Multimodal assessment after surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 526-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph T. King ◽  
John J. Moossy ◽  
Joel Tsevat ◽  
Mark S. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Values ◽  
Analysis Of Results ◽  
Nonsurgical Patients ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Investigators reporting decompressive surgery to treat patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) have described inconsistent benefits. In the present study the authors used three types of outcomes instruments to assess the results of CSM surgery. Methods. The authors collected prospective baseline and 6-month follow-up data in a cohort of 62 patients with CSM. Data collection included those pertaining to demographics; symptoms; physical findings; myelopathy severity; health status measured with the Short Form—36; and health values according to the standard gamble, time trade-off, visual analog scale, and willingness to pay. Rank-order methods were used to compare surgical and nonsurgical patients, and multivariate regression techniques adjusting for baseline characteristics were performed to examine the effects of surgery. During the study period, 28 patients underwent surgery, 34 did not, and there were no baseline differences between the two groups in demographics, symptoms, myelopathy scores, health status, or health values (p ≥ 0.120 in all domains); there was a greater prevalence of hand intrinsic muscle atrophy (p = 0.035) and Hoffmann sign (p = 0.006) in the surgery-treated group. Neither raw comparisons nor regression analyses showed a consistent surgery-related benefit. There were sporadic associations between worse outcomes and older patients, higher income, Babinski sign, longer duration of CSM symptoms, hand clumsiness, lower-extremity numbness, and multilevel surgery (p ≤ 0.049 for all). Conclusions. Analysis of results obtained in the 62 patients with CSM failed to show a surgery-related benefit despite the use of three classes of outcomes instruments. Patient demographics, symptoms, physical signs, and the surgical approach may explain some of the variation in outcomes in patients with CSM.

Outcome after lumbar sequestrectomy compared with microdiscectomy: a prospective randomized study

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudius Thomé ◽  
Martin Barth ◽  
Johann Scharf ◽  
Peter Schmiedek
Keyword(s):  
Short Form ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Pain Patient ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Early Outcome ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Microdiscectomy currently constitutes the standard treatment for herniated lumbar discs. Although limiting surgery to excision of fragments has occasionally been suggested, prospective data are lacking. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare early outcome and recurrence rates after sequestrectomy and microdiscectomy. Methods. Eighty-four consecutive patients 60 years of age or younger who harbored free, subligamentary, or transanular herniated lumbar discs refractory to conservative treatment were randomized to one of two treatment groups. Intraoperative parameters and findings were documented as well as pre- and postoperative symptoms such as pain, Patient Satisfaction Index (PSI), Prolo Scale score, and Short Form (SF)—36 subscale results. Follow up of at least 12 months was available in 73 patients (87%). Preoperative intergroup symptoms did not differ significantly. Surgery was significantly shorter in the sequestrectomy-treated group. Overall, low-back pain and sciatica were drastically reduced in both groups and most sensorimotor deficits improved. At 4 to 6 months, SF-36 subscales and PSI scores showed a trend in favor of sequestrectomy, leaving 3% of patients unsatisfied compared with 18% of those treated with discectomy. Outcome according to the Prolo Scale was good or excellent in 76% of discectomy-treated patients and 92% of sequestrectomy-treated patients. Reherniation occurred in four patients after discectomy (10%) and two patients after sequestrectomy (5%) within 18 months. Conclusions. Sequestrectomy does not seem to entail a higher rate of early recurrences compared with microdiscectomy. Analysis of early outcome demonstrated a trend toward superior results when sequestrectomy is performed. Although long-term follow-up data are mandatory, sequestrectomy may be an advantageous alternative to standard microdiscectomy.

The Short Form—12 and the measurement of health status in patients with cerebral aneurysms: performance, validity, and reliability

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph T. King ◽  
Michael B. Horowitz ◽  
Amin B. Kassam ◽  
Howard Yonas ◽  
Mark S. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
Scale Score ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Cerebral Aneurysms ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Cerebral aneurysms can affect a patient's health status by rupture and stroke, impingement on neural structures, treatment side effects, or psychological stress. The authors assessed the performance, validity, and reliability of the Short Form—12 (SF-12), a self-administered written survey instrument, to assess health status in patients with cerebral aneurysms. Methods. A cohort of 170 patients with cerebral aneurysms who were seen at a neurosurgery clinic underwent structured interviews including measurement of their health statuses (SF-12 physical component summary [PCS] and mental component summary [MCS]), functional status (Glasgow Outcome Scale score, modified Rankin Scale score, and Barthel Index), and mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score). The SF-12 scores were compared with US population norms by performing t-tests with unequal variances. The validity of the SF-12 was assessed by comparing the PCS and MCS scores with each patient's functional status and mental health scores by using rank-order methods. Inter-item reliability was assessed using the Cronbach alpha statistic. Patients with cerebral aneurysms had decreased health status PCS and MCS scores when compared with population norms (p < 0.001 for all). A history of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (p = 0.006) and previous surgical or endovascular treatment (p = 0.047) was associated with worse PCS scores. The validity of the SF-12 was supported by the relationship between the PCS and MCS scores and the patient's functional status and mental health (p < 0.001 for all). The reliability of the SF-12 was documented by the Cronbach alpha statistic (α = 0.76). Conclusions. Patients with cerebral aneurysms have a diminished physical and mental health status as measured using the SF-12. The presence of SAH and aneurysm treatment are associated with a worse physical health status. The SF-12 is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring health status in patients with cerebral aneurysms.

Validity and reliability of the Short Form—36 in cervical spondylotic myelopathy

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph T. King ◽  
Mark S. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Outpatient Basis ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cronbach Alpha ◽  
Short Form 36 ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Validity (the extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure) and reliability (the stability and reproducibility of measures of the same concept over time or across methods of gathering data) are important characteristics of any outcomes instrument. Generic outcomes instruments are designed for use in any population; however, their validity and reliability in particular diseases should be verified to ensure their appropriateness for use in that disease. In this study the authors assessed the validity and reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form—36 (SF-36), a generic outcomes instrument, in a population of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Methods. The SF-36 was administered to a cohort of patients with CSM on an outpatient basis. Symptom-related data derived from a structured interview and physical examination findings were used to classify cases according to the myelopathy scales of Nurick, Cooper, Harsh, and a Western modification of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA). Construct validity was assessed by determining whether SF-36 scores varied in accordance with predefined hypotheses relating to the myelopathy scores by using the Cuzick nonparametric test for trend. The reliability of the SF-36 scores was assessed using Cronbach alpha. Eighty-eight patients with CSM completed the SF-36 and interview. Construct validity was demonstrated by confirming the hypothesized relationship between SF-36 scales and the myelopathy scales of Nurick (p ≤ 0.003), Cooper leg subscale (p ≤ 0.012, except the general health perceptions domain [p = 0.091]), Harsh (p ≤ 0.016), and the motor component of the modified JOA (p ≤ 0.006). Reliability was demonstrated for all eight SF-36 domain scales and the physical component and mental component summary scales, in which Cronbach alpha satisfied the Nunnally criterion of 0.7. Conclusions. The SF-36 provides valid and reliable data on patients with CSM.

Effect of hyperglycemia on brain pH levels in areas of focal incomplete cerebral ischemia in monkeys

1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 693-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Richard Marsh ◽  
Robert E. Anderson ◽  
Thoralf M. Sundt
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Cerebral Ischemia ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Squirrel Monkeys ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brain Ph ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Incomplete Ischemia

✓ The adverse effect of a minimal cerebral blood flow (CBF) in models of global ischemia has been noted by many investigators. One factor believed important in this situation is the level of blood glucose, since a continued supply of this metabolite results in increased tissue lactate, decreased brain pH, and increased cell damage. The authors have extended these observations to a model of focal incomplete ischemia. Brain pH was measured in fasted squirrel monkeys in regions of focal incomplete ischemia after transorbital occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). In both control and hyperglycemic animals, CBF was reduced to less than 30% of baseline. At 3 hours after MCA occlusion, brain pH in the control group was 6.66 ± 0.68 as compared to 6.27 ± 0.26 in the glucose-treated group. This difference was statistically significant by Student's unpaired t-test (p < 0.05). Thus, hyperglycemia results in decreased tissue pH in regions of focal incomplete cerebral ischemia in monkeys.

Endoscopic surgery versus medical treatment for spontaneous intracerebral hematoma: a randomized study

1989 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 530-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludwig M. Auer ◽  
Wolfgang Deinsberger ◽  
Kurt Niederkorn ◽  
Günther Gell ◽  
Reinhold Kleinert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Functional Recovery ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Lower Mortality ◽  
Intracerebral Hematoma ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A controlled randomized study of endoscopic evacuation versus medical treatment was performed in 100 patients with spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral (subcortical, putaminal, and thalamic) hematomas. Patients with aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, brain tumors, or head injuries were excluded. Criteria for inclusion were as follows: patients' age between 30 and 80 years; a hematoma volume of more than 10 cu cm; the presence of neurological or consciousness impairment; the appropriateness of surgery from a medical and anesthesiological point of view; and the initiation of treatment within 48 hours after hemorrhage. The criteria of randomization were the location, size, and side of the hematoma as well as the patient's age, state of consciousness, and history of hypertension. Evaluation of outcome was performed 6 months after hemorrhage. Surgical patients with subcortical hematomas showed a significantly lower mortality rate (30%) than their medically treated counterparts (70%, p < 0.05). Moreover, 40% of these patients had a good outcome with no or only a minimal deficit versus 25% in the medically treated group; the difference was statistically significant for operated patients with no postoperative deficit (p < 0.01). Surgical patients with hematomas smaller than 50 cu cm made a significantly better functional recovery than did patients of the medically treated group, but had a comparable mortality rate. By contrast, patients with larger hematomas showed significantly lower mortality rates after operation but had no better functional recovery than the medically treated group. This effect from surgery was limited to patients in a preoperatively alert or somnolent state; stuporous or comatose patients had no better outcome after surgery. The outcome of surgical patients with putaminal or thalamic hemorrhage was no better than for those with medical treatment; however, there was a trend toward better quality of survival and chance of survival in the operated group.

Posttreatment with adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of calcitonin gene—related peptide to reverse cerebral vasospasm in dogs

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoyoshi Satoh ◽  
Eddie Perkins ◽  
Hitoshi Kimura ◽  
Jiping Tang ◽  
Yi Chun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Cerebral Vasospasm ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Positive Staining ◽  
Cmv Promoter ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Related Peptide ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Blood Injection ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Gene transfer to cerebral vessels is a promising new therapeutic approach for cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study was undertaken to explore whether a delayed treatment with adenovirus encoding the prepro-calcitonin gene—related peptide (CGRP), 2 days after initial blood injection, reduces cerebral vasospasm in a double-hemorrhage model of severe vasospasm in dogs. Methods. In 20 dogs, arterial blood was injected into the cisterna magna on Days 0 and 2. Thirty minutes after the second blood injection, the animals received either adenovirus encoding the prepro-CGRP gene (AdCMVCGRP—treated group, eight dogs) or adenovirus encoding the β-galactosidase gene (AdCMVβgal—treated group, six dogs) under the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. One group of dogs did not receive treatment and served as controls (control SAH group, six dogs). Angiography was performed on Days 0 and 7 to assess cerebral vasospasm. On Day 7 following angiography, the animals were killed and their brains were stained with X-gal to detect the distribution of gene expression. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was also tested for CGRP immunoreactivity. Severe vasospasm was observed in control SAH dogs on Day 7, and the mean basilar artery (BA) diameter was 53.4 ± 5.5% of the value measured on Day 0. Treatment with AdCMVβgal did not alter vasospasm (the BA diameter was 55 ± 3.9% of that measured on Day 0). The leptomeninges and adventitia of the BAs of dogs treated using AdCMVβgal demonstrated positive staining with X-gal. High levels of CGRP were measured in CSF from dogs that received AdCMVCGRP. In the group treated with AdCMVCGRP, vasospasm was significantly reduced (the BA diameter was 78.2 ± 5.3% of that measured on Day 0, p < 0.05 compared with the control SAH group and the AdCMVβgal group). Conclusions. In a model of severe vasospasm in dogs, gene transfer of CGRP after injection of blood attenuated cerebral vasospasm after SAH.

Patient-assessed outcomes after excision of acoustic neuroma: postoperative symptoms and quality of life

2001 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen C. Martin ◽  
Jagjit Sethi ◽  
Dorothy Lang ◽  
Glen Neil-Dwyer ◽  
Mark E. Lutman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Acoustic Neuroma ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Postoperative Symptoms ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The aim of this study was to assess whether outcomes from excision of acoustic neuroma vary among patients and have a material impact on their quality of life (QOL). Methods. A questionnaire concerning postoperative symptoms and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) QOL instrument were mailed to 97 consecutive patients who had undergone acoustic neuroma surgery via the translabyrinthine approach. The survey response rate was 78% and the symptomatology was consistent with other reports, supporting the representativeness of the sample. The respondents' QOL was rated significantly below published norms and their work capacity was reportedly reduced. Specifically, the following SF-36 dimensions were reduced: physical functioning and role-physical, together with vitality, general health, and social functioning. Greater numbers of postoperative symptoms and larger tumors were associated with a worse rating of physical functioning. More severe balance problems were associated with lower ratings of social functioning. The disparity between the patient's self-estimate and self-measurement and the clinician's assessment of the patient's facial functioning raises doubts about the validity of subjective reports and assessment. Conclusions. The present study supports the use of generic QOL measures to assess outcome and to draw comparisons between different populations.

Fibrinolysis therapy achieved with tissue plasminogen activator and aspiration of the liquefied clot after experimental intracerebral hemorrhage: rapid reduction in hematoma volume but intensification of delayed edema formation

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 954-962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veit Rohde ◽  
Ina Rohde ◽  
Ruth Thiex ◽  
Azize Ince ◽  
Axel Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Fibrinolytic Therapy ◽  
Untreated Group ◽  
Hematoma Volume ◽  
Edema Formation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tissue Plasminogen ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Fibrinolysis therapy accomplished using tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and aspiration is considered to be a viable alternative to microsurgery and medical therapy for the treatment of deep-seated spontaneous intracerebral hematomas (SICHs). Tissue plasminogen activator is a mediator of thrombin- and ischemia-related delayed edema. Because both thrombin release and ischemia occur after SICH, the authors planned to investigate the effect of fibrinolytic therapy on hematoma and delayed edema volume. Methods. A spherical hematoma was created in the frontal white matter of 18 pigs. In the tPA-treated group (nine pigs), a mean of 1.55 ml tPA was injected into the clot and the resulting liquefied blood was aspirated. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on Days 0 (after surgery), 4, and 10, and the volumes of hematoma and edema were determined. In the animals not treated with tPA (untreated group; nine pigs), the volume of hematoma dropped from 1.43 ± 0.42 ml on Day 0 to 0.85 ± 0.28 ml on Day 10. In the tPA-treated group, the volume of hematoma was reduced from 1.51 ± 0.28 ml on Day 0 to 0.52 ± 0.39 ml on Day 10. In comparison with the untreated group, the reduction in hematoma volume was significantly accelerated (p = 0.02). In the untreated group, perihematomal edema increased from 0.32 ± 0.61 ml to 1.73 ± 0.73 ml on Day 4, before dropping to 1.17 ± 0.92 ml on Day 10. In the tPA-treated group, the volume of the edema increased from 0.09 ± 0.21 ml on Day 0 to 1.93 ± 0.79 ml on Day 4, and further to 3.34 ± 3.21 ml on Day 10. The increase in edema volume was significantly more pronounced in the tPA-treated group (p = 0.04). Conclusions. Despite a significantly accelerated reduction in hematoma volume, the development of delayed perifocal edema was intensified by fibrinolytic therapy, which is probably related to the function of tPA as a mediator of edema formation after thrombin release and ischemia. Further experimental and clinical investigations are required to establish the future role of fibrinolysis in the management of SICH.

Results of applying ADCON-L gel after lumbar discectomy: the German ADCON-L study

2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Peter Richter ◽  
Erich Kast ◽  
Rainer Tomczak ◽  
Werner Besenfelder ◽  
Wilhelm Gaus
Keyword(s):  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Therapeutic Success ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Failed-back syndrome is still an unsolved problem. Use of ADCON-L gel, already commercially available, has been proven to reduce postoperative scarring in animal experiments. The authors of two controlled clinical studies have also shown positive results when applying the gel. They did not, however, establish patient-oriented endpoints. The authors report a study of ADCON-L in which they focus on patient-oriented endpoints. Methods. Patients with lumbar disc herniation were randomized to an ADCON-L—treated or control group. Therapeutic success was evaluated using the validated Hannover Questionnaire on Activities of Daily Living (FFbH) 6 months after surgery. The study took place between November 14, 1996, and April 20, 1998, in eight neurosurgical centers in Germany. A total of 398 patients was recruited; 41 patients dropped out during follow up. The mean functional FFbH score (100 points = all activities are possible without problem; 0 points = no activity is possible) was 78.5 points in the ADCON-L—treated group compared with 80 points in the control group. Furthermore, in terms of secondary outcome variables, the ADCON-L group did not have an advantage over the control group. Only the mean magnetic resonance imaging score showed a slight advantage of ADCON-L over the control group. Conclusions. The authors found no positive effect of treatment with ADCON-L gel in patients in whom one-level lumbar microdiscectomy was performed. Because of its rather large sample size and its homogeneity, the study had sufficient power to detect even small differences between the two groups.

Cervical myelopathy caused by developmental stenosis of the spinal canal

1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Epstein ◽  
Robert Carras ◽  
Roger A. Hyman ◽  
Sergio Costa
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Canal ◽  
Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy ◽  
Transverse Plane ◽  
Intramedullary Tumor ◽  
Neural Arch ◽  
Decompressive Laminectomy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Evidence ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors present six patients with myelopathy caused by developmental stenosis of the cervical spine. Hyperextension injuries precipitated the onset of symptoms in two patients, aged 19 and 20 years. In four, 41 to 69 years of age, symptoms were gradual in onset, progressing to severe disability. X-ray films revealed narrowing of the dorsoventral diameter of the spinal canal to as little as 1.0 cm. The myelograms showed widening of the cord in the transverse plane strongly suggestive of an intramedullary tumor. A unique finding was maldevelopment with flattening of the neural arch often hidden by the posterior portions of the articular facets when seen in the lateral views. These patients showed no significant evidence of spondylosis, arthrosis, or any of the structural stigmata usually observed in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. When indicated, decompressive laminectomy is the treatment of choice.

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