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Yeo J. Failed back surgery syndrome-terminology, etiology, prevention, evaluation, and management: a narrative review. JOURNAL OF YEUNGNAM MEDICAL SCIENCE 2024; 41:166-178. [PMID: 38853538 PMCID: PMC11294787 DOI: 10.12701/jyms.2024.00339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Amid the worldwide increase in spinal surgery rates, a significant proportion of patients continue to experience refractory chronic pain, resulting in reduced quality of life and escalated healthcare demands. Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a clinical condition characterized by persistent or recurrent pain after one or more spinal surgeries. The diverse characteristics and stigmatizing descriptions of FBSS necessitate a reevaluation of its nomenclature to reflect its complexity more accurately. Accurate identification of the cause of FBSS is hampered by the complex nature of the syndrome and limitations of current diagnostic labels. Management requires a multidisciplinary approach that may include pharmacological treatment, physical therapy, psychological support, and interventional procedures, emphasizing realistic goal-setting and patient education. Further research is needed to increase our understanding, improve diagnostic accuracy, and develop more effective management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinseok Yeo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea
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Miękisiak G. Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: No Longer a Surgeon's Defeat-A Narrative Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1255. [PMID: 37512066 PMCID: PMC10384667 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59071255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of the term Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome (PSPS-T1/2), replacing the older term Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), has significantly influenced our approach to diagnosing and treating post-surgical spinal pain. This comprehensive review discusses this change and its effects on patient care. Various diagnostic methods are employed to elucidate the underlying causes of back pain, and this information is critical in guiding treatment decisions. The management of PSPS-T1/2 involves both causative treatments, which directly address the root cause of pain, and symptomatic treatments, which focus on managing the symptoms of pain and improving overall function. The importance of a multidisciplinary and holistic approach is emphasized in the treatment of PSPS-T1/2. This approach is patient-centered and treatment plans are customized to individual patient needs and circumstances. The review concludes with a reflection on the impact of the new PSPS nomenclature on the perception and management of post-surgical spinal pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Miękisiak
- Institute of Medicine, University of Opole, 45-040 Opole, Poland
- Vratislavia Medica Hospital, 51-134 Wrocław, Poland
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Abd El-Azeem EHY, Saleh RA, Alarabawy R, El-Ahwal HMS. The value of magnetic resonance neurography in evaluation of sciatic neuropathy. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2023; 54:29. [DOI: 10.1186/s43055-023-00974-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Sciatic neuropathy is one of the most common neuropathies of the lower extremities. One of the most common presentations of sciatic neuropathy is foot drop and may also be associated with several other clinical (sensory and/or motor) presentations. In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has established itself as an important tool for the study of peripheral nerves, especially after the development of protocols including sequences optimized for this purpose, referred to as magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), being used as noninvasive means of diagnosing peripheral nerve disease. Such high-resolution imaging protocols aimed to image the nerves at hip, thigh, knee, leg, ankle, and foot and can demonstrate traumatic or iatrogenic injury, tumor-like lesions, or entrapment of the nerves, causing a potential loss of motor and sensory function in the affected area. This study aimed to be familiar with MRI and MRN findings in patients with sciatic neuropathy.
Results
In this prospective study, thirty patients presented with clinical manifestations and/or electrophysiological studies having sciatic neuropathy and underwent MRI and MRN at a university Hospital from March 2021 to March 2022. In view of clinical presentation, muscle weakness (66.67%), numbness and tingling (60%), and sensory manifestation (60%) were the most prevalent presenting manifestation followed by back pain (43.33%), foot drop (33.33%), and urinary and bowel incontinence (23.33%). MRN and MRI results showed a strong correlation with the presenting symptoms of participants, in the form of increased sciatic nerve caliber in 23.33%, muscular atrophy in 13.33%, nerve root impingement in 26.67%, and lumbar spondylosis in 36.67%. MR neurography sequences gave additional findings to the conventional MRI in the form of increased nerve signal intensity in 53.33%, perineural edema in 50% of cases, neural structure disruption in 26.67%, muscular impend denervation in 16.67%, bone marrow edema in 30.33%, pseudo-meningocele in 13.33%, and nerve root avulsion in 3.33% with no correlated findings in MRI.
Conclusions
MRN is an additional accurate tool in the study of different sciatic nerve diseases and can also give detailed knowledge of the nerve anatomy, adding value to electrophysiological studies and conventional MRI.
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Chhabra A, Kanchustambham P, Mogharrabi B, Ratakonda R, Gill K, Xi Y. MR Neurography of Lumbosacral Plexus: Incremental Value Over XR, CT, and MRI of L Spine With Improved Outcomes in Patients With Radiculopathy and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. J Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 57:139-150. [PMID: 35700216 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lower back pain is often evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and conventional imaging, which provide incomplete information about the etiology of pain and lead to less than optimal management. HYPOTHESIS MR neurography (MRN) of the lumbosacral (LS) plexus renders a more accurate diagnosis, alters the management strategy, and clinical outcomes of radiculopathy or failed back surgery Syndrome (FBSS) patients when compared to the conventional imaging modalities. STUDY TYPE Retrospective, cross-sectional. POPULATION A total of 356 patients (mean age 65.8 ± 12.3; 48.9% female) from single university hospital over 6 years with MRN of LS plexus were included from a cohort of 14,775 total patients with lumbar spine MR imaging. ASSESSMENT Conventional imaging obtained before and after MRN of LS plexus was reevaluated and categorized into three levels based on extent of imaging findings' correlation to presenting clinical symptoms (contributory levels). Clinical notes were reviewed for changes in ordering provider's recommended management and subsequent patients' symptom level pre-MRN to post-MRN. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE A 5 T and 3.0 T. T1-weighted (T1W), T2-weighted (T2W), short T1 inversion recovery (STIR), T1 turbo spin echo (T1 TSE), T2 spectral attenuated inversion recovery (T2 SPAIR). STATISTICAL TESTS Chi-squared test. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS A total of 356 total patients (174 females) with mean age ± SD was 65.8 ± 12.3 years, 4.2% of patients imaged with lumbar spine MRI. Definitely contributory studies among X-rays, computed tomography, MRI, and MRN were 3 of the 129 (2.3%), 3 of the 48 (6.2%), 35 of the 184 (19.0%), and 283 of the 356 (79.8%), respectively. Pre-MRN vs. post-MRN led to change in recommendation in 219 of the 356 (61.5%) patients and 71 of the 99 (71.7%) patients had improved symptoms. CONCLUSION MRN of the LS plexus can provide more corroborative image findings for symptom correlation compared to other imaging modalities for accurate diagnosis, effects patient management and leads to positive clinical outcomes in a small subset of patients with radiculopathy or FBSS. EVIDENCE LEVEL 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avneesh Chhabra
- Department of Radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Bayan Mogharrabi
- Department of Radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Raghu Ratakonda
- Department of Radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kevin Gill
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Yin Xi
- Department of Radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Shaikh S. Editorial for "Magnetic Resonance Neurography of Lumbosacral Plexus-Incremental Value Over Conventional Imaging Modalities and Improved Outcomes in Patients With Radiculopathy and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome". J Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 57:151-152. [PMID: 35709313 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sikandar Shaikh
- Department of Radiology, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India
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Kim SG, Jung JY. Role of MR Neurography for Evaluation of the Lumbosacral Plexus: A Scoping Review. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF RADIOLOGY 2022; 83:1273-1285. [PMID: 36545407 PMCID: PMC9748467 DOI: 10.3348/jksr.2022.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose MR neurography (MRN) is an imaging technique optimized to visualize the peripheral nerves. This review aimed to discover an optimized protocol for MRN of the lumbosacral plexus (LSP) and identify evidence for the clinical benefit of lumbosacral plexopathies. Materials and Methods We performed a systematic search of the two medical databases until September 2021. 'Magnetic resonance imaging', 'lumbosacral plexus', 'neurologic disease', or equivalent terms were used to search the literature. We extracted information on indications, MRN protocols for LSP, and clinical efficacy from 55 studies among those searched. Results MRN of the LSP is useful for displaying the distribution of peripheral nerve disease, guiding perineural injections, and assessing extraspinal causes of sciatica. Three-dimensional short-tau inversion recovery turbo spin-echo combined with vascular suppression is the mainstay of MRN. Conclusion Future work on the MRN of LSP should be directed to technical maturation and clinical validation of efficacy.
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Witkam RL, Buckens CF, van Goethem JWM, Vissers KCP, Henssen DJHA. The current role and future directions of imaging in failed back surgery syndrome patients: an educational review. Insights Imaging 2022; 13:117. [PMID: 35838802 PMCID: PMC9287525 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-022-01246-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is an umbrella term referring to painful sensations experienced by patients after spinal surgery, mostly of neuropathic nature. Adequate treatment of FBSS is challenging, as its etiology is believed to be multifactorial and still not fully clarified. Accurate identification of the source of pain is difficult but pivotal to establish the most appropriate treatment strategy. Although the clinical utility of imaging in FBSS patients is still contentious, objective parameters are highly warranted to map different phenotypes of FBSS and tailor each subsequent therapy. MAIN BODY Since technological developments have weakened the applicability of prior research, this educational review outlined the recent evidence (i.e., from January 2005 onwards) after a systematic literature search. The state of the art on multiple imaging modalities in FBSS patients was reviewed. Future directions related to functional MRI and the development of imaging biomarkers have also been discussed. CONCLUSION Besides the fact that more imaging studies correlated with symptomatology in the postoperative setting are warranted, the current educational review outlined that contrast-enhanced MRI and MR neurography have been suggested as valuable imaging protocols to assess alterations in the spine of FBSS patients. The use of imaging biomarkers to study correlations between imaging features and symptomatology might hold future potential; however, more research is required before any promising hypotheses can be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Witkam
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Constantinus F Buckens
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Johan W M van Goethem
- Department of Medical and Molecular Imaging, General Hospital Nikolaas, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
| | - Kris C P Vissers
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dylan J H A Henssen
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Yan K, Xi Y, Hlis R, Chhabra A. Piriformis syndrome: pain response outcomes following CT-guided injection and incremental value of botulinum toxin injection. Diagn Interv Radiol 2021; 27:126-133. [PMID: 33252337 PMCID: PMC7837716 DOI: 10.5152/dir.2020.19444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Piriformis syndrome is a common pain condition affecting the buttock and posterior hip with or without radiation to the leg, and management of the condition involves many treatments. In this study, we hypothesize that a CT-guided injection with botulinum toxin is more effective in providing pain relief than a CT-guided injection without Botox. METHODS Overall, 97 consecutive patients with piriformis syndrome presented for a CT-guided injection of the piriformis muscle and perineural injection of the sciatic nerve. After the injection, the patients received a visual analog scale pain log to record their pain level until the follow-up appointment. P values of less than 0.2 were considered as confounder and adjusted by inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) via propensity score. The effect of botulinum toxin on 48-hour response and duration of response was tested using weighted chi-square test and weighted Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS There was a total of 97 patients in the study, and 111 injections, as some patients had bilateral injections. Patients in the Botox group had more 48-hour response than patients in the non-botulinum toxin group (P < 0.001 with IPTW, P = 0.005 without IPTW). Median pain-free survival was 30 days for Botox group and 1 day for non-Botox group (P = 0.059 with IPTW, P = 0.10 without IPTW). CONCLUSION CT-guided injections with botulinum toxin for patients with piriformis syndrome are more likely to lead to a positive response and a longer duration of response than patients who receive a CT-guided injection without botulinum toxin. We hope that this study facilitates future prospective randomized blind trials for patients with suspected piriformis syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Yan
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Yin Xi
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Rocco Hlis
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Avneesh Chhabra
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Department of Orthopedics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Park C, Lee IS, Nam KH, Song YS, Lee TH, Han IH, Kim DH. Transiting Nerve Rootlet Abnormalities on MRI after Lumbar Laminectomy: Associations with Persistent Postoperative Pain. Korean J Radiol 2020; 22:225-232. [PMID: 32901462 PMCID: PMC7817636 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2020.0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To determine whether changes in the transiting nerve rootlet or its surroundings, as seen on MRI performed after lumbar hemilaminectomy, are associated with persistent postoperative pain (PPP), commonly known as the failed back surgery syndrome. Materials and Methods Seventy-three patients (mean age, 61 years; 43 males and 30 females) who underwent single-level partial hemilaminectomy of the lumbar spine without postoperative complications or other level spinal abnormalities between January 2010 and December 2018 were enrolled. Two musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated transiting nerve rootlet abnormalities (thickening, signal alteration, distinction, and displacement), epidural fibrosis, and intrathecal arachnoiditis on MRI obtained one year after the operations. A spine surgeon blinded to the radiologic findings evaluated each patient for PPP. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to evaluate the association between the MRI findings and PPP. Results The presence of transiting nerve rootlet thickening, signal alteration, and ill-distinction was significantly different between the patients with PPP and those without, for both readers (p ≤ 0.020). Conversely, the presence of transiting nerve rootlet displacement, epidural fibrosis, and intrathecal arachnoiditis was not significantly different between the two groups (p ≥ 0.128). Among the above radiologic findings, transiting nerve rootlet thickening and signal alteration were the most significant findings in the multivariable analyses (p ≤ 0.009). Conclusion On MRI, PPP was associated with transiting nerve rootlet abnormalities, including thickening, signal alterations, and ill-distinction, but was not associated with epidural fibrosis or intrathecal arachnoiditis. The most relevant findings were the nerve rootlet thickening and signal alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chankue Park
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea
| | - In Sook Lee
- Department of Radiology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
| | - Kyoung Hyup Nam
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - You Seon Song
- Department of Radiology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Tae Hong Lee
- Department of Radiology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - In Ho Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Dong Hwan Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
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Newhart H, Patterson J, Gunasekaran A, Pandey T, Kumar M, Kazemi N. The Incremental Value of Magnetic Resonance Neurography for the Neurosurgeon: Review of the Literature. World Neurosurg 2019; 122:331-341. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.10.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Role of MR Neurography in Groin and Genital Pain: Ilioinguinal, Iliohypogastric, and Genitofemoral Neuralgia. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2019; 212:632-643. [PMID: 30620677 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.18.20316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chronic neuralgia of the border nerves (ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and genitofemoral) is difficult to diagnose and treat clinically. We examined the role of MR neurography (MRN) in the evaluation of border nerve abnormalities and the results of treatments directed at the MRN-detected nerve abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective cross-sectional study included 106 subjects with groin or genital pain (mean [± SD] age, 50.7 ± 15.4 years) who showed mono- or multifocal neuropathy of the border nerves at 3-T MRN. Subjects who underwent CT-guided perineural injection were assessed for pain response. Injection responses were categorized as positive, possible positive, and negative. Subjects who received hyaluronidase, continuous radiofrequency ablation, or surgery were also evaluated for treatment outcomes. RESULTS One hundred forty abnormal nerves were positive for neuropathy in 106 studies. Eighty of 106 subjects had single neuropathy, and 26 had multifocal neuropathy. Fifty-eight subjects underwent CT-guided perineural injections, with five receiving bilateral injections (63 injections). Improvement in subjective pain was seen in 53 of 63 cases (84.2%). A statistically significant improvement in pain response was noted in the isolated ilioinguinal nerve block group as compared with the isolated genitofemoral nerve block group (p = 0.0085). Thirteen of 58 subjects received multiple nerve injections at the same sitting. Both groups receiving single or multiple nerve injections had similar improvement in pain scores of 84% and 85%, respectively, although this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Our retrospective analysis showed improved pain relief in subjects who underwent CT-guided nerve blocks on the basis of a positive MRN.
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