Decoding Disc Displacements: Key Insights from Research on Diagnosis and Symptom Severity

Disc displacements, often linked to back pain, can manifest as diffuse bulges or more localized herniations. Herniations are categorized into protrusions, which remain within the outer annular fibers, and extrusions, which break through the annulus fibrosus. Typically, extrusions are larger than protrusions (Fries et al., 1982). A study by Jensen et al. (1994) involving 98 asymptomatic volunteers and 27 back pain patients found that disc … Continue reading Decoding Disc Displacements: Key Insights from Research on Diagnosis and Symptom Severity

Are Lumbar Spine Imaging Findings Linked to Patients’ Symptoms?

Determining whether a specific lesion is responsible for a patient’s symptoms is crucial when selecting candidates for potential spinal surgery. However, there isn’t always a direct correlation between radicular pain and lumbar disc herniation. One can exist without the other, making diagnosis complex. Both mechanical compression and inflammatory factors contribute to the pathogenesis of sciatica. Additionally, non-radicular or pseudoradicular pain can originate from the hip, … Continue reading Are Lumbar Spine Imaging Findings Linked to Patients’ Symptoms?

Unveiling Rarity: Horner Syndrome Caused by Cervical Disc Herniation

Johann Friedrich Horner originally described the Horner syndrome (HS) in humans in 1869 (van der Wiel HL. 2002). HS is caused by a disruption in the oculosympathetic circuit between the hypothalamus and the orbit (Amonoo-Kuofi HS, 1999). The characteristic trio of ipsilateral eyelid ptosis, miosis, and face anhidrosis is what distinguishes HS. There are numerous causes of HS, but herniated cervical disc (HCD) is a … Continue reading Unveiling Rarity: Horner Syndrome Caused by Cervical Disc Herniation

Unraveling the Enigma: Rare Brown-Sequard Syndrome Arising from Cervical Disc Herniation

Brown-Sequard Syndrome, as delineated in 1849 by Brown-Se´quard CE, emanates from trauma inflicted upon the anatomical hemicord. This trauma precipitates disruption of the descending lateral corticospinal tracts, the ascending dorsal columns (both of which decussate in the medulla), and the ascending lateral spinothalamic tracts, which intersect within one or two levels of the dorsal root entry. While total hemisection, evoking the hallmark clinical features of … Continue reading Unraveling the Enigma: Rare Brown-Sequard Syndrome Arising from Cervical Disc Herniation

In-field note: a patient appeared with an extraspinal source of referred leg discomfort

Introduction Low back pain is not a disease, it is a symptom. It can be defined as pain between the bottom ribs and the buttock creases(Dionne et al., 2008). Chronic low back pain patients are always asking about the cause of their pain(McPhillips-Tangum et al., 1998; Cherkin et al., 1998). A lot of people can experience it during their life. For instance, 6.3%–14.4% of people … Continue reading In-field note: a patient appeared with an extraspinal source of referred leg discomfort