European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Case Reports
Subacute steroid-induced paraparesis: surgical treatment of a devastating "invisible" side effect.
To emphasize an underestimated side effect following long-term use of steroids. ⋯ Diagnostic work-up of such patients should include early spinal MRI resulting in surgical intervention, if indicated. Decompression of the spinal cord eventually combined with fusion is necessary.
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Restitution of sagittal balance is important after lumbar fusion, because it improves fusion rate and may reduce the rate of adjacent segment disease. The purpose of the present study was to describe the impact of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures on pelvic and spinal parameters and sagittal balance. ⋯ Single-level circumferential fusion helps patients reducing their pelvic compensation, but the amount of correction does not allow for complete correction of sagittal imbalance.
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Claudication is a typical symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Differential diagnosis of PAD and LSS is often difficult due to the subjective natures of symptoms and atypical signs. The authors aimed to determine the usefulness of ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement for the differential diagnosis of PAD and LSS when the etiology of claudication is uncertain. ⋯ ABI is a recommended screening test for the differential diagnosis of lower leg claudication when clinical symptoms are atypical.
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Gout is a common metabolic disease characterized by the development of arthritis and nephropathy related to the deposition of monosodium urate crystals within the joints, periarticular tissues, skin and kidneys. Tophus formation seen around the spinal column is very rare, while occurrences of spinal gout tophus without systemic gout disease are much more unique. In our study, we report a spinal gout case that presented with right sciatica without previous history of systemic gout disease.
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Spinal stab wound injuries are quite rare and only few patients have been reported on the basis of MRI scan. ⋯ MRI gives the most detailed view of soft tissue lesions in SSWs and is in accordance with our intraoperative findings.