European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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In addition to the sagittal alignment, impact of transverse plane parameters (TPP) and rotatory subluxation on patients reported outcomes were highlighted. One of the hypotheses for genesis of degenerative scoliosis is disc degeneration with increased axial vertebral (AVR) and intervertebral rotation (AIR). Therefore, TPP analysis at early stage of the scoliosis seems of particular interest. This study aims at assessing reliability of tridimensional (3D) reconstructions of adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients. ⋯ 3D analysis was reliable for Cobb and sagittal parameters. 3D analysis for TPP was reproducible when Cobb is below 30°. However, uncertainty is larger for Cobb above 30°. Nevertheless, 3D reconstructions could help surgeons to anticipate onset of rotatory subluxation while assessing axial rotation evolution for small deformity and choose best delay for surgical treatment.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the semi-quantitative, pre-operative assessment of patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery.
To compare measurements of motor evoked potential latency stimulated either magnetically (mMEP) or electrically (eMEP) and central motor conduction time (CMCT) made pre-operatively in conscious patients using transcranial and intra-operatively using electrical cortical stimulation before and after successful instrumentation for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. ⋯ The congruency of mMEP and eMEP and of mCMCT and eCMCT suggests that these measurements may be used comparatively and semi-quantitatively for the comparison of pre-, intra-, and post-operative spinal cord function in spinal deformity surgery.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine is a sensitive investigation, which not only provides detailed images of the spinal column but also adjacent spinal regions and para-vertebral organ systems. Such incidental findings (IF) can be asymptomatic but significant. The efficacy of whole spine T2 sagittal screening in providing additional information has been demonstrated in several spinal diseases but its routine use in patients with spinal degenerative diseases has not been studied. ⋯ Routine T2 whole spine screening MRI identified 15.8% IF of the spinal and extra-spinal regions. 65 patients (4.3%) required either spine surgical intervention or other specialist care. Considering the potential advantages in identifying significant IF and the minimal extra time spent to perform whole spine screening, its application can be considered to be incorporated in routine imaging of spinal degenerative diseases.
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Intervertebral disc degeneration is thought to contribute to low back pain. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms remain controversial. In a previous study, we developed an animal model that showed delayed gait disturbance after lumbar facetectomy in the rat. We believe that this gait disturbance was caused by low back pain, although the mechanisms of this gait abnormality remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate structural changes of the lumbar spine after facetectomy in the rat utilizing three-dimensional micro-computed tomography (3DμCT) compared to histology. ⋯ Degenerative changes were observed at the facetectomy level. These may correspond with the previously reported delayed gait disturbance after facetectomy. This animal model may be useful to create mechanically induced disc degeneration without direct tissue damage to the disc.