Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease 2/2016

01-02-2016 | Original Article

Sacral malformations: use of imaging to optimise sacral nerve stimulation

Authors: A. Povo, M. Arantes, K. E. Matzel, J. Barbosa, M. A. Ferreira

Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 2/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction

The success of sacral nerve stimulation, a common treatment for pelvic floor disorders, depends on correct placement of the electrodes through the sacral foramina. When the bony anatomy and topography of the sacrum and sacral spinal nerves are intact, this is easily achieved; where sacral anomalies exist, it can be challenging. A better understanding of common sacral malformations can improve the success of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) electrode placement.

Material and methods

We reviewed 998 consecutive MRI scans performed to investigate low back pain in patients who had undergone CT and/or X-ray.

Results

Congenital sacral malformations were found in 24.1 %, the most common being sacral meningeal cysts (16 %) and spina bifida occulta (9.9 %). Others were lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (2.5 %), anterior occult meningocele (0.5 %), partial sacral agenesis (0.2 %) and vertebral dysplasia of S1 (0.2 %).

Conclusion

This radiologic review uncovered a high incidence of sacral malformations, and most were asymptomatic. All surgeons who perform SNS should have a basic understanding of sacral malformations, their incidence and effect on foraminal anatomy. Imaging will aid procedural planning.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Matzel KE (2007) Sacral nerve stimulation. In: Ratto C, Doglietto GB (eds) Fecal incontinence: diagnosis and treatment. Springer, Italy, pp 211–217CrossRef Matzel KE (2007) Sacral nerve stimulation. In: Ratto C, Doglietto GB (eds) Fecal incontinence: diagnosis and treatment. Springer, Italy, pp 211–217CrossRef
2.
go back to reference Wexner SD, Coller JA, Devroede G, Hull T, McCallum R, Chan M, Ayscye JM, Shobeiri AS, Margolin D, England M, Kaufman H, Snape WJ, Mutlu E, Chua H, Pettit P, Nagle D, Madoff RD, Lerew DR, Mellgren A (2012) Sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence—results of a 120-patient prospective multicenter study. Ann Surg 251(3):441–449CrossRef Wexner SD, Coller JA, Devroede G, Hull T, McCallum R, Chan M, Ayscye JM, Shobeiri AS, Margolin D, England M, Kaufman H, Snape WJ, Mutlu E, Chua H, Pettit P, Nagle D, Madoff RD, Lerew DR, Mellgren A (2012) Sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence—results of a 120-patient prospective multicenter study. Ann Surg 251(3):441–449CrossRef
3.
go back to reference Dudding TC, Hollingshead JR, Nicholls RJ, Vaizey CJ (2011) Sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: patient selection, service provision and operative technique. Color Dis 13(8):e187–e195CrossRef Dudding TC, Hollingshead JR, Nicholls RJ, Vaizey CJ (2011) Sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: patient selection, service provision and operative technique. Color Dis 13(8):e187–e195CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Matzel KE, Kamm MA, Stösser M, Baeten CG, Christiansen J, Madoff R, Mellgren A, Nicholls RJ, Rius J, Rosen H (2004) Sacral spinal nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: multicentre study. Lancet 363(9417):1270–1276CrossRefPubMed Matzel KE, Kamm MA, Stösser M, Baeten CG, Christiansen J, Madoff R, Mellgren A, Nicholls RJ, Rius J, Rosen H (2004) Sacral spinal nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: multicentre study. Lancet 363(9417):1270–1276CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Madoff RD, Laurberg S, Lehur P, Matzel KE, Mellgren AF, Mimura T, O’Connell PR, Varma MG. Surgery for faecal incontinence. In INCONTINENCE, 5th Edition. Abrams, L Cardozo, S Khoury, A Wein, eds. ICUD-EAU, 2013. Madoff RD, Laurberg S, Lehur P, Matzel KE, Mellgren AF, Mimura T, O’Connell PR, Varma MG. Surgery for faecal incontinence. In INCONTINENCE, 5th Edition. Abrams, L Cardozo, S Khoury, A Wein, eds. ICUD-EAU, 2013.
6.
go back to reference Diel J, Ortiz O, Losada RA, Price DB, Hay MW, Katz DS (2001) The sacrum: pathologic spectrum, multimodality imaging, and subspecialty approach. RadioGraphics 21:83–104CrossRefPubMed Diel J, Ortiz O, Losada RA, Price DB, Hay MW, Katz DS (2001) The sacrum: pathologic spectrum, multimodality imaging, and subspecialty approach. RadioGraphics 21:83–104CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Standring S (2008) Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice, 40th edn. Churchill Livingstone, London Standring S (2008) Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice, 40th edn. Churchill Livingstone, London
8.
go back to reference Cheng JS, Song JK (2003) Anatomy of the sacrum. Neurosurg Focus 15(2):1–4CrossRef Cheng JS, Song JK (2003) Anatomy of the sacrum. Neurosurg Focus 15(2):1–4CrossRef
9.
go back to reference Mahato NK (2010) Complete sacralization of L5 vertebrae: traits, dimensions, and load bearing in the involved sacra. Spine J 10:610–615CrossRefPubMed Mahato NK (2010) Complete sacralization of L5 vertebrae: traits, dimensions, and load bearing in the involved sacra. Spine J 10:610–615CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Emami-Naeini P et al (2010) Neurological presentations, imaging, and associated anomalies in 50 patients with sacral agenesis. Neurosurgery 67(4):894–900CrossRefPubMed Emami-Naeini P et al (2010) Neurological presentations, imaging, and associated anomalies in 50 patients with sacral agenesis. Neurosurgery 67(4):894–900CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Eubanks JD, Cheruvu VK (2009) Prevalence of sacral spina bífida occulta and its relationship to age, sex, race and the sacral tabel angle. An anatomic, osteologic study of three thousand one hundred specimens. Spine 34:1539–1543CrossRefPubMed Eubanks JD, Cheruvu VK (2009) Prevalence of sacral spina bífida occulta and its relationship to age, sex, race and the sacral tabel angle. An anatomic, osteologic study of three thousand one hundred specimens. Spine 34:1539–1543CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Caird MS, Hall JM, Bloom DA, Park JM, Farley FA (2007) Outcome study of children, adolescents, and adults with sacral agenesis. J Pediatr Orthop 27:682–685CrossRefPubMed Caird MS, Hall JM, Bloom DA, Park JM, Farley FA (2007) Outcome study of children, adolescents, and adults with sacral agenesis. J Pediatr Orthop 27:682–685CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Krivokapic Z, Grubor N, Micev M, Colovic R (2004) Anterior sacral meningocele with presacral cysts: report of a case. Dis Colon Rectum 47:1965–1969CrossRefPubMed Krivokapic Z, Grubor N, Micev M, Colovic R (2004) Anterior sacral meningocele with presacral cysts: report of a case. Dis Colon Rectum 47:1965–1969CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Patel MR, Louie W, Rachlin J (1997) Percutaneous fibrin glue therapy of meningeal cysts of the sacral spine. AJR Am J Roentgenol 168:367–370CrossRefPubMed Patel MR, Louie W, Rachlin J (1997) Percutaneous fibrin glue therapy of meningeal cysts of the sacral spine. AJR Am J Roentgenol 168:367–370CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Netra R, Min L, Shao Hui M, Wang JC, Bin Y, Ming Z (2011) Spinal extradural meningeal cysts: an MRI evaluation of a case series and literature review. J Spinal Disord Tech 24(2):132–136CrossRefPubMed Netra R, Min L, Shao Hui M, Wang JC, Bin Y, Ming Z (2011) Spinal extradural meningeal cysts: an MRI evaluation of a case series and literature review. J Spinal Disord Tech 24(2):132–136CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Wu L-P, Li Y-K, Li Y-M, Zhang Y-Q, Zhong S-Z (2009) Variable morphology of the sacrum in a Chinese population. Clin Anat 22:619–626CrossRefPubMed Wu L-P, Li Y-K, Li Y-M, Zhang Y-Q, Zhong S-Z (2009) Variable morphology of the sacrum in a Chinese population. Clin Anat 22:619–626CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Paulsen RD, Call GA, Murtagh FR (1994) Prevalence and percutaneous drainage of cysts of the sacral nerve roots sheath. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 15:293–297PubMed Paulsen RD, Call GA, Murtagh FR (1994) Prevalence and percutaneous drainage of cysts of the sacral nerve roots sheath. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 15:293–297PubMed
18.
go back to reference Taskaynatan MA, Izci Y, Ozgul A, Hazneci B, Dursun H, Kalyon TA (2005) Clinical significance of congenital lumbosacral malformations in young male population with prolonged low back pain. Spine 30:E210–E213CrossRefPubMed Taskaynatan MA, Izci Y, Ozgul A, Hazneci B, Dursun H, Kalyon TA (2005) Clinical significance of congenital lumbosacral malformations in young male population with prolonged low back pain. Spine 30:E210–E213CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Fidas A, MacDonald HL, Elton RA, Wild SR, Chisholm GD, Scott R (1987) Prevalence and patterns of spina bifida occulta in 2707 normal adults. Clin Radiol 38:537–542CrossRefPubMed Fidas A, MacDonald HL, Elton RA, Wild SR, Chisholm GD, Scott R (1987) Prevalence and patterns of spina bifida occulta in 2707 normal adults. Clin Radiol 38:537–542CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Avrahami E, Frishman E, Fridman Z, Azor M (1994) Spina bifida occulta of S1 is not an innocent finding. Spine 19:12–15CrossRefPubMed Avrahami E, Frishman E, Fridman Z, Azor M (1994) Spina bifida occulta of S1 is not an innocent finding. Spine 19:12–15CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Schweitzer ME, Balsam D, Weiss R (1993) Spina occulta: incidence in parents of offspring with spina bifida cystica. Spine 18:785–786CrossRefPubMed Schweitzer ME, Balsam D, Weiss R (1993) Spina occulta: incidence in parents of offspring with spina bifida cystica. Spine 18:785–786CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Boone D, Parsons D, Lachmann SM, Sherwood T (1985) Spina bifida occulta: lesion or anomaly? Clin Radiol 36:159–161CrossRefPubMed Boone D, Parsons D, Lachmann SM, Sherwood T (1985) Spina bifida occulta: lesion or anomaly? Clin Radiol 36:159–161CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Ferembach D (1968) Frequency of spina bifida occulta in prehistoric human skeletons. Nature 199:100–101CrossRef Ferembach D (1968) Frequency of spina bifida occulta in prehistoric human skeletons. Nature 199:100–101CrossRef
24.
go back to reference Henneberg RJ, Henneberg M (1999) Variation in the closure of the sacral canal in the skeletal sample from Pompeii, Italy, 79 AD. Perspect Hum Biol 4:177–188 Henneberg RJ, Henneberg M (1999) Variation in the closure of the sacral canal in the skeletal sample from Pompeii, Italy, 79 AD. Perspect Hum Biol 4:177–188
25.
go back to reference Thorpe AC, Evans RE, Williams NS (1994) Constipation and spina bifida occulta: is there an association? J R Coll Surg Edinb 39:221–224PubMed Thorpe AC, Evans RE, Williams NS (1994) Constipation and spina bifida occulta: is there an association? J R Coll Surg Edinb 39:221–224PubMed
26.
go back to reference Trotter M (1947) Variations of the sacral canal: their significance in the administration of caudal analgesia. Anesth Analg 26:192–202CrossRef Trotter M (1947) Variations of the sacral canal: their significance in the administration of caudal analgesia. Anesth Analg 26:192–202CrossRef
27.
go back to reference Vannier JP, Lefort J, Cavelier B, Ledosseur P, Assailly C, Feingold J (1981) Spina bifida cystica families X-ray examination and HLA typing. Pediatr Res 15:326–329CrossRefPubMed Vannier JP, Lefort J, Cavelier B, Ledosseur P, Assailly C, Feingold J (1981) Spina bifida cystica families X-ray examination and HLA typing. Pediatr Res 15:326–329CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Sacral malformations: use of imaging to optimise sacral nerve stimulation
Authors
A. Povo
M. Arantes
K. E. Matzel
J. Barbosa
M. A. Ferreira
Publication date
01-02-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Colorectal Disease / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 0179-1958
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1262
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-015-2417-1

Other articles of this Issue 2/2016

International Journal of Colorectal Disease 2/2016 Go to the issue