Interventional Spine

STEFANO, MARCIA, MD
DANIELE, MUSA, MD, Non ASSR Member
STEFANO, MARINI, MD, Non ASSR Member
MARIANGELA, MARRAS, MD, Non ASSR Member
CLAUDIA, BOI, MD, Non ASSR Member
GIORGIO, MALLARINI, Prof, Non ASSR Member

Paper/Non-Mentor

Purpose

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a narrowing of the spinal canal: LSS degenerative type usually affects people aged over 50 years and causes several symptoms, in particular neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC). The aim of this study is to provide the efficacy of a totally percutaneous interspinous spacer

Methods & Materials

Twenty patients (mean age 63,67±11,15, range 43,78) with NIC due to LSS were selected for implantation of percutaneous interspinous spacer. Diagnosis was confirmed by conventional X-Ray, CT and MRI. Each procedure was performed using an Aperius PercLID system (Kyphon Medtronic). All devices were implanted under fluoroscopic guidance and with local anesthesia. Clinical evaluation and assessment of pain by means of a Oswestry Disability Index (ODI, 0-100) test was performed before and one month after the procedure. We also carried out CT and MRI checks at one and six months.

Results

A total of 20 intervertebral spaces were treated in the 20 patients enrolled in the study. Baseline main ODI index was 54,26±22,01 while 1 month after procedure was 27,30±24,54 (p<0.001, t-test). The 30% of patients reported no improvement 1 month after implantation, three patients (15%) poor improvement and eleven patients (55,00%) good response (ODI score reduction =>50%).
Eighteen patients(90%) were used to take analgesic drugs before the implantation, while only seven(35%)continued to do.
No intraprocedural side effects, one dislocation were reported after three days.

Conclusion

Implant of percutaneous interspinous spacer is an effective and safe procedure in reducing neurogenic intermittent claudication in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.