Ajay Krishnan

Outcome of percutaneous continuous drainage of psoas abscess: A clinically guided technique

Background: Percutaneous aspiration of abscesses under ultrasonography (USG) and computer tomography (CT) scan has been well described. With recurrence rate reported as high as 66%. The open drainage and percutaneous continuous drainage (PCD) has reduced the recurrence rate. The disadvantage of PCD under CT is radiation hazard and problems of asepsis. Hence a technique of clinically guided percutaneous continuous drainage of the psoas abscess without real-time imaging overcomes these problems. We describe clinically guided PCD of psoas abscess and its outcome. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine patients with dorsolumbar spondylodiscitis without gross neural deficit with psoas abscess of size >5 cm were selected for PCD. It was done as a day care procedure under local anesthesia. Sequentially, aspiration followed by guide pin-guided trocar and catheter insertion was done without image guidance. Culture sensitivity was done and chemotherapy initiated and catheter kept till the drainage was <10 ml for 48 hours. Outcome assessment was done with relief of pain, successful abscess drainage and ODI (Oswestry Disability Index) score at 2 years. Results: PCD was successful in all cases. Back and radicular pain improved in all cases. Average procedure time was 24.30 minutes, drain output was 234.40 ml, and the drainage duration was 7.90 days. One patient required surgical stabilisation due to progression of the spondylodiscitis resulting in instability inspite of successful drainage of abscess. Problems with the procedure were noticed in six patients. Multiple attempts (n = 2), persistent discharge (n = 1) for 2 weeks, blocked catheter (n = 2) and catheter pull out (n = 1) occurred with no effect on the outcome. The average ODI score improved from 62.47 to 5.51 at 2 years. Conclusions: Clinically guided PCD is an efficient, safe and easy procedure in drainage of psoas abscess.

Magnetic resonance myelography in early postoperative lumbar discectomy: An efficient and cost effective modality

Background: Magnetic resonance myelography (MRM) after lumbar discectomy is all too often an unrewarding challenge. A constellation of findings are inevitable, and determining their significance is often difficult. MRM is a noninvasive technique that can provide anatomical information about the subarachnoid space. Until now, there is no study reported in literature showing any clinico-radiological correlation of post operative MRM. The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of MRM for the demonstration of decompression in operated discectomy patients and its correlation with subjective and objective outcome (pain and SLR) in immediate postoperative period. Materials and Methods: Fifty three patients of single level lumbar disc herniation (LDH) justifying the inclusion criteria were operated for discectomy. All patients underwent MRM on second/third postoperative day. The pain relief and straight leg raise sign improvement was correlated with the postoperative MRM images to group the patients into: A- Subjective Pain relief, SLR improved and MRM image showing myelo regression; B- Subjective Pain relief, SLR improved and MRM image showing no myelo regression; C- No Subjective Pain relief, no SLR improved and MRM image showing myelo regression and; D- No Subjective Pain relief, no SLR improved and MRM image showing no myelo regression. Results: The result showed that Group A had 46 while Group B, C and Group D had 4, 2 and one patients respectively. Clinico-radiological correlation (Clinically diagnosed patient and findings with MRM correlation) was present in 47 patients (88.68%) which includes both A and D groups. The MRM specificity and sensitivity were 92% and 33.33% respectively. Conclusion: MRM is a non-invasive, efficient and reliable tool in confirming postoperative decompression in lumbar discectomy patients, especially when economic factors are to be considered and the required expertise to reliably read a complex confusing post-operative MRI is not available readily. Further, controlled double blinded multicentric study in operated and non operated LDH, with MRI comparison would give better evidence to justify its use in screening to detect persisting compression and to document decompression.

The Relationship of Facet Joint Orientation and Tropism with Lumbar Disc Herniation and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis in the Lower Lumbar Spine

Study Design Retrospective study. Purpose This study aimed to clarify the relationship of both facet tropism (FT) and the sagittally aligned facet (SAF) joint with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). Overview of Literature Despite several studies conducted, there is no consensus on the association of the SAF joint and FT with DH and DS. Methods Between June 2015 and December 2017, magnetic resonance imaging scans of 250 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for LDH and DS were analyzed. The facet angles at all the lower lumbar levels were calculated, and SAF and FT were noted. The relationship between the side of disc herniation and that of the SAF joint were also determined. Statistical analysis was performed, and the relation of SAF and FT to LDH and DS was noted. Results We observed a positive relationship between SAF and LDH at L4–5 and L5–S1 with a p-value of 0.02 (<0.05). FT demonstrated a positive association with LDH at L4–5 (p=0.047) but not at L3–4 or L5–S1. SAF demonstrated a positive relationship with DS at L3–4 (p<0.001) but not at L3–4 or L5–S1. FT demonstrated a significant relation with DS at L4–5 (p<0.001), whereas no positive association was observed at L3–4 and L5–S1. Conclusions The L4–5 level demonstrated a significant association with SAF and FT in LDH and DS. Moreover, SAF at L5–S1 demonstrated a positive association with LDH. These findings provide useful information for future longitudinal studies to elucidate the possible causes for such phenomena.