ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To conduct an independent assessment of inter- and intraobserver agreement for the META score as a tool for differentiating osteoporotic vertebral fractures and multiple myeloma vertebral fractures. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study. The magnetic resonance imaging analysis was made by two independent spinal surgeons. We designated a Subjective assessment, in which the surgeon should establish a diagnostic classification for each vertebral fracture based on personal experience: secondary to osteoporosis, categorized as a benign vertebral fracture (BVF), or attributed to multiple myeloma, categorized a malign vertebral fracture (MVF). After a 90-day interval, both surgeons repeated the evaluations. For the next step, the observers should establish a diagnosis between BVF and MVF according to the META score system, and both observers repeated the evaluations after a 90-day interval. The intra and interobserver reliability of the Subjective evaluation was studied using the kappa (κ) test. Then, the META evaluations were paralleled using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: A total of 220 patients who had the potential to participate in the study were initially enrolled, but after applying the exclusion criteria, 44 patients were included. Thirty-three patients had BVF, and 12 patients presented MVF. Interobserver agreement for both Subjective evaluations moments (initial and 90-days interval) found a slight agreement for both moments (0.35 and 0.40 respectively). Kappa test for both META evaluations moments (initial and 90-days interval) found a moderate interobserver agreement for both moments (0.54 and 0.48 respectively). It was observed that the ICC calculated for the Initial evaluation using META score was 0.680 and that in the 90-days interval was 0.726, indicating regular to good agreement. Kappa test for intraobserver agreements for the Subjective evaluation presented moderate agreement for both Surgeons. On the other side, Kappa test for intraobserver agreements for the META evaluation presented substantial agreement for both Surgeons. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient of the META score found presented an almost perfect agreement for both Surgeons. CONCLUSION: Intra and interobserver agreement for both surgeons were unsatisfactory. The lack of consistent reproducibility by the same observer discourages and disfavors the routine use of the META score in clinical decision making, when potentially cases of multiple myeloma may be present.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT. Objective: To evaluate a method to reduce high degree spondylolisthesis in adults with monosegmental fixing preserving the adjacent level and the improvement of sagittal balance. METHODS: A prospective study, with 12 adult patients with high degree spondylolisthesis (III and IV) in adults who underwent surgery by the same team. We included 7 women and 5 men with a mean age of 37 years and lombosciatalgy that had no improvement with conservative treatment. The surgical technique used was total or partial reduction by Spondylolisthesis Reduction Instrument (SRI) system, with instrumentation only in the affected level, thus sparing the adjacent level, associated with 360ofusion. RESULTS: The L5-S1 level was involved in nine patients, L4-L5 in two, and VT-S1 in one patient. The isthmic type predominated in nine patients, followed by dysplastic type in two, and one iatrogenic spondylolisthesis. These patients were assessed by the Oswestry scale, which showed a preoperative average of 59% and postoperative average of 12.4% (P<0.05). A significant improvement in the average slip angle from 54.66% to 9.5% (35% to 0%) was found. No major complications such as infection, neurological damage or material breaks were observed. CONCLUSION: The reduction of high degree listhesis instrumenting only the affected level produces good results, with good control of pain and functional improvement of patients. However, a larger follow-up is required to better evaluation.
RESUMO. Objetivo: Avaliar um método de redução de espondilolistese de alto grau em adultos com fixação monossegmentar, preservando o nível adjacente e a melhora do equilíbrio sagital. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados prospectivamente 12 pacientes adultos portadores de espondilolistese de alto grau (III e IV), submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico pela mesma equipe. Foram incluídos 7 mulheres e 5 homens, com média de idade de 37 anos e quadro de lombociatalgia sem melhora com o tratamento conservador. A técnica cirúrgica utilizada foi redução total ou parcial pelo sistema Spondylolisthesis Reduction Instrument (SRI), instrumentando-se somente o nível acometido e poupando, assim, o nível adjacente, associado à artrodese 360º. RESULTADOS: Em nove pacientes o nível L5-S1 foi acometido, L4-L5 em dois pacientes e VT-S1 em um paciente. O tipo ístmico predominou em nove pacientes, o displásico em dois e listese iatrogênica em um paciente. Os pacientes foram avaliados por meio da escala de Oswestry, que mostrou média pré-operatória de 59% e pós-operatória de 12,4% (P < 0,05). Houve melhora significativa do ângulo de escorregamento médio de 54,66% para 9,5% (35% a 0%). Não houve complicações como infecção, lesão neurológica ou quebra de material. CONCLUSÃO: O método de redução da listese de alto grau, instrumentando-se somente o nível acometido, traz bons resultados, com controle do quadro álgico e melhora funcional dos pacientes, porém necessita de um follow-up maior para melhor avaliação.
RESUMEN. Objetivo: Evaluar un método de reducción de la espondilolistesis de alto grado en adultos con la fijación monosegmentaria, preservando el nivel adyacente y la mejoría del equilibrio sagital. MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo de 12 pacientes adultos con espondilolistesis de alto grado (III y IV) sometidos a cirugía por el mismo equipo. Se incluyeron 7 mujeres y 5 hombres con una edad media de 37 años con dolor lumbar sin mejora con el tratamiento conservador. La técnica quirúrgica empleada fue la reducción total o parcial por el sistema Spondylolisthesis Reduction Instrument (SRI), realizando instrumentación sólo en el nivel afectado, conservando los niveles adyacentes, asociados a la artrodesis 360o. RESULTADOS: En nueve pacientes, el nivel L5-S1 estuvo involucrado, L4-L5 en dos casos y un caso de VT-S1. El tipo ístmico predominó en nueve pacientes, seguido de displasia en dos casos y un caso de listesis iatrogénica. Estos pacientes fueron evaluados utilizando la escala de Oswestry, que mostró un promedio preoperatorio y posoperatorio del 59% al 12,4% (P < 0,05). Hubo una mejoría significativa en el ángulo de deslizamiento promedio de 54,66% a 9,5% (35% a 0%). No hubo complicaciones como infecciones, daño neurológico o quiebre de material. CONCLUSIÓN: El método para reducir listesis de alto grado con instrumentación solamente del nivel afectado, trae buenos resultados, con el control del dolor y mejoría funcional de los pacientes; sin embargo, se requiere un seguimiento más largo para que se obtenga una mejor evaluación.
