacNab score and re-operation. Results From mid-2009 to mid-2018, 521 patients met our criteria and were analyzed. The median follow-up was 1685 days (range, 523–3923 days). Thirty-one (6.0%) patients had poor surgical outcomes (fair/poor MacNab score) and 45 (8.6%) patients required re-operation. Prolapsed herniated disc (P < 0.001), higher disc degenerative grade (P = 0.047), higher lumbar level (P = 0.026), longer preoperative symptoms (P < 0.001), and surgery before 2017 (outside-in technique, P = 0.020) were significant factors associated with poor outcomes in univariate analyses. In multivariate analyses, prolapsed herniated disc (P < 0.001), higher disc degenerative grade (P = 0.030), and higher lumbar level (P = 0.046) were statistically significant. The most common adverse symptom was numbness. Factors possibly associated with higher re-operation rate were older age (P = 0.045), alcohol use (P = 0.073) and higher lumbar level (P = 0.069). Only alcohol use showed statistically significant re-operation rates in multivariate analyses (P = 0.035). Conclusions For treating LDH by FELD, we concluded that prolapsed disc, higher disc degenerative grade, higher lumbar level, and longer preoperative symptom duration were possibly associated with unsatisfactory surgical outcomes (poor/fair MacNab score). The outside-in technique might be superior to the inside-out technique. Older age and alcohol use might be associated with a higher re-operation rate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kangxing Zheng ◽  
Zihuan Wen ◽  
Dehuai Li

MRI was used to measure the changes in the angle of the facet joints of the lumbar spine and analyze the relationship between it and the herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. Analysis of the causes of lumbar disc herniation from the anatomy and morphology of the spine provides a basis for the early diagnosis and prevention of lumbar disc herniation. There is a certain correlation between the changes shown in MRI imaging of lumbar disc herniation and the TCM syndromes of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. There is a correlation between the syndromes of lumbar disc herniation and the direct signs of MRI: pathological type, herniated position, and degree of herniation. Indirect signs with MR, nerve root compression and dural sac compression, are related. The MRI examination results can help syndrome differentiation to improve its accuracy to a certain extent. MRI has high sensitivity for the measurement of the angle of the facet joints of the lumbar spine and can be used to study the correlation between the changes of the facet joint angles and the herniated disc. Facet joint asymmetry is closely related to lateral lumbar disc herniation, which may be one of its pathogenesis factors. The herniated intervertebral disc is mostly on the sagittal side of the facet joint, and the facet joint angle on the side of the herniated disc is more sagittal. The asymmetry of the facet joints is not related to the central lumbar disc herniation, and the angle of the facet joints on both sides of the central lumbar disc herniation is partial sagittal.


Author(s):  
Yogesh Kumar ◽  
Rohit Amar

Background: Herniation is a greater threat in younger individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years, in whom the nucleusmaterial has good turgor, in contrast to older individuals in whom the nucleus is desiccated and fibrotic. Open discectomy is the gold standard for operative intervention in patients with herniated disc where conservative treatment has failed. Aim of objective: To study the reliability of clinical signs in diagnosing lumbar disc herniation. Material and Methods: This study was done collecting data of patients presenting to, JLNMCH, Bhagalpur. During this period there were 46 patients with a history of low back pain and at least one symptom suggesting root compression (Radiating pain, numbness,weakness or loss of sensation) who underwent surgery. Conclusion: Commonest presentation is that of, long histories of back pain with superimposed syndrome of sciatica. Patients with predominant leg pain or only leg pain have high incidences of ruptured herniations. Keywords: Herniation, Sciatica, Numbness, loss of sensation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Seong Son ◽  
Sang Gu Lee ◽  
Yong Ahn ◽  
Woo Kyung Kim

Objective. Nowadays, trans-sacral epiduroscopic laser decompression (SELD) using slender epiduroscopy and laser is one of the preferred options for minimally invasive treatment in lumbar disc diseases. However, SELD is still in the initial stages of the global field of spine surgery, and the clinical outcomes in patients with lumbar disc herniation are not established yet. Therefore, the authors investigated patients undergoing SELD to report the clinical results. Methods. Between November 2015 and November 2018, a total of 82 patients who underwent single-level SELD for lumbar disc herniation with a minimum follow-up of 6.0 months were enrolled. A retrospective review of clinical data was conducted. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for low back and leg pain and Odom’s criteria. Also, surgical outcomes, including complications and symptom recurrences, and radiological outcomes were analyzed. Results. Low back pain and leg pain as determined by the VAS improved from an average of 5.43 ± 1.73 and 6.10 ± 1.67 to 2.80 ± 1.43 and 3.58 ± 2.08 at the final follow-up (p<0.001). According to Odom’s criteria, the success rate defined as excellent or good results at the final follow-up was 58.5%. There were no surgery-related complications such as neurologic deficits, infection, or epidural hematomas, except for transient mild paralysis in 3 patients and procedure-related nuchal pain in 2 patients. The rate of additional procedures was 17.0% (6 patients received revision surgery and 8 patients received an additional nerve block) during the follow-up. Conclusion. Our findings showed that SELD for lumbar herniated disc disease achieved less favorable clinical outcomes compared with those of previous studies. Further study is needed to clarify the influencing factors on the clinical outcomes of SELD.


2020 ◽  
pp. 219256822090584
Author(s):  
Anmol Gupta ◽  
Shivam Upadhyaya ◽  
Caleb M. Yeung ◽  
Peter J. Ostergaard ◽  
Harold A. Fogel ◽  
...  

Study Design: Retrospective study. Objectives: We examined the impact that location of a lumbar disc herniation has on the likelihood that a patient will require surgery after at least 6 weeks of nonoperative management. Methods: Using ICD-10 codes M51.26 and M51.27, we identified patients at a single academic institution from 2015 to 2016 who received a diagnosis of primary lumbar radicular pain, had magnetic resonance imaging confirming a lumbar disc herniation, and underwent at least 6 weeks of nonoperative management. Patients experiencing symptoms suggesting cauda equina syndrome or progressive motor deficits were excluded. Results: Five hundred patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Twenty-nine (5.8%) had L3-L4 herniations, 245 (49.0%) had L4-L5 herniations, and 226 (45.2%) had L5-S1 herniations. Overall, 451 (90.2%) patients did not undergo surgery within 1 year of diagnosis. Nonsurgical patients had an average herniation size occupying 31.2% of the canal, compared with 31.5% in patients who underwent surgery. While herniation size, age, sex, and race failed to demonstrate a statistical association with the likelihood for surgery, location of disc herniation demonstrated a strong association. L3-L4 and L4-L5 herniations had odds ratios of 0.19 and 0.45, respectively, relative to L5-S1 herniations ( P = .0047). Patients were more than twice as likely to require a surgery on an L5-S1 herniation in comparison with an L4-L5 herniation ( P < .05). L3-L4 herniations rarely required surgery. Conclusions: Patients with caudal lumbar disc herniations were more likely to require surgery after at least 6 weeks of conservative management than those with disc herniations in the mid-lumbar spine.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2;2) ◽  
pp. E291-E300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Sung Kim

Background: Remarkable advancements in endoscopic spinal surgery have led to successful outcomes comparable to those of conventional open surgery. Large lumbar disc herniation (LLDH) is a serious condition, resulting in higher surgical failure when accessing the herniated disc. Objectives: This study compared the outcomes of LLDH treated with percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and open lumbar microdiscectomy (OLM). Study Design: Retrospective assessment. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2011 to June 2012. Forty-four consecutive patients diagnosed with LLDH without cauda equina syndrome who were scheduled to undergo spinal surgery were included. LLDH was defined as herniated disc fragment occupying > 50% of the spinal canal. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0 – 10), functional status was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI, 0 – 100%) at 1, 6, and 24 months postoperatively and surgical satisfaction rate (0 – 100%) at final follow up. Radiological variables were assessed by plain radiography. Results: Forty-three patients were included; 20 and 23 patients underwent PELD and OLM, respectively. Both groups exhibited significant improvements in leg and back pain postoperatively (P < 0.001). Although there was no significant difference in leg pain improvement between the groups, improvement in back pain was significantly higher in the PELD group than in the OLM group (4.9 ± 1.5 vs. 2.5 ± 1.0, P < 0.001). The surgical satisfaction rate of the PELD group was significantly higher than that of the OLM group (91.3% ± 6.5 vs. 84.3% ± 5.2, P < 0.001). Mean operating time, hospital stay, and time until return to work were significantly shorter in the PELD group than in the OLM group (67.8 vs. 136.7 minutes, 1.5 vs. 7.2 days, and 4.2 vs. 8.6 weeks; P < 0.001). Disc height (%) decreased significantly from 23.7 ± 3.3 to 19.1 ± 3.7 after OLM (P < 0.001), but did not change significantly after PELD (23.6 ± 3.2 to 23.4 ± 4.2; P = 0.703). The segmental angle of the operated level increased from 10.3° to 15.4° in the PELD group, which was significantly higher than that in the OLM group (9.6° to 11.6°; P = 0.038). In the OLM group, there was one case of fusion due to instability. In the PELD group, one case required revision surgery and another case experienced recurrence. There were no perioperative complications in either group. Limitation: The study was retrospective with a small sample size and short follow-up period. Conclusion: PELD can be an effective treatment for LLDH, and it is associated with potential advantages, including a rapid recovery, improvements in back pain, and disc height preservation. Key words: Large lumbar disc herniation, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy, microdiscectomy, back pain, disc height


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