scholarly journals The Role of the Ligamentum Flavum Area as a Morphological Parameter of Lumbar Central Spinal Stenosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (20;3) ◽  
pp. E419-E424
Author(s):  
Jeong Hun Suh

Background: Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum (LF) has been considered as a major cause of lumbar central spinal stenosis (LCSS). Previous studies have found that ligamentum flavum thickness (LFT) is correlated with aging, disc degeneration, and lumbar spinal stenosis. However, hypertrophy is different from thickness. Thus, to evaluate hypertrophy of the whole LF, we devised a new morphological parameter, called the ligamentum flavum area (LFA). Objectives: We hypothesized that the LFA is a key morphologic parameter in the diagnosis of LCSS. Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: The single center study in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Methods: LF samples were collected from 166 patients with LCSS, and from 167 controls who underwent lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of a routine medical examination. T1- weighted axial MR imageswere acquired at the facet joint level from individual patients. We measured the LFA and LFT at the L4-L5 intervertebral level on MRI using a picture archiving and communications system. The LFA was measured as the cross-sectional area of the whole LF at the L4-L5 stenotic level. The LFT was measured by drawing a line along the side of the ligament facing the spinal canal and along the laminar side of the ligament curve and then measuring the thickest point at the L4-L5 level. Results: The average LFA was 96.56 ± 30.74 mm2 in the control group and 132.69 ± 32.68 mm2 in the LCSS group. The average LFT was 3.61 ± 0.72 mm in the control group and 4.24 ± 0.97 mm in the LCSS group. LCSS patients had significantly higher LFA (P < 0.001) and LFT (P < 0.001). Regarding the validity of both LFA and LFT as predictors of LCSS, Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed that the best cut-off point for the LFA was 105.90 mm2 , with 80.1% sensitivity, 76.0% specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.78 – 0.87). The best cut off-point of the LFT was 3.74 mm, with 70.5% sensitivity, 66.5% specificity, and AUC of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.66 – 0.77). Limitations: The principal methodological limitation was the retrospective observational nature. Anatomically, degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis can involve the central canal, foramina, and lateral recess. However, we focused on LCSS only. Conclusions: Although the LFT and LFA were both significantly associated with LCSS, the LFA was a more sensitive measurement parameter. Thus, to evaluate LCSS patients, the treating doctor should more carefully analyze the LFA than LFT. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval number: S2015-1328-0001 Key words: Ligamentum flavum, ligamentum flavum area, ligamentum flavum thickness, lumbar central spinal stenosis, hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum, morphological parameter, crosssectional area, optimal cut-off point

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Liu ◽  
Yingjie Qi ◽  
Diarra Mohamed Diaty ◽  
Guanglei Zheng ◽  
Xiaoqiang Shen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This paper is to first describe percutaneous endoscopy in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis secondary to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy targetedly. To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous endoscopy in the treatment of this kind of lumbar spinal stenosis in elderly patients. Method: A retrospective analysis of 40 elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis secondary to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy admitted between January 2016 and January 2018 was performed. According to different surgical methods, they were divided into two groups: the control group and the endoscopy group (interlaminar approach), 20 people per group. There were 9 males and 11 females in the control group; the age of patients was 65.65 ± 4.44years, and the average disease duration was 4.55 ± 1.85 years. Besides, There were 10 males and 10 females in the endoscopy group; the age of patients was 67.30 ± 4.23years, and the average disease duration was 4.95 ± 2.04 years. Collect and count surgical-related indicators, preoperative and postoperative radiologic findings, incision visual analogue scale (VAS), lumbar and leg pain VAS, lumbar Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores of all patients. Result A series of surgical indicators (including the operation time, the quantity of bleeding and postoperative hospital stay) in the endoscopy group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The incision VAS score in the endoscopy group was also significantly lower than that in the control group at each time after surgery (p < 0.05). Besides, compared with the control group, in the endoscopy group, the leg pain VAS score and lumbar ODI score after surgery were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, in the endoscopy group, the lumbar JOA score was significantly higher (p < 0.05). Conclusion Percutaneous endoscopic technique is a small trauma, quick recovery, safe and effective minimally invasive surgery for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis secondary to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Janan Abbas ◽  
Natan Peled ◽  
Israel Hershkovitz ◽  
Kamal Hamoud

The aim of this study is to establish whether facet tropism (FT) and orientation (FO) are associated with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS). A retrospective computerized tomography (CT) study including 274 individuals was divided into two groups: control (82 males and 81 females) and stenosis (59 males and 52 females). All participants have undergone high-resolution CT scan of the lumbar spine in the same position. FT and FO were measured at L1-2 to L5-S1. Significant sagittal FO was noted in the stenosis males (L2-3 to L4-5) and females (L2-3 to L5-S1) compared to the controls. The prevalence of FT was remarkably greater in the stenosis males (L4-5, L5-S1) and females (L3-4, L5-S1) compared to their counterparts in the control group. Our results also showed that FT (L3-4 to L5-S1) increases approximately 2.9 times the likelihood for DLSS development. This study indicates that FO and FT in the lower lumbar spine are significantly associated with DLSS.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Michael Mayer ◽  
Franziska Heider

Objective.Selective, bilateral multisegmental microsurgical decompression of lumbar spinal canal stenosis through separate, alternating cross-over approaches.Indications. Two-segmental and multisegmental degenerative central and lateral lumbar spinal stenosis.Contraindications. None.Surgical Technique.Minimally invasive, muscle, and facet joint-sparing bilateral decompression of the lumbar spinal canal through 2 or more alternating microsurgical cross-over approaches from one side.Results.From December 2010 until December 2015 we operated on 202 patients with 2 or multisegmental stenosis (115 f; 87 m; average age 69.3 yrs, range 51–91 yrs). All patients were suffering from symptoms typical of a degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. All patients complained about back pain; however the leg symptoms were dominant in all cases. Per decompressed segment, the average OR time was 36 min and the blood loss 45.7 cc. Patients were mobilized 6 hrs postop and hospitalization averaged 5.9 days. A total of 116/202 patients did not need submuscular drainage. 27/202 patients suffered from a complication (13.4%). Dural tears occurred in 3.5%, an epidural hematoma in 5.5%, a deep wound infection in 1.98%, and a temporary radiculopathy postop in 1.5%. Postop follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months. There was a significant improvement of EQ 5 D, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), VAS for Back and Leg Pain, and preoperative standing times and walking distances.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Janan Abbas ◽  
Natan Peled ◽  
Israel Hershkovitz ◽  
Kamal Hamoud

The aim of this study was to compare pedicle dimensions in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) with those in the general population. A retrospective computerized tomography (CT) study for lumbar vertebrae (L1 to L5) from two sample populations was used. The first included 165 participants with symptomatic DLSS (age range: 40-88 years, sex ratio: 80 M/85 F), and the second had 180 individuals from the general population (age range: 40-99 years, sex ratio: 90 M/90 F). Both males and females in the stenosis group manifested significantly greater pedicle width than the control group at all lumbar levels (P<0.05). In addition, pedicle heights for stenosis females were remarkably smaller on L4 and L5 levels compared to their counterparts in the control group (P<0.001). Males have larger pedicles than females for all lumbar levels (P<0.001). Age and BMI did not demonstrate significant association with pedicle dimensions. Our outcomes indicate that individuals with DLSS have larger pedicle widths than the control group. More so, pedicle dimensions are gender-dependent but independent of age and BMI.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Janan Abbas ◽  
Natan Peled ◽  
Israel Hershkovitz ◽  
Kamal Hamoud

The aim of this study was to shed light on the association between lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) and degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS). A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed on 165 individuals that were diagnosed with clinical picture of DLSS (age range: 40-88 years; sex ratio: 80M/85F) and 180 individuals without DLSS related symptoms (age range: 40-99 years; sex ratio: 90M/90F). All participants had undergone high-resolution CT scan for the lumbar region in the same position. We also used the volume rendering method to obtain three-dimensional CT images of the lumbosacral area. Both males and females in the stenosis group manifest greater prevalence of LSTV than their counterparts in the control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the presence of LSTV increases the likelihood of degenerative spinal stenosis (odds ratio= 3.741, P<0.001). In the control group, LSTV was more common in males, and sacral slope angle of males was significantly greater in LSTV group compared to non-LSTV. This study indicates that LSTV was significantly associated with symptomatic DLSS.


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