Frequency of various forms of spondylodiscitis on spinal column segments

Introduction: The term spinal infections or spinal column infections usually include processes localized in various parts of spinal column, parts of vertebrae as well as in intervertebral disc. There are three main types of spondylodiscitis. Bacterial spondylodiscitis (vertebral osteomyelitis) is inflammatory process usually involving two (neighboring) vertebrae and intervertebral disc causing the space for the disc between the vertebrae to be narrowed down. The aim of this paper is to present the frequency of various forms of spondylodiscitis on spinal column segments following laboratory, microbiological and radiological diagnostic procedures.Patients and methods: Descriptive research method was used in the work, as it was deemed appropriate for this type of research analysis. Diagnostic procedures used include: laboratory tests, microbiological analysis, MRI scans of cervical spine, MRI scans of thoracic spine, MRI scans of L/S spinal column.Results: Out of 307 patients included in the research, in 109 occurrences spondylodiscitis was verified on various parts of spinal column. Brucellosis spondylodiscitis represents the most frequent form (in 86% of patients), and the majority of occurrences was localized at lumbosacral part of spinal column. During the research, quite unusually, there was also one occurrence of spondylodiscitis with paravertebral abscess on cervical part of spinal column. It is also a type of brucellosis spondylodiscitis. The use of magnetic resonance imaging appears to be gold standard in diagnostics of spondylodiscitis, especially following the application of contrast agent and the use of T1 FS (fat saturation) sequences along with standard tomograms in times T1 and T2. The majority, up to 262 (85.3%) of Elisa tests were related to brucellosis. In 245 out of 307 cases, the result was positive, that is in direct relation to the fact that various forms of brucellosis are present in the areas being examined.Conclusion: Research results indicated that spondylodiscitis was diagnosed in all segments of spinal column. The most frequent occurrences are on L/S part of spinal column and the most frequent form of brucellosis is spondylodiscitis.

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Anatomic imaging study of luminal diameter of the circle of Willis in patients with ischemic stroke

Calabar Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.25259/cjhs_50_2020 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 75-80

Author(s):

Samson Omini Paulinus ◽

Benjamin Effiong Udoh ◽

Samuel A. Efanga ◽

Gabriel Udo Udo-Affah ◽

Eru Mba Eru ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Imaging Study ◽

Circle Of Willis ◽

Luminal Diameter ◽

Software Applications ◽

Descriptive Research ◽

Mri Scans ◽

Nigerian Population ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Suspected Stroke

Objectives: Stroke or cerebrovascular accident is associated with defects in the circle of Willis; the vascular network that supplies the brain. There is currently lack of literature on the involvement of the circle of Willis in patients with stroke or its association with impending stroke. The objective of the study was to evaluate luminal diameter of arteries that constitute the circle of Willis in patients with stroke using computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Material and Methods: Angiograms of 340 male and female patients aged 15–>75 (40.18 ± 1.1 and 43.68 ± 1.18) years with suspected stroke, referred for either brain CTA or MRI in selected hospitals/diagnostic centers in Nigeria were evaluated using RadiAnt and the MicroDicom viewer software applications. A retrospective descriptive research design was adopted with approval from the federal health research ethics committee. Direct measurement of luminal diameter of major arteries of the circle of Willis was done using SPSS version 25 at P < 0.05. Results: From the 340 images assessed, 256 (75.29%) patients had ischemic stroke with luminal diameter of arteries of the circle of Willis ranged from 1 mm to >3 mm while 84 (24.71%) patients were without stroke with luminal diameter ranged from 1 mm to 2.11 mm (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with stroke have larger luminal diameter of arteries that form the circle of Willis when compared to patients without stroke. The study has established for the 1st time, luminal diameter of circle of Willis that may be an index in the sampled Nigerian population.

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Microbiologically and Clinically Diagnosed Vertebral Osteomyelitis: Impact of Prior Antibiotic Exposure

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.05953-11 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 2122-2124 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Chung-Jong Kim ◽

Kyoung-Ho Song ◽

Wan Beom Park ◽

Eu Suk Kim ◽

Sang Won Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Medical Records ◽

Vertebral Osteomyelitis ◽

Antibiotic Exposure ◽

Negative Results ◽

Paravertebral Abscess ◽

Pyogenic Vertebral Osteomyelitis ◽

Positive Results

ABSTRACTWe retrospectively reviewed medical records to identify the factors that affect the results of culture in patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. In multivariate analysis, the presence of paravertebral abscess was associated with positive results of microbiologic culture. Prior antibiotic exposure, especially of longer duration, was strongly associated with negative results.

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Vertebral osteomyelitis and paravertebral abscess due to Salmonella oranienburg in a child

Pediatrics International ◽

10.1046/j.1442-200x.2001.01332.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 81-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Tomoharu Akiba ◽

Takahiko Arai ◽

Tomoko Ota ◽

Kaori Akiba ◽

Michiyo Sakamoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vertebral Osteomyelitis ◽

Paravertebral Abscess

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Intervertebral disc homeostasis at normal conditions and during pathology

Kazan medical journal ◽

10.17816/kmj2315 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 93 (2) ◽

pp. 304-307

Author(s):

A E Kobyzev

Keyword(s):

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Metabolic Disorders ◽

Spinal Column ◽

Intervertebral Discs ◽

Metabolic Processes ◽

Functional Changes ◽

Normal Metabolism ◽

Capillary Zone ◽

Vertebral Bodies ◽

Complex Structural

Intervertebral discs are rather complex structural units of the spine. It is believed that a disturbance of the factors of their homeostasis immediately leads to changes in the bone tissue of the vertebral bodies and, consequently, to pathological changes at the level of the vertebral-motor segment. It follows that the maintenance of normal metabolism within the discs is one of the key directions in the prevention of many clinically important lesions involving the entire vertebral complex. The causes of metabolic processes disorders in the intervertebral disc can be divided into several levels: chronic diseases that directly affect the blood supply to the spinal column as a whole; diseases that affect the permeability of the capillary zone of the subchondral zone of the vertebral bodies; disturbances in the delivery of nutrients into the disc through its matrix, which serves an important selective barrier. However, regardless of the level of the causes of metabolic disorders, all of which eventually lead to anatomical and functional changes in the intervertebral discs and to their subsequent incapacity to provide the daily life cycle of the vertebral complex, consisting of periods of stress and relaxation. Thus, based on the known literature data we can conclude that: the intervertebral discs to date, remain poorly understood elements, however even from a narrow range of studies on this subject it is evident that their functionality is largely dependent on the properties of the disc matrix and the interstitial nature of metabolic processes.

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Overreporting of the disc herniation in lumbar spine MRI scans performed for patients with spondylolisthesis

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.1177/0284185120925483 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 028418512092548

Author(s):

Hassan Semaan ◽

Bryan Curnutte ◽

Maxwell Cooper ◽

Joud Obri ◽

Mazzin Elsamaloty ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lumbar Spine ◽

Disc Herniation ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Mri Scans ◽

Group 2 ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Spine Surgeon ◽

Spine Mri ◽

Group 1

Background Spondylolisthesis is often misdiagnosed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the slip may reduce to a normal alignment when the patient lies supine. Often, disc herniation is reported at the level of spondylolisthesis. Purpose To determine the incidence rates of disc herniation at the level of spondylolisthesis. Material and Methods This is a retrospective study included 258 consecutive patients with spondylolisthesis who had lumbar spine MRI. The archived reports were collectively put in Group 1. A musculoskeletal radiologist and a spine surgeon reviewed the imaging studies together. Their readings were referred to as Group 2. The findings of both groups were compared to evaluate whether disc herniation was overreported. Results Group 1 reported findings of true disc herniation in 112 (41.6%) cases and pseudo disc herniation or no findings of disc herniation at the level of spondylolisthesis in 157 (58.4%) cases. Group 2 reported findings of a true disc herniation in 25 (9.3%) cases and pseudo disc herniation or no findings of disc herniation in the remaining 244 (90.7%) cases. There was a statistically significant difference in the reporting rates between these two groups ( P < 0.02). The most overreported finding was the disc bulging ( P < 0.01). Conclusion The current study showed overreporting of disc herniation in lumbar spine MRI scans performed for patients with established spondylolisthesis. The majority of disc pathology at the level of spondylolisthesis are pseudo disc rather than a true disc herniation. An accurate diagnosis is vital in planning surgical intervention.

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Classification of Vertebral Osteomyelitis and Associated Judgment Applied during Post-Mortem Inspection of Swine Carcasses in Portugal

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9101502 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1502

Author(s):

Madalena Vieira-Pinto ◽

Joana Azevedo ◽

Patrícia Poeta ◽

Isabel Pires ◽

Lüppo Ellebroek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Classification Scheme ◽

Vertebral Osteomyelitis ◽

Meat Inspection ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Histopathological Analysis ◽

Microbiological Analysis ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

The Eu

Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) it is often a suppurative lesion that, in Portugal, represents the main cause of total condemnation of slaughtered finishing pigs. Based on the EU Meat Inspection legislation, meat from generalized VO cases presenting signs of pyemia should be declared unfit for human consumption. For that reason, the main objective of this study is to establish a classification scheme to differentiate between localized and generalized VO cases using macroscopic findings and validate it based on the presence of pyemia. To assist in, a combination of macroscopic characteristics of gross lesions (e.g., presence of pyaemia-related lesions (PRL), acute/chronic characteristics of VO) was used to create a classification scheme to differentiate between localized and generalized VO cases. The scheme was applied to 40 VO cases that had been totally condemned in an undifferentiated way. In those 40 cases, histopathological analysis was used to validate acute/chronic macro-criteria, and microbiological analysis was performed to identify the pyemia cases. From the 40 selected VO cases, 20 were macroscopically classified as chronic and 20 as acute. Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ = 0.80; p < 0.001), revealed a substantial agreement between macroscopic and histopathology classification. Microbiological analyses identified 13 pyemia cases (13/40; 32.5%). Among those, 12 were macroscopically classified as acute, this association being highly significant (p < 0.001). By using the proposed VO classification scheme, 14 possible cases out of 40 could have been spared from total condemnation. This scheme can be used to harmonize the classification of VO and meat inspection decisions in Portuguese abattoirs. The output would lead to avoidance of unnecessary carcasses condemnation (food waste/economic losses), under an evidence-based approach, without compromising food safety and public health as demanded by the EU Meat Inspection legislation.

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In Vivo Characterisation of a Novel Hydrophilic Composite for Total Intervertebral Disc Substitution

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.284-286.795 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 284-286 ◽

pp. 795-798

Author(s):

Elsie Damien ◽

F. Causa ◽

L. Ambrosio ◽

Peter A. Revell

Keyword(s):

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Bone Growth ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Clinical Success ◽

Spinal Column ◽

Prosthetic Material ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Disc Disease ◽

Poly Ethylene

Intervertebral disc (IVD) damage due to degeneration, trauma or inflammation is the main cause for lower back pain leading to morbidity and loss of function of the spinal column. Until recently the state of the art treatment for degenerative disc disease (DDD) was arthrodesis. Developments in vertebral arthroplasty enable degenerated disc to be replaced with prosthetic IVD devices while maintaining motion at the affected part. The ability of the intervertebral device to support the in vivo loading environment is critical for the clinical success of such devices. However, such properties are depended on the location and structure of IVD, as the mechanical properties of IVD change locally [1]. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo tissue compatibility of a novel composite, made with poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (pHEMA), poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) and poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) in an animal model. In vivo qualitative and quantitative results at 6 weeks post intraosseous implantation in rabbit femur revealed that this hydrogel, in contact with bone tissue, showed no tissue damage at the implant-bone interface. This novel composite disc prosthetic material is biocompatible as bone growth was observed into the implant and there was no evidence of toxicity to bone or inflammatory responses at the peri-implant tissue.

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Roentgenographic analysis of lumbar lordotic dimensions among indigenes of Delta State

Anatomy Journal of Africa ◽

10.4314/aja.v9i1.13 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 1736-1745

Author(s):

Ugochukwuka Ojieh ◽

Abimbola Oladunni Ebeye

Keyword(s):

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Reconstructive Surgery ◽

Body Height ◽

Spinal Column ◽

Lumbar Vertebra ◽

Disc Height ◽

Steady Increase ◽

Lumbar Region ◽

Female Population ◽

Intervertebral Disc Height

The spinal column of humans possesses strategically placed concave and convex curves which work in harmony to give an upright posture. The inwardly concave curvature in the lumbar region of the spine is known as the lordosis and it plays a very important role in the formation of the posture of humans. Analysis of the human lordosis is of great importance as it has been shown to be a major factor in the onset of low back pain, and is of great importance in spinal reconstructive surgery, through which some form of repair can be done to the spinal column that has undergone some form of alteration. The present study was carried out to analyse the lumbar lordotic dimensions among indigenes of Delta State. The aim of the study was to find out the average lordotic angle, vertebral body height and intervertebral disc height for the male and female population. The study was also aimed at finding the range for the normal lordotic angles as well as the correlations between these dimensions and the age of an individual. A regression equation was also formulated with which the lordotic angle of an individual can be estimated given the age of that individual. The sample size was 384 individuals (204 males and 180 females) with an age range of 20-60 years. The male population had a mean angle of 59.33±2.45° and the females had a lower mean value of 53.33±2.61°. The study showed males had higher mean values for lumbar vertebra height and intervertebral disc height. A steady increase in the height of the lumbar vertebra and intervertebral disc from the first to the last was observed in this study. This study also showed that a weak negative correlation existed between the age of an individual and the lordotic angle and the vertebral height. Correlations between the age and intervertebral disc height showed a weak positive correlation. A regression formula was derived for estimating the lordotic angle of an individual given the age. This study will be of great importance to medical practitioners and forensic anthropologists in spinal reconstructive surgery and forensic human identification by gender and age. Keywords: Lumbar Spine. Lordosis, Lordotic Angle, Correlation, Regression.

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Psychosocial care needs of the parents having children with epilepsy

International Journal of Epilepsy ◽

10.1016/j.ijep.2014.05.002 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 01 (01) ◽

pp. 021-026 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ramu Rajalakshmi ◽

Krishnasamy Lalitha

Keyword(s):

Demographic Data ◽

Psychosocial Care ◽

Diagnostic Procedures ◽

Simple Random Sampling ◽

Parent Report ◽

Care Needs ◽

Descriptive Research ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Epilepsy ◽

Home And School

Abstract Aim The present study aimed to assess the psychosocial care needs of parents having children with epilepsy. Methods Descriptive research design was adapted and it was conducted in neurology OPD at NIMHANS, Bangalore. Fifty subjects that are parents having children with epilepsy were selected after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria through simple random sampling method. The study subjects were interviewed for socio demographic characteristics and psychosocial care needs using Socio Demographic Data Sheet and Parent Report Psychosocial Care Needs Scale (Austin et al 1998) respectively. ANOVA and t test, Frequency and mean percentage were used to identify the psychosocial care needs of the parents. Results Majority of the parents received lesser information about seizure than they wanted and expressed strong need for information about epilepsy diagnostic procedures, treatment and management at home and school and they were not expressed much concern and fear towards causes and complications of the children's seizure. There were no significant associations seen between parent psychosocial care needs and their socio demographic characteristic but family history of epilepsy and number of drugs used by the children was associated significantly. Conclusion The findings showed that majority of the study subjects received lesser information than they needed about epilepsy and not had much concern about the causes and the complications of epilepsy, but at the same time most of the parents expressed that they need information about the management of children's seizure.

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Increase or decrease in stability after nucleotomy? Conflicting in vitro and in vivo results in the sheep model

Journal of The Royal Society Interface ◽

10.1098/rsif.2014.0650 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (100) ◽

pp. 20140650 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Sandra Reitmaier ◽

David Volkheimer ◽

Nikolaus Berger-Roscher ◽

Hans-Joachim Wilke ◽

Anita Ignatius

Keyword(s):

Intervertebral Disc ◽

Surgical Approach ◽

Surgical Procedure ◽

Spinal Column ◽

Sheep Model ◽

Segmental Instability ◽

Adaptive Mechanisms ◽

Disc Herniations

Nucleotomy is a common surgical procedure to treat disc herniations. The potential occurrence of segmental instability after surgery, however, is suspected to necessitate re-operation and fusion. Although in vitro studies support the theory of destabilization after nucleotomy, a prior, in-house animal study contrarily revealed an increase in stability after surgery. To identify which structural compartment of the motion segment is decisive for increased stability after nucleotomy in vivo , the flexibilities of ovine motion segments were measured after different stepwise reductions at the anterior and posterior spinal column. Different test groups were used in which nucleotomy had been performed during surgery in vivo and under isolated in vitro conditions, respectively. In accordance with expectations, in vitro nucleotomy on ovine motion segments significantly increased flexibility. By contrast, nucleotomy significantly decreased flexibility 12 weeks after surgery. After removal of the posterior structures, however, the differences in flexibility diminished. The present results thus suggest that it might not exclusively be the trauma to the intervertebral disc during surgery which is decisive for post-operative stability, but rather adaptive mechanisms in the posterior structures. Therefore, care should be taken to minimize the damage to the posterior structures in the course of the surgical approach, which more likely compromises stability.

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