Case report: radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy - a very late complication of radiotherapy for cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lumbosacral plexopathy caused by radiotherapy is a rare but severe consequence of cancer treatment. This condition often leads to varying degrees of sensory and motor impairment. Neurological complications, which are typically permanent, manifest a long period after irradiation. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of progressive lower extremity weakness and sensory impairment in a woman who had been effectively treated with radiotherapy for cervical cancer with development 36 years after irradiation. The electrophysiological assessment revealed a subacute bilateral axonal lesion of the lumbosacral plexus. None of the clinical manifestations, serology, cerebrospinal fluid or imaging data discovered an explanation other than radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy (RILP). CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that RILP may emerge more than 30 years after the radiotherapy.

Small-nerve-fiber pathology in critical illness documented by serial skin biopsies.

INTRODUCTION: Small-fiber pathology can develop in the acute phase of critical illness and may explain chronic sensory impairment and pain in critical care survivors. METHODS: Eleven adult ischemic stroke patients in a neurocritical care unit were enrolled in an observational cohort study. Intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) in the distal leg was assessed on admission to the intensive care unit and 10-14 days later, together with electrophysiological testing. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients recruited, 9 (82%) had sepsis or multiple-organ failure. Median IENFD on admission (5.05 fibers/mm) decreased significantly to 2.18 fibers/mm (P < 0.001), and abnormal IENFD was found in 6 patients (54.5%). Electrodiagnostic signs of large-fiber neuropathy and/or myopathy were found in 6 patients (54.5%), and autonomic dysfunction was found in 2 patients (18.2%). CONCLUSION: Serial IENFD measurements confirmed the development of small-fiber sensory involvement in the acute phase of critical illness.

Does lumbar spinal stenosis increase the risk of spondylotic cervical spinal cord compression?

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective cross-sectional observational comparative study was to determine the prevalence of spondylotic cervical cord compression (SCCC) and symptomatic cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) in comparison with a general population sample and to seek to identify predictors for the development of CSM. METHODS: A group of 78 patients with LSS (48 men, median age 66 years) was compared with a randomly selected age- and sex-matched group of 78 volunteers (38 men, median age 66 years). We evaluated magnetic resonance imaging findings from the cervical spine and neurological examination. RESULTS: The presence of SCCC was demonstrated in 84.6% of patients with LSS, but also in 57.7% of a sample of volunteers randomly recruited from the general population. Clinically symptomatic CSM was found in 16.7% of LSS patients in comparison with 1.3% of volunteers (p = 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression proposed the Oswestry Disability Index of 43% or more as the only independent predictor of symptomatic CSM in LSS patients (OR 9.41, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of symptomatic LSS increases the risk of SCCC; the prevalence of SCCC is higher in patients with symptomatic LSS in comparison with the general population, with an evident predominance of more serious types of MRI-detected compression and a clinically symptomatic form (CSM). Symptomatic CSM is more likely in LSS patients with higher disability as assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index.

Adherence and Effect of Home-Based Rehabilitation with Telemonitoring Support in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study.

Home-based exercises have been on the rise recently. This pilot study aimed to assess the adherence and effect of a home-based rehabilitation programme using telemonitoring in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). Twenty-seven patients with CNLBP were enrolled in the study, each of whom underwent a neurological assessment, including patient-oriented measures and a functional assessment-a battery of tests that comprehensively evaluated trunk muscle function. The rehabilitation programme lasted 18 weeks and included daily home-based exercises. A mobile application or an exercise diary was used to monitor compliance. Adherence to the programme was excellent for both the diary and mobile application groups, with 82.3% in the diary group exercising at least once a day and 72.9% twice a day, and 94.8% in the mobile application group exercising at least once a day and 86.6% twice a day. Both patient-oriented and functional outcomes improved significantly; however, the relative changes of the parameters in these two groups did not correlate, which supports the idea that trunk muscle function does not directly relate to patient complaints and that CNLBP is a multifactorial issue. This model of rehabilitation programme should be used in clinical practice, as its adherence and effectiveness seem noticeable.

Trunk muscle dysfunction in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 2 and its contribution to chronic low back pain.

Introduction: Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (MD2) presents with a varied manifestation. Even though the myopathy in these patients is more widespread, axial musculature involvement is one of the most prominent conditions. MD2 patients also often report chronic low back pain (CLBP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate trunk muscle function, including respiratory muscles, in patients with MD2 and to compare it with healthy controls, to determine the occurrence of CLBP in patients with MD2, and to assess whether trunk muscle dysfunction increases the risk of CLBP in these patients. Methods: We enrolled 40 MD2 patients (age range 23 to 76 years, 26 women). A comprehensive battery of tests was used to evaluate trunk muscle function. The tests consisted of quantitative muscle strength testing of low back extensor muscles and respiratory muscles and the assessment of trunk muscle endurance. A neurological evaluation contained procedures assessing the distribution of muscle weakness, myotonia, and pain, and used questionnaires focused on these items and on disability, depression, and physical activity. Results: The results of this study suggest that patients with MD2 show significant dysfunction of the trunk muscles, including the respiratory muscles, expressed by decreased muscle strength and endurance. The prevalence of CLBP in patients with MD2 was 52.5%. Based on our analysis, the only independent significant risk factor for CLBP in these patients was maximal isometric lower back extensor strength in a prone position ≤ 15.8 kg (OR = 37.3). Other possible risk factors were severity of myotonia and reduced physical activity. Conclusion: Outcomes of this study highlighted the presence of axial muscle dysfunction, respiratory muscle weakness, and frequent occurrence of CLBP together with its risk factors in patients with MD2. We believe that the findings of this study may help in management and prevention programs for patients with MD2.

Risk factors for depression and anxiety in painful and painless diabetic polyneuropathy: A multicentre observational cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of depression and anxiety in chronic pain conditions, current knowledge concerning emotional distress among painful diabetic polyneuropathy (pDSPN) and other diabetes mellitus (DM) sufferers is limited. METHODS: This observational multicentre cohort study employed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory II and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety in several groups with diabetes, as well as in a control group. The study cohort included 347 pDSPN patients aged 63.4 years (median), 55.9% males; 311 pain-free diabetic polyneuropathy (nDSPN) patients aged 63.7 years, 57.9% males; 50 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients without polyneuropathy aged 61.5 years, 44.0% males; and 71 healthy controls (HC) aged 63.0 years, 42.3% males. The roles played in emotional distress were explored in terms of the biological, the clinical (diabetes-, neuropathy- and pain-related), the socio-economic and the cognitive factors (catastrophizing). RESULTS: The study disclosed a significantly higher prevalence of the symptoms of depression and anxiety not only in pDSPN (46.7% and 60.7%, respectively), but also in patients with nDSPN (24.4% and 44.4%) and DM without polyneuropathy (22.0% and 30.0%) compared with HCs (7.0% and 14.1%, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated the severity of pain and neuropathy, catastrophic thinking, type 2 DM, lower age and female sex as independent contributors to depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the severity of neuropathic pain and its cognitive processing, the severity of diabetic polyneuropathy and demographic factors are key independent contributors to emotional distress in diabetic individuals. SIGNIFICANCE: In large cohorts of well-defined painless and painful diabetic polyneuropathy patients and diabetic subjects without polyneuropathy, we found a high prevalence of the symptoms of depression and anxiety, mainly in painful individuals. We have confirmed neuropathic pain, its severity and cognitive processing (pain catastrophizing) as dominant risk factors for depression and anxiety. Furthermore, some demographic factors (lower age, female sex), type 2 diabetes mellitus and severity of diabetic polyneuropathy were newly identified as important contributors to emotional distress independent of pain.

Evaluation of the Neuropathic Component of Chronic Low Back Pain.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of neuropathic pain in chronic low back syndromes is important. However, there is currently no gold standard for its diagnosis. The aim of this observational cross-sectional study was to assess the neuropathic component of pain in various chronic low back pain syndromes using a range of diagnostic tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included in this study were 63 patients with chronic axial low back pain (ALBP), 48 patients with chronic radicular syndromes (CRS) comprising 23 with discogenic compression (CDRS) and 25 with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), and 74 controls. PainDETECT questionnaire (PDQ), quantitative sensory testing (QST), and skin biopsy with evaluation of intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) were used to assess the neuropathic pain component. RESULTS: Positive PDQ (≥19) was obtained more frequently in patients with CDRS and LSS (26.1% and 12.0%, respectively) compared with patients with ALBP (1.6%, P<0.001). The proportion of patients with sensory loss confirmed by QST was lowest in the ALBP subgroup (23.8%) compared with CDRS (47.8%), and LSS (68.0%) subgroups (P<0.001). A reduction in IENFD was disclosed in a proportion of up to 52.0% of affected roots in patients with CRS. DISCUSSION: Neuropathic pain is quite frequent in CRS, and QST reveals sensory loss as a frequent abnormality in patients with CRS. Using a cut-off value of 19, PDQ identified a neuropathic component in a relatively low proportion of patients with CRS. CRS may be associated with a reduction in IENFD.

Do lumbar magnetic resonance imaging changes predict neuropathic pain in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain?

The aim of this observational, cross-sectional study was to analyse lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP), and to evaluate any correlation with pain intensity and their capacity to predict neuropathic pain (NP) in these patients.Fifty-two patients with non-specific CLBP, between 21 and 62 years of age, 50% men, were investigated. Lumbar MRI was employed to assess disc degeneration, endplate changes, Modic changes, disc displacement, facet degeneration, foraminal stenosis and central lumbar spinal stenosis. The characteristics of pain were evaluated and patients were divided into 2 subgroups: with NP (24 patients) and without NP (28 patients), based on the results of a DN4-interview. Correlations between particular MRI changes and their relations to the intensity of pain were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to disclose predictors of NP.Lumbar spine degenerative features were frequent in patients with non-specific CLBP, with L4/5 the most affected level. A significant correlation emerged between the severity of degenerative changes in particular lumbar spine structures (correlation coefficient ranging between 0.325 and 0.573), while no correlation was found between severity of degenerative changes and pain. Multivariate logistic regression revealed only 2 independent predictors of NP - female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 11.9) and a mean pain intensity of ≥4.5 in the previous 4 weeks (OR = 13.1).Degenerative changes in the lumbar spine are frequent MRI findings, but do not correlate with the intensity of pain and do not predict NP. However, female sex and pain intensity do predict NP.

Is there a Correlation Between Degree of Radiologic Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and its Clinical Manifestation?

STUDY DESIGN: This was an observational cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the degree of stenosis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relates to the severity of clinical symptoms, disability, or neurological deficit in patients with symptomatic central lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The relationship between radiologic findings and the clinical manifestations of LSS remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 patients (42 men, median age 70 y) with neurogenic claudication and central degenerative LSS were included in the study. The MRI parameters describing severity (anteroposterior diameter of dural sac, cross-sectional area of the dural sac, stenosis ratio, and Schizas qualitative morphologic classification were evaluated at maximum stenotic level) and the extent of stenosis (the number of central stenotic levels) were correlated to symptoms (pain intensity, walking capacity), functional disability (measured in terms of the Oswestry Disability Index), and neurological signs of LSS (neurological status was evaluated and scored by Neurological Impairment Score in LSS). RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation emerged only between the Neurological Impairment Score in LSS and Schizas morphologic classification (P=0.006). Pain intensity, walking capacity, and functional disability displayed no correlation with the MRI parameters of LSS. CONCLUSIONS: LSS is a clinicoradiologic syndrome with complex relationships between degree of radiologic stenosis disclosed by MRI and clinical manifestations. Neurological impairment in the lower extremities reflects the degree of morphologic LSS on MRI. This study did not identify any association between the degree of stenosis and functional disability, pain intensity, or walking capacity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Predictors of symptomatic myelopathy in degenerative cervical spinal cord compression.

OBJECTIVES: To update a previously established list of predictors for neurological cervical cord dysfunction in nonmyelopathic degenerative cervical cord compression (NMDCCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational follow-up study was performed in a cohort of 112 consecutive NMDCCC subjects (55 women and 57 men; median age 59 years, range 40-79 years), either asymptomatic (40 subjects) or presenting with cervical radiculopathy or cervical pain (72 subjects), who had completed a follow-up of at least 2 years (median duration 3 years). Development of clinical signs of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) as the main outcome was monitored and correlated with a large number of demographic, clinical, electrophysiological, and MRI parameters including diffusion tensor imaging characteristics (DTI) established at entry. RESULTS: Clinical evidence of the first signs and symptoms of DCM were found in 15 patients (13.4%). Development of DCM was associated with several parameters, including the clinical (radiculopathy, prolonged gait and run-time), electrophysiological (SEP, MEP and EMG signs of cervical cord dysfunction), and MRI (anteroposterior diameter of the cervical cord and cervical canal, cross-sectional area, compression ratio, type of compression, T2 hyperintensity). DTI parameters showed no significant predictive power. Multivariate analysis showed that radiculopathy, cross-sectional area (CSA) ≤ 70.1 mm2, and compression ratio (CR) ≤ 0.4 were the only independent significant predictors for progression into symptomatic myelopathy. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to previously described independent predictors of DCM development (radiculopathy and electrophysiological dysfunction of cervical cord), MRI parameters, namely CSA and CR, should also be considered as significant predictors for development of DCM.

Sensory phenotype and risk factors for painful diabetic neuropathy: a cross-sectional observational study.

Different sensory profiles in diabetic distal symmetrical sensory-motor polyneuropathy (DSPN) may be associated with pain and the responsiveness to analgesia. We aimed to characterize sensory phenotypes of patients with painful and painless diabetic neuropathy and to assess demographic, clinical, metabolic, and electrophysiological parameters related to the presence of neuropathic pain in a large cohort of well-defined DSPN subjects. This observational cross-sectional multi-center cohort study (performed as part of the ncRNAPain EU consortium) of 232 subjects with nonpainful (n = 74) and painful (n = 158) DSPN associated with diabetes mellitus of type 1 and 2 (median age 63 years, range 21-87 years; 92 women) comprised detailed history taking, laboratory tests, neurological examination, quantitative sensory testing, nerve conduction studies, and neuropathy severity scores. All parameters were analyzed with regard to the presence and severity of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was positively correlated with the severity of neuropathy and thermal hyposensitivity (P < 0.001). A minority of patients with painful DSPN (14.6%) had a sensory profile, indicating thermal hypersensitivity that was associated with less severe neuropathy. Neuropathic pain was further linked to female sex and higher cognitive appraisal of pain as assessed by the pain catastrophizing scale (P < 0.001), while parameters related to diabetes showed no influence on neuropathic pain with the exception of laboratory signs of nephropathy. This study confirms the value of comprehensive DSPN phenotyping and underlines the importance of the severity of neuropathy for the presence of pain. Different sensory phenotypes might be useful for stratification of patients with painful DSPN for analgesic treatment and drug trials.