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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Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is defined as an abnormal and extensive accumulation of unencapsulated adipose tissue within the spinal epidural space. To date, there is a lack of high-level evidence studies reporting the outcome of surgical treatment of symptomatic SEL in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). The aim was to compare clinical outcomes in patients with symptomatic LSS with and without SEL who underwent decompression surgery alone at the 12- and 24-month follow-up. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that decompression alone surgery was associated with significant improvement in disability in both groups at 2 years, but not in pain and quality of life in patients with SEL.
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Review
The prevalence and clinical characteristics of thoracic spinal stenosis: a systematic review.
Thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) is a rare disease secondary to multiple pathological changes that differ in prevalence and clinical characteristics. The epidemiological characteristics of these pathologies are largely unknown due to the limited case samples and regional differences. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to elucidate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of TSS. ⋯ There are significant differences in the age, sex and segment distribution characteristics of different pathologies leading to TSS. Tandem spinal stenosis is not uncommon and should be considered when diagnosing TSS. Our findings provide new insights into the prevalence and clinical characteristics of TSS and can help reduce misdiagnosis.
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To systematically evaluate any consensus for the etiology, definition, presentation and outcomes of developmental lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS). ⋯ Multi-level stenosis and re-operation at adjacent levels are especially common with DLSS. Identification of these individuals provides better prognostication after surgery. However, current literature provides few consensus on its definition and the required surgical approach. Besides, there are limited reports of its etiology and association with other spinal pathologies. Due to these limitations, standardizing the definition of DLSS and investigating its etiology and expected clinical course are necessary.
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Multicenter Study
The influence of endplate (Modic) changes on clinical outcomes in lumbar spinal stenosis surgery: a Swiss prospective multicenter cohort study.
To investigate if the presence or absence of preoperative endplate Modic changes (MC) is predictive for clinical outcomes in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) patients undergoing decompression-alone or decompression with instrumented fusion surgery. ⋯ Endplate MCs have no significant influence on clinical outcome parameters in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis compared to patients without MCs, independent of the chosen surgical strategy. All patients benefitted from surgical therapy up to 36-month follow-up. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of the validity and reliability of rasterstereographic measurements of spinal posture.
We provide a meta-analysis for clinicians and researchers regarding reliability and validity of rasterstereographic measurement of the spinal posture. ⋯ The first meta-analysis on reliability and validity of rasterstereography shows satisfactory results. Rasterstereography thus presents a reliable and valid alternative to classic radiological imaging technique to assess and evaluate spinal posture in patients with spinal pathologies. Further studies are needed, focusing on the measurement properties of both static and dynamic rasterstereographic measurements.