1
|
Wan ZY, Shan H, Liu TF, Song F, Zhang J, Liu ZH, Ma KL, Wang HQ. Emerging Issues Questioning the Current Treatment Strategies for Lumbar Disc Herniation. Front Surg 2022; 9:814531. [PMID: 35419406 PMCID: PMC8999845 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.814531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lumbar disc herniation is among the common phenotypes of degenerative lumbar spine diseases, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. The practice pattern is diverse. Choosing conservative measures or surgical treatments is still controversial in some areas. For those who have failed conservative treatment, surgery with or without instrumentation is recommended, causing significant expenditures and frustrating complications, that should not be ignored. In the article, we performed a literature review and summarized the evidence by subheadings to unravel the cons of surgical intervention for lumbar disc herniation. There are tetrad critical issues about surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation, i.e., favorable natural history, insufficient evidence in a recommendation of fusion surgery for patients, metallosis, and implant removal. Firstly, accumulating evidence reveals immune privilege and auto-immunity hallmarks of human lumbar discs within the closed niche. Progenitor cells within human discs further expand the capacity with the endogenous repair. Clinical watchful follow-up studies with repeated diagnostic imaging reveal spontaneous resolution for lumbar disc herniation, even calcified tissues. Secondly, emerging evidence indicates long-term complications of lumbar fusion, such as adjacent segment disease, pseudarthrosis, implant failure, and sagittal spinal imbalance, which get increasing attention. Thirdly, systemic and local reactions (metallosis) for metal instrumentation have been noted with long-term health concerns and toxicity. Fourthly, the indications and timing for spinal implant removal have not reached a consensus. Other challenging issues include postoperative lumbar stiffness. The review provided evidence from a negative perspective for surgeons and patients who attempt to choose surgical treatment. Collectively, the emerging underlying evidence questions the benefits of traditional surgery for patients with lumbar disc herniation. Therefore, the long-term effects of surgery should be closely observed. Surgical decisions should be made prudently for each patient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Y. Wan
- Department of Orthopedics, The Seventh Medical Center of General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
| | - Hua Shan
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Tang F. Liu
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Fang Song
- Department of Stomatology, The Specialty Medical Center Rocket Force of People's Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Zhi H. Liu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kun L. Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hai Q. Wang
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
- *Correspondence: Hai Q. Wang ;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Utter A, Cavanaugh D, Van Schouwen KF, Mascagni M, Walker M, Stone M. Spontaneous regression and near disappearance of a calcified herniated thoracic disc in a 44-year-old male: illustrative case. JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY: CASE LESSONS 2021; 1:CASE2130. [PMID: 35854829 PMCID: PMC9245764 DOI: 10.3171/case2130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Herniation of an intervertebral disc (IVD) is found predominantly in the lumbar and cervical spine of both children and adults, but herniated IVDs of the thoracic spine are a rare occurrence. However, approximately 40% of herniated thoracic disc cases are calcified. Approximately 0.65% of all spinal herniations are calcified herniated thoracic discs (CHTDs). CHTDs can be treated conservatively or invasively, depending on the symptoms and degree of neurological deficit present. OBSERVATIONS The authors report a 44-year-old male with near complete reabsorption and disappearance of a CHTD. A review of the available literature indicates that there are only seven adult patients in whom this phenomenon has been reported. LESSONS Determining the best form of invasive treatment is a challenge for surgeons given the complexity of this condition. While the disappearance of calcified herniated discs of the lumbar and cervical spine has been reported, reports of the regression of CHTDs are rare. The disappearance of CHTDs is more commonly reported in children who undergo conservative treatment, while surgery is reserved for children who experience progressive pain and neurological deficit. Given the success of conservative treatment of CHTDs in children, conservative treatment methods should be considered when treating mildly symptomatic adults.
Collapse
|
3
|
Radiographic and clinical features of thoracic disk disease associated with myelopathy: a retrospective analysis of 257 cases. 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 2021; 30:2211-2220. [PMID: 33389202 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-020-06688-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyze the clinical and radiographic characteristics of thoracic disk disease associated with myelopathy (TDM). METHODS This is a retrospective clinical review of prospectively collected imaging data based at a single institute. Based on preoperative CT and MRI, we classified TDM as thoracic disk herniation (TDH), THD with ossification (THDO), TDH with posterior bony avulsions of the vertebrae (TDH with PBA), TDH with posterior vertebral osteophytes (TDH with PVO), giant thoracic osteophyte and calcific discitis with herniation (CDH). Patient characteristics and radiographic data were compared between different types of TDM. RESULTS Among the 257 patients included, 12.06% of patients presented with symptoms after traumatic events. The most frequent complaint at onset and preoperative was back pain (29.2%) and subjective lower limb weakness (75.5%), respectively. All TDH with PBA is distributed at the lower thoracic segments, while CDH predominantly in the middle and lower thoracic segments. TDH with PBA was more frequent in men than TDH and CDH. Compared with TDH, TDHO, and TDH with PVO, TDH with PBA was younger in surgery age, and TDH and CDH had lower preoperative JOA scores than TDH with PBA. CDH had a larger ventral occupying ratio than TDH, TDHO, and TDH with PBA. CONCLUSIONS The onset of TDM was generally insidious but may be triggered acutely by apparently trivial events. With a low prevalence, TDM varied clinical symptoms. Different types of TDM had various clinical features, which might indicate different pathological mechanisms.
Collapse
|
4
|
Soda C, Faccioli F, Marchesini N, Ricci UM, Brollo M, Annicchiarico L, Benato C, Tomasi I, Pinna GP, Teli M. Trans-thoracic versus retropleural approach for symptomatic thoracic disc herniations: comparative analysis of 94 consecutive cases. Br J Neurosurg 2020; 35:195-202. [PMID: 32558605 DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2020.1779660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The authors illustrate their results in the surgical treatment of symptomatic thoracic disc herniations (TDHs) by comparing the traditional open to the less invasive retropleural lateral approaches. METHODS Retrospective review of 94 consecutive cases treated at a single Institution between 1988 and 2014. Fifty-two patients were males, 42 females, mean age was 53.9 years. Mean follow-up was 46.9 months (12-79 months). 33 patients were diagnosed with a giant thoracic disc herniation (GTDH). Upon admission, the most common symptoms were: motor impairment (91.4%, n = 86), neuropathic radicular pain with VAS > 4 (50%), bladder and bowel dysfunction (57.4% and 41.4% respectively) and sensory disturbances (29.7%). The surgical approach was based upon level, laterality and presence or absence of calcified lesions. RESULTS Decompression was performed in 7 cases via a thoraco-laparo-phrenotomy and in 87 cases via an antero-lateral thoracotomy. Out of the latter cases, 49 (56%) were trans-thoracic trans-pleural approaches (TTA) and 38 (44%) were less invasive retropleural approaches (MIRA). At follow-up, there were 59.5% neurologically intact patients according to the McCormick Scale, while 64.8% and 67% had no bladder or bowel dysfunction respectively. Complications occurred in 24 patients (25.5%). Pulmonary complications were the commonest (12.7%) with pleural effusion being significantly more common in patients treated with TTA compared to MIRA (20% vs 5.2%: X2 4.13 P:0.042). Severe post-operative neuralgia (VAS 7-10) was also significantly more frequent in the TTA group (22.4% vs 2.6% X2 7.07 p 0.0078). CONCLUSIONS MIRA is a safe and effective technique to obtain adequate TDH decompression and is associated with lower morbidity compared to TTA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Soda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Verona Borgo Trento Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Franco Faccioli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Verona Borgo Trento Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Nicolò Marchesini
- Department of Neurosurgery, Verona Borgo Trento Hospital, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Umberto M Ricci
- Department of Neurosurgery, Verona Borgo Trento Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Brollo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mestre Hospital, Mestre, Italy
| | | | - Cristiano Benato
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Borgo Trento Hospital, Verona, Italy
| | - Ivan Tomasi
- Department of Emergency General Surgery, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Marco Teli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Iampreechakul P, Lertbutsayanukul P, Suanprasert N. Acute Calcific Discitis or Symptomatic Calcified Schmorl's Node of the Upper Thoracic Spine in an Adult: A Case Report and Literature Review. Asian J Neurosurg 2019; 14:1021-1029. [PMID: 31497157 PMCID: PMC6703016 DOI: 10.4103/ajns.ajns_119_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a patient with acute calcific discitis following symptomatic Schmorl's node (SN) of upper thoracic spine. A 28-year-old female suffered from sudden severe pain in mid-thoracic, left scapular area, radiating to her chest. Plain radiography of the thoracic spine showed calcification in T3–4 intervertebral disc space. Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine demonstrated calcification of the T3–T4 nucleus pulposus, migrating into the inferior of T3 vertebral body with reactive bone marrow edema. By conservative treatment with multidrug therapy, the pain subsided and disappeared in 3 months. Follow-up CT scan and MRI of the thoracic spine confirmed complete resolution of calcified SN and reactive bone marrow edema.
Collapse
|
6
|
Oligane H, Rongo J, Agarwal V, Branstetter BF. Spontaneous regression of a large calcified thoracic disk extrusion. Skeletal Radiol 2018; 47:1177-1182. [PMID: 29442136 DOI: 10.1007/s00256-018-2887-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Although spontaneous regression of herniated disk material has been reported in the lumbar and cervical spine, reports of complete spontaneous regression of calcified thoracic disk herniations are exceedingly rare. In symptomatic patients, surgery is typically the treatment of choice; however, conservative therapy with surveillance may allow time for spontaneous resolution and potentially avoid high-risk surgery. We report a 40-year-old woman with complete spontaneous resolution of a large calcified thoracic disk extrusion with conservative management over an 8-month period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Oligane
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Jean Rongo
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| | - Vikas Agarwal
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Barton F Branstetter
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| |
Collapse
|