Molecular evidence for local denervation of paraspinal muscles in failed-back surgery/postdiscotomy syndrome.

Abstract

A study was performed to analyze whether local denervation of the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of the lumbar spinal nerve occurs in a patient with postoperative failed-back surgery syndrome/postdiscotomy syndrome (FBSS/PDS). We investigated the effect of the loss of innervation of the multifidus muscle on neuronal nitrite oxide synthetase (n-NOS) and endothelial nitrite oxide synthetase (e-NOS) applying realtime RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Our study demonstrates a substantial reduction of n-NOS expression, supporting the view that local denervation of the multifidus is involved in the pathology of FBSS. No regulation of e-NOS was detectable. Interestingly, this change is region-specific and does not occur throughout the entire multifidus segment. This result supports the hypothesis that local denervation of the multifidus muscle is involved in the pathology of FBSS/ PDS.

• Authors: G Zoidl, J Grifka, D Boluki, R E Willburger, C Zoidl, J Krämer, R Dermietzel, P M Faustmann
• Journal: Clinical neuropathology (Clin Neuropathol) 2003 Mar-Apr Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 71-7 ISSN: 0722-5091 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 12670053 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Nitric Oxide Synthase

Topics

• Aged
• Biopsy
• Down-Regulation
• Humans
• Intervertebral Disc Displacement (surgery)
• Laminectomy (adverse effects)
• Low Back Pain (etiology)
• Lumbar Vertebrae (surgery)
• Male
• Muscle, Skeletal (innervation, metabolism, pathology)
• Muscular Atrophy, Spinal (etiology, pathology)
• Neurons (enzymology)
• Nitric Oxide Synthase (metabolism)
• Peripheral Nerve Injuries
• Syndrome