Facet Tropism/Inclination and Its Association with Intervertebral Disc Herniation in the Lumbar Spine - A Radiological Evaluation / Tropismo/inclinação facetária e sua associação com hérnia de disco intervertebral na região lombar da coluna - Uma avaliação radiológica

Abstract Objective To assess the role of facet tropism (FT) in intervertebral disc prolapse. Methods A total 98 patients with lower back pain were included in the study. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed and analyzed. The angles of the right and left facets were measured on the axial section. Patients without disc prolapse at the L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels act as controls for those with disc prolapse at the same levels. A statistical analysis was also performed. Results The incidence of FT at the L3-L4 level was of 85.2% in patients with disc herniation (n= 27), and of 56.3% in the control group, which was statistically significant (p= 0.008). Similarly, at the L4-L5 level, incidence of FT among cases and controls was of 71.4% (n= 35) and 52.4% respectively (p= 0.066). At the L5-S1 the incidence was of 66% and 51% among cases and controls respectively (p= 0.13). Conclusion We found a positive association between FT and disc herniation at the L3-L4 level, but no association at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o papel do tropismo facetário (TF) no prolapso discal intervertebral. Métodos Um total de 98 pacientes com dor lombar foram incluídos no estudo. Exames de ressonância magnética foram realizados e analisados, e os ângulos das facetas direita e esquerda foram medidos na seção axial. Os pacientes sem prolapso discal nos níveis L3-L4, L4-L5 e L5-S1 atuam como controles para aqueles com prolapso nos mesmos níveis. Fez-se também uma análise estatística. Resultados A incidência de TF no nível L3-L4 foi de 85,2% em pacientes com hérnia discal (n= 27), e de 56,3% no grupo controle, o que foi estatisticamente significativo (p= 0,008). Da mesma forma, a incidência de TF no nível L4-L5 entre casos e controles foi de 71,4% (n= 35) e 52,4%, respectivamente (p= 0,066). No nível L5-S1, a incidência foi de 66% e 51% nos caso e nos controles, respectivamente (p= 0,13). Conclusão Encontramos associação positiva entre TF e hérnia de disco no nível L3-L4, mas nenhuma associação nos níveis L4-L5 e L5-S1.

Enfermedad de Scheuermann lumbar / Lumbar Scheuermann's disease

La osteocondrosis lumbar juvenil o enfermedad lumbar de Scheuermann comparte características con la enfermedad de Scheuermann clásica, pero se localiza en la columna dorsal baja y lumbar (D10-L4), y es menos frecuente. La forma lumbar atípica consiste en la aparición de hernias de Schmorl en uno o dos cuerpos vertebrales con estrechamiento del espacio interdiscal y cambios en los platillos vertebrales. Presentamos el caso de un adolescente de 18 años que fue recibido en el Cuerpo de Guardia a causa de un accidente de tránsito, y refirió dolor lumbar. Se le indicaron estudios de imagen donde no se identificaron lesiones secundarias al trauma. Sin embargo, se evidenció una vértebra en limbo a nivel de L1, así como irregularidad de los platillos vertebrales de los segmentos lumbares altos, correspondientes con nódulos de Schmorl. Todos estos hallazgos son compatibles con enfermedad lumbar de Scheuermann. El paciente se mantuvo en observación sin que presentara complicaciones y se remitió a la Consulta de Reumatología(AU)

Juvenile lumbar osteochondrosis or Scheuermann's lumbar disease shares characteristics with classical Scheuermann's disease but it is located in the lower and lumbar spine (D10-L4) and is less frequent. The atypical lumbar form consists of the appearance of Schmorl hernias in one or two vertebral bodies with narrowing of the intradiscal space and changes in the vertebral plates. The case is presented of an 18-year-old teenager who was received in emergency service because of a traffic accident, referring to low back pain. Imaging studies were indicated where no injuries secondary to trauma were identified. However, there was evidence of a limb vertebra at the level of L1 as well as irregularity of the vertebral plates of the corresponding upper lumbar segments with Schmorl nodules. All these findings are consistent with lumbar Scheuermann's disease(AU)

Dolor lumbar: revisión y evidencia de tratamiento / Low back pain: review and evidence of treatment

El dolor lumbar corresponde a uno de los síntomas más prevalentes en la humanidad, siendo la segunda causa más frecuente de atención médica a nivel mundial. Existen diversos enfoques de diagnóstico y tratamiento para dolor lumbar, entre ellos la temporalidad del síntoma, el trabajo de diagnóstico sindromático, los síntomas de alarma, también llamados "banderas rojas", que pueden hacer sospechar patologías de mayor gravedad o urgencia. El estudio etiológico puede ser necesario en casos agudos con estas banderas rojas y en casos crónicos. Este estudio se realiza principalmente con imágenes (radiografías, tomografía computada, resonancia magnética, SPECT/CT) y ocasionalmente con exámenes de laboratorio. La mayor parte de los tratamientos están enfocados en el manejo conservador, principalmente el ejercicio físico guiado y asociado a fármacos analgésicos. Existen terapias alternativas tales como la acupuntura, el tai-chi, entre otros, algunas de ellas han mostrado ser un buen complemento al manejo del dolor lumbar. El enfoque multidisciplinario es la tendencia más actual de manejo, esto incluye el trabajo e intervención de diversos profesionales abordando el problema de forma integral, incluyendo el manejo psicoterapéutico. Intervenciones como las infiltraciones de columna han demostrado reducir el dolor por tiempos cortos, siendo útiles como puente para realizar un tratamiento apropiado. La cirugía solo se reserva para casos refractarios, siendo controversiales los resultados existentes en la literatura.

Low back pain is one of the most prevalent symptoms in humanity, being the second most common cause of medical attention worldwide. There are various approaches to diagnosis and treatment for low back pain, including the temporality of the symptom, the work of syndromatic diagnosis, the alarm symptoms, also called "red flags", that can make suspect pathologies of greater severity or emergency. The etiological study may be necessary in acute cases with these "red flags" and in chronic cases. This study is mainly done with images (X-rays, CT scan, MRI, SPECT/CT) and occasionally with laboratory tests. Most of the treatments are focused on conservative management, mainly guided physical exercise associated with analgesic drugs. There are alternative therapies such as acupuncture, tai-chi, among others, some of them have proven to be a good complement to the management of low back pain. The multidisciplinary approach is the most current management trend, this includes the work and intervention of various professionals addressing the problem in an integral way, including psychotherapeutic management. Interventions such as spinal infiltrations have been shown to reduce pain for short times, being useful as a bridge for proper treatment. Surgery is only reserved for refractory cases, the results existing in the literature being controversial.

Interobserver reproducibility of radiographic evaluation of lumbar spine instability / Reprodutibilidade interobservadores da avaliação radiográfica de instabilidade em coluna lombar

ABSTRACT Objective: To measure the interobserver reproducibility of the radiographic evaluation of lumbar spine instability. Methods: Measurements of the dynamic radiographs of the lumbar spine in lateral view were performed, evaluating the anterior translation and the angulation among the vertebral bodies. The tests were evaluated at workstations of the organization, through the Carestream Health Vue RIS (PACS), version 11.0.12.14 Inc. 2009© system. Results: Agreement in detecting cases of radiographic instability among the observers varied from 88.1 to 94.4%, and the agreement coefficients AC1 were all above 0.8, indicating excellent agreement. Conclusion: The interobserver analysis performed among orthopedic surgeons with different levels of training in dynamic radiographs of the spine obtained high reproducibility and agreement. However, some factors, such as the manual method of measurement and the presence of vertebral osteophytes, might have generated a few less accurate results in this comparative evaluation of measurements.

RESUMO Objetivo: Mensurar a reprodutibilidade interobservadores da avaliação radiográfica da instabilidade da coluna lombar. Métodos: Foram realizadas mensurações das radiografias dinâmicas de coluna lombar na incidência em perfil, avaliando-se a translação anterior e a angulação entre os corpos vertebrais. Os exames foram avaliados em workstations da própria instituição, por meio do sistema Vue RIS (PACS) da Carestream Health, versão 11.0.12.14 Inc. 2009©. Resultados: A proporção de concordância em detecção de casos de instabilidade radiográfica entre os observadores variou de 88,1 a 94,4%, e os coeficientes de concordância AC1 estiveram todos acima de 0,8, indicando concordância excelente. Conclusão: A análise interobservadores realizada entre médicos ortopedistas com diferentes níveis de treinamento em radiografias dinâmicas da coluna vertebral obteve elevada reprodutibilidade e concordância. No entanto, alguns fatores, como método manual de aferição e a presença de osteófitos vertebrais, podem ter gerado alguns resultados menos consistentes nessa avaliação comparativa de medidas.

Associations between low back pain, urinary incontinence, and abdominal muscle recruitment as assessed via ultrasonography in the elderly

Background: Low back pain (LBP) and urinary incontinence (UI) are highly prevalent among elderly individuals. In young adults, changes in trunk muscle recruitment, as assessed via ultrasound imaging, may be associated with lumbar spine stability. Objective: To assess the associations between LBP, UI, and the pattern of transversus abdominis (TrA), internal (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscle recruitment in the elderly as evaluated by ultrasound imaging. Method: Fifty-four elderly individuals (mean age: 72±5.2 years) who complained of LBP and/or UI as assessed by the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, and ultrasound imaging were included in the study. The statistical analysis comprised a multiple linear regression model, and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The regression models for the TrA, IO, and EO muscle thickness levels explained 2.0% (R2=0.02; F=0.47; p=0.628), 10.6% (R2=0.106; F=3.03; p=0.057), and 10.1% (R2=0.101; F=2.70; p=0.077) of the variability, respectively. None of the regression models developed for the abdominal muscles exhibited statistical significance. A significant and negative association (p=0.018; β=-0.0343) was observed only between UI and IO recruitment. Conclusion: These results suggest that age-related factors may have interfered with the findings of the study, thus emphasizing the need to perform ultrasound imaging-based studies to measure abdominal muscle recruitment in the elderly. .

Comparison of Multi-Echo Dixon Methods with Volume Interpolated Breath-Hold Gradient Echo Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Fat-Signal Fraction Quantification of Paravertebral Muscle

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether multi-echo Dixon magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with simultaneous T2* estimation and correction yields more accurate fat-signal fraction (FF) measurement of the lumbar paravertebral muscles, in comparison with non-T2*-corrected two-echo Dixon or T2*-corrected three-echo Dixon, using the FF measurements from single-voxel MR spectroscopy as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with low back pain underwent MR imaging with a 1.5T scanner. FF mapping images automatically obtained using T2*-corrected Dixon technique with two (non-T2*-corrected), three, and six echoes, were compared with images from single-voxel MR spectroscopy at the paravertebral muscles on levels L4 through L5. FFs were measured directly by two radiologists, who independently drew the region of interest on the mapping images from the three sequences. RESULTS: A total of 117 spectroscopic measurements were performed either bilaterally (57 of 60 subjects) or unilaterally (3 of 60 subjects). The mean spectroscopic FF was 14.3 +/- 11.7% (range, 1.9-63.7%). Interobserver agreement was excellent between the two radiologists. Lin's concordance correlation between the spectroscopic findings and all the imaging-based FFs were statistically significant (p < 0.001). FFs obtained from the T2*-corrected six-echo Dixon sequences showed a significantly better concordance with the spectroscopic data, with its concordance correlation coefficient being 0.99 and 0.98 (p < 0.001), as compared with two- or three-echo methods. CONCLUSION: T2*-corrected six-echo Dixon sequence would be a better option than two- or three-echo methods for noninvasive quantification of lumbar muscle fat quantification.

Spinous process fractures after chiropractic massage in a previously healthy subject / Fratura de processo espinhoso após terapia quiroprática em um indivíduo previamente saudável

Increasing available alternative therapies to the treatment of back pain and sometimes difficult access to specialized medical evaluations allowed a widespread use of alternative therapies for the treatment of back pain. We describe a case with a consequence of massage therapy in a patient with initial symptoms of back pain resulting in spinous process fractures. She promptly searched medical attendance and cervical plain radiograph revealed avulsion of spinous processes of C6 and C7 in their outer third. Due to benign nature of lesion, without evidence of instability and spinal cord injury, the subject was managed conservatively, with application of a Philadelphia collar and analgesic medication. We reinforce the needof medical attention before beginning any therapeutic method in order to identify previous alterations and plan an adequate programming.

A disponibilidade de terapias alternativas para o tratamento da dor lombar e o difícil acesso a serviço médico especializado têm permitido um uso indiscriminado de terapias para o tratamento dessa dor. Descrevemos um caso de uma paciente submetida à terapia quiroprática por causa de dor cervical que evoluiu posteriormente com persistência da dor. A investigação radiológica evidenciou fratura com avulsão de processos espinhosos de C6 e C7. Por causa da natureza estável da lesão, o caso foi conduzido conservadoramente com colar Philadelphia, no entanto reforçamos a necessidade do correto diagnóstico da dor de coluna espinhal, especialmente se persistente e associada a sinais localizatórios.

Intervertebral disc a source of pain? Low back pain: problems and future directions - case reports

The objective of this article is to provide evidence supporting the idea that intervertebral disc is a source of low back pain. Diagnostic tests currently available for diagnosis of a painful disc are inadequate. Treatment protocols for low back pain generally ignore the presence of a painful disc. Pathological processes that may be responsible for discogenic pain are incompletely understood. Without diagnosis and treatment, disc disruption evolves to advanced stages of spinal dysfunction. New treatment modalities are becoming available which if applied early may stop disc disruption. We describe here two case reports where discogenic nature of patients' symptoms was suspected based on patients' history, MRI findings and discography. We highlight the inadequacies of spinal imaging and discography in detecting at painful disc. A treatment [Intradiscal electrothermal therapy] was then directed exclusively to the intervertebral discs. We provide arguments that link discal therapy to resolution of patients' symptoms. Resolution of patients' symptoms after the discal treatment raised our suspicion that pain emanated from the intervertebral discs. Intervertebral disc is a source of low back pain that is often ignored. No diagnostic test currently exists that can reliably confirm presence of a painful disc. Early diagnosis and treatment of a painful disc may reduce enormous pain and suffering from low back pain

Diagnostic Relevance of Pressure-Controlled Discography

Discogenic pain is a leading cause of chronic low back pain. The authors investigated the efficacy of pressure-controlled discography to determine its role in clinical decision-making for the management of patients with discogenic pain. Pressure-controlled discography was performed in 21 patients (51 discs) with pain-provocation, followed by post-discography computerized tomography scans. Pain response was classified as positive response and negative response, and measured with visual analog scale scores. Discographic findings were graded by the modified Dallas discogram scale. Elastance, pain provocation on intradiscal pressure, pressure and volume of initial pain response, and pain response intensity were statistically analyzed. Elastance showed significant differences between Grade 0 and Grade 4 and 5. Decreased elastance with positive pain response group was a good indicator to imply that disc degeneration presumably is a pain generator. Results of pain response were well correlated with intradiscal pressure but not with the amount of injected volume. Among 31 discs of Grade 4 and 5, 74% showed negative pain response and 26% showed positive response. It was concluded that pressure-controlled discography was useful to diagnose discogenic pain and excellent guide in decision-making for spinal operations.

Radiological infestigations of backache in patients over 30 years of age

The role of radiology and imaging in the recent era cannot be denied in the current medical practice. The article is an attempt to introduce various modern imaging modalities that can be of immense help in alleviating the sufferings of patients suffering form backache. It was a multicenter retrospective study over a period of 10 months. The common causes of backache were studied with the conventional as well as advance techniques. The age chosen for the study was above 30 years after which the backache is a common problem, especially in females

Low back pain in rheumatoid arthritis

This study was conducted on forty rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients. They consisted of 38 females and 2 males, with a mean age of 39.55 +/- 68 years. They used to suffer from low back pain with a mean of 20.3 +/- 15.5 months duration. The mean duration of RA was 4.15 +/- 3.38 years. Five females and 15 males suffering from mechanical low back pain for a mean of 21.4 +/- 13.7 months were included in the study for comparison. Their mean age was 40.4 +/- 6.7 years. All patients were subjected to clinical and physical examination of lumbo-sacral region and imaging studies: plain X- rays both antero-posterior and lateral views as well as computed tomography [CT] of the lumbo-sacral spine. There was a significant difference in straight leg raising and femoral nerve stretch tests between the two groups. Plain X-rays showed a highly significant difference in osteophytes and a significant difference in osteoporosis, spondylolisthesis, erosion and facet joint changes. CT findings showed a highly significant difference at vacuum phenomenon in both groups and a significant difference in osteophytes, facet joint, disc changes and osteoporosis. Also, there was a highly significant correlation between duration of RA and development of osteoporosis. Type of medication and duration of RA had significant correlation with development of osteoporosis. The cause of low back pain in RA is multifactorial including facet joint synovitis, crush fracture, associated osteoporosis, spondylolisthesis and disc changes. Osteoporosis and facet joints appear more clear by using CT

Ultrasonography in acute flank pain.

In 58 patients with acute recurrent or persistent flank pain, straight x-ray (kidney, ureter, bladder region) detected stones in the urinary tract in 50 cases (86.2%), whereas ultrasonography detected stones in the urinary tract in 55 patients (94.8%). Ultrasound also detected unilateral hydronephrosis in 20 patients (34.48%). The presence of calculus was subsequently proved by intravenous urography/surgery or spontaneous passage. Ultrasonography is safe, quick, reliable and most effective diagnostic tool in such cases in rural areas. Intravenous urogram should be reserved for cases which need surgical intervention.

Preoperative myelographic evaluation of lower spinal lesions

One hundred patients underwent myeolgraphy for low back pain. Twelve had normal myelograms. The accuracy of myelography in predicting diagnosis of different causes of low back pain was evaluated in 88 patients. These patients later underwent surgical procedure and final diagnosis was made at operation. On myelography the prolapsed intervertebral disc [PID] was suspected in 59 [67.1%], spinal stenosis [SS] in 15 [17.0%], tumour in 12 [13.6%] and abscess in 2 [2.3%] cases, while at surgery PID was found in 51 [57.9%], SS in 18 [20.5%], tumour in 14 [15.9%] and abscess in 5 [5.7%]. In 8 false positive cases for PID, 3 were spinal stenosis, 2 were tumour and 3 were abscesses. Accuracy rate of myelogram was 88% and sensitivity for PID, SS, Tumour and abscess were 86.4%, 83.3%, 85.7% and 40% respectively. Myelography seems to be a safe and fairly accurate test in diagnosing the different causes of low back pain