White matter spinal tracts impairment in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy evaluated with the magnetization transfer saturation MRI technique.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the use of the magnetization transfer saturation (MTsat) technique to assess the structural integrity of the spinal cord tracts in individuals with clinically significant degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and associated disability. SETTING: Novosibirsk Neurosurgery Centre, Russia. METHODS: A total of 53 individuals diagnosed with DCM and 41 patients with cervical radiculopathy underwent high-resolution MRI of the cervical spinal cord via the magnetization transfer technique. The MRI data were processed using the Spinal Cord Toolbox (v5.5), with MTsat values determined for each spinal tract and compared between the two groups. Furthermore, associations between MTsat values and the clinical disability rates of patients were investigated. RESULTS: A significant decrease in the MTsat of the ventral spinocerebellar tract was observed in the DCM group compared to the control group (adjusted p < 0.001). There was a trend towards lower MTsat values in the rubrospinal tract in the DCM group (adjusted p = 0.08). Additionally, a decrease in MTsat values in the lateral funiculi of the spinal cord was found in patients with DCM (adjusted p < 0.01). Furthermore, a trend toward a positive correlation was observed between the JOA score and the MTsat values within the ventral spinocerebellar tract (R = 0.33, adjusted p = 0.051). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study indicate that demyelination in patients with DCM affects mainly the ventral spinocerebellar and rubrospinal tracts, and the extent of changes in the ventral spinocerebellar tract is related to the severity of the condition.

Evaluation of the structural integrity of different spinal cord tracts with magnetization transfer ratio in degenerative cervical myelopathy.

PURPOSE: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a common cause of spinal cord dysfunction. In this study, we explored the potential of magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) for evaluating the structural integrity of spinal cord tracts in patients with clinically significant DCM. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with DCM and 41 patients with cervical radiculopathy were evaluated using high-resolution cervical spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which included the magnetization transfer technique. MRI data were analyzed with the Spinal Cord Toolbox (v5.5); MTR values in each spinal tract were calculated and compared between groups after correction for patient age and sex. Correlations between MTR values and patients' clinical disability rate were also evaluated. RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction in the average MTR of the spinal cord white matter, as well as the MTR of the ventral columns and lateral funiculi, was revealed in the DCM group (adjusted p < 0.01 for all comparisons). Furthermore, reductions in MTR values in the fasciculus cuneatus, spinocerebellar, rubrospinal, and reticulospinal tracts were found in patients with DCM (adjusted p < 0.01 for all comparisons). Positive correlations between the JOA score and the MTR within the ventral columns of the spinal cord (R = 0.38, adjusted p < 0.05) and the ventral spinocerebellar tract (R = 0.41, adjusted p < 0.05) were revealed. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study indicate that demyelination in patients with DCM primarily affects the spinal tracts of the extrapyramidal system, and the extent of these changes is related to the severity of the condition.

Brainstem and subcortical regions volume loss in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy and its association with spinal cord compression severity.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, structural and functional reorganization of the brain and changes in brainstem structural connectivity have been shown in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). We hypothesized that volume loss in the basal ganglia, thalami, and brainstem structures exists and is associated with spinal cord compression severity in patients with DCM. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with DCM and 25 patients with cervical radiculopathy were evaluated using cervical spinal cord and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Brainstem structures, basal ganglia, and thalami volumes were evaluated with FreeSurfer and compared between groups with correction for individual intracranial volume, as well as patient age and sex. Additionally, spinal cord MRI data were analysed with the Spinal Cord Toolbox, and cross-sectional area (CSA) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values were calculated. Correlations between MR-morphometry data and spinal cord structural changes, as well as disease duration, were also evaluated in patients with DCM. RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction in the volume of the whole brainstem was revealed in the DCM group compared to the radiculopathy group (p < 0.01, FDR-corrected). Additionally, reductions in medulla oblongata, pons and midbrain volumes were found in patients with DCM (p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively, FDR-corrected). Additionally, a trend in the loss of volume of the left putamen was found (p = 0.087, FDR-corrected). Furthermore, medulla oblongata volume was correlated with spinal cord compression severity (R = 0.54, adjusted p < 0.001) and white matter damage (R = 0.46, adjusted p < 0.05) in patients with DCM. Negative correlations between the duration of the disease and the severity of spinal cord compression (R = -0.42, adjusted p < 0.05) and white matter damage (R = -0.49, adjusted p < 0.05) were also revealed, as well as a trend toward a negative association between the duration of the disease and the volume of the medulla oblongata (R = -0.35; adjusted p < 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: We revealed a reduction in the volume of brainstem structures in patients with DCM compared to patients with radiculopathy. Moreover, we found that these changes are associated with cord compression severity.

Llif in the correction of degenerative scoliosis in elderly patients / Llif na correção da escoliose degenerativa em pacientes idosos / Llif en la corrección de la escoliosis degenerativa en pacientes de la tercera edad

ABSTRACT Objective The incidence of adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) among individuals over 50 years old can be as high as 68%. Surgical interventions aimed at correcting the spinal deformity in elderly patients are accompanied by a high risk of complications. The use of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is associated with lower rates of complications when compared with open anterior or posterior fusions. Methods Ninety-three patients with ADS (23 men, 70 women) were operated at the Federal Neurosurgical Center. The average age was 63 (52 to 73 years). Results Back pain, measured according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), decreased from 5.9/6 (4;8) (format - mean/median (1;3 quartile)) to 2.6/3 (1;3) points (p <0.0001). Leg pain according to the VAS decreased from 4.6/4 (3;7) to 1.4/1 (0;2) points (p < 0.0001). Functional adaptation according to the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) improved from 47.8±17.4 to 38.5±14.5 (p < 0.0273). Pelvic tilt (PT) before the surgery was 23.9±12.2° whereas at 12 months follow-up it was 16.8±5.9° (p < 0.0001). PI-LL mismatch pre surgery was 12.1/13 (9;16)° whereas 12 months later it was 7.9/8 (6;10)° (p = 0.0002). Conclusions Restoration of local sagittal balance in ADS patients by short-segment fixation using LLIF technology leads to a statistically significant improvement in quality of life and increased functional adaptation. A lower incidence of early and late postoperative complications, less intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospital stay makes LLIF, in combination with minimally invasive transpedicular fixation, the method of choice to correct ADS in elderly patients. Level of evidence IV; Case series.

RESUMO Objetivo A incidência de escoliose degenerativa do adulto (EDA) entre indivíduos acima de 50 anos, pode chegar a 68%. As intervenções cirúrgicas destinadas a corrigir a deformidade da coluna vertebral em pacientes idosos são acompanhadas por um alto risco de complicações. A fusão intersomática lombar por via lateral (LLIF) está associado a uma taxa menor de complicações em comparação com as fusões anteriores ou posteriores abertas. Métodos Noventa e três pacientes com EDA (23 homens, 70 mulheres) foram operados no Centro Federal de Neurocirurgia. A média de idade foi de 63 anos (52 a 73 anos). Resultados A dor nas costas, de acordo com a escala visual analógica (EVA) diminuiu de 5,9/6 (4; 8 quartis) (formato média/mediana [1; 3 quartis]) para 2,6/3 (1; 3 quartis) (p < 0,0001). A dor nas pernas, também de acordo com a EVA, diminuiu de 4,6/4 (3; 7 quartis) para 1,4/1 (0; 2 quartis) (p < 0,0001). A adaptação funcional, de acordo com o Índice de Incapacidade de Oswestry (ODI) melhorou de 47,8 ± 17,4 para 38,5 ± 14,5 (p < 0,0273). A inclinação pélvica (PT) antes da cirurgia era de 23,9 ± 12,2°, enquanto nos 12 meses de acompanhamento era de 16,8 ± 5,9 (p < 0,0001). A incompatibilidade pré-cirúrgica de IP-LL foi de 12,1/13 (9; 16), enquanto 12 meses depois foi de -7,9/8 (6; 10) (p = 0,0002). Conclusões A restauração do equilíbrio sagital local em pacientes com EDA por fixação de segmento curto, usando a tecnologia LLIF, proporciona melhora estatisticamente significativa na qualidade de vida e aumenta a adaptação funcional. A menor incidência de complicações pós-operatórias precoces e tardias, a menor perda sanguínea intraoperatória e menor tempo de internação possibilitam que a LLIF, em combinação com a fixação transpedicular minimamente invasiva, seja o método de escolha para corrigir a EDA em pacientes idosos. Nível de evidência IV; Série de casos.

RESUMEN Objetivo La incidencia de escoliosis degenerativa del adulto (EDA) entre individuos con más de 50 años puede llegar a 68%. Las intervenciones quirúrgicas destinadas a corregir la deformidad de la columna vertebral en pacientes del grupo de la tercera edad son acompañadas por un alto riesgo de complicaciones. La fusión intersomática lumbar por vía lateral (LLIF) está asociada a una tasa menor de complicaciones en comparación con las fusiones anteriores o posteriores abiertas. Métodos Noventa y tres pacientes con EDA (23 hombres, 70 mujeres) fueron operados en el Centro Federal de Neurocirugía. El promedio de edad fue de 63 años (52 a 73 años). Resultados El dolor de espalda, de acuerdo con la escala visual analógica (EVA) disminuyó de 5,9/6 (4; 8 cuartiles) (formato promedio/mediana [1; 3 cuartiles) para 2,6/3 (1; 3 cuartiles) (p <0,0001). El dolor en las piernas, también de acuerdo con EVA, disminuyó de 4,6/4 (3; 7 cuartiles) para 1,4/1 (0; 2 cuartiles) (p <0,0001). La adaptación funcional, de acuerdo con el Índice de Incapacidad de Oswestry (ODI) mejoró de 47,8 ± 17,4 para 38,5 ± 14,5 (p <0,0273). La inclinación pélvica (PT) antes de la cirugía era de 23,9 ± 12,2°, mientras que en los 12 meses de acompañamiento fue de 16,8 ± 5,9 (p <0,0001). La incompatibilidad prequirúrgica de IP-LL fue de 12,1/13 (9; 16), mientras que 12 meses después fue de -7,9/8 (6; 10) (p = 0,0002). Conclusiones La restauración del equilibrio sagital local en pacientes con EDA por fijación de segmento corto, usando la tecnología LLIF, proporciona mejora estadísticamente significativa en la calidad de vida y aumenta la adaptación funcional. La menor incidencia de complicaciones postoperatorias precoces y tardías, la menor pérdida sanguínea intraoperatoria y un menor tiempo de internación posibilitan que la LLIF, en combinación con la fijación transpedicular mínimamente invasiva, sea el método de elección para corregir la EDA en pacientes de la tercera edad. Nivel de evidencia IV; Series de casos.