Neurologic findings in retroperitoneal mass lesions.
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A previously independent 95-year-old woman had acute, disabling left lumbosacral radiculopathy diagnosed by clinical findings and imaging studies. Significant side effects of oral nonsteroidal and narcotic medications led to treatment with epidural steroids (triamcinolone acetonide). These injections provided pain relief, allowing a short course of inpatient rehabilitation that improved the patient's function and facilitated return to independent living. At 1-year follow-up, she continued to live independently and remained free of pain. We believe that epidural steroids coupled with a comprehensive rehabilitation program can lead to restoration of function in some elderly patients unable to tolerate the side effects of standard pain medications.
This is a description of the development of an animal model for intercostal nerve transfer and saphenous nerve grafting to lumbar nerve roots in the dog. Further, the technical feasibility of intercostal nerve transfer and autogenous sural nerve grafting to the lumbar and sacral nerve roots in the adult and infant human cadaaver is demonstrated graphically.
These are the neuropathologic findings in dogs 8-11 months after a unilateral intercostal nerve transfer and anastomosis to a lumbar nerve root were performed. This is a follow-up study of a procedure that was initially carried out in the adult and infant human cadaver and subsequently in an animal model by Malik and Buhr, as reported in this issue of Spine. At the time of sacrifice, the animals in this study had lost the limp that they had postoperatively. The results demonstrate the viability of the intercostal nerve transfer and its anastomosis to the lumbar motor root. There was supplied by a lumbar nerve root that had been operated upon, but the basis of this was not definitely established.
Demonstration of traumatic lumbosacral root avulsion is a rare clinical entity because the bony pelvis offers support and protection to the nerve roots against stretching and rupture. Major vehicular trauma producing unstable pelvic fractures allows lumbosacral root avulsion to occur, and the 18th well-documented case is reported. Delay in diagnosis of several months is common. Demonstration of traumatic meningoceles is important, and metrizamide offers better visualization of the root than does iodophendylate. Absence of the root in the meningocele is equated with avulsion.
Five male cadavers were used to evaluate anatomically structures at risk using sacral pedicle screw fixation. Risk was defined as the likelihood of penetration by K-wires placed through the pedicles and cortices at the S1, S2, and S3 levels. A scale based on the distance from the wire to the vital structure was developed to quantify risk. Instrument insertion techniques were classified as direct and lateral. The direct technique at S1 placed the left common iliac vein and the sympathetic chain at high risk. The sympathetic chain was also at high risk at the S2 and S3 levels. The lateral technique placed the lumbosacral trunk at high risk at the S1 level, as well as the S1 nerve root with screw placement at the S2 level. Anterior cortical penetration during sacral pedicle screw fixation places anatomic structures at variable risk depending on the technique used.
Low-back pain combined with a positive straight leg raising test (Lasègue's sign) is uncommon in children and adolescents. Reproductive tract (Mullerian) anomalies causing an accumulation of menstrual blood in the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes represent an unusual extraspinal cause of low-back pain. The accumulation of blood in these cavities is termed hematocolpos, hematometra, and hematosalpinx. Amenorrhea with cyclic lower abdominal pain and a presenting pelvic mass are the usual presenting features. In the current report, we describe a case of an adolescent with low-back pain, positive straight leg raising test, and signs of L5 radiculopathy that were attributable to hematometra secondary to congenital partial absence of a vagina. This appears to be the first report of this type of presentation.
STUDY DESIGN: The innervation of the anulus fibrosus of human macroscopically normal intervertebral discs from five patients was investigated immunohistochemically. OBJECTIVES: Immunoreactivity to general nerve markers (synaptophysin and protein gene product 9.5) and to neuropeptides (substance P and C-flanking peptide of neuropeptide Y) was studied. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In the lumbar disc of a newborn, free nerve endings have been demonstrated in the outer layers of anulus fibrosus. In degenerated and herniated discs, nerve structures have been shown to penetrate deeper into the anulus fibrosus. There are only a few studies on the innervation of normal adult intervertebral disc tissue. METHODS: Thin frozen sections of human normal lumbar intervertebral disc tissue were immunostained for general nerve markers and neuropeptides. RESULTS: Synaptophysin and protein gene product 9.5 immunoreactive nerve structures were observed penetrating 3.5 mm and 1.1 mm into the anulus, respectively. Immunoreactivity to C-flanking peptide of neuropeptide Y and substance P were observed at a maximum depth of 0.9 and 0.5 mm in the anulus, respectively. Antibodies to the former have been used to study sympathetic nerves, whereas substance P is a transmitter present in sensory nerves. CONCLUSIONS: In anulus fibrosus samples from macroscopically normal discs, a general marker for nerve endings can be found at a depth of a few millimeters, whereas neuropeptide markers show nerves only in the outermost layers of the anulus fibrosus. This absence of demonstrable nerves in deeper anulus fibrosus in normal discs is probably not a methodologic artifact, because blood vessels have also been demonstrated only at the disc surface. It is, however, possible that neuropeptide nerves also penetrate to a depth of a few millimeters, but that methodologic limitations permit the visualization of only the neuropeptide nerves closest to the disc surface. The results of the present study lend support to previous suggestions that, except at the surface, a normal intervertebral disc is almost without innervation.
STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study to locate patients with injured lateral femoral cutaneous nerve after elective spine surgery. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of injury of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and to identify the cause of injury according to the position of the patients at surgery and the surgical approach. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Injuries to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, also known as meralgia paresthetica, may cause pain and therefore result in restriction of activity. Compression of the nerve by disc hernia, retroperitoneal tumors, and external pressure around the anterior superior iliac spine are among the more common causes. METHODS: One hundred five patients admitted for elective spine procedures were grouped according to position on the operating table and surgical approach. All patients were examined before and after surgery for signs of injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and those found injured were followed up for 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: Injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was found in 21 (20%) patients. In 6 of them, all of whom underwent surgery on the Hall-Relton frame, the injury was bilateral. In 7 patients the injury was not associated with discomfort. In addition to injury by external pressure at the anterior superior iliac spine from the Hall-Relton frame, the nerve was also injured at the retroperitoneum by hematoma or traction and at the anterior iliac crest when bone was harvested. In 89% of the patients, the nerve completely recovered within 3 months of surgery. Two patients still had pain 1 year after surgery and hypoesthesia of the anterolateral thigh. CONCLUSION: Injuries to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve during spine surgery are frequent, and patients should be informed of the possible risk. It usually has a benign course, but some preventive steps should be taken: keep posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine and minimize retraction when harvesting a bone graft, pad the posts of the Hall-Relton frame over the anterior superior iliac crest, and avoid traction on the psoas muscle during the retroperitoneal dissection.
A renal transplant patient developed chronic and progressive back and lower extremity pain followed by foot weakness. The correct diagnosis of lumbosacral plexopathy was made after electromyography and nerve conduction studies and the etiology of radiculopathy due to nerve root compression was excluded. This prompted further investigations that led to the discovery of a large internal iliac artery pseudoaneurysm. We emphasize the use of electrodiagnostic studies to investigate patients with back and limb pain for correctly localizing responsible pathology. In this case a potentially lethal situation was correctly identified in a transplant patient.
The problems associated with treating various forms of lower tract dysfunction by electrical stimulation are reflected in the many years of basic and clinical research in this area. However, better understanding of both neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, and development of new technologies have led to further application of electrical current to restore impaired bladder function. Contemporary knowledge of the potential for both sacral neurostimulation and neuromodulation as a therapeutic option for lower urinary tract dysfunction is reviewed.
Sacral nerve neuromodulation may be an effective treatment option in patients with motor urge incontinence when conservative therapy fails. The effect of treatment is durable in the majority of patients, but there is also a high failure rate. The cause of failure remains unclear in most cases as it is still unknown exactly how neuromodulation works. The present review summarizes the results of patient treatment and research into the working mechanism of neuromodulation, as well as the technical developments described in the past year.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Several aspects of voiding dysfunction in women remain under investigation, including standardization of the diagnosis and management of bladder outflow obstruction. This article describes a specific cause of urinary retention in young women, associated with a failure of urethral sphincter relaxation, and a treatment option that can restore voiding in this group of patients - sacral nerve electrical stimulation therapy. Recently there have been advances in the stimulator implantation technique, as well as in our appreciation of its mechanism of action. RECENT FINDINGS: Advances include the use of ancillary investigations such as urethral function tests as well as better understanding of the clinical profile of these patients. Improvements in the surgical technique include better methods of lead fixation and a less invasive surgical approach. Research suggests the action of neuromodulation is on the afferent pathway, though it remains to be shown whether this is at a spinal or supraspinal level. It is likely that sacral nerve stimulation has an indirect modulatory effect on detrusor contractility rather than a direct effect on the sphincter. SUMMARY: Experience of sacral nerve stimulation has increased over the past few years, and its application is expanding to other clinical domains. This knowledge has helped improve the therapy, which is particularly effective in the treatment of women with urinary retention. Although how it works is still not fully understood, this is something that is being addressed by ongoing research.
The 'three in one' block is a well-known locoregional technique for per- and post-operative anaesthesia. This 'three in one' block was investigated in an emergency department with three combinations of local anaesthetics as a locoregional way of pain relief for patients with fractures of the upper femur. A double-blind prospective study was conducted with 61 consecutive patients. A good regression of the linear visual analogue scale (LVAS), good haemodynamic stability and great patient satisfaction were found for all groups of patients at different times after installation of the block. Side effects were few and are avoidable by reducing the amount of local anaesthetic given to elderly patients with a low bodyweight. The technique failed in only four patients due to technical reasons. It was concluded that the 'three in one' block is a fast, safe, reliable and easy technique for pain relief in an emergency department. Good analgesia was achieved for patients with fractures of the upper femur with no need to change the position of the patient.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of preemptive pudendal nerve blockade on pain and consumption of narcotic analgesia following transvaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients undergoing transvaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery under general anesthesia were randomized to receive pudendal block with either bupivacaine 0.25% or placebo (normal saline 0.9%) immediately before surgery. All patients received postoperative intravenous hydromorphone patient-controlled analgesia. Patients were asked to report on their pain intensity 1, 3, 5, 7, 18, and 24 hours postoperatively, using a validated visual analog pain scale from 0-10. Main outcome measures included postoperative pain intensity and hydromorphone consumption. RESULTS: One hundred ten patients enrolled in the study, of whom 106 underwent randomization, and 102 received pudendal nerve blockade, 51 with bupivacaine and 51 with saline. Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were not significantly different between the 2 patients groups. There were no significant differences in postoperative pain intensity (median scores: 1 hour, 4.0 versus 5.0; 3 hours, 3.0 versus 4.0; 7 hours, 2.0 versus 3.0; 18 hours, 3.0 versus 4.0), the consumption of hydromorphone (0-3 hours, 1.84 mg versus 1.77 mg; 4-7 hours, 1.19 mg versus 1.20 mg; 8-18 hours, 2.89 mg versus 2.35 mg), or mean hospital stay (39.6 versus 37.3 hours) between the bupivacaine and saline groups. CONCLUSION: Preemptive pudendal nerve blockade does not affect postoperative pain intensity or the consumption of narcotic analgesia after transvaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the pudendal nerve innervates the levator ani muscles by assessing the effect of pudendal nerve blockade on pelvic floor muscle function. METHODS: Eleven nulliparous women without symptoms of anal or urinary incontinence were studied before and after pudendal nerve blockade with vaginal manometry, electromyography of the external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle, and 3-dimensional transperineal ultrasound imaging of the urogenital hiatus during rest and squeeze. RESULTS: After pudendal nerve blockade, mean vaginal resting pressures decreased from 19 +/- 10 mm Hg to 15 +/- 10 mm Hg (P < .05), and mean vaginal squeeze pressures decreased from 61 +/- 29 mm Hg to 37 +/- 24 mm Hg (P < .05). After pudendal nerve blockade, the anterior-posterior length of the urogenital hiatus increased from 51 +/- 4 mm to 55 +/- 5 mm at rest (P < .05) and increased from 47 +/- 3 mm to 52 +/- 5 mm during squeeze (P < .05). Resting and squeeze electromyography amplitude of the external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle was markedly reduced by pudendal nerve blockade. CONCLUSION: Pudendal nerve blockade decreases vaginal pressures, increases length of urogenital hiatus, and decreases electromyography activity of the puborectalis muscle, all of which suggest that the pudendal nerve does innervate the levator ani muscle.
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess changes in blood flow of the dog cauda equina after lumbar sympathectomy using an experimental chronic cauda compression model. METHODS: The cauda equina was compressed at 10 mm Hg with a plastic balloon in all animals (n = 12). One week later, bilateral lumbar sympathectomy was carried out in the LSX group (n = 7), and vessels of the cauda equina were thereafter observed for 90 minutes using a specially designed microscope supplied with a video camera. Five animals did not undergo sympathectomy and were used as controls. The volume of blood flow was calculated from two parameters: velocity (mm/s) and diameter (microm) of a vessel observed in each animal. RESULTS: The increment in vessel diameter in the LSX group was pronounced at 30 and 45 minutes after sympathectomy compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Blood flow in the LSX group was increased at 30 minutes depending on dilation of the vessel diameter compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The velocity in the observed vessels remained unchanged throughout the measurements. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that lumbar sympathectomy could induce an increase in blood flow of the compressed cauda equina. As lumbar sympathetic block increases blood flow not only in the lower limbs but also in the cauda equina, it might be evaluated for a conservative treatment of intermittent claudication due to lumbar spinal canal stenosis.
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