scholarly journals The many faces of primary cauda equina myxopapillary ependymoma: clinicoradiological manifestations of two cases and review of the literature

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-390
Author(s):  
Mohammad Zare Mehrjardi ◽  
Samira Mirzaei ◽  
Hamid Reza Haghighatkhah
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Conus Medullaris ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Myxopapillary Ependymoma ◽  
Low Back

Abstract Introduction: Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is a benign and slow growing tumor that originates exclusively from the conus medullaris and cauda equina nervous tissue. It occurs more commonly in young patients. In addition, clinical presentations are non-specific and may mimic benign conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for evaluating this tumor. We hereby report on two young patients with long-lasting non-specific symptoms, which were clinically attributed to benign conditions. However, cauda equina tumor was revealed on MRI in both patients. Case report: Two cases of cauda equina MPE, a 19-year-old female and a 38-year-old male, with different clinical manifestations are reported. The first patient presented with paresis and paresthesia of the lower limbs, and the second patient’s complaint was chronic low-back pain and urinary incontinence. In both cases, MRI detected a tumor originated from the cauda equina, and histopathologic examination was compatible with MPE. Conclusion: Cauda equina tumors should be considered as a differential diagnosis in the young patients presented with neurologic deficits in the lower limbs, sphincter or erectile dysfunction, and even a simple low-back pain (particularly when symptoms are long-lasting and/or progressive).

Dermoid tumors of the spinal cord

1970 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 676-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian C. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Conus Medullaris ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

✓ This is an analysis of 10 cases of dermoid tumor occurring in the spinal canal (8 lumbar and 2 thoracic). Low-back pain was the commonest presenting symptom, especially if the tumor was adherent to the conus medullaris. Other complaints included urinary dysfunction and motor and sensory disturbances of the legs. Clinical and radiological evidence of spina bifida was found in about half of the cases and suggested the diagnosis of a developmental type of tumor when patients presented with progressive spinal cord compression. At operation, the tumors were often found embedded in the conus medullaris or firmly adherent to the cauda equina, thus precluding complete removal. Evacuation of the cystic contents, however, gave lasting relief of the low-back pain and did not cause any deterioration in neurological function. In a follow-up study, ranging from 1 to 15 years, virtually no improvement in the neurological signs was observed. On the other hand, only one case has deteriorated due to recurrence of tumor growth.

Appropriateness of Imaging Decisions for Low Back Pain Presenting to the Emergency Department: A Retrospective Chart Review Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Traeger ◽  
Gustavo C Machado ◽  
Sally Bath ◽  
Martin Tran ◽  
Lucinda Roper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Review Study ◽  
Hospital Emergency Departments

ABSTRACT Background Imaging for low back pain is widely regarded as a target for efforts to reduce low value care. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overuse and underuse of lumbar imaging in the Emergency Department. Methods Retrospective chart review study of five public hospital Emergency Departments in Sydney, Australia, in 2019/20. We reviewed the clinical charts of consecutive adult patients who presented with a complaint of low back pain and extracted clinical features relevant to a decision to request lumbar imaging. We estimated the proportion of encounters where a decision to request lumbar imaging was inappropriate (overuse) or where a clinician did not request an appropriate and informative lumbar imaging test when indicated (underuse). Results 649 patients presented with a complaint of low back pain of which 158 (24.3%) were referred for imaging. 79 (12.2%) had a combination of features suggesting lumbar imaging was indicated according to clinical guidelines. The prevalence of overuse and underuse of lumbar imaging was 8.8% (57 of 649 cases, 95%CI 6.8% to 11.2%) and 4.3% (28 of 649 cases, 95%CI 3.0% to 6.1%), respectively. 13 cases were classified as underuse because the patient was referred for an uninformative imaging modality (e.g. referred for radiography for suspected cauda equina syndrome). Conclusion In this study of emergency care there was evidence of overuse of lumbar imaging, but also underuse through failure to request lumbar imaging when indicated or referral for an uninformative imaging modality. These three issues seem more important targets for quality improvement than solely focusing on overuse.

scholarly journals Development of a toolkit for early identification of cauda equina syndrome

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (06) ◽  
pp. 559-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Greenhalgh ◽  
Carole Truman ◽  
Valerie Webster ◽  
James Selfe
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Cauda Equina Syndrome ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Motor Deficit ◽  
Medical Setting ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Content Validation

AimTo develop a simple cauda equina syndrome (CES) toolkit to facilitate the subjective examination of low back pain patients potentially at risk of CES. To undertake preliminary validation of the content of the toolkit.BackgroundCES is a rare condition which can be very challenging to identify in a generalist medical setting.MethodA three phase iterative design with two stake holder groups; extended scope practitioners experienced in managing CES patients and CES sufferers.Toolkit developmentSynthesis of existing CES literature with CES patient data generated from in depth interviews.Toolkit validationContent validation of the draft toolkit with CES patients.Toolkit validationContent validation of the draft toolkit with extended scope physiotherapists.FindingsA three arm toolkit has been developed for use with patients considered by the clinician as at risk of developing CES (eg, worsening low back pain with symptoms/signs of progressive sensory-motor deficit in the lower limbs); patient expertise, clinical expertise, research and pathways. Uniquely, the toolkit drew upon the lived experiences of patients suffering from CES to inform the content.

scholarly journals Cauda equina and conus medullaris syndromes due to Spinal Cord Schistosomiasis: a case report

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Cardoso Siqueira Albernaz ◽  
Izabel Feitosa da Mata Leite ◽  
Guilherme de Aguiar Moraes ◽  
Adelina Mouta Moreira Neto ◽  
Matheus de Campos Medeiros
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Conus Medullaris ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Low Back

Context: Schistosomiasis is a prevalent disease in Brazil whose medullary form can be a serious and disabling condition. Diagnosis is clinical and laboratorial, based on neurological symptoms besides Schistosoma infection exams. Spinal Cord Schistosomiasis (SCS) can be associated with cauda equina syndrome (CES) adding “saddle” anesthesia and low back pain as symptoms. Case Report: A 22- year-old male presenting progressive bilateral and proximal pelvic weakness associated with urinary and fecal incontinence besides mild low back pain during 4 months. Patient reports daily swimming practice in rivers. Neurological examination revealed grade 3 weakness of the proximal muscles, patellar hyporeflexia, saddle anesthesia and hypotonia of the proximal muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine showed conus medullaris fusiform enlargement, associated with T2 and STIR hyperintensity (edema), hyposignal in T1, findings suggestive of an inflammatory / infectious etiology. Laboratory tests revealed a complete blood count with mild leukocytosis and eosinophilia; positive IgG serology for schistosomiasis; increased protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid; stool analysis was normal. The diagnosis of CES and conus medullaris syndrome due to SCS was established and treatment with prednisone and praziquantel was initiated, with significant improvement in clinical symptoms. Conclusion: This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate therapy in order to prevent irreversible injuries in cases of CES and conus medullaris syndrome, both conditions of high morbidity that are often overlooked.

scholarly journals Low back pain: a case study

2021 ◽  
pp. 384-390
Author(s):  
D. Kh. Khaibullina ◽  
Yu. N. Maksimov ◽  
F. I. Devlikamova
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Muscle Tension ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Medical Opinion

As defined in the WHO Bulletin (1999), low back pain (LBP) is pain, muscle tension or stiffness localized in the back between the XII pair of ribs and the lower gluteal folds, with or without irradiation in lower limbs. The LBP syndrome is not a nosological unit, but due to its high prevalence, social and economic importance, it has a separate heading in ICD-10 – (M 54.5). Various structures can be the source of LBP: intervertebral discs, facet and sacroiliac joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia, spinal cord and its roots, peripheral nerves, etc. Depending on which structure the source of pain is, the nature of the pain can have a nociceptive, neuropathic or mixed character, which affects the tactics of patient management. The variety of clinical manifestations of LBP introduces certain difficulties in the process of making a diagnosis and may entail the appointment of treatment methods that are inadequate for the patient’s condition. In such cases, it is advisable to conduct an additional consultation in order to obtain a second medical opinion. The message is devoted to the analysis of a clinical case of LBP. During the examination of the patient, the nature of the pain, initially regarded as neuropathic, began to be interpreted as nociceptive. In accordance with this, a complex treatment was prescribed, which included pharmacological preparations and methods of non-drug therapy. In order to quickly relieve the pain syndrome, the drug dexketoprofen was used according to a stepwise scheme. Obtaining effective anesthesia within 5 days made it possible to abandon further NSAID intake and to continue follow-up treatment with a preparation of B vitamins, a muscle relaxant and SYSADOA in combination with non-drug methods of treatment. The considered clinical case illustrates both the difficulties arising in the diagnosis of LBP and the possibilities of successful conservative therapy of this disease. 

Correction of Posture Deviations in the Sagittal Plane Using the Pilates Method

2019 ◽  
pp. 3-13
Author(s):  
Alexandru Cîtea ◽  
George-Sebastian Iacob
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Pilates Method ◽  
The Relationship

Posture is commonly perceived as the relationship between the segments of the human body upright. Certain parts of the body such as the cephalic extremity, neck, torso, upper and lower limbs are involved in the final posture of the body. Musculoskeletal instabilities and reduced postural control lead to the installation of nonstructural posture deviations in all 3 anatomical planes. When we talk about the sagittal plane, it was concluded that there are 4 main types of posture deviation: hyperlordotic posture, kyphotic posture, rectitude and "sway-back" posture.Pilates method has become in the last decade a much more popular formof exercise used in rehabilitation. The Pilates method is frequently prescribed to people with low back pain due to their orientation on the stabilizing muscles of the pelvis. Pilates exercise is thus theorized to help reactivate the muscles and, by doingso, increases lumbar support, reduces pain, and improves body alignment.

scholarly journals Guillain-Barré syndrome and Low back pain: two cases and literature review

Open Medicine ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 503-508
Author(s):  
Xianjun Ding ◽  
Hong Jiang ◽  
Xingyue Hu ◽  
Hong Ren ◽  
Huaying Cai
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Guillain Barre Syndrome ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Mri Features ◽  
Prominent Symptom ◽  
Guillain Barré Syndrome ◽  
Lumbar Mri ◽  
Guillain Barré

AbstractPurpose. To describe the clinical, electrophysiological, and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of two cases of atypical Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Methods We reported two GBS variant cases with initial and prominent symptoms of low back pain. We analysed their clinical, electrophysiological, and lumbar MRI features. Results Two patients with GBS reported low back pain as the initial and prominent symptom, which was not accompanied by limb weakness. The electrophysiological study showed abnormal F-waves in the common peroneal and tibial nerves, and acute polyradiculoneuropathy in the cauda equina. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed albuminocytologic dissociation. Serum was positive for GQ1b-IgM antibodies. Lumbar MRI showed gadolinium enhancement of the nerve roots and cauda equina. A standard regime of intravenous immunoglobulin markedly alleviated the low back pain. Conclusions Low back pain caused by GBS should be differentiated from other diseases. This initial or early prominent symptom may delay the diagnosis of GBS; therefore, it is important to conduct a detailed electrophysiological, CSF, and gadolinium-enhanced lumbar MRI analysis.

scholarly journals Effect of age on outcomes after allogeneic disc tissue supplementation in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain in the VAST trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey W Hunter ◽  
Richard Guyer ◽  
Mark Froimson ◽  
Michael J DePalma
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Disc Tissue ◽  
Discogenic Low Back Pain ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Significant Functional Improvement

Aim: To explore the effects of viable allogeneic disc tissue supplementation in younger patients with discogenic chronic low back pain (CLBP). Patients & methods: VAST was a randomized placebo-controlled trial of disc allograft supplementation in 218 patients with discogenic CLBP. We conducted a post hoc analysis of change from baseline to 12 months in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale for pain intensity scores stratified by patient age. Results: Patients aged <42 years receiving allograft experienced greater improvement in ODI (p = 0.042) and a higher ODI response rate (≥10-, ≥15- and ≥20-point reductions in ODI) than those receiving saline (p = 0.001, p = 0.002 and p = 0.021, respectively). Conclusion: Young patients with discogenic CLBP may have significant functional improvement following nonsurgical disc allograft supplementation.

Automated detection of sacroiliitis on plain radiograph using EfficientDet algorithm in young patients with back pain: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Hyun Noh ◽  
Chansik An ◽  
Dain Kim ◽  
Seung Hyun Lee ◽  
Min-Yung Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Deep Learning ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Object Detection ◽  
Sacroiliac Joint ◽  
Plain Radiograph ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Training Dataset ◽  
Detection Accuracy ◽  
Low Back

Abstract Background A computer algorithm that automatically detects sacroiliac joint abnormalities on plain radiograph would help radiologists avoid missing sacroiliitis. This study aimed to develop and validate a deep learning model to detect and diagnose sacroiliitis on plain radiograph in young patients with low back pain. Methods This Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective study included 478 and 468 plain radiographs from 241 and 433 young (< 40 years) patients who complained of low back pain with and without ankylosing spondylitis, respectively. They were randomly split into training and test datasets with a ratio of 8:2. Radiologists reviewed the images and labeled the coordinates of a bounding box and determined the presence or absence of sacroiliitis for each sacroiliac joint. We fine-tined and optimized the EfficientDet-D4 object detection model pre-trained on the COCO 2107 dataset on the training dataset and validated the final model on the test dataset. Results The mean average precision, an evaluation metric for object detection accuracy, was 0.918 at 0.5 intersection over union. In the diagnosis of sacroiliitis, the area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and F1-score were 0.932 (95% confidence interval, 0.903–0.961), 96.9% (92.9–99.0), 86.8% (81.5–90.9), 91.1% (87.7–93.7), and 90.2% (85.0–93.9), respectively. Conclusions The EfficientDet, a deep learning-based object detection algorithm, could be used to automatically diagnose sacroiliitis on plain radiograph.

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