Assessment of inter- and intraobserver agreement for META score in distinguishing osteoporotic from multiple myeloma vertebral fractures.

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.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FORAMINAL ROOT BLOCK IN RELIEVING SCIATIC PAIN DUE TO LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical profile, pain improvement, and the need for surgical interventions in patients undergoing transforaminal block with the use of corticosteroids and anesthetics. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind study with 45 patients with unilateral radicular pain in their lower limbs and a single-segment lumbar disc herniation diagnosis. In the intervention group, transforaminal blocks with bupivacaine, dexamethasone, and clonidine were applied and in the control group, distilled water and bupivacaine. The Oswestry questionnaire was applied. Results: We included 24 female (53.4%) and 21 male patients (46.6%). Of those with an occupation, 85.71% (n = 30) were relieved from their duties due to their illness and 14.29% (n = 5) continued to work with limitations. Those who underwent transforaminal block with an injection of corticosteroids, clonidine, and anesthetics showed immediate relief. However, such effect failed to alleviate patients' symptoms after three weeks. We observed that 52% of patients showed varying degrees of improvement. The control group experienced mild pain relief after one week, which also failed to last after three weeks. Moreover, 50% of patients improved in varying degrees. Conclusion: Further studies with larger samples, new epidemiological data, and longer follow-ups are necessary to validate our hypotheses. Level of Evidence II, Prospective Study.

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil clínico, a melhora da dor e a necessidade de intervenções cirúrgicas em pacientes submetidos ao bloqueio transforaminal com uso de corticosteroides e anestésicos. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, randomizado e duplo-cego realizado com 45 pacientes com dor radicular unilateral em membros inferiores e diagnóstico de hérnia discal lombar em um único segmento. No grupo intervenção, os bloqueios transforaminais foram feitos com bupivacaína, dexametasona e clonidina; no controle, água destilada e bupivacaína. Foi aplicado questionário de Oswestry. Resultados: A amostra foi composta de 24 mulheres (53,4%) e 21 homens (46,6%). Dos pacientes com ocupação, 85,71% (n = 30) estavam afastados de suas funções devido à doença e 14,29% (n = 5) continuavam a trabalhar com limitações. Os que foram submetidos ao bloqueio transforaminal com injeção de corticoide, clonidina e anestésico apresentaram alívio imediato. Após três semanas, contudo, o efeito não perdurou de forma tão satisfatória, e 52% dos pacientes apresentaram melhora em graus variados. No grupo controle, houve discreto alívio álgico após uma semana, que não perdurou de forma satisfatória após três semanas, com 50% dos pacientes evoluindo para melhora em graus variados. Conclusão: Mais estudos com espaço amostral maior, novos dados epidemiológicos e seguimento mais prolongado são necessários para validar as hipóteses aventadas. Nível de Evidência II, Estudo Prospectivo.

The effectiveness of foraminal root block in relieving sciatic pain due to lumbar disc herniation / A eficácia do bloqueio radicular foraminal no alívio da dor ciática devido à hérnia discal lombar

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the clinical profile, pain improvement, and the need for surgical interventions in patients undergoing transforaminal block with the use of corticosteroids and anesthetics. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind study with 45 patients with unilateral radicular pain in their lower limbs and a single-segment lumbar disc herniation diagnosis. In the intervention group, transforaminal blocks with bupivacaine, dexamethasone, and clonidine were applied and in the control group, distilled water and bupivacaine. The Oswestry questionnaire was applied. Results: We included 24 female (53.4%) and 21 male patients (46.6%). Of those with an occupation, 85.71% (n = 30) were relieved from their duties due to their illness and 14.29% (n = 5) continued to work with limitations. Those who underwent transforaminal block with an injection of corticosteroids, clonidine, and anesthetics showed immediate relief. However, such effect failed to alleviate patients' symptoms after three weeks. We observed that 52% of patients showed varying degrees of improvement. The control group experienced mild pain relief after one week, which also failed to last after three weeks. Moreover, 50% of patients improved in varying degrees. Conclusion: Further studies with larger samples, new epidemiological data, and longer follow-ups are necessary to validate our hypotheses. Level of Evidence II, Prospective Study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil clínico, a melhora da dor e a necessidade de intervenções cirúrgicas em pacientes submetidos ao bloqueio transforaminal com uso de corticosteroides e anestésicos. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, randomizado e duplo-cego realizado com 45 pacientes com dor radicular unilateral em membros inferiores e diagnóstico de hérnia discal lombar em um único segmento. No grupo intervenção, os bloqueios transforaminais foram feitos com bupivacaína, dexametasona e clonidina; no controle, água destilada e bupivacaína. Foi aplicado questionário de Oswestry. Resultados: A amostra foi composta de 24 mulheres (53,4%) e 21 homens (46,6%). Dos pacientes com ocupação, 85,71% (n = 30) estavam afastados de suas funções devido à doença e 14,29% (n = 5) continuavam a trabalhar com limitações. Os que foram submetidos ao bloqueio transforaminal com injeção de corticoide, clonidina e anestésico apresentaram alívio imediato. Após três semanas, contudo, o efeito não perdurou de forma tão satisfatória, e 52% dos pacientes apresentaram melhora em graus variados. No grupo controle, houve discreto alívio álgico após uma semana, que não perdurou de forma satisfatória após três semanas, com 50% dos pacientes evoluindo para melhora em graus variados. Conclusão: Mais estudos com espaço amostral maior, novos dados epidemiológicos e seguimento mais prolongado são necessários para validar as hipóteses aventadas. Nível de Evidência II, Estudo Prospectivo.