Correlation of Canal Dimension with Neurological Status and Surgical Outcome in Lumbar PIVD
Shafiq Hackla*, Farid Hussain Malik, Saumyjit Basu, Anil Kumar Gupta
Department of Orthopaedics, GMC Jammu, India
*Corresponding author: Shafiq Hackla, R/O vill. Post. Office Rahya Teh. Vijaypur Distt. Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Tel: +919596634180; +917006937699; Email: shafiq966hack90699@gmail.com
Received Date: 10 November, 2017; Accepted
Date: 02 February, 2018; Published Date: 09 February, 2018
Citation: Hackla S, Malik FH, Basu S, Gupta AK (2018) Correlation of Canal Dimension with Neurological Status and Surgical Outcome in Lumbar PIVD. J Orthop Res Ther 2018: 163. DOI: 10.29011/2575-8241.000163
1. Abstract
1.1. Introduction: Symptomatic lumbar PIVD is major of disability and absteenism from work. The symptom of disc herniation depends upon multiple factors like level of disc, stage of disc, percent canal compromise by the disc etc. We report a prospective study which studies the correlation of spinal canal dimension with neurological status and its surgical outcome in lumbar PIVD.
1.2. Methods and Material: Forty-one patients from May 2011 to Dec 2015 with mean follow up of one year were included in the study. The patients with cauda equina syndrome, persistent symptoms of back or leg pain for more than 6 weeks despite conservative treatment and the patients with progressive motor weakness, and leg symptoms were included in the study. Patients with age > 60 years, traumatic disc prolaspe.and spondylolethesis with disc prolapse were excluded from the study. Spinal canal dimension after prolapsed disc in AP and transverse dimension were noted on MRI scan. Symptoms were evaluated according JOA SCORE and ODI SCORE at preoperative, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months follow up. The correlation was made using Pearson correlation co-efficient.
1.3. Results: The average age of the patients was 37.62 years. The mean anteroposterior canal dimension was 6.72mm while in transverse, it was 14.20mm in AP, mean preoperative JOA score was (7.46±3.45) and (10.75±4.26) in group 1 and 2 respectively with the p-value of 0.068 but the postoperative JOA score was almost the same (27.09±3.4) and (27.37±5.09) in both the groups with the p-value of 0.855. In transverse group, mean preoperative JOA score was (6.45±4.05) and (11.2±2.14) in group 1 and 2 respectively with the p-value of 0.004 and the postoperative JOA score was (27.09±4.78) and (28.1±3.1) in two groups with the p-value of -5.78. The p-value of 0.004 was significant in only preoperative transverse group. Mean preoperative ODI score in AP group was higher (37±7.11) in group 1 as compared to group 2(30.62±9.13) with p-value of 0.39 but the final postoperative ODI score (9.3±10.8) and (8.87±8.9) was almost the same in both groups with p-value of 0.926. Mean preoperative ODI score in transverse group was (37.27±7.55) and (31.66±8.52) in group 1 and group 2 respectively with p-value of 0.122 but the final postoperative ODI score (11.36±12.85) and (6.7±4.76) was almost the same in both groups with p-value of 0.294. The p-value is insignificant in both the groups, so it can safely have concluded that decrease in canal dimension is not related to the symptomatology of the patients.
1.4.
Conclusion: Keeping in view
the above findings, it can be safely concluded the canal compromise by the
prolapsed disc alone is not related to the patient’s symptoms. There are other
factors like position of prolapsed disc in relation to nerve root, stage of
disc herniation, etc. which are important in overall symptomatology of
prolapsed disc.
1. Abbreviations
AP :
Anteroposterior
MRI : Magnetic Resonance
Imaging
PIVD : Prolasped Intervertebral
Disc
JOA : Japanese Orthopaedic
Association Score
ODI : Oswestry Disability Index
Pre-op : Preoperative
Post-op : Postoperative
L : Lumbar
S : Sacral
2. Introduction
Back pain, the ancient curse is now appearing as a modern epidemic. Humans have been plagued by back and leg pain since the beginning of recorded history [1]. Hult estimates that upto 80% of the population is affected by this symptom at sometime of their life. Impairments of the back and spine are ranked as the most frequent cause of limitation of activities in people of all age groups. Lumbar discs are responsible for well over 90% of all organic symptoms attributable to low backache. Svenson and Anderson noted that the incidence and prevalence of low back pain was about 61% and 31% respectively in a random sample of 40 to 47 years old men. In women between 38 to 64 years of age, the incidence was 66% and prevalence was 35% [2]. Spangfort (1973) in a review of 2504 operations done between 1951-1966 stated that the proportion of L4-L5 herniations increased and L5-S1 herniation decreased during last 30 years. The average age of patients undergoing lumbar discectomy is 42 years. The lifetime prevalence of sciatica is 40%, but only 3 percent of patients with acute back pain have nerve root symptoms. Horal noted that 35 percent of patients with low back pain will at some time develop sciatica. Nachemson in his review indicated that 4.8 percent of male population and 2.5 percent of female population beyond the age of 35 years will at some time in their life experience sciatica.
Hakelius
reported that 75 percent of patients with acute lumbar radiculopathy will
experience improvement within 10 to 30 days of onset of their symptoms and less
than 20 percent of these will eventually become surgical candidates. Whereas
lumbar disc herniation in adult is largely secondary to degenerative disc
disease as evidenced by operative findings and by routine pathological examination
of specimens removed, often with large sequestrated fragments, disc herniation
in adolescents is usually seen after severe injury [3].
The operative findings in most of the adolescents - tightly bulging intact
annulus and gelatinous core - suggested absence of degeneration. Histological
examination of excised material however did not reveal any difference from
material removed from adults. The symptom of disc herniation depends upon
multiple factors like level of disc, stage of disc, percent canal compromise by
the disc etc. We report a prospective study which studies the correlation of
spinal canal dimension with neurological status and its surgical outcome in
lumbar PIVD.
A prospective study was conducted on patients of lumbar disc herniations in a tertiary care hospital from August 2014 to December 2015 with mean follow up of one year. The patients in the age group of 20-60 years with persistent symptoms of back or leg pain for more than 6 weeks despite conservative treatment were included in the study. The patients with cauda equina syndrome, motor weakness and persistant leg symptoms.and Bowel and bladder involvement were also included. Patients with age > 60 years, traumatic disc prolapse, spondylolithesis with disc prolapse and neurological conditions like Parkinsonism or cerebral palsy etc were excluded from the study. The detailed history and physical examination was performed and recorded in the profroma. Neurological examination was done to find out the level of involvement. Radiographs of lumbosacral spine (AP, LATERAL AND OBLIQUE VIEW) to rule out any other pathology in the lumbar spine. The canal measurement will be taken on MRI scan by the Radiologist with the computer assist. The Antero-posterior dimension will be taken as posterior margin of vertebral body to inner margin of neural arch (lamina) and measured in mm (Figure 1).
The transverse distance will be taken from inner margin of pedicles of given vertebral body and is measured in mm. The total distance of the canal will be calculated and then subtracted from the distance occupied by the prolapsed disc to calculate the final distance occupied by the prolapsed disc. The calculated canal compromise by the prolapsed disc will be graded into three grades to calculate the final outcome on degree of improvement after discectomy. The grade 1 will include distance from 7-10 mm, grade 2 from 5-7mm and grade 3 with the distance less than 5mm. The transverse dimension will be graded into four grades. Grade I include distance from 15-20 mm, grade II will include distance from 10-15 mm, grade III includes distance from 5-10mm and grade IV includes distances <5 mm. The pre-op JOA Score will be calculated and compared with post op JOA Score after standard lumbar discectomy. The correlation then will be calculated.
The assesment of the patient was done
according to Japanese Orthopaedic Association (1996) clinical symptom score for
a patient with lumbar herniated disc. This can help determine the degree of
improvement following surgical intervention. OSWESTRY DISABILITY INDEX will be
used to calculate the pain and disability of the patient first pre-operatively
and then at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The data shall be analysed with the help of
computer software, Microsoft excel and SPSS Version 15 for windows. The outcome
shall be reported as mean and standard deviation or in percentage as deemed appropriate.
The correlation shall be made using paired t-test or chi- square test and
measure of correlation such as Pearson product moment correlation co-efficient.
P value <0.05 will be statistically significant.
Forty-one patients were included in the study There were 25 males and 16 females. Mean age of the patients is 37.62 years. 20(48%) patients are in 31-50 age group. L4-S1 is the level where most of the patients present. About 2/3rd of the patients 31(75%) are present with disc at this level. Extruded disc constitutes maximum number of the patients 26(63%) (Table 1).
Grade 1 and 2 constituted 14(34%) patients
each while 12(30%) patients were in grade 3. No patient was having canal
dimension less than 5mm. Mean canal measurement was 14.20mm 27 patients present
with cauda equina syndrome. Nearly 2/3rd
of the patients were having excised disc weight 2 or less than 2 gm. The
average weight of the excised disc is 2.09gm. Dural tear occurred in 3(7%)
patients while 1 patient each was having infection, postoperative discitis. The
Oswestry disability index shows that the preoperative disability was greater
than 40% in all patients which was less than 40% after surgery in all patients
except one (Table 3,4).
shows the correlation of AP and Transverse
canal dimension with JOA score. There is weak correlation of AP canal dimension
with JOA score. The transverse canal dimension shows significant correlation
with preoperative JOA score. This implies that AP and transverse canal
dimensions are weakly correlated with patients’ clinical symptoms in all except
preoperative JOA in transverse dimension. In the (Table
5),
there negative correlation of AP and
transverse canal dimension with ODI score in all except AP in preoperative ODI
score. This implies that the patient’s clinical disability resulting from PIVD
is not related to the canal compromise observed on MRI.
We had divided the patients with AP canal
dimension into two groups, one with canal measurement < 7mm in group 1 and
> 7mm into group 2. Similarly, patients with transverse dimension were
divided into group 1 having canal dimension <13mm and group 2 with canal
dimension >13mm. We had added the constant [4]
to nullify the negative score in both preoperative and postoperative JOA score.
From this (Table 6),
mean score was lower in group 1 in JOA but
the final score was almost same in both the groups. The p-value of 0.004 was
significant in only preoperative transverse group. In short, we can conclude
that JOA score was correlated only to transverse group but the number of
patients is small, so any definite conclusion can’t be derived at the isolated
significant p-value. In the second group, mean score was higher in group 1 but
the final score again almost the same in both groups. The mean difference in
score and associated decrease is not significant in both AP and transverse group.
The p-value is insignificant in both the groups.
Low backache pain is thought to occur in
almost 80% of adults in some point in their life. Back problems are most
frequent cause of limitation of activity in persons less than 45 years of age.
The diagnosis of disc prolaspe is essentially clinical supported by radiographs
and MRI scans (Figure 2).
MRI scan gives valuable information about
level of disc, type of disc herniation, affection of nerve root etc. The
treatment of disc prolaspe is non-operative in all cases except patients with
Cauda equina syndrome. Conservative measures include back school therapy,
epidural injections, and selective nerve blocks [6-9]. Discectomy
is the standard of care in patients with failed conservative treatment which
can standard discectomy, microdiscectomy or endoscopic discectomy. The degree
of canal compromise still remains an area where not much work had been done.
The effect of canal compromise by the prolapsed disc on patients’ neurological
status and disability resulting from the herniation had been studied on 41
patients at Govt. Medical College, Jammu. All patients were followed up for one-year
[5] finds significant correlation between
patient reports of symptoms and anatomical impairment visible on lumbar MRI
scan. described that the degree of annular competence after discectomy and type
of herniation appear to have value for prediction of recurrence of sciatica,
reoperation and clinical outcome after lumbar discectomy [10-13]. had done retrospective analysis to study
on long term outcome of standard lumbar discectomy to address postoperative
problems including residual low back pain and recurrent herniation for 10 years
after lumbar discectomy (Figure 3).
They reported favorable outcome. conducted study on 115 monozygotic twins’ pair of 36 to 69 years of age. They concluded that the sensitivity of only significant MRI parameters of disc height narrowing, and annular tears is poor and alone of limited clinical importance [14-17]. Study done consisted of 283 patients who had had severe sciatica for 6 to 12 weeks were subjected to early surgery or to prolonged conservative treatment. The 1-year outcomes were similar for patients assigned to early surgery and those assigned to conservative treatment with eventual surgery if needed, but the rates of pain relief and of perceived recovery were faster for those assigned to early surgery [18-22]. Presented a review of 553 patients who underwent surgery for lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse out of which 42 patients subsequently required a second operation for recurrent sciatica (7.9% revision rate). They concluded that a contained disc protrusion was almost three times more likely to need revision surgery compared with extruded or sequestrated discs. Also, they had a significantly greater straight leg raise and reduced incidence of positive neurological findings. Therefore, a more enthusiastic conservative treatment program should be implemented in treating these patients. Prospective cohort study on 400 patients with 217 treated surgically and 183 non-surgically (Figure 4).
They concluded that the surgically treated
patients with herniated lumbar disc had more relief of leg pain compared with
non-surgically treated patients over 10 years. Prospective observational study
in 154 patients with variables of internal disc contour and nerve root
compromise at symptomatic disc level. MRI outcome was generally good for disc
herniation and nerve root compromise. Nerve root compromise had best MRI
prognosis if disc was extruded at the baseline. Concluded that in patients with
PIVD, those with thecal sac compression of one/third or more had greater
surgical treatment effect than those with small disc herniations and modic type
1 changes. In addition, patients with nerve root compression and displacement
benefit more from surgery than those with minimal nerve root impingement. Prospective
randomized (501participants) and observational cohorts (743 participants) at 13
spine clinics. Comparison between standard open dissectomy versus usual
non-operative care was done. They concluded that carefully selected patients
who underwent surgery for lumbar disc herniation achieved greater improvement
than non-surgically treated patients. There was little or no degradation of
outcomes in either group from 4 to 8 years study [23-25].
The mean score preoperatively in anteroposterior group is 9.10 and score of 27.23 postoperatively. There is increase in mean JOA score of 18.13. In transverse group, mean JOA score preoperatively is 8.8 and 27.6 postoperatively. There is also increase in mean score of 18.8. There is definite improvement in mean JOA score in two groups in our study with dissectomy. This in comparison to the Azimi et al who suggested that it is reliable and valid measure of functionality and pain among lumbar disc hernaiation patients. The cronbach alpha score preoperatively and postoperatively was 0.64 and 0.81 respectively in the said study. The mean Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score preoperatively and postoperatively anteroposterior group is 38.81(77%) and 9.05(18%) respectively in our study. There is decrease in mean score of 29.76(59.52%) in our study. In transverse group, mean ODI score is 39.5(79%) and 9.03 (18%) respectively in preoperative and postoperative group with decrease in mean score of 30.47(60%). There is decrease in mean score of almost 30 (60%) in both the groups, so there is definite benefit of doing dissectomy in these patients.
In preoperative AP group, mean JOA score
and standard deviation in group 1 and 2 is (7.46±3.45)
and (10.75±4.26) respectively while mean score
and standard deviation in postoperative group is (27.09±3.4)
and (27.37±5.09). The difference in mean score
in preoperative group is 3.29 while in postoperative group is 0.28. The
difference in mean score is not significant. The p-value is 0.06 in first group
while it is 0.85 in second group which is again not significant to have any
statistical value. In postoperative transverse group, mean JOA score and
standard deviation respectively are (6.45±4.05)
and (11.2±2.14). There is difference in mean
score of 4.75 between two groups. The p-value 0.004 is significantly correlated
in this group. Mean score and standard deviation in postoperative transverse
group is (27.09±4.78) and (28.1±3.1). The difference in mean score is 1.01. The
p-value is -5.78 which is statistically not significant. The canal compromise
by prolasped disc is thus related to patient symptoms in preoperative
transverse group but the definitive conclusion can’t be derived at this
isolated significant value (Figure 5).
Mean ODI score and standard deviation in
preoperative AP group is (37.00±7.11) and (30.62±9.63). The difference in mean score is 6.38. The
p-value is 0.39 which is not statistically significant. The mean score and standard
deviation in postoperative AP group is (9.3±10.8)
and (8.87±8.9) respectively. The difference in
mean score is 0.43and the p-value is 0.926. There is no statistical
significance of both these values. Thus, it can be concluded that the canal
compromise by prolasped disc is not related to the disability experienced by
the patient.
In preoperative transverse group, mean ODI score and standard deviation is (37.27±7.55) and (31.66±8.52) in two groups respectively. The difference in mean score is 5.61 and the p-value is 0.122. Both these values are not significant. The mean ODI score and standard deviation in postoperative transverse group is (11.36±12.85) and (6.75±4.75) respectively. The difference in mean score is 4.61. The p-value is 0.294 which is not statistically significant.
6. Conclusion
Keeping in view the above findings, it can be safely concluded the canal compromise by the prolasped disc alone is not related to the patient’s symptoms. There are other factors like position of prolapsed disc in relation to nerve root, stage of disc herniation etc. which are important in overall symptomatology of prolapsed disc
7. Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate: IEC/168. Government Medical College, Jammu.
8. Consent for Publication: Taken from patients in written.
9. Availability of Data: Yes.
10. Funding: Self-funded
11. Acknowledgement: None
12. Patient Consent: Taken
13. Conflict of Interest: None
14. Authors Information: Title page submitted in separated file.
Figure 1: Mri Showing Posterolateral Disc with
Significant Canal Compromise.
Figure 2: Radiograph showing Disc Space Narrowing at L5-S1 Level.
Figure 3: Intraoperative Picture.
Figure 4: Preoperative Mri Scan showing Extrusion of the Disc
at L5-S1 Level Picture.
Figure 5: Patient
Squatting Sitting.
GRADE |
AP DIMENSION(MM) |
NO. OF PATIENTS |
PERCENTAGE (%) |
0 |
>10 |
7 |
18 |
1 |
7-9.99 |
10 |
24 |
2 |
5-6.99 |
10 |
24 |
3 |
<5 |
14 |
34 |
TOTAL |
|
41 |
100 |
Table 1: Grading of canal dimension based on AP measurement.
GRADE |
TRANSVERSE DIMENSION (MM) |
NO. OF PATIENTS |
PERCENTAGE (%) |
0 |
>20 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
15-19.99 |
14 |
34 |
2 |
10-14.99 |
14 |
34 |
3 |
5-9.99 |
12 |
30 |
4 |
<5 |
0 |
0 |
TOTAL |
|
41 |
100 |
Table 2: Grading of canal dimension based on transverse measurement.
GRADE |
PREOP CASES |
POSTOP CASES |
Minimal (0-20%) |
0 |
33 |
Moderate (21-40%) |
0 |
6 |
Severe (41-60%) |
9 |
2 |
Crippled (61-80%) |
10 |
0 |
81-100% |
22 |
0 |
TOTAL |
41 |
41 |
Table 3: Oswestry disability index.
DIMENSION (mm) |
PREOP JOA SCORE |
POSTOP JOA SCORE |
AP |
.264 |
.221 |
TRANSVERSE |
.603 |
.129 |
Table 4: Correlation of canal dimension with JOA score.
DIMENSION (mm) |
PREOP ODI SCORE |
POSTOP ODI SCORE |
AP |
0.162 |
-0.137 |
TRANSVERSE |
-0.348 |
-0.240 |
Table 5: Correlation of canal dimension with ODI score.
S No. |
Scoring System |
Canal Measurement |
Groups |
Pre |
Post |
Pre |
Post |
||||
Mean Score |
SD |
Mean Score |
SD |
t |
p |
t |
p |
||||
1 |
JOA |
AP |
1 |
7.46 |
3.45 |
27.09 |
3.4 |
-1.939 |
0.068 |
0.172 |
0.855 |
|
|
|
2 |
10.75 |
4.26 |
27.37 |
5.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trans |
1 |
6.45 |
4.05 |
27.09 |
4.78 |
-3.29 |
0.004 |
-0.566 |
-5.78 |
|
|
|
2 |
11.2 |
2.14 |
28.1 |
3.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
ODI |
AP |
1 |
37 |
7.11 |
9.3 |
10.8 |
1.791 |
0.39 |
0.095 |
0.926 |
|
|
|
2 |
30.62 |
9.13 |
8.87 |
8.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trans |
1 |
37.27 |
7.55 |
11.36 |
12.85 |
1.612 |
0.122 |
1.08 |
0.294 |
|
|
|
2 |
31.66 |
8.52 |
6.7 |
4.76 |
|
|
|
|
Table 6: Mean score and t-test.
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