Is there a Correlation Between Degree of Radiologic Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and its Clinical Manifestation?

STUDY DESIGN: This was an observational cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the degree of stenosis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relates to the severity of clinical symptoms, disability, or neurological deficit in patients with symptomatic central lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The relationship between radiologic findings and the clinical manifestations of LSS remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 patients (42 men, median age 70 y) with neurogenic claudication and central degenerative LSS were included in the study. The MRI parameters describing severity (anteroposterior diameter of dural sac, cross-sectional area of the dural sac, stenosis ratio, and Schizas qualitative morphologic classification were evaluated at maximum stenotic level) and the extent of stenosis (the number of central stenotic levels) were correlated to symptoms (pain intensity, walking capacity), functional disability (measured in terms of the Oswestry Disability Index), and neurological signs of LSS (neurological status was evaluated and scored by Neurological Impairment Score in LSS). RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation emerged only between the Neurological Impairment Score in LSS and Schizas morphologic classification (P=0.006). Pain intensity, walking capacity, and functional disability displayed no correlation with the MRI parameters of LSS. CONCLUSIONS: LSS is a clinicoradiologic syndrome with complex relationships between degree of radiologic stenosis disclosed by MRI and clinical manifestations. Neurological impairment in the lower extremities reflects the degree of morphologic LSS on MRI. This study did not identify any association between the degree of stenosis and functional disability, pain intensity, or walking capacity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

[Snowball fight - an unusual cause of spleen injury]. / Koulování - nezvyklá prícina poranení sleziny.

Our case describes an innocuous snowball fight arising into a life-threatening condition. Patient with progressive left-sided abdominal pain was brought by ambulance to the hospital. According to history he was not aware of any trauma, just a snowball fight with his wife 5 days ago. Clinical examination finding was: hint of peritoneal irritation, Kehr´s sign and left-subchondrium palpation pain. The spleen trauma suspicion was high. After clinical examination an ultrasound examination was performed, revealing inhomogeneous structure of the spleen surrounded by hypoechoic collection and free fluid in the pelvic area. The patient added information about the possible trauma - it was not an ordinary snowball, but a piece of ice about 40cm. Computed tomography was subsequently performed, with the findings: spleen laceration, intraparenchymal hematoma, subcapsular hematoma and haemoperitoneum. The patient was urgently transferred to the operating room and splenectomy was performed. The intraoperatively findings corresponded to the imaging methods and the amount of blood and clots in the abdominal cavity was approximately 1000ml. The post-operative condition and rehabilitation was uncomplicated and one week after splenectomy the patient was released from hospital, with no subjective difficulties. This case shows spleen susceptibility to injury, even in trauma which can be considered not so severe at the first sight. It is important to correlate clinical and imaging methods findings and check the patient´s condition over a longer period, if necessary.