Intervertebral Disc Protrusion Research Articles

Acupotomy Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation

Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether the effects of acupotomy therapy were beneficial for the treatment of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc.<br/>Methods: The number of patients (n = 80) were equally assigned into treatment group and control group. Treatment group was given acupotomy therapy twice a week, and control group was given acupuncture 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. The beneficial effect and changes in score of the Japan Orthopedic Association (JOA) for low back pain were observed.<br/>Results: Among 40 cases in the treatment group, there were 25 (62.5%) with an excellent effect, 13 (32.5%) with good effect, 1 (2.5%) with a medium effect and 1 (2.5%) with poor effect, with the total experiencing an excellent/good effect of 95.0%. Among 40 cases in the control group, there were 11 (27.5%) with an excellent effect, 17 (42.5%) with good effect, 10 (25.0%) with a medium effect, and 2 (5.0%) with poor effect, with an excellent/good rate of 70.0%. The result of the rank sum test showed Z = -4.923, p < 0.05 in the comparison, indicating a significantly better outcome following acupotomy compared with acupuncture. JOA scores increased in both groups after treatment (p < 0.05), which was more significant in the acupotomy treatment group (p < 0.05).<br/>Conclusion: Acupotomy therapy has a beneficial effect on protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc.

Effects of Food on the Pharmacokinetic Properties of Surufatinib: A Phase I, Single-dose, Randomized, Open-label Crossover Study in Healthy Subjects

PurposeSurufatinib is a potent and orally active small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting VEGFRs 1 to 3, FGFR-1, and CSF-1R, and thus may exert antitumor and antiangiogenic effects. The objective of this study was to determine the tolerability and effects of food intake on the pharmacokinetic properties of surufatinib in healthy Chinese subjects. MethodsA total of 24 healthy Chinese male subjects aged between 18 and 55 years were enrolled. Subjects were administered a single dose of surufatinib 250–mg capsules in the fasted and fed states in succession. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed through the collection of blood samples at predose and at several time points after surufatinib administration. Tolerability assessments comprised physical examination including vital sign measurements, laboratory testing, and ECG to determine adverse events (AEs). FindingsThe 90% CIs of the geometric mean ratios of AUC0–t and AUC0–∞ in the fasted and fed states was within 0.80 to 1.25; and for Cmax, within 0.70 to 1.43, indicating that food had no effect on the bioavailability of surufatinib in these healthy Chinese male subjects. Food intake delayed the time to peak absorption of surufatinib, as the median Tmax in the fed state was longer than that in the fasted state (4.0 vs 2.0 h). Surufatinib was marginally excreted from urine (mean [SD] cumulative excretion fraction, 1.2% [0.4%]). AEs occurred in 7 of the 24 subjects (29.2%) and included upper respiratory tract infection, dizziness, merycism, intervertebral disc protrusion, influenza-like disease, hematuria, prostatitis, and elevated blood urea nitrogen. All AEs were grade 1 or 2. ImplicationsThe bioavailability of surufatinib was not affected by food intake prior to dosing. However, food intake led to delated Tmax of surufatinib. The tolerability of a single oral dose of surufatinib 250 mg in the fasted and fed states was favorable in these healthy Chinese male subjects. These results indicate that surufatinib capsules could be administered before or after meals. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02320409.

Dynamic MRI is reliable for evaluation of the lumbosacral spine in healthy dogs.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to diagnose degenerative lumbosacral stenosis; however, studies show limited correlation between imaging and clinical signs. The purpose of this prospective observer agreement study was to use dynamic MRI of the lumbosacral (LS) spine of healthy dogs to determine reliable reference ranges. Twenty-two healthy large breed dogs were prospectively enrolled. MRI of the LS spine was performed in T2-weighted, T1-weighted, and T2-weighted SPACE sequences in neutral, flexed, and extended positions. Four observers performed image analyses. Measurements included LS angle, vertebral canal height and area, and LS foraminal areas. Ordinal categorical assessment of loss of fat signal in the foramina, LS compression, intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, spondylosis, and IVD protrusion was also performed. The majority of values were significantly larger in flexion versus neutral position, and significantly smaller in extension versus neutral position (P<.05). Subclinical compression and IVD protrusion was noted in a neutral position in 45% and 55% of dogs and in an extended position in 85% and 73% of dogs, respectively. Interobserver agreement was strong (intracluster correlation coefficient [ICC]>.5) except for the L7:LS vertebral canal area ratio (ICC ≤ .03). Intraobserver agreement was high (rho>.5) for all measurements except for the mid-L6:LS vertebral canal height ratio (rho=.38). There was poor interobserver agreement for loss of fat signal in the foramina and evidence of compression. This study provides the groundwork for future studies using dynamic MRI to evaluate dogs with signs of clinical LS disease.

Biomechanical Comparison of Lumbar Fixed-Point Oblique Pulling Manipulation and Traditional Oblique Pulling Manipulation in Treating Lumbar Intervertebral Disk Protrusion

ObjectiveTo compare the biomechanical effect of lumbar fixed-point oblique pulling manipulation and traditional oblique pulling manipulation in the treatment of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disk, and investigate the influence of disk degeneration on the 2 manipulations. MethodsThree finite element models including 1 normal model, 1 mild degeneration, and 1 moderate degeneration model of L3-S1 were developed to simulate 2 oblique pulling manipulations. The disk protrusion was assumed to be in the left central and subarticular zone of the L4-L5 disk, and manipulations were carried out on the right. A 15-Nm right axial rotation moment and 150-N compressive loading were imposed on the upper endplate of L3 to simulate a traditional oblique pulling manipulation. To simulate lumbar fixed-point oblique pulling manipulation, in addition to a 15-Nm moment and 150-N compressive loading imposed on the L3 upper endplate, a 50-N force was imposed on the right lateral area of the L4 spinous process in a left front direction. The displacement and stress in the left central and subarticular zone of the L4-L5 disk were calculated and compared in the 3 models. ResultsThe average displacement and stress in the left central and subarticular zone of L4-L5 disk were higher in fixed-point oblique pulling manipulation than those in traditional oblique pulling manipulation (P < .05). In addition, the values of average stress and displacement decreased significantly with the increase of lumbar disk degeneration (P < .05). ConclusionLumbar fixed-point oblique pulling manipulation showed a better biomechanical effect than traditional oblique pulling manipulation, and lumbar disk degeneration affected the 2 manipulations adversely in the virtual treatment of protrusion of the lumbar intervertebral disk using finite element models.

Value of ultrasound-guided transforaminal nerve block in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

ObjectiveThis study was performed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided transforaminal nerve block in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.MethodsSixty patients who underwent treatment for protrusion of a lumbar intervertebral disc in Wangjing Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were divided into the study group and the control group. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores of the lumbar vertebra, PRI (pain rating index), and PPI (present pain intensity) were recorded at 30 minutes, 1 week, and 3 months after the operation.ResultsThere were significant differences in the VAS, JOA, PRI, and PPI scores between the study group and control group.ConclusionUltrasound guidance can improve the efficacy and safety of transforaminal nerve block in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation and shorten the operative duration.

DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY METHODS OF DEGENERATIVE CHANGES IN LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS IN YOUNG PEOPLE

In recent years, the number of scientific studies investigating the prevalence of low back pain among schoolchildren has been significantly increased. Degenerative disease of the discs is often accompanied by a low back pain with irradiation into the legs in representatives of different age groups, in particular, in older children. The main factors of its development are genetic predisposition, trauma, obesity, lack of exercise. Most of the components of the vertebral motor segment have the nerve endings and reflex influences, accompanied by inflammation, microcirculatory disorders, and their combination contributes to an appearance of back pain. Diagnosis of degenerative disc disease includes the study of the patient's medical history, analysis of clinical symptoms, use of functional tests and various types of imaging to clarify the degree of macrostructural changes in disks, among which the main place is taken by the magnetic resonance imaging. The development of degenerative changes in intervertebral discs as early as childhood, which requires a further study using non−invasive, accessible and informative methods, especially ultrasound ones. The results of ultrasonography of lumbar intervertebral discs were analyzed in 36 adolescents aged 16−18 years, diagnosed for the protrusion when the MRI was applied. Paramedian protrusion was found to be significantly more frequent than posterolateral, median, and circular ones. Due to its non−invasiveness, low price and information value, the ultrasound can be the most popular method not only as a screening one but also for the expert evaluation of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in schoolchildren. Key words: diagnostic radiology, lumbar intervertebral discs, adolescents.

Endoscopic removal of nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc on lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and the influence on inflammatory factors and immune function.

Endoscopic removal of nucleus pulposus (NP) of intervertebral disc (IVD) on lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion (LIDP) and its influence on inflammatory factors and immune function were explored. A total of 145 patients with LIDP admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from June 2017 to December 2018 were selected and electively treated, in which 87 patients were treated with fenestration discectomy (fenestration group) and 58 patients were treated with endoscopic removal of NP of IVD (minimally invasive group). Effects on patients in the two groups within 6 months after surgery were evaluated by modified MacNab score; differences in surgical related indexes and incidence rates of complications between the two groups were compared; the Oswestry dysfunction score and VAS pain score before treatment, and 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment, and changes of cellular levels of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ before treatment, and 24 and 48 h after surgery were evaluated. Length of surgical incision, intraoperative blood loss, time of operation, time in bed, and hospital stays of patients in minimally invasive group were lower than those in the fenestration group (P<0.05). The Oswestry score and VAS score of patients in minimally invasive group 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery were lower than those in fenestration group (P<0.05). The incidence rate of spinal instability and overall incidence of complications of patients in minimally invasive group were significantly lower than those in fenestration group (P<0.05). Levels of TNF-α and IL-6 of patients in the minimally invasive group 24 and 48 h after surgery were lower than those in the fenestration group (P<0.05) and cellular levels of IL-4, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ were higher (P<0.05). In conclusion, endoscopic removal of NP of IVD has good therapeutic effects in patients with LIDP. It reduces inflammation and suppresses immune function with higher safety, worthwhile for clinical use.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging characterization of cervical spondylomyelopathy in juvenile dogs.

BackgroundCervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) occurs because of compression of the cervical spinal cord, nerve roots, or both, usually affecting young adult to older large and giant breed dogs. Juvenile dogs are affected infrequently.ObjectiveTo describe clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in juvenile dogs (≤ 12 months) with cervical spondylomyelopathy.AnimalsTwenty CSM‐affected juvenile dogs.MethodsMedical and imaging records for juvenile dogs with CSM were reviewed. History and neurologic examination findings were obtained, including follow‐up data. The MRI studies were reviewed for cause and site of spinal cord compression, intervertebral disk protrusion or degeneration, articular process degenerative changes, intervertebral foraminal stenosis, and spinal cord signal changes.ResultsMean (median) age at the time of diagnosis was 9.4 (10) months. There were 16 giant breed dogs. Eighteen dogs had a chronic presentation, 18/20 had proprioceptive ataxia, and 9/20 had cervical pain. On MRI, the principal spinal cord compression occurred at C5‐C6, C6‐C7, or both in most dogs; 12/20 dogs had ≥2 sites of spinal cord compression. The cause of compression was articular process proliferation in 8/20 dogs and disk protrusion in 2/20 dogs. Intervertebral disk degeneration was seen in 9/20 dogs. Follow‐up was obtained for 12/20 dogs: 10/12 were managed medically and 2/12 surgically.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCervical spondylomyelopathy in juvenile dogs was characterized mostly by osseous‐associated spinal cord compression and multiple compressive sites. Almost half of the dogs had intervertebral disk degeneration. Intervertebral disk protrusion was seen in both giant and large breed dogs.

Posterior Cervical Decompression and Instrumented Fusion for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a common cause of progressive quadriparesis in adults. It is characterized by compression of the cervical spinal cord due to degenerative changes including intervertebral disc protrusion, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, and osteophyte formation. Clinically, patients can present with declining motor control in the extremities, gait imbalance, spasticity, hyperreflexia, or possibly frank weakness. Surgical treatment options include ventral and dorsal approaches, whose indications vary depending on spinal alignment, number of levels requiring decompression, the dorsal/ventral/circumferential location of compression, and patient-specific anatomic constraints. Posterior cervical decompression and instrumented fusion is a mainstay of treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy when a dorsal approach is indicated. In this video, we present a case of a 60-yr-old female who presented with signs and symptoms of cervical myelopathy, with MRI findings of C3 on C4 anterolisthesis and circumferential central stenosis worst at C4-5 and C5-6. We demonstrate the operative steps to complete a C3 to C6 decompression and instrumented fusion with lateral mass screws. Appropriate patient consent was obtained.

Magnetic resonance image findings in pug dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy and concurrent caudal articular process dysplasia

BackgroundA retrospective case series study was undertaken to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in Pug dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy and concurrent caudal articular process (CAP) dysplasia. Electronic clinical records were searched for Pug dogs who underwent MRI for the investigation of a T3-L3 spinal cord segment disease with subsequent confirmation of CAP dysplasia with computed tomography between January 2013 and June 2017. Clinical parameters age, gender, neuter status, body weight, urinary or faecal incontinence, severity and duration of clinical signs were recorded. MRI abnormalities were described. Univariable non-parametric tests investigated the association between the clinical parameters and evidence of extra- or intra-dural spinal cord compression on MRI.Results18 Pug dogs were included. The median age was 106 months with median duration of clinical signs 5 months. All presented with variable severity of spastic paraparesis and ataxia; 50% suffered urinary/faecal incontinence. In all cases, MRI revealed a focal increase in T2-weighted signal intensity within the spinal cord at an intervertebral level where bilateral CAP dysplasia was present; this was bilateral aplasia in all but one case, which had one aplastic and one severely hypoplastic CAP. MRI lesions were associated with spinal cord compression in all but one case; intervertebral disc protrusion resulted in extra-dural compression in 10 (56%) cases; intra-dural compression was associated with a suspected arachnoid diverticulum in 4 (22%) cases and suspected pia-arachnoid fibrosis in 3 cases (17%). There was no association between clinical parameters and a diagnosis of intra-dural vs extra-dural compression. CAP dysplasia occurred at multiple levels in the T10–13 region with bilateral aplasia at T11–12 most often associated with corresponding spinal cord lesions on MRI.ConclusionsAll Pugs dogs in this study were presented for chronic progressive ambulatory paraparesis; incontinence was commonly reported. Although intervertebral disc disease was the most common radiologic diagnosis, intra-dural compression associated with arachnoid diverticulae/fibrosis was also common. Bilateral CAP aplasia was present in all but one Pug dog at the level of MRI detectable spinal cord lesions. A causal relationship between CAP dysplasia and causes of thoracolumbar myelopathy is speculated but is not confirmed by this study.

Applications Research of Cluster Analysis in Chinese Acupuncture Therapy

It is significant to improve the clinical therapeutic effect of Chinese acupuncture for an acupuncturist. Cluster analysis can classify the patient samples and help the acupuncturist to innovate the traditional acupuncture therapy under the concept of personalized treatment. This paper points out the concrete steps of the cluster analysis application in the improvement of the treatment effect of Chinese acupuncture, which incudes indexes selection, data collection and clustering analysis. Then, the paper provides a concrete case of cluster analysis application for thirty patients of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. We divided the patients into three categories and adopt different types of patients with different acupuncture treatment to achieve good treatment results.

Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Patients with Lumbar Radicular Pain; Outcome Results of 2-Year Follow-Up.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of transforaminal lumbar epidural steroid injections (TFESI) in patients with unilateral radiculopathy due to lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion regarding pain intensity, functional disability, current opioid intake and patients’ satisfaction. Methods:The study is conducted in a pain management center (Tehran, Iran), during 2018. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, radiculopathy for more than 6 months due to imagine-proved lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and no response to conservative treatments. Exclusion criteria were spinal canal stenosis, lumbar surgery, and inability to communicate in Persian language. During a phone call interview, cases were instructed to rate their pain intensity according to the visual analogue scale (VAS), functional ability, satisfaction according to the patient satisfaction score (PSQ) and report current opioid use and additional injection and/or surgery. Results:Forty-three (89.5%) of the 48 subjects were reachable for study with mean age of 59.14 years and 16 subjects were men (37.2 %). Mean VAS after intervention was 4.67 and before the intervention was 6.91 (p=0.002). Mean functional disability before intervention was 47.23 and after intervention was 37 (p<0.001). Mean patient satisfaction score was 3.07 while 18 cases reported a PSQ level ≥4. 10 cases reported using opioid for analgesia, 23 cases reported receiving additional TFESIs and 11 reported having undergone lumbar surgery.Conclusion:Lumbar Epidural steroid injection is an effective non-surgical treatment option with regard to pain relief and improvement in functional ability with an average patients’ satisfaction during 2 years follow up although nearly 25% of patients may need additional injections and half of the patients may finally proceed to surgery.

Spectrum of diagnostic errors in cervical spine trauma imaging and their clinical significance.

To describe and categorize diagnostic errors in cervical spine CT (CsCT) interpretation performed for trauma and to assess their clinical significance. All CsCTs performed for trauma with diagnostic errors that came to our attention based on clinical or imaging follow-up or quality assurance peer review from 2004 to 2017 were included. The number of CsCTs performed at our institution during the same time interval was calculated. Errors were categorized as spinal/extraspinal, involving osseous/soft tissue structures, by anatomical site and level. Images were reviewed by a radiologist and two spine surgeons. For each error, the need for surgery, immobilization, CT angiogram of the neck, and MRI was assessed; if any of these were needed, the error was considered clinically significant. Of an approximate total 59,000 CsCTs, 56 reports containing diagnostic errors were included. Twelve were extraspinal, and 44 were spinal (26 fractures, 15 intervertebral disc protrusions, two subluxations, one lytic bone lesion). The most common sites of spinal fractures were vertebral body (n = 10) and transverse process (n = 8); the most common levels were C5 (n = 8) and C7 (n = 6). All (n = 26) fractures and two atlantooccipital subluxations were considered clinically significant, including three patients who would have required urgent surgical stabilization (two subluxations and one facet fracture). Two transverse processes fractures did not alter the need for surgical intervention/surgical approach, immobilization, or MRI. In our study, 66% of spinal diagnostic errors on CsCT were considered clinically significant, potentially altering clinical management. Transverse process and vertebral body fractures were commonly missed.

Vertebrogenous syndrome, lumbosacral spine against the backdrop of connective tissue dysplasia in athletes

In Ukraine, according to WHO, the disease of the spine is the fourth after cardiovascular system, oncology and pathology of diabetes. Dysplasia of connective tissue (DST) - a violation of the structure of the connective tissue in the embryonic and postnatal period as a result of genetically modified fibrylohenez extracellular matrix, leading to frustration on tissue homeostasis levels prohradiyentnym course. A clinical and neurological examination of 90 patients with an average age of 31,5 ± 13,5 g. оf vertebral syndrome, lumbosacral spine.&#x0D; The results of the clinical study demonstrated that patients with vertebral syndrome, lumbosacral spine against the background displays GOST significantly (p &lt;0,05) more common intervertebral disc protrusion, more pronounced changes in yellow ties, in the form of thickening. Concomitant diseases (manifestations DST) scoliosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis, hiperruhlyvist joints, tendency to dislocation, stretching ligaments joints - significantly (p &lt;0,05) increase the duration of treatment and the severity of pain. Analysis of the survey data and monitoring of patients in the dynamics of the treatment showed that patients with vertebral syndrome, lumbosacral spine against the background displays GOST significantly (p &lt;0,05) more likely to have anatomical changes in the lumbosacral spine, than in patients without evidence of DST.

Correlation Between Clinical And Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings In Patients With Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Low back pain accounts for a large amount of loss of productivity in the workforce. When the low back pain extends into the lower limb along the distribution of a dermatome then radiculopathy is said to be present. Although most people experience back pain during their lifetime, only a fraction experience lumbosacral radiculopathy as a consequence of nerve root compression or irritation. Almost 5% males and 2.5% females experience lumbosacral radiculopathy at some time in their lifetime. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred investigation for the diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy. So, in the evaluation of a patient of lumbosacral radiculopathy is essential to correlate clinical symptoms and signs with the finding detected in the MRI to arrive at a correct diagnosis and arrange an appropriate management. So this study was done to see the correlation between clinical and MRI finding of radiculopathy at different nerve root level in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy. It was a cross sectional descriptive study. All 40 patients of lumbosacral radiculopathy who were presented to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital during the study period from 01/11/2011 to 30/10/2012 were included in the study. There were 30 males and 10 females having an M: F ratio of 3:1. Mean age of total patients 43 + 14.74 years. 67.5% patients were between 20 to 50 years and 60% patients were performing heavy work. 67.5% patients had unilateral involvement while 32.6% patients had bilateral involvement. 72.5% patients had muscle weakness and 27.5% had no muscle weakness. 67.5% patients had sensory impairment and 32.5% had no sensory involvement. Knee jerk changes were present in 60% patients and ankle jerk changes in 66.66% patients. As expected 52.18% had L5 and 32.61% had S1 radiculopathy. The difference in clinical and MRI detection of root involvement was statistically significant (p value &lt; 0.05) in both sides at L4, L5 and S1 root levels but there was no significant difference at the L3 root level (p value 1.00) Intervertebral disc herniation was the commonest cause of lumbosacral radiculopathy (72.32%) and second common cause was spinal canal stenosis (19.44%). Others are intervertebral disc budging (61.52%), disc protrusion (23.08%) and disc extrusion (15.38%). Correlation between clinical severity and MRI grading of lumbosacral radiculopathy which was statistically significant. So, it is concluded that clinical findings correlate well with MRI finding, but all MRI abnormalities need not have a clinical significanceTAJ 2015; 28(1): 32-39

A 3-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Adjacent Segment Disk Degeneration Induced by Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion After Pedicle Screw Fixation

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is an effective treatment of upper lumbar intervertebral disk herniation. However, its clinical efficacy for adjacent segment disk degeneration (ASDD) remains undefined. Therefore, the biomechanical evaluation of ASDD caused by TLIF after pedicle screw fixation (PSF) was explored via a 3-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis. Computed tomography images of a healthy male adult volunteer were used in this study. A L3-4 3D finite element model (model) was successfully constructed using Pro/E software, which was also used to establish the L4-5 of the TLIF, PSF, and PSF+ TLIF models. Under the same loading conditions, the protrusion and retraction of the adjacent intervertebral disk and the stress distribution of the annulus fibrosis, facet joint, and articular process in the TLIF, PSF, and PSF+ TLIF models were all compared. Protrusion and retraction of the adjacent intervertebral disk were more notable in the PSF+ TLIF model than in the PSF model under the same loading conditions. The stress of the annulus fibrosis of the PSF+ TLIF model was stronger relative to that of the PSF model under flexion, extension, or lateral bending. The stress of the articular process of the PSF+ TLIF model was also stronger than that of the PSF model under extension or lateral bending. This study provides evidence that TLIF may aggravate ASDD after PSF. Furthermore, the findings provided in this report represent the theoretic basis for the clinical analysis of ASDD caused by TLIF after PSF.

Post mortem evaluation of spinal cord and protruded intervertebral discs in dogs without neurological abnormalities

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to verify the presence of protrusion of the intervertebral disc (IVD) causing compression of the spinal cord and/or roots of cauda equina in 30 dogs above seven years of age with no evidence of previous neurological abnormalities. After the occurrence of death or euthanasia, a laminectomy was performed from C2 to the sacral vertebra to verify the presence of IVD protrusions. The protruded IVD were macroscopically graded according to the Thompson scale, and the corresponding spinal cord segment was histologically analyzed for nervous tissue compression. Of the 30 dogs, twelve (40%) presented disc protrusion, and of these 12 dogs, seven (58%) presented more than one protruded disc. Disc protrusion was observed in 3.2% (25/780) of all IVD evaluated. Of the six chondrodystrophic dogs, five (83%) presented disc protrusion. Of the 24 nonchondrodystrophic dogs, seven (29%) presented IVD protrusion. The site that showed the highest frequency of protrusion was L4-L5 (6/25) followed by the L6-L7 region (3/25) and C6-C7 (3/25). Only two of the medullary segments evaluated showed histological changes, with presence of focal lymphocytic infiltration and multifocal mild hemorrhage in the gray matter. Under the conditions of this study, 40% of dogs older than seven years old showed IVD protrusions without showing neurological signs, with no abnormality of the nervous tissue in 92% of the evaluated segments. Thus, the protrusion of the IVD in some dogs, can only be a finding of no clinical relevance.

Treatment of displacement-type lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion on L2-L5 with percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy

To evaluate the operative characteristic, safety, clinical effect of percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID) in treating displacement-type lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion on L₂-L₅. Form November 2015 to October 2016, 15 patients with displacement-type lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion were treated with percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy. There were 9 males and 6 females, aged from 19 to 63 years old with an average of 42 years. All the patients with single-segment displacement-type lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion were diagnosed by clinical and iconography data, and complicated with low back pain and single lower limbs radioactivity pain. Lesion occurred in L₄,₅ of 8 cases, L₃,₄ of 4 cases, L₂,₃ of 3 cases. The patients were divided into 4 regions according to Lee standard (displaced nucleus pulposus location on spinal canal), I region was 2 cases, II region was 3 cases, III region was 5 cases, IV region was 5 cases.Preoperative, postoperative 3 months, final follow-up, lumbago-leg pain and lumbar function were assessed by VAS, JOA scores;at final follow-up, MacNab was used to evaluate the clinical effect;postoperative 3 months, rechecked lumbar MRI to observe discectomy condition. All the operations were successfully complete under local anesthesia, and no complications such as injuries of nerve root and dural sac, postoperative hemorrhage, local infection were found. Operative time was 45 to 90 min with an average of 54.8 min;and hospitalization time was 3 to 4 days with an average of 3 days. All 15 cases were followed up for 12 to 13 months with an average of 12.2 months, no recurrence was found. Preoperation, postoperative 3, 12 months, VAS scores were 8.2±1.4, 3.0±0.6, 1.7±0.5, JOA scores were 8.76±3.32, 23.61±2.14, 24.82±3.43, respectively. Postoperative VAS, JOA scores were obviously improved(P<0.05). According to MacNab standard to evaluate the clinical effect, 9 cases obtained excellent results, 5 good, 1 fair. PEID is a micro-trauma surgical method and has advantage of safe and effective in treating displacement-type lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion on L₂-L₅, but requires laminoplasty during operation, and under local anesthesia to operation maybe can induce neurostimulation.

THE EFFICACY OF OZONE THERAPY ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION: PROPOSAL FOR GUIDANCE UPDATES

Objective: To explore the possible mechanisms of pain relief by ozone therapy in patients with different types of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.&#x0D; Methods: The medical records of a total of 250 patients with protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc (159 males, 91 females, aged 14–85 years) admitted in the South Hospital from January 2009 to June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc were divided into four groups according to T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography findings during ozone injection: type I, fibrous ring rupture without nucleus pulposus protrusion; type II, fibrous ring rupture with nucleus pulposus protrusion; type III, non-ruptured fibrous ring without nucleus pulposus protrusion; and type IV, non-ruptured fibrous ring with nucleus pulposus protrusion. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were used to evaluate treatment efficacy among patients with different types of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion before surgery, and at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery.&#x0D; Results: Atrophy of the nucleus pulposus was observed in 63% of type II and IV patients within 1 year after surgery. The VAS scores at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery decreased by an average of 4.47, 4.41, 4.77, and 4.85 for type I to IV disease, respectively. More specifically, scores of type I patients were decreased by 4.57, 4.72, 4.98, and 4.93, respectively, during the follow-up period. Scores of type II patients were decreased by 4.78, 461, 5.08, and 5; type III cases by 3.72, 377, 3.97, and 4.84, respectively; and type IV cases by 4.24, 4.10, 4.45, and 4.41, respectively. In addition, the postoperative VAS score of 94.4%, 91.6%, 89.6% and 90.8% of patients were decreased by &gt; 25%, i.e., the pain was alleviated, with type I patients demonstrating a pain relief rate of 96.3% during the entire follow-up period, along with 93.5% and 89.8%, and 89.8%, respectively for type II patients, 76.9%, 84.6%, 76.9%, and 87.2%, respectively for type III patients, and 77.6%, 79.6%, 79.6%, and 79.6%, respectively for type IV patients.&#x0D; Conclusion: Ozone therapy is an effective pain-relief therapy for lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. The degree of pain relief was closely related to rupture of the fibrous ring and protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. Pain relief efficacy was improved in patients with fibrous ring rupture and nucleus pulposus, while the pain relief effects in patients without fibrous ring rupture or nucleus pulposus protrusion were poor.

Efficacy of high intensity laser therapy in treatment of patients with lumbar disc protrusion: A randomized controlled trial.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of high intensity laser therapy (HILT) in patients with lumbar disc protrusion (LDP). This study included 63 patients suffering from protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc; they were divided into Groups 1 (n= 32) and 2 (n= 31). Group 1 was treated with HILT and spinal decompression system (SDS). Patients in Group 2 received SDS alone. Evaluations were conducted on oswestry disability index (ODI), lumbosacral portion pain, and lower limb radiation pain with visual analogue scale (VAS) of two patient groups before treatment, two weeks after treatment, and 1 month after follow-up visit. Lumbar flexion range and angle of straight leg raising before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment. After two weeks of treatment of two patient groups, ODI, VAS, lumbar flexion range and angle of straight leg raising significantly improved compared with their conditions before treatment (P< 0.01). A significant difference was noted in ODI, lumbar flexion range, and angle of straight leg raising between groups after two weeks of treatment (P< 0.05). Non-statistical significant difference was observed in lumbosacral portion pain and lower limb radiation pain with VAS (P> 0.05). However, difference in was VAS smaller in Group 1. All groups showed significantly different results in terms of ODI, lumbosacral portion pain, and lower limb radiation pain with VAS. As one of available treatments for LDP, HILT can speed up improvement in lumbar segment motion, angle of straight leg raising, and overall function and allow early return of patients to their family and society. Treatment effect is long-lasting and can be widely promoted and applied clinically.