Of 97 post-contrast MRIs, 85 showed RDP (18 large-contained, 22 large-sequestrated, 26 moderate-contained,4 moderate-sequestrated,13 small-contained, and 2 small-sequestrated), 5 HES, and 7 lateral recess stenosis but no RDP or HES. From operation records, 31 of these 85 were found to have HES, but no RDP. Also, operation records confirmed presence of RDP in 10 of 18 large-contained (55.6%), 19 of 22 large-sequestrated (86.4%), 8 of 26 moderate-contained (30.8%), 4 of 4 moderate-sequestrated (100%), 6 of 13 small-contained (46.2%) and 1 of 2 small-sequestrated (50%). Of the 7 which did not show RDP, 1 (14.3%) was found to have moderate-contained RDP during operation.
25 (12.4%) patients who had dural tear had worse results.
The satisfaction of patients at both sites was analysed using a number of factors- the care provided was 79% before the move and 82% afterwards, their understanding of a nurse led service was rated as 73% and 85% respectively. Evaluation of the quality of information demonstrated that their questions had been answered well 78% and 75% respectively and the confidence and trust in the person providing the care was 91% and 89%. Failure by the IT department in delivering effective links to hospital computer system resulted in the LBOS data not being completed in the period following the move with logistical difficulties in clinic organisation.
Outcome Measures: The incidence of post-traumatic syrinx in both groups and its relationship with level and type of skeletal injury, severity of spinal cord injury, sagittal angle at the injury level were assessed.
The system accuracy is too low for the system to currently be of any use. This project is ongoing, the accuracy has improved significantly over the past year and we expect the improvement to continue next year. However, we have identified some problems in improving the accuracy. It has been noticed that there is a certain apathy present in some patients completing the questionnaires, resulting in less than accurate answers. Also the system can only produce one diagnosis. Patients with two back problems will get an incorrect diagnosis from the system.
EMG variables were significantly influenced by load. For a 1LMB change in load most variables changed by at least 100%, notable exceptions being Half Width (27%) and Initial Median Frequency (IMF)(4%). The ability of EMG variables to discriminate between normals and back pain subjects was examined in groups 0.1LBM wide. There were significant differences in Half Widths between the normal and back pain subjects in most groups, independent of load. There were no significant differences in Median Frequency Slopes (MFSlope) of normal and back pain subjects except at between loads of 1.4 to 1.5 LBM (p<
0.05). Accuracy of discrimination was poor, seldom better than 0.6 until subjects were tested at loads above1.2 LBM when accuracy increased sharply to 0.95 at loads between 1.4 to 1.5 LBM.