The effect of Lipo prostaglandin E1 on cauda equina blood flow in patientswith lumbar spinal canal stenosis: myeloscopic observation

Study Design: Myeloscopic examination was performed to observe the cauda eq uina in patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis before and after treatme nt with Lipo prostaglandin E1, a strong peripheral vasodilator. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of Lipo pr ostaglandin El on blood flow in the cauda equina in patients with lumbar sp inal canal stenosis. Japan, Kagoshima We performed myeloscopic observations of morphological chan Setting: Japan, Kagoshima. Methods: We performed myeloscopic observations of morphological changes in blood vessels running along the cauda equina in 11 patients with lumbar spi nal canal stenosis before and after treatment with Lipo prostaglandin E1. Results: In six of these patients, dilation of the running blood vessels wa s observed immediately after administration. In all of the patients who exh ibited a dilation of vessels on the surface of the cauda equina, intermitte nt claudication and lower extremity pain and/or numbness lessened immediate ly after examination. However, none of the patients who exhibited no morpho logical changes in the vessels along the cauda equina after administration of Lipo prostaglandin El experienced any improvement of symptoms at the tim e of examination. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that Lipo prostaglandin El may en hance blood flow in the cauda equina and improve clinical symptoms in some patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Sponsorship: None.