Tandem stenosis of the cervical and thoracic spine: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Tandem spinal stenosis (TSS) is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal in multiple segments of the spine. Predominantly observed in the cervical and lumbar regions, TSS also manifests in the conjunction of the cervical and thoracic spine. The simultaneous occurrence of cervical and thoracic spinal stenosis engenders intricate symptoms, potentially leading to missed and delayed diagnosis. Furthermore, the presence of tandem cervical and thoracic stenosis (TCTS) introduces a notable impact on the decision-making calculus of surgeons when contemplating either one-staged or two-staged surgery. Currently, there is no agreed-upon strategy for surgical intervention of TCTS in the literature. METHODS: Medical databases in English (Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) and Chinese (CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP CMJD) were searched using Medical Subject Heading queries for the terms "tandem cervical and thoracic stenosis", "cervical stenosis AND thoracic stenosis", "tandem spinal stenosis" and "concomitant spinal stenosis" from January 1980 to March 2023. We included studies involving adult individuals with TCTS. Articles exclusively focused on disorders within a single spine region or devoid of any mention of spinal disorders were excluded. RESULTS: Initially, a total of 1625 literatures underwent consideration for inclusion in the study. Following the elimination of the duplicates through the utilization of EndNote, and a meticulous screening process involving scrutiny of abstracts and full-texts, 23 clinical studies met the predefined inclusion criteria. Of these, 2 studies solely focused on missed diagnosis, 19 studies exclusively discussed surgical strategy for TCTS, and 2 articles evaluated both surgical strategy and missed diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed a missed diagnosis rate of 7.2% in TCTS, with the thoracic stenosis emerging as the predominant area susceptible to oversight. Therefore, the meticulous identification of TCTS assumes paramount significance as the inaugural step in its effective management. While both one-staged and two-staged surgeries have exhibited efficacy in addressing TCTS, the selection of the optimal surgical plan should be contingent upon the individualized circumstances of the patients.

[Cervical stenosis-Diagnostics and treatment of symptomatic spinal canal stenosis and neuroforaminal stenosis]. / Zervikale Stenose ­ Diagnostik und Therapie der symptomatischen Spinalkanalstenose und Neuroforamenstenose.

Cervical stenosis is a clinical picture that is regularly encountered by both hospital physicians and orthopedic surgeons in the daily clinical practice. While advanced cervical spinal canal stenosis may lead to myelopathic symptoms in cases of sufficient manifestation and spinal cord injury, neuroforaminal stenosis leads to radicular symptoms due to compression of the nerve roots. The clinical examination can provide initial clues as to the suspected cause of the patient's symptoms; however, reliable diagnostics are based only on sectional imaging of the cervical spine. Depending on the extent of the symptoms, the treatment options vary between nonsurgical treatment for moderate symptoms without neurological deficits and surgical decompression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. The surgical treatment can be performed from anterior or posterior depending on the findings. Surgery can lead to an improvement of the neurological symptoms; however, the primary aim of surgical treatment is to avoid deterioration of the neurological deficits.

[Predictive value of nerve root sedimentation sign in diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis].

Objective: To explore the predictive value of the nerve root sedimentation sign in the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods: Between January 2019 and July 2021, 201 patients with non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP) who met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. There were 67 males and 134 females, with an age of 50-80 years (mean, 60.7 years). Four intervertebral spaces (L 1, 2, L 2, 3, L 3, 4, L 4, 5) of each case were studied, with a total of 804. The nerve root sedimentation sign was positive in 126 intervertebral spaces, and central canal stenosis was found in 203 intervertebral spaces. Progression to symptomatic LSS was determined by follow-up for lower extremity symptoms similar to LSS, combined with central spinal stenosis. Univariate analysis was performed for gender, age, visual analogue scale (VAS) score for low back pain at initial diagnosis, treatment, dural sac cross-sectional area at each intervertebral space, number of spinal stenosis segments, lumbar spinal stenosis grade, positive nerve root sedimentation sign, and number of positive segments between patients in the progression group and non-progression group, and logistic regression analysis was further performed to screen the risk factors for progression to symptomatic LSS in patients with NS-LBP. Results: All patients were followed up 17-48 months, with an average of 32 months. Of 201 patients with NS-LBP, 35 progressed to symptomatic LSS. Among them, 33 cases also had central spinal stenosis, which was defined as NS-LBP progressing to symptomatic LSS (33 cases in progression group, 168 cases in non-progression group). Univariate analysis showed that CSA at each intervertebral space, the number of spinal stenosis segments, lumbar spinal stenosis grade, whether the nerve root sedimentation sign was positive, and the number of nerve root sedimentation sign positive segments were the influencing factors for the progression to symptomatic LSS ( P<0.05); and further logistic regression analysis showed that positive nerve root sedimentation sign increased the risk of progression of NS-LBP to symptomatic LSS ( OR=8.774, P<0.001). Conclusion: The nerve root sedimentation sign may be associated with the progression of NS-LBP to symptomatic LSS, and it has certain predictive value for the diagnosis of LSS.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Diagnosis and Management.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a clinical syndrome that affects more than 200,000 people in the United States annually. It is a common cause of chronic insidious low back pain, especially in older patient populations (mean age = 64 years). Lumbar spinal stenosis is a degenerative condition of the spine leading to narrowing in the spaces around the neurovascular bundles and the classic symptom of low back pain that radiates to the buttocks and lower extremities bilaterally. It is typically a progressive waxing and waning process that may deteriorate over years. The pain is typically burning or cramping, which worsens with standing and walking and improves with bending forward or sitting. Magnetic resonance imaging is the recommended diagnostic test because it allows cross-sectional measurement of the spinal canal. Options for nonsurgical management include physical therapy, exercise programs, spinal injections with and without corticosteroids, chiropractic treatment, osteopathic manipulation, acupuncture, and lifestyle modifications; however, few of these treatments have high-quality randomized trials demonstrating effectiveness. Surgery may be considered if nonsurgical management is ineffective.

Association between frailty and locomotive syndrome in elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: A retrospective longitudinal analysis.

AIMS: With the aging society worldwide, lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has become common, and its incidence has been increasing worldwide. Frailty and locomotive syndrome significantly overlap as disorders in older people. The current study aimed to validate the association between frailty and locomotive syndrome in patients with LSS. In particular, the involvement of frailty in locomotive syndrome following surgery was examined. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the time-course data of consecutive patients aged ≥65 years who underwent lumbar spinal surgery for LSS. The locomotive syndrome stages were determined using the 25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale: stage 0, score ≤6; stage 1, score ≥7; stage 2, score ≥16; and Stage 3, score ≥24. Robust, pre-frailty, and frailty were defined as a modified frailty index-11 score of 0, <0.21, and >0.21, respectively. RESULTS: This study included 234 patients. All patients except one were diagnosed with locomotive syndrome preoperatively. Approximately 24.8% of participants were diagnosed with frailty. LSS surgery improved locomotive syndrome regardless of frailty severity. Meanwhile, multivariable analysis indicated that frailty could significantly inhibit improvement in locomotive syndrome after surgery in old patients with LSS (estimated relative risk: 0.6; 95% confidence interval: 0.4-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: This study first assessed the association between locomotive syndrome and frailty in patients with LSS. Locomotive syndrome could be managed effectively with surgery regardless of frailty severity in old patients with LSS. However, our findings emphasize the need to screen for frailty preoperatively in this patient group. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 116-122.

Estenosis lumbar degenerativa: conceptos básicos, evaluación clínica y manejo / Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: basic concepts, clinical evaluation, treatment

La estenorraquis lumbar es la disminución del volumen del canal raquídeo en la columna. Es la causa más frecuente de dolor lumbociático y lumbocrural en población mayor de 60 años. Existen múltiples causas. La más común es la degenerativa que consiste en una disminución del canal secundario a varios factores como protrusión del disco intervertebral, hipertrofia y abombamiento del ligamento amarillo, engrosamiento de la capsula articular y por osteofitos. Los síntomas principales son el dolor lumbar irradiado a extremidades inferiores tipo lumbociática o lumbocruralgia y la claudicación neural intermitente. Generalmente no hay déficit motor ni sensitivo. La resonancia magnética es el estudio de elección para el diagnóstico, pero debe complementarse con radiografías y con frecuencia con tac para una mejor valoración de la patología. El tratamiento inicial siempre es conservador, que incluye uso de antiinflamatorios, analgésicos, relajantes musculares, kinesioterapia e infiltraciones de columna (epidurales o radiculares). La mayoría de los pacientes responden satisfactoriamente a este manejo. El tratamiento quirúrgico está indicado a los pacientes que presentan un dolor intenso, que afecta su calidad de vida y que no mejora con el tratamiento conservador. Consiste en la descompresión quirúrgica de las raíces lumbares a través de laminectomía. En ocasiones se recomienda complementar la descompresión con artrodesis específicamente cuando la estenorraquis se asocia a otras condiciones como espondilolistesis degenerativa, escoliosis, desbalance sagital o coronal, inestabilidad segmentaria y en enfermedad del segmento adyacente.

Spinal lumbar stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lumbar spine. Is the most frequent cause of sciatic pain or cruralgia in the elderly population over 60 years old. Exist many etiologies. The most common is degenerative caused by many factors including bulging disc, hypertrophy of flavum ligament as well as facet capsule thickening and by osteophytes formation. The main symptoms of spinal stenosis are radicular pain and neurogenic claudication. Lumbar flexion usually improves the symptom and deambulation often worsens the pain. Most of the time neurologic examination is normal. The gold standard study is mri but is necessary to complement with x rays and ct to obtain a better evaluation. Initial treatment is always conservative and consists in nsaid's, muscle relaxants, physical therapy and steroid spinal injections. Most of the patients respond well to this treatment. Surgical treatment is indicated when the patient has a severe pain, quality of life is miserable and conservative treatment fails. Decompression is the gold standard surgical treatment. The addition of an arthrodesis or spinal fusion is recommended in degenerative spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, sagital or coronal imbalance, deformity correction, recurrent spinal stenosis and in cases of adjacent level disease problem.

Aneurisma de arteria mamaria interna en paciente con displasia fibromuscular / Internal mammary artery aneurysm in a patient with fibromuscular dysplasia

No disponible

Uso da inteligência articial como armamento no diagnóstico e condução clínica da estenose de canal lombar / Use of Articial Intelligence in Diagnosis and Clinical Conduct of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

A estenose do canal vertebral lombar (ECL) é uma patologia complexa, com alta incidência entre pessoas acima de 65 anos de idade. No entanto, o diagnóstico correto é, por vezes, difícil de ser confirmado. O uso de modelos de Inteligência Articial (IA) na medicina é, em geral, desconhecida para a maioria da comunidade médica, mas tem sido usada há décadas na assistência em UTI, os métodos de imagem e dispositivos de diagnóstico eletrônico (ECG). Através de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, com foco nos achados clínicos e radiológicos, juntamente com todas as modalidades de tratamento, foi possível identicar o ambiente completo de pacientes LSS, para responder a quatro questões: (a) "Com base no quadro clínico, o paciente tem um, cenário moderado ou grave?"; (b) "Com base nos dados radiológicos, o paciente pode ser classicado com um cenário leve,moderada ou grave?"; (c) "Qual é a probabilidade, com base na anamnese, do paciente ter ECL?"; (d) "Qual é o melhor tratamento a ser oferecido?".þ. Como auxílio de um software usando Sistema Especialista (Expert Sinta), uma linguagem de IA, alocamos todas as variáveis e seus valores para orientar o software responder às quatro perguntas. Foi possível identicar 657 artigos cientícos, no entanto apenas 63 poderia mencionar não apenas as variáveis, mas a sua probabilidade de ocorrência ou teve disponibilidade texto completo. Foi possível classicar a intensidade do quadro clínico e radiológico, criar um índice de probabilidade para LSS e oferecer o melhor tratamento. Recomendamos o uso, sob supervisão médica, em de Neurocirurgia ou clínicas ortopédicas como um conselheiro para os pacientes com ELA.

The lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a complex pathology with high incidence among people above 65 years old. However, the correct diagnose is sometimes difcult to perform. The use of Articial Intelligence (AI) models in medicine is, in general, unfamiliar for the majority of medical community, but has been used for decades in assistance in ICUs, image methods and electronic diagnostic devices (EKG). Through a systematic literature review focused in the clinical and radiological ndings, in addition to all treatmentmodalities, we identied the complete environment of LSS patients, to answer four questions. (a) "Based on the clinical presentation, the patient has a mild, moderate or severe scenario?", (b) "Based on the radiological data, the patient can be classied having a mild, moderate or severe scenario?", (c) "What is the probability, based on the anamneses, the patient has LSS?", and (d) "What is the best treatment to be offered?".With the aid of a software using Expert System (Expert Sinta), a language of AI, we allocate all the variables and their values to orient the software to answer the four questions. It was possible to identify 657 scientic articles, however only 63 could mention not only the variables, but their occurrence probability or had full text availability. It was possible to classify the intensity the clinical and radiological scenario, create a probability index for LSS and offer the best treatment. We recommend the use, under medical supervision, in neurosurgery or orthopedic clinics as an adviser for patients with LSS.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la estenosis lumbar degenerativa en octogenarios / Surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar stenosis in octogenarians

Introducción: el diagnóstico de estenosis lumbar degenerativa se ha incrementado en años recientes y representa una parte importante de las actividades diarias de los cirujanos espinales. Los pacientes mayores de 80 años presentan características y comorbilidades que incrementan los riesgos perioperatorios y pueden ocasionar malos resultados. Objetivo: mostrar resultados en el tratamiento quirúrgico, mediante descompresión, de los pacientes mayores de 80 años con diagnóstico de estenosis lumbar degenerativa. Métodos: estudio de intervención longitudinal prospectivo con 13 pacientes mayores de 80 años de edad, siete hombres y seis mujeres, diagnosticados e intervenidos por estenosis lumbar degenerativa entre el 1ro. de enero de 2005 y el 31 de octubre de 2011, en el Centro de Investigaciones en Longevidad, Envejecimiento y Salud, y evaluados dos años después. Resultados: predominó la afectación de cuatro o más espacios intervertebrales, con más de dos años de padecer fundamentalmente del síntoma de claudicación de origen neurógeno, las comorbilidades de causas cardiovasculares y ocurrieron cinco complicaciones perioperatorias. La disminución del dolor y del nivel de discapacidad fue significativa, con predominio de resultados bueno y regular. Conclusiones: el tratamiento quirúrgico de la estenosis lumbar degenerativa, en pacientes mayores de 80 años de edad, según nuestros resultados, produce efectos beneficiosos, con disminución de dolor y discapacidad y baja ocurrencia de complicaciones(AU)

Introduction: the diagnosis of degenerative lumbar stenosis has increased in recent years and it represents an important part of the daily activities of spinal surgeons. Patients older than 80 have characteristics and comorbidities that increase the perioperative risk causing bad results.Objective: show results in the surgical treatment by decompression of patients older than 80 years diagnosed with degenerative lumbar stenosis. Methods: a prospective longitudinal intervention study was conducted in 13 patients older than 80 years of age, seven men and six women diagnosed and treated for degenerative lumbar stenosis, from January 1, 2005 to October 31, 2011, at the Center for Research in Longevity, Aging and Health, and they were evaluated two years later. Results: predominant involvement of four or more intervertebral spaces, more than two years of suffering primarily symptom of neurogenic claudication, comorbidities and cardiovascular causes occurred five perioperative complications. Reducing pain and disability was significant, with a predominance of good and fair results.Conclusions: surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar stenosis, in patients older than 80 years, according to our results, produces beneficial effects, with reduced pain and disability and low occurrence of complications(AU)

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la estenosis lumbar degenerativa en octogenarios / Surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar stenosis in octogenarians

INTRODUCCIÓN: el diagnóstico de estenosis lumbar degenerativa se ha incrementado en años recientes y representa una parte importante de las actividades diarias de los cirujanos espinales. Los pacientes mayores de 80 años presentan características y comorbilidades que incrementan los riesgos perioperatorios y pueden ocasionar malos resultados. OBJETIVO: mostrar resultados en el tratamiento quirúrgico, mediante descompresión, de los pacientes mayores de 80 años con diagnóstico de estenosis lumbar degenerativa. MÉTODOS: estudio de intervención longitudinal prospectivo con 13 pacientes mayores de 80 años de edad, siete hombres y seis mujeres, diagnosticados e intervenidos por estenosis lumbar degenerativa entre el 1ro. de enero de 2005 y el 31 de octubre de 2011, en el Centro de Investigaciones en Longevidad, Envejecimiento y Salud, y evaluados dos años después. RESULTADOS: predominó la afectación de cuatro o más espacios intervertebrales, con más de dos años de padecer fundamentalmente del síntoma de claudicación de origen neurógeno, las comorbilidades de causas cardiovasculares y ocurrieron cinco complicaciones perioperatorias. La disminución del dolor y del nivel de discapacidad fue significativa, con predominio de resultados bueno y regular. CONCLUSIONES: el tratamiento quirúrgico de la estenosis lumbar degenerativa, en pacientes mayores de 80 años de edad, según nuestros resultados, produce efectos beneficiosos, con disminución de dolor y discapacidad y baja ocurrencia de complicaciones.

INTRODUCTION: the diagnosis of degenerative lumbar stenosis has increased in recent years and it represents an important part of the daily activities of spinal surgeons. Patients older than 80 have characteristics and comorbidities that increase the perioperative risk causing bad results. OBJECTIVe: show results in the surgical treatment by decompression of patients older than 80 years diagnosed with degenerative lumbar stenosis. METHODS: a prospective longitudinal intervention study was conducted in 13 patients older than 80 years of age, seven men and six women diagnosed and treated for degenerative lumbar stenosis, from January 1, 2005 to October 31, 2011, at the Center for Research in Longevity, Aging and Health, and they were evaluated two years later. RESULTS: predominant involvement of four or more intervertebral spaces, more than two years of suffering primarily symptom of neurogenic claudication, comorbidities and cardiovascular causes occurred five perioperative complications. Reducing pain and disability was significant, with a predominance of good and fair results. CONCLUSIONS: surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar stenosis, in patients older than 80 years, according to our results, produces beneficial effects, with reduced pain and disability and low occurrence of complications.

Clinical and Radiological Predictive Factors to be Related with the Degree of Lumbar Back Muscle Degeneration: Difference by Gender

BACKGROUND: The prediction of lumbar back muscle degeneration is important because chronic low back pain and spino-pelvic imbalance have been known to be related to it. However, gender difference should be considered because there are different quality and volume of muscles between genders. The purpose of this study was to search for clinical and radiological factors to predict the degree of lumbar back muscle degeneration according to gender difference. METHODS: We reviewed 112 patients (44 men and 68 women) with spinal stenosis who underwent a decompressive surgery between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2011. Degrees of lumbar back muscle degeneration were classified into three categories by the fatty infiltration at each L3-4 disc level on the axial view of T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Age, sex, bone marrow density score, and body mass index (BMI) were obtained from chart reviews. Lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence were calculated with lumbar spine standing lateral radiographs. The degrees of spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy were checked with MRI. Student t-test, chi-square test, or Fisher exact test were used to compare clinical and radiological parameters between genders. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression analysis were used to search for a relationship between lumbar back muscle degeneration and possible predictive factors in each gender group. RESULTS: Many clinical and radiological parameters were different according to gender. The age, BMI, and PT in the female group (p = 0.013, 0.001, and 0.019, respectively) and the PT in the men group (p = 0.018) were predictive factors to be correlated with lumbar back muscle degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The PT was the important predictive factor for lumbar back muscle degeneration in both, the male and the female group. However, age and BMI were predictive factors in the female group only.

Estenosis espinal lumbar degenerativa / Degenerative spinal lumbar stenosis

El aumento progresivo de la esperanza de vida viene acompañado de una mayor incidencia de las enfermedades degenerativas del raquis como la estenosis espinal. Objetivo: actualizar y sistematizar los conocimientos sobre la estenosis espinal degenerativa del canal espinal lumbar. Método: se realizó una revisión de la literatura de los último cinco años. Se insistió en la clasificación, patogenia, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Desarrollo: la estenosis espinal degenerativa del canal lumbar es un desorden multifactorial caracterizado por un estrechamiento del canal vertebral, del receso lateral o de los agujeros de conjunción secundaria a hipertrofia degenerativa y progresiva de cualquiera de las estructuras óseas, cartilaginosas o ligamentosas que culmina en una compresión neurológica y vascular. La claudicación neurogéna es de los síntomas más característicos. El diagnóstico se basa en las mediciones realizadas en las imágenes de tomografía axial computarizada y en la resonancia nuclear magnética. Las opciones terapéuticas incluyen el tratamiento conservador y el quirúrgico, con las técnicas descompresivas convencionales y las de mínima invasión, preferidas en la actualidad.Conclusiones: la estenosis espinal degenerativa es una enfermedad multifactorial. El diagnóstico se fundamenta en la sospecha clínica confirmada en los estudios imagenológicos. Para la elección del tratamiento deben tenerse en cuenta factores relacionados con el paciente, con las características de la estenosis y con la disponibilidad de la tecnología. El objetivo de la cirugía se encaminará a descomprimir las estructuras neurovasculares y respetar la estabilidad del raquis para disminuir la morbilidad posoperatoria (AU)

The progressive increase of life expectancy came along with a greater incidence of degenerative diseases of the rachis like spinal stenosis.Objective: to systematize and bring the knowledge about degenerative spinal stenosis of the spinal lumbar channel up to date. Method: a review of the literature from the last five years was made, making emphasis in the classification, pathogeny, diagnosis, and treatment. Development: degenerative spinal stenosis of the lumbar channel is a multifactorial disorder characterized by a narrowing of the vertebral channel, of the lateral recess, or of the secondary intervertebral foramina, conditions commonly observed in degenerative and progressive hypertrophy of any of the cartilaginous, ligamentous, or osseous structures that ends in a neurologic or vascular squeeze. Neurogenic claudication is one of the most characteristic symptoms. The diagnosis is based on measuring made through the images in the computerized axial tomography and in the nuclear magnetic resonance. The therapeutic options include the conservative treatment and the surgical treatment, with conventional decompressing techniques and the techniques of minimal invasion that are the most used nowadays.Conclusions: degenerative spinal stenosis is a multifactorial disease. The diagnosis is based on the clinical suspicion confirmed through imagenology studies. Some factors related to the patient, to the characteristics of the stenosis, and to the availability of the technology should be taken into consideration for choosing the treatment. The objective of the surgery will be aimed at decompressing the neurovascular structures and keeping the stability of the rachis in order to reduce the postoperative morbidity (AU)

Differentiation between Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Extraforaminal Stenosis in Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra: Role of Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Lumbosacral Radiculography

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of lumbosacral radiculography using 3-dimentional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) rendering for diagnostic information of symptomatic extraforaminal stenosis in lumbosacral transitional vertebra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 18 patients with symptomatic (n = 10) and asymptomatic extraforaminal stenosis (n = 8) in lumbosacral transitional vertebra. Each patient underwent 3D coronal fast-field echo sequences with selective water excitation using the principles of the selective excitation technique (Proset imaging). Morphologic changes of the L5 nerve roots at the symptomatic and asymptomatic extraforaminal stenosis were evaluated on 3D MR rendered images of the lumbosacral spine. RESULTS: Ten cases with symptomatic extraforaminal stenosis showed hyperplasia and degenerative osteophytes of the sacral ala and/or osteophytes at the lateral margin of the L5 body. On 3D MR lumbosacral radiculography, indentation of the L5 nerve roots was found in two cases, while swelling of the nerve roots was seen in eight cases at the exiting nerve root. Eight cases with asymptomatic extraforaminal stenosis showed hyperplasia and degenerative osteophytes of the sacral ala and/or osteophytes at the lateral margin of the L5 body. Based on 3D MR lumbosacral radiculography, indentation or swelling of the L5 nerve roots was not found in any cases with asymptomatic extraforaminal stenosis. CONCLUSION: Results from 3D MR lumbosacral radiculography Indicate the indentation or swelling of the L5 nerve root in symptomatic extraforaminal stenosis. Based on these findings, 3D MR radiculography may be helpful in the diagnosis of the symptomatic extraforaminal stenosis with lumbosacral transitional vertebra.

Actualización en estenorraquis lumbar: diagnóstico, tratamiento y controversias / Spinal lumbar stenosis: An update

Spinal lumbar stenosis is a disease that occurs mainly between the 5th and 7th decade of life and can be congenital or acquired. The latter has many etiologies, but a degenerative cause is the most common. Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal diameter caused by many factors such as bulging discs, hypertrophy of flavum ligament, facet capsule thickening and osteophyte formation. The classical symptom of the disease is sciatic pain, that improves with lumbar flexion and worsens with ambulation. Neurological examination is often normal and the most useful imaging test is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Conservative management consists in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy and epidural - radicular infiltrations. Spinal infiltrations have a proven efficacy for pain management. A good result of this therapy predicts a favorable outcome after surgery. Surgical treatment consists in decompression with or without lumbar fusion. The addition of an arthrodesis is recommended for degenerative spondylolisthesis, correction of deformities, recurrent spinal stenosis with instability, sagittal or coronal imbalance and adjacent segment disease.

Estabilización dinámica con ligamentoplastia interespinosa en discopatía degenerativa de columna vertebral lumbar / Dynamic stabilization with interspinous ligamentoplasty in degenerative discopaty of lumbar spine

El tratamiento de la Discopatía Degenerativa lumbar, mediante dispositivo suave de estabilización dinámica, con el uso de ligamento para reforzamiento interespinoso, altera favorablemente el movimiento y la transmisión de carga de un segmento vertebral, proporcionando estabilidad y previniendo la enfermedad del segmento adyacente. Por lo tanto se realiza un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal con 25 pacientes con edades comprendidas entre 15 y 58 años, con diagnóstico de Discopatia degenerativa lumbar; con estudios de imágenes previos con radiografias en proyección AP, lateral y laterales dinámicas además de Resonancia Magnética, con los cuales se confirmo el diagnóstico, al igual que control radiológico postoperatorio, a los que se les practico semihemilaminectomia mas discectomíamas foraminectomía mas ligamentoplastia interespinosa del segmento afectado y adyacentes. Se obtuvo como resultado mejoría clínica inmediata en la mayoría de los pacientes y con pronto reintegro a sus actividades habituales luego de la cirugía.

The treatment of lumbar degenerative discopaty, by means of a soft dynamic stabilization device, with the use of ligament for interspinous reinforcement, alter favorably the movement and load transmission of a vertebral segment, providing stability and preventing the disease of the adjacent segment. Therefore a prospectivelongitudinal study is carried out on 25 patients with ages ranging from 15 to 58 years, with a lumbar degenerative disease diagnosis; previous radiographicstudies in AP, lateral and dynamic-laterals projectionsand also Magnetic Resonance Imaging confirm the diagnosis, along with postoperative radiological controls. The patients received semi-hemilaminectomy plus discectomy plus foraminectomy plus interspinous ligamentoplasty of affected and adjacent segments. As result, inmediate clinical improvement in most patients was obtained and a soon return to their usual activities after the surgery.

Types and Prevalence of Coexisting Spine Lesions on Whole Spine Sagittal MR Images in Surgical Degenerative Spinal Diseases

PURPOSE: We investigated types and prevalence of coexisting lesions found on whole spine sagittal T2-weighted images (WSST2I) acquired from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evaluated their clinical significance in surgical degenerative spinal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Coexisting spinal lesions were investigated using WSST2I from 306 consecutive patients with surgical degenerative spinal diseases. Severity of coexisting lesions was classified into four grades (0-3). Lesions of grade 2 and 3 were defined as "meaningful coexisting spine lesions" (MCSL). Degenerative spinal diseases were classified into three pathologies: simple disc herniation, degenerative spinal stenosis, and ligament ossification disease. The relationships between MCSL, gender, age, and primary spine lesions were analyzed. RESULTS: MCSL were found in 95 patients: a prevalence of 31.1%. Five out of 95 MCSL were surgically managed. The most common types of MCSL were disc herniation with 13.1% prevalence, followed by degenerative stenosis (9.5%) and ligament ossification diseases (6.8%). Older patients (age > or = 40) showed a significantly higher prevalence of MCSL than younger patients. There was no significant difference between male and female patients. The prevalence of MCSL was significantly higher (52.4%) in ligament ossification diseases than in disc herniation or spinal stenosis. CONCLUSION: Degenerative spinal diseases showed a high prevalence of MCSL, especially in old ages and ligament ossification diseases. WSST2I is useful for diagnosing coexisting spinal diseases and to avoid missing a significant cord-compressing lesion.

Degenerative lumbar stenosis: update / Estenose lombar degenerativa: atualização

We present a literature review of the diagnosis and treatment of acquired lumbar spinal stenosis (LS), with a brief description of new surgical techniques. LS is the most common cause of spinal surgery in individuals older than 65 years of age. Neurogenic claudication and radiculopathy result from compression of the cauda equina and lumbosacral nerve roots by degenerated spinal elements. Surgical decompression is a well established treatment for patients with refractory, or moderate to severe clinical symptoms. However, the variety of surgical options is vast. New techniques have been developed with the goal of increasing long term functional outcomes. In this article we review lumbar decompression and fusion as treatment options for LS but also present other recent developments. Prospective long term studies are necessary to know which procedures would result in optimal patient outcome.

Apresentamos uma revisão de literatura do diagnóstico e tratamento da estenose lombar (EL) adquirida, enfatizando as novas técnicas de manejo cirúrgico. A EL é a causa mais comum de cirurgia na coluna de pacientes com mais de 65 anos de idade. Claudicação neurogênica e radiculopatias são sintomas resultantes da compressão das raízes lombossacrais pelos elementos degenerados. A descompressão cirúrgica é um procedimento bem estabelecido para pacientes com sintomas severos ou refratários ao tratamento clínico. Contudo, as opções cirúrgicas são amplas. Novas técnicas de fusão e artrodese são úteis para melhorar os resultados funcionais. Neste artigo, varias alternativas cirúrgicas são apresentadas, incluindo as novas tecnologias na área. Evidências científicas mais contundentes com seguimento longo são necessárias para a incorporação destas práticas na atividade médica de rotina.

Estenosis de canal raquídeo: causas más frecuentes: cuadro clínico y medios diagnósticos / Stenosis of the spinal canal: most frequent causes: clinical picture and diagnostic means

Se realizó una revisión sobre la estenosis del canal raquídeo, tomada fundamentalmente de revistas seriadas de internet , con el objetivo de proporcionar una información detallada para los estudiantes de medicina y residentes de la especialidad de ortopedia y traumatología. Este trabajo servirá además de material de consulta para el personal docente de la especialidad. Se recopilaron el concepto de estenosis, su clasificación, cuadro clínico, medios de diagnósticos, quiénes la padecen y qué estructuras están relacionadas en su patogenia (AU)

A bibliographic review of stenosis of the spinal canal, basically taken from electronic journals in Internet ,was done with the objective of providing a detailed information to medical students and residents of Orthopedics and Traumatology. This work will also serve as a reference material to the teaching personnel of the specialty. The concept of stenosis, its classification, clinical picture, diagnostic means, who suffer from it and the anatomical structures related to the condition were compiled (AU)

Estenosis cervical sintomática por calcificación del ligamento amarillo tras traumatismo cervical leve / Symptomatic cervical stenosis due to calcification of the ligamentum flavum after mild cervical trauma

Introducción. La calcificación del ligamento amarillo(CLA) es una rara enfermedad que afecta principalmentea mujeres de edad media o avanzada yde etnia japonesa. Diversas características clínicas yradiológicas la diferencian de la osificación del ligamentoamarillo (OLA). Presentamos un caso de estenosiscervical sintomática, aparentemente desencadenadopor un traumatismo cervical de carácter leve, en unapaciente con una extensa calcificación del ligamentoamarillo a nivel cervicodorsal que fue tratada mediantelaminectomía descompresiva. Se revisa la literatura alrespecto.Caso clínico. Mujer de 65 años que sufre traumatismocervical leve como consecuencia de atropello porautomóvil. Al año acude al servicio de Neurocirugíarefiriendo desde entonces cervicalgia y dolor interescapularque progresivamente habían aumentado enintensidad, sin afectación motora ni sensitiva. En laRMN de columna cervical se objetivó una formaciónfusiforme epidural posterior de contorno bien delimitadodesde C2 a D2, que producía compresión de lamédula cervical sin imagen de mielopatía. Se intervinomediante laminectomía descompresiva de los nivelesafectados, sin gran mejoría de los síntomas. El estudioanatomopatológico mostró una calcificación extensa delligamento amarillo.Discusión. La CLA es un tipo de calcificacióndistrófica que tiene una etiopatogenia desconocida peroposiblemente relacionada con cambios degenerativosespinales, siendo más frecuente en mujeres y en poblaciónjaponesa. No se ha descrito una relación causaldefinitiva entre traumatismo cervical y CLA, aunquees posible que aquél actúe como desencadenante de lossíntomas. El paciente tipo con CLA seria una mujeren la séptima década de la vida, que presenta una calcificaciónpreferentemente cervical, de tipo nodularo difuso en la TAC, hipointenso en las secuencias deresonancia potenciadas en T1 y T2, con mínima captaciónde gadolinio periférico y con un patrón histológicogranular. Histológicamente se diferencia de la OLApor la existencia de hueso maduro únicamente en ésta.Clínicamente puede manifestarse como mielorradiculopatía.El tratamiento quirúrgico de elección en los casossintomáticos es la laminectomía descompresiva, técnicaque, según diversos autores, obtiene excelentes resultados.De confirmarse una relación patogénica entreCLA y traumatismo cervical en futuras observaciones,sería de gran importancia medico-legal pues implicaríael desarrollo de una enfermedad potencialmente gravetras un tipo de traumatismo en principio consideradobanal

Introduction. The calcification of ligamentum flavum(CLF) is a rare disease mainly affecting middle oradvanced aged Japanese women. Several clinical andradiological features differentiate CLF from the ossificationof the ligamentum flavum (OLF). We present acase of symptomatic cervical-dorsal stenosis presentingafter mild cervical trauma in a patient with a remarkableCLF who underwent decompressive laminectomy.The literature regarding CLF is reviewed.Case report. A 65 year-old female suffered mildcervical trauma as a consequence of a car accident. Ayear later she referred progressive cervical and upperdorsal pain without any sensory or motor defect. Spinal magnetic resonance images showed a well-delineatedposterior epidural mass, from C2 to T2, which compressedthe spinal cord, without signal of myelopathy.She underwent bilateral laminectomy of the affectedlevels but no clear improvement occurred. The pathologicalstudy of the resected pieces showed a remarkablecalcification of the ligamentum flavum.Discussion. The CLF is a kind of dystrophic calcificationof unknown pathogenesis but likely related tothe spinal degenerative changes. It usually presentsin Japanese females. A definite relation between CLFand cervical trauma has not been established so far,although the latter may possibly trigger the symptoms.Typically, CLF presents in women in the seventh decade,affects preferably the cervical region, it shows nodularor diffuse pattern in the computerized tomography, itis hypointense in TI and T2-weighted MR sequencesand exhibits minimum enhancement after gadoliniumadministration. CLF differentiates from OLF easily bydemonstrating the presence of mature bone formationin the latter. Clinically, CLF may present as radiculopathyor myelopathy. The treatment of choice in symptomaticpatients is posterior decompression. Excellentresults after laminectomy are reported. Future similarobservations will be important from a medical-legalpoint of view if a relation between CLF and cervicaltrauma is established since CLF may potentially turninto a severe condition