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Computed‐tomography‐guided transforaminal intrathecal nusinersen injection in adults with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 and severe spinal deformity. Feasibility, safety and radiation exposure considerations
Author(s) -
Spiliopoulos S.,
Reppas L.,
Zompola C.,
Palaiodimou L.,
Papadopoulou M.,
Filippiadis D.,
Palialexis K.,
Ploussi A.,
Efstathopoulos E.,
Tsivgoulis G.,
Brountzos E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/ene.14245
Subject(s) - medicine , spinal muscular atrophy , sma* , adverse effect , lumbar , surgery , intrathecal , cohort , deformity , retrospective cohort study , anesthesia , combinatorics , mathematics , disease
Background and purpose The purpose was to investigate our centre’s experience on computed‐tomography‐guided (CT‐guided), transforaminal, intrathecal administration of nusinersen in adult subjects with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2 and severe spinal deformity. Method This is a retrospective, single‐centre study investigating the feasibility and safety of CT‐guided, transforaminal, lumbar puncture for the intrathecal administration of nusinersen (Spinranza®; Biogen; Cambridge, MA, USA) in a cohort of adult subjects with SMA type 2, severe neuromuscular scoliosis and previous spinal surgery. Between January 2019 and October 2019, five male, adult, SMA type 2 subjects were eligible to be treated in our centre with nusinersen. The mean age of the patients was 31 ± 9 years (range 19–43 years). The study’s outcome measures were technical success, adverse events and radiation exposure. Results In total, four patients completed the four loading doses, whilst the fifth patient received only one loading dose; two patients also received their first maintenance doses. Overall, 20 consecutive transforaminal, intrathecal treatments were analysed. Technical success was 100% (20/20 intrathecal infusions). No adverse events were documented following the procedures. Mean dose–length product (DLP) value per injection was 665.4 ± 715.5 mGy*cm. Estimated mean effective dose per injection was 12.7 ± 12.9 mSv. Subgroup analysis between the chronologically first 10 versus subsequent 10 procedures demonstrated a clear trend towards less radiation exposure in the latter, although this difference did not reach statistical significance (DLP: 984.7 ± 903.3 vs. 436.7 ± 321.5 mGy*cm, P = 0.165; respectively). Conclusions In this retrospective series, CT‐guided transforaminal access for intrathecal injection of nusinersen was proven feasible and safe. A decrease in radiation dose over time was noted. Protocols to minimize radiation exposure are essential.