Reliability of preoperative MRI findings in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

Background Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an important tool in preoperative evaluation of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Reported reliability of various MRI findings in LSS varies from fair to excellent. There are inconsistencies in the evaluated parameters and the methodology of the studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the preoperative MRI findings in patients with LSS between musculoskeletal radiologists and orthopaedic spine surgeons, using established evaluation methods and imaging data from a prospective trial. Methods Consecutive lumbar MRI examinations of candidates for surgical treatment of LSS from the Norwegian Spinal Stenosis and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis (NORDSTEN) study were independently evaluated by two musculoskeletal radiologists and two orthopaedic spine surgeons. The observers had a range of experience between six and 13 years and rated five categorical parameters (foraminal and central canal stenosis, facet joint osteoarthritis, redundant nerve roots and intraspinal synovial cysts) and one continuous parameter (dural sac cross-sectional area). All parameters were re-rated after 6 weeks by all the observers. Inter- and intraobserver agreement was assessed by Gwet’s agreement coefficient (AC1) for categorical parameters and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) for the dural sac cross-sectional area. Results MRI examinations of 102 patients (mean age 66 ± 8 years, 53 men) were evaluated. The overall interobserver agreement was substantial or almost perfect for all categorical parameters (AC1 range 0.67 to 0.98), except for facet joint osteoarthritis, where the agreement was moderate (AC1 0.39). For the dural sac cross-sectional area, the overall interobserver agreement was good or excellent (ICC range 0.86 to 0.96). The intraobserver agreement was substantial or almost perfect/ excellent for all parameters (AC1 range 0.63 to 1.0 and ICC range 0.93 to 1.0). Conclusions There is high inter- and intraobserver agreement between radiologists and spine surgeons for preoperative MRI findings of LSS. However, the interobserver agreement is not optimal for evaluation of facet joint osteoarthritis. Trial registration www.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02007083, registered December 2013.

Degrees of Canal Stenosis, Levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) And C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Preoperative as Predictors of the Output of Neurogenic Claudication Outcome Score (NCOS) 8 Weeks Post-Decompression-Stabilization-Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Patients

Introduction: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) or spinal stenosis is the most common spinal disease in elderly patients. LSS is also one of the leading causes of spinal surgery in the world. The problem that is often encountered is the limited predictor of outcomes that are considered affordable and accurate, so as to provide education to patients about possible output after the surgery process is carried out. Therefore, a predictor is needed that is considered accurate and affordable such as the degree of measurable canal stenosis of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), serum levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Method: This study used a prospective cohort design conducted to compare Neurogenic Claudication Outcome Score scores among people with degenerative lumbar canal stenosis whose post-decompression-stabilization-fusion had higher degrees of canal stenosis (measured through Schizas grading of Magnetic resonance Imaging/MRI) examinations), as well as high pre-operative CRP and IL-6 levels with those with normal CRP and IL-6 levels. From the population of lumbar spinal stenosis, the selection of samples was conducted consecutively sampling. After that, statistical tests in the form of descriptor tests, normality tests, risk factor assessments with 2x2 cross tabulation, and proportion comparison analysis using the Fisher Exact test. Result: Severe lumbar canal stenosis degrees resulted in worse NCOS 8 weeks postoperative than mild degrees of lumbar canal stenosis, with statistically significant differences (p=0.008; p < 0.05) and RR 6.4 (0.99-41.08). High CRP levels resulted in worse NCOS 8 weeks postoperative than mild lumbar degrees of canal stenosis, with statistically significantly differences (p=0.008; p < 0.05) and RR 6.4 (0.99-41.08). High pre-operative IL-6 levels resulted in worse NCOS 8 weeks postoperative than normal pre-operative IL-6 levels with statistically significantly differences (p=0.002; p < 0.05) and RR 8 (1.24-51.50). Conclusion: Degrees of preoperative (mild) canal stenosis, high pre-operative CRP levels, and high levels of pre-operative IL-6 were predictors for better 8-week NCOS scores in patients with post-decompression-stabilizing-fusion degenerative LSS disease. Key words: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, IL-6, CRP, canal degree stenosis, NCOS.

Unraveling a rare cause of spinal stenosis: Coexistent AL and ATTR amyloidosis involving the ligamentum flavum

Background: Amyloidosis is a protein misfolding disorder that leads to the deposition of beta-pleated sheets of a fibrillar derivative of various protein precursors. Identification of the type of precursor protein is integral in treatment decision-making. The presence of two different types of amyloid in the same patient is unusually rare, and there are no previous reports of two different types of amyloid deposition in the ligamentum flavum (LF) in the same patient. Case Description: Here, we describe two patients with spinal stenosis who underwent laminectomies and were found to have AL and ATTR amyloid deposits in the LF. Conclusion: As the spine is becoming recognized as a site for ATTRwt amyloid deposition, patients undergoing spinal decompression surgery may potentially benefit from evaluation for amyloidosis in the LF.

Uniportal Full-Endoscopic versus Minimally Invasive Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Meta-analysis

Background In this study, we systematically analyze the effectiveness of the uniportal full-endoscopic (UPFE) and minimally invasive (MIS) decompression for treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis patients. Methods We performed a systematic search in Medline, Embase, Europe PMC, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane databases, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China national knowledge infrastructure, and Wanfang Data databases for all relevant studies. All statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager version 5.3. Results A total of 9 articles with 522 patients in the UPFE group and 367 patients in the MIS group were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the UPFE group had significantly better results in hospital stay time (mean difference [MD]: –2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: –2.87 to –1.23), intraoperative blood loss (MD: –36.56; 95% CI: –54.57 to –18.56), and wound-related complications (MD: –36.56; 95%CI: –54.57 to –18.56) compared with the MIS group, whereas the postoperative clinical scores (MD: –0.66; 95%CI: –1.79 to 0.47; MD: –0.75; 95%CI: –1.86 to 0.36; and MD: –4.58; 95%CI: –16.80 to 7.63), satisfaction rate (odds ratio [OR] = 1.24; 95%CI: 0.70–2.20), operation time (MD: 30.31; 95%CI: –12.55 to 73.18), complication rates for dural injury (OR = 0.60; 95%CI: 0.29–1.26), epidural hematoma (OR = 0.60; 95%CI: 0.29–1.26), and postoperative transient dysesthesia and weakness (OR = 0.73; 95%CI: 0.36–1.51) showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions The UPFE decompression is associated with shorter hospital stay time and lower intraoperative blood loss and wound-related complications compared with MIS decompression for treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis patients. The postoperative clinical scores, satisfaction rate, operation time, complication rates for dural injury, epidural hematoma, and postoperative transient dysesthesia and weakness did not differ significantly between two groups.

Bilateral leg pain and unilateral calf atrophy caused by polymyositis accompanying lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation: a case report

Polymyositis is a subgroup of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies characterized by symmetric proximal limb weakness and chronic skeletal muscle inflammation. We herein report the first case of bilateral leg pain and unilateral calf atrophy caused by polymyositis accompanying lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation. A 52-year-old man presented with intermittent claudication and calf pain that had become gradually aggravated during the last 3 months. Magnetic resonance imaging showed spinal stenosis at the L3/4 and L4/5 levels and lumbar disc herniation at the L4/5 level. Preoperative laboratory investigations revealed elevated muscle enzyme concentrations. Magnetic resonance imaging also showed atrophy, fatty degeneration, and edema in both calf muscles. Histological examination showed inflammatory myositis and fibrosis in the perifascicular connective tissues. The patient was diagnosed with polymyositis. We performed decompressive laminectomy at the L3/4 and L4/5 levels and discectomy at the L4/5 level. After administration of prednisolone for 6 months and methotrexate for 3 months, the patient’s bilateral calf pain and abnormal laboratory findings improved. The combination of surgical decompression and adequate medical treatment resulted in a successful recovery. Polymyositis should be suspected in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis or lumbar disc herniation who exhibit increased muscle enzyme concentrations or lower extremity muscle atrophy.