A 13-year-old, Thoroughbred gelding presented with a 3-year history of progressive ataxia of all 4 limbs. Physical and neurological examinations indicated a compressive lesion affecting the cervical spinal cord. Radiographs confirmed a lesion, and a myelogram a narrowing of the spinal canal at cervical vertebrae (6-7). Necropsy confirmed cervical stenotic myelopathy. (+info)
Transient cervical neurapraxia associated with cervical spine stenosis.
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A 43 year old woman presented with a history of a hyperextension cervical injury resulting in transient quadriplegia. Cervical spine radiography revealed developmental spinal stenosis and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated underlying spinal cord oedema secondary to contusion, with a herniated disc at C3-C4. The Torg ratio may be used to aid the initial diagnosis of cervical spine stenosis. Indications for operative treatment of these patients are controversial and these patients should receive further expert assessment. (+info)
Diagnostic validity of somatosensory evoked potentials in subgroups of patients with sciatica.
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The diagnostic utility of scalp-recorded somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) in patients with sciatica has generally been regarded as low. The purpose of the present study was to determine the validity of sensory nerve SEP in different subgroups of sciatic patients. A total of 65 consecutive patients with sciatica showing disc pathology and/or facet joint hypertrophy on lumbar computed tomography (CT) and/or myelography were studied. Symptomatic myelographically compressed nerve roots were defined as truly compromised roots. Asymptomatic myelographically normal nerve roots were defined as truly normal roots. Bilateral sensory nerve SEP representing nerve roots L4, L5, and S1 were performed in all patients. Evaluation of SEP included the use of P1 latency inter-root comparison. The false-positive rate of SEP was low. Pathological L4, L5, and S1 SEP therefore strongly indicate true compromise of the corresponding nerve roots. The true-positive rate was higher in patients with facet joint hypertrophy with or without additional disc disease than in patients with disc pathology only, and highest if the sciatic sensory symptoms were present during the SEP registration. Diagnostic validity was not influenced by previous episodes of sciatica, the duration of the present episode, or the number of spinal levels with ipsilateral myelographically compressed nerve roots. Pathological SEP strongly indicate sensory radiculopathy in patients with sciatica. Diagnostic efficacy is higher in patients with facet joint hypertrophy than in patients with disc pathology only and highest when the sciatic symptoms are present during registration. (+info)
Laron syndrome abnormalities: spinal stenosis, os odontoideum, degenerative changes of the atlanto-odontoid joint, and small oropharynx.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with Laron syndrome have an inborn growth hormone resistance. We investigated abnormalities in the upper airways and cervical spine in patients with Laron syndrome. METHODS: We prospectively examined 11 patients (one child aged 9 years and 10 adults aged 36-68 years), 10 of whom underwent MR imaging of the spine or head; nine, radiography of the cervical spine; and four, CT of C1-C2. The width of the spinal canal was evaluated visually and quantitatively and compared with reference values. The smallest diameter of the oropharynx and the thickness of the palate were measured and compared with reference values. Nine age-matched female patients referred for MR imaging for unrelated reasons served as control subjects. RESULTS: Cervical spinal stenosis was present in seven of the adult patients, within a confidence interval of 95%. Anomaly of the dens compatible with os odontoideum was present in three patients, causing focal myelomalacia in two. The atlanto-odontoid joint showed osteoarthritic changes in six of the adult patients. The mediolateral diameter of the oropharynx was significantly smaller in the patients with Laron syndrome than in the control subjects (P <.005). There was no difference in the thickness of the soft palate. CONCLUSION: Patients with Laron syndrome develop significant narrowing of the cervical spinal canal and early degenerative changes of the atlanto-odontoid joint. Laron syndrome is associated with os odontoideum causing myelomalacia. The dimensions of the oropharynx are small. Patients may be prone to neurologic morbidity and sleep disturbances. Routine MR imaging of the cervical spine is recommended in these patients. (+info)
High cervical and lumbar canal stenosis of varied etiology: a case report.
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Developmental stenosis without any significant spondylotic changes frequently occurs at C3 vertebra or below, and typically extends to C6-C7. However, high cervical focal canal stenosis is unusual. A case of cervical canal segmental stenosis at C2-3 level in addition to a developmental stenosis of the lumbar region, in a 45 year old male, has been presented in this article. The dynamics of the spinal canal in relation to the likely pathology of such conditions are reviewed. We speculate that focal segmental stenosis in the high cervical region may be due to a possible premature fusion of the neurocentral synchondrosis of the cartilage, or due to an abnormal rotary biomechanics which can result in facetal hypertrophy. (+info)
Traumatic cervical central cord syndrome due to intramedullary hemorrhage studied with MRI: case presentation.
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Cervical central cord syndrome is characterized by disproportionately greater motor impairment of the upper than the lower extremities, predominantly distal motor dysfunction, varying degrees of sensory abnormalities, and bladder dysfunction. Although the original description stated that intramedullary hemorrhage is a possible cause of traumatic cervical central cord syndrome, recent studies have not demonstrated its presence on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or pathological evidence. The authors describe and discuss a case of traumatic central cervical cord syndrome studied with MRI, which presented intramedullary hemorrhage. This supports hemorrhage as a possible cause of traumatic cervical central cord syndrome. (+info)
Elastic stabilization alone or combined with rigid fusion in spinal surgery: a biomechanical study and clinical experience based on 82 cases.
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The authors report their experience with the treatment of lumbar instability by a kind of spine stabilization. The elastic stabilization, which follows a new philosophy, is obtained by an interspinous device, and should be used alone in degenerative disc disease, recurrent disc herniation and in very low grade instability, or in association with rigid fusion for the prevention of pathology of the border area. In collaboration with bioengineers, we carried out an experimental study on a lumbar spine model in order to calculate stresses and deformations of lumbar disc during simulation of motion, in physiological conditions and when elastic stabilization is combined with rigid fusion. Results suggest that elastic stabilization reduces stresses on the adjacent disc up to 28 degrees of flexion. Based on this preliminary result, we began to use elastic stabilization alone or combined with fusion in 1994. To date, we have performed 82 surgical procedures, 57 using stabilization alone and 25 combined with fusion, in patients affected by degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, recurrence of disc herniation or other pathologies. Clinical results are satisfactory, especially in the group of patients affected by recurrent disc herniation, in whom the elastic device was used alone. (+info)
Lumbar disk pseudotumor: an unusual presentation of lumbar spinal fracture and stenosis.
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We present an unusual case of a primary lumbar disk-space mass that presumably developed secondary to a chronic hyperextension spinal fracture associated with spinal stenosis. This injury resulted in the appearance of a lumbar intervertebral disk-space mass or pseudotumor. The pseudotumor most likely resulted from a prior spinal fracture, leading to a fused hyperextension deformity in a patient with underlying chronic degenerative spinal disease. (+info)