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Purpose: To determine the presence of infectious microorganisms in the herniated discs of immunocompetent patients, using methodology that we hoped would be of higher sensitivity and specificity than has been reported in the past. Recent studies have demonstrated a significant rate of positive cultures for low virulent organisms in excised HNP samples (range 19-53%). These studies have served as the theoretical basis for a pilot trial, and then, a well done prospective randomized trial that demonstrated that systemic treatment with antibiotics may yield lasting improvements in a subset of patients with axial back pain. Whether the reported positive cultures in discectomy specimens represent true positives is as yet not proven, and critically important if underlying the basis of therapeutic approaches for chronic low back pain.Methods: This consecutive case series from a single academic center included 44 patients with radiculopathy and MRI findings of lumbar HNP. Patients elected for lumbar microdiscectomy after failure of conservative management. All patients received primary surgery at a single spinal level in the absence of immune compromise. Excised disc material was analyzed with a real-time PCR assay targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene followed by amplicon sequencing. No concurrent cultures were performed. Inclusion criteria were as follows: sensory or motor symptoms in a single lumbar nerve distribution; positive physical examination findings including positive straight leg raise test, distributional weakness, and/or a diminished deep tendon reflexes; and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine positive for HNP in a distribution correlating with the radicular complaint.Results: The PCR assay for the 16S rRNA sequence was negative in all 44 patients (100%). 95% CI 0-8%.Conclusions: Based on the data presented here, there does not appear to be a significant underlying rate of bacterial disc infection in immunocompetent patients presenting with radiculopathy from disc herniation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Cross-sectional cohort analysis of patients with Modic Changes (MC).Objective: Our goal was to characterize the molecular and cellular features of MC bone marrow and adjacent discs. We hypothesized that MC associate with biologic cross-talk between discs and bone marrow, the presence of which may have both diagnostic and therapeutic implications.Background Data: MC are vertebral bone marrow lesions that can be a diagnostic indicator for discogenic low back pain. Yet, the pathobiology of MC is largely unknown.Methods: Patients with Modic type 1 or 2 changes (MC1, MC2) undergoing at least 2-level lumbar interbody fusion with one surgical level having MC and one without MC (control level). Two discs (MC, control) and two bone marrow aspirates (MC, control) were collected per patient. Marrow cellularity was analyzed using flow cytometry. Myelopoietic differentiation potential of bone marrow cells was quantified to gauge marrow function, as was the relative gene expression profiles of the marrow and disc cells. Disc/bone marrow cross-talk was assessed by comparing MC disc/bone marrow features relative to unaffected levels.Results: Thirteen MC1 and eleven MC2 patients were included. We observed pro-osteoclastic changes in MC2 discs, an inflammatory dysmyelopoiesis with fibrogenic changes in MC1 and MC2 marrow, and up-regulation of neurotrophic receptors in MC1 and MC2 bone marrow and discs.Conclusion: Our data reveal a fibrogenic and pro-inflammatory cross-talk between MC bone marrow and adjacent discs. This provides insight into the pain generator at MC levels and informs novel therapeutic targets for treatment of MC-associated LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) and intraoperative manual traction to correct severe post-tubercular spinal deformity incurred during childhood. Methods: A retrospective review of 11 patients' (4 males and 7 females) charts was performed. Clinical outcome assessment was performed using Oswestry Disability Index and Visual Analog Scale for back pain. Imaging measurements and fusion status were assessed using plain radiography and computed tomography. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: No perioperative mortality occurred among the patients. The average follow-up was 42.8 ± 13.1 months (range 25-60 months). Kyphosis improved from a preoperative average of 93.4° ± 10.1° to a postoperative average of 18.7° ± 6.3° for a correction of 80.1 %. The Cobb angle in the coronal plane improved from an average of 48.1° ± 18.9° to 10.3° ± 3.0° postoperatively for a correction of 76.3 %. At the last follow-up, two patients improved neurologically from ASIA grade C to grade D, and one patient improved from grade C to grade E. Only one patient with ASIA grade D deficits did not improve. Perioperative complications occurred in 4 of the 11 cases. One patient had a dural tear. Three patients had temporary degradation of intraoperative neuromonitoring, and one experienced transient paralysis of the left lower extremity postoperatively. Conclusions: PVCR and intraoperative manual traction are effective alternatives to manage severe post-tubercular spinal deformity although the procedure can be highly challenging with possible neurologic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 22-year-old collegiate swimmer who experienced progressive weakness in both lower extremities and sharp pain in the neck and middle part of the back. He was rushed to the emergency department after being awoken by a searing interscapular back pain and decreased strength in the legs. He underwent radiography which revealed no acute changes in the lumbar spine as well as magnetic resonance imaging which showed that there is a large compressive lesion.

Abstract: Background: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is frequently used to evaluate first-time episodes of serious low back pain (LBP). Common degenerative findings are often interpreted as recent developments and the probable anatomic cause of the new symptoms. To date no prospective study has established a baseline MR status of the lumbar spine in subjects without significant LBP problems and prospectively surveyed these subjects for acute changes shortly after new and serious LBP episodes. This method can identify new versus old MR findings possibly associated with the acute symptomatic episode. Purpose: To determine if new and serious episodes of LBP are associated with new and relevant findings on MRI. Study design: Prospective observational study with baseline and post-LBP MRI monitoring of 200 subjects over 5 years. Outcome measures: Clinical outcomes: LBP intensity (visual analogue scale), Oswestry Disability Index, and work loss. MRI outcomes: disc degeneration, herniation, annular fissures, end plate changes, facet arthrosis, canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and root impingement. Methods: 200 subjects with a lifetime history of no significant LBP problems, and a high risk for new LBP episodes were studied at baseline with physical examination, plain radiographs, and MR imaging. Subjects were followed every 6 months for 5 years with a detailed telephone interview. Subjects with a new severe LBP episode (LBP≥6/10,>1 week) were assessed for new diagnostic tests. New MR imaging, taken within 6 to 12 weeks of the start of a new LBP episode, was compared with baseline (asymptomatic) images. Two independent and blinded readers evaluated each baseline and follow-up study. Results: During the 5-year observation period of 200 subjects, 51 (25%) subjects were evaluated with a lumbar MRI for clinically serious LBP episodes, and 3/51 (6%) had a primary radicular complaint. These 51 subjects had 67 MR scans. Of 51 subjects, 43 (84%) had either unchanged MR or showed regression of baseline changes. The most common progressive findings were disc signal loss (10%), progressive facet arthrosis (10%), or increased end plate changes (4%). Only two subjects, both with primary radicular complaints, had new findings of probable clinical significance (4%). Subjects having another MR were more likely to have had chronic pain at baseline (odds ratio [OR]=3.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61–6.32), to smoke (OR=5.81; 95% CI 1.99–16.45), have baseline psychological distress (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.15–4.49), and have previous disputed compensation claims (OR=2.35; 95% CI 0.97–5.69). Subjects involved in current compensation claims were also more likely to have an MR scan to evaluate the LBP episode (risk ratio=4.75, p<.001), but were unlikely to have significant new findings. New findings were not more frequent in subjects with LBP episodes developing after minor trauma than when LBP developed spontaneously. Conclusion: Findings on MR imaging within 12 weeks of serious LBP inception are highly unlikely to represent any new structural change. Most new changes (loss of disc signal, facet arthrosis, and end plate signal changes) represent progressive age changes not associated with acute events. Primary radicular syndromes may have new root compression findings associated with root irritation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]