| 1. |
- Aaen, J., et al.
(author)
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Clinical and MRI findings in lumbar spinal stenosis: baseline data from the NORDSTEN study
- 2022
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 31:6, s. 1391-1398
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose The aim was to describe magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients planned for lumbar spinal stenosis surgery. Further, to describe possible associations between MRI findings and patient characteristics with patient reported disability or pain. Methods The NORDSTEN spinal stenosis trial included 437 patients planned for surgical decompression of LSS. The following MRI findings were evaluated before surgery: morphological (Schizas) and quantitative (cross-sectional area) grade of stenosis, disk degeneration (Pfirrmann), facet joint tropism and fatty infiltration of the multifidus muscle. Patients were dichotomized into a moderate or severe category for each radiological parameter classification. A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between MRI findings and preoperative scores for Oswestry Disability Index, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire and Numeric rating scale for back and leg pain. The following patient characteristics were included in the analysis: gender, age, smoking and weight. Results The percentage of patients with severe scores was as follows: Schizas (C + D) 71.3%, cross-sectional area (< 75 mm(2)) 86.8%, Pfirrmann (4 + 5) 58.1%, tropism (>= 15 degrees) 11.9%, degeneration of multifidus muscle (2-4) 83.7%. Regression coefficients indicated minimal changes in severity of symptoms when comparing the groups with moderate and severe MRI findings. Only gender had a significant and clinically relevant association with ODI score. Conclusion In this cross-sectional study, the majority of the patients had MRI findings classified as severe LSS changes, but the findings had no clinically relevant association with patient reported disability and pain at baseline. Patient characteristics have a larger impact on disability and pain than radiological findings.
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| 2. |
- Aaen, J., et al.
(author)
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The association between preoperative MRI findings and clinical improvement in patients included in the NORDSTEN spinal stenosis trial
- 2022
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 31:10, s. 2777-2785
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose To investigate potential associations between preoperative MRI findings and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods The NORDSTEN trial included 437 patients. We investigated the association between preoperative MRI findings such as morphological grade of stenosis (Schizas grade), quantitative grade of stenosis (dural sac cross-sectional area), disc degeneration (Pfirrmann score), facet joint tropism and fatty infiltration of the multifidus muscle, and improvement in patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) 2 years after surgery. We dichotomized each radiological parameter into a moderate or severe category. PROMs i.e., Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) and Numeric rating scale (NRS) for back and leg pain were collected before surgery and at 2 year follow-up. In the primary analysis, we investigated the association between MRI findings and ODI score (dichotomized to >= 30% improvement or not). In the secondary analysis, we investigated the association between MRI findings and the mean improvement on the ODI-, ZCQ- and NRS scores. We used multivariable regression models adjusted for patients' gender, age, smoking status and BMI. Results The primary analysis showed that severe disc degeneration (Pfirrmann score 4-5) was significantly associated with less chance of achieving a 30% improvement on the ODI score (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34, 0.88). In the secondary analysis, we detected no clinical relevant associations. Conclusion Severe disc degeneration preoperatively suggest lesser chance of achieving 30% improvement in ODI score after surgery for LSS. Other preoperative MRI findings were not associated with patient reported outcome.
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| 3. |
- Abbott, Allan, et al.
(author)
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Leg pain and psychological variables predict outcome 2-3 years after lumber fusion surgery
- 2011
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In: European spine journal. - : Springer. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 20:10, s. 1626-1634
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Prediction studies testing a thorough range of psychological variables in addition to demographic, work-related and clinical variables are lacking in lumbar fusion surgery research. This prospective cohort study aimed at examining predictions of functional disability, back pain and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 2-3 years after lumbar fusion by regressing nonlinear relations in a multivariate predictive model of pre-surgical variables. Before and 2-3 years after lumbar fusion surgery, patients completed measures investigating demographics, work-related variables, clinical variables, functional self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, fear of movement/(re)injury, mental health and pain coping. Categorical regression with optimal scaling transformation, elastic net regularization and bootstrapping were used to investigate predictor variables and address predictive model validity. The most parsimonious and stable subset of pre-surgical predictor variables explained 41.6, 36.0 and 25.6% of the variance in functional disability, back pain intensity and HRQOL 2-3 years after lumbar fusion. Pre-surgical control over pain significantly predicted functional disability and HRQOL. Pre-surgical catastrophizing and leg pain intensity significantly predicted functional disability and back pain while the pre-surgical straight leg raise significantly predicted back pain. Post-operative psychomotor therapy also significantly predicted functional disability while pre-surgical outcome expectations significantly predicted HRQOL. For the median dichotomised classification of functional disability, back pain intensity and HRQOL levels 2-3 years post-surgery, the discriminative ability of the prediction models was of good quality. The results demonstrate the importance of pre-surgical psychological factors, leg pain intensity, straight leg raise and post-operative psychomotor therapy in the predictions of functional disability, back pain and HRQOL-related outcomes.
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| 4. |
- Abul-Kasim, Kasim, et al.
(author)
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Dural ectasia in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: quantitative assessment on magnetic resonance imaging.
- 2010
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; Apr 7, s. 754-759
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To our knowledge, the assessment of dural sac diameters in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is not reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to find out if, dural ectasia occurs more frequently among patients with AIS, to define cut-off values for dural sac ratio and test the validity of such values. A total of 126 spine MRIs (79 patients with AIS and 47 control subjects) were included in this retrospective analysis (age range 7-25 years, 62% were females). Dural sac diameter (DSD) and vertebral body diameter (VBD) were estimated and dural sac ratio (DSR = DSD/VBD) was calculated at T5 and L3. DSR at T5 and L3 were 0.69 +/- 0.12, and 0.52 +/- 0.10, respectively, in patients with AIS compared with 0.62 +/- 0.11, and 0.44 +/- 0.07, respectively, in controls (P = 0.001 at T5 and <0.001 at L3). Our estimated cut-off values for DSR were 0.84 and 0.58 at T5 and L3, respectively. This resulted in 100% sensitivity compared with 74% when using the cut-off values proposed by Oosterhof et al. No statistically significant association was found between the occurrence of dural sac enlargement in patients with AIS and the severity of scoliotic deformity, the apical vertebral rotation, epidural fat thickness, occurrence of pain, neurological deficit, atypical scoliosis or rapid curve progression. Females were affected more frequently than males. As dural sac enlargement means thinning of the pedicles, we believe that the findings of this study have important clinical implications on the preoperative workup of AIS.
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| 5. |
- Abul-Kasim, Kasim, et al.
(author)
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Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of Lenke type-1 curve exhibit specific pedicle width pattern.
- 2012
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 21, s. 57-63
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Study aim was to find out if patients with Lenke type 1 curve exhibit smaller pedicles and specific pedicle width pattern compared with individuals with no scoliosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 4,828 pedicle width measurements (T1-L5) in 61 consecutive patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of Lenke type 1 curve, 61 control subjects, and 20 patients with Lenke type 5 curve, were retrospectively performed by an experienced neuroradiologist. RESULTS: Among patients with Lenke type 1 curve, the differences between the width of right and left upper thoracic pedicles were statistically significant; smallest at right T4 (2.6 mm). At scoliotic apex, the pedicles on the concave (left) side were significantly smaller than those on the convex (right) side; smallest at left T7 (3.2 mm). Among patients with Lenke type 1 curve, 97% had pedicle width <4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that patients with Lenke type 1 curve exhibit smaller pedicles and asymmetric pedicle width compared with control subjects.
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| 6. |
- Abul-Kasim, Kasim, et al.
(author)
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Radiological and clinical outcome of screw placement in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: evaluation with low-dose computed tomography.
- 2010
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 19:1, s. 96-104
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Posterior corrective surgery using "all pedicle screw construct" carries risk of neurovascular complications. The study aims were to assess the screw placement in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using CT with low-radiation dose, and to evaluate the clinical outcome in patients with misplaced pedicle screws. CTs of 49 consecutive patients (873 screws, 79% thoracic) were retrospectively evaluated by two independent radiologists. A new grading system was developed to distinguish between lateral, medial and anterior cortical perforations, endplate perforation and foraminal perforation. The grading system is based on whether the cortical violation is partial or total rather than on mm-basis. The overall rate of screw misplacement was 17% (n = 149): 8% were laterally placed and 6.1% were medially placed. The rates of anterior cortical, endplate and foraminal perforation were 1.5, 0.9, and 0.5%, respectively. Lateral cortical perforation was more frequent in the thoracic spine (P = 0.005), whereas other types of misplacement including medial cortical perforation were more frequent on the left and the concave side of scoliotic curves (P = 0.002 and 0.003). No neurovascular complications were reported. The association between the occurrence of screw misplacement and the Cobb angle was statistically significant (P = 0.037). Misplacements exceeding half screw diameter should be classified as unacceptable. Low-dose CT implies exposing these young individuals to a significantly lower radiation dose than do other protocols used in daily clinical practice. We recommend using low-dose CT and the grading system proposed here in the postoperative assessment of screw placement.
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| 7. |
- Alabdallat, Yasmeen Jamal, et al.
(author)
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How reliable is the distinction between thoracolumbar AO type A3 and A4 fractures? : a systematic literature review
- 2024
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In: European spine journal. - : Springer Nature. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932.
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: The AOSpine classification divides thoracolumbar burst fractures into A3 and A4 fractures; nevertheless, past research has found inconsistent interobserver reliability in detecting those two fracture patterns. This systematic analysis aims to synthesize data on the reliability of discriminating between A3 and A4 fractures.Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science for studies reporting the inter- and intra-observer reliability of detecting thoracolumbar AO A3 and A4 fractures using computed tomography (CT). The search spanned 2013 to 2023 and included both primarily reliability and observational comparative studies. We followed the PRISMA guidelines and used the modified COSMIN checklist to assess the studies' quality. Kappa coefficient (k) values were categorized according to Landis and Koch, from slight to excellent.Results: Of the 396 identified studies, nine met the eligibility criteria; all were primarily reliability studies except one observational study. Interobserver k values for A3/A4 fractures varied widely among studies (0.19-86). The interobserver reliability was poor in two studies, fair in one study, moderate in four studies, and excellent in two studies. Only two studies reported intra-observer reliability, showing fair and excellent agreement. The included studies revealed significant heterogeneity in study design, sample size, and interpretation methods.Conclusion: Considerable variability exists in interobserver reliability for distinguishing A3 and A4 fractures from slight to excellent agreement. This variability might be attributed to methodological heterogeneity among studies, limitations of reliability analysis, or diagnostic pitfalls in differentiating between A3 and A4. Most observational studies comparing the outcome of A3 and A4 fractures do not report interobserver agreement, and this should be considered when interpreting their results.
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| 8. |
- Albrektsson, Tomas, 1945, et al.
(author)
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Osteoinduction, osteoconduction and osseointegration
- 2001
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 10:SUPPL. 2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Osteoinduction is the process by which osteogenesis is induced. It is a phenomenon regularly seen in any type of bone healing process. Osteoinduction implies the recruitment of immature cells and the stimulation of these cells to develop into preosteoblasts. In a bone healing situation such as a fracture, the majority of bone healing is dependent on osteoinduction. Osteoconduction means that bone grows on a surface. This phenomenon is regularly seen in the case of bone implants. Implant materials of low biocompatibility such as copper, silver and bone cement shows little or no osteoconduction. Osseointegration is the stable anchorage of an implant achieved by direct bone-to-implant contact. In craniofacial implantology, this mode of anchorage is the only one for which high success rates have been reported. Osseointegration is possible in other parts of the body, but its importance for the anchorage of major arthroplasties is under debate. Ingrowth of bone in a porouscoated prosthesis may or may not represent osseointegration.
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| 9. |
- Anderberg, Leif, et al.
(author)
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Distribution patterns of transforaminal injections in the cervical spine evaluated by multi-slice computed tomography.
- 2006
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 15:10, s. 1465-1471
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Transforaminal injections are sometimes used for the diagnosis and treatment of painful conditions in the lumbar and to a lesser degree in the cervical spine. The technique is most often used when investigating/treating radiculopathy caused by degenerative disease. But how selective are the nerve root blocks? What possible structures other than the intended nerve root are affected from such injections? This study was undertaken in order to try to answer these questions, as no study focusing on the possible spread from the transforaminal selective nerve root blocks in the cervical spine has been performed earlier. In three groups of patients, each group including three patients, we injected three different volumes (0.6, 1.1 and 1.7 ml) with a transforaminal technique in the cervical spine. In all the injections, a small amount of contrast media was added. The spread of the injections were then investigated using multi-slice computed tomography with reconstructions. The imaging revealed a possible effect on other nerve roots than the intended ones when a larger volume was used for the root blocks. The spread was related to the injected volume as well as to local anatomy (size of foraminal area). In this study, only 0.6-ml injections could be accepted for being selective enough for diagnostic investigations.
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| 10. |
- Anderberg, Leif, et al.
(author)
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Selective diagnostic nerve root block for the evaluation of radicular pain in the multilevel degenerated cervical spine.
- 2006
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 15:6, s. 794-801
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In patients with radiculopathy due to degenerative disease in the cervical spine, surgical outcome is still presenting with moderate results. The preoperative investigations consist of clinical investigation, careful history and most often magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine. When MRI shows multilevel degeneration, different strategies are used for indicating which nerve root/roots are affected. Some authors use selective diagnostic nerve root blocks (SNRB) for segregating pain mediating nerve roots from non-pain mediators in such patients. The aim of the present study is to assess the ability of transforaminal SNRB to correlate clinical symptoms with MRI findings in patients with cervical radiculopathy and a two-level MRI degeneration, on the same side as the radicular pain. Thirty consecutive patients with cervical radiculopathy and two levels MRI pathology on the same side as the radicular pain were studied with SNRBs at both levels. All patients underwent clinical investigation and neck and arm pain assessment with visual analogue scales (VAS) before and after the blocks. The results from the SNRBs were compared to the clinical findings from neurological investigation as well as the MRI pathology and treatment results. Correlation between SNRB results and the level with most severe degree of MRI degeneration were 60% and correlation between SNRB results and levels decided by neurological deficits/dermatome radicular pain distribution were 28%. Twenty-two of the 30 patients underwent treatment guided by the SNRB results and 18 reported good/excellent outcome results. We conclude that the degree of MRI pathology, neurological investigation and the pain distribution in the arm are not reliable parameters enough when deciding the affected nerve root/roots in patients with cervical radiculopathy and a two-level degenerative disease in the cervical spine. SNRB might be a helpful tool together with clinical findings/history and MRI of the cervical spine when performing preoperative investigations in patients with two or more level of degeneration presenting with radicular pain that can be attributed to the degenerative findings.
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| 11. |
- Anderberg, Leif, et al.
(author)
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Transforaminal steroid injections for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy: a prospective and randomised study.
- 2007
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 16:3, s. 321-328
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Steroid injections are often employed as an alternative treatment for radicular pain in patients with degenerative spinal disorders. Prospective randomised studies of the lumbar spine reveal contradictory results and non-randomised and most often retrospective studies of the cervical spine indicate pain reduction from steroid injections. No prospective randomised study on transforaminal steroid injections for the treatment of radicular pain in the cervical spine focusing on short-term results has been performed. Forty consecutive patients were employed for the study. The inclusion criteria were one-sided cervical radiculopathy with radicular distribution of arm pain distal to the elbow and corresponding significant degenerative pathology of the cervical spine at one or two levels on the same side as the radicular pain and visualised by MRI. A transforaminal technique was used for all injections. A positive response to a diagnostic selective nerve root block at one or two nerve roots was mandatory for all patients. The patients were randomised for treatment with steroids/local anaesthetics or saline/local anaesthetic. Only the neuroradiologist performing the blocks was aware of the content of the injection; all other persons involved in the study were blinded. Follow up was made 3 weeks after the randomised treatment by a clinical investigation and with a questionnaire focusing on the subjective effects from the injections. At follow up, there were no differences in treatment results in the two patient groups. Statistical analysis of the results confirmed the lack of difference in treatment effect. Further studies have to be performed before excluding steroids in such treatment and for evaluating the influence of local anaesthetics on radiculopathy in transforaminal injections.
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| 12. |
- Arai, I., et al.
(author)
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Indomethacin blocks the nucleus pulposus-induced effects on nerve root function. An experimental study in dogs with assessment of nerve conduction and blood flow following experimental disc herniation
- 2004
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In: Eur Spine J. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719. ; 13:8, s. 691-4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Inflammatory mechanisms have been suggested to be involved in the basic pathophysiologic events leading to nerve root injury after local application of nucleus pulposus. To assess if these nucleus pulposus-induced effects could be blocked by anti-inflammatory treatment, 41 dogs were exposed to either incision of the L6-7 disc to induce experimental disc herniation with (n=12) or without (n=14) indomethacin treatment per os (5 mg/kg per day), and no incision with (n=5) or without (n=10) indomethacin. Intraneural blood flow and nerve conduction velocity were assessed after 7 days to evaluate the degree of nerve injury. Disc incision induced a reduction in nerve root and dorsal ganglion blood flow as well as nerve function, similarly to previous studies. However, simultaneous treatment with indomethacin efficiently blocked the negative effects on both blood flow and nerve conduction but had no effects per se. The present study thus indicates that inflammatory mechanisms may be of relevance in the pathophysiology of nucleus pulposus-induced nerve root injury and thereby also for sciatica.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Baranto, Dawid, et al.
(author)
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The epidemiology of odontoid fractures: a study from the Swedish fracture register
- 2024
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In: European spine journal. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 33:8, s. 3034-3042
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: The objective of this study is to characterize the occurrence of odontoid fractures within a Swedish population. Methods: Prospective data of adults diagnosed with an odontoid fracture between 2015 and 2021 were retrieved from the Swedish Fracture Register (SFR). Epidemiologic data including age, sex, injury mechanism, injury type, fracture type(Anderson and D’Alonzo classification), neurological status and treatment type were requested from the SFR. Data pertinent to osteoporosis was retrieved from the Swedish National Patient Register. Results: A total of 1,154 odontoid fractures were identified, of which 30 were type I fractures, 583 type II fractures, and 541 type III fractures. The mean (Standard Deviation [SD]) age was 77.2 (13.8) years. The prevalence of osteoporosis and neurological deficits did not differ between the fracture types. The majority of patients were treated non-surgically (81%). Male sex and patient age 18–30 years were commonly associated with a high-injury mechanism, especially motor vehicle accidents. In the type II fracture group, significantly more patients had fallen from standing height or less than in the type III group (66% vs. 58%, p = 0.01) while in contrast, motor vehicle accidents were more common in the type III fracture group (12% vs. type II: 8%, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Based on the SFR, the typical odontoid fracture patient is older and suffers a type II fracture. Most injuries were caused by low-energy trauma although in younger patients and males, they were associated with motor vehicle accidents. Across the patient population, odontoid fractures were usually treated non-surgically.
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| 16. |
- Belavy, Daniel L, et al.
(author)
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Disc herniations in astronauts: What causes them, and what does it tell us about herniation on earth?
- 2016
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In: 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. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-0932. ; 25:1, s. 144-154
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent work showed an increased risk of cervical and lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) herniations in astronauts. The European Space Agency asked the authors to advise on the underlying pathophysiology of this increased risk, to identify predisposing factors and possible interventions and to suggest research priorities.
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| 17. |
- Berg, Svante, et al.
(author)
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Total disc replacement compared to lumbar fusion : a randomised controlled trial with 2-year follow-up
- 2009
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In: EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 18:10, s. 1512-1519
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study design includes a prospective, randomised controlled study comparing total disc replacement (TDR) with posterior fusion. The main objective of this study is to compare TDR with lumbar spinal fusion, in terms of clinical outcome, in patients referred to a spine clinic for surgical evaluation. Fusion is effective for treating chronic low back pain (LBP), but has drawbacks, such as stiffness and possibly adjacent level degradation. Motion-preserving options have emerged, of which TDR is frequently used because of these drawbacks. How the results of TDR compare to fusion, however, is uncertain. One hundred and fifty-two patients with a mean age of 40 years (21-55) were included: 90 were women, and 80 underwent TDR. The patients had not responded to a conservative treatment programme and suffered from predominantly LBP, with varying degrees of leg pain. Diagnosis was based on clinical examination, radiographs, MRI, and in unclear cases, diagnostic injections. Outcome measures were global assessment (GA), VAS for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index, SF36 and EQ5D at 1 and 2 years. Follow-up rate was 100%, at both 1 and 2 years. All outcome variables improved in both groups between preoperative and follow-up assessment. The primary outcome measure, GA, revealed that 30% in the TDR group and 15% in the fusion group were totally pain-free at 2 years (P = 0.031). TDR patients had reached maximum recovery in virtually all variables at 1 year, with significant differences compared to the fusion group. The fusion patients continued to improve and at 2 years had results similar to TDR patients apart from numbers of pain-free. Complications and reoperations were similar in both groups, but pedicle screw removal as additive surgery, was frequent in the fusion group. One year after surgery, TDR was superior to spinal fusion in clinical outcome, but this difference had diminished by 2 years, apart from (VAS for back pain and) numbers of pain-free. The long-term benefits have yet to be examined.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Bertilson, Bo C., et al.
(author)
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Inter-examiner reliability in the assessment of low back pain (LBP) using the Kirkaldy-Willis classification (KWC)
- 2006
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In: European spine journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 15:11, s. 1695-1703
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reliable classification systems and clinical tests are sought for the care of patients with low back pain (LBP). The objectives of this clinical study were to evaluate inter-examiner reliability in the classification of patients with LBP, the influence of radiological findings on the classification and the reliability of some clinical tests. Two examiners independently assessed 50 outpatients with LBP. Inter-examiner reliability in classification of patients with LBP using Kirkkaldy-Willis classification (KWC) system and in 30 clinical tests was calculated as percentage agreement and kappa coefficients (kappa). Inter-examiner reliability was excellent (kappa > 0.8) for classification according to KWC. Radiological findings did not influence the reliability. Age of the patient, movement range, and pain and neurological signs seemed to guide the decision on classification. The reliability of clinical tests was good (kappa > 0.6) in 6 tests and moderate (kappa > 0.4) in 12 tests. Good inter-examiner reliability was found for the SLR test, movement range and sensibility testing with spurs in dermatome areas. We conclude that the KWC for classifying patients with LBP seems to be a reliable classification system depending on a few key observations and that moderate and good inter-examiner reliability can be achieved in several clinical tests in the assessment of LBP.
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| 23. |
- Bertilson, B, et al.
(author)
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Inter-examiner reliability in the assessment of low back pain (LBP) using the Kirkaldy-Willis classification (KWC)
- 2006
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In: European spine journal. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 15:11, s. 1695-1703
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reliable classification systems and clinical tests are sought for the care of patients with low back pain (LBP). The objectives of this clinical study were to evaluate inter-examiner reliability in the classification of patients with LBP, the influence of radiological findings on the classification and the reliability of some clinical tests. Two examiners independently assessed 50 outpatients with LBP. Inter-examiner reliability in classification of patients with LBP using Kirkkaldy-Willis classification (KWC) system and in 30 clinical tests was calculated as percentage agreement and kappa coefficients (?). Inter-examiner reliability was excellent (?>0.8) for classification according to KWC. Radiological findings did not influence the reliability. Age of the patient, movement range, and pain and neurological signs seemed to guide the decision on classification. The reliability of clinical tests was good (?>0.6) in 6 tests and moderate (?>0.4) in 12 tests. Good inter-examiner reliability was found for the SLR test, movement range and sensibility testing with spurs in dermatome areas. We conclude that the KWC for classifying patients with LBP seems to be a reliable classification system depending on a few key observations and that moderate and good inter-examiner reliability can be achieved in several clinical tests in the assessment of LBP.
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| 24. |
- Björklund, Martin, et al.
(author)
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The assessment of symptoms and functional limitations in low back pain patients : validity and reliability of a new questionnaire
- 2007
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In: European spine journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 16:11, s. 1799-1811
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many of the existing low back pain (LBP) questionnaires of function and symptoms have a content of different domains of disability presented as a single sum score, making it difficult to derive changes within a specific domain. The present study describes the development of a clinically derived back-specific questionnaire incorporating both a functional limitation and a symptom scale, with a further subdivision of the symptom scale in separate indices for severity and temporal aspects. The aims of the study were to assess the overall reliability and validity of the new questionnaire, named the Profile Fitness Mapping questionnaire (PFM). A total of 193 chronic LBP patients answered the PFM together with five validated criterion questionnaires. For the internal consistency of the questionnaires, the three indices of the PFM had the highest Cronbach's alpha (0.90-0.95) and all items had item-total correlations above 0.2. The correlation coefficients between the PFM and the back-specific criterion questionnaires ranged between 0.61 and 0.83, indicating good concurrent criterion validity. The best discriminative ability between patients with different pain severities was demonstrated by the functional limitation scale of the PFM. Well centered score distribution with no patient's score at the floor or the ceiling level indicates that the PFM has the potential to detect the improvement or worsening of symptoms and functional limitations in chronic LBP patients. Classification according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and health (ICF) of WHO revealed a high degree of homogeneous item content of the symptom scale to the domain of impairments, and of the functional limitation scale to the domain of activity limitations. The present study suggests that the PFM has a high internal consistency and is a valid indicator of symptoms and functional limitations of LBP patients. It offers the combination of a composite total score and the possibility of evaluations within specific domains of disability. Complementary evaluation of test-retest reliability and responsiveness to change is warranted.
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| 25. |
- Blixt, S., et al.
(author)
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Validity of the short musculoskeletal function assessment questionnaire in patients with a spine fracture
- 2023
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 32, s. 1471-1479
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeThe aim of this study was to validate the use of the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) questionnaire in patients with a spine fracture.MethodsCross-sectional cohort of individuals that had sustained a spine fracture (C1-L5) one year earlier. Patients were asked to fill out SMFA, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EQ-5D-3L and EQ-VAS. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rho) was used to assess convergent validity for each patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). Bland-Altman plots were used to assess PROM agreement.Results82 patients completed all questionnaires. The correlations between SMFA Dysfunction and Bother indices and ODI were 0.89 and 0.86, with EQ-5D-3L index 0.89 and 0.80, and with EQ-VAS 0.80 and 0.73, respectively. The correlation for separate categories of the SMFA dysfunction index (daily activities, emotional status, arm and hand function, mobility) ranged between 0.71-0.87 for ODI, 0.72-0.84 for EQ-5D-3L index, and 0.67-0.77 for EQ-VAS. A selection of the ten items of SMFA that had the highest correlations with ODI resulted in a correlation of 0.91. The agreements between SMFA indices and ODI in Bland-Altman plots were good with small differential biases and minimal proportional biases, but worse for SMFA and EQ-5D-3L index and EQ-VAS.ConclusionThe SMFA indices are highly correlated with ODI in patients with a spine fracture. The Dysfunction index and Bother index, or selected SMFA items, may be used to assess outcome in patients with spine fractures as an alternative to ODI.
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| 26. |
- Bodon, Gergely, et al.
(author)
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Anatomical changes in occipitalization : is there an increased risk during the standard posterior approach?
- 2013
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In: European spine journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 22:3 suppl., s. 512-516
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to examine the anatomic changes in a case of occipitalization of the atlas.METHODS:Occipitalization of the atlas was found accidentally in a 64-year-old male cadaver. Anatomic dissection was carried out to examine the posterior aspect of the upper cervical region and craniocervical junction. The occipitalized atlas was then harvested and macerated to study the bony anomaly.RESULTS:In this case of occipitalization, fusion was observed at both lateral masses and at the left posterior hemiarch of the atlas. We found the following soft tissue changes: the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle was lacking on the left side and was atrophic on the right, the obliquus capitis superior muscle was present on both sides showing moderate atrophy and fatty changes. The posterior atlanto-axial membrane was thinner and asymmetric, had a free edge on the right side. Lateral to this edge the dura was lying free. We believe that these changes of the posterior atlanto-axial membrane together with the increased distance between the fused posterior arch of the atlas and the lamina of the axis could cause the observed "dura bulge" at this level. The vertebral artery was entering the skull through a canal on the left side.CONCLUSIONS:In our case, occipitalization considerably changed the anatomy of the upper cervical spine and craniocervical junction. Special care must be taken when using the posterior approach to avoid neurovascular injury in cases with occipitalization.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
- Brink, Rob C., et al.
(author)
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Three-dimensional pelvic incidence is much higher in (thoraco)lumbar scoliosis than in controls
- 2019
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In: European spine journal. - Heidelberg : Springer. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 28:3, s. 544-550
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeThe pelvic incidence (PI) is used to describe the sagittal spino-pelvic alignment. In previous studies, radiographs were used, leading to less accuracy in establishing the three-dimensional (3D) spino-pelvic parameters. The purpose of this study is to analyze the differences in the 3D sagittal spino-pelvic alignment in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) subjects and non-scoliotic controls.MethodsThirty-seven female AIS patients that underwent preoperative supine low-dose computed tomography imaging of the spine, hips and pelvis as part of their general workup were included and compared to 44 non-scoliotic age-matched female controls. A previously validated computerized method was used to measure the PI in 3D, as the angle between the line orthogonal to the inclination of the sacral endplate and the line connecting the center of the sacral endplate with the hip axis.ResultsThe PI was on average 46.8° ± 12.4° in AIS patients and 41.3° ± 11.4° in controls (p = 0.025), with a higher PI in Lenke type 5 curves (50.6° ± 16.2°) as compared to controls (p = 0.042), whereas the Lenke type 1 curves (45.9° ± 12.2°) did not differ from controls (p = 0.141).ConclusionLenke type 5 curves show a significantly higher PI than controls, whereas the Lenke type 1 curves did not differ from controls. This suggests a role of pelvic morphology and spino-pelvic alignment in the pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis. Further longitudinal studies should explore the exact role of the PI in the initiation and progression of different AIS types.
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| 29. |
- Bunketorp Käll, Lina, 1975
(author)
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A descriptive analysis of disorders in patients 17 years following motor vehicle accidents
- 2002
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 11, s. 227-234
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) are described and analysed 17 years after involvement in a motor vehicle accident. A self-report questionnaire was mailed to 121 patients registered at emergency departments in Gothenburg in 1983 because of neck complaints following a car collision. The questionnaire contained items on symptoms referred to WAD, treatment, work disability, involvement in settlement of claims, medical disability and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Of the 121 patients, 108 (89%) chose to participate in the present study. Fifty-nine (55%) had residual disorders referable to the original accident. Neck pain, radiating pain and headache were the most common symptoms. One-third of the patients with residual symptoms suffered from work disability, compared to 6% in the group of patients without residual disorders. All 25 patients who had reached a final claim settlement (42%) had a poor outcome, and 15 of the claiming patients had been assigned a medical disability ranging from 5 to 30%. Patients with WAD reported a significantly higher score on the NDI than those without residual disorders. There was no significant correlation between the patients' degree of medical disability and the scores on the NDI. The results of the study show that approximately half of the patients with neck complaints following motor vehicle accidents in Gothenburg in 1983 suffered frequent residual symptoms 17 years after the accident, mostly comprising neck pain, radiating pain, and headache. The residual disorders contributed to the patients' overall disability.
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| 30. |
- Bunketorp, Lina, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Neck pain and disability following motor vehicle accidents--a cohort study.
- 2005
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In: 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. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719. ; 14:1, s. 84-9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The primary aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of neck pain and disability in a group exposed to motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) with those in the general population. The secondary aim was to assess the prevalence of a past history of exposure to an MVA with sequelae of neck pain in the general population. The exposed group consisted of 121 patients with neck complaints following an MVA in 1983. The control group, consisting of 1,491 subjects, was randomly selected, with attention to the distribution of age and gender in the exposed group. A neck-pain questionnaire was mailed to the subjects. In the control group, it included enquiry about a history of exposure to an MVA with sequelae of neck pain. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used to assess neck-related disability. In the exposed group 108 subjects (89%) responded, and in the control group 931 (62%) did. Seventeen years after the MVA, 59 subjects (55%) reported neck pain in the exposed group, with no gender differences. In the control group 270 (29%) reported neck pain with a higher frequency among women (34%) than men (19%) (p<0.01). There was a significant difference between the exposed group and the control group regarding the occurrence of neck pain (p<0.001). In the control group 34% recalled a history of an MVA, among whom one-third reported neck pain in connection with the accident and 28% had persistent neck pain referable to the accident. The exposed group scored significantly higher on the NDI (p<0.001) and reported significantly higher neck pain intensity than did the control group (p<0.001). In conclusion, a past history of exposure to an MVA with sequelae of neck pain appears to have a substantial impact on future persistent neck pain and associated disability.
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
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| 34. |
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
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| 37. |
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| 38. |
- Cornefjord, Michael, et al.
(author)
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Posterior atlanto-axial fusion with the Olerud cervical fixation system for odontoid fractures and C1-C2 instability in reumathoid arthritis
- 2003
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In: European spine journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 12:1, s. 91-96
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In posterior C1-C2 fusion, traditional wire fixation gives poor stability. The bone quality is often insufficient to provide the competent structural bone graft that is required, and the introduction of sublaminar wires is somewhat dangerous. The stability is markedly improved by adding transarticular screws, but the drawbacks of structural bone graft and sublaminar wires remain. The C1 claw of the Olerud Cervical Fixation System improves C1-C2 fixation without relying on structural bone graft or compromising the spinal canal. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiological healing and possible complications in a consecutive series of C1-C2 fusions from our department operated with the C1 claw device. Twenty-six patients (14 women) with a mean age of 73 (range 37-93) years were included. The diagnoses were odontoid fracture in 18 patients, rheumatoid instability in 6, and odontoid non-union and os odontoideum in 1 each. The patients were followed clinically and with plain radiographs for an average of 15 (range 3-27) months. There were no neurological or vascular complications, and no secondary displacements or reoperations in the series. Twenty patients followed for 6-27 months were radiographically healed. Six patients died from unrelated causes 1-38 months postoperatively. Three of these patients had no radiographs later than the postoperative control, one had a healed odontoid fracture but resorbed bone graft at 8 months, while the remaining two patients were not healed, but showed no signs of healing disturbance at the time of death. On the basis of the findings of this study, posterior C1-C2 fusion with the Olerud Cervical Fixation System seems promising. No serious complications related to the surgical procedure were encountered. The stability of the implant obviates the use of a solid bone block as a graft and still allows a high frequency of fusion healing.
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| 39. |
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| 40. |
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| 41. |
- de Dios, Eddie, 1987, et al.
(author)
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Comparison of the patient-derived modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale and the European myelopathy score
- 2024
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In: European Spine Journal. - : SPRINGER. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 33:3, s. 1205-1212
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To compare the patient-derived modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (P-mJOA) scale with the European myelopathy score (EMS) for the assessment of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Methods: In this register-based cohort study with prospectively collected data, included patients were surgically treated for DCM and had reported both P-mJOA and EMS scores at baseline, 1-year follow-up, and/or 2-year follow-up to the Swedish Spine Register. P-mJOA and EMS scores were defined as severe (P-mJOA 0–11 and EMS 5–8), moderate (P-mJOA 12–14 and EMS 9–12), or mild (P-mJOA 15–18 and EMS 13–18). P-mJOA and EMS mean scores were compared, and agreement was evaluated with Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ), the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and kappa (κ) statistics. Results: Included patients (n = 714, mean age 63.2years, 42.2% female) completed 937 pairs of the P-mJOA and the EMS. The mean P-mJOA and EMS scores were 13.9 ± 3.0 and 14.5 ± 2.7, respectively (mean difference –0.61 [95% CI –0.72 to –0.51; p < 0.001]). Spearman’s ρ was 0.84 (p < 0.001), and intra-rater agreement measured with ICC was 0.83 (p < 0.001). Agreement of severity level measured with unweighted and weighted κ was fair (κ = 0.22 [p < 0.001]; κ = 0.34 [p < 0.001], respectively). Severity levels were significantly higher using the P-mJOA (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The P-mJOA and the EMS had similar mean scores, and intra-rater agreement was high, whereas severity levels only demonstrated fair agreement. The EMS has a lower sensitivity for detecting severe myelopathy but shows an increasing agreement with the P-mJOA for milder disease severity. A larger interval to define severe myelopathy with the EMS is recommended.
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| 42. |
- de Dios, Eddie, 1987, et al.
(author)
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Improvement rates, adverse events and predictors of clinical outcome following surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy
- 2022
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In: European Spine Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 31:12, s. 3433-3442
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To investigate improvement rates, adverse events and predictors of clinical outcome after laminectomy alone (LAM) or laminectomy with instrumented fusion (LAM + F) for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of a previously published DCM cohort. Improvement rates for European myelopathy score (EMS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) at 2- and 5-year follow-ups and adverse events are presented descriptively for available cases. Predictor endpoints were EMS and NDI scores at follow-ups, surgeon- and patient-reported complications, and reoperation-free interval. For predictors, univariate and multivariable models were fitted to imputed data. Results: Mean age of patients (LAM n = 412; LAM + F n = 305) was 68years, and 37.4% were women. LAM + F patients had more severe spondylolisthesis and less severe kyphosis at baseline, more surgeon-reported complications, more patient-reported complications, and more reoperations (p ≤ 0.05). After imputation, the overall EMS improvement rate was 43.8% at 2years and 36.3% at 5years. At follow-ups, worse EMS scores were independent predictors of worse EMS outcomes and older age and worse NDI scores were independent predictors of worse NDI outcomes. LAM + F was associated with more surgeon-reported complications (ratio 1.81; 95% CI 1.17–2.80; p = 0.008). More operated levels were associated with more patient-reported complications (ratio 1.12; 95% CI 1.02–1.22; p = 0.012) and a shorter reoperation-free interval (hazard ratio 1.30; 95% CI 1.08–1.58; p = 0.046). Conclusions: These findings suggest that surgical intervention at an earlier myelopathy stage might be beneficial and that less invasive procedures are preferable in this patient population.
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| 43. |
- de Dios, Eddie, et al.
(author)
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Laminectomy alone versus laminectomy with fusion for degenerative cervical myelopathy : a long-term study of a national cohort
- 2022
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In: European spine journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 31:2, s. 334-345
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To compare patient-reported 5-year clinical outcomes between laminectomy alone versus laminectomy with instrumented fusion in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy in a population-based cohort.METHODS: All patients in the national Swedish Spine Register (Swespine) from January 2006 until March 2019, with degenerative cervical myelopathy, were assessed. Multiple imputation and propensity score matching based on clinicodemographic and radiographic parameters were used to compare patients treated with laminectomy alone with patients treated with laminectomy plus posterior-lateral instrumented fusion. The primary outcome measure was the European Myelopathy Score, a validated patient-reported outcome measure. The scale ranges from 5 to 18, with lower scores reflecting more severe myelopathy.RESULTS: Among 967 eligible patients, 717 (74%) patients were included. Laminectomy alone was performed on 412 patients (mean age 68 years; 149 women [36%]), whereas instrumented fusion was added for 305 patients (mean age 68 years; 119 women [39%]). After imputation, the propensity for smoking, worse myelopathy scores, spondylolisthesis, and kyphosis was slightly higher in the fusion group. After imputation and propensity score matching, there were on average 212 pairs patients with a 5-year follow-up in each group. There were no important differences in patient-reported clinical outcomes between the methods after 5 years. Due to longer hospitalization times and implant-related costs, the mean cost increase per instrumented patient was approximately $4700 US.CONCLUSIONS: Instrumented fusions generated higher costs and were not associated with superior long-term clinical outcomes. These findings are based on a national cohort and can thus be regarded as generalizable.
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| 44. |
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| 45. |
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| 46. |
- Diab, KM, et al.
(author)
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Volumetric determination of normal and scoliotic vertebral bodies
- 1998
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In: 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. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0940-6719. ; 7:4, s. 282-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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| 47. |
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| 48. |
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| 49. |
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| 50. |
- Elkan, P, et al.
(author)
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Response rate does not affect patient-reported outcome after lumbar discectomy
- 2018
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In: 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. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-0932. ; 27:7, s. 1538-1546
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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