Advantages of New Endoscopic Unilateral Laminectomy for Bilateral Decompression (ULBD) over Conventional Microscopic ULBD.

BACKGROUD: Biportal endoscopic unilateral laminectomy for bilateral decompression (ULBD) is an emerging minimally invasive procedure for spinal stenosis. However, reports of the results associated with this surgical method are still lacking. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 60 patients who underwent bilateral decompression for lumbar central canal stenosis. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical method (endoscopic ULBD vs. microscopic ULBD). We compared the outcomes between the 2 groups in terms of postoperative segmental spinal instability, dura expansion, operation time, estimated blood loss, serum creatine kinase (CK), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), visual analog scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), modified MacNab score, and the incidence of complications. RESULTS: The mean VAS, ODI, and modified MacNab score improved significantly from the preoperative period to the last follow-up in both groups and were better in the endoscopic ULBD group until the first day after treatment. The degree of horizontal displacement was lower in the endoscopic ULBD group than in the microscopic ULBD group at postoperative 12 months. Dura expansion, operation time, and estimated blood loss did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Serum CK and CRP on the first day after treatment were lower in the endoscopic ULBD group than in the microscopic ULBD group. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that both endoscopic ULBD and microscopic ULBD can provide favorable outcomes for lumbar central canal stenosis. However, compared to microscopic ULBD, endoscopic ULBD has advantages in terms of postoperative segmental spinal instability, pain control, and serum CK and CRP.

Results of Decompression Alone in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Minimum 5-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment consisting of decompression and fusion is generally known to produce good clinical results for lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis. However, the clinical outcome of decompression alone, without fusion, remains unclear, and long-term follow-up results are scarce. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the 5-year clinical results of decompression only in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis. METHODS: Among the patients diagnosed as having lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis, 36 patients who underwent decompression without fusion and were followed up for minimum 5 years were included in this study. The average follow-up period was 7.2 years, and the mean age of patients was 63.2 years. Visual analog scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were investigated pre- and postoperatively, and also radiologic displacement and instability were measured. In addition, patients who needed fusion or redecompression at the decompression site postoperatively were also investigated. RESULTS: VAS score and ODI improved from an average of 7.8 points and 57 points preoperatively, respectively, to 1.4 points and 19 points at 5 years postoperatively, respectively. The degree of radiologic displacement increased from an average of 5.1 mm preoperatively to 6.4 mm at the final follow-up. Radiological instability was detected in five patients. Two patients (9.5%) required fusion. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term follow-up results revealed that satisfactory clinical outcomes were obtained with decompression alone, without fusion, for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Is It Radiculopathy or Referred Pain? Buttock Pain in Spinal Stenosis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Buttock pain is common, and there are no fixed guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment. This study compared a selective nerve root block and a facet joint block for patients with degenerative spinal disease and buttock pain. METHODS: Patients with degenerative spinal disease who presented with buttock pain, received a selective nerve root block (group A) or a facet joint block (group B) from June 2017 to September 2017, and were able to be followed up for more than 3 months were prospectively enrolled. Clinical results were assessed using a visual analog scale for comparative analysis. RESULTS: One day after the procedure, an excellent response was found in 7% and 6% of groups A and B, respectively; a good response was found in 41% and 13% of groups A and B, respectively. Two weeks later, an excellent response was found in 11% and 4% of groups A and B, respectively; a good response was found in 41% and 20% of groups A and B, respectively. Six weeks later, an excellent response was found in 11% and 7% of groups A and B, respectively, and a good response was found in 41% and 20% of groups A and B, respectively. At the final follow-up, more than 47% and 46% of patients showed a good response in groups A and B, respectively. In group A, the visual analog scale score improved compared to the pre-procedure value of 5.01 to 2.74 on day 1, 2.51 at week 2, 2.38 at week 6, and 2.39 at week 12. In group B, the visual analog scale score improved compared to the preprocedure value of 5.24 to 3.94 on day 1, 3.99 at week 2, 3.24 at week 6, and 2.59 at week 12. On day 1 and at weeks 2 and 6, group A showed a significantly better outcome than group B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The selective nerve root block showed superior results up to 6 weeks post-procedure. Considering that the selective nerve root block is effective for treating radiculopathy, the primary cause of buttock pain can be thought to be radiculopathy rather than degenerative changes of the facet joint.

Arthroscopic treatment of lateral epicondylitis: comparison of the outcome of ECRB release with and without decortication.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the early clinical results of arthroscopic extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) release with and without bone decortication in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients who were surgically treated for lateral epicondylitis between 2004 and 2008 were included in this retrospective review. Among these 38 patients, 19 underwent arthroscopic ECRB release and 19 patients underwent both ECRB release with decortication of the lateral epicondyle. Outcome measures included pain assessment measured by visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively, on postoperative day one, at two and 4 weeks postoperatively, and at the final follow-up visit. Functional evaluation was made with the Mayo Elbow Performance Index and grip strength measurement. RESULTS: Patients who underwent simple ECRB release had significantly less pain than patients who underwent ECRB release and decortication immediately postoperatively (p < 0.05). This group also showed a lower VAS score on exertion 2 weeks and 4 weeks after simple ECRB release (p < 0.05). The mean time taken to return to work was 24.2 ± 18.3 days in the group that underwent simple ECRB release and 39 ± 22.7 days in the group that underwent ECRB release with decortication (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic release of the ECRB is an effective method of treatment in patients with recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis. Decortication of the lateral epicondyle leads to increased pain postoperatively and did not improve clinical results.

Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma mimicking en plaque meningioma.

A 24-year-old man with tuberculosis meningitis developed acute paraplegia and sensory disturbances 5 weeks after receiving conventional antituberculous therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural extramedullary long segmental mass mimicking en plaque meningioma at the T2-T6 vertebrae levels. Prompt surgical decompression was performed. A histology examination of the mass revealed a tuberculoma. After surgery, the patient showed improved motor power and a normal bladder function. Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord is rare complication of tuberculosis meningitis, which can occur as a response to conventional antituberculous therapy.

Comparison of ultrasonography- and fluoroscopy-guided facet joint block in the lumbar spine.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: Facet joint block is performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes and generally carried out under computerd tomography (CT) or radiologic fluoroscopy guidance. Ultrasonography-guided facet block has recently been attempted. So, we compared the results of ultrasonography-guided facet joint block with the results of fluoroscopy-guided facet joint block. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Because fluoroscopic or CT guided facet joint block has been reported side effects, we performed spinal facet block using a fluoroscopy-guided method. METHODS: We selected 133 patients who had lumbar pain or referred pain. They were diagnosed as having spinal stenosis and hospitalized from January 2008 to June 2008. As the subjects, we selected 105 patients who had been follow-up for more than 6 months and carried out a prospective study. Twenty six subjects were male and 25 were female in the fluoroscopy group (group 1) and their mean age was 56.1 years (range, 45 to 79 years). Twenty one were male and 33 were female in the ultrasonography-guided group (group 2). Their mean age was 58.3 years (range, 47 to 83 years). We studied the average time of the procedures, complications, the difference of the therapeutic cost between the two groups. We also evaluated the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the Oswestry disability index. RESULTS: The procedure in group 2 averaged 4 minutes and 25 seconds, and in group 1, 4 minutes and 7 seconds. The coast was an average of 38,000 won in group 2 and 25,000 won in group 1. The VAS score was improved from an average of 7.5 (range, 5 to 9) to 2.8 (range, 2 to 6) in group 2 and from 7.8 (range, 4 to 10) to 2.7 (range, 2 to 5) in group 1. The Oswestry disability index was improved from an average of 32.3 (range, 28 to 41) to 23.5 (range, 17 to 26) in group 2 and from 34.2 (range, 29 to 43) to 24.8 (range, 18 to 28) in group 1. As for complications, worsening of lumbar pain, paresthesia, headache and allergic reaction were detected in 5 cases of group 2 and in 3 of group 1. Those symptoms were improved within several hours. One case of superficial infection that developed in group 2 was improved within several days. CONCLUSIONS: We should consider that ultrasonography-guided facet joint block is a minimal invasive procedure that is easily carried out without radiation exposure.

Is complex regional pain syndrome a cause of post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine? - a case report -.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) along with post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine shows confusing and duplicated symptoms, and this makes it difficult to make a clear differential diagnosis. Therefore, the patient with post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine suffers losses of time and money, and the surgeon who diagnoses and treats post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine also agonize from the patient's losses. It is necessary to provide these patients with a multidisciplinary approach to their disease and symptoms. We diagnosed herniation of an intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine (L4/5) and we performed discetomy twice in different hospitals. However, the symptoms did not improve, so we re-operated and performed discetomy along with monosegmental fixation using pedicular screws and interbody cages. There was improvement of pre-operation symptoms, but neurogenic symptoms occurred and then progressed after the surgery. Therefore, we report here on the case of CRPS that was diagnosed with the exclusion of the causes of post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine, and the patient was finally effectively treated with spinal cord stimulation. Although differentiating post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine from CRPS is difficult, we recommend suspecting CRPS as the cause of post-operative syndrome in the lumbar spine and taking CRPS as the main interest in order to diagnose and treat CRPS more effectively and accurately.

Congenital absence of unilateral lumbar articular process - a case report -.

A congenital absence of a lumbar articular process is a rare condition with an uncertain etiology. However, an intervertebral instability caused by this anomaly can cause occasional lower back pain. A 20 years old man presented with lower back pain. The physical examination revealed no neurological deficits. Plain radiographs of the lumbar spine revealed an absence of the left inferior articular process at the fourth lumbar vertebra associated with hypoplasia of the left lamina. The patient's symptoms were resolved after conservative treatment. We report a case of a congenital absence of articular process at the fourth lumbar vertebra.

Outcome and management of spinal tuberculosis according to the severity of disease: a retrospective study of 137 adult patients at Korean teaching hospitals.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study examining the clinical features, management, and treatment outcome of patients with spinal tuberculosis (TB). OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of disease severity and treatment modality on outcome of patients with spinal TB. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although anti-TB chemotherapy is now the mainstay treatment for spinal TB, it may not be applicable to all situations, especially in patients with risk of deformity, instability, and progression of neurologic deficit. METHODS: In this retrospective study (1994-2003), medical records and radiographic findings of patients with spinal TB were reviewed at 7 teaching hospitals in South Korea. The duration of triple chemotherapy with isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol, disease severity, operative procedures, and outcome were analyzed. The outcome was assessed as both favorable and unfavorable according to predefined criteria. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients were diagnosed with spinal TB during the study period. Twenty-one patients were lost to follow-up and excluded from analysis. The mean age was 44.07 +/- 16.57 years. The most common vertebral area involved was the lumbar (44.8%). The mean number of vertebra involved was 2.25. The mean angle of kyphosis was 21.58 degrees. Forty-seven patients (35.1%) had severe symptoms. Radical surgery was carried out in 84 (62.2%) patients. Twenty patients were treated with short-term chemotherapy, while 96 under long-term. At the end of chemotherapy, 94 patients had achieved a favorable status and 22 an unfavorable one. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of gender, chemotherapy duration, or the severity of spinal TB; however, age (P = 0.025; odds ratio = 0.963; 95% confidence interval 0.932-0.995) and radical surgery (P = 0.043; odds ratio = 3.047; 95% confidence interval 1.038-8.942) were significantly related to a favorable outcome by logistic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that a younger age and radical surgery in conjunction with anti-TB chemotherapy were significant favorable prognostic factors.