scholarly journals The use of decompressive segmental sublaminoplasty to treat myelopathy caused by lumbar stenosis in tethered cord syndrome

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M Breton ◽  
Michael J Yang ◽  
Ron I Riesenburger

Abstract A 79-year-old woman presented with acute-onset right leg pain in the setting of 3 months of progressive gait deterioration and bilateral leg weakness. On exam she had right lower extremity hyperreflexia and weakness. Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated L3–L5 central canal stenosis with L4–L5 spondylolisthesis and a previously undiagnosed tethered cord. She underwent minimally invasive left segmental sublaminoplasty at L3–L4 and L4–L5 for spinal cord decompression with onlay arthrodesis resulting in resolution of her radicular pain and improved strength. This is a unique case of lumbar spinal stenosis presenting with myelopathy in the context of a previously asymptomatic and undiagnosed tethered cord.

2018 ◽  
pp. 173-181
Author(s):  
George J. Arcos

Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) occurs with increasing prevalence in the elderly population. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has estimated that by 2021, 2.4 million adults in the United States (8-11% of the population) will be affected by this condition. Surgical options for LSS are being performed with increased frequency, high cost, and substantial risk of life-threatening complications. While nonsurgical treatment options for LSS are available, they are limited by patient selection (ligamentum flavum hypertrophy) or high rates of reoperation (Interspinous process spacer devices). This study is the first to suggest a minimally invasive treatment option for disc-predominate lumbar central canal stenosis. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of radiofrequency facilitated manual semi-endoscopic discectomy utilizing the Disc FX® system in the treatment of disc-predominate lumbar spinal stenosis. Study Design: Single center, prospective, observational study. Setting: Multi-specialty private practice clinic. The Medical Group of South Florida, Jupiter, FL. Methods: This study involved 6 patients with disc-predominant lumbar central spinal stenosis. All patients were treated with the Disc FX® system. Radiographic evidence of central lumbar stenosis was confirmed by measurement of minimum AP canal diameter (mm) performed by 1 board-certified neuroradiologist. Inclusion criteria included absence of lumbar surgery, physical therapy within the previous 6 months, failure of epidural steroid injections (3) within the previous 8 months, spondylolisthesis limited to Grade I, disc height > 50%, presence of low back axial pain + leg pain exacerbated by walking, and relieved with sitting or forward flexion, absence of dermatomal radicular leg pain, radiographic evidence of disc displacement > 4 mm from disc endplate. Zurich claudication (symptom severity and physical function scale was administered 1 week preoperatively, and again 6 months postoperatively. There were no patients lost to follow up. Results: All patients in the study demonstrated moderate-severe or severe central canal stenosis, with an average AP canal diameter of 6.63 mm for all treated disc levels and 5.5 mm for the most severe levels. There was a mean improvement of 57% in a symptom severity scale and 56% in the physical function scale at 6 months. This exceeds the improvement reported with interspinous spacer devices. Limitations: Limitations include very small sample size, observational design, non-randomization, absence of share controls, short follow-up period. Conclusion: For patients suffering from discpredominant lumbar spinal stenosis, The Disc FX® System provides an effective, low-cost alternative to surgical intervention. Key words: Spinal, stenosis, claudication, disc, Disc FX®, operative, minimally invasive, Zürich claudication score


Author(s):  
Kosuke Sugiura ◽  
Kazuta Yamashita ◽  
Hiroaki Manabe ◽  
Yoshihiro Ishihama ◽  
Fumitake Tezuka ◽  
...  

AbstractTransforaminal full-endoscopic lumbar diskectomy became established early in the 21st century. It can be performed under local anesthesia and requires only an 8-mm skin incision, making it the least invasive disk surgery method available. The full-endoscopic technique has recently been used to treat lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Here, we describe the outcome of simultaneous bilateral decompression of lumbar lateral recess stenosis via a transforaminal approach under local anesthesia in a 60-year-old man. The patient presented with a complaint of bilateral leg pain that was preventing him from standing and walking, and he had been able to continue his work as a dentist by treating patients while seated. Imaging studies revealed bilateral lumbar lateral recess stenosis with central herniated nucleus pulposus at L4/5. We performed simultaneous bilateral transforaminal full-endoscopic lumbar lateral recess decompression (TE-LRD) under local anesthesia. Both decompression and diskectomy were successfully completed without complications. Five days after TE-LRD, he was able to return to work, and 3 months after the surgery, he resumed playing golf. Full-endoscopic surgery under local anesthesia can be very effective in patients who need to return to work as soon as possible after surgery.


MedPharmRes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
Son Nguyen ◽  
Son Vi ◽  
Hoat Luu ◽  
Toan Do

There are cases when symptoms are available but no abnormal stenosis is found in MRI and vice versa. Axial-loaded MRI has been shown that it can demonstrate more accurately the real status of spinal canal stenosis than conventional MRI. This is the first time we applied a new system that we have recreated from the original loading frame system in order to fit with the demands of Vietnamese people. Sixty-two patients were selected from Phu Tho Hospital in Phu Tho Province, Vietnam, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The Anterior-posterior diameter (APD), Dura Cross-sectional Area (DSCA) in conventional MRI and axial loaded MRI, and changes in APD and DCSA were determined at the single most constricted intervertebral level. The APD and DCSA in axial loaded MRI had very good significant correlations with VAS for back pain (rs=0.83, 0.79), leg pain (rs=0.69, 0.57) and JOA score (rs=0.70, 0.65). APD and DCSA in axial loaded MRI significantly correlated with the severity of symptoms. Our axial loading MRI provides more valuable information than the conventional MRI for assessing patients with LSCS.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2;16 (2;3) ◽  
pp. 135-144
Author(s):  
Jin S. JYeom

Background: The symptom severity of back pain/leg pain is not correlated with the severity of degenerative changes and canal stenosis in lumbar stenosis. Considering the individual pain sensitivity might play an important role in pain perception, this discordance between the radiologic findings and clinical symptoms in degenerative lumbar stenosis might originate from the individual difference of pain sensitivity for back pain and/or leg pain. Objective: To determine the relationship among the clinical symptoms, radiologic findings, and the individual pain sensitivity in the patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Setting: A spine center in the department of orthopedic surgery. Methods: In 94 patients who had chronic back pain and/or leg pain caused by degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, a medical history, a physical examination, and completion of a series of questionnaires, including pain sensitivity questionnaire (PSQ) [total PSQ and PSQ-minor], Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) for back pain, and Short Form36 (SF-36) were recorded on the first visit. Radiologic analysis was performed using the MRI findings. The grading of canal stenosis was based on the method by Schizas, and the degree of disc degeneration was graded from T2-weighted images with the Pfirrmann classification. The correlations among variables were statistically analyzed. Results: Total PSQ and PSQ-minor were not dependent on the grade of canal stenosis after gender adjustment. VAS for leg pain and back pain was highly associated with the total PSQ and the PSQ-minor. Total PSQ and PSQ-minor were also significantly associated with ODI. Among SF36 scales, the PSQ minor had significant correlations with SF-36 such as bodily pain (BP), Roleemotional (RE), and Mental Component Summary (MCS) after control of confounding variables such as body mass index (BMI), age, and the grade of canal stenosis/disc degeneration. Total PSQ was significantly associated with the SF-36 RP, BP, and RE. Furthermore, after adjustment for gender and pain sensitivity, there was no significant association between the grade of canal stenosis and VAS for back pain/leg pain and ODI, and no correlation was found between the grade of disc degeneration and VAS for back pain/leg pain and ODI, either. Limitations: The multiple lesions of canal stenosis and/or disc degeneration and the grade of facet degeneration were not considered as a variable. Conclusion: The current study suggests that the pain sensitivity could be a determining factor for symptom severity in the degenerative spinal disease. Key words: Pain sensitivity, pain sensitivity questionnaire, lumbar spinal stenosis, visual analog pain scale, Oswestry disability index, Short Form-36


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Michael Mayer ◽  
Franziska Heider

Objective.Selective, bilateral multisegmental microsurgical decompression of lumbar spinal canal stenosis through separate, alternating cross-over approaches.Indications. Two-segmental and multisegmental degenerative central and lateral lumbar spinal stenosis.Contraindications. None.Surgical Technique.Minimally invasive, muscle, and facet joint-sparing bilateral decompression of the lumbar spinal canal through 2 or more alternating microsurgical cross-over approaches from one side.Results.From December 2010 until December 2015 we operated on 202 patients with 2 or multisegmental stenosis (115 f; 87 m; average age 69.3 yrs, range 51–91 yrs). All patients were suffering from symptoms typical of a degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. All patients complained about back pain; however the leg symptoms were dominant in all cases. Per decompressed segment, the average OR time was 36 min and the blood loss 45.7 cc. Patients were mobilized 6 hrs postop and hospitalization averaged 5.9 days. A total of 116/202 patients did not need submuscular drainage. 27/202 patients suffered from a complication (13.4%). Dural tears occurred in 3.5%, an epidural hematoma in 5.5%, a deep wound infection in 1.98%, and a temporary radiculopathy postop in 1.5%. Postop follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months. There was a significant improvement of EQ 5 D, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), VAS for Back and Leg Pain, and preoperative standing times and walking distances.


1982 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dachling Pang ◽  
James E. Wilberger

✓ Patients with tethered cord syndrome (TCS) rarely have symptomatic onset in adulthood. Twenty-three adult patients with TCS were studied with respect to the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of this syndrome. Specific circumstances involving either additional tugging of the already tight conus, narrowing of the spinal canal, or direct trauma to the back or buttocks precipitated symptomatic onset in 60% of patients. Diffuse and non-dermatomal leg pain, often referred to the anorectal region, was the most common presenting symptom. Progressive sensorimotor deficits in the lower extremities as well as bladder and bowel dysfunction were also common findings; but, unlike TCS in children, progressive foot and spinal deformities were not seen. As in TCS with onset in childhood, the most common tethering lesions were thickened filum, intradural lipoma, and fibrous adhesions. The degree of cord traction, rather than the type or distribution of the tethering lesions, probably determines the age of symptom onset: less severe traction remains asymptomatic in childhood but results in neurological dysfunction in later life due to repeated tugging of the conus during natural head and neck flexion, or when abnormal tension is aggravated by trauma or spondylotic canal stenosis. Metrizamide myelography revealed the diagnosis of tethered conus in most cases, but the addition of computerized tomographic imaging provided valuable structural details concerning the tethering lesion. The surgical outcome was gratifying in relation to pain and motor weakness but disappointing in the resolution of bowel and bladder dysfunction. Early diagnosis and adequate release of the tethered conus are the keys to successful management.


2020 ◽  
pp. 141-146
Author(s):  
Amin Sabry ◽  
Wael Zakarya ◽  
Amr Farid Khalil

Background: Multiple surgical approaches are existing for the management of lumbar canal stenosis.Objective: This study was conducted to assess the outcomes of unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression in such cases.Patients and methods: This prospective study was conducted at Mansoura University Hospitals, and we included a total of 12 cases with lumbar canal stenosis. All cases underwent unilateral laminotomy with bilateral canal decompression during the period between July 2017 and July 2018. Post-operative outcomes included ODI, and VAS score for both leg and back pain.Results: The age of the cases ranged between 38 and 62 years. We included 7 males and 5 females. ODI, lower extremity, and back pain showed a significant decrease after the operation (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Unilateral laminotomy with bilateral canal decompression is a safe and feasible approach to managing LSS. Excellent outcomes are expected regarding leg pain and quality of life, while slight improvement is anticipated regarding low back pain.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Rachid Bech-Azeddine ◽  
Søren Fruensgaard ◽  
Mikkel Andersen ◽  
Leah Y. Carreon

OBJECTIVEThe predominant symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is neurogenic claudication or radicular pain. Some surgeons believe that the presence of substantial back pain is an indication for fusion, and that decompression alone may lead to worsening of back pain from destabilization associated with facet resection. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with LSS and clinically significant back pain could obtain substantial improvements in back pain after a decompression alone without fusion.METHODSThe DaneSpine database was used to identify 2737 patients with LSS without segmental instability and a baseline back pain visual analog scale (VAS) score ≥ 50 who underwent a decompression procedure alone without fusion. Standard demographic and surgical variables and patient outcomes, including back and leg pain VAS score (0–100), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and EQ-5D at baseline and at 12 months postoperatively, were collected.RESULTSA total of 1891 patients (69%) had 12-month follow-up data available for analysis; the mean age was 66.4 years, 860 (46%) were male, the mean BMI was 27.8 kg/m2, and 508 (27%) were current smokers. At 12 months postoperatively, there were statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) from baseline for back pain (72.1 to 42.1), leg pain (71.2 to 41.3), EQ-5D (0.35 to 0.61), and ODI (44.1 to 27.8).CONCLUSIONSPatients with LSS, clinically substantial back pain, and no structural instability obtain improvement in back pain after decompression-only surgery and do not need a concomitant fusion.


Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Ishihama ◽  
Masatoshi Morimoto ◽  
Fumitake Tezuka ◽  
Kazuta Yamashita ◽  
Hiroaki Manabe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Full-endoscopic lumbar surgery is used for decompression of lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Now, a cage can be inserted through Kambin's triangle for lumbar interbody fusion (LIF). We have been performing full-endoscopic trans-Kambin triangle LIF (KLIF) at our institution since 2018. In this article, we describe this technique and present our results. Methods We performed full-endoscopic one-level KLIF in 10 patients. The procedure is as follows. First, percutaneous pedicle screws are inserted. Listhesis is reduced if necessary. The endoscope is inserted in Kambin's triangle. Next, the superior articular process is partially removed, enlarging Kambin's triangle to allow safe insertion of the cage. A cannula is inserted into the disk to avoid damaging the exiting nerve. The disk material is shaved and curetted. Finally, the harvested bone is packed in a cage and inserted into the disk space. We analyze the complications, visual analog scores (VAS), and MacNab's criteria. Results One patient had an irritation in the exiting nerve at L4–L5. The VAS for back pain and leg pain decreased from 69 to 9 and from 60 to 9, respectively. The clinical outcome was considered excellent in eight and good in two patients. Conclusions Kambin's triangle lies immediately behind the psoas major. Therefore, we consider KLIF as a lateral LIF procedure comparable with oblique or extreme LIF. However, unlike oblique or extreme LIF, there are no major vessels and organs in the surgical field; therefore, KLIF is the safest type of lateral LIF. Furthermore, using the endoscope, we can perform decompression directly using the facetectomy technique.


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