Postlaminectomy lumbopelvic sagittal changes in patients with developmental lumbar spinal stenosis grouped into Roussouly lumbopelvic sagittal profiles: 2- to 10-year prospective follow-up

OBJECTIVE Roussouly lumbopelvic sagittal profiles are associated with distinct pathologies or distinct natural histories and prognoses. The associations between developmental lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) and native lumbopelvic sagittal profiles are unknown. Moreover, the relative effects of multilevel decompression on lumbar sagittal alignment, geometrical parameters of the pelvis, and compensatory mechanisms for each of the Roussouly subtypes are unknown. This study aimed to explore the association between DLSS and native lumbar lordosis (LL) subtypes. It also attempts to understand the natural history of postlaminectomy lumbopelvic sagittal changes and compensatory mechanisms for each of the Roussouly subtypes and to define the critical lumbar segment or specific lordosis arc that is recruited after relief of the stenosis effect. METHODS A total of 418 patients with multilevel DLSS were grouped into various Roussouly subtypes, and lumbopelvic sagittal parameters were prospectively compared at follow-up intervals of preoperative to < 2 years, 2 to < 5 years, and 5 to ≥ 10 years after laminectomy. The variables analyzed included LL, upper lordosis arc from L1 to L4, lower lordosis arc from L4 to S1, and segmental lordosis from L1 to S1. Pelvic parameters included pelvic incidence, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence minus LL values. RESULTS Of the 329 patients who were followed up throughout this study, 33.7% had Roussouly type 1 native lordosis, whereas the incidence rates of types 2, 3, and 4 were 33.4%, 21.9%, and 10.9%, respectively. LL was not reduced in any of the Roussouly subtypes after multilevel decompressions. Instead, LL increased by 4.5° (SD 11.9°—from 27.3° [SD 11.5°] to 31.8° [SD 9.8°]) in Roussouly type 1 and by 3.1° (SD 11.6°—from 41.3° [SD 9.5°] to 44.4° [SD = 9.7°]) in Roussouly type 2. The other Roussouly types showed no significant changes. Pelvic tilt decreased significantly—by 2.8°, whereas sacral slope increased significantly—by 2.9° in Roussouly type 1 and by 1.7° in Roussouly type 2. The critical lumbar segment that recruits LL differs between Roussouly subtypes. Increments and changes were sustained until the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The study findings are important in predicting patient prognosis, LL evolution, and the need for prophylactic or corrective deformity surgery. Multilevel involvement in DLSS and the high prevalence of Roussouly types 1 and 2 suggest that spinal canal dimensions are closely linked to the developmental evolution of LL.

Negative impact of short-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis extending to the lumbar segment

OBJECTIVE The development of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) often requires further surgery after posterior decompression without fusion because of postoperative intervertebral instability. However, there is no information on whether fusion surgery is recommended for these patients as the standard surgery. The aim of this study was to review the clinical and imaging findings in lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) patients with DISH affecting the lumbar segment (L-DISH) and to assess the indication for fusion surgery in patients with DISH. METHODS A total of 237 patients with LSS underwent 1- or 2-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) at the authors’ hospital and had a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. Patients with L-DISH were classified as such (n = 27, 11.4%), whereas those without were classified as controls (non-L-DISH; n = 210, 88.6%). The success rates of short-level PLIF were compared in patients with and those without L-DISH. The rates of adjacent segment disease (ASD), pseudarthrosis, postoperative symptoms, and revision surgery were examined in the two groups. RESULTS L-DISH from L2 to L4 correlated significantly with early-onset ASD, pseudarthrosis, and the appearance of postsurgical symptoms, especially at a lower segment and one distance from the segment adjacent to L-DISH, which were associated with the worst clinical outcome. Significantly higher percentages of L-DISH patients developed ASD and pseudarthrosis than those in the non-L-DISH group (40.7% vs 4.8% and 29.6% vs 2.4%, respectively). Of those patients with ASD and/or pseudarthrosis, 69.2% were symptomatic and 11.1% underwent revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS The results highlighted the negative impact of short-level PLIF surgery for patients with L-DISH. Increased mechanical stress below the fused segment was considered the reason for the poor clinical outcome.

Lumbar spondylolisthesis: STATE of the art on assessment and conservative treatment

Introduction There is weak relationship between the presence of lumbar spondylolisthesis [SPL] and low back pain that is not always associated with instability, either at the involved lumbar segment or at different spinal levels. Therefore patients with lumbar symptomatic SPL can be divided into stable and unstable, based on the level of mobility during flexion and extension movements as general classifications for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Different opinions persist about best treatment (conservative vs. surgical) and among conservative treatments, on the type, dosage, and progression of physical therapy procedures. Purpose and importance to practice The aim of this Masterclass is to provide clinicians evidence-based indications for assessment and conservative treatment of SPL, taking into consideration some subgroups related to specific clinical presentations. Clinical implications This Masterclass addresses the different phases of the assessment of a patient with SPL, including history, imaging, physical exam, and questionnaires on disability and cognitive-behavioral components. Regarding conservative treatment, self- management approaches and graded supervised training, including therapeutic relationships, information and education, are explained. Primary therapeutic procedures for pain control, recovery of the function and the mobility through therapeutic exercise, passive mobilization and antalgic techniques are suggested. Moreover, some guidance is provided on conservative treatment in specific clinical presentations (lumbar SPL with radiating pain and/or lumbar stenosis, SPL complicated by other factors, and SPL in adolescents) and the number/duration of sessions. Future research priorities Some steps to improve the diagnostic-therapeutic approach in SPL are to identify the best cluster of clinical tests, define different lumbar SPL subgroups, and investigate the effects of treatments based on that classification, similarly to the approach already proposed for non-specific LBP.

Spina bifida, diplomyelia and multiple malformations in a Texel lamb

ABSTRACT: This report described the clinical and pathological aspects of open spina bifida and diplomyelia along with multiple congenital malformations in a Texel lamb. Clinically, paresis of the thoracic limbs, paralysis of the pelvic limbs and a cutaneous opening in the lumbosacral region were observed. At necropsy, there was a focally extensive disruption of the skin associated with an absence of the dorsal portions of the lumbosacral vertebrae. Additionally, diplomyelia of the lumbar segment, mild hydromyelia of thoracic segment, and moderate communicating hydrocephalus of the lateral and third ventricles were noted. Possible viral etiologies (bovine viral diarrhea virus, bluetongue virus, and Schmallemberg virus) were not detected by RT-PCR, and toxic plants were not identified. Therefore, a possible genetic cause may not be discarded.

Biomechanical Study of Lumbar Spine (L2-L4) Using Hybrid Stabilization Device - A Finite Element Analysis

Spinal instrumentations have been designed to alleviate lower back pain and stabilize the spinal segments. The present work aims to evaluate the biomechanical effect of the proposed Hybrid Stabilization Device (HSD). Non-linear finite element model of lumbar segment L2-L4 were developed to compare the intact spine (IS) with rigid implant (RI) and hybrid stabilization device. To restrict all directional motion vertebra L4 bottom surface were kept fixed and axial compressive force of 500N with a moment of 10Nm were applied to the top surface of L2 vertebrae. The results of range of motion (ROM), intervertebral disc (IVD) pressure and strains for IVD-23 and IVD-34 were determined for flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial twist. Results demonstrated that ROM of HSD model is higher than RI and lower as compared to IS model. The predicted biomechanical parameters of the present work may be considered before clinical implementations of any implants.

Total rupture of achilles tendon induces inflammatory response and glial activation on the mice spinal cord

Rupture of Achilles tendon is a common accident affecting professional and recreational athletes. Acute and chronic pains are symptoms commonly observed in ruptured patients. Despite that, no studies have described whether Achilles tendon rupture is able to promote disorders in CNS. Based in these finds, the current study aimed to evaluate nociceptive alterations and inflammatory response in L5 lumbar segment of Balb/c mice spinal cord after Achilles tendon rupture. We demonstrated increased algesic response in the paw of ruptured group on the 7th and 14th days post tenotomy when compared with control group. This phenomenon was accompanied by over expression of COX-2 and NOS-2 as well as hyperactivation of astrocytes and microglia in nociceptive areas of L5 spinal cord as evidenced by intense GFAP and IBA-1 immunostaining, respectively. Biochemical studies also demonstrated increased levels of nitrite in the L5 spinal cord of tenotomized animals when compared with control group. Thus, we have demonstrate for the first time that total rupture of the Achilles tendon induces inflammatory response, nitrergic and glial activation in the CNS at L5 spinal cord region.

Segmented lordotic angles to assess lumbosacral transitional vertebra on EOS

Purpose To test the vertical posterior vertebral angles (VPVA) of the most caudal lumbar segments measured on EOS to identify and classify the lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV). Methods We reviewed the EOS examinations of 906 patients to measure the VPVA at the most caudal lumbar segment (cVPVA) and at the immediately proximal segment (pVPVA), with dVPVA being the result of their difference. Mann–Whitney, Chi-square, and ROC curve statistics were used. Results 172/906 patients (19%) had LSTV (112 females, mean age: 43 ± 21 years), and 89/172 had type I LSTV (52%), 42/172 type II (24%), 33/172 type III (19%), and 8/172 type IV (5%). The cVPVA and dVPVA in non-articulated patients were significantly higher than those of patients with LSTV, patients with only accessory articulations, and patients with only bony fusion (all p < .001). The cVPVA and dVPVA in L5 sacralization were significantly higher than in S1 lumbarization (p < .001). The following optimal cutoff was found: cVPVA of 28.2° (AUC = 0.797) and dVPVA of 11.1° (AUC = 0.782) to identify LSTV; cVPVA of 28.2° (AUC = 0.665) and dVPVA of 8° (AUC = 0.718) to identify type II LSTV; cVPVA of 25.5° (AUC = 0.797) and dVPVA of − 7.5° (AUC = 0.831) to identify type III–IV LSTV; cVPVA of 20.4° (AUC = 0.693) and dVPVA of − 1.8° (AUC = 0.665) to differentiate type II from III–IV LSTV; cVPVA of 17.9° (AUC = 0.741) and dVPVA of − 4.5° (AUC = 0.774) to differentiate L5 sacralization from S1 lumbarization. Conclusion The cVPVA and dVPVA measured on EOS showed good diagnostic performance to identify LSTV, to correctly classify it, and to differentiate L5 sacralization from S1 lumbarization.

SPINOPELVIC VARIABILITY ACCORDING TO THE ROUSSOULY CLASSIFICATON CURVE TYPE

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the variability of spinopelvic sagittal parameters and the distribution of lordosis in the lumbar spine in a sample of patients. Methods This is a cross-sectional study considering full-spine radiographs of a patient sample. The patients were classified according to the Roussouly classification and both radiographic spinopelvic alignment parameters and the lordosis measurement of each lumbar spinal segment were considered. The radiographic parameters were correlated with the Roussouly classification type. Results Ninety patients were included in the study. There was significant correlation between pelvic incidence (PI) and lumbar lordosis (LL) (R=0.89; p<0.0001). The values of PI were significantly higher in Roussouly types 3 and 4 than in types 1 and 2 (p<0.001), as were the values of LL L1-S1(p<0.001). Considering the total sample, 67% of LL L1-S1 was located between L4-S1, but with variations by the Roussouly classification curve types. Conclusion This study demonstrated a high correlation between the values of PI and LL, as well as the importance of the distal lumbar segment (L4-S1) in the overall value of LL L1-S1, which was even higher in patients with a lower PI value (Roussouly types 1 and 2). Level of evidence II; Retrospective analysis of a prospective database (Cohort); Diagnostic study.