ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy is one of the most important factors of lumbar spinal stenosis, but the molecular mechanism is stil not very clear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of basic fibroblast growth factor, connective tissue growth factor and transforming growth factor β1 in hypertrophy of the lumbar ligamentum flavum. METHODS: The ligamentum flavum samples were divided into three groups according to different diseases: control group (acquired from the patients with lumbar spinal canal tumor,n=6), lumbar disc herniation (LDH) group (acquired from the patients with LDH,n=6) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) group (acquired from the patients with LSS,n=6). Then the mRNA expressions of basic fibroblast growth factor, connective tissue growth factor, transforming growth factor β1 and colagen I, III, V of the ligamentum flavum were detected using real-time quantitative RT-PCR method. The roles of basic fibroblast growth factor, connective tissue growth factor and transforming growth factor β1 were explored. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression of basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA in the LSS group was significantly higher than that in the LDH and control groups (bothP 0.05); the expression of transforming growth factor β1 mRNA was significantly higher in the LSS group than in the LDH and control groups (bothP 0.05). This study indicate that both basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor β1 play important roles in the formation process of the lumbar ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, and the main type of the colagen in the hypertrophied ligamentum flavum is colagen I.
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Objective To discuss indications,operation method and clinical outcome of posterior short-segment pedicle fixation at the injured level for treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures.Methods A total of 38 patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures were equally randomized to Group A(treated with classic short-segment pedicle screw fixation)and Group B(treated with short-segment pedicle screw fixation at the injured level)based on fixation methods(19 patients per group).Preoperative and postoperative JOA score,segmental lordosis(Cobb' s angle),R value(anterior fractured vertebral body height/mean normal vertebral body height×100%),VSA score and internal fixation condition were assessed and compared clinically.Results All patients were followed up for 6-37 months(mean 20.5 months),which showed no statistical difference upon Frankel scores of two operation modes,while the segmental lordosis,VAS score and R value in Group B were than those in Group A.There occurred nuts loosening in one patient and screw bending in one in Group A.There was no implant breakage,loosening or emersion in Group B.Conclusion Posterior short-segmental fixation at the injured level is an adequate and effective procedure for compression fractures and mild to moderate burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the incidence, mechanism and clinical characteristics of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) evolving from traumatic subdural effusion (TSE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical materials of 32 patients with CSDH evolving from TSH were analyzed retrospectively and the correlative literature was reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>16.7% of the patients with TSH evolved into CSDH. The time of evolution was 22 - 100 days after head injury. All patients were cured with hematoma drainage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TSE is one of the origins of CSDH. The clinical characteristics of TSE evolving into CSDH include polarization of patient age, and chronic small effusion. The patients are usually injured deceleratedly and accompanied with mild cerebral damage.</p>