RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical characteristics and results of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nineteen patients with cervical SCI associated with OPLL were retrospectively analyzed. Data collection included: pre- and postoperative neurological function, OPLL-type, MRI signal changes and surgical approaches.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Spinal cord associated with OPLL was injured severely by mild trauma. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate was used within 8 h after trauma in 12 cases. Two of them died of complications. The neurological functions were markedly improved in the other 10 cases. Seventeen cases had surgical treatment. The neurological functions (Frankel grade) were improved significantly in the operated patients except for one, who died 27 d after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The patients with OPLL are prone to have severe SCI, which directly associates with the preexisting OPLL-type and hyper-intensity signal change in the spinal cord on MRI. Both of using methylprednisolone sodium succinate administration within 8 h after trauma and surgical decompression may improve the neurological outcomes.</p>
Asunto(s)
Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Vértebras Cervicales , Descompresión Quirúrgica , Estudios de Seguimiento , Glucocorticoides , Usos Terapéuticos , Ligamentos Longitudinales , Patología , Osificación del Ligamento Longitudinal Posterior , Estudios Retrospectivos , Médula Espinal , Cirugía General , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal , Diagnóstico , Terapéutica , Estenosis Espinal , Diagnóstico , Terapéutica , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Chronic insomnia is a severe disease that seriously influence the human health, and about 10%-15% of the adults suffer from it. No definite conclusion has been made about its etiology up to now, possibly associated with heredity, hormone secretion and living habits. Insomnia not only decreases the patients' quality of life,but also adds burden to society, families and individuals. The diagnosis of chronic insomnia should be based on the patients' sleep history, medication history, psychiatric history and necessary examinations. International diagnosis criteria should be combined if possible. Presently the treatments for chronic insomnia mainly include the OTC medicine, prescription drugs,self-medication with alcoholic beverage, cognitive behavior therapy, melatonin and some traditional herbal therapies. Limited information is available presently about insomnia and a large amount of laboratory and clinical research need to be done to further understand and solve this public problem.