Analysis of the effect of midazolam on pain in a rat model of lumbar disc herniation based on the p38 MAPK signaling pathway / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of midazolam on pain in lumbar disc herniation model rats based on p38 MAPK signaling pathway.@*METHODS@#Fifty SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley healthy rats, half male and half female, were selected and randomly divided into normal group, model group, and low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose groups. Model group and low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose groups were initially modeled for lumbar disc herniation. Intraperitoneal injection of saline was performed in rats of normal and model groups; and in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups, intraperitoneal injection of midazolam was performed with doses of 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg, respectively. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), β-endorphin (β-EP), substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) were detected in the serum of rats by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The expression of p38 MAPK and matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) protein were detected by Western blot in the tissues of rats of each group.@*RESULTS@#The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and β-EP were higher and the level of 5-HT was lower in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.05);the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and β-EP were lower and the level of 5-HT was higher in the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups than in the model group(P<0.05). The levels of SP and NPY increased in the model group compared with the normal group (P<0.05) and the levels of SP and NPY decreased in the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). The expression of p38 MAPK and MMP-3 increased in the model group compared with the normal group (P<0.05); the expression of p38 MAPK and MMP-3 decreased in the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose compared with the model group(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Midazolam may ameliorate the immune inflammatory response in rats with a model of lumbar disc herniation, possibly regulated through the p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Effect of fatigue load on internal mechanical properties of the intervertebral disc / Efecto de la carga de fatiga en las propiedades mecánicas internas del disco intervertebral

SUMMARY: Lumbar disc herniation is considered to be the main pathological factor for the common clinical disease of low back pain. Biomechanical factor is an important cause of lumbar disc herniation, so it is urgent to analyze the stress/strain behavior of intervertebral disc under different loading condition. Slow repetitive loading is considered to be an important factor of spine and disc injuries, and the effect of fatigue load on internal displacement in the intervertebral disc was investigated by applying the optimized digital image correlation technique in this study. The first finding was that fatigue load had a significant effect on the displacement distribution in the intervertebral disc under compression. Superficial AF exhibited the largest axial displacements before fatigue load, while it exhibited the smallest axial displacements after fatigue load. Inner AF exhibited slightly smaller radial displacements than outer AF before fatigue load, while it exhibited significantly greater radial displacements than outer AF displacements after fatigue load. The second finding was that fatigue load had a certain effect on the internal displacement distribution in the flexed intervertebral disc under compression. Middle AF exhibited the smallest axial displacements before fatigue load, while deep AF exhibited the smallest axial displacements after fatigue load. The radial displacement distribution did not change before and after fatigue load, as the radial displacement in outer AF was the smallest, while the radial displacement in inner AF was the largest. The third finding was that with the increase in fatigue time and amplitude, the Young's modulus of the intervertebral disc increased significantly. This study can provide the basis for clinical intervertebral disc disease prevention and treatment? and is important for mechanical function evaluation of artificial intervertebral disc as well.

RESUMEN: La hernia de disco lumbar se considera el principal factor patológico para la enfermedad clínica común del dolor lumbar. El factor biomecánico es una causa importante de hernia de disco lumbar, por lo que es urgente analizar el comportamiento de esfuerzo / tensión del disco intervertebral bajo diferentes condiciones de carga. La carga repetitiva lenta se considera un factor importante de lesiones de columna y disco, y en este estudio el efecto de la carga de fatiga sobre el desplazamiento interno en el disco intervertebral se investigó mediante la aplicación de la técnica de correlación de imagen digital optimizada. El primer hallazgo fue que la carga de fatiga tuvo un efecto significativo en la distribución del desplazamiento en el disco intervertebral bajo compresión. El AF superficial exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más grandes antes de la carga de fatiga, mientras que exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más pequeños después de la carga de fatiga. El AF interno exhibió desplazamientos radiales ligeramente más pequeños que el AF externo antes de la carga de fatiga, mientras que exhibió desplazamientos radiales significativamente mayores que los desplazamientos AF externos después de la carga de fatiga. El segundo hallazgo fue que la carga de fatiga tenía un cierto efecto sobre la distribución del desplazamiento interno en el disco intervertebral flexionado bajo compresión. El AF medio exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más pequeños antes de la carga de fatiga, mientras que el AF profundo exhibió los desplazamientos axiales más pequeños después de la carga de fatiga. La distribución del desplazamiento radial no cambió antes ni después de la carga de fatiga, ya que el desplazamiento radial en la FA externa fue el más pequeño, mientras que el desplazamiento radial en la FA interna fue el más grande. El tercer hallazgo fue que con el aumento del tiempo de fatiga y la amplitud, el módulo de Young del disco intervertebral aumentó significativamente. Este estudio puede proporcionar la base para la prevención y el tratamiento clínico de la enfermedad del disco intervertebral, y también es importante para la evaluación de la función mecánica del disco intervertebral artificial.

Hernia intraesponjosa de Schmörl sintomática / Symptomatic intraosseous Schmörl herniation

Las hernias discales intraesponjosas vertebrales o nódulos de Schmörl consisten en una herniación o una extrusión del núcleo pulposo del disco intervertebral a través del platillo vertebral hacia el cuerpo adyacente. Suelen asociarse a deformidades vertebrales, como la enfermedad de Scheuermann, o a enfermedades reumáticas, como la espondilitis anquilopoyética. En general, son hallazgos casuales y cuadros asintomáticos; son pocos los casos publicados de nódulos sintomáticos. Su aparición estaría relacionada con un platillo vertebral debilitado por traumatismo o estrés repetido. Cuando el nódulo es agudo o reciente, puede ser difícil diferenciar la degeneración benigna de una infiltración maligna o una infección. Presentamos un caso inusual de un nódulo de Schmörl doloroso en un hombre sin antecedentes de relevancia, que enmascaró una lesión metastásica de carcinoma pancreático a nivel lumbar. Se realiza una revisión bibliográfica. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Intraosseous disc herniation -or Schmörl nodes (SN)- are a herniation or prolapse of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc through the vertebral plate and into the adjacent vertebral body. They are usually associated with vertebral deformities, such as Scheuermann's disease, or rheumatic diseases, such as ankylopoietic spondylitis. In general, they are spontaneous and asymptomatic findings, and there are only a few reported cases of symptomatic nodes. The etiology is supposedly related to a weakened spinal plate due to trauma or repeated stress. When the node is acute or recent, it can be difficult to differentiate a benign degeneration from a malignant infiltration or infection. In this paper, we discuss the unusual case of a painful Schmörl node in a man with no relevant history and a masked metastatic lumbar spinal tumor originated from pancreatic cancer. We performed a literature review. Level of Evidence: IV

Analysis of Relationship between Injury and Disease in 17 Cases of Cervical Trauma with Cervical Vertebra Degeneration / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the characteristics of the relationship between injury and disease in forensic identification cases of cervical trauma with cervical vertebra degeneration, and to explore the problems about how to identify the participation rates of injury and disease using the clinical information, forensic examination and imaging examination.@*METHODS@#Seventeen forensic identification cases of cervical trauma with cervical vertebra degeneration were collected. The age distributions, injury formations, injury severities and imaging findings of these cases were analyzed and the relationship between injury and disease was evaluated comprehensively.@*RESULTS@#Middle-aged and elderly were common in 17 cases and every case was involved with intervertebral disc herniation. The main reasons of injuries were hyperextension. The degree of injury severity and vertebra degeneration were graded according to the imaging findings. The participation rates of injury and disease were also calculated comprehensively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The forensic identification cases of cervical trauma with cervical vertebra degeneration should be evaluated with clinical information, forensic examination and imaging finding.

Changes in Spinal Canal Diameter and Vertebral Body Height with Age

PURPOSE: All structures of the spine, including the spinal canal, change continuously with age. The purpose of this study was to determine how the spinal canal of the lumbar spine changes with age. The L4/5 is the most common site of spinal stenosis and has the largest flexion-extension motion, whereas the T5/6 has the least motion. Therefore, we measured the spinal canal diameter and vertebral body height at T5, T6, L4, and L5 with age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of aged 40 to 77 years. We reviewed whole spine sagittal MRIs of 370 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) (Group 2) and 166 herniated cervical disc (HCD) (Group 1). Each group was divided into four age groups, and demographic parameters (age, gender, height, weight, BMI), the mid-spinal canal diameter, and mid-vertebrae height at T5, T6, L4, L5 were compared. Within- and between-group comparisons were made to evaluate changes by age and correlations were carried out to evaluate the relationships between all parameters. RESULTS: Height, weight, and all radiologic parameters were significantly lower in Group 2 than Group 1. Group 1 did not show any differences, when based on age, but in Group 2, height, weight, and T6, L4, and L5 height were significantly decreased in patients in their 70's than patients in their 40's, except for spinal canal diameter. Age was associated with all parameters except spinal canal diameter. CONCLUSION: Vertebral height decreased with age, but spinal canal diameter did not change in patients with either LSS or HCD. Mid-spinal canal diameter was not affected by aging.

Tratamiento percutáneo de hernias discales y dolor discogénico de columna cervical y lumbar con etanol gelificado radiopaco / Percutaneous treatment of cervical and lumbar disc herniation and discogenic pain with radiopaque gelified ethanol

This study documents the efficacy of chemonucleolysis with radiopaque gelified ethanol in the treatment of cervical and lumbar disc herniation and discogenic pain. Ten patients underwent this procedure between April 1 and June 30, 2010. Satisfactory results were obtained in 100 percent of patients. There were no adverse events reported during or post-procedure and a significant reduction in pain and analgesic intake after intradiscal injection was registered. This technique, simple and safe to perform, yielded satisfactory results; thus, it appears to be a good alternative in the treatment of herniated discs and discogenic pain.

Este estudio reporta el resultado de quimionucleolisis usando etanol gelificado radiopaco en el tratamiento de hernias discales o dolor discogénico en columna cervical y lumbar. La muestra de pacientes fue relativamente pequeña y corresponde al periodo del 1º de abril al 30 de junio de 2011. Los resultados fueron satisfactorios en el 100 por ciento de los pacientes. No hubo eventos adversos durante y luego del procedimiento. Se observó significativa reducción de analgésicos y dolor después del procedimiento. Esta técnica fue relativamente simple de realizar y segura en su aplicación mostrando buenos resultados. Promete ser una buena alternativa en el tratamiento de hernias discales o dolor discogénico.

Inter- and Intra-observer Reliability of MRI for Lumbar Lateral Disc Herniation

BACKGROUND: The authors analyzed inter- and intra-observer agreement with respect to interpretation of simple magnetic resonance T1- and T2-weighted axial and sagittal images for the diagnosis of lumbar lateral disc herniation, including foraminal and extraforaminal disc herniations. METHODS: Forty-two patients in whom lumbar lateral disc herniation was suspected or confirmed by simple magnetic resonance imaging at one institute between May 2003 and December 2004 were included. The magnetic resonance images consisting of T1- and T2-weighted axial and sagittal images, and these were reviewed blindly and independently by three orthopaedic spine surgeons in a random manner. The images were interpreted as positive or negative for lateral disc herniation on 2 different occasions 3 months apart. Results were analyzed using Cohen's kappa statistic, and strengths of agreements were determined using the Landis and Koch criteria. RESULTS: The kappa values for inter-observer agreement averaged 0.234 (0.282, 0.111, and 0.308 respectively) on the first occasion, and 0.166 (0.249, 0.111, and 0.137 respectively) on the second occasion, with an overall mean value of 0.200. Thus, the strength of agreement was only slight-to-fair according to the Landis and Koch criteria. Kappa values for intra-observer agreement averaged 0.479 (0.488, 0.491, and 0.459 respectively), indicating moderate agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that simple magnetic resonance imaging is not a reliable imaging modality for diagnosing lumbar lateral disc herniation. Another imaging study with improved diagnostic values should be developed to diagnose this pathologic finding.

Lumbar disc degeneration in Thai elderly: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence and related factors of lumbar disc degeneration in the Thai elderly. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A population-based study was done at Rom Klao community, Bangkok. Seven hundred and ninety-two cases (306 males, and 486 females) out of 1166 elderly people aged > or =50 (mean age of 61.07 +/- 7.8 years) were assessed. The lateral spinal radiographs were interpreted as spondylosis grade 0-3 according to the degree of severity. RESULTS: Males had more prevalence of grade 2-3 spondylosis than females (58.8% vs. 52.9%), but females had higher prevalence of spinal listhesis (14.4% vs. 8.8%). Age was a strong predicting factor for disc degeneration (OR = 1.088, 95% CI = 1.065-1.111, p = 0.000). Females had more risk to develop spinal listhesis (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.11-3.05, p = 0.020) and low back pain (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.29-2.56, p = 0.001). BMI was a predicting factor for spondylosis (OR = 1.066, 95% CI = 1.02-1.10, p = 0.000). About 27% of the cases reported moderate-severe low back pain and had lower Barthel ADL index (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Lumbar disc degeneration and low back pain were highly prevalent among the Thai elderly. Therefore, they need proper health care for disability prevention.

Spinal Cord Tumors of the Thoracolumbar Junction Requiring Surgery: A Retrospective Review of Clinical Features and Surgical Outcome

PURPOSE: A retrospective review of medical records and imaging studies. To investigate characteristic clinical features and surgical outcomes of spinal cord tumors (SCTs) of the thoracolumbar junction (TLJ). The spinal cord transitions to the cauda equina in the TLJ. The TLJ contains the upper and lower motor neurons of the spinal cord and cauda equina. As a result, the clinical features of lesions in the TLJ vary, and these anatomical characteristics may affect surgical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pathological diagnosis, clinical features, neurological signs, and surgical outcomes were investigated in 76 patients surgically treated at our institute for SCTs arising from T11 to L2. The patients were divided into epiconus (T11-12, n=18) and conus groups (L1-2, n=58). RESULTS: Patients in the epiconus group had hyperactive deep tendon reflexes (DTRs), while those in the conus group had hypoactive DTRs (p < 0.05). Nine patients were misdiagnosed with intervertebral disc diseases (IVDs) before correct diagnoses were made. It was impossible to definitively determine the exact cause of symptoms in four patients who had both SCTs and IVDs. CONCLUSION: Among SCTs of the TLJ, the epiconus group displayed upper motor neuron syndrome and the conus group displayed lower motor neuron syndrome. SCTs of the TLJ were frequently misdiagnosed as IVDs due to symptomatic similarities. SCTs of the TLJ should be included in differential diagnosis of back and leg pain, and it is highly recommended that routine lumbar magnetic resonance imaging include the TLJ.

Fusiones lumbosacras y deporte / Lumbosacral fusion and sports

Fueron tratados quirurgicamente 46 pacientes deportistas, portadores de patologia lumbosacra (hernias discales inestables, espondilolisis y espondilolistesis) a los que se les realizo una artrodesis del segmento LV - SI o LIV . LV - SI, con instrumentacion pedicular e injerto autologo de cresta iliaca. El objetivo de la presente publicacion analiza en forma retrospectiva los resultados obtenidos con las tecnicas de fusion y establece tiempos de reintegro deportivo despues de una cirugia de artrodesis. Por ultimo, evalua los grados de limitacion de la movilidad y biomecanica de los pacientes finalizado el proceso de rehabilitacion a los 6 meses de postoperatorio y al año del reintegro deportivo.

Prosthetic lumbar disc replacement for degenerative disc disease.

Mechanical articulated device to replace intervertebral disc as a treatment for low back pain secondary to disc degeneration has emerged as a promising tool for selected patients. The potential advantages are prevention of adjacent segment degeneration, maintenance of mobility as well as avoidance of all the complications associated with fusion. The short-term results have been comparable to that of fusion, a few mid-term results have shown mixed outcome, but information on long-term results and performance are not available at present. The rationale for lumbar disc arthroplasty, indications, contraindications, the various artificial devices in the market and the concepts intrinsic to each of them, basic technique of insertion, complications are discussed and a brief summary of our experience with one of the devices is presented.

Intradural lumbar disc herniation

Intradural lumbar disc herniation is a very complication of spinal degenerative processes with about 100 cases reported up to 1998. The mechanism of intradural disc herniation is unclear. Diagnosis of intradural lumbar disc herniation is difficult and seldom preoperatively suspected. A case of intradural lumbar disc herniation is reported. Clinical, neuroradiological and surgical findings are briefly discussed

Cervicobraquialgias por hernias discales / Cervicobrachialgyas by cervical disk hernia

La patología de la comprensión radicular cervical en uno de los estudios más extensos de 648 pacientes entre 1939 y 1972 de Murphy. Simons y Brunson en 20 años la relación de intervenciones lumbares-cervicales viene descendiendo de 25 a 1 contra 6 a 1 tendencia a disminuir. El comportamiento clínico del dolor es frecuentemente a predominio matutino, al despertar, con localización en nuca, región romboidea y brazo. El antecedente traumático como presunto desencadenante de las cervicobraquialgias discogénicas existe en mínima proporción

Algunos aspéctos del Sindrome de la Región Lumbar / Aspects in Lumbar Syndrome

Se analiza el Sindrome Lumbar en sus tre variantes: hernia del disco, canal estrecho y anomalia radicular. El trabajo se fundamenta en 3200 casos de hernia del nucleo pulposo operados en los 50 años de funcionamiento del Servicio de Neurocirugia del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen. Se destaca la importancia de la cirugia con la tecnica de Love en la patologia lumbar que hasta 1946 era considerada patrimonio de la traumatologia y ortopedia. Luego se valora el diametro del canal raquideo señalado por Verbiest con la descripcion del sindrome del canal estrecho congenito y adquirido, relevando el trayecto radicular y extradural de la raiz. Finalmente se resalta la importancia de las anomalias radiculares señaladas por Cannon con el trascendente aporte de la imagenologia, en especial la tomografia axial computarizada y la resonancia magnetica. Estos avances tecnologicos y de procedimientos han disminuido la persistencia del dolor lumbar post quirurgico de 30-35 por ciento hasta 2-5 por ciento. Se destaca la importancia de las intervenciones antes del sufrimiento radicular. No se ha considerado los sindromes dolorosos por inestabilidad del segmento ni por listesis congenita

La hernia discal lumbar intradural: reporte de 3 casos y revisión de literatura / Intradural lumbar disc hernia: report of 3 cases and review of literature

Se presentan tres casos de hernia discal intradural (HDI)lumbar. El cuadro clínico, la evolución aguda o subaguda y el tratamiento quirúrgico precoz condicionan el pronóstico. El diagnóstico fue en todos los casos realizado al momento de la intervención quirúrgica; la exploración intradural fue necesaria al no existir correlación entre los hallazgos extradurales y el cuadro clínico intradural fue necesaria al no existir correlación entre los hallazgos extradurales y el cuadro clínico-radiológico de los pacientes. El diagnóstico pre-operatorio es de extrema dificultad

Evaluación de 2,000 casos de Hernia del Núcleo Pulposo Lumbar Operados / Evaluation of 2,000 cases of Lumbar Herniation Operated

Presentamos nuestra experiencia en 2,000 casos de HNP lumbar destacando la importancia del cuadro clínico. Se insiste en el estudio exhaustivo del paciente y en el análisis de los signos y síntomas. En un 80 a 90% de los casos la clínica lleva al diagnóstico de una hernia simple, múltiple o bilateral. Se evaluan los factores etiológico y fisiológico de la HNP lumbar. En cuanto a la topografía vertebral, la incidencia más frecuente fue en L4 (59.06%), siguiendo L5 (31.36%). En la topografía horizontal, la paramediana con el 31% es la más frecuente. En sentido sagital domina el lado izquierdo con el 52.39%. En la sintomatología; la escoliosis se presentó en el 62.15%, el signo de Ramond en el 62.7%, el signo de Dandy en el 67.7%. El compromiso sensitivo fue del 51.25%, la maniobra de Lasegue en el 60.40%. La lesión de un disco fue en 1,508 (79.40%); doble en diferente nivel en 311 (15.5%); en el mismo nivel en 67% (3.35%); en tres niveles un 0.30% y en cuatro niveles el 0.20%. Entre los elementos de diagnóstico, el más comunmente utilizado ha sido de mielografía con lipiodol extrafluido. Un número reducido de estos casos ha sido hecho con sustancias hidrosolubles. En este elemento paraclínico de diagnóstico se insiste en que la exploración debe ser dinámica, vale decir con desplazamiento de la columna bajo estudio radioscópico, en esa forma se puede captar imágenes de protusiones de disco mucoides que pueden pasar desapercibidos en una exploración pasiva. Igualmente se insiste en que muchas veces el cuadro clínico es francamente alarmante y el estudio mielográfico discutible en la confirmación de una protusión discal, que muchas veces ello se debe a la desproporción que existe entre el diámetro del canal raquídeo y el diámetro del saco dural, quedando un espacio epidural libre mayor; facilitando, en consecuencia que una protusión discal pueda pasar desapercibida en un estudio mielográfico..