Sedimentation signal correlation and “Swiss spinal questionnaire” in lumbar stenosis

Abstract

Introduction:The spinal stenosis is the most common disease of the lumbar spine over 65 years. More specific symptoms are the progressive neurogenic claudicating, pain and muscle strength deficit started to walk. A form of clinical evaluation is performed by the "Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire" (SSSQ). An objective assessment can be made with sedimentation signal analysis seen by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective of this study is to correlate the clinical analysis through the SSSQ and sedimentation signal.Methods: clinical trial, prospective, evaluating patients seen in the Workers' Hospital of the clinic from October 2014 to May 2015; with clinical evaluation and imaging. Excluded patients who had undergone previous surgery or who did not undergo MRI.Results: 39 patients (25 men and 16 women). The mean age was 62,7years (46-87). The average score in SSSQ was 34.8 points corresponded to 66% of the maximum that could be obtained preoperatively (male average of 32.8 points -65%; average female 37.9 points -72%); 12 patients (30.76%) showed positive settling signal and 27 (69.23%) negative sedimentation signal. Patients with positive sedimentation signal had an average of 35.2 points and 37.1 points with a negative sign, with no significant difference between the data.Conclusion: the degree of clinical impairment cannot be related to the presence of sedimentation signal.

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“…1 Age was not significant in the intensity of symptoms. Barz et al 3 found that 94% of the patients had no sedimentation signal, while our data indicated 69.23%, approaching the data found by Laudato et al 8…”

“…1 The most specific symptoms are progressive neurogenic claudicating accompanied by pain and deficit of muscular strengh initiated when walking. 2 Barz et al 3 demonstrated that patients without vertebral stenosis submitted to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) presented a migration of the roots to the dorsal region of the dural sac due to gravitational action, whereas in patients with vertebral stenosis they found images of the roots without this conformation, thus defining the first as a sign of sedimentation present and the second as a sign of absent sedimentation ( Figure 1). 4,5 Patients with lumbar stenosis present variable clinical manifestations such as neurogenic claudication that manifests as a sensation of weight in the lower back radiating to the buttocks and lower limbs, numbness, weakness or burning; and sciatica as the most common complaints.…”