Surgical treatment of spinal disorders in Parkinson's disease

Research Progress of Camptocormia in Parkinson Disease

Camptocormia, also known as bent spine syndrome, primarily affects individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). This review provides an overview of camptocormia in PD, covering its definition, epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. In the epidemiology section, we delve into its prevalence, gender disparities, and ongoing genetic research. Regarding diagnosis and assessment, we discuss evolving diagnostic criteria and measurement techniques, as well as new diagnostic tools. For management and treatment, a wide array of options is available, from conservative methods such as physical therapy and botulinum toxin injections to surgical interventions such as spinal orthopedic surgery and deep brain stimulation. We stress the significance of personalized care and multidisciplinary collaboration. This comprehensive review aims to provide clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals with a comprehensive understanding of camptocormia in PD, highlighting its clinical features, diagnostic strategies, management approaches, and future perspectives.

Surgery for Degenerative Spinal Pathologies in Parkinson's Patients: Low Surgical Benefits for High Risks

OBJECTIVE

Lumbar disc herniation, canal stenosis, and cervicarthrosis are degenerative spinal pathologies frequently observed in the aging population of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Spinal surgery in PD patients remains risky with uncertain functional results. The main issue is to determine whether a surgical procedure should be performed on PD patients with common degenerative spinal pathologies.

METHODS

Between 2017 and 2021, 38 PD patients were identified. Data on patient demographics was collected with outcome measures including neurological function, complications, and survival rates.

RESULTS

The median age was 70.7 years, and the median overall survival (OS) time after spinal surgery was 7 years (standard deviation [SD] 0.8). The mean follow-up time was 4.1 years. Thirteen patients (34.2%) died during the follow-up period with a median OS of 3 years. Among the 38 patients operated on: 10 (26.3%) benefited from instrumented surgery (cervicarthrosis or one-level fusion). Instrumented surgery confers a significantly lower median OS: 2.97 years versus 6.99 years for other patients (P = 0.007). The functional results of surgery regardless of type were generally poor: only 17/38 patients (44.7%) improved their walking perimeter and 20 (52.6%) reported that their pain had diminished. The two main prognosis factors with a significant link to better OS were a Hoehn and Yahr Scale ≤4 (P = 0.026), and an American Society of Anesthesiology score ≤2 (P < 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Noninstrumented or simple fusion level spinal surgery for patients with PD is fraught with numerous complications and produces very poor functional results. Nevertheless, a multidisciplinary perioperative approach for patients, with less invasive surgery whenever possible, provides the necessary conditions to ensure surgical success and avoid aggravating their fragile general condition.

Effect of electroacupuncture for Pisa syndrome in Parkinson’s disease: A case report

BACKGROUND

Pisa syndrome (PS) refers to marked lateral flexion of the trunk with a Cobb angle greater than 10°, which is typically mobile and can be resolved by lying down. PS is one of the most common postural deformities secondary to Parkinson’s disease (PD) and can aggravate scoliosis in the advanced stages of PD.

CASE SUMMARY

Here, we present the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with lateral curvature for 6 mo. Full spine X-ray films in the correct position showed that the thoracolumbar spine was bent to the right without any rotation of the vertebrae. The patient was diagnosed with Pisa syndrome. After receiving a month’s treatment with electroacupuncture, the Cobb angle decreased from 18.14° to 13.41°.

CONCLUSION

This case demonstrates that electroacupuncture can effectively improve Pisa syndrome secondary to PD with few side effects and a low risk of recurrence. Additionally, early accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are meaningful for the prognosis of PS.

Complications after Spinal Surgery in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Background:

Several studies have shown that spinal surgeries in patients who suffer from Parkinson’s Disease have a high rate of complications. These patients often need revision surgery.

Objective:

This is a retrospective study involving 21 patients with Parkinson’s Disease. This study aimed to examine the complications after spinal surgery.

Methods:

We studied 21 patients with Parkinson’s Disease retrospectively, who had undergone a previous operation by the same surgeon between 2004 to 2019. There were 11 females and 10 males. The mean age was 71.9 years (range, 52 to 85). However, the initial diagnosis and types of surgery were different. The mean time of follow-up for each patient was 3.6 years (ranging from 2 to 8 years).

Results:

Most of the patients had a post-operative complication within a period of three years. Τhe most common complication was kyphotic deformity and camptocormia. Twelve patients (57.1%) underwent revision surgery, and three patients (14.2%) denied treatment. In four patients (19.04%), kyphotic deformity or stooped posture remained. Only one patient (4.7%) presented with no complication in a follow-up of 8 years.

Conclusion:

Patients with Parkinson’s disease have a high rate of complications after spinal surgery and often need revision surgery. For this literature review, the overall number of patients was 502, and the mean revision rate was 43.6%. The surgeon must inform patients of possible complications, and a thorough post-operative observation must be implemented.

Pisa syndrome: Pathophysiology, physical rehabilitation and falls risk

BACKGROUND

Pisa syndrome (PS) is a postural disorder characterised by lateral flexion of the spine (> 10°), predisposing the affected individuals to falls, and contributing to increased mortality in neurodegenerative diseases.

OBJECTIVE

An overview of currently applied therapeutic management options, primarily focused on specifically structured rehabilitation exercises, in conjunction with falls-risk assessment in the individuals affected by PS.

METHODS

A narrative literature review, augmented with the authors' own experience in physical rehabilitation management.

RESULTS

As individuals affected by PS are evidenced to be intrinsically exposed to higher falls-risk through acquired postural deformities, they often fall victims of traumatic accidents, occasionally also facing relocation into 24-hour nursing facilities due to the injuries sustained/resultant disability, consequently having overall quality of their life appreciably reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

sA comprehensive approach is postulated in designing optimal therapeutic management, comprised of the exercises controlling postural stability, whilst reducing lower back pain, and the ones also promoting specific skills essential for coping unassisted after an accidental fall effectively. Rehabilitation of individuals affected by PS should be a fully integrated service, eliminating all identified risk factors for falls. As clinical PS symptoms tend to recur after completion of a full course of therapeutic management, all PS patients should continue the pursuit of therapeutic exercises on an individual basis, to effectively retard their recurrence. In view of overall scarcity of clinical studies completed on the large population samples of PS patients, further in-depth research is still required to ensure higher credence to overall efficacy of the presently proposed therapeutic solutions.

Surgery for spinal deformity in Parkinson's disease patients: What are we missing?

INTRODUCTION

Deformity associating coronal and sagittal malalignment can severely impair quality of life in Parkinson's disease (PD). Realignment using patient-specific rods (PSRs) is useful for achieving alignment goals.

METHODS

This was a retrospective single-center analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all PD patients who underwent surgery between January 2013 and January 2017. Clinical evaluation, preoperatively and at 1 year's follow-up, used the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Radiological evaluation used systematic preoperative and 1-year postoperative full-spine radiographs.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were included: 6 female, 6 male; mean age, 68.4 years. Mean follow-up was 40.8 months [range 12-70]. On average, 14 levels were fused [range 10-18]. Unplanned revision surgery was necessary for 8 patients at a mean 15.625 months after index surgery. Mean preoperative ODI score was 64% preoperatively [range 56-70] versus 52% [range 28-64] at 1 year's follow-up (P=0.004). Lumbar lordosis improved significantly, from -16.7° preoperatively to -41.4° at 1 year (P=0.006). Pelvic tilt was the least effectively corrected parameter, with a mean preoperative value of 31.6° vs. 27.8° at 1 year (P=0.19). Mean preoperative sagittal vertical axis was 149.7mm versus 73.6mm at 1 year (P=0.013). Mean preoperative coronal tilt was 68.2mm versus 22.9mm at 1 year (P=0.007).

CONCLUSION

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease frequently associated with major spine malalignment. The severity of the postural disorders in these patients needs special precautions to avoid complications.

Contribution of Basal Ganglia to the Sense of Upright: A Double-Blind Within-Person Randomized Trial of Subthalamic Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease with Pisa Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Verticality perception is frequently altered in Parkinson's disease (PD) with Pisa syndrome (PS). Is it the cause or the consequence of the PS?

OBJECTIVE

We tested the hypothesis that both scenarios coexist.

METHODS

We performed a double-blind within-person randomized trial (NCT02704910) in 18 individuals (median age 63.5 years) with PD evolving for a median of 17.5 years and PS for 2.5 years and treated with bilateral stimulation of the subthalamus nuclei (STN-DBS) for 6.5 years. We analyzed whether head and trunk orientations were congruent with the visual (VV) and postural (PV) vertical, and whether switching on one or both sides of the STN-DBS could modulate trunk orientation via verticality representation.

RESULTS

The tilted verticality perception could explain the PS in 6/18 (33%) patients, overall in three right-handers (17%) who showed net and congruent leftward trunk and PV tilts. Two of the 18 (11%) had an outstanding clinical picture associating leftward: predominant parkinsonian symptoms, whole-body tilt (head -11°, trunk -8°) and transmodal tilt in verticality perception (PV -10°, VV -8.9°). Trunk orientation or VV were not modulated by STN-DBS, whereas PV tilts were attenuated by unilateral or bilateral stimulations if it was applied on the opposite STN.

CONCLUSION

In most cases of PS, verticality perception is altered by the body deformity. In some cases, PS seems secondary to a biased internal model of verticality, and DBS on the side of the most denervated STN attenuated PV tilts with a quasi-immediate effect. This is an interesting track for further clinical studies.

Circumferential Operations of the Cervical Spine

Generally, a combined anterior and posterior cervical approach is associated with significant morbidity since it requires an extended operative time, greater intraoperative blood loss, and both anterior- and posterior-related surgical complications. However, there are some instances where a circumferential cervical fusion can be advantageous. Our objective is to discuss the indications for circumferential cervical spine procedures. A narrative review of the literature was performed. We include the indications for circumferential cervical approaches of the senior author (KDR). Indications for circumferential approaches include: (1) high-risk patients for pseudoarthrosis, (2) cervical deformity (e.g. , degenerative, posttraumatic, cervicothoracic kyphosis), (3) cervical spine metastases (especially those with multilevel involvement), (4) cervical spine infection, (5) unstable cervical trauma, (6) movement disorders and cerebral palsy, (7) Multiply operated patient (especially postlaminectomy kyphosis and patients with massive ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament), and when (8) early fusion is desirable. Circumferential procedures may be useful in many different cervical spine conditions requiring surgery. Despite its advantages, particularly with reducing the risk for pseudarthrosis, the benefits of a combined approach must be weighed against the risks associated with a dual approach. With appropriate preoperative planning, intraoperative decision-making, and surgical techniques, excellent clinical outcomes can be achieved.

Surgical outcome of upper extremity fractures in patients with Parkinson's disease

Patients with Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (PD) have an increased risk for fractures. Currently, many studies have reported inferior outcomes in PD patients after orthopedic procedures. However, there are very few studies assessing the outcome of upper extremity fractures (UEF) in PD patients. In this study, we reviewed 40 patients with PD that received surgical intervention for an UEF. We retrospectively reviewed patients with PD that received surgical fixation for an UEF at a tertiary trauma center. The primary objective was to determine the treatment failure rate after surgical fixation. The secondary outcomes include mode of failure, time to treatment failure, length of hospital stay, readmission rate, reoperation rate, and postoperative complications. A total of 40 patients with PD (42 fractures) underwent surgery. The most common fracture type was radius fracture (n = 19), followed by humerus fracture (n = 15), metacarpal/phalangeal fracture (n = 5), clavicle fracture (n = 2) and olecranon fracture (n = 1). The overall treatment failure rate was 40.5% (n = 17). The time to treatment failure was 1.24 ± 3.1 months and length of hospital stay was 6 ± 3.9 days, the readmission rate within 30 days was 14% (n = 6), and reoperation rate was 14% (n = 6). The complication rate was 16.6% (n = 7) and patients with humeral fractures appeared to have the longest hospital stays (6.6 days) and increased complication rates (13%, n = 2). Patients with PD have high treatment failure rates despite surgical fixation of an UEF. These patients often have a frail status with multiple comorbidities which may complicate their postoperative course.

Level of evidence level 4 case series.

Acute Spinal Cord Contusion in a Patient with Multiple Upper Cervical Fractures, Parkinson's Disease, and Torticollis: Surgical Management

Case Report. Spine surgery in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) involves increased risk. We describe a case of cervical myelopathy in a patient with PD, multiple fractures involving the atlas and axis vertebrae, and spasmodic torticollis. The patient was successfully treated with an upper cervical decompression and occipital-cervical (OC) fusion surgery. Strategies for torticollis reduction and successful surgical outcome are discussed. Risks and benefits must be carefully weighed when considering occipital cervical fusion in PD patients. Conclusion. Intraoperative manual reduction of laterocollis is possible after general endotracheal anesthesia, and continuous neuromonitoring is established. Use of optimizing strategies such as perioperative botulinum injections and intraoperative O-arm navigation should be considered.

Clinical Perspectives of Parkinson's Disease for Ophthalmologists, Otorhinolaryngologists, Cardiologists, Dentists, Gastroenterologists, Urologists, Physiatrists, and Psychiatrists

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisystemic disorder characterized by various non-motor symptoms (NMS) in addition to motor dysfunction. NMS include sleep, ocular, olfactory, throat, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or musculoskeletal disorders. A range of NMS, particularly hyposmia, sleep disturbances, constipation, and depression, can even appear prior to the motor symptoms of PD. Because NMS can affect multiple organs and result in major disabilities, the recognition and multidisciplinary and collaborative management of NMS by physicians is essential for patients with PD. Therefore, the aim of this review article is to provide an overview of the organs that are affected by NMS in PD together with a brief review of pathophysiology and treatment options.

The Study of Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson Disease-Associated Camptocormia

BACKGROUND Camptocormia is an axis symptom of Parkinson disease. It remains uncertain whether treatment with medications and surgery are effective. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) in Parkinson disease-associated camptocormia and explored some of its mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS Parkinson disease-associated camptocormia was diagnosed by the following procedures. All patients underwent bilateral STN DBS. The patents' camptocormia was rated by degree and MDS Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) item 3.13 before and after DBS surgery. Rehabilitation and psychological interventions were used after surgery, in addition to adjustments of medication and stimulus parameters. The treatment effects on camptocormia were assessed comparing medication-off (presurgery) versus stimulation-on (post-surgery). Ethical approval for this study was provided through the Center of Human Research Ethics Committee (No. 2019-35). This study trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR1900022655). All the participants provided written informed consent. RESULTS After DBS surgery, all of study patients' symptoms were improved, with different levels of improvement. The minimum and maximum improvement rates were 20% and 100% respectively. The score of item 3.13 of the MDS-UPDRS III and the degree of camptocormia were found to be obviously improved (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS STN DBS can improve Parkinson disease-associated camptocormia; STN DBS assisted with rehabilitation and psychological intervention appears to be more effective.

Extensive Spinal Fusion Surgery in Patients With Parkinson Disease or Atypical Parkinsonism: Time Course of Clinical Outcomes in 5 Years Progress Report

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the mid-term results of extensive spinal fusion surgery in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) or atypical Parkinsonism, especially with respect to their activities of daily living (ADL) over time SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Postural disorders associated with PD lead to spinal imbalance and deformity, resulting in significant disabilities. Clinical outcomes of extensive fusion surgeries in patients with PD over a medium-term follow-up period are currently unknown.

METHODS

Patients with PD who underwent extensive fusion surgery more than 5 years prior were included. The patients' backgrounds, surgical and radiographic parameters, perioperative and mechanical complications, and indoor ADL over time were assessed. To assess the activities of severely disabled patients, indoor ADL was classified into four stages: independent; or cane, walker, and wheelchair use.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients (mean age, 70.6 yrs) were included. The mean blood loss, duration of surgery, and fusion levels were 2039 mL, 424 minutes, and 11.9 levels, respectively. Sagittal vertical axis improved from 220 mm preoperatively to 95 mm postoperatively. Perioperative complications were observed in 17 cases (77%). Before surgery, 1, 5, 12, and four cases were independent in ADL, T-cane, walker, and wheelchair use, respectively, which improved to seven, four, six, and four, respectively in 1 year. Revision surgeries were performed in eight patients (36%) within 3 years of surgery. In the 3 to 5 years after the surgery, the ADL of nine patients worsened due to deterioration of PD. Fifteen cases were followed up over 5 years, at which one, two, four, and seven cases were independent in ADL, cane, walker, and wheelchair use, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Surgical intervention in PD patients with spinal deformities leads to good short-term outcomes; however, the patients' conditions deteriorated because of complications within 3 years and worsening of PD over 3 years after the surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Analysis of Relationships between Spinal Deformity and Walking Ability in Parkinson's Disease Patients

Introduction

This study aimed to determine impacts on walking ability of spinal deformity and imbalance as distinct from movement disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

Thirty-two patients (15 males, 17 females; mean age 72.5 years) were analyzed. Three, thirteen, eleven, and five were at Hoehn-Yahr stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. In addition to various spinal imbalance and deformity classifications the following were assessed: Cobb angle (CA) for scoliosis, thoracic kyphosis (TK) at T2-12, thoracolumbar kyphosis(TLK) at T12-L2, lumbar lordosis(LL) at L1-S1, pelvic tilt(PT), pelvic incidence(PI), and sagittal vertical axis(SVA). The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to measure walking ability. Patients were evaluated using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III, and bone mineral density (BMD) scans.

Results

Nineteen patients (59%) had spinal deformity and imbalance within the following classifications: thoracic scoliosis, 1; thoracic kyphosis, 2; lumbar scoliosis, 15; Pisa syndrome, 3; camptocormia, 2. Mean values were 20.0° CA for scoliosis, 42.3° TK, 14.8° TLK, 26.7° LL, 20.8° PT, 48.8° PI, and 66.4 mm SVA. The mean TUG score was 13.9s. The UPDRS III mean was 36.6±24.5 points. Mean BMD was 0.856 g/cm² at lumbar L2-4 and 0.585 g/cm² at the femoral neck. UPDRS part III (P<0.001), LL (P<0.05), and femoral neck BMD (P<0.05) significantly correlated to TUG test results.

Conclusions

Distinct from the movement disorders of PD (UPDRS III), loss of normal LL and loss of BMD at the femoral neck were shown to be correlated with diminished walking ability (TUG test) in PD patients. When UPDRS improved in response to L-dopa, walking ability improved. In addition to any PD-specific interventions that contribute to the maintenance of ambulation, interventions specific to the restoration of LL, as well as early treatment for osteoporosis may positively affect HRQOL in PD.

Injection of Onabotulinum Toxin A into the Bilateral External Oblique Muscle Attenuated Camptocormia: A Prospective Open-Label Study in Six Patients with Parkinson's Disease

INTRODUCTION

Camptocormia (severe bending of the spine) is a debilitating complication of Parkinson's disease (PD) without established treatment. Botulinum toxin (BT) may be beneficial, but data is scarce regarding the efficacy of administration of BT into the bilateral external oblique (EO) muscle for treatment of camptocormia in PD.

METHODS

Six patients with PD and camptocormia, with flexion of the thoracic spine, were enrolled in the study. BT (75 or 90 units, onabotulinum toxin A) were injected into each EO bilaterally under sonographic guidance. Camptocormia angle (CA) was defined as the angle between the acromion-greater trochanter line and a vertical line. CA and disabling symptoms were evaluated during the treatment course.

RESULTS

Two weeks after the injection of BT, the mean CA showed significant attenuation [median (interquartile range); 38° (23.5°) vs. 18° (21°), p = 0.028]. Subjective relief was present in cases 1-3 and 6, and absent in cases 4 and 5. Cases 1-3 received repeated injections to maintain the amelioration; in cases 1 and 2, this was for 1 year or longer, while falls of case 3 limited the amelioration.

CONCLUSION

Botulinum therapy into bilateral EO attenuated the angle of thoracic-level camptocormia in six patients with PD over the observation period of 2 weeks. The reproducibility of the results, long-term efficacy, and subjective relief of symptoms require further examination.