THE UNDERLYING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND CLINICAL APPEARANCE OF LSS, AND THE AVAILABLE DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC OPTIONS

The term lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal due to anatomical reasons, and it is linked to a variety of clinical symptoms.The onset of stenosis LSS can be unilateral or bilateral, monosegmental or multisegmental. The stenosis can be characterized as central, lateral, or foraminal anatomically.Neurogenic claudication is the most prevalent symptom of LSS, which is defined as limping or cramping lumbar pain that spreads into the legs primarily during walking.Typical patient symptoms include unilateral or bilateral (exertional) back and leg discomfort that develops over months, if not years.As people live longer and seek a better quality of life, as well as increased knowledge of the condition and the availability of improved imaging techniques, the number of people diagnosed with degenerative LSS has increased.

Vocabulary for Lower Back and Lumbar Pain in Russian Dialects: ‘utin’ and ‘chemer’

A semantic-motivational and etymological analysis of two Russian dialectisms ‘utin’ and ‘chemer’ are carried out in the article, in the semantic structure of which (among others) meanings associated with diseases of various localization and etiology (the authors are mainly interested in the semantics of low back pain) are presented. The semantic organization of the corresponding etymological and derivational nests is reconstructed; nests are matched by value configuration. The authors show what semantic transitions determined the appearance of the meaning «lumbar pain» (and, secondarily, «lower back» and «spine») in the words ‘utin’ and ‘chemer’. Both designations for low back pain are analyzed in a broad ethnolinguistic context, which implies taking into account the practices of traditional medicine, which are due to archaic ideas about pain and disease. It is shown that etymological magic is repeatedly triggered in the nest of the word ‘utin’, and its action is carried out in two directions: from the generating verb *tęti, *tьnǫ «cut down, cut» to the derivative ‘utin’, and then from it to other words of the morphosemantic field (‘utyug’, ‘utin’ «boundary», ‘utinok’ «stump», ‘ovin’, ‘tyn’ etc.). In the nest of the word ‘chemer’, a nontrivial transition of botanical meaning («poisonous plant») to physiological one («poisoning» → «pain in case of poisoning» → «pain of various etiologies, including lumbar pain») is restored, then (in parallel) to somatic and demonic.

Robot-assisted pyeloplasty with buccal mucosa graft for the management of an extended recurrent ureteropelvic junction stricture

A clinical case of robot-assisted pyeloplasty with buccal mucosa graft of an extended recurrent stricture of the left ureteropelvic junction is presented. The patient had previously undergone left-sided laparoscopic antevasal pyeloplasty and retrograde endopyelotomies with ureteral stenting. However, after these interventions, the dilatation of the left pelvicalyceal system persisted, the patient complained of lumbar pain and periodic exacerbations of chronic pyelonephritis. Transperitoneal robotic access isolated the ureteral upper third and the ureteropelvic junction from scar tissue, after dissecting the narrowed ureteral section, its length was about 3.0 cm. In this regard, plastic surgery was performed with a buccal mucosa graft, the ureter was drained with a stent. There were no postoperative complications, and on day 3 the patient was discharged. The stent was removed 4 weeks after. During the control ultrasound examination, the renal pelvicalyceal system was relatively reduced, and the patient did not notice any pain.

Physical activity in patients with nonspecific low back painin therapy

Introduction. Kinesitherapy (KT) – one of the leading areas of patient care with chronic nonspecific (musculoskeletal pain) low back pain. For chronic lumbar pain, a standard KT is commonly used, that includes group sessions with a medical specialist. Often not taking into account the individual characteristics of patients, their attitude to KT, does not use a backpain education program in combination with KT (extended KT). Physical activity and hypodynamia are compared in patients with chronic nonspecificlow back pain in standard KT and extended KT.Aim of study is to assess the effectiveness of the standard and extended KT in the enhancement of physical activity.Materials and methods. 71 patients were observed (17 men and 54 women, average age 55.09 ± 13 years) with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Patients received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as painkillers. 34 patients received a standard KT, 37 patients – an extended KT. Patients were asked to complete the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) at baseline, after 7 days and 90 days.Results and discussion. In the extended KT group, physical activity increased from 11 (7–16) points to 16 (13–19) points after 7 days (p = 0.001) and up to 23 (15–26) points after 3 months (p = 0.0002). There has been a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of patients with hypodynamy (p = 0.0015). There is no statistically significant increase in physical activity in the standard therapy group. The use of NSAIDs in non-specific low back pain is discussed, the effectiveness of the use of dexketoprofen (Dexalgin) during lumbar pain is noted.Conclusion. In the case of nonspecific low back pain, the extended KTimprovesphysical activity and reduce hypodynamy.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome Associated with Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

Herein, we describe a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) associated with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (NRAS). A 31-year-old woman with a past medical history of uveitis experienced a pulmonary thromboembolism in March 2014 and was treated with rivaroxaban (20 mg/day). Five months later, she started complaining of low back pain. The results on contrast-enhanced sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging were normal. Laboratory tests revealed positive HLA-B27 and the presence of lupus anticoagulant and IgM anticardiolipin. The diagnoses of APS and NRAS were made. The patient was treated with rivaroxaban for APS and sulfasalazine (2 g/day), respectively. As she showed the presence of lupus anticoagulant antibodies in blood, she did not receive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. After 6 months, the patient was asymptomatic, without lumbar pain; she also showed normalization of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the C-reactive protein and vitamin D levels, good control of lumbar pain, and no new uveitis episodes. The APS was also stable. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of NRAS associated with APS.

Large Psoas Hematoma Complicating Anti-coagulant Therapy Poses a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge

Spontaneous psoas haematoma in patients on anti-coagulant therapy is a rare phenomenon. It poses a real diagnostic problem and a real therapeutic challenge. We report the case of a 51 year old patient, under anti-vitamin K (acenocoumarone) following a stenosante and tricuspid mitral plasty who presented with right lumbar pain radiating to the lower limb leading to functional impotence. Clinically, he was hemodynamically stable with a hematoma measuring 88x29 mm and extending to 161 mm. The ultrasound scan showed a large collection at the expense of the lumbar psoas muscle and the CT scan showed a swollen appearance of the right psoas muscle in its iliac portion. Management was conservative: discontinuation of anti-vitamin K, bed rest, antibiotic therapy, and monitoring (clinical, biological and radiological). The ultimate outcome was favourable.

Scoliosis Secondary to Lumbar Spine Herniated Nucleus Pulposus in Adolescents: A Case Report

Introduction: Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) is infrequent among children and adolescents. The first case of surgical intervention for disc herniation was reported in a 12-year-old child. Since then, very few cases or series of cases have been published. The reactive scoliosis is frequently associated with lumbar HNPs, a compensatory effort to relieve nerve compression. Moreover, reactive scoliosis secondary to lumbar HNP is typically associated with children and usually resolves with effective management of lumbar HNP. Although the surgical intervention is frequently employed among adults, only 0.5% of discectomies are carried out in children <16 years old. The current case report is of a 15-year-old girl, with no history of spinal ailment, who presented with a large disc herniation at L4–L5 region, associated with a reactive secondary scoliosis, which was resolved following a successful surgical intervention. Case Report: A 15-year-old female with known case of scoliosis and a history of lower back pain for nine months following a fall while playing football presented at outpatient clinic. She sought medical opinion after two months of persistent pain with radiculopathy to the right side toward big toe. Similarly, there was normal plantar reflex and no clonus or Hoffman sign. There was positive straight leg raise test as well as positive contralateral straight leg raise test. Scoliosis is idiopathic in majority of young patients. However, it might also arise as a part or complication of a triggering health state. Although scoliosis has been frequently associated with lumbar HNP among adolescents, most patients with lumbar disc ailment in this age group might be underdiagnosed initially. Similarly, in our case study the patient was not diagnosed when medical opinion was sought after two months of persistent pain with radiculopathy to the right side toward big toe. The clinical characteristics of pediatric lumbar HNP are usually comparable to those seen in adults; however, one distinguishing feature is that up to 90% have a positive straight-leg raising test. The most common symptom is lumbar pain; limitation of lumbar motility and lassegue are the most common signs. The etiology, pathophysiology, and patterns of the scoliotic posture in cases secondary to HNP remain debated. It is highly recommended to do CT scan in cases of adolescent lumbar HNP to rule out apophyseal ring fracture; accurate diagnosis helps surgeon in planning the appropriate surgical intervention needed. Scoliosis secondary to lumbar disc herniation is observed occasionally, therefore, its clinical significance and pathophysiology are not well-established. However, it is well-recognized that children’s spines have superior adaptive capacity, which shields nervous tissue. An example of this could be scoliosis in patients with root compression, when they bend to the side contrary to the compression, causing an enlargement of the affected foramen and root release. It has been reported that 80% of the patients with disc herniation and scoliosis had the convexity on the side of the root compression. The MRI findings revealed that the scoliosis widened the foramen. Similarly, in our case report the X-ray depicted scoliotic deformity with convexity toward the right side. MRI is the best imaging technique to indicate disc herniation and eliminate other likelihoods in both children and adolescents. Surgical interventions, such as micro-endoscopy discectomy and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy, could achieve considerable pain relief and function improvement. Our case finding revealed that microscopic discectomy relieved the pain and improved the scoliosis. Conclusion: Lumbar disc herniation is a rare entity among both children and adolescent and may also result in scoliosis and lumbar pain with or without sciatica. Therefore, lumbar disc herniation in association with scoliosis need vigilant evaluation of signs and symptoms in addition to appropriate diagnostic imaging. Imaging has a vital role in the diagnosis of underlying disease state and helps in clinical management along with surgical planning. The appropriate treatment is discectomy.

P071 Osteoid osteoma in children: About 15 cases

Background Osteoid osteoma (OO)also called osteoblastoma, if the localization is in the spine, is a benign osteoblastic tumor of variable clinical expression, depending on the location of the lesion. It represents 2% to 3% of bone tumours and 15% of benign bone tumours in children. It affects mainly older children and adolescents and most often occurs in the lower limb, especially the femur. The diagnosis is radio-clinical. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of surgical removal of the tumor, the therapeutic difficulty in certain osteoarticular localizations and finally the radio-clinical evolution after surgery. Material & methods We report the radio-clinical outcomes of a series of 15 children (4 girls/11 boys; aged of 03–14 years) with OO operated in our department, over a period of 08 years (2011–2019). Results The OO is located in most of cases of the lower limbs: acetabulum (1 case); femoral neck (3 cases); femoral diaphysis (2 cases); tibial diaphysis (4 cases); distal metaphysis of the tibia (1 case); talus (1 case) and in the spine (3 cases: vertebral body of T3, the posterior arch of T12 and the sacrum S3). Nocturnal pain yielding to aspirin, was the main symptom. It was associated with lameness when walking in patients with location of OO in the lower limbs. Diagnosis was delayed in patients with localization of OO in the spine (after 3 years) and in the talus (after 2 years). Imaging (standard Rx, CT scan and MRI) allowed the diagnosis of OO in all cases (nidus and cocarde image) and assessed the loco-regional impact (compression of the spinal canal in the sacral location; eccentricity of the femoral epiphysis, in the acetabular location, scoliosis in the spinal location). Thirteen children received surgical treatment under fluoroscopic guidance, which consisted of: A surgical abstention was decided in 2 cases: an inaccessible location at the bottom of the acetabulum and the T3 thoracic vertebral body localization in a 6-year-old girl. 12 operated children have good outcomes. However, 03 children experienced post-therapy problems: lumbar pain radiating towards the left thigh in the girl with sacral location (S3) despite the large laminectomy; a relapse 7 months later in the child with the femoral neck localization; A valgus misalignment of the right knee after removal of the OO of the proximal metaphysis of the tibia with a relapse 3 months later. Conclusion OO is a rare, benign tumor. However, certain locations can lead to diagnostic difficulties, loco-regional, organic and functional repercussions and certain constraints on their therapeutic management. Modern imaging helps to improve the care of these patients, both in terms of early diagnosis (scintigraphy, CT scan and MRI) and therapeutic precision (photo-coagulation, radiofrequency ablation).

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Complaints in Surgeons

The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal complaints and potential risk factors among Romanian surgeons. Ninety-five surgeons of different specialties (62.11% males) completed a questionnaire about work-related musculoskeletal complaints (WMSCs). Ninety-one surgeons (95.78%) experienced WMSCs at least in one body part in the last year. Most surgeons reported pain in four body parts (33.68%). The most common WMSCs were reported on the lower back (74.73%), followed by complaints in the neck region (55.79%), shoulder and upper back (46.32%), knee (31.58%), wrist–hand (16.84%), elbow (14.74%), hip (11.58%) and ankle–foot (4.21%). Surgeons rated their pain more severe on upper back, lower back and knees. A higher percentage of male surgeons reported upper back pain (χ2(1) = 5.818, p = 0.015). Significant age differences were found between the reported pain sites (F8,278 = 2.666, p = 0.008); the surgeons reporting wrist–hand pain were younger than those reporting neck, shoulders, elbows, dorsal and lumbar pain. Surgeons with significantly less experience in years reported significantly more WMSCs in wrist–hand, hip and ankle–foot regions compared with those more experienced (p < 0.05). Surgeons are at high risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal complaints, which affects both their professional and personal life. Further studies are needed to identify all risk factors and ergonomic strategies to reduce the prevalence and the negative impact of WMSCs.