Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    Clinical validity of the nerve root sedimentation sign in patients with suspected lumbar spinal stenosis

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Barz, T.
    Staub, L.
    Melloh, Markus
    Hamann, G.
    Lord, S.
    Chatfield, M.
    Bossuyt, P.
    Lange, J.
    Merk, H.
    Date
    2014
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Barz, T. and Staub, L. and Melloh, M. and Hamann, G. and Lord, S. and Chatfield, M. and Bossuyt, P. et al. 2014. Clinical validity of the nerve root sedimentation sign in patients with suspected lumbar spinal stenosis. Spine Journal. 14 (4): pp. 667-674.
    Source Title
    Spine Journal
    DOI
    10.1016/j.spinee.2013.06.105
    ISSN
    1529-9430
    School
    Curtin Medical School
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/44401
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Background context: The nerve root sedimentation sign in transverse magnetic resonance imaging has been shown to discriminate well between selected patients with and without lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), but the performance of this new test, when used in a broader patient population, is not yet known. Purpose: To evaluate the clinical performance of the nerve root sedimentation sign in detecting central LSS above L5 and to determine its potential significance for treatment decisions. Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Patient sample: One hundred eighteen consecutive patients with suspected LSS (52% women, median age 62 years) with a median follow-up of 24 months. Outcome measures: Oswestry disability index (ODI) and back and leg pain relief. Methods: We performed a clinical test validation study to assess the clinical performance of the sign by measuring its association with health outcomes. Subjects were patients referred to our orthopedic spine unit from 2004 to 2007 before the sign had been described. Based on clinical and radiological diagnostics, patients had been treated with decompression surgery or nonsurgical treatment. Changes in the ODI and pain from baseline to 24-month follow-up were compared between sedimentation sign positives and negatives in both treatment groups. Results: Sixty-nine patients underwent surgery. Average baseline ODI in the surgical group was 54.7%, and the sign was positive in 39 patients (mean ODI improvement 29.0 points) and negative in 30 (ODI improvement 28.4), with no statistically significant difference in ODI and pain improvement between groups. In the 49 patients of the nonsurgical group, mean baseline ODI was 42.4%; the sign was positive in 18 (ODI improvement 0.6) and negative in 31 (ODI improvement 17.7). A positive sign was associated with a smaller ODI and back pain improvement than negative signs (both p<.01 on t test). Conclusions: In patients commonly treated with decompression surgery, the sedimentation sign does not appear to predict surgical outcome. In nonsurgically treated patients, a positive sign is associated with more limited improvement. In these cases, surgery might be effective, but this needs investigation in prospective randomized trials (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, number ACTRN12610000567022). © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Reversibility of nerve root sedimentation sign in lumbar spinal stenosis patients after decompression surgery
      Barz, C.; Melloh, Markus; Staub, L.; Lord, S.; Merk, H.; Barz, T. (2017)
      © 2017 Springer-Verlag Berlin HeidelbergPurpose: The nerve root sedimentation sign (SedSign) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sign for the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). It is included in the assessment ...
    • The role of functional, radiological and self-reported measures in predicting clinical outcome in spondylotic cervical radiculopathy
      Agarwal, Shabnam (2011)
      BackgroundCervical radiculopathy (CR) results in significant disability and pain and is commonly treated conservatively with satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, a considerable number of patients require surgery to ...
    • Nerve root sedimentation sign: Evaluation of a new radiological sign in lumbar spinal stenosis
      Barz, T.; Melloh, Markus; Staub, L.; Lord, S.; Lange, J.; Röder, C.; Theis, J.; Merk, H. (2010)
      STUDY DESIGN.: Retrospective case-referent study. OBJECTIVE.: To assess whether the new sedimentation sign discriminates between nonspecific low back pain (LBP) and symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). SUMMARY OF ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.