[THE PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSTIC IMPORTANCE OF RADICULOGRAPHY IN LUMBOSACRAL PAIN SYNDROMES].
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A case of spinal subarachnoid haemorrhage with progressive spinal cord compression and without any evidence of meningism is described. Spinal block was demonstrated by myelography and computerized tomography and surgical decompression of the subarachnoid blood clot resulted in almost complete recovery. A diagnosis of spinal subarachnoid haemorrhage should be considered in any patient who presents with acute back pain and slowly or rapidly progressive neurological signs in the limbs, even when meningism is absent.
Spinal cord compression injuries were produced in rats by applying weights to a plate 2.2 x 50 mm in size, placed on the exposed midthoracic dura covering the spinal cord. The influence of force and duration of compression was studied by using 3 different weights, 20, 35 and 50 g, applied for 1, 5 and 10 min. Postoperative neurological function was tested by the inclined plane method and the rats were observed for 3 weeks. Neurological impairment increased with force and duration of compression. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that patients suffering from spinal cord injury should be investigated immediately for signs of persistent cord compression. If this is present, early decompression might be of value, although nothing is known in man concerning the limits of force and duration of compression permitting postoperative neurological recovery.
We have previously demonstrated the importance of activated neutrophils in compression-induced spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. In the present study, we investigate the action of neutrophil elastase in posttraumatic SCI, using two neutrophil elastase inhibitors (Eglin C and L658,758). SCI was induced by applying a 20-g weight to the spinal cord for 20 min at the level of T12, resulting in hindlimbs motor disturbances, which, when evaluated using a inclined-plane test, were significantly attenuated by Eglin C or L658,758. Histologic examination revealed that intramedullary hemorrhages observed 24 h after trauma were markedly attenuated in these agents. These inhibitors also significantly decreased neutrophil accumulation as shown by myeloperoxidase activity in the damaged spinal cord segment. Induction of leukocytopenia had the same effects as Eglin C or L658,758. These findings implicated neutrophil elastase in SCI. The enzyme may induce vascular damage leading to spinal cord ischemia.
Syringomyelia is a cyst within the spinal cord, associated with numerous causes, most frequently combined with the Chiari abnormality. Many other causes of craniovertebral junction anomalies are described. In those cases the syringomyelia is so-called hind-brain related syringomyelia. Other dysraphic states and spinal causes of syringomyelia are spina bifida cystica, lumbar lipomas, diastematomyelia or split notochord syndrome. Mechanical causes of spinal cord compression are mostly of tumoral origin. The vast majority of spinal metastases occur extradurally and originate from carcinomas of the breast, prostate and lung. Intradural extramedullary tumours of the spine constitute two thirds of all spinal neoplasm: schwannomas and meningiomas make up approximately 90% of the total and occur in equal numbers.
OBJECT: The authors report their experience in the treatment of 12 symptomatic patients with intradural spinal neurocysticercosis. METHODS: The mean age of the 12 patients was 33 years. There were eight female and four male patients. Cysticercosis was present in association with hydrocephalus in nine cases. In nine of 12 patients the spinal lesion was confined to the thoracic or lumbar spinal cord, and in three the cysticerci occupied the cervical region. In all patients with hydrocephalus nerve root symptoms developed seven to 48 months later (mean 27.6 +/- 15.5 months). In one patient hydrocephalus was absent, but he presented with cysticercal meningitis 24 months before spinal cord compression developed. Presenting symptoms suggesting spinal cysticercosis included muscular weakness (67%), pain (67%), and sphincter disturbance (25%). Neurological examination demonstrated a motor deficit in nine patients, sensory deficit in four, and radicular pain in three. The prognosis was worse in patients with moderate-to-severe arachnoiditis and spinal cord compression compared with those with isolated nerve roots involvement in whom outcome was favorable. Ten patients underwent laminectomy, after which neurological status improved in 44%, remained unchanged in 33%, or worsened in 22.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The authors discuss their findings in these cases. Additionally they briefly review the literature, pathophysiology, and therapeutic and/or surgical strategies involved in this disease.
Degenerative cervical disorders predominantly lead to anterior spinal cord compression (by bony spurs at the posterior margin of the vertebral body or by degenerated disc), which may be central and/or foraminal. In a smaller percentage of cases, there is encroachment of the canal mainly from posterior by bulging yellow ligaments or bony appositions, resulting in compression syndromes of roots or spinal cord. The aim of this work is to present a minimally invasive posterior approach avoiding detachment of muscles for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. Thirteen patients suffering from cervical radiculopathy (four patients) or myelopathy (nine patients) were operated according to this technique. In principle, the technique secures access to the diseased spinal segment via a percutaneously placed working channel (11 mm outer diameter and 9 mm inner diameter). The cervical paraspinal muscles are not deflected, but just spread between their fibres by special dilators. All further steps are performed through this channel under control of three-dimensional vision through the operating microscope. The mean follow-up period was 17 months (one patient died 9 months postoperatively), and patients were evaluated using a modified version of the Oswestry Index, called the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for neck and arm pain. The mean NDI (P<0.0001) improved from 13.2 (preoperatively) to 4.8 (postoperatively). The VAS for arm pain (P<0.001) and for neck pain (P<0.001) also showed marked postoperative improvement. Complete recovery of the preoperative neurological deficit was found in four patients, while the remaining eight patients showed improvement of the neurological symptoms during the follow-up period. There were no intra-operative or postoperative complications and no re-operation. The preliminary experience with this technique, and the good clinical outcome, seem to promise that this minimally invasive technique is a valid alternative to the conventional open exposure for treatment of lateral disc prolapses, foraminal bony stenosis and central posterior ligamentous stenosis of the cervical spine.
BACKGROUND: Spinal cord compression resulting from thoracic spinal stenosis is relatively frequent in Japan but rare in Europe and little know in Africa. OBJECTIVE: We report five cases of thoracic myelopathy caused by thoracic stenosis diagnosed in black African people. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of patients treated in the Abidjan department of Neurosurgery from 01.01.1996 to 31.12.1998. The spinal cord compression resulting from thoracic spinal stenosis was confirmed by myelography or myeloscan. The Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) score was used to evaluate patient outcome. RESULTS: All of these patients were black Africans. The four men and one woman were aged 55, 47, 53, 52, and 60 years. The clinical presentation of thoracic spinal cord compression was confirmed by myelography in five patients and by myeloscan in four. These investigations were useful for guiding surgical treatment. Outcome was favorable in all cases. CONCLUSION: Signs of thoracic spinal cord compression in adults should suggest the diagnosis of thoracic spinal stenosis.
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