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[Lupic spinal cord diseases and antiphospholipid antibodies].

Central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is frequent and severe, however, myelopathy is rarely reported (0.8 p. 100 of SLE cases). We describe two SLE-young women. They were 21 and 37 year old, presented with acute paraplegia. CSF study showed pleocytosis and moderately elevated protein. Antinuclear, anti-DNA and anticardiolipin were positive. High dose steroids therapy induced marked improvement. The pathogenesis of myelopathy in SLE remains unclear. Anti-phospholipid antibodies may cause thrombosis and ischemic myelopathy. However, auto-antibodies directed against central nervous system constituents may be involved.

Adult↗

Cestode parasitic infestation: intracranial and spinal hydatid disease--a clinicopathological study of 29 cases from South India.

In developing countries hydatidosis is both a medical and economic problem related to environmental hygiene and healthy veterinary practice. This cestode parasitic infestation, uncommonly involving the nervous system, presents with varied clinical manifestation, at times causing diagnostic dilemmas. Multiple intracranial and spinal hydatidosis is rare. A series of 29 histologically confirmed cases of hydatidosis of neuraxis (21 intracranial and 8 spinal) from South India are presented. Among the 21 cases of intracranial hydatidosis, 12 cases were in pediatric age, while only 1 spinal lesion was noted in a 5-year-old child. The clinical presentation of intracranial lesions was predominantly that of raised intracranial pressure and visual symptoms, while spinal hydatidosis manifested with severe back pain, weakness and sphincter disturbances. The cranial cysts were usually single and uniloculated (12 cases), multiple in 7 and single but multiloculated in 2. In spinal hydatidosis, the cysts are usually multiple and extradural, rare ones being intramedullary and intradural. Based on clinical features and imaging, the differential diagnosis for intracranial lesions were cystic tumors and arachnoid cyst while metastasis and tuberculosis were considered in cases of spinal hydatidosis because of vertebral bony involvement. The majority of the cysts could be surgically resected totally and some were aspirated under control suction and resected. None of the cases had anaphylactic reaction, with no significant post-operative morbidity and no mortality. One intracranial and 2 spinal lesions caused by fertile cysts recurred to undergo repeated surgery.

Adult↗

A finite element model of the L4-L5 spinal motion segment: biomechanical compatibility of an interspinous device.

The biomechanical compatibility of an interspinous device, used for the "dynamic stabilization" of a diseased spinal motion segment, was investigated. The behaviour of an implant made of titanium based alloy (Ti6Al4V) and that of an implant made of a super-elastic alloy (Ni-Ti) have been compared. The assessment of the biomechanical compatibility was achieved by means of the finite element method, in which suitable constitutive laws have been adopted for the annulus fibrosus and for the metal alloys. The model was aimed at simulating the healthy, the nucleotomized and the treated L4-L5 lumbar segment, subjected to compressive force and flexion-extension as well as lateral flexion moments. The computational model has shown that both the implants were able to achieve their main design purpose, which is to diminish the forces acting on the apophyseal joints. Nevertheless, the Ni-Ti implant has shown a more physiological flexural stiffness with respect to the Ti6Al4V implant, which exhibited an excessive stiffness and permanent strains (plastic strains), even under physiological loads. The computational models presented in this paper seems to be a promising tool able to predict the effectiveness of a biomedical device and to select the materials to be used for the implant manufacturing, within an engineering approach to the clinical problem of the spinal diseases.

Alloys↗

[Nuclear magnetic resonance tomography of the spine and spinal cord compared with computed tomography and myelography].

In cases of syringomyelia MR is superior to CT and myelography in visualisation and delineation of the extent of the process. In diagnosing spinal tumours MR is a more sensitive method than CT and myelography. MR provides additional information on sagittal and frontal planes regarding the extent of the tumour. In diagnosis of disc prolapse MR seems to be as accurate as CT or myelography. We obtained additional information in diagnosis of degenerated disc tissue. Spinal stenosis is easily recognisable. CT was superior in differentiation of bony and disc protrusion. The results show that MR has opened up new possibilities in the diagnosis of spinal diseases and will result in a reorientation of the diagnostic approach.

Arteriovenous Fistula↗

[Late post-irradiation cervical spinal cord disease. A case].

A case of delayed progressive radiation myelitis (DPRM) which begin 11 months after naso pharyngeal carcinoma radiation, in a young man, is reported. The initial manifestation is often a Brown-Sequard's syndrome progressing to complete and permanent myelopathy, with notable absence of localized or radicular pain. The parenchymal change of the spinal cord in radiation myelopathy can be easily visualized with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) however there may be cases in which MRI appearance alone does not distinguish specially between tumor and radiation necrosis with absolute confidence: therefore, DPRM is by necessity a diagnosis of exclusion, based on clinical, paraclinical results and course of disease. Corticosteroid therapy is accompanied by a significant remission of symptoms. The evolution is characterized by a worse prognosis, prevention is absolutely necessary based on perfect radiation technic, knowledge on tolerance of spinal cord to irradiation (time-dose-volume factors) and other risks factors (chemotherapy, age and vascular disease).

Adult↗

[Experimental and clinical substantiation of the functional transpedicular stabilization of the vertebral column].

Metallic construction for transpecular stabilization (transpedicular constructions T-TPC). Titanium nickelide (TiNi) alloys have come into existence in the surgical treatment of diseases of the vertebral column and spinal cord. The properties of these alloys are the storage of a shape, superelasticity, and cyclic longevity. The adequate mechanical behavior of live tissues and TiNi-based alloys suggests that metallic constructions made from TiNi are more physiological and functional than those made from steels and titanium alloys. The foregoing makes it possible to consider the design of metallic constructions to be promising for transpedicular spinal stabilization involving the latter's reliability and stability with the physiological and functional capacities of TiNi fixing arms. The study performed computer-assisted simulation of surgical treatment for different spinal diseases by using TPC by means of the programme package ANSYS and statistical and cyclic studies of TPC up to the international standards on a Terotest testing machine. The experimental findings were used to formulate recommendation to use TPC of varying rigidity to treat spinal injuries and diseases. Eight operations were performed to treat patients with diseases of the lower thoracic and lumbar parts of the vertebral column, by using TiNi rod of the optimum rigidity, which yielded good clinical results.

Equipment Design↗

A review of the usefulness of myelography in 50 dogs.

Fifty dogs showing clinical signs of spinal disease were investigated by myelography, using iopamidol. In 27 cases the technique was considered worthwhile. Of the 19 dogs not subjected to surgery or euthanasia as a result of the findings, three suffered seizures during recovery from anaesthesia, eight deteriorated in neurological condition and one suffered permanent respiratory arrest as a result of extensive subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Animals↗

Clinical trials and evidence-based medicine for metastatic spine disease.

Treatment of metastatic epidural spinal disease has undergone significant changes over the last 20 years. No longer is indiscriminate decompressive laminectomy offered as the only surgical treatment. It carries all the risks associated with an invasive procedure and offers the patient little benefit unless it is used to remove disease isolated to the posterior elements. The existing literature suggests that surgery that frees the spinal cord at the site of compression in addition to reconstructing and stabilizing the spinal column is more effective at preserving and regaining neural function, notably ambulatory function and sphincter function, than conventional radiotherapy. It is also highly effective in relieving pain. The preliminary results ofa recent RCT provide the first class I evidence to support a reversal in the current philosophy of primary treatment for many patients with meta-static disease. Conventional radiotherapy has a clearly defined role as adjuvant therapy and as primary therapy in those who are unable to tolerate or benefit significantly from surgery. The role of nonconventional radiation therapy, such as IMRT and SRS, remains to be elucidated.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Spinal metastatic disease: analysis of factors determining functional prognosis and the choice of treatment.

The authors surveyed 31 surgical and radiotherapy series comprising over 2300 patients with spinal metastases to determine the influence of factors such as tumor biology and topography, pretreatment neurological status, the presence of a myelographic block, the progression rate of symptoms, and the general medical condition of the patient on both the functional prognosis and the choice of treatment. Both life expectancy and the functional results after therapy are mainly dependent on tumor biology, which in turn determines radiosensitivity. The remaining factors seem to have only complementary predictive power. Because radiotherapy has been found to be as effective as operation plus radiotherapy in the management of the majority of patients with spinal metastases, it is very important to improve the selection of surgical candidates (less than 42% of the total cases) to prevent unnecessary surgery-related morbidity and mortality. Factors considered important in the selection of therapy are the location of the tumor within the spinal canal, the neurological status at the time of treatment, and the systemic condition of the patient.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Comparison of myelography combined with postmyelographic spinal CT and MRI in suspected metastatic disease of the spinal canal.

Comparison between myelography (MY) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out in 36 patients with clinical suspicion of spinal cord or root compression due to metastatic disease in the spinal canal. In 3 patients metastatic lesions were visualized on MY but not on MRI, while there were no cases with a negative MY and a positive MRI. In 44% of the cases MY alone or combined with postmyelographic CT (pm-CT) showed a larger tumor extension than did MRI, while the opposite occurred in 25%. As for detection of bony metastases and tumor masses localized outside the spine there was no difference between MRI and MY + pm-CT. The results indicate that the choice between MRI and MY + pm-CT still can be based on the availability and quality of the procedure at a given institution.

Adult↗

[Physiological value of pelvic and spinal parameters of sagital balance: analysis of 250 healthy volunteers].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Sagital balance of the spine is a fundamental element necessary for understanding spinal disease and instituting proper treatment. The aim of this prospective work was to establish the physiological values of pelvic and spinal parameters of sagital balance of the spine and to investigate their interactions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Pelvic and spinal parameters were measured on the standing radiographs of 250 healthy volunteers. The following parameters were measured on lateral views including the head, the spine and the pelvis: lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, sagital tilt at T9, sacral inclination, pelvic incidence, pelvic version, intervertebral angulation, and the vertebral cuneiformization from T9 to S1. These measurements were taken after digitalization of the radiographs. Two types of analysis were performed: a descriptive univariate analysis to characterize the angular parameters and multivariate analysis (correlation, principal component analysis) to detail the relative variations of these parameters. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Mean values were: maximal lumbar lordosis 61 +/- 12.7 degrees, maximal thoracic kyphosis 41.4 +/- 9.2 degrees, sacral inclination 44.2 +/- 8.5 degrees, pelvic version 13 +/- 6 degrees, pelvic incidence 55 +/- 11.2 degrees, sagital tilt at T9 10.5 +/- 3.1 degrees. There was a strong correlation between sacral inclination and pelvic incidence (r=0.86), pelvic version and pelvic incidence (r=0.66), lumbar lordosis pelvic incidence pelvic version and thoracic kyphosis (r=0.9) and finally between pelvic incidence and the following parameters: sagital tilt at T9, sacral inclination, pelvic version, lumbar lordosis, and thoracic kyphosis (r=0.98). The relations between the different parameters studied demonstrated that saggital tilt at T9, which reflects spinal balance, is determined by three independent factors. The first is a linear combination of pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, and sacral inclination. The second is pelvic version. The third is thoracic kyposis. CONCLUSION: This work provided a useful tool for analyzing and understanding anteroposterior imbalance in patients with spinal disease and also a means of calculating corrections to be made with treatment, established from the linear regression equations which were elaborated.

Adult↗

[An autopsy case with subacute spinal cord disease showing progressive paraplegia].

We report a 72-year-old woman who died of respitory failure. History included onset of diabetes mellitus at the age of 67 years and hypertension at the age of 72 years. The patient had been in good health otherwise until 2000, when she had onset of numbness or tingling of the bilateral lower limbs. On December 3, 2000, she was admitted to a hospital in the vicinity of her home because of the above-mentioned complaints. Neurological examinations revealed progressive paraplegia. Symptoms and signs suggested Guillain-Barré syndrome. Examinations of cerebrospinal fluids revealed cell count of 338/3 (mono 72%, poly 18%) and protein value of 100 mg/dl. Later the patient course deteriorated. On December 15, 2000, she was admitted to Hakujikai Memorial Hospital for the second time. Ten days later, MRI examination showed diffuse swelling of the spinal cord from the cervical (C 3/4) level to the thoracic level. Gd-enhanced T 1-weighted MRI performed 22 days later showed a partially enhanced lesion at the thoracic (Th 5/6) level of the spinal cord. The patient was treated with steroid therapy (methylprednisolone 500 mg/dl). She died of respiratory failure on January 6, 2001. The patient was presented in a neurological CPC. Neurological and imaging findings suggested a transverse myelopathy. However, there were several points in this case that were unusual for a typical transverse myelopathy, such as total sensory loss below spinal segments of thoracic level (Th 5) and motor weakness of the upper limbs of upper segment of the same level. A clinical neurologist concluded that the patient had subacute transverse myelopathy with fused multiple pathy pathologic lesions. We discussed whether this case was a transverse myelopathy or multiple sclerosis. Post mortem examination revealed acute necrotic myelopathy affecting the spinal cord from the second cervical to the tenth thoracic vertebrae, with conspicuous infiltration of CD 68-positive macrophages involving both gray and white matter, partially necrotic associated with scattered UCHL-1 dominants lymphocytic infiltration of T cells around vessels. There were relatively older lesions with demyelinating features in the spinal roots that were particularly dominant in the anterior roots. No demyelinated plaques in the optic chiasm, tracts and nerves, or in the cerebero-cerebellar white matter were found. Systemic pathological diagnosis was lung edema with fresh hemorrhage, pancreatic atrophy consistent with diabetes mellitus and choleductlithiasis.

Aged↗