Symptomatic Spinal Stenosis Research Articles

Influence of the sagittal spinal profile type on the long-term outcome of patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis after microsurgical decompression

OBJECTIVE Microsurgical decompression for patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has demonstrated long-term improvement concerning pain and function. Nonetheless, a considerable proportion of these patients do not experience satisfactory alleviation of symptoms. Previous studies have not found a direct influence of single sagittal parameters on patient outcomes. However, recent research indicates that a composite of parameters, presented in specific sagittal profile types (SPTs) that were defined by Roussouly and colleagues, may affect these outcomes. This study aims to investigate the impact of SPT on long-term outcomes of patients with LSS following microsurgical decompression. METHODS This study is a prospective clinical observation. Patients with symptomatic LSS, who underwent microsurgical treatment and had long-term follow-up data for at least 36 months, were included. Patients with spinal deformity, fractures, or significant instability were excluded. Outcomes were measured using the numeric rating scale for pain, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey for quality of life, walking distance, Oswestry Disability Index, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, and Odom’s criteria. SPT was determined in blinded fashion by using preoperative long standing radiographs. RESULTS The initial population of this observational study consisted of 128 patients, with long-term results available for 87 individuals, including 24 patients with SPT1, 20 with SPT2, 27 with SPT3, and 16 with SPT4. The average age was 70 years, with a slight male majority (56.3%) and a mean BMI of 27.9 kg/m2. After a median follow-up of 48 months, all groups showed significant improvement in walking distance, leg pain, and disability. Overall, 75% reported satisfaction with the surgery. However, patients with SPT1, which is characterized by low sacral slope and specific spinal curvatures, experienced significantly less improvement in back pain (p = 0.018) and related disability (p = 0.030), and lower satisfaction compared to other SPT groups (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS The sagittal spinal type is influencing the long-term outcome of patients suffering from symptomatic LSS. Patients with a combination of a flat sacral slope and a low overall lumbar lordosis with a high lordosis in the lower lumbar spine (i.e., spinal SPT1) showed worse outcome concerning back pain and had decreased satisfaction with surgery than comparable subjects from other SPT groups. Consequently, the authors recommend the assessment of sagittal spinal types in patients diagnosed with symptomatic spinal stenosis prior to decompression surgery. Inclusion of SPT in the preoperative consultation process can provide valuable insights, potentially guiding practitioners to more tailored patient counseling.

European Achondroplasia Forum Practical Considerations for Following Adults with Achondroplasia.

Achondroplasia is a lifelong condition requiring lifelong management. There is consensus that infants and children with achondroplasia should be managed by a multidisciplinary team experienced in the condition. However, many people are lost to follow-up after the transition from paediatric to adult care, and there is no standardised approach for management in adults, despite the recent availability of international consensus guidelines. To address this, the European Achondroplasia Forum has developed a patient-held checklist to support adults with achondroplasia in managing their health. The checklist highlights key symptoms of spinal stenosis and obstructive sleep apnoea, both among the most frequent and potentially severe medical complications in adults with achondroplasia. The checklist acts as a framework to support individuals and their primary care provider in completing a routine review. General advice on issues such as blood pressure, pain, hearing, weight, adaptive aids, and psychosocial aspects are also included. The checklist provides key symptoms to be aware of, in addition to action points so that people can approach their primary care provider and be directed to the appropriate specialist, if needed. Additionally, the European Achondroplasia Forum offers some ideas on implementing the checklist during the transition from paediatric to adult care, thus ensuring the existing multidisciplinary team model in place during childhood can support in engaging individuals and empowering them to take responsibility for their own care as they move into adulthood.

Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural injection to treat symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis: a retrospective study.

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) occurs when bony, ligamentous, and synovial elements of the lower axial spine degenerate and overgrow, compressing neural and vascular elements in the spinal canal. Compression can cause static back pain, radicular lower extremity pain, or neurogenic claudication. Radiological and clinical findings are needed to diagnose lumbar stenosis. In this framework, caudal epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a standard treatment. The volume injected and needle positioning are the main issues that could compromise the effectiveness of the epidural injection. However, ultrasound-guided caudal epidural injections have become more common in recent years. Since Klocke and colleagues described the ultra-sound-guided caudal block in 2003, it has grown in popularity. Multiple ethnic studies have reported ultrasound-guided caudal injection success rates of 96.9-100%. Color Doppler ultrasonography can also determine if a drug solution reaches the lumbosacral region. We enrolled 42 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, persistent lumbosciatalgia, and neurogenic claudicatio unresponsive to painkillers who were not surgical candidates. Each patient receives four weekly injections for four weeks. If the patient responds to treatment but still has pain, monthly injections are needed to reach and maintain the benefit. Treatment will be changed if the patient does not respond after 4 caudal injections. Sterile caudal epidural injections are performed with ultrasound guidance and a spinal needle 21G. Triamcinolone 40 mg, levobupivacaine 10 mg, and physiological solution 10 ml are delivered. Each patient received an average of 4 injective treatments (4±2, Means 4, SD 2). Data analysis shows that the treatment reduced pain significantly before and after therapy, which persisted after 3 months. Caudal epidural injection is one of the most common conservative treatments for chronic low back pain with radiculopathy, and lidocaine alone or with steroids is effective. In this framework, the two main literature issues about caudal epidural injection effectiveness on lumbar pain are correct. Therefore, 10 ml is suitable and effective for treating symptoms without side effects. Pain reduction of over 50% from start to finish and three-month follow-up have shown significant results in pain control and disability improvement. Finally, caudal epidural injection for lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms is effective, safe, and provides long-term pain relief.

Surgery for Spinal Stenosis in Achondroplasia: Causes of Reoperation and Reduction of Risks.

Individuals with achondroplasia are prone to symptomatic spinal stenosis requiring surgery. Revision rates are thought to be high; however, the precise causes and rates of reoperation are unknown. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the causes of reoperation after initial surgical intervention in individuals with achondroplasia and spinal stenosis. In addition, we report on surgical techniques aimed at reducing the risks of these reoperations. A retrospective review was conducted over an 8-year period of all patients with achondroplasia at a single institution that serves as a large referral center for patients with skeletal dysplasias. Patients with achondroplasia who underwent spinal surgery for stenosis were identified and the need for revision surgery was studied. Data collected included demographic, surgical, and revision details. Fisher exact test was used to determine if an association existed between construct type and the need for revisions. Thirty-three of the 130 (22%) patients with achondroplasia required spinal stenosis surgery. Twenty-four individuals who met the criteria were selected for analysis. The initial spine surgery was at an average age of 18.7 years (SD: 10.1y). Nine patients (38%) required revision surgeries, and 3 required multiple revisions. Five of 9 (56%) of the revisions had primary surgery at an outside institution. Revision surgeries were due to caudal pseudarthrosis (the distal instrumented segment) (8), proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) (7), and new neurological symptoms (7). There was a significant association found between construct type and the need for revision ( P =0.0111). The pairwise comparison found that short fusions were significantly associated with the need for revision compared with the interbody group ( P =0.0180). PJK was associated with short fusions when compared with the long fusion group ( P =0.0294) and the interbody group ( P =0.0300). Caudal pseudarthrosis was associated with short fusions when compared with the interbody group ( P =0.0015). Multivariate logistic regression found long fusion with an interbody was predictive of and protective against the need for revision surgery ( P =0.0246). To date, none of the initial cases that had long fusions with caudal interbody required a revision for distal pseudarthrosis. In patients with achondroplasia, the rate of surgery for spinal stenosis is 22% and the risk of revision is 38% and is primarily due to pseudarthrosis, PJK, and recurrent neurological symptoms. Surgeons should consider discussing spinal surgery as part of the patient's life plan and should consider wide decompression of the stenotic levels and long fusion with the use of an interbody cage at the caudal level in all patients to reduce risks of revision. Level IV-Retrospective case series.

Relationships between the Spinal Dural Pulsations and the Short-Term Efficacy of Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection.

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) causes low back pain, leg pain, numbness in the leg, and neurogenic intermittent claudication. Epidural steroid injection (ESI) has been used for treating spinal stenosis symptoms. We hypothesized that dural pulsation was variable for lumbar spinal stenosis. In cases of the presence of dural pulsation, the pain relief after the ESI was better than in the absence of dural pulsation. This study aimed at investigating the relationships between the presence or absence of spinal dural pulsations and the efficacy of ESI. A total of 71 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Prior to the ESI, the dural pulsation was measured using a 5-1 MHz array ultrasound transducer. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was measured pre-ESI and 2 weeks post-ESI and 4 weeks post-ESI. At 4 weeks post-ESI, dural pulsation was rechecked. The VAS scores improved after the ESI procedure regardless of the presence or absence of dural pulsation. There was a correlation between the pulsation of the dura and post-ESI VAS scores. However, VAS was not significantly different for different grades of stenosis. The ESI was effective in patients with spinal stenosis in short-term follow-up. Dural pulsation of the spinal cord was a positive predictive factor for the ESI effect, but the grade of spinal stenosis severity had no effect on the effectiveness of ESI.

Lumbar decompression and fusion for symptomatic spinal stenosis in a patient with chronic thoracic sensory level from prior transverse myelitis: a case report

BackgroundMany patients with transverse myelitis suffer from sensory loss below the spinal level of the lesion. This is commonly associated with chronic neuropathic pain. However, the presence of somatic pain below a complete thoracic sensory level after transverse myelitis is exceptionally rare, and it is unclear if surgical decompression is an effective form of treatment for these patients.Case presentationIn this report, we describe a 22-year-old Caucasian female who suffered from chronic lumbar back pain despite a complete thoracic sensory level secondary to prior transverse myelitis. Imaging demonstrated multilevel central stenosis below the sensory level, and her pain improved after surgical decompression. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of symptomatic lumbar stenosis below a sensory level after transverse myelitis successfully treated with surgical decompression.ConclusionThis is the first reported case of a patient with symptomatic lumbar stenosis after transverse myelitis whose lower back pain and quality of life improved following surgical decompression and fusion. This case provides evidence that typical lumbago is possible in patients with sensory loss from transverse myelitis, and standard lumbar decompression may provide benefit for these patients.

Mental state as a predictor of outcome in spinal stenosis surgery: Four quadrants model integrating patient satisfaction and functional outcome

IntroductionMental status, characterised by anxiety and depression, significantly influences physical well-being, particularly in patients with spinal stenosis symptoms. Research questionThe prevalence of depression and anxiety in our cohort. The correlation between psychological distress and physical outcome after surgery, including postoperative recovery and satisfaction. Materials and methodsQuestionnaires evaluating anxiety and depression (HADS), functionality (ODI), quality of life (EQ-5D), and perceived recovery (Likert-scale) were sent to a randomly selected cohort of 450 lumbar spinal stenosis patients, with or without spondylolisthesis, who underwent surgery between 2007 and 2013. Results are presented, dichotomised by HADS score (score ≥8 indicating psychologically impaired) and in a Four Quadrants Model integrating functional outcomes and perceived recovery separately for psychologically impaired and non-impaired cases. ResultsAmong the 147 included patients, 32 (22%) exhibited anxiety and/or depression (impaired cases). Satisfactory outcome (perceived recovery) was reported in 29.0% of the impaired cases and 78.3% of the non-impaired cases (p < 0.001). The mean postoperative functionality score of the impaired cases was 42.46 ± 16.24, in contrast to 18.48 ± 18.25 for the non-impaired cases (p < 0.001). In the impaired group, only 12.5% achieved both a good functional outcome (ODI ≤24) and satisfactory perceived recovery, compared with 58.4% in the non-impaired group. Discussion and conclusionPatients reporting anxiety and/or depression demonstrate an inferior long-term outcome after spinal stenosis surgery compared to non-impaired patients. This clinically relevant difference underscores the importance of addressing depression and anxiety in preoperative counselling to optimize patient satisfaction and functional outcomes.

Assessment of balance impairment in patients with symptomatic cervical spinal stenosis with and without myelopathy

Assessment of balance impairment in patients with symptomatic cervical spinal stenosis with and without myelopathy

Do Patients with Symptomatic Cervical Spinal Stenosis without Signs of Myelopathy Have Balance Impairment?

Do Patients with Symptomatic Cervical Spinal Stenosis without Signs of Myelopathy Have Balance Impairment?

Similar improvements in patient-reported outcomes for non-specific low back pain patients with and without lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms following a structured education and exercise therapy program

BackgroundPeople with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) can also experience overlapping symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), but the impact on treatment outcomes is unknown. This study investigated differences in treatment outcomes for disability, back pain intensity, and leg pain intensity following an education and exercise therapy program for NSLBP patients with and without comorbid LSS symptoms.MethodsThis was a longitudinal analysis of 655 Danish participants in the GLA:D® Back program; an education and exercise therapy program for people with persistent NSLBP. Participants were classified as having comorbid LSS symptoms based on self-report. Linear mixed models were used to assess differences in change in disability (Oswestry Disability Index [0-100]) and back and leg pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale [0–10]) at 3-, 6-, and 12-months between those with and without LSS symptoms.Results28% of participants reported LSS symptoms. No certain differences in change in disability or back pain intensity improvement were observed at any time-point between those with and without LSS symptoms. Participants with LSS symptoms had slightly greater improvement in leg pain intensity at 6- (-0.7, 95% CI -1.2 to -0.2) and 12-months (-0.6, 95% CI -1.2 to -0.1).ConclusionCompared to those without LSS symptoms, patients with persistent NSLBP and LSS symptoms can expect similar improvements in disability and back pain intensity, and slightly greater improvements in leg pain intensity with treatment. Therefore, education and exercise therapy programs designed for NSLBP are likely helpful for those also experiencing LSS symptoms.

OR27-03 Oral Infigratinib Treatment Is Well Tolerated And Significantly Increases Height Velocity In Children With Achondroplasia: Month 6 Results From The PROPEL 2 Dose-finding Study

Abstract Disclosure: R. Savarirayan: Advisory Board Member; Self; Ascendis Pharma, BioMarin, QED Therapeutics, Sanofi. Consulting Fee; Self; BioMarin. Grant Recipient; Self; Ascendis Pharma, BioMarin, QED Therapeutics, Theracon. Research Investigator; Self; Ascendis Pharma, BioMarin, QED Therapeutics, Theracon. J. De Bergua: None. P. Arundel: None. J. Salles: None. V. Saraff: None. B. Delgado: None. A. Leiva-Gea: None. H. McDevitt: None. M.P. Nicolino: None. M. Rossi: Advisory Board Member; Self; BioMarin. M. Salcedo: None. V. Cormier-Daire: Advisory Board Member; Self; BioMarin. M. Skae: None. P. Kannu: Advisory Board Member; Self; Novartis, Ipsen. Grant Recipient; Self; CIHR. M.B. Bober: Advisory Board Member; Self; Biomarin. Consulting Fee; Self; Ascendis Pharma, BioMarin, Pfizer, QED Therapeutics. Grant Recipient; Self; Ascendis Pharma, BioMarin, Pfizer, QED Therapeutics. Research Investigator; Self; Ascendis Pharma, BioMarin, Pfizer, QED Therapeutics. J. Phillips: None. H. Saal: Advisory Board Member; Self; Alexion. Grant Recipient; Self; Alexion, BioMarin, Pfizer, QED Therapeutics. Research Investigator; Self; Alexion, BioMarin, Pfizer, QED Therapeutics. P. Harmatz: Consulting Fee; Self; Audentes, Aeglea, Homology, JCR, Denali, Inventiva, Paradigm, Capsida, Chiesi, Avrobio. Grant Recipient; Self; BioMarin, Inventiva. Research Investigator; Self; BioMarin, Shire/Takeda, QED, RegenXbio, Denali, Ascendis, Amicus, Allievex, JCR, Orphazyme, Idorsia, Sangamo. C.P. Burren: Grant Recipient; Self; Amgen, Pfizer, QED Therapeutics. Research Investigator; Self; Amgen, Pfizer, QED Therapeutics. T. Candler: None. T. Cho: Employee; Self; QED Therapeutics. Stock Owner; Self; QED Therapeutics. E. Muslimova: Employee; Self; QED Therapeutics. Stock Owner; Self; QED Therapeutics. R. Weng: Employee; Self; QED Therapeutics. Stock Owner; Self; QED Therapeutics. S. Raj: None. J. Hoover-Fong: Consulting Fee; Self; Pfizer/Therachon, BioMarin, QED Therapeutics, Sanofi, Ascendis Pharma. Grant Recipient; Self; Pfizer/Therachon, BioMarin, Ascendis Pharma. Research Investigator; Self; Pfizer/Therachon, BioMarin, Ascendis Pharma. M. Irving: Advisory Board Member; Self; Ascendis Pharma, BioMarin, QED Therapeutics, Sanofi, Therachon/Pfizer. Speaker; Self; BioMarin, QED Therapeutics. D. Rogoff: Employee; Self; QED Therapeutics. Stock Owner; Self; QED Therapeutics. Background: Achondroplasia (ACH), the most common short-limbed skeletal dysplasia, is characterized by impaired endochondral ossification resulting from gain-of-function pathogenic variants in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene, a negative regulator of endochondral bone growth. People with ACH are at risk for several significant co-morbidities, including compression of the brainstem due to foramen magnum stenosis, sleep-disordered breathing, chronic otitis media with conductive hearing loss, and symptomatic spinal stenosis. Infigratinib is an oral, selective FGFR1-3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor being investigated for the treatment of children with ACH in a phase 2 interventional study (PROPEL 2). Methods: PROPEL 2 (NCT04265651) is a phase 2 dose-finding, open-label study of infigratinib in children 3−11 years of age with ACH who participated for ≥6 months in PROPEL (NCT04035811), a non-interventional clinical assessment study. The PROPEL 2 dose-escalation (DE) phase comprises 5 ascending dose cohorts ranging from 0.016 mg/kg/day to 0.25 mg/kg/day. The primary endpoints are safety; change from baseline (BL) in annualized height velocity (AHV); and infigratinib pharmacokinetics in this population. Secondary endpoints include changes from BL in body proportions, and changes in quality of life. Other parameters of disease burden are evaluated as exploratory endpoints. Summary: Children enrolled in the PROPEL 2 DE phase completed ≥6 months of treatment at the assigned cohort dose. Cohorts 1-3 (n=37; doses 0.016, 0.032, and 0.064 mg/kg/day) did not show a significant increase in AHV and these doses were assessed as non-efficacious. Treatment at the cohort 4 dose (0.128 mg/kg/day) resulted in an increase in AHV from BL of 1.52 cm/year in children ≥5 years old (n=11; p=0.02). Infigratinib at the cohort 5 dose (n=10 with month 6 data, 0.25 mg/kg/day) resulted in a significant mean increase from BL of 3.03 cm/year (p=0.0022). In children considered responders (Δ in AHV ≥25% from BL, n=8/10), the mean change in AHV at the cohort 5 dose was +3.81±1.8 cm/year, with a median of +4.14 cm/year. Infigratinib was well tolerated with no serious AEs or AEs that led to study discontinuation, with most AEs mild or moderate in severity. At the cohort 5 dose level, no grade 3 AEs or treatment-related AEs were reported. Conclusion: Oral infigratinib in children with ACH, up to a dose of 0.25 mg/kg/day, was well tolerated and showed dose-dependent increases in AHV, with a significant mean change from BL of +3.03cm/year at the cohort 5 dose. The safety and efficacy of this oral, once-daily dose of infigratinib at 0.25 mg/kg/day will be further explored in a phase 3 randomized controlled study. If these phase 2 data are confirmed, infigratinib could potentially offer children with ACH the first safe and effective oral therapy to improve growth, enhance functionality and decrease medical complications. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023

Pain Management Interventions in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Literature Review.

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) occurs due to the narrowing of the space within the vertebral canal and or intervertebral foramina. This results in the compression of the spinal cord and possibly the roots of the spinal nerves.Lower back pain and neurogenic claudication (NC) are major symptoms of spinal stenosis. This is a literature review that summarizes the important findings pertaining to pain management of spinal stenosis. Twenty-four original articles were assessed. Pain can be treated through non-invasive or surgical methods. Conservative techniques include physical exercises, epidural corticosteroid injection, local anesthetic injection therapy, and oral analgesics. Surgical intervention deals with the decompression of the affected spinal region, with or without vertebral fusion surgery. Other novel surgical techniques include implantation of specific equipment, known as interspinous spacer devices and minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD). Most studies offering a comparative analysis have demonstrated that surgical intervention is more efficacious than non-surgical interventions to manage pain associated with spinal stenosis.

Findings from a pilot randomized trial of spinal decompression alone or spinal decompression plus instrumented fusion.

Symptomatic spinal stenosis is a very common problem, and decompression surgery has been shown to be superior to nonoperative treatment in selected patient groups. However, performing an instrumented fusion in addition to decompression may avoid revision and improve outcomes. The aim of the SpInOuT feasibility study was to establish whether a definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT) that accounted for the spectrum of pathology contributing to spinal stenosis, including pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch and mobile spondylolisthesis, could be conducted. As part of the SpInOuT-F study, a pilot randomized trial was carried out across five NHS hospitals. Patients were randomized to either spinal decompression alone or spinal decompression plus instrumented fusion. Patient-reported outcome measures were collected at baseline and three months. The intended sample size was 60 patients. Of the 90 patients screened, 77 passed the initial screening criteria. A total of 27 patients had a PI-LL mismatch and 23 had a dynamic spondylolisthesis. Following secondary inclusion and exclusion criteria, 31 patients were eligible for the study. Six patients were randomized and one underwent surgery during the study period. Given the low number of patients recruited and randomized, it was not possible to assess completion rates, quality of life, imaging, or health economic outcomes as intended. This study provides a unique insight into the prevalence of dynamic spondylolisthesis and PI-LL mismatch in patients with symptomatic spinal stenosis, and demonstrates that there is a need for a definitive RCT which stratifies for these groups in order to inform surgical decision-making. Nonetheless a definitive study would need further refinement in design and implementation in order to be feasible.

Walking status and spinopelvic parameters in young children with achondroplasia: 10-year follow-up.

Thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK) is common in children with achondroplasia and resolves in 90% by 10years of age. Our purpose was to describe the natural progression of TLK in a cohort of pre-walking children with achondroplasia. A single-center, retrospective review identified 62 children (32 male, 30 female) with achondroplasia. Clinical information and sagittal spinopelvic parameters were collected. The children were divided into positive pelvic tilt (PT) and negative PT. All parents were routinely counseled about unsupported sitting. Spontaneous resolution rate was 64.5% at 1-year post-walking, 74.2% at 5years of age, and 88.7% at 10years of age. None of the children required posterior spinal decompression and fusion for progressive deformity or symptomatic spinal stenosis. At 1-year post-walking, the negative PT group had a higher sacral slope (p = 0.006), higher lumbar lordosis (p < 0.001), and lower pelvic incidence (p < 0.001). This relationship remained constant up to 10years of age, and there was no association with TLK. In this largest series to date, spontaneous resolution of TLK in children with achondroplasia was 64.5% at 1-year post-walking, 74.2% at 5years of age, and 88.7% in children followed to 10years of age. With early identification and regular follow-up with patient education, no patient in this series required treatment or developed symptomatic spinal stenosis. While not predictive of resolution of TLK, the dichotomous presentation of PT in young children with achondroplasia persists at 5 and 10years of age and reliably predicts the spinopelvic parameters. III-retrospective comparative study.

Use of Microscopic Tubular Decompression in Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum: A Retrospective Analysis of Outcomes

Objective: This study retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of microscopic tubular decompression (MTD) in thoracic spinal stenosis due to ossification of the ligamentum flavum.Methods: Twelve patients who had symptomatic thoracic spinal stenosis with or without co-existing spinal stenosis at other spinal regions were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were complaints of numbness or paresthesia below the affected level, gait difficulties, back pain, hyperreflexia and increased muscle tone upon clinical examination with magnetic resonance imaging evidence of ligamentum flavum thickening resulting in thoracic canal stenosis. The whole spine was evaluated for tandem stenosis. Patients with other causes of thoracic spinal stenosis due to a tumor or malignancy and multiple-level thoracic spinal stenosis were excluded. Results: The patients’ mean age was 59 years. There were 9 men and 3 women. The average duration of symptoms was 8.6 months, and the average follow-up period was 15.4 months. The mean preoperative Nurick score was 3.83 and mean postoperative Nurick score was 1.5. Postoperatively, 1 patient presented with bilateral lower limb weakness due to local hematoma, which was promptly evacuated with open decompression.Conclusion: MTD allows a magnified surgical field while minimizing disruption to the surrounding soft tissue and bone structures and enables complete decompression of the spinal cord with minimal alteration to the biomechanical strength of the vertebral column. The advantages of tubular decompression include decreased blood loss, reduced hospital stay, early mobilization, and less muscle injury. Rapid recovery from surgical treatment is another potential advantage of this approach.

Symptomatic lumbar stenosis due to low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis can effectively be treated with mere decompression.

Adding instrumented spondylodesis to decompression in symptomatic spinal stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis is subject of debate. The presence of spondylolisthesis due to degeneration is an indicator of severe facet joint and intervertebral disc degeneration, and this may fit increased instability of the spine. We aim to establish the incidence of degenerative spondylolisthesis in spinal stenosis surgical candidates and to evaluate the incidence of failure of decompressive surgery without concomitant spondylodesis as initial treatment. Medical files of all operated patients for spinal stenosis between 2007 and 2013 were evaluated. Demographic characteristics, pre-operative radiological characteristics (level of stenosis, presence, and grade of spondylolisthesis), surgical technique, incidence, and indication for reoperation were summarised, as well as the type of reoperation. Patient satisfaction was classified as 'satisfied' or 'unsatisfied' after initial and secondary surgery. The follow-up was 6 to 12 years. Nine hundred thirty-four patients were included, and 253 (27%) had a spondylolisthesis. Seventeen percent of the spondylolisthesis patients receiving decompression were reoperated versus 12% of the stenosis patients (p=.059). Reoperation in the spondylolisthesis group concerned instrumented spondylodesis in 38 versus 10% in the stenosis group. The satisfaction percentage was comparable in the stenosis and the spondylolisthesis group two months after surgery (80 vs. 74%). Of the 253 spondylolisthesis patients, 1% initially received instrumented spondylodesis and 6% in a second operation. Lumbar stenosis with and without (low-grade) degenerative spondylolisthesis can usually effectively be treated with mere decompression. Instrumented surgery in a second surgical procedure does not lead to less satisfaction with surgical outcomes.

Clinical, radiological, and functional evaluation of surgical treatment in degenerative lumbar canal stenosis

Background: Low-back pain (LBP) is extremely prevalent and is the one of the most common causes for people to seek medical attention. As life expectancy continue to increase, prevalence of symptomatic spinal stenosis will increase. Although lumbar stenosis is not life-threatening, it can cause chronic and sustained pain and can limit activity severely. Early, accurate diagnosis, and treatment of lumbar stenosis is important in preserving activity in elderly population. Aims and Objectives: The study was conducted to find the incidence of degenerative lumbar canal stenosis (LCS) among patients of LBP, to evaluate clinicoradiological profile and to evaluate the outcome and complications in the surgically treated patients of degenerative LCS. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included all patients admitted with LCS under department of neurosurgery, GR medical college and associated J.A. group of Hospitals from December 2021 to December 2022 who underwent surgery. No randomization done. Results: Out of total 48 patients, 58% were males while 42% were females, 62.5% of patients were of more than 40 years of age, all patients were having LBP and 64.5% of patients were having LBP for the past 1 year. After surgical management, 87.5% of patients shows improvement in symptoms in Oswestry disability index and Visual analog scale scales. Conclusion: Overall good surgical outcome is obtained and better surgical results in degenerative LCS compared to other studies. Patients with degenerative LCS presenting with back pain and associated neurological deficit are successfully managed with surgical treatment in this study.

Prospective cascade screening for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in patients undergoing spinal stenosis surgery: results of the CASS (Cardiac Amyloidosis in Spinal Stenosis) study

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy due to transthyretin amyloid (ATTR) deposition is common in patients with symptomatic spinal stenosis, although prospective data on systematic screening for coinciding ATTR-cardiomyopathy (CM) are lacking. Purpose To evaluate a prospective screening strategy to identify de novo ATTR-CM in all-comers undergoing spinal stenosis surgery. Methods Patients undergoing symptomatic spinal stenosis surgery were prospectively screened for potential increased ATTR-CM risk, based on predefined criteria on electrocardiography, laboratory (hs-troponin, NT-proBNP), echocardiography and peroperative ligamentum flavum histology. ≥1 Positive criteria mandated ATTR-CM exclusion by HMDP-bonescintigraphy. Results In total 82 consecutive patients (mean age 68±9 years, 48% males) underwent prospective cascade screening. In 90% ≥1 positive risk criterium was noted and 4.1% of patients (n=3/74, 67% male) were identified with de novo ATTR-CM. Importantly, 59% (n=48/82) had ATTR deposition on ligamentum flavum biopsy, of which 21% (n=10/48) being &amp;lt;60 years old. ATTR burden on histology increased with age, the sole independent predictor of ATTR presence (HR 1.15, 95%CI 1.07–1.22, p&amp;lt;0.001). High ATTR burden (Westermark grade 4, ≥10% amyloid on ligamentum flavum histology) was noted in 12% (n=10/82). All 3 de novo ATTR-CM patients had high ATTR burden, translating into a prevalence and positive predictive value (PPV) of 30% (n=3/10) and 85% accuracy for ATTR-CM in Westermark grade 4 patients. Other increased risk markers with PPV&amp;gt;5% are hs-troponin, left ventricular wall thickness ≥12mm, global longitudinal strain &amp;gt;-20% and relative apical sparing. Conclusions High ATTR burden on ligamentum flavum histology during spinal stenosis surgery relates to high risk of coincident ATTR-CM.

Decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis at the intrathecal catheter insertion site during intrathecal baclofen therapy: a case report

BackgroundIntrathecal baclofen therapy can substantially improve symptoms in most patients with severe spasticity due to traumatic spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral paresis. To the best of our knowledge, decompression surgeries at the intrathecal catheter insertion site in patients with a preexisting intrathecal pump for drug delivery have not been reported.Case presentationWe report the case of a 61-year-old Japanese man with lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent intrathecal baclofen therapy. We performed decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis at the intrathecal catheter insertion site during intrathecal baclofen therapy. The yellow ligament was removed by partial resection of the lamina under a microscope to avoid damage to the intrathecal catheter. The dura mater was distended. No obvious cerebrospinal fluid leakage was observed. Postoperatively, lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms improved, and spasticity remained well controlled with intrathecal baclofen therapy.ConclusionsThis is the first reported case of lumbar spinal stenosis decompression at an intrathecal catheter insertion site during intrathecal baclofen therapy. Preoperative preparation is necessary, as the intrathecal catheter may be replaced during surgery. We performed surgery without removing or replacing the intrathecal catheter, taking care not to damage the spinal cord by migrating the intrathecal catheter.

Outpatient Fully Endoscopic Cervical Unilateral Laminotomy for Bilateral Decompression with Virtual Postoperative Monitoring

Objective: Cervical endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (CE-ULBD) is a promising novel surgical approach. However, to date, there is a paucity of data regarding safety, efficacy, and functional outcomes following CE-ULBD.Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of outpatient CE-ULBD combined with postoperative smartphone-based continuous physiological monitoring and virtual follow-up. Results: We included a total of 23 patients in our study group. The mean age was 69.1±2.5 years. A significant postoperative reduction of the visual analogue scale for neck pain (4.1±0.6 pre- vs. 2.3±0.5 post-surgery; P&lt;0.0001) and upper extremity pain (2.6±0.6 vs. 1.1±0.3; P=0.0012) was reported alongside a significant improvement in the Neck Disability Index (18.6±2.5 vs. 9.1±2.5; p=0.032). Eleven patients were monitored with continuous physiological monitoring via a smartphone app (SPINEHealthie ). Those patients were more likely to be outpatients (p=0.0002) and less likely to have postoperative inpatient clinic utilization (p&lt;0.0001). Continuous physiological monitoring suggested a trend towards higher levels of function in patients following CE-ULBD. Conclusion: : Our early results suggest that outpatient CE-ULBD followed by virtual postoperative monitoring is a safe and efficient therapeutic intervention for symptomatic cervical spinal stenosis.