The thoracolumbar spine is relatively easily traumatized and result in serious complications such as neurologic impairment and instability, so its proper management is very important. Formerly the thoracolumbar spine injury was evaluated mainly by plain radiographs, and tomograms if indicated,but because computed tomography visualizes bone and soft tissues three-dimensionally, we tried to compare its value with that of plain radiographs in potentially unstable thoracolumbar injuries. From January 1984, we determined the stability of the potentially unstable thoracolumbar spine injury according to computed tomography finding and compared with plain radiography finding, and the following results were obtained. 1. By Holdsworth classification, it was difficult to determine the stability of the thoracolumbar spine injury. 2. In cases of compression fracture and burst fracture by Denis classification, it was necessary to determine the stability by computed tomography. 3. In cases of unstable burst fracture by McAfee classification, there was no direct relationship between the degree of canal occlusion and neurological deficit, but above 25% in conus medullaris lesion and above 50% in cauda equina lesion usually manifested neurological deficit. 4. In our cases, the neurological status of initial injury was important factor to determine the improvement rate.
Cauda Equina ; Classification ; Clinical Study ; Fractures, Compression ; Radiography ; Spinal Cord ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective study of 85 patients. OBJECTIVES: We wanted to identify the changes of ROM and sagittal alignment of the cervical spine after laminoplasty, and we wanted to determine the preoperative factors affecting the ROM and sagittal alignment of the cervical spine after laminoplasty. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: Cervical laminoplasty is an effective procedure for decompressing multilevel spinal cord compression. It has been reported that the ROM of the cervical spine was decreased after laminoplasty. It is well known that preoperative lordosis of the cervical spine is prerequisite for performing laminoplasty. Maintaining the postoperative lordosis of the cervical spine is also important for decompressing the spinal cord after laminoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five patients who underwent open door laminoplasty from the C3 to C7 levels were prospectively studied. The minimum follow-up was two-years. The preoperative diagnosis was cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) for 52 patients, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) for 29 patients and multilevel cervical disc herniation for 4 patients. Plain cervical spine lateral radiography in the neutral, flexion and extension positions was performed preoperatively and at the two-year follow-up. The cervical lordosis or kyphosis was measured by Cobb's method. The diagnosis, degree of preoperative lordosis in the neutral position, and the degree of preoperative sagittal alignment in flexion and extension were studied as the risk factors for postoperative kyphosis. RESULTS: The preoperative ROM of the cervical spine was 29.2 degrees and the postoperative ROM was 20.3 degrees. Therefore, 30.5% of the preoperative ROM was decreased after laminoplasty. A decreased ROM of more than 50% was found in 13 patients (15.3%). Their diagnosis was CSM in 11 patients (11/52, 21.1%) and OPLL in 2 patients (2/29, 6.9%). There were no significant differences in preoperative ROM between the two groups with decreased ROM being noted in more than 50% of the patients and decreased ROM being noted in less than 50% of the patients. The preoperative lordotic angle in the neutral position was 16.2 degrees and the postoperative lordotic angle was 11.4 degrees. Kyphosis (mean: 12.2 degrees) developed in 9 patients (9/85, 10.6%) after the surgery. Their preoperative diagnosis was CSM in all patients. The preoperative lordotic angle was significantly less in the kyphotic group than in the lordotic group. The preoperative flexion was 10.2 degrees greater and the preoperative extension was 10.3 degrees less in the kyphotic group than in lordotic group. The preoperative flexion angle was 19.3 degree kyphosis and the extension angle was 8.7 degree lordosis in the kyphotic group. CONCLUSIONS: The ROM of the cervical spine was decreased 30.5% after laminoplasty. Kyphosis developed in 10.6% of the patients. The preoperative factors affecting postoperative kyphosis were the diagnosis of CSM, a preoperative lordosis less than 10 degrees and a greater preoperative flexion angle than the extension angle. Therefore, kyphosis after laminoplasty was expected in a patient with the above three preoperative factors, so other treatment options such as instrumented fusion should be considered.
Animals ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Lordosis ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Range of Motion, Articular* ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine*

PURPOSE: To evaluate MR imaging findings of ossified posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) in the cervicalspine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, simple radiography(n=34), CT(n=9), and MRI(n=11) of 34 patients with OPLL were reviewed. We evaluated the number of involved vertebral segment, morphologic type of lesions onaxial and sagittal imaging, spinal canal narrowing on the involved intervertebral disk level, intervertebral for aminal narrowing, relationship between spinal cord compression and morphologic type, and signal intensity onMRI. RESULTS: Average number of involved vertebral segment was 2.65(90/34). Most commonly involved vertebrallevel was C3--C4. On sagittal image, the lesions were classified to be continuous type(n=15), segmental type(n=7),mixed type(n=4), and circumscribed type(n=7). The most common type was continuous one(42%). On axial image, the lesions were classified to square type(n=13), mushroom type(n=18), hill type(n=13). The most common type was mushroom one(41%). Forty-five percent(20/44) showed spinal stenosis which exceeded 25% of anteroposterior diameter of spinal canal. Twenty-three percent(19/81) of the case showed intervertebral foraminal narrowing. T1- and T2-weighted MRI showed low signal intensity in every 11 case. Two cases showed focal high signal intensity within lowsinal intensity lesion on T1 weighted images. CONCLUSIONS: The ossified lesion of OPLL could be evaluated with simple radiography and CT. MRI displayed spinal cord compresion, intervertebral foraminal narrowing, and associated vertebral disease which maybe useful in preoperative evaluation of symptomatic patients.
Agaricales ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Longitudinal Ligaments* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of digital subtraction cystography to identify communicating holes between a spinal extradural arachnoid cyst (SEAC) and the subarachnoid space prior to cyst removal and hole closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients with SEAC were enrolled in this retrospective study. Digital subtraction cystography and subsequent CT myelography were performed for every patient. The presence and location of the communicating holes on cystography were documented. We evaluated the MRI characteristics of the cysts, including location, size, and associated spinal cord compression; furthermore, we reviewed cystographic images, CT myelograms, procedural reports, and medical records for analysis. If surgery was performed after cystography, intraoperative findings were compared with preoperative cystography. RESULTS: The location of the communicating hole between the arachnoid cyst and the subarachnoid space was identified by digital subtraction cystography in all cases (n = 6). Surgical resection of SEAC was performed in 4 patients, and intraoperative location of the communicating hole exactly corresponded to the preoperative identification. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopic-guided cystography for SEAC accurately demonstrates the presence and location of dural defects. Preoperative digital subtraction cystography is useful for detection of a communicating hole between a cyst and the subarachnoid space.
Adult ; Arachnoid Cysts/*radiography ; Female ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/*methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Compression/radiography ; Spinal Cord Diseases/*radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: A retrospective review of medical records and imaging studies. To investigate characteristic clinical features and surgical outcomes of spinal cord tumors (SCTs) of the thoracolumbar junction (TLJ). The spinal cord transitions to the cauda equina in the TLJ. The TLJ contains the upper and lower motor neurons of the spinal cord and cauda equina. As a result, the clinical features of lesions in the TLJ vary, and these anatomical characteristics may affect surgical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pathological diagnosis, clinical features, neurological signs, and surgical outcomes were investigated in 76 patients surgically treated at our institute for SCTs arising from T11 to L2. The patients were divided into epiconus (T11-12, n=18) and conus groups (L1-2, n=58). RESULTS: Patients in the epiconus group had hyperactive deep tendon reflexes (DTRs), while those in the conus group had hypoactive DTRs (p < 0.05). Nine patients were misdiagnosed with intervertebral disc diseases (IVDs) before correct diagnoses were made. It was impossible to definitively determine the exact cause of symptoms in four patients who had both SCTs and IVDs. CONCLUSION: Among SCTs of the TLJ, the epiconus group displayed upper motor neuron syndrome and the conus group displayed lower motor neuron syndrome. SCTs of the TLJ were frequently misdiagnosed as IVDs due to symptomatic similarities. SCTs of the TLJ should be included in differential diagnosis of back and leg pain, and it is highly recommended that routine lumbar magnetic resonance imaging include the TLJ.
Cauda Equina/pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disk Displacement/pathology/radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Compression/pathology/radiography ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms/*surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae/*pathology/radiography ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship of motor dysfunction of the lower extremities with the imaging appearances and clinical features of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCCs).

METHODSFrom July 2006 to December 2007, 26 successive patients with metastases of the thoracic, lumbar and the cervical spine were treated in our department. Forty-three main involved vertebra in all 26 patients were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, and were scored according motor dysfunction in this study. Fourteen patients (25 vertebrae) had motor dysfunction.

RESULTSAmong 26 patients, 12 cases with visceral metastasis,in which had motor dysfunction in 10 cases; 14 cases without visceral metastasis, in which had motor dysfunction in 4 cases; comparison between two groups, P=0.0079. Among vertebral presence of continuity of 43 main involved vertebrae, 16 vertebrae had motor dysfunction;among vertebral absence of continuity, motor dysfunction occurred in 9 vertebrae, comparison between two groups, P=0.1034. Among vertebral presence of lamina involvement of 43 main involved vertebrae, 11 vertebrae had motor dysfunction; among vertebral absence of lamina involvement, motor dysfunction occurred in 14 vertebrae, comparison between two groups, P=0.020 5. Among vertebral presence of protruding of vertebral posterior wall of 43 main involved vertebrae, 12 vertebrae had motor dysfunction; among vertebral absence of protruding of vertebral posterior wall, 13 vertebrae had motor dysfunction, comparison between two groups, P=0.0334. Among vertebral presence of involvement epidural space of 43 main involved vertebrae, 11 vertebrae had motor dysfunction; among vertebral absence of involvement epidural space, 14 vertebrae had motor dysfunction, comparison between two groups, P=0.003 6. Such factors as age, gender, whether or not received regular chem before admission, back pain degree of metastasis, received regular chem before admission, therapeutic efficacy of primary tumor, number of bony metastases outside spine, number of the main involved vertebrae, level of vertebral metastases location, level of continuous involved vertebrae, vertebral-body involvement, fracture of anterior column, fracture of posterior wall, and pedicle involvement had no effects on incidence of motor dysfunction due to MESCC (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONMESCC with visceral metastases, lamina involvement, presence of outstanding buttocks sign of posterior wall,involvement epidural space tended to cause symptomatic MESCC. Incidence of continuity of main involved vertebrae occurred more frequently in the CUTS compared with other levels of spine.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement Disorders ; etiology ; Radiography ; Spinal Cord Compression ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Spinal Neoplasms ; complications ; secondary

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for the diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in patients with deformed spinal cord but otherwise unremarkable conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 33 patients who underwent MRI of the cervical spine including DTI using two-dimensional single-shot interleaved multi-section inner volume diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging and whose spinal cords were deformed but showed no signal changes on conventional MRI were the subjects of this study. Mean diffusivity (MD), longitudinal diffusivity (LD), radial diffusivity (RD), and fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured at the most stenotic level. The calculated performance of MD, FA, MD∩FA (considered positive when both the MD and FA results were positive), LD∩FA (considered positive when both the LD and FA results were positive), and RD∩FA (considered positive when both the RD and FA results were positive) in diagnosing CSM were compared with each other based on the estimated cut-off values of MD, LD, RD, and FA from receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with the clinical diagnosis of CSM from medical records as the reference standard. RESULTS: The MD, LD, and RD cut-off values were 1.079 × 10⁻³, 1.719 × 10⁻³, and 0.749 × 10⁻³ mm²/sec, respectively, and that of FA was 0.475. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were: 100 (4/4), 44.8 (13/29), 20 (4/20), and 100 (13/13) for MD; 100 (4/4), 27.6 (8/29), 16 (4/25), and 100 (8/8) for FA; 100 (4/4), 58.6 (17/29), 25 (4/16), and 100 (17/17) for MD∩FA; 100 (4/4), 68.9 (20/29), 30.8 (4/13), and 100 (20/20) for LD∩FA; and 75 (3/4), 68.9 (20/29), 25 (3/12), and 95.2 (20/21) for RD∩FA in percentage value. Diagnostic performance comparisons revealed significant differences only in specificity between FA and MD∩FA (p = 0.003), FA and LD∩FA (p < 0.001), FA and RD∩FA (p < 0.001), MD and LD∩FA (p = 0.024) and MD and RD∩FA (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Fractional anisotropy combined with MD, RD, or LD is expected to be more useful than FA and MD for diagnosing CSM in patients who show deformed spinal cords without signal changes on MRI.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cervical Vertebrae ; *Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Echo-Planar Imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severity of Illness Index ; Spinal Cord Compression/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Spinal Cord Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography

BACKGROUNDOssification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is being increasingly recognized as a cause of thoracic myelopathy. This study was to describe a rare clinical entity of spinal cord kinking (SK) in thoracic myelopathy secondary to OLF.

METHODSThe data of 95 patients with thoracic myelopathy secondary to OLF were analyzed retrospectively. The incidence and location of SK were determined using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The clinical presentation and radiological characteristics in patients with SK were analyzed. Posterior en bloc laminectomy with OLF was performed, and the surgical results were evaluated.

RESULTSSK was found in seven patients (7.4%) based on preoperative MRI. The patients included one male and six females with an average age of 55.6 years (range, 48-64 years). Five patients presented with radiculomyelopathy and two presented with typical thoracic myelopathy of spastic paraparesis. In all cases, the kinking was located just above the end of the spinal cord where the conus medullaris (CM) was compressed by the OLF. The degree of SK varied from mild to severe. The tip of the CM was located between the upper third of T11 to the lower third of L1, above the lower edge of L1. With an average follow-up of 30.4 months, the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score significantly improved from 5.7 ± 1.8 preoperatively to 8.9 ± 1.4 postoperatively (t = 12.05; P < 0.0001) with an improvement rate of 63.1 ± 12.3%.

CONCLUSIONSSK is a rare radiological phenomenon. It is typically located at the thoracolumbar junction, where the CM is compressed by the OLF. Our findings indicate that these patients may benefit from a posterior decompressive procedure.

Female ; Humans ; Ligamentum Flavum ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; complications ; Radiography ; Spinal Cord Compression ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; surgery

A non-ambulatory dog with tetraparesis following a pain episode that had evolved over 2 months was submitted for medical treatment and diagnosed with intervertebral disk disease at C3-C4 and dorsal extradural compression at C1-C2 and C3-C4 using myelography and computed tomography. The dog experienced ambulation recovery after 15 days of treatment with only electroacupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, with marked improvement occurring after only 10 treatments. Six months of followup demonstrated that the dog was stable and had no recurrence of symptoms. Therefore, it was concluded that the combination of electroacupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine was responsible for motor rehabilitation.
Animals ; Cervical Vertebrae/*pathology ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/*therapy ; Dogs ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/*therapeutic use ; Electroacupuncture/methods/*veterinary ; *Intervertebral Disk ; Myelography/veterinary ; Spinal Cord Compression/radiography/therapy/*veterinary ; Spinal Diseases/drug therapy/therapy/*veterinary ; Treatment Outcome