OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of computed tomography-myelography (CTM) compared to that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. METHODS: The study included 91 patients presenting with radicular leg pain caused by herniated nucleus pulposus or lateral recess stenosis in the lumbar spine. The degree of nerve root compression on MRI and CTM was classified into four grades. The results of each imaging modality as assessed by two different observers were compared. Visual analog scale score for pain and electromyography result were the clinical parameters used to evaluate the relationships between clinical features and nerve root compression grades on both MRI and CTM. These relationships were quantified by calculating the receiver-operating characteristic curves, and the degree of relationship was compared between MRI and CTM. RESULTS: McNemar's test revealed that the two diagnostic modalities did not show diagnostic concurrence (p<0.0001). Electromyography results did not correlate with grades on either MRI or CTM. The visual analog pain scale score results were correlated better with changes of the grades on CTM than those on MRI (p=0.0007). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that CTM could better define the pathology of degenerative lumbar spine diseases with radiculopathy than MRI. CTM can be considered as a useful confirmative diagnostic tool when the exact cause of radicular pain in a patient with lumbar radiculopathy cannot be identified by using MRI. However, the invasiveness and potential complications of CTM are still considered to be pending questions to settle.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Myelography ; Pain Measurement ; Pathology ; Radiculopathy* ; Spine ; Visual Analog Scale

Since the launch of cervical total disc replacement (CTDR) in the early 2000s, many clinical studies have reported better outcomes of CTDR compared to those of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. However, CTDR is still a new and innovative procedure with limited indications for clinical application in spinal surgery, particularly, for young patients presenting with soft disc herniation with radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. In addition, some controversial issues related to the assessment of clinical outcomes of CTDR remain unresolved. These issues, including surgical outcomes, adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), heterotopic ossification (HO), wear debris and tissue reaction, and multilevel total disc replacement (TDR) and hybrid surgeries are a common concern of spine surgeons and need to be resolved. Among them, the effect of CTDR on patient outcomes and ASD is theoretically and clinically important; however, this issue remains disputable. Additionally, HO, wear debris, multilevel TDR, and hybrid surgery tend to favor CTDR in terms of their effects on outcomes, but the potential of these factors for jeopardizing patients' safety postoperatively and/or to exert harmful effects on surgical outcomes in longer-term follow-up cannot be ignored. Consequently, it is too early to determine the therapeutic efficacy and cost-effectiveness of CTDR and will require considerable time and studies to provide appropriate answers regarding the same. For these reasons, CTDR requires longer-term follow-up data.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; Prognosis ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine ; Surgeons ; Total Disc Replacement

OBJECTIVE: The IDET(Intradiscal electrothermal therapy) appears as a new therapeutic modality for intractable discogenic back pain. We carried out a prospective study to analyze and evaluate the therapeutic effects of IDET. METHODS AND RESULTS: During a six month period, we performed IDET in 39 patients with chronic low back pain using RITA Model 30 Electrosurgical device. The patients included 21 men and 18 women. The mean patient age was 50.2 years(range 21-73 years). All patients underwent preoperative plain radiography and MRI for excluding non-discogenic back pain. We conducted discography-CT to reveal painful discs in all patients. During the study, we measured intradiscal pressure subjectively. The area of annular tear, which identified with post-discography CT scan, was coagulated in 90degreesC of temperature for 15 minutes. Of the 17 patients who were followed up more than three months after surgery, the 10 patients(58.8%) experienced clinical improvement. Three patients had high intradiscal pressure on discography, other three patients had loss of disc height more than 30% of normal on plain radiography, and one patient suffered from postoperative epidural abscess. All of these patients were included in the remaining no improvement group(41.2%). CONCLUSION: The IDET procedure could be an alternative modality for discogenic back pain. It appears that a patient who has low intradiscal pressure on discography and intact disc height on plain radiography is considered a good candidate for IDET.
Back Pain ; Epidural Abscess ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: Treatments of osteoporotic bursting vertebral body fracture(OBF) of thoracic and lumbar spines have been limited to conservative managements especially in the elderly patients. The authors correct kyphosis and stabilize the spine by the posterior approach with intraoperative polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) vertebroplasty. METHODS: From March 1999 to June 2000, eight patients with OBF underwent posterior approach with intraoperative vertebroplasty. The patients included 7 women and 1 man aged 54-82 year. Average T-score on bone marrow density was -3.02. In the case of old fracture with sclerosis in the posterior wall, after laminectomy, the retropulsed posterior wall of the fractured spine was reduced with L-shaped micro-bone impactor through the lateral epidural spaces, in prone position. About 6cc of PMMA was injected into the fractured vertebral body via transpedicular route, and then, small amount of PMMA was also injected into each entry point of the screws. All patients underwent one above and one below short segment fixation followed by correction of kyphotic deformity. RESULTS: The preoperative clinical symptoms improved gradually in all patients. During postoperative follow-up for more than 7 months, there was no recurrence of the preoperative clinical symptoms, aggravation of kyphosis or instrumentation failure. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that posterior approach with short segment fixation and intraoperative PMMA vertebroplasty could be a new surgical modality for osteoporotic bursting fracture of the thoracic and lumbar spines especially in the aged.
Aged ; Bone Marrow ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Epidural Space ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Laminectomy ; Osteoporosis ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Prone Position ; Recurrence ; Sclerosis ; Spine* ; Vertebroplasty*

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) using two different stand-alone cages in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral foraminal stenosis (IFS). METHODS: A total of 28 patients who underwent ALIF at L5-S1 using stand-alone cage were studied [Stabilis(R) (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA); 13, SynFix-LR(R) (Synthes Bettlach, Switzerland); 15]. Mean follow-up period was 27.3 +/- 4.9 months. Visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were assessed. Radiologically, the change of disc height, intervertebral foraminal (IVF) height and width at the operated segment were measured, and fusion status was defined. RESULTS: Final mean VAS (back and leg) and ODI scores were significantly decreased from preoperative values (5.6 +/- 2.3 --> 2.3 +/- 2.2, 6.3 +/- 3.2 --> 1.6 +/- 1.6, and 53.7 +/- 18.6 --> 28.3 +/- 13.1, respectively), which were not different between the two devices groups. In Stabilis(R) group, postoperative immediately increased disc and IVF heights (10.09 +/- 4.15 mm --> 14.99 +/- 1.73 mm, 13.00 +/- 2.44 mm --> 16.28 +/- 2.23 mm, respectively) were gradually decreased, and finally returned to preoperative value (11.29 +/- 1.67 mm, 13.59 +/- 2.01 mm, respectively). In SynFix-LR(R) group, immediately increased disc and IVF heights (9.60 +/- 2.82 mm --> 15.61 +/- 0.62 mm, 14.01 +/- 2.53 mm --> 21.27 +/- 1.93 mm, respectively) were maintained until the last follow up (13.72 +/- 1.21 mm, 17.87 +/- 2.02 mm, respectively). The changes of IVF width of each group was minimal pre- and postoperatively. Solid arthrodesis was observed in 11 patients in Stabilis group (11/13, 84.6%) and 13 in SynFix-LR(R) group (13/15, 86.7%). CONCLUSION: ALIF using stand-alone cage could assure good clinical results in the treatment of symptomatic lumbar IFS in the mid-term follow up. A degree of subsidence at the operated segment was different depending on the device type, which was higher in Stabilis(R) group.
Arthrodesis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Pain Measurement ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: The authors introduce a technique of direct repair of pars defects in symptomatic lumbar spondylolysis using pedicle screws and universal hooks. METHODS: From March 2001 to September 2001, six patients with symptomatic lumbar spondylolysis and positive pars injection test underwent this procedure. Patients with lumbar instability and discogenic pain were excluded. After posterior midline incision, clearing of fibrous, cartilaginous and sclerotic tissues in and around the defects of pars was done until healthy bone was exposed. Strips of cancellous bone were taken from adjacent laminae and packed into the defects of pars. After insertion of the pedicle screws, universal hooks were placed in the lower margin of the lamina of the involved vertebra. With gentle compression between the head of screw and universal hook, the nut was fixed. Same procedures were done on the contralateral side. RESULTS: Postoperatively, all six patients experienced clinical improvement and there was no complication related with operation. CONCLUSION: This new technique is considered useful for direct repair of the defects in symptomatic lumbar spondylolysis without significant injury in the normal structures.
Head ; Humans ; Nuts ; Spine ; Spondylolysis*

Effects of a M1 receptor antagonist, pirenzepine, a M2 receptor antagonist, AF-DX116, and a nicotinic receptor antagonist, mecamylamine on the pressor responses to preganglionic sympathetic nerve stimulation(PNS) and McN-A-343 and DMPP in spinal(pithed) rabbits were investigated in order to elucidate a functional role of M1, M2 and nicotinic receptors in ganglionic transmission. Pirenzepine and AF-DX116 selectively inhibited the McN-A-343-induced pressor reponse in chlorisondamine-treated rabbit and the BCh-induced bradycardia, respectively. Electrical stimulations of preganglionic sympathetic outflow at T8 level produced increases in blood pressure. Pirenzepine(3 microgram/kg) significantly inhibited the PNS-induced pressor response and the degree of inhibition was not changed by increasing the doses to 100 microgram/kg. AF-DX116(100 microgram/kg) had no effect on the PNS-induced pressor response. Mecamylamine inhibited the PNS-induced pressor response in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory action of mecamylamine was significantly augmented by combined-treatment with pirenzepine(30 microgram/kg) but AF-DX116(100 microgram/kg) did not affect the inhibitory action of mecamylamine. McN-A-343 and DMPP elicited pressor response in the spinal rabbit. Pirenzepine and AF-DX116 dose-dependently inhibited the McN-A-343-induced pressor response but they did not affect DMPP-induced pressor response. Mecamylamine inhibited both pressor responses induced by Mc-N-343- and DMPP. These results suggest that not only nicotinic receptors but also M1 receptors play a facilitatory role in ganglionic transmission but M2 receptors do not contribute the transmission in spinal(pithed) rabbits.
(4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethylammonium Chloride ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide ; Electric Stimulation ; Ganglia, Sympathetic* ; Ganglion Cysts ; Mecamylamine ; Pirenzepine ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Nicotinic*

In surgical treatments of degenerative lumbar disc disease, arthrodesis is well known to be a gold standard; however various disadvantages related to elimination of the segmental motion and the procedures of fusion surgery have become a matter of concern. To this end, total disc replacement (TDR) was recently highlighted as one of alternative surgical modalities and being used widely. However, although it has been almost 10 years since lumbar TDR was int- roduced and actively used in the clinic, its clinical usefulness is still in dispute. The authors review and put together the history, biomechanics, and currently available prostheses of lumbar TDR in the present study. Some of the recent preliminary, mid-term and long-term clinical results of lumbar TDR in degenerative lumbar spine diseases are also reviewed. Lastly, we look out over the future prospect of lumbar TDR.
Arthrodesis ; Biomechanics ; Dissent and Disputes ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Prostheses and Implants ; Spine ; Total Disc Replacement

Single-balloon kyphoplasty via an extrapedicular approach has been reported to be effective because it requires less time than conventional two-balloon kyphoplasty and has comparable therapeutic efficacy. However, single-balloon kyphoplasty is not popular because the extrapedicular approach is believed to be complicated and unsuitable for the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine. The authors describe a standardized surgical technique that utilizes a far-lateral extrapedicular approach for single-balloon kyphoplasty, which can be performed in any part of the spine by physicians without substantial difficulty.
Fractures, Compression ; Kyphoplasty ; Osteoporosis ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: Although unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is widely used because of its benefits, it does have some technical limitations. Removal of disk material and endplate cartilage is difficult, but essential, for proper fusion in unilateral surgery, leading to debate regarding the surgery's limitations in removing the disk material on the contralateral side. Therefore, authors have conducted a randomized, comparative cadaver study in order to evaluate the efficiency of the surgery when using conventional instruments in the preparation of the disk space and when using the recently developed high-pressure water jet system, SpineJet(TM) XL. METHODS: Two spine surgeons performed diskectomies and disk preparations for TLIF in 20 lumbar disks. All cadaver/surgeon/level allocations for preparation using the SpineJet(TM) XL (HydroCision Inc., Boston, MA, USA) or conventional tools were randomized. All assessments were performed by an independent spine surgeon who was unaware of the randomizations. The authors measured the areas (cm2) and calculated the proportion (%) of the disk surfaces. The duration of the disk preparation and number of instrument insertions and withdrawals required to complete the disk preparation were recorded for all procedures. RESULTS: The proportion of the area of removed disk tissue versus that of potentially removable disk tissue, the proportion of the area of removed endplate cartilage, and the area of removed disk tissue in the contralateral posterior portion showed 74.5 +/- 17.2%, 18.5 +/- 12.03%, and 67.55 +/- 16.10%, respectively, when the SpineJet(TM) XL was used, and 52.6 +/- 16.9%, 22.8 +/- 17.84%, and 51.64 +/- 19.63%, respectively, when conventional instrumentations were used. The results also showed that when the SpineJet(TM) XL was used, the proportion of the area of removed disk tissue versus that of potentially removable disk tissue and the area of removed disk tissue in the contralateral posterior portion were statistically significantly high (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). Also, compared to conventional instrumentations, the duration required to complete disk space preparation was shorter, and the frequency of instrument use and the numbers of insertions/withdrawals were lower when the SpineJet(TM) XL was used. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that hydrosurgery using the SpineJet(TM) XL unit allows for the preparation of a greater portion of disk space and that it is less traumatic and allows for more precise endplate preparation without damage to the bony endplate. Furthermore, the SpineJet(TM) XL appears to provide tangible benefits in terms of disk space preparation for graft placement, particularly when using the unilateral TLIF approach.
Boston ; Cadaver ; Cartilage ; Diskectomy ; Spine ; Transplants ; Water