Lumbar Disc Herniation Research Articles

Analyses of imaging presentations, full endoscopic and pathological features of a novel interlaminar ligament

BackgroundTo analyze the characteristics of an unnamed interlaminar ligaments(ILL) through magnetic resonance image (MRI), endoscopy and pathological examination.MethodA retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of patients who underwent posterior endoscopic surgery for lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis from January 2021 to February 2022 at our medical center. The height, width and cross-sectional thickness of the ligament was analyzed using T2 weighted MRI. Meanwhile, the morphological and pathological characteristics were also compared with those of the ligamentum flavum to highlight the differences between above mentioned ligaments.ResultForty-three patients were included in this study, including 27 males and 16 females, with an average age of 46.6 ± 12.1y. There were 20 cases of lumbar disc herniation and 23 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis. The width, length, thickness of the ILL, the thickness of LF and surgical time in the lumbar disc group were 17.7 ± 3.5 mm, 4.3 ± 1.3 mm, 18.3 ± 3.5 mm, 5.3 ± 1.9 mm, 53.2 ± 14.5 min, respectively. In the lumbar spinal stenosis group, the corresponding parameters were 16.0 ± 3.1 mm, 4.1 ± 1.6 mm, 17.6 ± 4.8 mm, 6.3 ± 0.8 mm, 61.8 ± 12.4 min, respectively. The intergroup difference in thickness of the ligamentum flavum was statistically significant (P = 0.02). The difference in surgical time was also established(P = 0.04). Endoscopic differences were identified as to the location of the anchor points and appearances among the two ligaments. Significant differences in the density and direction of fibrous structures were also observed under biopsy. Under endoscopy, significant difference as to the grade of ILL thickness was established when compared regarding disease spectrum (P = 0.09.)ConclusionThe interlaminar ligament is a structure that has not yet been officially named, which has significant structural differences from those of the ligamentum flavum. For posterior endoscopic procedure, its clinical significance lies in its ability to serve as the endpoint of soft tissue channel establishment. The thickness of the ligamentum flavum in MRI and the thickness of ILL under endoscopy vary according to the disease spectrum.

Percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy with patients’ participation : better postoperative rehabilitation and satisfaction

ObjectEvaluation of the impact of patients’ participation on postoperative recovery and satisfaction who underwent the Percutaneous Endoscopic Interlaminar Discectomy(PEID).MethodsWe collected data from sixty-nine patients who underwent PEID surgery at Chuzhou Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital between January 2020 and December 2022. All patients had L5/S1 lumbar disc herniation and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into two groups: non-communication group (n = 33) and communication group (n = 36). The division was made based on whether the patients had preoperative surgical video viewing and intraoperative communication. We compared the baseline data, surgical time, VAS score, lumbar JOA score, surgical complications, and patient satisfaction between the two groups.ResultThe communication group showed better pain control and functional recovery in the early postoperative period. The communication group had better VAS scores on the first day and month after surgery, as well as JOA scores on the first week and month after surgery, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in hospital stay, VAS score, JOA score, and postoperative complications between the two groups of patients at 3 and 6 months after surgery. The communication group had higher patient satisfaction (P < 0.05).ConclusionPreoperative surgical video viewing and intraoperative communication by PEID patients can alleviate pain, accelerate functional recovery, improve symptoms, and increase patients’ satisfaction. We need to do more work to develop this new model.

How safe is high-intensity focused ultrasound? An intriguing solution for obstetric and gynecological diseases: A systematic review.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-surgical and noninvasive treatment modality that depends on external ultrasound energy sources that induce focused mass ablation and protein degeneration in the treatment area via thermal energy penetration under the intact skin. We aim in our study to collectively evaluate the safety of HIFU for the treatment of different obstetric and gynecological diseases in the literature. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases, without restriction on date or language, from the inception of these databases until January 20, 2024. We also examined the references of the included studies in the Mendeley archive for eligible articles. We found a total of 706 studies. After the screening and selection process, 56 participants were included. Our dichotomous outcomes were pooled in our single-arm meta-analysis as risk ratio (RR) and with 95% confidence interval (CI) while our continuous outcomes were pooled as mean change and 95% CIs. Fixed- or random-effects models were applied depending on the heterogeneity detected. Our systematic review and meta-analysis included 56 studies including 11.740 patients. Depending on the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) classification for adverse effects. The results of this meta-analysis for the type A category that did not require clinical intervention found that pain in the treatment site estimated RR with 95% CI: 0.61 (0.33, 0.89), abnormal vaginal discharge 0.16 (0.073, 0.24), low-grade fever (<38 °C) 0.005 (0.002, 0.009). Sensory abnormalities of the lower limbs were examined in 3390 individuals and observed in only 19 patients who experienced gradual relief of symptoms within one month after treatment. Regarding SIR type B, 99 of a total of 6.437 patients had small vesicles and superficial burns with pooled RR and 95% CI: 0.012 (0.007, 0.018). In terms of groin or perianal and lower abdominal pain, our RRs with 95% CIs were 0.1 (0.067, 0.13) and 0.38 (0.25, 0.51). However, vaginal bleeding was detected in only 32 out of a total of 3.017. Major adverse events like lumber disc herniation, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure, were unmentionable. Additionally, our included studies did not record any deaths. HIFU, either alone or in combination with oxytocin or any other enhancing agent, is safe for patients with different gynecological and obstetric diseases. In terms of efficacy, it showed promising results compared with traditional treatment lines. To our knowledge, we are the first and most comprehensive meta-analysis in the literature that has studied the different safety outcomes related to HIFU as a treatment modality for different obstetric and gynecological diseases with a very large sample size, making our evidence strong and less attributed to errors.

Effectiveness of intradiscal ozone injections for treating pain following herniated lumbar disc: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Low back pain and sciatica caused by herniated lumbar discs (HLDs) are common complaints among patients visiting pain clinics. Among the various therapeutic methods, intradiscal ozone injections have emerged as an effective alternative or additional treatment option for HLDs. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of intradiscal ozone injections in the treatment of HLDs. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases for relevant studies published until January 25, 2024. We included studies that investigated the efficacy of intradiscal ozone injections in patients with HLDs. We evaluated the methodological quality of individual studies using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. At ⩾ 6 months after treatment, the therapeutic effect of intradiscal ozone injections in patients with HLDs was greater than that of steroid injections (treatment success rate, 6 months: odds ratio = 3.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] [2.44, 6.39], P< 0.01) or conventional medications (changes in the Visual Analog Scale [VAS], 6 months: standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.65, 95% CI [1.08, 2.22], P< 0.01; 12 months: SMD = 1.52, 95% CI [0.96, 2.08], P< 0.01) but similar to that of microdiscectomy (changes in VAS, 18 months: SMD =-0.05, 95% CI [-0.67, 0.57], P= 0.87). At < 6 months after treatment, the reduction in the VAS score after intradiscal ozone injections was higher than that after steroid injections (changes in VAS, 1month: SMD = 2.53, 95% CI [1.84, 3.21], P< 0.01). Intradiscal ozone injections may be a useful therapeutic tool in patients with HLDs. Compared with other conventional treatment methods such as steroid injections and oral medications, intradiscal ozone injection has great long-term (⩾ 6 months) effectiveness.

The use of intraoperative CT-neuronavigation in Wiltse approach. A technical note.

The paraspinal approach was first introduced in 1968 and later refined by Leon Wiltse to gain access to the lateral interevertebral foraminal region. However, challenges can arise due to unfamiliarity with this approach, unique patient anatomy, or in case of revision surgery, potentially elevating the risk of complications and/or poor outcome. Here we report on two cases in which the intraoperative Oarm CT neuronavigation was used during a Wiltse approach. Under general anesthesia, the spinous process near the surgical level is exposed through a midline incision. The patient's reference anchor is then attached to the exposed spinous process. Intraoperative CT is acquired and transferred to the Stealth Station S8 Surgical Navigation System (Medtronic). The Wiltse approach is now performed through a paramedian incision under neuronavigation guidance and perfectly tailored to the patient's unique anatomy. The first case was a patient harboring a left lumbar intraextraforaminal schwannoma and the second one was a patient with an extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation at the adjacent level of a previous lumbar instrumentation. We were able to easily identify and remove both the lesions minimizing the surgical approach with no complication and optimal clinical outcome. Our cases demonstrate the feasibility of application of intraoperative O-arm CT-neuronavigation to the Wiltse approach. In our opinion, this technique helps in minimizing the surgical approach and rapidly identifying the lesion of interest. Further studies are needed to address the effective utility and advantages of intraoperative CT-neuronavigation in this specific surgical scenario.

Brain plasticity following lumbar disc herniation treatment with spinal manipulation therapy based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging

As a prevalent spine disorder, Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) has been affecting more than 2 % of the worldwide population and is characterised by uncertain causes and recurring episodes. Studying the brain activity of patients could potentially provide insights into its pathogenesis and significantly enhance therapy. Therefore, we here examined brain function in patients under Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT). By analysing regional homogeneity (ReHo) at different frequency bands, we identified the discrepancies in brain activity between LDH patients and healthy people, highlighting the frequency dependence of spontaneous low-frequency oscillations among patients with LDH. Choosing seeds based on the peak ReHo differences helped to elucidate the functional connectivity alterations in the brain regions of LDH. Overall, this study showed that SMT significantly reduced pain, improved dysfunction, and partially rectified aberrant local consistency and functional connection in patients with LDH, not only offering insights into the pathophysiology of LDH from a neurological standpoint, but also providing inspiration for the development of new therapies based on neurobiology.

Deep learning-based structure segmentation and intramuscular fat annotation on lumbar magnetic resonance imaging.

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a prevalent cause of low back pain. LDH patients commonly experience paraspinal muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration (FI), which further exacerbates the symptoms of low back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for assessing paraspinal muscle condition. Our study aims to develop a dual-model for automated muscle segmentation and FI annotation on MRI, assisting clinicians evaluate LDH conditions comprehensively. The study retrospectively collected data diagnosed with LDH from December 2020 to May 2022. The dataset was split into a 7:3 ratio for training and testing, with an external test set prepared to validate model generalizability. The model's performance was evaluated using average precision (AP), recall and F1 score. The consistency was assessed using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Cohen's Kappa. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was calculated to assess the error of the model measurements of relative cross-sectional area (rCSA) and FI. Calculate the MAPE of FI measured by threshold algorithms to compare with the model. A total of 417 patients being evaluated, comprising 216 males and 201 females, with a mean age of 49 ± 15 years. In the internal test set, the muscle segmentation model achieved an overall DSC of 0.92 ± 0.10, recall of 92.60%, and AP of 0.98. The fat annotation model attained a recall of 91.30%, F1 Score of 0.82, and Cohen's Kappa of 0.76. However, there was a decrease on the external test set. For rCSA measurements, except for longissimus (10.89%), the MAPE of other muscles was less than 10%. When comparing the errors of FI for each paraspinal muscle, the MAPE of the model was lower than that of the threshold algorithm. The models demonstrate outstanding performance, with lower error in FI measurement compared to thresholding algorithms.

Percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy for high-grade migrated lumbar disc herniation: clinical efficacy and safety assessment.

This study aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID) in the management of high-grade migrated Lumbar disc herniation (LDH). A total of 328 patients who underwent PEID for high-grade migrated LDH between May 2020 and January 2023 in our hospital were selected. Patients were categorized into high-grade migrated group and low-grade migrated group according to preoperative MRI findings. The preoperative and postoperative evaluations of clinical outcomes, such as Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for lower backs and legs, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and modified MacNab criteria for surgical success, were compared between groups. No statistically significant differences were found in hospitalization time, surgery time, intraoperative hemorrhage, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, or incision length between the two groups. The lower back and leg VAS scores and ODI exhibited a statistically significant decrease in both groups across all postoperative time intervals. However, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Postoperative nerve root stimulation symptoms were reported in two and three cases in the high-grade migrated group and low-grade migrated group, respectively. One patient in the high-grade migrated group underwent reoperation due to re-herniation at the same segment. There was no significant difference in the rate of excellent-good cases between the two groups, with an overall rate of 94.7%. In treating high-grade migrated disc herniation, PEID offers advantages such as reduced trauma, small incision, quicker recovery and satisfactory clinical safety and efficacy.

Evaluating the performance of the SORG machine learning algorithm for predicting discharge disposition in lumbar surgery patients

PurposeProtracted admissions following lumbar surgeries are rising, often stemming from inefficient identification of patients requiring nonhome discharge for rehabilitation. The SORG Orthopaedic Research Group at Harvard Medical School have developed a machine learning algorithm for predicting discharge following lumbar surgery. This study assessed its predictive performance on an independent tertiary centre patient cohort. MethodsMedical records were retrospectively reviewed for all elective adult lumbar disc degeneration or herniation surgeries performed between July 2017–2021 at a tertiary neurosurgical centre in the United Kingdom. Preoperative variables were collated and discharge destinations noted. Algorithm predictions were analysed using the concordance (c) statistic, Brier score and calibration plot. Positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated, and a decision curve analysis (DCA) plotted. Results251 subjects were included (48.2 % female, mean age 55.3 years). 2.8 % underwent nonhome discharge. Most had surgery at 1/2 spinal levels (98.4 %) and were functionally independent (84.5 %). Algorithm predictions yielded a 0.88 c-statistic and 0.029 Brier score. The algorithm was miscalibrated to the data (calibration plot slope 1.31 and intercept -1.12). At a 0.25 threshold for nonroutine discharge risk, the PPV was 0.19 and NPV 0.98. DCA revealed limited clinical utility. ConclusionsAlgorithm predictive performance was mixed for this cohort, displaying strong discrimination but poor calibration and overestimation of nonroutine discharges. Differences in patient management practices and the low nonhome discharge rate may explain this. Larger validation studies across different healthcare systems, alongside geographically specific algorithm development, will improve predictive accuracy prior to clinical application.

Expectations in patients undergoing spine surgery are high and unmet

BACKGROUND CONTEXTDefining success in spine surgery lacks a standardized approach, and all existing concepts are based on registrations after surgery. PURPOSETo examine patients’ expectations before spine surgery assessed by a modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The authors asked: how do the expectations align with actual outcomes and can a patient's individual expectations be used as a success criterion in itself? STUDY DESIGN /SETTINGProspective single-center study. PATIENT SAMPLEPatients scheduled for spine surgery at Akershus University Hospital (AHUS) were included in the study. They underwent 1 of 3 procedures: decompression for spinal stenosis, disc removal for lumbar disc herniation, or spinal fusion for degenerative disc disease. OUTCOME MEASURESModified and standard version of ODI and NRS (back and leg pain). METHODSPreoperatively, the patients were given a modified ODI and NRS questionnaire in which they were asked to register the minimum acceptable functional impairment and pain they anticipated to have postsurgery. The patients’ expectations were compared with 3-and 12-month follow-up data from the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery (NORspine) with ODI, NRS and Global Perceived Effect (GPE) scale. We used simple descriptive statistics. RESULTSA total of 93 patients completed the pre-op questionnaire. Of these, 65 responded to the 3-month follow-up and 53 at 12-month follow-up. The mean (95%CI) ODI before surgery was 38.3 (34.2–42.3), the mean (95% CI) preoperative NRS back pain was 6.34 (5.81–6.88), and leg pain was 6.67 (6.08–7.26). The patients expected a mean (95% CI) ODI of 10.5 (7.5–13.5), mean (95%CI) NRS back pain of 2.5 (2.1–3.0), and NRS leg pain of 1.8 (1.5–2.2). The actual clinical outcome after 12 months were a mean (95% CI) ODI of 21.7 (17.0–26.5), NRS back pain of 3.4 (2.8–4.1), and leg pain of 2.8 (2.0–3.5). Only 12 (30.8%) patients achieved their expected ODI, while 26 (65.0%) classified themselves as significantly better according to GPE. CONCLUSIONSPatients seem to have high expectations before spine surgery, and the expectations may exceed the clinical outcome. Only 30.8% had their ODI expectations met, but perceived benefit was higher. High expectations may be due to inadequate preoperative information and/or the unsuitability of ODI for capturing expectations.

Comparison of Full Endoscopic Lumbar Diskectomy Using the Transforaminal Approach versus Interlaminar Approach for L5-S1 Lumbar Disk Herniation Treatment: A Meta-Analysis.

Numerous studies have examined the clinical effectiveness of transforaminal full endoscopic lumbar diskectomy (T-FELD) and interlaminar full endoscopic lumbar diskectomy (I-FELD) for L5-S1 lumbar disk herniation (LDH), with mixed findings. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the perioperative outcomes, clinical results, and complications of T-FELD and I-FELD to determine their efficacy and safety for treating L5-S1 LDH and to examine the features of complications in depth. Several databases were searched for articles that matched all of the inclusion criteria. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess the clinical results. Information on perioperative outcomes and complications was gathered and analyzed. Eight studies with 756 participants were included. There were no significant differences in postoperative bed time (p = 0.44) and hospitalization time (p = 0.49) between T-FELD and I-FELD. When compared with I-FELD, T-FELD was associated with substantially longer fluoroscopy time (p < 0.0001) and operating time (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the preoperative and postoperative VAS and ODI scores between T-FELD and I-FELD. The rates for overall complications, postoperative dysesthesia, postoperative lower extremity pain, incomplete decompression, recurrence, and conversion to open surgery were comparable for T-FLED and I-FELD. T-FELD and I-FELD had equal clinical results and safety for treatment of L5-S1 LDH. Fluoroscopy and operative times were shorter for I-FELD than for T-FELD.

Posterior Cartilage Endplate Disruption on T1-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Predictor for Postoperative Recurrence of Lumbar Disk Herniation.

A retrospective cohort study. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between disruption of cartilage endplates and postoperative recurrence of lumber disk herniation (LDH) using preoperative T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI-T1WI). Recurrence of LDH is a relatively common complication after discectomy. Although several risk factors have been identified, their predictive capability remains limited. Previous histologic studies reported that cartilage endplates were present in 85% of patients with recurrent LDH. Patients with a single level of LDH who underwent open or microendoscopic discectomy were retrospectively reviewed. On the basis of preoperative sagittal MRI-T1WI, cartilage endplates were divided into anterior and posterior portions at the center of the disk and evaluated for discontinuity. Patient background characteristics, spinopelvic sagittal parameters, degrees of disk degeneration, and recurrence level were also evaluated. A total of 100 patients were included in this study (mean age, 50.5 years old; 41% female). Symptomatic recurrence of LDH occurred in 15 patients (15%). There were no significant differences in patient background characteristics (age, 46.9 vs. 51.2 years old; %female, 60% vs. 38%; smoking, 33% vs. 41%; diabetes mellitus, 27% vs. 29%) or spinopelvic parameters (PI, 44.1 vs. 47.0 degrees; PT, 16.8 vs. 19.4 degrees; SS, 27.3 vs. 27.6 degrees; LL, 37.7 vs. 33.7 degrees). In the recurrence group, MRI-T1WI showed a higher rate of cartilage endplate disruption in the posterior portion than in the no-recurrence group (73% vs. 34%, P=0.01). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the disruption of the posterior cartilage endplate remained an independent predictor of recurrence. Disruption in the posterior cartilage endplate on preoperative MRI-T1WI was closely associated with recurrence after LDH surgery. These results suggest that this MRI finding is a practical and useful predictor of LDH recurrence. Level III.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Recurrent Hernia and Other Postoperative Complications After Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Recurrent Hernia and Other Postoperative Complications After Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Clinical outcomes of fenestration discectomy and iLESSYS-Delta interlaminar endoscopic system for treatment of LDH: a single-center retrospective cohort study

To compare the clinical efficacy of interlaminar endoscopic surgical system delta (iLESSYS-Delta) discectomy with that of classical fenestration discectomy for treating lumbar disc herniation. Patients who underwent iLESSYS-Delta or fenestration discectomy were enrolled in this study. Baseline information and clinical indicators were collected. The baseline data were matched using propensity score matching. Fifty-two patients were in each group. In the iLESSYS-Delta cohort, the volume of intraoperative bleeding was 18.17 ± 4.20 ml, the length of postoperative hospital stay was 4.16 ± 2.29 days, and the length of postoperative off-bed activity was 1.58 ± 0.88 days. In contrast, in the fenestration group, the volume of intraoperative bleeding was 32.50 ± 17.13 ml, the length of postoperative hospital stay was 6.66 ± 2.44 days, and the length of postoperative off-bed activity was 3.18 ± 1.28 days. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The operation time was 88.90 ± 19.14 min in the iLESSYS-Delta group and 67.63 ± 19.32 min in the fenestration group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Regarding the pain visual analogue scale scores at 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery, patients in the iLESSYS-Delta group had less pain than did those in the fenestration group (P < 0.05). The Oswestry disability indices of postoperative patients in both groups significantly improved at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up (P < 0.05); however, there was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative ODI scores between the two surgery groups (P > 0.05). The two groups showed no significant differences in clinical effects, postoperative recurrence rates, or perioperative complications. iLESSYS-Delta can cause less intraoperative bleeding and faster recovery than fenestration discectomy.

The impact of yoga therapy on lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse: A systematic review

ABSTRACT This systematic review is aimed to evaluate the effect of yoga therapy on lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse (LIVDP) also known as lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Databases such as PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and search engine Google Scholar were searched from 2007 to 2024. Randomized control trials (RCTs), case studies, and quasi-experimental studies involving yoga therapy and LIVDP/LDH were included in the study. The PRISMA guidelines were followed to extract the 10 articles for the study. The primary outcomes included disability scores, pain intensity, nerve conduction, and structural changes. 10 studies involving 546 patients were included in the study. The average sample size of the studies was 54.6 patients. The length of intervention varied from 3 weeks to 4 months with an average of 2 sessions/week. This study demonstrated that yoga therapy is an effective, affordable, and preventive treatment for LIVDP and low back pain. However, additional high-quality, large-scale RCTs and studies are needed for clinically significant results.

Cauda equina syndrome successfully treated with microdiscectomy and methylprednisolone therapy: A case report

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) caused by lumbar disc herniation is a rare neurosurgical emergency in young adults that requires immediate decompression. A surgical delay over 48 hours may result in irreversible ramifications, underscoring a crucial timeframe for managing this condition. We presented a 26-year-old man with lower limb weakness persisting for one week, accompanied with exacerbating bowel and bladder issues after massage. The patient had a history of low back pain and tingling sensations radiating to the left leg over the past year. His physical examination showed right motor strength of 5/4 and left motor strength of 5/3, with weakened bowel peristalsis, loose anal sphincter and saddle anaesthesia. A spinal MRI revealed protruded discs extending to the intervertebral levels of L4-L5 and L5-S1, implicating herniated discs as the likely cause of CES. He underwent a microdiscectomy with a posterior approach, and intravenous methylprednisolone was administered before the procedure. The next surgery demonstrated enhancements in motor strength, bowel and bladder function, and it also reduced pain. He was discharged with persistent tingling sensations in his both legs. We concluded that CES represents a critical neurosurgical emergency, which is diagnosed through clinical symptoms and neuroimaging. Rapid decompression and intravenous administration of methylprednisolone are associated with better prognosis.

Comprehensive Analysis of Treatment Approaches for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Systematic Review.

Lumbar disc herniation is a common disorder that has an important impact on the quality of life and daily activities of those affected. It is defined as the displacement of the nucleus pulposus beyond the intervertebral space. This systematic review aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of several treatment modalities, including conservative, pharmaceutical, and surgical interventions. The data sources utilized were PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Cochrane. We conducted a systematic review of English-language articles published between 2019 and 2024, using the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 720 studies were identified during the search. Following the evaluation of the title, abstract, and full text, and the application of exclusion criteria, a total of 15 studies met the requirements for inclusion in the analysis. The results indicate that although conservative treatment is frequently successful in providing immediate relief of symptoms, surgical interventions may be required for patients experiencing neurological deficitsor those who do not respond to conservativetreatments. One limitation of this systematic review is the inclusion of a limited number of studies, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the review was restricted to English-language publications from 2019 to 2024, potentially excluding relevant research published in other languages or outside this timeframe.

Validating the Accuracy of a Patient-Facing Clinical Decision Support System in Predicting Lumbar Disc Herniation: Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

Low back pain (LBP) is a major cause of disability globally, and the diagnosis of LBP is challenging for clinicians. Using new software called Therapha, this study aimed to assess the accuracy level of artificial intelligence as a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) compared to MRI in predicting lumbar disc herniated patients. One hundred low back pain patients aged ≥18 years old were included in the study. The study was conducted in three stages. Firstly, a case series was conducted by matching MRI and Therapha diagnosis for 10 patients. Subsequently, Delphi methodology was employed to establish a clinical consensus. Finally, to determine the accuracy of the newly developed software, a cross-sectional study was undertaken involving 100 patients. The software showed a significant diagnostic accuracy with the area under the curve in the ROC analysis determined as 0.84 with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 80%. The study's findings revealed that CDSS using Therapha has a reasonable level of efficacy, and this can be utilized clinically to acquire a faster and more accurate screening of patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Qualitative Evaluation of Paraspinal Musculature After Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression: A Prospective Study.

To quantify fatty infiltration and degree of paraspinal muscle degeneration in patients submitted to tubular microdiscectomy and conventional open microdiscectomy. A prospective cohort of patients was submitted to microdiscectomy for lumbar disc herniation after failure of conservative treatment. Selection of the technique was based on the surgeon's preference. Analysis of the multifidus muscle was performed using the Goutallier system and the percentage of fat in the muscle. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was used, and statistical analysis was carried out using the Wilcoxon test and Spearman correlation test using a significance level of 5%. Thirty-two patients were included in the study. The percentage of fatty infiltration in the muscle increased on both sides of the spine 1 year after surgery, although only the ipsilateral side presented statistical significance in patients submitted to conventional microdiscectomy (43.3% preoperative and 57.8% postoperative). Muscular degeneration increased significantly ipsilateral to the disc herniation according to the Goutallier classification (grades 1-2) for both interventions. No statistically significant difference was found for fatty infiltration scores or for the degree of muscular degeneration of the multifidus in the comparative analysis of the methods. Muscular damage resulting from surgery of lumbar disc herniation significantly increases fatty infiltration and degeneration of the multifidus. Muscular degeneration was associated with worsening back pain. While no significant difference was found between the techniques, the tubular minimally invasive approach shows a tendency for less muscle damage. These findings highlight the importance of minimizing muscle injury during surgery to improve postoperative recovery and long-term outcomes.

A Novel Classification of Migrated Lumbar Disk Herniation Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Algorithm Recommendations for Full-Endoscopic Discectomy.

Retrospective clinical study. The purpose of this study was to establish a novel classification of migrated lumbar disk herniation (LDH) based on magnetic resonance imaging and provide appropriate treatment strategies for each type through algorithms. Full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy is a surgical technique that has been developed rapidly in recent years. For migrated LDH, few surgeons currently classify it with multiplanar positioning, and there is no consensus on the choice of treatment strategy. Therefore, we established a new multiplanar classification criteria that can localize the lesions more accurately than previous studies. A total of 263 eligible patients from March 2017 to March 2022 were included. Protrusions for each patient were located based on our classification and the surgical approach was selected according to our algorithms. The clinical symptoms of all patients before surgery, and at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery were collected. Evaluations were performed using visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and modified MacNab criteria. We used the chi-squared test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and t-test to compare perioperative results and postoperative 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up results. VAS (low back pain) scores were reduced from 5.33 ± 2.67 to 0.73 ± 0.77 (p < 0.001), and VAS (leg pain) scores were reduced from 7.44 ± 2.21 to 0.37 ± 0.51 (p < 0.001). ODI scores improved from 58.46 ± 8.04 to 12.57 ± 2.51 (p < 0.001). According to the modified MacNab criteria, the excellent and good rate reached 92.78% at the 12-month follow-up. Twenty-six patients developed complications, all of which improved after treatment. Recurrence occurred in 13 patients, and four of them underwent secondary surgery. This is an innovative classification method using multi-plane positioning, and the algorithm used with it can help surgeons make appropriate choices when using endoscopic technology to treat migrated LDH. Statistical analysis of follow-up data confirmed that this is a safe and effective strategy.