Effects of calcitonin addition on epidural injection in patients with degenerative spinal canal stenosis: a randomized double blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Back pain is reported to be the fifth most common reason for referral a patient to a physician and the most common disability in modern society. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of calcitonin addition on epidural injection in patients with degenerative spinal canal stenosis in comparison with epidural triamcinolone injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical trial study was performed on 40 patients with degenerative spinal stenosis, referred to pain clinic of RasoulAkram Hospital in 2018, who were randomly divided into two intervention and control groups, including 20 individuals in each group. In the intervention group, 50 units of calcitonin were injected with 8 cc of ropivacaine 0.2% while 80 mg of triamcinolone with 8 cc of ropivacaine 0.2% was injected in the control group. Functional disability was evaluated based on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and pain ratings were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS: Pain at 4 and 8 weeks after the procedure was significantly different between the two groups. A significant difference in the patient disability index was observed between two groups at 8 and 12 weeks after the procedure. On the other hand, the rate of analgesic consumption at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the procedure was significantly decreased in the calcitonin group (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, injection of calcitonin into the epidural space can reduce the pain of the patients and their analgesic consumption compared to the group receiving steroids through the epidural space.

Spontaneous Resolution of Symptomatic Thoracic Spine Calcified Disc Herniation: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Calcification of intervertebral disc (IVD) is an uncommon but well-defined clinical syndrome in children. Despite its benign nature, occasionally, calcified nucleus pulposus can herniate into the spinal canal. We report an interesting case of calcified disc herniation in the thoracic spine. Although it resulted in cord compression and syrinx formation, it well responded to conservative management. An 8-year-old girl presented with back pain and lower limbs hyperreflexia. The spinal imaging revealed that calcification within IVD, associated with huge calcified disc herniation on the T5/6, resulted in cord compression and syrinx formation within the spinal cord from T4/5 through T9/10. Despite cord compression and syrinx formation, the patient underwent conservative management. After a 6-month follow-up, the control imaging showed complete resolution of the calcified disc herniation and decreased syrinx size. In the patients with a calcified herniated IVD, in the absence of motor neurological deficit, conservative management consisting of bed rest, lifestyle adjustment, weight loss, and brace or collar wearing combined with a close follow-up can result in spontaneous regression of calcification, improvement of symptoms, and partial to complete resolution of the underlying pathology.

Long standing lumbosacral dermoid tumor and intracranial fat droplet dissemination: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Dermoid tumors are slow growing, benign CNS lesions. CASE DESCRIPTION: This case study concerns a 29-year-old female with a 6-year history of lower extremity paresthesias attributed to magnetic resonance (MR)/computed tomography (CT) documented intradural dermoid tumor that extended from L1 to S1. On MR, it was hypointense on T1, hyperintense on T2, and did not enhance with gadolinium. CT showed hyperdensity at the L1-L2 levels. The craniocervical MR imaging showed small hyperintense foci in the cisternal space favoring "fat dissemination." L1-S2 laminectomy revealed an intradural lesion characterized by "a solid and firm component compatible with fat tissue adherent to the conus medullaris and a solid-soft component within the cauda equina;" there were also "multiple fragments of white-creamy soft tissue with hair." Following tumor resection, the brain CT scan demonstrated fat dissemination within the intraventricular and cisternal space. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of a dermoid tumor. CONCLUSION: Dermoid tumors should be considered among the differential diagnosis of intradural lesions in young patients even without any other congenital abnormality.

Kyphotic deformity after laminectomy surgery for a gunshot wound to the spine: a case report.

Spinal kyphotic deformity after spinal laminectomy or laminoplasty is more common in pediatric patients than adults. Laminectomy can lead to decreased cartilage growth, anterior wedging and posterior spinal muscle insufficiency which can result in kyphotic deformity. Herein we outline a case report of a child presenting with kyphotic deformity after receiving a spinal laminectomy to treat a penetrating spinal trauma. The 8-year-old male presented with penetrating spinal trauma following a gunshot wound and subsequently underwent L1 laminectomy and thecal sac decompression to remove the foreign body. In a follow-up examination approximately one month after surgery, imaging revealed kyphotic deformity and the patient was referred to the Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital. The patient then underwent surgical reconstruction. The postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan showed appropriate repair of sagittal balance and the patient's symptoms gradually improved. Post-laminectomy kyphosis is a notable concern and complication in the pediatric population and can occur shortly after surgery. The following interventions can decrease the likelihood of post-laminectomy kyphosis: minimal muscle dissection and bone removal during laminectomy, avoidance of facet disruption, use of laminoplasty rather than laminectomy, postoperative immobilization/bracing and regular follow-up for early detection and treatment of any deformity.

Cervical Spine Involvement: A Rare Manifestation of Reiter's Syndrome.

Spine involvement is less common in Reiter's syndrome than in other seronegative spondyloarthropathies. Also, cervical spine involvement rarely occurs in Reiter's syndrome and other spondyloarthropathies. This paper reports a rare case of Reiter's syndrome in which there was cervical spine involvement that presented clinically as an atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation. Reiter's Syndrome (RS) is one of the most common types of seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SSAs) that presents clinically with a triad of symptoms, i.e., conjunctivitis, urethritis, and arthritis. This case highlighted the importance of radiographs of the lateral cervical spine and dynamic cervical imaging for all patients who have Reiter's syndrome with cervical spine symptoms to ensure that this dangerous abnormality is not overlooked.