Therapeutic Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Selective Nerve Block on Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy.

Background and Objectives: Cervical radiculopathy (CR) manifests as pain and sensorimotor disturbances in the upper extremities, often resulting from nerve root compression due to intervertebral disc herniation, degenerative changes, or trauma. While conservative treatments are initially preferred, persistent or severe cases may require surgical intervention. Ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block (SNRB) has emerged as a promising intervention for alleviating symptoms and potentially obviating the need for surgery. This study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of ultrasound-guided SNRB in managing chronic CR, aiming to determine its potential in symptom relief and delaying or avoiding surgical procedures. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 720 outpatients treated for CR between October 2019 and March 2022. After excluding patients with traumatic CR, previous surgeries, malignancies, progressive neurological symptoms requiring immediate surgery, or inadequate conservative treatment, 92 patients who had experienced cervical radicular pain for more than three months and had failed to improve after more than six weeks of conservative treatment with VAS scores ≥ 5 were included. The patients underwent single or multiple ultrasound-guided SNRB procedures, involving the injection of dexamethasone and lidocaine under real-time ultrasound guidance. Symptom severity was assessed at the baseline, and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-procedure using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The data collected included age, sex, presence of neck and/or radicular pain, physical examination findings, recurrence of symptoms, improvement in symptoms, and whether surgical intervention was ultimately required. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with symptom improvement or recurrence. Results: Significant symptom improvement was observed in 69 (75.0%) participants post-SNRB, with 55 (79.7%) showing improvement at 4 weeks, 11 (15.9%) at 8 weeks, and 3 (4.4%) at 12 weeks. Symptom recurrence, defined by an increase in VAS score accompanied by a pain flare lasting at least 24 h after a pain-free interval of at least one month, was noted in 48 (52.2%) patients. The presence of combined neck and radicular pain was a significant predictor of recurrence (p = 0.008). No significant associations were found between symptom relief and factors such as age, gender, initial pain severity, or MRI findings. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided SNRB effectively manages chronic CR, providing substantial symptom relief and potentially reducing the need for surgical intervention. This technique offers a promising conservative treatment option, especially given its real-time visualization advantages and minimal radiation exposure.

Clinical Value and Reliability of Quantitative Assessments of Lumbosacral Nerve Root Using Diffusion Tensor and Diffusion Weighted MR Imaging: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Lumbosacral radicular pain diagnosis remains challenging. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) have potential to quantitatively evaluate symptomatic nerve root, which may facilitate diagnosis. PURPOSE: To determine the ability of DTI and DWI metrics, namely fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), to discriminate between healthy and symptomatic lumbosacral nerve roots, to evaluate the association between FA and ADC values and patient symptoms, and to determine FA and ADC reliability. STUDY TYPE: Systematic review. SUBJECTS: Eight hundred twelve patients with radicular pain with or without radiculopathy caused by musculoskeletal-related compression or inflammation of a single, unilateral lumbosacral nerve root and 244 healthy controls from 29 studies. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Diffusion weighted echo planar imaging sequence at 1.5 T or 3 T. ASSESSMENT: An extensive systematic review of the literature was conducted in Embase, Scopus, and Medline databases. FA and ADC values in symptomatic and contralateral lumbosacral nerve roots were extracted and summarized, together with intra- and inter-rater agreements. Where available, associations between DWI or DTI parameters and patient symptoms or symptom duration were extracted. STATISTICAL TESTS: The main results of the included studies are summarized. No additional statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The DTI studies systematically found significant differences in FA values between the symptomatic and contralateral lumbosacral nerve root of patients suffering from radicular pain with or without radiculopathy. In contrast, identification of the symptomatic nerve root with ADC values was inconsistent for both DTI and DWI studies. FA values were moderately to strongly correlated with several symptoms (eg, disability, nerve dysfunction, and symptom duration). The inter- and intra-rater reliability of DTI parameters were moderate to excellent. The methodological quality of included studies was very heterogeneous. DATA CONCLUSION: This systematic review showed that DTI was a reliable and discriminative imaging technique for the assessment of symptomatic lumbosacral nerve root, which more consistently identified the symptomatic nerve root than DWI. Further studies of high quality are needed to confirm these results. EVIDENCE LEVEL: N/A TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Differentiation between Anterior and Posterior Roots Using Compound Muscle Action Potential in Intradural Extramedullary Spinal Tumor Surgery.

This study aims to determine the cutoff values for the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) stimulus in anatomically identified anterior (motor nerve) and posterior roots (sensory nerve) during cervical intradural extramedullary tumor surgery. The connection between CMAP data from nerve roots and postoperative neurological symptoms in thoracolumbar tumors was compared with data from cervical lesions. The participants of the study included 22 patients with intradural extramedullary spinal tumors (116 nerve roots). The lowest stimulation intensity to the nerve root at which muscle contraction occurs was defined as the minimal activation intensity (MAI) in the CMAP. In cervical tumors, the MAI was measured after differentiating between the anterior and posterior roots based on the anatomical placement of the dentate ligament and nerve roots. The MAIs for 20 anterior roots in eight cervical tumors were between 0.1 and 0.3 mA, whereas those for 19 posterior roots were between 0.4 and 2.0 mA. The cutoff was <0.4 mA for both the anterior and posterior roots, and sensitivity and specificity were both 100%. In thoracolumbar tumors, the nerve root was severed in 12 of 14 cases. All MAIs were determined to be at the dorsal roots as their scores were higher than the cutoff and did not indicate motor deficits. The MAIs of the anatomically identified anterior and posterior root CMAPs were found to have a cutoff value of <0.4 mA in the cervical lesions. Similar MAI cutoffs were also applicable to thoracolumbar lesions. Thus, CMAP may be useful in detecting anterior and posterior roots in spinal tumor surgery.

Lumbar safety triangle: comparative study of coronal and coronal oblique planes in 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging / Triângulo de segurança lombar: estudo comparativo dos planos coronal e coronal oblíquo em ressonância magnética 3.0-T

Abstract Objective: To compare the measurements of the lumbar safety triangle (Kambin's triangle) and the invasion of the dorsal root ganglion in the triangle in coronal and coronal oblique planes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study, in which 210 3.0-T magnetic resonance images of L2-L5 were analyzed in coronal and coronal oblique planes. Exams with lumbar spine anomalies were excluded. Demographic (sex and age) and radiological variables were recorded by a single evaluator. Results: Most sample was female (57.1%), mean age 45.5 ± 13.3 (18-98 years). The measurements average, as well as the areas, gradually increased from L2 to L5. The dorsal root ganglion invaded the triangle in all images. The safety triangle average area was smaller in the coronal oblique plane than in the coronal plane. Of the seven dimensions of safety triangle obtained for each level of the lumbar spine, six were significantly smaller in the coronal oblique plane than in the coronal plane. The only dimension that showed no difference was the smallest ganglion dimension. Conclusion: The dimensions and areas investigated were smaller in coronal oblique plane, especially the area (difference > 1 mm). The analysis of the triangular zone in this plane becomes important in the preoperative assessment of minimally invasive procedures.

Resumo Objetivo: Comparar as medidas do triângulo de segurança lombar (triângulo de Kambin) e invasão do gânglio da raiz dorsal no triângulo nas incidências coronal e coronal oblíqua. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo transversal, em que foram analisadas 210 imagens de ressonância magnética 3.0-T de L2-L5 nos planos coronal e coronal oblíquo. Foram excluídos exames com anomalias da coluna lombar. Variáveis demográficas (sexo e idade) e radiológicas foram registradas por um único avaliador. Resultados: A maioria da amostra era do sexo feminino (57,1%), com idade média de 45,5 ± 13,3 (18-98 anos). A média das medidas, assim como as áreas, aumentaram gradativamente de L2 a L5. O gânglio da raiz dorsal invadiu o triângulo em todas as imagens. A área média do triângulo de segurança foi menor na incidência coronal oblíqua do que na incidência coronal. Das sete dimensões do triângulo de segurança obtidas para cada nível da coluna lombar, seis foram significativamente menores no plano coronal oblíquo do que no plano coronal. Única dimensão que não apresentou diferença foi a menor dimensão do gânglio. Conclusão: As dimensões e áreas investigadas foram menores na incidência coronal oblíqua, especialmente a área (diferença > 1 mm). A análise da zona triangular nesta incidência torna-se importante na avaliação pré-operatória de procedimentos minimamente invasivos.

Extradural contralateral S1 nerve root transfer for spastic lower limb paralysis.

The current study aims to ascertain the anatomical feasibility of transferring the contralateral S1 ventral root (VR) to the ipsilateral L5 VR for treating unilateral spastic lower limb paralysis. Six formalin-fixed (three males and three females) cadavers were used. The VR of the contralateral S1 was transferred to the VR of the ipsilateral L5. The sural nerve was selected as a bridge between the donor and recipient nerve. The number of axons, the cross-sectional areas and the pertinent distances between the donor and recipient nerves were measured. The extradural S1 VR and L5 VR could be separated based on anatomical markers of the dorsal root ganglion. The gross distance between the S1 nerve root and L5 nerve root was 31.31 (± 3.23) mm in the six cadavers, while that on the diffusion tensor imaging was 47.51 (± 3.23) mm in 60 patients without spinal diseases, and both distances were seperately greater than that between the outlet of S1 from the spinal cord and the ganglion. The numbers of axons in the S1 VRs and L5 VRs were 13414.20 (± 2890.30) and 10613.20 (± 2135.58), respectively. The cross-sectional areas of the S1 VR and L5 VR were 1.68 (± 0.26) mm 2 and 1.08 (± 0.26) mm 2, respectively. In conclusion, transfer of the contralateral S1 VR to the ipsilateral L5 VR may be an anatomically feasible treatment option for unilateral spastic lower limb paralysis.

Sacral Tarlov cysts: Neurophysiology abnormalities and correlation with pelvic sensory and visceral symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent studies suggest a possible association between Tarlov cysts (TCs), usually considered as incidental radiological findings, and neurological symptoms such as pain, numbness and urogenital complaints. The aim was to explore the relationship between TCs and sacral nerve root functions using pelvic neurophysiology tests, and to correlate changes with clinical symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. METHODS: Consecutive patients with sacral TCs, referred for pelvic neurophysiology testing and presenting with at least one symptom related to the pelvic area, participated in a cross-sectional review of symptoms using validated questionnaires. Findings of pelvic neurophysiology (pudendal sensory evoked potentials, sacral dermatomal sensory evoked potentials, external anal sphincter electromyography) and urodynamics testing were collected retrospectively. The relationship between neurophysiology, MRI findings and patients' symptoms was assessed using Fisher and ANOVA tests. RESULTS: Sixty-five females were included (mean age 51.2 ± 12.1 years). The commonest symptom was pain (92%). Urinary (91%), bowel (71%) and sexual (80%) symptoms were also frequently reported. Thirty-seven patients (57%) had abnormal neurophysiology findings reflecting sacral root dysfunction. No association was seen between MRI findings (size, location of the cysts, severity of compression) and neurophysiology. A negative association was observed between neurophysiology abnormalities and occurrence of urgency urinary incontinence (p = 0.03), detrusor overactivity (p < 0.01) and stress urinary incontinence (p = 0.04); however, there was no association with voiding difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to current understanding, TCs are associated with injury to the sacral somatic innervation in the majority of patients with presumed symptomatic cysts. However, urinary incontinence is unlikely to be related to TC-induced nerve damage.

Spinal nerve root sleeve cysticercosis: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic infection of the central nervous system by tapeworm larvae. Spinal cysticercosis is thought to be relatively rare, and spinal nerve root sleeve cysticercosis have not been reported previously. CASE PRESENTATION: A 46-year-old Chinese Han female patient presented with low back pain and radicular pain of the right lower limb. The visual analog scale was 6. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a subarachnoid cyst at the S1 level, with a slight enhanced rim. The patient underwent surgical treatment. During surgery, we found the cyst located mainly in the subarachnoid space and partly in a sacral nerve root sleeve. Cysticercosis was also confirmed by postoperative pathological examination. Postoperative drug therapy was performed after cysticercosis was confirmed. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with oral albendazole (15 mg/kg) for 1 month. Only mild sensory impairment was left when she was discharged. After 3 years of follow-up, the visual analog scale reduced from 6 to 2, and the patient's sensory function completely recovered. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no recurrence of cysticercosis. CONCLUSION: Subarachnoid cysticercosis may extend to nerve root sleeve causing back pain and radiculopathy, which may present with similar magnetic resonance imaging manifestations to Tarlov cysts. Hence, spinal subarachnoid cysticercosis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis of arachnoid cyst and sacral Tarlov cyst. Combined treatment with surgical removal and drug therapy is effective to manage spinal subarachnoid cysticercosis.

Case report: Intraneural perineurioma in dogs: a case series and brief literature review.

Intraneural perineurioma is an exceptionally rare neoplasm in animals. This case study comprises a series of three cases and a brief literature review focusing on canine intraneural perineurioma. The pathological and immunohistochemical findings are documented, revealing that canine intraneural perineurioma frequently affects adult dogs aged between 3 and 10 years old, with a male predominance. Clinical signs associated with intraneural perineurioma in dogs include spinal pain, lameness, and paresis, resulting from the involvement of spinal nerve roots of the pelvic limbs, brachial plexus, or distal part of the median nerve. Most neoplasms had characteristic pseudo-onion bulb patterns on histopathology. Neoplastic perineurial cells, in most cases, expressed laminin and claudin-1, and NF200 consistently highlighted the central axon. While the immunohistochemical (IHC) profile of intraneural perineurioma in veterinary medicine remains incompletely characterized, the available IHC data from all reported cases suggest that a combination of laminin and claudin-1 immunomarkers, along with distinctive histological features, can assist in establishing a definitive diagnosis of intraneural perineurioma.

Lumbar safety triangle: comparative study of coronal and coronal oblique planes in 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: To compare the measurements of the lumbar safety triangle (Kambin's triangle) and the invasion of the dorsal root ganglion in the triangle in coronal and coronal oblique planes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study, in which 210 3.0-T magnetic resonance images of L2-L5 were analyzed in coronal and coronal oblique planes. Exams with lumbar spine anomalies were excluded. Demographic (sex and age) and radiological variables were recorded by a single evaluator. Results: Most sample was female (57.1%), mean age 45.5 ± 13.3 (18-98 years). The measurements average, as well as the areas, gradually increased from L2 to L5. The dorsal root ganglion invaded the triangle in all images. The safety triangle average area was smaller in the coronal oblique plane than in the coronal plane. Of the seven dimensions of safety triangle obtained for each level of the lumbar spine, six were significantly smaller in the coronal oblique plane than in the coronal plane. The only dimension that showed no difference was the smallest ganglion dimension. Conclusion: The dimensions and areas investigated were smaller in coronal oblique plane, especially the area (difference > 1 mm). The analysis of the triangular zone in this plane becomes important in the preoperative assessment of minimally invasive procedures.

Objetivo: Comparar as medidas do triângulo de segurança lombar (triângulo de Kambin) e invasão do gânglio da raiz dorsal no triângulo nas incidências coronal e coronal oblíqua. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo transversal, em que foram analisadas 210 imagens de ressonância magnética 3.0-T de L2-L5 nos planos coronal e coronal oblíquo. Foram excluídos exames com anomalias da coluna lombar. Variáveis demográficas (sexo e idade) e radiológicas foram registradas por um único avaliador. Resultados: A maioria da amostra era do sexo feminino (57,1%), com idade média de 45,5 ± 13,3 (18­98 anos). A média das medidas, assim como as áreas, aumentaram gradativamente de L2 a L5. O gânglio da raiz dorsal invadiu o triângulo em todas as imagens. A área média do triângulo de segurança foi menor na incidência coronal oblíqua do que na incidência coronal. Das sete dimensões do triângulo de segurança obtidas para cada nível da coluna lombar, seis foram significativamente menores no plano coronal oblíquo do que no plano coronal. Única dimensão que não apresentou diferença foi a menor dimensão do gânglio. Conclusão: As dimensões e áreas investigadas foram menores na incidência coronal oblíqua, especialmente a área (diferença > 1 mm). A análise da zona triangular nesta incidência torna-se importante na avaliação pré-operatória de procedimentos minimamente invasivos.

Patients having surgery for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow rarely have affection of the spinal nerve root at C8-Th1 levels.

Cervical pathology may contribute to residual problems after surgery for ulnar nerve compression. We aimed to evaluate the presence of pathological conditions in spinal cord and cervical spinal nerve roots in patients surgically treated for ulnar nerve compression at elbow. In a cohort of patients, surgically treated for ulnar nerve compression at elbow, magnetic resonance images (MRI; performed 3 years pre/postoperatively) were evaluated by a neuroradiologist blinded to patient characteristics and outcome of surgery. Cervical conditions were assessed and related to patient characteristics, preoperative McGowan grade, and outcome. Among 62 patients (45 unilaterally and 17 bilaterally), only one had spinal nerve root affection of nerve roots contributing to the ulnar nerve (C8-Th1). About half of the patients, mainly those at higher age, had alterations affecting C3-C7 spinal nerve roots at both surgically treated and contralateral, non-surgically treated, sides. Only few other changes were observed at cervical levels. A high McGowan grading was related to a high frequency of spinal nerve root affection. Smokers were more frequently observed among those with spinal nerve root affection at C3-C7 levels at surgically treated side. Residual problems, expressed as patient dissatisfaction and DASH score ≥40, were common. Spinal nerve roots, contributing to the ulnar nerve, are rarely affected in surgically treated patients with ulnar nerve compression at elbow even though pathology is often observed at other cervical levels. Pathology is often detected at other cervical spinal nerve root levels at surgically treated and contralateral sides, particularly among older patients, smokers, and in conjunction with worse preoperative McGowan grade. No relation between cervical pathology and outcome of ulnar nerve surgery is seen.

Nerve root transfer from C4 to C5 in brachial plexus injuries. Anatomical study and description of the surgical technique.

Objective This is an anatomical study of C4 and C5 roots for nerve transfers in upper brachial plexus injuries, with surgical technique demonstration. Methods Fifteen brachial plexuses from both male and female cadavers were dissected. Morphological features of C4 and C5 roots were recorded and analyzed, followed by a neurotization simulation. Results In all dissections, C4 and C5 roots morphological features allowed their mobilization and neurotization with no need for a nerve graft. The surgical technique spared important regional nerve branches. Conclusion Based on these data, we conclude that C4-C5 nerve transfers are feasible and result in no additional neurological deficit in upper brachial plexus injuries.

Nerve root transfer from C4 to C5 in brachial plexus injuries. Anatomical study and description of the surgical technique / Transferência nervosa da raiz de C4 para C5 em lesões do plexo braquial. Estudo anatômico e descrição de técnica cirúrgica

Abstract Objective This is an anatomical study of C4 and C5 roots for nerve transfers in upper brachial plexus injuries, with surgical technique demonstration. Methods Fifteen brachial plexuses from both male and female cadavers were dissected. Morphological features of C4 and C5 roots were recorded and analyzed, followed by a neurotization simulation. Results In all dissections, C4 and C5 roots morphological features allowed their mobilization and neurotization with no need for a nerve graft. The surgical technique spared important regional nerve branches. Conclusion Based on these data, we conclude that C4-C5 nerve transfers are feasible and result in no additional neurological deficit in upper brachial plexus injuries.

Resumo Objetivo Estudo anatômico das raízes usadas na transferência nervosa de C4 para C5 nas lesões altas do plexo braquial, com demonstração da técnica cirúrgica. Métodos Dissecção de 15 plexos braquiais de cadáveres de ambos os sexos, registro e análise das características morfológicas das raízes de C4 e C5 e simulação de neurotização. Resultados As características morfológicas encontradas nas raízes de C4 e C5 em todas as dissecções permitiram a mobilização das mesmas e a realização de uma neurotização sem a necessidade de usar enxerto nervoso. A técnica cirúrgica permitiu preservar ramos nervosos importantes na região abordada. Conclusão Com base nos dados encontrados no presente estudo, podemos concluir que é possível realizar a transferência entre C4 e C5 sem provocar déficit neurológico adicional nas lesões altas de plexo braquial.

High-Resolution 3D versus Standard-Resolution 2D T2-Weighted Turbo Spin Echo MRI for the Assessment of Lumbar Nerve Root Compromise.

Radiculopathy can be caused by nerve root irritation and nerve root compression at the level of the lateral recess or at the level of the intervertebral foramen. T2-weighted (T2w) MRI is considered essential to evaluate the nerve root and its course, starting at the lateral recess through the intervertebral foramen to the extraforaminal space. With the introduction of novel MRI acceleration techniques such as compressed SENSE, standard-resolution 2D T2w turbo spin echo (TSE) sequences with a slice-thickness of 3-4 mm can be replaced with high-resolution isotropic 3D T2w TSE sequences with sub-millimeter resolution without prolonging scan time. With high-resolution 3D MRI, the course of the nerve root can be visualized more precisely due to a detailed depiction of the anatomical situation and less partial volume effects, potentially allowing for a better detection of nerve root compromise. In this intra-individual comparison study, 55 patients with symptomatic unilateral singular nerve root radiculopathy underwent MRI with both 2D standard- and 3D high-resolution T2w TSE MRI sequences. Two readers graded the degree of lumbar lateral recess stenosis and lumbar foraminal stenosis twice on both image sets using previously validated grading systems in an effort to quantify the inter-readout and inter-sequence agreement of scores. Inter-readout agreement was high for both grading systems and for 2D and 3D imaging (Kappa = 0.823-0.945). Inter-sequence agreement was moderate for both lumbar lateral recess stenosis (Kappa = 0.55-0.577) and lumbar foraminal stenosis (Kappa = 0.543-0.572). The percentage of high degree stenosis with nerve root deformity increased from 16.4%/9.8% to 41.8-43.6%/34.1% from 2D to 3D images for lateral recess stenosis/foraminal stenosis, respectively. Therefore, we show that while inter-readout agreement of grading systems is high for both standard- and high-resolution imaging, the latter outperforms standard-resolution imaging for the visualization of lumbar nerve root compromise.

MRI of the intraspinal nerve roots in patients with chronic inflammatory neuropathies: abnormalities correlate with clinical phenotypes.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) are caused by inflammatory changes of peripheral nerves. It is unknown if the intra-spinal roots are also affected. This MRI study systematically visualized intra-spinal nerve roots, i.e., the ventral and dorsal roots, in patients with CIDP, MMN and motor neuron disease (MND). METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in 40 patients with CIDP, 27 with MMN and 34 with MND. All patients underwent an MRI scan of the cervical intra-spinal roots. We systematically measured intra-spinal nerve root sizes bilaterally in the transversal plane at C5, C6 and C7 level. We calculated mean nerve root sizes and compared them between study groups and between different clinical phenotypes using a univariate general linear model. RESULTS: Patients with MMN and CIDP with a motor phenotype had thicker ventral roots compared to patients with CIDP with a sensorimotor phenotype (p = 0.012), while patients with CIDP with a sensory phenotype had thicker dorsal roots compared to patients with a sensorimotor phenotype (p = 0.001) and with MND (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: We here show changes in the morphology of intra-spinal nerve roots in patients with chronic inflammatory neuropathies, compatible with their clinical phenotype.

Iatrogenic L5 Nerve Injury Following Decortication of the Sacral Ala in Posterolateral Lumbosacral Fusion Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Cadaver study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk of the L5 nerve injury following sacral ala decortication performed during lumbosacral posterolateral fusion surgery. METHODS: Fourteen fresh cadaver pelvises were dissected through an anterior approach and the L5 nerves on both sides were explored and macroscopically examined by direct observation. Then, the corticotomy of the sacral ala was performed at 0°, 20°, and 30° angles to the sagittal plane through the posterior approach. The site of sacral ala decortication was checked on each side and its distance to the L5 nerve root was measured. RESULTS: The tip of the osteotome was in the danger zone (5 mm medial to 5 mm lateral to the L5 nerve) in all cases (100%) where the osteotome had 0° angle to the sagittal plane. For those with a 20° angle, the osteotome tip laid in the danger zone in 83% and intermediate zone (between 6 to 15 mm lateral to the nerve) in 17% of cases. For those with a 30° angle, the tip was in the safe zone (>15 mm lateral to the nerve) in all cases (100%). CONCLUSION: Osteotomy of the sacral ala with <30° angle to the sagittal plane risks injury to the L5 nerve; whereas osteotomy angle >30° would not cause any injury to the nerve. It should be considered as a possible cause of iatrogenic L5 nerve injury in patients undergoing posterolateral lumbosacral fusion.

Neuropathology of the spinal nerve roots, spinal cord, and brain in the first autopsied case of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 4F with a D651N mutation in the periaxin gene.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) 4F is an autosomal recessive, hereditary peripheral neuropathy, mostly caused by mutations in the periaxin gene (PRX). This article reports neuropathological findings of the spinal nerve roots, spinal cord, and brain of a patient with CMT4F and a D651N missense mutation in PRX. The patient was a 74-year-old woman who had a history of peripheral neuropathy with onset at the age of 30 years. She also had a history of infantile paralysis at the age of 18 months. The most pronounced autopsy finding was diffuse enlargement of anterior and posterior nerve roots, accentuated at the lumbo-sacral levels. On microscopy, the swollen nerve roots showed a loss of large-diameter myelinated fibers and formation of numerous onion bulbs. Most of the onion bulbs lacked the central, regenerating thin myelin sheaths, and in large-diameter nerve fibers whose axons had been lost, collagen fibers occupied the center of the onion bulbs. Some nerve roots formed glial bundles at the proximal end. The spinal cord showed degeneration of the gracile fascicles, and the lumbar segment anterior horn showed an asymmetric neuronal loss with rarefaction of the neuropil. The brain did not show any notable changes except for multiple foci of a radial microcolumnar arrangement of neurons in the cerebral cortex. Degeneration of the lumbar segment anterior horn is most likely secondary to the anterior radiculopathy, but a localized circulatory disturbance is another possibility.

Is Abnormal Electrodiagnostic Finding Related to the Cross-Sectional Area of the Nerve Root in Cervical Radiculopathy?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relevance of electrodiagnosis (EDX) in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the nerve root of patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR) by using high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS). METHODS: The CSAs of the cervical nerve roots at C5, C6, and C7 were measured bilaterally using HRUS in 29 patients with unilateral CR whose clinical symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and EDX results corresponded with each other (CR-A group), and in 26 patients with unilateral CR whose clinical symptoms and MRI findings matched with each other but did not correspond with the EDX findings (CR-B group). RESULTS: The CSA of the affected side in each nerve root was significantly larger than that of the unaffected side in both the CR-A and CR-B groups. The side-to-side difference in the bilateral CSAs of the nerve root and the ratio of the CSAs between the unaffected and affected sides were statistically larger in the CR-A group than in the CR-B group. CONCLUSION: The increased CSAs in the CR-A group reflect the physiological changes of the cervical nerve root, which is supported by the EDX findings.

Chinese Association for the Study of Pain: Experts consensus on ultrasound-guided injections for the treatment of spinal pain in China (2020 edition).

Spinal pain (SP) is a common condition that has a major negative impact on a patient's quality of life. Recent developments in ultrasound-guided injections for the treatment of SP are increasingly being used in clinical practice. This clinical expert consensus describes the purpose, significance, implementation methods, indications, contraindications, and techniques of ultrasound-guided injections. This consensus offers a practical reference point for physicians to implement successfully ultrasound-guided injections in the treatment of chronic SP.

[Application of ultrasound-guided selective nerve branch blockage in lumbar spinal nerve posterior branch syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided selective nerve branch blockage in the treatment of lumbar spinal nerve posterior branch syndrome. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with lumbar spinal nerve posterior branch syndrome treated by Pain Clinic from May 2017 to December 2018 were selected. According to the method used in locating site for nerve blockage, the patients were divided into ultrasound-guided group and anatomical positioning group, with 20 cases in each group. In anatomical positioning group, there were 7 males and 13 females, aged (63.42±7.71) years old, weighted (63.65±10.72) kg, numerical rating scale (NRS) was (6.61±1.52) scores, course of disease was (16.55±4.68) months. Pain sites:4 cases at L2,3, 8 cases at L3,4, 11 cases at L4,5, and 11 cases at L5S1. In ultrasound-guided group, there were 10 males and 10 females, aged (59.58±10.21) years old, weighted (60.61±13.81) kg, NRS was(6.84±2.43) scores, and course of disease was(13.70±5.98) months. Pain sites:6 cases at L2,3, 6 cases at L3,4, 9 cases at L4,5, and 13 cases at L5S1. Ultrasound-guided group used ultrasound-guided selective posteromedial branch and posterolateral branch nerve blockage, and the anatomical positioning group used anatomical localization method to block the posteromedial branch and posterolateral branch of lumbar spinal nerve. Each nerve branch was injected 3 ml of 0.125% ropivacaine. The number of treatment required and prone position time of each treatment were recorded, and the NRS scores of patients at the time points of immediately after the end of the treatment, the first week, the second week, the first month and the third month were evaluated. And adverse events such as local anesthetic allergy and poisoning, local puncture infection, total spinal anesthesia, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and other adverse reactions were observed. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, weight, NRS, course of disease and pain segment distribution between two groups (P>0.05). The number of treatment required in anatomical positioning group was significantly higher than that in ultrasound-guided group (P<0.000 1). During each treatment, the time in the prone position of the patients in anatomical positioning group was significantly lower than that in ultrasound guided group (P< 0.000 1). NRS scores immediately after the end of treatment, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months, anatomical positioning group were 2.98 ±0.25, 3.04 ±0.38, 3.37 ±0.47, 3.42 ±0.85, 3.50 ±0.43, respectively, 2.94 ±0.31, 3.00 ±0.29, 3.21 ±0.68, 3.16 ± 0.94, 3.17±0.53 in ultrasound-guided group, and there was significant difference at 1 month and 3 months between two groups(P< 0.05). There were no adverse events such as local anesthetic allergy and poisoning, local puncture infection, and total spinal anesthesia, and no adverse reactions such as lethargy, nausea, and vomiting occurred in two groups. There were 6 cases of dizziness in anatomical positioning group and 12 cases in ultrasound guided group. The difference between two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Comparedwith anatomicalpositioning, ultrasound-guided selective nerve branch block for the treatment of posterior branch of the lumbar spinal cord syndrome can reduce the number of treatments and maintain a longer therapeutic effect, but it is also necessary to pay attention to the time of each treatment to avoid dizziness and other adverse reactions.

Transiting Nerve Rootlet Abnormalities on MRI after Lumbar Laminectomy: Associations with Persistent Postoperative Pain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether changes in the transiting nerve rootlet or its surroundings, as seen on MRI performed after lumbar hemilaminectomy, are associated with persistent postoperative pain (PPP), commonly known as the failed back surgery syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients (mean age, 61 years; 43 males and 30 females) who underwent single-level partial hemilaminectomy of the lumbar spine without postoperative complications or other level spinal abnormalities between January 2010 and December 2018 were enrolled. Two musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated transiting nerve rootlet abnormalities (thickening, signal alteration, distinction, and displacement), epidural fibrosis, and intrathecal arachnoiditis on MRI obtained one year after the operations. A spine surgeon blinded to the radiologic findings evaluated each patient for PPP. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to evaluate the association between the MRI findings and PPP. RESULTS: The presence of transiting nerve rootlet thickening, signal alteration, and ill-distinction was significantly different between the patients with PPP and those without, for both readers (p ≤ 0.020). Conversely, the presence of transiting nerve rootlet displacement, epidural fibrosis, and intrathecal arachnoiditis was not significantly different between the two groups (p ≥ 0.128). Among the above radiologic findings, transiting nerve rootlet thickening and signal alteration were the most significant findings in the multivariable analyses (p ≤ 0.009). CONCLUSION: On MRI, PPP was associated with transiting nerve rootlet abnormalities, including thickening, signal alterations, and ill-distinction, but was not associated with epidural fibrosis or intrathecal arachnoiditis. The most relevant findings were the nerve rootlet thickening and signal alteration.