Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Eur J Rheumatol 2020 Apr 1;7(2):84-87. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey.

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) is a crystal arthropathy, and may present with various clinical manifestations such as asymptomatic CPPD, osteoarthritis with CPPD, acute CPPD crystal arthritis (formerly pseudogout), and chronic CPPD crystal inflammatory arthritis. It is known that aging, trauma and osteoarthritis are major risk factors for CPPD. Acute CPP arthritis may occur as monoarticular or oligoarticular and usually involves large peripheral joints such as the knees, wrists and ankles. Read More

J Orthop Translat 2020 Jul 2;23:107-112. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

Department of Spine Surgery, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin University, No. 406 Jiefangnan Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300211, China.

Purpose: Percutaneous full-endoscopic anterior cervical discectomy (PEACD) and posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) as alternatives to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) are extensively used in the treatment of patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. The possibility of avoiding the risk of accelerated degeneration of the adjacent segments caused by fusion is claimed to be the theoretical advantage of these approaches; however, there is a paucity of supportive evidence from biomechanical data. Therefore, this study investigated and compared the effects of PCF, PEACD, and ACDF on the adjacent segments and operative segments of the cervical spine from a biomechanical standpoint. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020 Jul 6;21(1):439. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal Cord Institute, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Background: Many patients with cervical radiculopathy experience stenosis of the neural foramens due to cumulative osteophyte or uncovertebral joint hypertrophy. For cervical foraminal stenosis, complete uncinate process resection (UPR) is often conducted concurrently with anterior discectomy and fusion (ACDF). The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of ACDF with complete UPR versus ACDF without UPR. Read More

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2020 Jul;100(25):1956-1961

Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou 450003, China.

To explore the clinical efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD) assisted by neurophysiology monitoring (NM) in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). The clinical data of 55 patients with CSR treated in the Department of Spinal Surgery of Henan Provincial People's Hospital from April 2015 to May 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 29 patients were treated with multi-mode NM-assisted PECD (NM group) and 26 patients with PECD alone (PECD group). Read More

Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2020 ;120(5):42-49

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russia (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia.

Objective: To compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of lornoxicam and xefocam used as the reference drug in patients with acute nonspecific pain in lower back caused by acute sciatica.

Material And Methods: A simple blind clinical study was conducted with 108 patients (men and women, aged 20-55 years) with complaints of pain in the lower back and an established diagnosis of vertebrogenic radiculopathy L4, L5, S1. Patients were randomized into 2 treatment groups by randomization method of envelopes in the ratio of 1:1 (54 patients per group). Read More

J Neurol 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Department of Neurology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.

Objective: To characterize the clinical, radiological, and pathological manifestations of 18 cases showing neurogenic calf amyotrophy with creatine kinase (CK) elevation by entrapment radiculopathy (NCACKEER).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and evaluated the medical records of patients who complained of weakness or atrophy of the calf muscles in our department between 2004 and 2019. We identified 18 cases fulfilling the proposed criteria of NCACKEER. Read More

J Man Manip Ther 2020 Jul 2:1-8. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Southern Musculoskeletal Seminars (NZ), Auckland University of Technology , Auckland, New Zealand.

Background: A lumbar lateral shift (LLS) is a common clinical observation in patients with low back pain (LBP), and a shift contralateral to the side of pain is the most common presentation. An LLS that can rapidly alternate sides presents several treatment difficulties and has rarely been described. The purpose of the current case report was to describe the presentation and management of a patient with an alternating LLS. Read More

PLoS One 2020 2;15(7):e0235539. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.

The scope of practice of the osteopathic profession in Italy is underreported. The first part of the present study investigated the Italian osteopaths' profile, focusing on the socio-demographic information and geographical distribution together with the main characteristics of their education. The OPERA-IT study highlighted that the majority of respondents declared to work as sole practitioners (58. Read More

Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord 2020 22;13:1179544120921854. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Erlanger Sports and Health Institute, Chattanooga, TN, USA.

Purpose: While the double crush phenomena (compression along two points on a nerve) has been established between median neuropathy and cervical radiculopathy, combined suprascapular neuropathy (SSN) and cervical C5/C6 radiculopathy-so-called shoulder double crush syndrome-has not been well examined. We aim to identify the incidence of shoulder double crush syndrome in patients undergoing arthroscopic suprascapular nerve release for SSN.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients >18 years of age who were positive for SSN on electromyography and motor nerve conduction studies (EMG/NCS) and underwent a suprascapular nerve release were included. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2020 Jul;45(14):952-959

aDepartment of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden bDepartment of Neurosurgery, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden cDepartment of Activity and Health, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden dDepartment of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden eNeuro-Orthopedic Center, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden fDivision of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden gDepartment of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Allied Health Professionals Function, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Study Design: A prospective randomized multicenter trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of surgery with either structured postoperative physiotherapy or standard postoperative approach on neck-related headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Secondary, to investigate associations between change in neck-related headache and change in neck muscle endurance, neck mobility, or neck pain. Read More

J Man Manip Ther 2020 Jun 30:1-10. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky , Lexington, KY, USA.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the methodology, interpretation, and perceived value of Spurling's test toward diagnosis/classification and treatment.

Methods: An anonymous web-based survey was made available to physical therapist members of the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association. Based on video demonstrations of technique and symptom distribution, questions included preferred method, criteria for test interpretation, and perceived value of Spurling's test and other examination findings toward clinical decision-making. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jun 26. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Neurosurgery, Iwai FESS Clinic, 8-18-4 Minamikoiwa Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 133-0056, Japan; Department of Orthopaedics, Iwai Orthopaedic Medical Hospital, 8-17-2 Minamikoiwa Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 133-0056, Japan; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Inanami Spine and Joint Hospital, 3-17-5 Higashishinagawa Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-0002, Japan.

Background: Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a relatively common disease in East Asia. Although surgical decompression using a posterior approach is commonly used to treat OLF, there are several different treatment strategies. The purpose of this study is clarify the technically important points for the treatment of OLF using full-endoscopic spine surgery (FESS). Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jun 24. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Professor of Clinical Radiology Vice Chair for Faculty Development, Director of MRI, Department of Radiology, Address: 1 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO.

Background: Spinal arachnoid webs are a rare anatomic entity manifesting as neuropathic back pain, compressive myelopathy, radiculopathy and hydrocephalus. Typical treatments include hemi or full laminectomy with durotomy and microsurgical resection which can result in secondary scarring, and recurrent blockage of cerebrospinal fluid flow perpetuating the cycle.

Case Description: A 66-year-old woman presented with progressively worsening gait and memory. Read More

Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult 2020 ;97(3):35-42

Scientific practical center of medical and social rehabilitation named after L.I. Shvetsova, Moscow, Russia.

Introduction: Hydrogalvanic baths are a hydrotherapy method based on the combined effect of electric current and fresh water on the body.

Aim Of Study: Scientific evidence and evaluation of the effectiveness of use of general hydrogalvanic baths in the treatment of patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy with the background of degenerative spinal disorder.

Materials And Methods: A randomized comparative clinical trial included 84 patients. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Jun;99(26):e20846

Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.

Background: Among all types of cervical spondylitis, cervical spondylitis radiculopathy (CSR) has the highest incidence. The incidence of CSR increases year by year and is generally younger, which has seriously threatened people's quality of life and affected their work and life. This study proposes to improve the recovery rate of patients with CSR, delay the recurrence, improve the symptoms of patients, and improve the quality of life of patients through the rehabilitation and exercise of five-step cervical vertebra exercises. Read More

Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Department of Neuroscience, Neurosurgery, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: Years after a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), a subset of patients may develop progressive clinical deterioration due to intradural scar formation and spinal cord tethering, with or without an associated syringomyelia. Meningitis, intradural hemorrhages, or intradural tumor surgery may also trigger glial scar formation and spinal cord tethering, leading to neurological worsening. Surgery is the treatment of choice in these chronic SCI patients. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jun 24;10(1):10290. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Department of Orthopaedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, No. 82 Cuiying Gate, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730030, Gansu, People's Republic of China.

To describe the rationale and surgical technique and compare the clinical effect of posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PPECD) using the Delta system versus that of conventional PPECD (key-hole) surgery for the treatment of symptomatic cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). A retrospective analysis was performed on 106 single-segment CSR patients between February 2016 and February 2017, 50 of whom underwent conventional PPECD (key-hole), and 56 underwent PPECD using the Delta system. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay were recorded, and the clinical effect was evaluated by the indicators of the Neck Disability Index (NDI), arm-visual analog scale (arm-VAS), neck-VAS, EQ-5D and MacNab classification at the last follow-up. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2020 Apr 23. Epub 2020 Apr 23.

Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis using data from RCTs OBJECTIVE.: To compare the occurrence of heterotopic ossification (HO) between two cervical disc prostheses. Clinical outcome and range of motion (ROM) were also evaluated. Read More

Int J Sports Phys Ther 2020 May;15(3):388-394

University of South Alabama, Department of Physical Therapy, Mobile, AL, USA.

Background: The single leg sit-to-stand test (SLSTST) is a functional test that assesses quadriceps strength. The original SLSTST was used to diagnose lumbar nerve root impingement/radiculopathy - specifically at the L3 and L4 level. The original SLSTST used one repetition as the requirement for a successful test, therefore it may not identify quadriceps weakness in highly functional individuals with or recovering from an athletic injury. Read More

Spine J 2020 Jun 18. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; Stanford University School of Medicine. 450 Broadway Street MC 6342, Redwood City, CA, USA 94063. Electronic address:

Background Context: Cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs) are sometimes used in the management of cervical radicular pain in order to delay or avoid surgery. However, the rate and determinants of surgery following CESIs remain uncertain.

Purpose: This study sought to determine: 1) the proportion of patients having surgery following CESI, and 2) the timing of and factors associated with subsequent surgery. Read More

Muscle Nerve 2020 Jun 21. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Clinical Director, Musculoskeletal Spine & Sports Rehabilitation Medicine, MossRehab, Einstein Spine Institute, Co-Chair, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Clinical Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University.

The electrodiagnostic (EDX) examination with needle electromyography (EMG) is the most important means of testing for radiculopathy. This test has modest sensitivity but high specificity and complements imaging of the spine. In this second of a two-part review, the implications of electrodiagnostic findings for diagnosis and clinical management of persons with radiculopathy are reviewed. Read More

Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2020 Jun 20. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Semmes Murphey Neurologic and Spine Institute, Memphis, Tennessee, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, United States.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is one of the most common spinal procedures, frequently used for the treatment of cervical spine degenerative diseases. It was first described in 1958. Interestingly, to our knowledge, 3-level ACDF has not been previously published as a peer-reviewed video case with a detailed description of intraoperative microsurgical anatomy. Read More

Muscle Nerve 2020 Jun 17. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Clinical Director, Musculoskeletal Spine & Sports Rehabilitation Medicine, MossRehab Einstein Spine Institute, Co-Chair, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Clinical Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, USA.

Persons with back, neck, and limb symptoms constitute a major referral population to specialists in electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine. The evaluation of these patients involves consideration of both the common and less common disorders. The EDX examination with needle electromyography (EMG) is the most important means of testing for radiculopathy. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2020 Jun 18:363546520929344. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.

Background: The practice of hip arthroscopy is increasing in popularity, which has highlighted the importance of identifying risk factors that predict hip arthroscopy outcomes. The literature suggests that lumbar spine disease is an independent risk factor for poorer outcomes following total hip arthroplasty; however, the effect of lumbar spine disease on hip arthroscopy outcomes has not been fully investigated. At present, there is a paucity of literature investigating the effect of coexisting hip and lumbar spine disease on outcomes after hip arthroscopy. Read More

Theranostics 2020 27;10(15):7015-7033. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a common degenerative disease that can lead to collapse or herniation of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and result in radiculopathy in patients. NP tissue and cells were isolated from patients and mice, and the expression profile of cortistatin (CST) was analysed. In addition, ageing of the NP was compared between 6-month-old WT and CST-knockout (CST) mice. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2020 30;11:136. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Neurosurgery, Tanabe Hospital, Fujiidera City, Osaka, Japan.

Background: Tortuous/abnormal vertebral arteries (VAs) sometimes cause neurovascular compression syndromes (NVCs), such as trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, and, rarely, myelopathy/radiculopathy. Abnormalities/tortuosity of the VA at the level of the atlas and axis are of particular note; these may be characterized by a persistent first intersegmental artery (PFIA) and C2 segmental type of VA. Herein, we report a 72-year-old male who presented with cervical myelopathy/radiculopathy due to bilateral tortuosity of the PFIA resulting in spinal cord compression at the craniocervical junction. Read More

JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc 2020 May 30;58(225):345-348. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Orthopedics, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India.

Intradural disc herniation is a rare presentation of a common pathology, comprising around 0.28-0.3% of all disc herniations. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jun 11. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Department of Radiology, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Objectives: To evaluate the morphological characteristics and clinical significance of epidural gas based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and to determine their relationship with radiculopathy.

Materials And Methods: Between March 2009 and November 2018, 110 epidural gas lesions were identified in 103 patients who underwent both CT and MRI for suspected herniated disc in the authors' institution. Patterns of epidural gas were classified as air pseudocyst, air cyst, air-contained disc herniation, and honeycomb-like air cyst. Read More

J Man Manip Ther 2020 Jun 12:1-8. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, IL, USA.

Background: There is a lack of consensus for optimal management of patients with foot drop due to acute lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with lumbar radiculopathy (LR), which is a clinical scenario that may be encountered by physical therapists. Consequently, it is important to explore physical therapists' referral practice patterns for surgical consult. Currently, physical therapist referral patterns for surgical consult in this patient population are unknown. Read More

Global Spine J 2020 Apr 28;10(2 Suppl):61S-64S. Epub 2020 May 28.

Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA.

Study Design: Special Issues MIS/Navigation.

Objectives: Over the past decade, cervical total disc replacement has been established in numerous randomized clinical trials as an alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the long-term outcomes after cervical arthroplasty. Read More

Niger J Clin Pract 2020 Jun;23(6):835-841

Department of Spine Surgery, Ortopedia Hospital, Adana, Turkey.

Aims: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in patients with lumbar radicular pain or radiculopathy caused by different spinal pathologies.

Methods: One hundred and seventy seven patients who underwent single transforaminal epidural steroid injection were included in the study group and divided into 3 subgroups (central spinal stenosis + lateral recess stenosis, foraminal stenosis, lumbar disc herniation) according to existing spinal pathology. Patients' visuel analogue scale (VAS) measures and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were recorded and the patients who give favourable response to treatment were called respondents and who were not called as non-respondents. Read More

HSS J 2020 Jul 30;16(2):130-136. Epub 2019 Oct 30.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60612 USA.

Background: Adjacent segment disease (ASDz) is a potential complication following lumbar spinal fusion. A common nomenclature based on etiology and ASDz type does not exist and is needed to assist with clinical prognostication, decision making, and management.

Questions/purposes: The objective of this study was to develop an etiology-based classification system for ASDz following lumbar fusion. Read More

HSS J 2020 Jul 6;16(2):126-129. Epub 2020 Feb 6.

Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E. 70th St., New York, NY 10021 USA.

Background: Sacral insufficiency fracture (SIF) can cause lumbosacral radiculoplexopathy (LSRP) and is probably under-recognized. Symptoms may include nonspecific lumbar spine or buttock pain that is exacerbated by physical activity and alleviated with rest. The frequency of LSRP secondary to SIF has not been reported. Read More

Asian Spine J 2020 Jun 12. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain Medicine & Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is often administered to patients with radiculopathy under fluoroscopic guidance, although it has disadvantages of radiation hazards and requirement of a special area to perform the block. To avoid these disadvantages, ultrasound-guided transforaminal injection (USTFI) has recently been described and is continually developed. This review article describes the indexed articles published on USTFI and ultrasound-guided selective nerve block (SNRB) to evaluate current evidence on best approach to perform the block. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020 Jun;102(6):1166-1167

Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.

Pain Physician 2020 06;23(3):E273-E280

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Division of Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Results of the lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection (L-TFESI) used in the treatment of lumbar radiculopathy may be affected by the current psychiatric condition of the patient.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the effects of pretreatment comorbid psychiatric conditions on patient outcomes in patients with lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy.

Study Design: The study used a prospective-observational study design. Read More

Pain Physician 2020 06;23(3):325-332

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Division of Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Foraminal stenosis, defined as a narrowing of the cervical neural foramen, is one of the most common causes of upper extremity radicular pain.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine the effects of the severity of neural foraminal stenosis and spinal herniation level on treatment success in patients treated with interlaminar epidural steroid injections (ILESI) due to cervical disc herniation-related radiculopathy and their possible predictive roles.

Study Design: A retrospective assessment. Read More

Pain Physician 2020 06;23(3):315-324

University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.

Background: Vertebral cement augmentation is a commonly used procedure in patients with vertebral body compression fractures from primary or secondary osteoporosis, metastatic disease, or trauma. Many of these patients present with radiculopathy as a presenting symptom, and can experience symptomatic relief following the procedure.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of preprocedural radiculopathy in patients with vertebral body compression fractures presenting for cement augmentation, and present their postoperative outcomes. Read More

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2020 May 22;195:105948. Epub 2020 May 22.

Clinical Medical School, Yangzhou University, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, China. Electronic address:

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the clinical outcomes of using the posterior full-endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD) in comparison with the conventional anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) in treating patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Patients And Methods: From May 2015 to January 2018, patients with single cervical radiculopathy were enrolled in this study. The operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, and perioperative complications were recorded. Read More

Spine J 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Department of Physiotherapy, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway; Research and Communication Unit for Musculoskeletal Health (FORMI), Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

Importance: Defining clinically meaningful success criteria from patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is crucial for clinical audits, research and decision-making.

Purpose: We aimed to define criteria for a successful outcome 3 and 12 months after surgery for cervical degenerative radiculopathy (CDR) on recommended PROMs.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study with 12 months follow-up. Read More

Neurochirurgie 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan.

Objective: We aimed to identify the risk factors and clinical outcomes for post-laminectomy fracture around the isthmus, which can cause back pain or radiculopathy.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study involving all patients who underwent laminectomy splitting the spinous process for lumbar spinal stenosis between 2010 and 2014. The primary outcome measure was post-laminectomy fracture around the isthmus. Read More

Eur Radiol 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Université Laval, 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada.

Objectives: To investigate injectate dispersal patterns and their association with therapeutic efficacy during a transforaminal (TFSI) or an intra-articular facet steroid injection (IFSI) to treat cervical radiculopathy.

Methods: This retrospective study examined the post-intervention cervical spine CT of 56 patients randomized to receive one CT fluoroscopy-guided IFSI (29 patients; 10 (34.5%) males; mean age 45. Read More

Ann Palliat Med 2020 05;9(3):1275-1277

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.

Surg Neurol Int 2020 9;11:104. Epub 2020 May 9.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, United States.

Background: An engorged venous plexus may mimic nerve compression from a herniated disk on the magnetic resonance (MR) studies as they both have similar signal intensities. During a laminectomy, if an engorged venous plexus is encountered instead of a disk herniation, there may be marked unanticipated bleeding.

Case Description: A 58-year-old female who had a prior anterior lumbar interbody fusion later returned with recurrent radiculopathy. Read More

Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne 2020 Jun 29;15(2):305-312. Epub 2019 Oct 29.

Department of Pain Management, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Introduction: The nerve fibers innervating the annulus fibrosus are the major origin of degeneration-associated discogenic pain. Coblation is a tissue-dissociating technique in which the nerve fibers in the degenerative disc tissue are ablated. We hypothesized that coblation annuloplasty would be an effective maneuver for cervical discogenic pain without radiculopathy. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2020 Jun 1;15(1):202. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China.

Background: To compare the effectiveness and safety of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) for patients diagnosed with single-level unilateral cervical radiculopathy.

Methods: Relevant studies comparing ACDF with PCF for cervical radiculopathy were searched in an electronic database. After data extraction and quality assessment of included studies, a meta-analysis was done by using the RevMan 5. Read More

J Rheumatol 2020 Jun;47(6):939-940

Service de radiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon, and Laboratoire Nanomédecine Imagerie et Thérapeutique EA4662, Université de Franche Comté, Besançon, France.

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(21):e20125

Department of Orthopedics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital.

Rationale: Intraspinal tophaceous gout is relatively rare condition presenting with major clinical manifestations, such as spinal cord or nerve roots compressions (radiculopathy). It is usually difficult to differentiate intraspinal tophaceous gout, lumbar disc herniation, stenosis of spinal canal, ossification of ligamentum flavum, and other degenerative spinal disorders from each other.

Patient Concerns: A 64-year-old man was admitted with a history of progressive low back pain for 11 months. Read More

Ann Rehabil Med 2020 Jun 29;44(3):195-202. Epub 2020 May 29.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

Objective: To compare postural balance ability in patients with low back pain between groups with and without lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Methods: Patients who were referred for electromyography because of low back pain during the period from April 2017 through June 2018 were chosen as subjects. They were divided into groups with and without lumbosacral radiculopathy based on the results of electromyography. Read More