Anatomic barriers to paraspinal blocks: a cadaver case series

Abstract The paraspinal space is intriguing in nature. There are several needle tip placements described in compact anatomical spaces. This has led to an incertitude regarding the appropriate anatomic locations for needle tip positions. Through our cadaver models we try to resolve the issues surrounding needle tip positions clarifying anatomical spaces and barriers. Further we propose an anatomical classification based on our findings in cadaveric open dissections and cross and sagittal sections.

Pathologic features of paraspinal muscle biopsies in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To characterize the paraspinal muscles of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients, and to further explore its etiology.@*METHODS@#Clinical records and paraspinal muscle biopsies at the apex vertebra region during posterior scoliosis correction surgery of 18 AIS were collected from November 2018 to August 2019. Following standardized processing of fresh muscle tissue biopsy, serial sections with conventional hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and histochemical and immunohistochemical (IHC) with antibody Dystrophin-1 (R-domain), Dystrophin-2 (C-terminal), Dystrophin-3 (N-terminal), Dystrophin-total, Myosin (fast), major histocompatibility complex 1 (MHC-1), CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD68 staining were obtained. Biopsy samples were grouped according to the subjects' median Cobb angle (Cobb angle ≥ 55° as severe AIS group and Cobb angle < 55° as mild AIS group) and Nash-Moe's classification respectively, and the corresponding pathological changes were compared between the groups statistically.@*RESULTS@#Among the 18 AIS patients, 8 were in the severe AIS group (Cobb angle ≥55°) and 10 in the mild AIS group (Cobb angle < 55°). Both severe and mild AIS groups presented various of atrophy and degeneration of paraspinal muscles, varying degrees and staining patterns of immune-expression of Dystrophin-3 loss, especially Dystrophin-2 loss in severe AIS group with significant differences, as well as among the Nash-Moe classification subgroups. Besides, infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the paraspinal muscles and tendons was observed in all the patients while CD20+ cells were null. The expression of MHC-1 on myolemma was present in some muscle fibers.@*CONCLUSION@#The histologic of paraspinal muscle biopsy in AIS had similar characteristic changes, the expression of Dystrophin protein was significantly reduced and correlated with the severity of scoliosis, suggesting that Dystrophin protein dysfunctions might contribute to the development of scoliosis. Meanwhile, the inflammatory changes of AIS were mainly manifested by T cell infiltration, and there seemed to be a certain correlation between inflammatory cell infiltration, MHC-1 expression and abnormal expression of Dystrophin. Further research along the lines of this result may open up new ideas for the diagnosis of scoliosis and the treatment of paraspinal myopathy.

Research progress on MRI evaluation of lumbar paraspinal muscle degeneration and related diseases / 中华骨科杂志

Low back pain (LBP) is a common clinical condition, and non-specific LBP is believed to be associated with lumbar instability caused by paraspinal muscle (PSM) degeneration. Therefore, MRI evaluation of PSM degeneration can help predict the progression of low back pain-related diseases. At present, the most commonly used MRI parameters are the cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration (FI) of PSM. In order to assess the degree of PSM degeneration more accurately, modified parameters including functional CSA, relative CSA and muscle-fat infiltration index (MFI), have been designed. Advancements in MRI technology,such as the application of IDEAL-IQ, allow for early detection of changes in fat infiltration. Additionally, the proton density fat fraction (PDFF) derived from chemical shift encoding based water-fat MRI (CSE-MRI), also shows promise in studying PSM. Numerous MRI studies, both domestically and internationally, have aimed to establish the relationship between PSM degeneration and non-specific LBP, lumbar degenerative diseases, degenerative lumbar scoliosis, and osteoporosis. It has been found that PSM degeneration is affected by other factors such as intervertebral disc, articular process and endplate degeneration. Furthermore, PSM degeneration and scoliosis/kyphosis are also reciprocal causation. Higher fat content in the vertebral body and PSM is associated with increased bone fragility, while vertebroplasty following osteoporotic vertebral fracture can delay PSM degeneration and improve quality of life.

The incidence and risk factors of lumbodorsal fasciitis in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To identify the incidence and risk factors related to lumbodorsal fasciitis in acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF).Methods:The clinical data of 1182 acute OVCF hospitalized in Zhongda Hospital Southeast University between June 2016 and October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 219 males and 963 females, aged 72.19±9.39 years (range, 45-98 years). The demographics, comorbidity profile, spine trauma, back pain duration, and vertebral fracture number of the OVCF with or without lumbodorsal fasciitis were summarized and compared. The independent risk factors of lumbodorsal fasciitis were identified by binary logistic regression analysis.Results:There were 532 cases of OVCF complicated with lumbodorsal fasciitis among 1,182 patients, and the incidence was 45.01%. The OVCF with fasciitis had higher ratio of males (23.5%, 125/532) than the OVCF without (14.5%, 94/650) fasciitis (χ 2=15.82, P<0.001). The OVCF with fasciitis were aged 74.57±9.21 years and significantly older than the OVCF (aged 70.24±9.60 years) without fasciitis ( t=7.85, P<0.001). The highest proportion of patients with OVCF combined with fasciitis was ≥80 years old (36.1%, 192/532), while most (34.6%, 225/650) of the OVCF without fasciitis were aged 60-70 years (χ 2=56.27, P<0.001). The OVCF with fasciitis had higher ratio of no evident spine trauma (37.0%, 197/532) and multiple vertebral fractures involving ≥3 vertebra (10.5%, 56/532) than the OVCF without fasciitis [26.3% (171/650), 3.2% (21/650); χ 2=17.67, P<0.001; χ 2=40.63, P<0.001]. The ratio of pre-hospital back pain >4 weeks was higher in the OVCF with (20.7%, 110/532) than without (7.4%, 48/650) fasciitis (χ 2=62.46, P<0.001). The OVCF with fasciitis had higher comorbidity of hypertension (52.8%, 281/532), coronary heart disease (14.7%, 78/532), and cerebral infarction (24.8%, 132/532) than the OVCF without fasciitis [42.8% (278/650), 9.9% (64/650), 17.9% (116/650); χ 2=11.85, P<0.001; χ 2=6.42, P=0.011; χ 2=8.56, P=0.003]. The OVCF with fasciitis had higher ratio of two comorbidities (23.7%, 126/532) than the OVCF without fasciitis (16.1%, 105/650) (χ 2=21.15, P<0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed significantly higher risk of lumbodorsal fasciitis in males than in females ( OR=1.69, P=0.001), in age group 60-<70、70-<80 and ≥80 years than in <60 years ( OR=2.28, P=0.002; OR=2.64, P<0.001; OR=4.90, P<0.001), in back pain for 2-<4 weeks and >4 weeks than in ≤1 week ( OR=1.70, P=0.005; OR=3.81, P<0.001), and in multiple fractures involving 2 and ≥3 vertebra than in single vertebrae ( OR=1.75, P=0.003; OR=3.36, P<0.001). Conclusion:Up to 45% of acute OVCF have concurrent lumbodorsal fasciitis. Male, aged ≥60 years, pre-hospital back pain ≥2 weeks, and fractures in ≥2 vertebra are independent risk factors of lumbodorsal fasciitis in OVCF.

T 2-mapping and BOLD to evaluate the effect of swimming rehabilitation exercise on paraspinal muscles in rats model with discogenic low back pain / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore MRI T 2-mapping and blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) to evaluate the functional changes of paraspinal muscle in rats with discogenic low back pain (DLBP) after swimming. Methods:Totally 54 female 1-month-old SD rats were selected, which were divided into 3 groups by random number table method, sham operation (Sham) group, DLBP non-swimming group and DLBP swimming group, with 18 rats in each group. Under the guidance of X-ray fluoroscopy, the L4/5 and L5/6 intervertebral discs of the rats in the DLBP non-swimming group and DLBP swimming group were punctured by the posterior approach, and establishment of DLBP rat model by destroying nucleus pulposus, and only paraspinal muscles at the same level were punctured in the Sham group. After modeling, the DLBP swimming group received swimming exercise intervention for 5 consecutive days (30 min/d), while the DLBP non-swimming group and Sham group did not receive any rehabilitation exercise intervention. Each group was divided into 3 time point subgroups on average, the T 2-mapping and BOLD sequences were scanned at 30, 90 and 180 days after modeling to obtain the T 2 value, R 2* value of the paraspinal muscles, and the paraspinal muscles at the modeling level were taken for immunofluorescence staining, and the fluorescence intensity of myosin heavy chain (MYH)1 (type Ⅱ muscle fiber) and MYH7 (type I muscle fiber) was analyzed. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison among the 3 groups, and the Bonferroni method was used for multiple comparisons, and Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between quantitative MRI parameters T 2 value, R 2* value and MYH1, MYH7 immunofluorescence intensity of rat paraspinal muscles at 180 days after modeling. Results:At 30 days after modeling, there was no significant difference in T 2 value and R 2* value among the 3 groups (all P>0.05). At 90 days after modeling, the T 2 value of the DLBP swimming group was higher than that of the DLBP non-swimming group, and the T 2 value of the DLBP non-swimming group was lower than that of the Sham group (all P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the R 2* value among the 3 groups ( P>0.05). At 180 days after modeling, the T 2 value of the DLBP swimming group was higher than that of the DLBP non-swimming group, and the R 2* value was lower than that of the DLBP non-swimming group; the T 2 value of the DLBP non-swimming group was lower than that of the Sham group, and the R 2* value was higher than that of the Sham group (all P<0.05). At 30 and 90 days after modeling, there was no significant difference in the expressions of MYH1 and MYH7 among the 3 groups (all P>0.05). At 180 days after modeling, the expression of MYH1 decreased and the expression of MYH7 increased in the DLBP swimming group compared with the DLBP non-swimming group; the expression of MYH1 increased and the expression of MYH7 decreased in the DLBP non-swimming group compared with the Sham group (all P<0.05). At 180 days after modeling, the T 2 value had a moderate negative correlation with the fluorescence intensity of MYH1 ( r=-0.511, P=0.043), and a moderate positive correlation with the fluorescence intensity of MYH7 ( r=0.564, P=0.023); R 2* value was moderate positive correlated with the fluorescence intensity of MYH1 ( r=0.625, P=0.010), and moderate negative correlated with the fluorescence intensity of MYH7 ( r=-0.653, P=0.006). Conclusions:Swimming exercise can improve the reduction of water content and perfusion in the paraspinal muscles of DLBP rats, and reduce the transformation of muscle fibers from type Ⅰ to type Ⅱ, the changes of T 2 and R 2* value can reflect the transformation of paraspinal muscle fiber types to a certain extent.

Correlation between paraspinal muscle atrophy, morphological changes of facet joints and adjacent segment degeneration after lumbar fusion / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between paraspinal muscle atrophy, morphological changes of facet joints and adjacent segment disease (ASDis) after lumbar fusion operation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted among 195 patients who underwent posterior lumbar fusion again for ASDis at this institution from January 2014 to December 2020, including 29 patients with ASDis whose initial surgical fusion segment was L 4,5. According to Roussouly's staging, there were 5 cases of type I, 9 cases of type II, 10 cases of type III, and 5 cases of type IV. Another 29 cases were selected from patients without ASDis after lumbar fusion as a control group. The control group was paired 1∶1 with the ASDis group according to gender, fusion segment, and Roussouly typing of the lumbar spine. The cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration (FI) of paravertebral muscle, facet joint angle (F-J) and pedicle facet (P-F) angle before the first (second) operation were measured and compared between the two groups. Then logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of ASDis after posterior lumbar fusion. Finally, the receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve was described, and the area under the curve (AUC) and cut-off point were calculated. At the same time, the paraspinal muscle atrophy before the second operation in ASDis group was measured. Results:The average follow-up time of 98 patients was 59.25±6.38 months (range, 49-73 months). The average body mass index (BMI) of ASDis group was 24.76±3.64 kg/m 2, which was higher than that in control group (22.24±2.92 kg/m 2) ( t=2.481, P=0.041). The average CSA and relative cross-sectional area (rCSA) of paraspinal muscle in ASDis group were 3 214.32± 421.15 mm 2 and 1.69±0.36 respectively, which were less than 3 978.91±459.87 mm 2 and 2.26±0.29 in control group ( t=10.22, P=0.012; t=9.47, P=0.038). The FI degree of paraspinal muscle in ASDis group (21.95%±5.89%) was significantly higher than that in control group (14.64%±7.11%) ( t=7.32, P=0.002). The F-J angle in ASDis group was 35.06°±3.45°, which was less than 38.39°±4.67° in control group ( t=4.76, P=0.027). The P-F angle in ASDis group was 117.39°±8.13°, which was greater than 111.32°±4.78° in control group ( t=5.25, P=0.031). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher BMI ( OR=1.34, P=0.038), smaller rCSA of paraspinal muscle ( OR=0.02, P=0.017) and higher FI of paraspinal muscle ( OR=1.58, P=0.032) were the risk factors of postoperative ASDis. The ROC curve showed that the AUC of BMI was 0.680 and the cut-off point was 22.58 kg/m 2; The AUC of the FI of paraspinal muscle was 0.716 and the cut-off point was 15.69%; The AUC of rCSA of paraspinal muscle was 0.227 and the cut-off point was 1.92. For ASDis patients, the paraspinal muscle before the second operation had a higher degree of FI (25.47%±6.59% vs. 21.95%±5.89%, t=3.99, P=0.042) and a smaller rCSA (1.52±0.28 vs. 1.69±0.36, t=3.85, P=0.038) than that before the first operation. The difference between the FI degree of paraspinal muscle before the second operation and the first operation was negatively correlated with the occurrence time of ASDis ( r=-0.53, P=0.039) , and the difference of rCSA was positively correlated with the occurrence time of ASDis ( r=0.64, P=0.043) . Conclusion:When BMI >22.58 kg/m 2, FI of paraspinal muscle >15.69%, and rCSA of paraspinal muscle <1.92, it suggests that ASDis is more likely to occur after operation. And the more obvious paraspinal muscle atrophy after the first operation, the earlier ASDis may occur. Morphological changes of facet joints cannot be used as an index to predict the occurrence of ASDis.

Comparison of effects of conservative treatment and percutaneous kyphoplasty on paravertebral muscle degeneration in patients with osteoporotic compression vertebral fractures / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To compare effects of conservative treatment and percutaneous kyphoplasty on paravertebral muscle degeneration in patients with osteoporotic compression vertebral fractures.Methods:A retrospective case control analysis was conducted on 286 cases of osteoporotic compression vertebral fractures from January 2017 to December 2019. There were 54 males and 232 females, with a mean age of 67.7 (range, 52-90 years). According to the treatment, the patients were divided in to conservative treatment group (134 patients) and percutaneous kyphoplasty treatment group (152 patients). The pre-operation and post-operation of paravertebral muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and fatty infiltration (FI% ) , bed rest time, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), the sagittal view Cobb angle, and the anterior column height of fractured vertebra were compared between these two groups.Results:The two groups had no significant difference in CSA and FI% of paravertebral muscle in each plane of the intervertebral discs of the L 3-4、L 4-5 and L 5S 1. The CSA of multifidus in each plane of the intervertebral discs three months after operation were 6.56±1.26 cm 2, 6.87±1.31 cm 2, and 7.14±1.29 cm 2; the CSA of erector were 12.39±2.16 cm 2, 14.72±2.67 cm 2, and 16.45±3.09 cm 2; the CSA of psoas major were 7.05±1.52 cm 2, 8.12±1.75 cm 2, and 8.68±1.66 cm 2, which all were larger than those in conservative treatment group and showed significant difference between two groups ( P<0.05). However, the two groups had no significant difference in FI% of paravertebral muscle three months after operation. The CSA of multifidus in each plane of the intervertebral discs one year after operation were 6.43±1.23 cm 2, 6.62±1.42 cm 2, and 7.06±1.32 cm 2; the CSA of erector were 12.02±2.08 cm 2, 14.53±2.76 cm 2, and 16.39±2.84 cm 2; the CSA of psoas major were 6.98±1.47 cm 2, 8.01±1.59 cm 2, and 8.37±1.72 cm 2, which all were larger than those in conservative treatment group and showed significant difference between two groups ( P<0.05). The FI% of multifidus in each plane of the intervertebral discs one year after operation were 31.40%±5.84% , 32.54%±6.64% , and 33.26%±7.16% ; the FI% of erector were 22.64%±3.47% , 23.08%±3.72% , and 23.84%±3.99% ; the FI% of psoas major were 9.23%±2.20% , 9.72%±2.54% , and 10.98%±2.43% , which all were less than those in conservative treatment group and showed significant difference between two groups ( P<0.05). Two groups had significant difference in bed rest time as (9.21±2.52) d vs. (40.32±9.79) d ( t=37.79, P<0.001). The VAS, ODI score at the time of the first day after treatment and the last follow-up of the surgical treatment group were all significantly lower than those of conservative treatment group ( P<0.05). The operation could effectively improve the kyphosis deformity and reduce the loss the anterior column height of fractured vertebra compared with conservative treatment ( P<0.05). Conclusion:There exists paravertebral muscle degeneration of varying degrees during the course of the osteoporotic compression vertebral fractures. Compared to conservative treatment, percutaneous kyphoplasty treatment can not only significantly relieve pain in the short term, improve quality of patient's life, but also significantly delay the degeneration of paravertebral muscle.

Reliability of the goutallier classification system in the evaluation of the multifidus muscle / Concordância da classificação de goutallier na avaliação do músculo multífido / Fiabilidad del sistema de clasificación de goutallier en la evaluación del músculo multífido

ABSTRACT Introduction: The paravertebral musculature is essential for the biomechanics and stability of the spine, and its involvement in the pathophysiology of spinal diseases has been demonstrated. Qualitative evaluation of muscle degeneration is usually performed by analyzing the fat infiltration rate proposed by the Goutallier classification system. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the intra- and interobserver agreement of the Goutallier Classification for the evaluation of fatty degeneration of the multifidus muscle, using magnetic resonance imaging exams. Methods: The study included 68 patients, all diagnosed with symptomatic disc hernia and indicated for surgery. Preoperative magnetic resonance images were used for the analyses. The images were initially evaluated by two orthopedists and two medical students, and then re-evaluated after two weeks. Intra- and inter-observer reliability analysis was performed using the Fleiss Kappa test and the Landis and Koch criteria. All the analyses were performed using the R statistical environment (R Development Core Team, version 3.3.1, 2016) and the significance level was set at 5%. Results: The percentages of intra- and inter-observer agreement were 86.76% and 61.03%, respectively. The intraobserver agreement was near perfect and the interobserver agreement was moderate. Conclusion: The Goutallier Classification System showed moderate interobserver and intraobserver agreement, being a relevant tool for the evaluation of paravertebral musculature fat replacement. Level of evidence II; Prospective study for diagnostic purposes.

RESUMO Introdução: A musculatura paravertebral é essencial para a biomecânica e estabilidade da coluna e tem sido demonstrado seu envolvimento na fisiopatologia das doenças da coluna vertebral. A avaliação qualitativa da degeneração muscular é usualmente feita pela análise da taxa de infiltração de gordura proposta pelo Sistema de Classificação de Goutallier. Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a concordância intra e interobservador da Classificação de Goutallier para avaliação da degeneração gordurosa do músculo multífido por meio de exames de ressonância magnética. Métodos: Fizeram parte do estudo 68 pacientes, todos com diagnóstico de hérnia discal sintomática e com indicação cirúrgica. As imagens de ressonância magnética colhidas no pré-operatório foram analisadas por dois ortopedistas e dois estudantes de medicina e foram reavaliadas duas semanas depois. Foi realizada análise de confiabilidade intra e interobservador por meio do teste Kappa de Fleiss e pelos critérios de Landis e Koch. Todas as análises foram realizadas com o auxílio do ambiente estatístico R (R Development Core Team, versão 3.3.1, 2016), e o nível de significância foi fixado em 5%. Resultados: As porcentagens de concordância intra e interobservadores foram, respectivamente, 86,76% e 61,03%. A concordância intraobservador foi quase perfeita e moderada interobservadores. Conclusões: O Sistema de Classificação de Goutallier demonstrou concordância moderada interobservador e intraobservador, sendo uma ferramenta relevante na avaliação da substituição gordurosa da musculatura paravertebral. Nível de evidência II; Estudo prospectivo para fins diagnósticos.

RESUMEN Introducción: La musculatura paravertebral es fundamental para la biomecánica y la estabilidad de la columna y se ha demostrado su intervención en la fisiopatología de las enfermedades de la columna. La evaluación cualitativa de la degeneración muscular se suele realizar analizando la tasa de infiltración de grasa propuesta por el sistema de clasificación de Goutallier. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la concordancia intra e interobservador de la Clasificación de Goutallier para evaluar la degeneración grasa del músculo multífido mediante resonancia magnética. Métodos: Formaron parte del estudio 68 pacientes, todos con diagnóstico de hernia discal sintomática y con indicación quirúrgica. Se utilizaron imágenes de resonancia magnética preoperatorias para el análisis. Las imágenes fueron evaluadas inicialmente por 02 ortopedistas y 02 estudiantes de medicina y, después de dos semanas, reevaluadas. El análisis de fiabilidad intra e interobservador se realizó mediante la prueba Kappa de Fleiss y los criterios de Landis y Koch. Todos los análisis se realizaron utilizando el entorno estadístico R (R Development Core Team, 2016), versión 3.3.1, y el nivel de significancia se estableció en 5%. Resultados: Los porcentajes de concordancia intra e interobservador fueron, respectivamente, 86,76% y 61,03%. La concordancia intraobservador fue casi perfecta y la concordancia interobservador fue moderada. Conclusión: el Sistema de Clasificación de Goutallier demostró una moderada concordancia interobservador e intraobservador, siendo una herramienta relevante en la evaluación del reemplazo graso de la musculatura paravertebral. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudio prospectivo con fines diagnósticos.

The mid-term clinical effect observation of Dynesys applied to the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases with fatty infiltration of multifidus muscle / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of Dynamic neutralization system applied to the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases with fatty infiltration of multifidus muscle.Methods:From Jan 2015 to Dec 2017, a total of 53 patients of lumbar degenerative diseases with multifidus fatty infiltration treated by Dynesys in our hospital were analyzed, included 21 males and 32 females, aged 66.2±7.4 (range 48-81) years. There were lumbar spinal stenosis in 37 casesand lumbar disc herniationin 16 cases; the index level included L 2-S 1 in 3 cases, L 3-S 1 in 13 cases, L 2-L 5 in 5 cases, L 4-S 1 in 17 cases, and L 3-L 5 in 15 cases. The pedicle screws were inserted at the point of intersection of the outer edge of superior articular process and the midline of transverse process. After discectomy of herniated disc and hyperplastic ligamentum flavum, the distance between the upper and lower pedicle screws was measured and then the spacer of the corresponding length was cut out. Finally, the spacer was placed and fixed between the upper and lower pedicle screws by the elastic rope. The degree of multifidus fat infiltration, lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slop (SS), range of motion (ROM), intervertebral height (IH), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), the MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) and visual analog scale (VAS) were evaluated postoperatively. Results:The operation was performed successfully in all the patients. The operation duration was 173.5±64.7 (range 125-240) min. Intraoperative blood loss was 469.5±118.2 (range 380-620) ml. The patients were followed up for 47.9±6.7 (range 38-62) months averagely. At the last follow-up, the degree of fatty infiltration of the multifidus muscle showed no further progress by MR scan. There was no significant difference in ROM and IH at different time points preoperativelyand postoperatively. The LL recovered from 37.6°±8.8° to 43.2°±9.1°, the PT decreased from 24.7°±9.3° to 20.5°±5.1°, and the SS increased from 22.1°±7.7°to 26.3°±8.0°. The JOA score increased from preoperative 6.4±1.2 to 20.6±2.8, ODI decreased from preoperative 50.6%±11.3% to 13.0%±3.4%, SF-36 increased from preoperative 81.5±3.6 to 95.5±4.2, and the VAS decreased from preoperative 4.2±1.0 to 1.1±0.6. One patient experienced loosening and displacement on the left side pedicle screw of the L2 vertebral body 3.5 years after operation, and herclinical symptom improved significantly after conservative treatment.Conclusion:Dynesysis is safe and effective for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases with fatty infiltration of multifidus muscle, and it can restore the complete structure and function of tension band at lower back and prevent the progress of multifidus muscle fat infiltration combined with postoperative rehabilitation training.

Association between body composition and fat infiltration in the lumbar multifidus in young adults / Associação entre a composição corporal e a infiltração de gordura nos multífidos lombares em adultos jovens / Asociación entre la composición corporal y la infiltración de grasa en los multífidos lumbares en adultos jóvenes

ABSTRACT Introduction: The increase in body fat is a natural and progressive process with aging, allowing fat infiltration in ectopic sites, such as skeletal muscle, which disrupts its function. Objective: To evaluate the association between body composition, fat infiltration into the low back multifidus muscles, and history of low back pain. Methods: This is a transversal and qualitative study that included young adult subjects of both sexes, and excluded individuals with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders and pregnant women. Fat infiltration into the multifidus and cross section area by magnetic resonance imaging; body composition by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and physical activity level determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were evaluated. The sample was divided by sex and. Pearson and Spearman's correlation and stepwise linear regression were performed. For this study, a p<0.05, a level of significance of 5% and confidence interval of 95% were adopted. Results: Thirty-two individuals were evaluated (59.37% women; 40.63% men). There was a correlation between fat percentage and total cross-sectional area (CSAtotal) (r=0.525; p=0.021), in women, and with lean abdominal mass (r= −0.648; p=0.017) and Body Mass Index (BMI) (r= −0.644; p=0.018) in men. There was also an association, in women, between fat percentage and cross section area (R2=0.275; p=0.021; CI=0.364 − 3.925) and, in men, with lean abdominal mass (R2=0.420; p=0.017; CI: −9.981- [-1.235]). Conclusion: There was correlation between fat percentage in the multifidus and CSA in women, and lean abdominal mass and BMI in men. There was also an association between fat percentage and cross section area in women, and lean abdominal mass in men. However, there was no evidence of any correlation between pain and low back dysfunction. Level of evidence I; Diagnostic studies - Investigating a diagnostic test.

RESUMO Introdução: O aumento da gordura corporal é um processo natural e progressivo com a idade, propiciando a infiltração de gordura em locais ectópicos, como por exemplo, na musculatura esquelética, o que prejudica sua função. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre a composição corporal e a infiltração de gordura nos músculos multífidos lombares e o histórico de dores lombares. Métodos: Estudo transversal e quantitativo em que foram incluídos adultos jovens de ambos os sexos e excluídos indivíduos com distúrbios neurológicos, musculoesqueléticos e grávidas. Avaliou-se a infiltração de gordura nos multífidos e a área de secção transversa por meio de ressonância magnética; a composição corporal por meio de Absorciometria com raios-X de Dupla Energia (DXA) e o nível de atividade física através do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ). A amostra foi dividida por sexo e feita sua respectiva caracterização, correlação de Pearson e Spearman e regressão linear stepwise. Foi adotado o valor de p<0,05, nível de significância de 5% e intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: Foram avaliados 32 indivíduos (59,37% mulheres; 40,63% homens). Houve correlação entre o percentual de gordura e a área de secção transversa total (ASTtotal) (r=0,525; p=0,021), nas mulheres, e com a massa magra abdominal (r= −0,648; p=0,017) e Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) (r= −0,644; p=0,018) nos homens. E associação, nas mulheres, entre o percentual de gordura e a área de secção transversa (R2=0,275; p=0,021; IC=0,364 − 3,925) e, nos homens, com a massa magra abdominal (R2=0,420; p=0,017; IC: −9,981- [-1,235]). Conclusão: Encontrou-se correlação entre o percentual de gordura nos multífidos e a AST, nas mulheres, e com a massa magra abdominal e IMC para os homens, além da associação entre o percentual de gordura e a área de secção transversa, para as mulheres, e com a massa magra abdominal para os homens. Entretanto, não foi evidenciada nenhuma correlação com dor e disfunções na coluna lombar. Nível de evidência I; Estudos diagnósticos - Investigação de um exame para diagnóstico.

RESUMEN Introducción: El aumento de la grasa corporal es un proceso natural y progresivo con la edad, propiciando la infiltración de grasa en lugares ectópicos, como, por ejemplo, en la musculatura esquelética, lo que perjudica su función. Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre la composición corporal y la infiltración de grasa en los músculos multífidos lumbares y el historial de dolores lumbares. Métodos: Estudio transversal y cuantitativo en el que fueron incluidos adultos jóvenes de ambos sexos, y excluidos individuos con disturbios neurológicos, musculoesqueléticos y gestantes. Se evaluó la infiltración de grasa en los multífidos y el área de sección transversa por medio de resonancia magnética; la composición corporal por medio de Absorciometría con rayos X de Doble Energía (DXA) y el nivel de actividad física a través del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física (IPAQ). La muestra fue dividida por sexo y fue hecha su respectiva caracterización, correlación de Pearson y Spearman y regresión lineal stepwise. Fue adoptado el valor de p <0,05, nivel de significancia de 5% e intervalo de confianza de 95%. Resultados: Se evaluaron 32 individuos (59,37% mujeres, 40,63% hombres). Hubo correlación entre el porcentaje de grasa y el área de sección transversa (ASTtotal) (r = 0,525, p = 0,021), en las mujeres, y con la masa magra abdominal (r = −0,648, p = 0,017) e Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) (r = −0,644, p = 0,018) en los hombres, y asociación, en las mujeres, entre el porcentaje de grasa y el área de sección transversa (R2 = 0,275; p = 0,021; IC = 0,364 − 3,925) y, en los hombres, con la masa magra abdominal (R2 = 0,420; p = 0,017; IC: −9,981- [-1,235]). Conclusión: Se encontró correlación entre el porcentaje de grasa en los multífidos y la AST, en las mujeres, y masa magra abdominal e IMC para los hombres, además de la asociación entre el porcentaje de grasa y el área de sección transversa, para las mujeres, y con la masa magra abdominal para los hombres. Entretanto, no fue evidenciada ninguna correlación con dolor y disfunciones en la columna lumbar. Nivel de evidencia I; Estudios diagnósticos - Investigación de un examen para diagnóstico.

Low back pain as a presenting symptom in GNE myopathy

@#GNE myopathy is a rare autosomal recessive early adult-onset myopathy with slow progression that preferentially affects the tibialis anterior muscles and commonly spares the quadriceps femoris muscles. It is caused by biallelic mutations in GNE gene encoding for a single protein with key enzymatic activities in sialic acid biosynthetic pathway. However, diagnosing GNE myopathy can be challenging due to its phenotypic variability. This is the report of a 35-year-old man with GNE myopathy who presented with a low back pain for four years. A lumbar magnetic resonance imaging showed atrophy of lumbar paraspinal muscles. GNE myopathy was confirmed by genetic analysis. This case is unique and broaden the early clinical spectrum of GNE myopathy.

Use of the bilateral erector spinae (ESP) block for postoperative analgesia following the removal of the Nuss bar: case report / Uso del bloqueo erector de la espina bilateral como método analgésico posoperatorio en el retiro de barra de Nuss: Reporte de caso

Abstract Introduction: The erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a relatively new interfascial block about which several applications have been described, both in abdominal and thoracic surgical procedures. Case presentation: A 17-year old patient programed for removal of a Nuss bar through mini-thoracotomy. Following the induction with anesthesia, a US-guided bilateral ESP block was administered; no pain was reported during the immediate postoperative period and over the 48-hour follow-up. Conclusion: Bilateral ESP block seems to be promising, easy to administer, and an acceptable alternative to the epidural catheter (the gold standard in the management of analgesia for thoracic surgery), providing adequate and opiate-free analgesia.

Resumen Introducción: El bloqueo erector de la espina (ESP) es un bloqueo interfascial relativamente nuevo, sobre el cual se han descrito diferentes aplicaciones, tanto en cirugías abdominales como torácicas. Presentación del caso: Paciente de 17 años programado para el retiro de una barra de Nuss por minitoracotomía, a quien, después de la inducción anestésica, se le realizó un bloqueo ESP bilateral guiado con ecografía, y en su posoperatorio inmediato y seguimiento a las 48 horas no reportó dolor alguno. Conclusión: El bloqueo ESP bilateral parece ser prometedor, de fácil realización y apunta a ser una alternativa aceptable al catéter epidural (estándar de oro en el manejo analgésico en cirugías de tórax), por la cual se obtiene analgesia adecuada y libre de opioides.

Comparison postoperative analgesia between erector spinae plane block and paravertebral block in thoracoscopic surgery / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided vertical spinal block (ESPB) in elderly patients after thoracoscopic surgery.Methods 40 elderly patients,aged 60-75 years,were selected for selective thoracoscopic surgery.Patients were randomly divided into two groups,ESPB group (E group) and paravertebral block (PVB) group (P group).In the E group,0.33％ ropivacaine 30 ml was injected between the T5 vertebral body transverse and the erector spines before surgery,and 0.33％ ropivacaine 30 ml was injected into the thoracic paravertebral space of T5-T6 in the P group.Patients in both groups were treated with sufentanil for postoperative patient controlled analgesia (PCA).The dosage of remifentanil intraoperative and sufentanil postoperative,remedial cases recorded in post anesthesia care unit (PACU),numeric rating scale (NRS) score at postoperative 1 h,6 h,12 h and 24 h were recorded,and intraoperative hypotension,postoperative nausea and vomiting cases,and operation time were documented.Results There was no significant difference in remifentanil dosage between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).The total consumption of sufentanil in group E 24 hours after operation was higher than that in group P (P ＜ 0.05).The operation time of ultrasound-guided nerve block in group E was shorter than that in group P (P ＜ 0.05).The number of PACU remedial cases in group E was higher than that in group P (P ＞ 0.05).The NRS score recorded at postoperative 1 h,6 h,12 h and 24 h show no difference.There was no significant difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting and intraoperative hypotension in the two groups.Conclusions Ultrasound-guided single ESPB block provides postoperative analgesia,which is similar but weaker compared with PVB and easy to operate.

Home-based exercise therapy for treating non-specific chronic low back pain

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To evaluate pain, functional capacity, and quality of life of patients with non-specific chronic low back pain, after home-based exercise therapy with different kinds of supervision. METHOD Thirty individuals of both gender, between 18 and 65 years old, performed the proposed exercises three times a week, for eight weeks. Group A (N = 17) performed the exercises after a single supervised session. Group B (N = 13) was supervised once a week at the rehabilitation center. Both groups received a booklet with instructions, and questionnaires to evaluate pain, functional capacity and quality of life; during the initial evaluation, after four and eight weeks. RESULTS There was an improvement in pain and functional capacity between the initial evaluation and week 4, and the initial evaluation and week 8 in both groups (p <0.05). In the quality of life evaluation, the criteria for pain, functional capacity, and physical aspects had significant improvement after 8 weeks (p <0.05). There was no difference when comparing groups A and B (p >0,05). CONCLUSION Home-based exercise therapy, when performed in a period of eight weeks, using the booklet, was effective for improving level of pain, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. The weekly supervision did not significantly influence the final outcome between the groups.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar dor, capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida de pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica após terapia por exercícios domiciliares, com diferentes maneiras de supervisão. MÉTODO Trinta indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 18 e 65 anos, apresentando dor lombar crônica inespecífica, realizaram os exercícios propostos três vezes por semana, durante oito semanas. Indivíduos do Grupo A (N=17) realizaram os exercícios após única sessão supervisionada. Já os indivíduos do Grupo B (N=13) foram supervisionados uma vez por semana no centro de reabilitação. Ambos receberam cartilha com orientações e questionários para avaliar dor, capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida; durante avaliação inicial, após quatro e oito semanas. RESULTADOS Houve melhora da dor e capacidade funcional entre as avaliações inicial e semana 4, e inicial e semana 8 nos dois grupos (p<0,05). Na avaliação de qualidade de vida (SF-36), os critérios de dor, capacidade funcional e aspectos físicos obtiveram melhora significativa após oito semanas (p<0,05). Não houve diferença significativa ao comparar os grupos (p>0,05). CONCLUSÃO A terapia por exercícios domiciliares, quando realizada num período de oito semanas, com auxílio da cartilha, foi eficaz para melhora da dor, capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida, em pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica. A supervisão semanal não influenciou de forma significativa o resultado final quando comparados os grupos.

Measurements of Multifidus Signal Intensity in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Patients with Unilateral Lumbar Radiculopathy

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively evaluate the side- and level-specific change of the multifidus muscle in unilateral radicular pain caused by lumbar disc herniation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).METHOD: Sixty-nine patients with L4-5 disc herniation who underwent electrodiagnostic study and spine MRI were enrolled and divided into the radiculopathy group (n=30) and the control group (n=39) according to the presence of L5 radiculopathy. The radiculopathy group was subdivided into the paraspinalis group (n=12) and the limb group (n=18) according to whether or not paraspinalis muscle was denervated. The cross-sectional area (CSA) and signal intensity (SI) of the multifidus muscle were measured bilaterally at L4-5 and L5-S1 middle intervertebral levels on axial T2-weighted MRI.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the CSA of the multifidus muscle between the radiculopathy group and the control group. In the radiculopathy group, multifidus SI was greater than the control group on the affected side and below the level of herniation (p=0.015). In the subgroup comparison, affected side L5-S1 multifidus SI was significantly different between the paraspinalis group and the control group (p=0.001), but not between the limb group and the control group (p>0.05).CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that quantitative measurement of multifidus SI may be indicative of the location of nerve root compromise through side- and level- specific changes.

The functional status of the paraspinal muscles among patients with degenerative lumbar kyphosis before and after surgery / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To study any changes in the surface electromyography of the paraspinal muscles before and after surgery in patients with degenerative lumbar kyphosis.Methods Thirty patients with lumbar degenerative kyphosis (LDK) were enrolled and underwent pedicle subtraction osteotomy.Surface electromyograms were recorded before the operation and 3 months afterward to observe the myoelectric activity of the paraspinal muscles.The electromyograms were also compared with those of healthy counterparts.Results The preoperative average EMG (AEMG) values in the LDK group in static standing were significantly higher than those of the control group.After the operation the values had decreased significantly,but were still significantly higher than in the control group.The preoperative AEMG values of the LDK group from the L1-2 segment during torso stretching were significantly lower than those of the control group.They increased significantly after the operation and were no longer significantly different from the control groups' readings.The pre-and post-operative AEMG values from the L4-5 segment were not significantly different and remained significantly lower than in the control group.During lifting and holding the mean power frequency slopes of the LDK group were significantly lower than those of the controls both before and after the operation,though the postoperative slopes were significantly higher than the preoperative ones.Conclusion Patients with lumbar degenerative kyphosis have obvious paraspinal muscle weakness and severe fatigue.Early pedicle subtraction osteotomy can significantly improve the functional status of the paravertebral muscles in the short term.

The effect of non-surgical spinal decompression on the paraspinal muscles of persons with lumbar disc herniation / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To explore the effect of non-surgical spinal decompression (SDS) on the surface electromyogram signals from the paraspinal muscles of patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).Methods Twelve patients diagnosed with L4.5 LDH were recruited and randomly dividcd into an SDS group and a control group,each of 6 according to their order of admission.The SDS group received spinal decompression,while the control group was given lumbar traction.The average surface electromyogram signals (AEMGs) were recorded before,during and after the treatment.Results Before the treatment,the AEMG values collected from the left and right erector spinae and multifidus of the SDS group were already significantly different from those of the control group.During the treatment,the AEMG values collected from the right erector spinae and multifidus of the SDS group remained significantly different from those of the control group.After the treatment,the AEMG values were still significantly different.Conclusions SDS relieves tension and fatigue of the paraspinal muscles better than lumbar traction.

T2-mapping imaging in assessment of lumbar dorsal extensors group function before and after exercises / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To explore the value of T2-mapping imaging in assessment of lumbar dorsal extensors group (multifidus,longissimus and iliocostalis) function before and after exercises in healthy volunteers.Methods Totally 50 healthy young volunteers underwent T2-mapping imaging before and after exercises.T2 value and cross-section area (CSA) of multifidus,longissimus and iliocostalis were measured at the level of L3 and 14 superior border.Differences of CSA and T2 value were compared between left and right side muscles before and after exercises.The correlation between CSA difference and T2 difference before and after exercises was analyzed.Results At the level of L3 and L4 superior border,CSA and T2 value of bilateral multifidus,longissimus and iliocostalis increased after exercises (all P＜0.05).At the level of L3 superior border,CSA after exercises and CSA difference of left multifidus were higher than those of right side (all P＜0.05).Before exercises,there were statistical differences of T2 values on left and right side of longissimus and iliocostalis at the level of L3 superior border and the longissimus at the level of L4 superior border (all P＜0.05).Positive correlations were found between CSA difference and T2 difference on bilateral iliocostalis at the level of L3 and L4 superior border,as well as on bilateral multifidus at the level of L4 superior border (all P ＜0.05).Conclusion T2-mapping imaging can be used to assess the activity state of lumbar dorsal extensors group before and after exercises.

Asymmetric Atrophy of Paraspinal Muscles in Patients With Chronic Unilateral Lumbar Radiculopathy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the muscles for investigating the occurrence of asymmetry of the paraspinal (multifidus and erector spinae) and psoas muscles and its relation to the chronicity of unilateral lumbar radiculopathy using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted between January 2012 to December 2014. Sixty one patients with unilateral L5 radiculopathy were enrolled: 30 patients had a symptom duration less than 3 months (group A) and 31 patients had a symptom duration of 3 months or more (group B). Axial MRI measured the CSA of the paraspinal and psoas muscles at the middle between the lower margin of the upper vertebra and upper margin of the lower vertebra, and obtained the relative CSA (rCSA) which is the ratio of the CSA of muscles to that of the lower margin of L4 vertebra. RESULTS: There were no differences in the demographics between the two groups. In group B, rCSA of the erector spinae at the L4–5 level, and that of multifidus at the L4–5 and L5–S1 levels, were significantly smaller on the involved side as compared with the uninvolved side. In contrast, no significant muscle asymmetry was observed in group A. The rCSA of the psoas was not affected in either group. CONCLUSION: The atrophy of the multifidus and erector spinae ipsilateral to the lumbar radiculopathy was observed only in patients suffering from unilateral radiculopathy for 3 months or more.

Relationship between the ischiotibial and paravertebral muscles and low back pain / Relação entre os músculos isquiotibiais e paravertebrais com a lombalgia / Relación entre los músculos isquiotibiales y paravertebrales con la lumbalgia

ABSTRACT Low back pain or lumbago is a painful condition that affects an increasing number of people around the world and has numerous causal factors. Among these factors, the most distinctive are muscle imbalances, weakness of paravertebral muscles and shortening of ischiotibial muscles. The role of these muscle groups is still controversial and not fully explained in the literature. Thus, a survey was conducted in the SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases in the last decade (2003-2013), using as keywords: hamstrings, low back pain, lumbago, and paravertebral. The works found confirm that, according to the methodology, weakness in paravertebral muscles is of great importance to the development of low back pain as well as the shortening of the ischiotibial muscles, which are directly related to this factor.

RESUMO A dor lombar ou lombalgia é um quadro álgico que acomete um número cada vez maior de pessoas em todo o mundo e tem inúmeros fatores causais. Entre esses fatores, os que mais se destacam são desequilíbrios musculares, fraqueza dos paravertebrais e encurtamentos de isquiotibiais. O papel desses grupos musculares ainda é controverso e não está totalmente esclarecido na literatura. Desta maneira, foi realizada uma pesquisa nas bases de dados SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE e PUBMED na última década (2003 a 2013), utilizando-se como descritores: isquiotibiais, lombalgia, dor lombar e paravertebrais. Os trabalhos encontrados confirmam que, de acordo com a metodologia empregada, a fraqueza dos músculos paravertebrais é de grande relevância para o desenvolvimento das dores lombares, assim como os encurtamentos dos isquiotibiais, que estão diretamente relacionados a esse fator.

RESUMEN El dolor lumbar o lumbago es una condición dolorosa que afecta a un número creciente de personas en todo el mundo y tiene numerosos factores causales. Entre estos factores, los que se destacan son los desequilibrios musculares, debilidad de los músculos paravertebrales y el acortamiento de los músculos isquiotibiales. El papel de estos grupos musculares aún es controvertido y no se explican completamente en la bibliografía. Por lo tanto, se realizó una encuesta en las bases de datos SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE y PubMed en la última década (2003-2013), utilizando como descriptores: isquiotibiales, dolor de la región lumbar, lumbago y paravertebrales Los trabajos encontrados confirman que, de acuerdo con la metodología empleada, la debilidad de los músculos paravertebrales es de gran importancia para el desarrollo de dolor lumbar, así como el acortamiento de los isquiotibiales, los cuales están directamente relacionados con este factor.