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Objective:To retrospectively analyze the patients with spinal metastases who received surgical intervention and summarize the evolution of their clinical and pathological characteristics and surgical methods.Methods:The data of 703 patients with spinal metastases from January 2007 to December 2018 were collected retrospectively. There were 395 males (56.19%, 395/703) and 308 females (43.81%, 308/703) with an average age of 58.14±11.46 years (range 13-84 years). According to the degree of invasion and thoroughness of tumor resection, the surgical methods could be divided into minimally invasive surgery, decompression surgery, separation surgery, piecemeal resection and total en-bloc spondylectomy surgery. The operative methods were minimally invasive surgery in 89 cases (12.66%), decompression surgery in 96 cases (13.66%), separation surgery in 303 cases (43.10%), piecemeal resection in 182 cases (25.89%) and total en-bloc spondylectomy in 33 cases (4.69%). To analyze the trend of the clinical, pathological types and surgical treatment of patients with spinal metastases over the years, and determine the relevant factors affecting the decision-making of surgical methods by multivariate logistic regression.Results:The ratio of male to female was 1.28:1. 39.54% (278/703) of patients with single-segment involvement in 703 patients, 24.04% (169/703) of patients with double-segment metastasis and 36.42% (256/703) of patients with multi-segment metastasis. The most common type of primary tumor was lung cancer (34.57%, 243/703), followed by breast cancer (8.25%, 58/703), myeloma (8.11%, 57/703), gastrointestinal tumor (6.82%, 48/703) and renal malignant tumor (6.40%, 45/703). From 2007 to 2018, there was no significant difference in the percentage change of different age, gender and primary tumor source composition (age: χ 2=14.01, P=0.233; gender: χ 2=35.73, P=0.341; primary tumor: χ 2=120.09, P=0.074). The percentage of patients with sacrococcygeal metastasis decreased from 20.00% in 2008 to 1.89% in 2017 and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=8.09, P=0.005). The percentage of patients with multi-level metastasis increased from 26.67% in 2008 to 52.83% in 2017, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=7.23, P=0.007). The percentage of patients with minimally invasive surgery decreased from 25.00% in 2007 to 5.88% in 2018, and the percentage of patients with segmented resection decreased from 53.33% in 2008 to 10.29% in 2018. The proportion of the two surgical methods showed a significant downward trend, and the differences were statistically significant (minimally invasive surgery: χ 2=1.46, P=0.026; segmented resection surgery: χ 2=19.56, P<0.001). The percentage of patients undergoing separation surgery increased from 13.33% in 2008 to 64.71% in 2018, and the proportion of patients undergoing total en-bloc spondylectomy increased from 0 in 2007 to 10.29% in 2018. Both surgical methods showed a significant growth trend and the differences were statistically significant (separation surgery: χ 2=27.09, P<0.001; χ 2=4.16, P=0.042). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, metastatic site, number of metastatic segments, pathological vertebral fractures, Frankel grade, SINS score and VAS score were independent factors influencing surgical decision-making ( P<0.05). Conclusion:With different time and age, the invasiveness and thoroughness of surgery are increasing, which shows that the percentage of patients who underwent separation surgery and to-tal en-bloc spondylectomy is significantly increasing. Age, metastatic site, number of metastatic segments, pathological vertebral fractures, Frankel grade, SINS score and VAS score are independent factors affecting surgical decision-making.
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Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of the New England spinal metastasis score (NESMS) in predicting the prognosis of patients with spinal metastases by retrospectively analyzing the medical records of multicenter spinal metastases in China.Methods:The data of 179 patients with spinal metastases from January 2008 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected. There were 108 males (60.3%) and 71 females (39.7%) with an average age of 59.79±10.88 years old (range 27-84 years). The patient demographic characteristics, primary tumor type, spinal metastases and segments, vertebral pathological fractures, neurological Frankel classification, physical function status, Karnofsky performance scale (KPS), visual analogue score (VAS), the spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS), modified Bauer score, NESMS score, Tomita score and modified Tokuhashi score were collected. The clinical value of NESMS score, Tomita score and modified Tokuhashi score in predicting the survival of patients with spinal metastases were compared. The independent factors affecting survival in these patients were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression model.Results:Among the 179 patients, the peak incidence of spinal metastases was in the age group of 61-75 years (45.3%, 81/179) of all patients. Lung cancer was the most common primary tumor (46.9%, 84/179). 40.8% (73/179) of patients had multi-segment metastasisand thoracic spine was the most common site with single-site metastasis (26.3%, 47/179). 28.5% (51/179) of the patients had visceral metastases and 52.0% (93/179) of the patients had extraspinal bone metastases. 31.3% (56/179) of the patients had pathological fractures of the involved vertebral bodies.114 patients received surgical treatment (63.4%). The mortality rates in 3-months, 6-months and 1-year were 22.4% (40/179), 51.4% (92/179) and 77.1% (138/179), respectively. The median survival time of patients with NESMS score of 0-3 was 3, 4, 8, and 10 months respectively with the mean survival time was 3.60±2.10, 6.77±3.39, 9.69±5.71 and 10.53±6.25 months. The 1-year mortality rates were 100% (13/13), 87.5% (42/48), 71.6% (63/88) and 66.7% (20/30) respectively. The consistency of NESMS score, Tomita score and modified Tokuhashi score in predicting survival of all patients was 0.63, 0.58 and 0.55, respectively. For patients with spinal metastases, the NESMS score was better than the Tomita score and modified Tokuhashi score in predicting survival at 3-months (AUC=1.00, 0.63, 0.42) and 6-months (AUC=0.71, 0.63, 0.45). But the accuracy of Tomita score was best in predicting survival at 1-year (AUC=0.66, 0.61, 0.38). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis showed that growth rate of primary tumor, neurological function Frankel score, albumin level and surgical treatment were independent factors affecting the survival time of patients with spinal metastases ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The consistency and accuracy of NESMS score in predicting survival of patients with spinal metastases are better than Tomita score and modified Tokuhashi score, especially in predicting 3- and 6-month survival. The growth rate of primary tumor, Frankel classification, albumin level and surgical treatment were independent factors affecting the survival time of patients with spinal metastases.
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Objective:To summarize the technical points of microwave ablation for inactivating the preserved bone in situ combined with hip prosthesis for proximal femoral malignancy and analyze its clinical efficacy.Methods:A total of 28 patients with proximal femoral malignancy who were treated in Tianjin Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were included in the study. There were 12 males and 16 females, aged 65.3±10.9 years (range 39-85 years); 26 metastatic bone tumors and 2 patients with proximal femoral primary tumors accompanying marrow cavity jumping focus in the study. According to whether the tumor bone mass was preserved in situ during microwave ablation, the patients were divided into the bone mass preservation group (18 cases) and conventional surgery group (10 cases). In the bone mass preservation group, according to the evaluation of preoperative CT and MRI, part of the tumor bone was preserved in situ and hip arthroplasty was performed after microwave inactivation. In the conventional surgery group, total resection of the tumor and microwave inactivation were performed firstly, and then hip prosthesis replacement was performed. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by comparing the length of osteotomy, the postoperative prosthesis stability and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score.Results:The follow-up time of 28 patients was 11.9±5.9 months (range 4 to 24 months). The intraoperative length of osteotomy was 9.2±2.5 cm in the bone mass preservation group and the intraoperative length of osteotomy was 15.4±3.6 cm in the conventional surgery group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=5.40, P=0.002). There were 5 common hip prosthesises and 13 modular hip prosthesises in the bone mass preservation group. In 2 patients with common prosthesis, X-ray showed partial bone resorption at the osteotomy interface 3 and 8 months after operation, no loosening or fracture at the prosthesis-bone interface, and no pain or limitation of walking. There were 10 modular hip prosthesises in the conventional surgery group, with one patient suffered pain while walking at 19 months after surgery, and the X-ray suggested loosening between the prosthesis-bone interface. MSTS score of bone mass preservation group at 3 months post-operation was 16.6±1.9 points, including good 6 cases and moderate 12 case, and the excellent and good rate was 33%, meanwhile MSTS score of conventional surgery group was 15.5±3.6 points, including good 3 cases, moderate 5 cases and poor 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 30% at 3 months post-operation, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant ( t=0.94, P=0.366). MSTS score of bone mass preservation group at 6 months post-operation was 21.7±3.2 points, including excellent 3 cases, good 9 cases, moderate 1 case and poor 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 86% (12/14), meanwhile MSTS score of conventional surgery group at 6 months post-operation was 16.5±4.9 points, including excellent 1 case, good 3 cases, moderate 3 cases and poor 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 44% at 6 months post-operation, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=3.03, P=0.006). MSTS score of bone mass preservation group at 12 months post-operation was 22.3±7.6 points, including excellent 8 cases, good 2 cases, moderate 1 case and poor 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 83% (10/12), meanwhile conventional surgery group at 12 months post-operation was 22.1±6.6 points, including excellent 3 case, good 3 cases, moderate 1 cases and poor 1 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 75%(6/8), and the difference was not statistically significant ( t=0.06, P=0.957). The MSTS scores of 6 months after operation, including movement function, acceptance degree, brace assistance and walking ability, were significantly improved in the bone mass preservation group compared with the conventional surgery group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.33, P=0.030; t=2.74, P=0.012; t=2.80, P=0.011; t=2.59, P=0.026). Conclusion:Preserved bone mass in situ inactivated by microwave ablation combined with tumor hip prosthesis is an alternative surgical method for the treatment of proximal femoral malignancy, which can increase the stability of the prosthesis, facilitate the biological reconstruction of soft tissues and early functional recovery.
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Objective:To summarize the clinical manifestations, epidemiological features and progress of diagnosis and treatment of gout in the spinal canal.Methods:A 59-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital due to back pain, weakness in both lower limbs, hypoaesthesia and feeling of walking and stepping on cotton for more than one month. The preoperative imaging examination showed there were space-occupying lesions in the spinal canal at the T 8, 9 level with severe canal stenosis. The patient underwent posterior T 8, 9 laminectomy decompression, debridement and T 7-T 10 pedicle screw internal fixation under general anesthesia. The thoracic spinal gout was diagnosed by postoperative pathology. Further, the following keywords, "gout", "gout of spinal canal", "gout of spine" and "intraspinal gout", were used to search in the Chinese and English databases. A total of 62 patients with intraspinal gout were retrieved. The age, gender, involved disease, history of gout or hyperuricemia, laboratory indicators and imaging data of 63 patients were collected. Results:A total of 63 patients with intraspinal gout were retrieved. The gender of one patient was unknown. The remaining patients included 54 males (87.1%, 54/62) and 8 females (12.9%, 8/62) with the ratio of male to female 6.75∶1. The average age was 52(35, 67) years (range 20-82 years) and the peak onset period was 60-79 years. Fifty-six cases (88.9%, 56/63) of all patients suffered the disease from one single site of the spine, including 26 cases in the lumbar-sacral (46.4%), 22 cases (39.3%) in the thoracic spine and 8 cases (14.3%) in the cervical spine. However, only 7 patients had the disease at more than two sites at the same time accounting for 11.1% of all patients (7/63). Fifty-three patients (91.4%, 53/58) had a history of hyperuricemia with an average duration of 8.6 years (range 3 months to 28 years). The clinical symptoms of intraspinal gout were not specific. There were 70.5% (43/61) patients had local pain and up to 98.4% (60/61) patients had varying degrees of neurological dysfunction. X-ray examinations often showed no positive results due to technical limitations. Among 41 patients with CT imaging data, 31 cases showed mid-to-high density elliptical or irregular calcifications in the spinal canal and the remaining 10 patients showed medium-low density soft tissue masses. There were 96.2% (51/53) of patients with intraspinal gout showed medium or low signal on T1WI MRI examination but without high signal or low signal on T2WI (40 cases of high signal, 13 cases of high signal or mixed signal). All 63 patients were finally diagnosed by pathological examination and 5 of them with histological features. The main pathological features included foreign body granuloma, red-stained crystal-like deposits in the cytoplasm of foreign body giant cells, birefringent spindle or needle-like crystals under polarized light microscope.Conclusion:Gout in the spinal canal is a rare condition. Dual-energy CT has high sensitivity and specificity in identifying gout and it can provide a more accurate method in diagnosis of spinal gout. However, the final diagnosis depends on postoperative pathology. If case of spinal instability or neurological dysfunction, surgery had to be performed. Hyperuricemia should be treated in order to reduce the risk of acute attacks.
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In order to avoid the intra- and post-operative risks caused by massive blood loss, there are various clinical methods for evaluating the blood supply of the tumor and the distribution of blood vessels around the tumor before surgery, such as dynamic enhanced CT, dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, digital subtraction angiography, etc. And there are a variety of pre- and intra-operative methods to reduce tumor bleeding, such as transarterial vertebral tumor embolization, percutaneous or transpedicular injection of Onyx/NBCA, antifibrinolytic drugs, controlled deliberate hypotension, etc. This article reviews on spinal tumor blood supply assessment and the methods to reduce the amount of surgical bleeding.
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ObjectiveTo analyze the relationship between mental health status and coping styles among village poverty alleviation cadres in Leshan City， and to provide references for the improvement of mental health and coping styles of them. MethodsA cluster random sampling method was used to select 6 of the 11 districts and counties in Leshan City， and all the village poverty alleviation cadres in the selected areas were evaluated through the psychological cloud CT system. A total of 700 cadres participated in the questionnaire evaluation， and were assessed using Symptom Checklist 90 （SCL-90） and Coping Style Questionnaire （CSQ）. Results①A total of 207 （35.9%） village poverty alleviation cadres factor scored above 2， and 92 （15.9%） cadres scored above 200. ②There was a statistically significant difference in SCL-90 obsessive-compulsive symptom factor score and other factor score between different poverty alleviation time groups （P<0.05 or 0.01）， and the factor score of SCL-90 obsessive-compulsive symptom showed significant difference among village poverty-alleviation cadres of different genders （P<0.05）. ③The scores of problem-solving factor in CSQ showed significant differences among village poverty alleviation cadres of different genders and different ages （P<0.01）. ④Correlation analysis showed that the scores of each dimension and total score of SCL-90 of village poverty alleviation cadres in Leshan City were positively correlated with the score of self-blame factor in CSQ （r=0.423~0.521， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe village poverty alleviation cadres of female and with a working length of less than 90 days or more than 360 days are at high risk of obsessive-compulsive symptoms， while the cadres of male and aged over 41 years adopt mature coping styles. Furthermore， the immature coping style of cadres will lead to serious mental health problems.
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Objective:To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of inserting two pedicle screws through different trajectories in the same pedicle.Methods:3D image data of 100 adults lumbar spine in the database of radiology department from March 2019 to October 2019 were randomly selected. The cancellous bone width and height of pedicles were measured by using Mimics software. The diameters of pedicle screws and revision screws were chosen according to the width of pedicles. A revision screw was implanted into the same vertebral pedicle after inserting a traditional pedicle screw. The successful rates were analyzed. The head inclination angles and outer inclination angles were measured.Results:1) Pedicle morphology: the height of L 1-L 5 pedicle cancellous bone were 10.94±2.22 mm, 9.76±1.82 mm, 9.47±1.77 mm, 8.71±1.52 mm, and 8.66±1.62 mm respectively, showing a trend of gradually decreasing. The width of L 1-L 5 pedicle cancellous bone were 5.01±1.61 mm, 5.48±1.69 mm, 6.95±1.79 mm, 8.58±1.85 mm, and 11.72±2.25 mm respectively, showing a trend of gradually increasing. 2) The successful rates of dual pedicle screws fixation: 57.2% dual pedicle screws fixation were successfully planned in 500 pedicles of 100 people. The successful rates of L 1-L 5 were 100%, 93.2%, 79.8%, 27.6%, and 11.0% respectively, showing a trend of gradually increasing. As the width of pedicles increased, the successful rates gradually decreased. (3) The angle of revision screws: the head inclination angles of L 1-L 4 revision screws were 9.73°±3.96°, 9.57°±4.58°, 9.13°±4.11°, and 6.10°±3.00° respectively, showing a decreasing trend; the outer inclination angles were 9.57°±3.85°, 8.76°±4.83°, 6.61°±4.93°, and 5.03°±5.80° respectively, showing a decreasing trend. The head inclination angle of L 5 revision screw was 28.42°±6.06° and the outer inclination angle was 150.58°±2.08°. Conclusion:CBW is related to the successful rate of dual trajectory pedicle screws fixation. Measurement of CBW is of great significance for the feasibility and accuracy of double-channel pedicle screws fixation before operation. The digital simulation of pedicle screw fixation provides reference for the clinical application of double-channel pedicle screws fixation.
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BACKGROUND:Gait deviations are the important diagnosis criteria and surgical indications of cervical myelopathy. Conventional three-dimensional gait laboratory failed to apply in clinics due to complex operations and time consuming. In recent years, a portable gait analyzer based on the micro-sensors is emerging and developing, it has been verified by clinical practice, al owing gait analysis in the ward. OBJECTIVE:To quantitatively analyze gait characteristics of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) by a portable gait analyzer. METHODS:From March 2013 to November 2013, 15 CSM patients and 30 healthy subjects were enrol ed in the study. The involved patients were accompanied by gait abnormalities. A portable gait analyzer was used for gait analysis. Subjects walked on a 30-meter corridor back and forth for 120 meters. Total y 12 gait parameters were involved in this study, including seven common parameters (single limb support, double limb support, gait cycle, speed, cadence, step length and stride length) and five new parameters (pul ing acceleration, swing power, ground impact, foot fal , and pre-swing angle). Three patients underwent cervical decompression surgery. The gait characteristics were re-evaluated one week later, carrying neck support. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The double limb support and gait cycle duration of CSM group were significantly longer than control group (P0.05). after cervical decompression surgery, the mean remission rate of Japanese Orthopedics Association scores was 32.5%and lower limb acceleration was improved obviously in the graph one week after surgery. Varying degree of correlation was seen between Japanese Orthopedics Association scores and the detected 12 gait parameters in CSM patients. The portable gait analyzer can effective measure the pathological gait deviation in CSM patients with abnormal gaits, and assists to evaluate the lower limb functions.
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Objective To employ intraoperative discography to determine the injured intervertebral disc segments that can not be identified on the preoperative MRI in patients with cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation for confirming the responsible segments needing surgical decompression and fusion.Methods The study involved 85 patients with cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation treated from January 2007 to December 2011,among which sixteen patients had not been identified with the responsible segments by preoperative MRI.The average preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was (9.1 ± 1.8) points.There was no obvious fracture or dislocation of the cervical spine on preoperative X-ray film,CT and MRI,but all patients displayed high intense signal in cervical spinal cord on MRI T2 weighted imaging.Besides,MRI revealed hemorrhagic swelling of anterior cervical soft tissue in nine patients and cervical intervertebral disk hernia in all patients.Annulus fibrosus rupture of cervical intervertebral disc with contrast leakage in intraoperative discography of suspected injury segments in all patients under direction of C-arm X-ray machine was set as the injury criterion.The patients with pure ruptured discs received cervical discectomy,interbody fusion and titanium plate fixation.The patients associated with multilevel cervical intervertebral disc hernia or ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament underwent anterior cervical corpectomy,bone graft with titanium cageand titanium plate fixation of ruptured discs.Results Nineteen injured discs were identified eventually by discography,including 2 discs at C3/4,4 at C4/5,8 at C5/6 and 5 at C6/7.Moreover,anterior annulus fibrosus rupture with intact anterior longitudinal ligament was found in 11 patients.The follow-up lasted for (24.4 ± 10.0) months.JOA scores were (13.3 ± 1.5) points and (14.5 ± 1.6) points at two weeks and three months after operation,and (15.1 ± 1.5) points at the last follow-up,indicating a relevant improvement rate of 53％,68％ and 76％ respectively.Mean operation time was 110 minutes and blood loss was 120 ml.Three patients had pain on shoulder and back and one patient had hoarse voice,but all the patients were relieved in two weeks after conservative treatments.No serious complications,such as deep infection,deterioration of neurological dysfunction,vertebral artery injury or internal fixation failure were noticed intra-or post-operatively.Conclusion For the intradiscal rupture that is hard to be determined by the conventional imaging methods,intraoperative discography can be used as an auxiliary method of imaging diagnosis in early surgical determination of responsible segments for cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation.
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Objective To evaluate the mid-term clinical and radiographic results of artificial disc replacement (ADR) for discogenic low back pain.Methods From July 2004 to July 2007,21 patients with discogenic low back pain,aged from 26 to 67 years,underwent lumbar ADR with the Charité Ⅲ artificial disc at 22 levels and Activ L prosthesis at 2 levels:L4-5 5 cases,L5S1 13 cases,L4-5 and L5S1 3 cases.The diagnosis was proved by discography in all the patients.The clinical and radiographic results were evaluated and compared between pre-,post-operation and finial follow-up.Results All patients were followed up for 4to 7 years (average,5.1 years).There were statistical differences between pre-operation and final follow-up in Oswestry disability index and Visual Analogue Scale for back pain and leg pain.All the prostheses were mobile without dislocation,breakage,subsidence or spontaneous fusion,only a slight scoliosis was noted in one patient.At the ADR levels,the anterior and posterior intervertebral height increased averagely 6.3 mm and 1.9 mm respectively,the lordosis increased 2.9°,and the mean range of motion (ROM) was 4.6°.At the adjacent level proximal to ADR,the intervertebral height and lordosis decreased slightly,and the ROM decreased 2.5°.The total lumbar lordosis increased 7.8°,and the total lumbar ROM increased 2.4°.According to MRI and CT scans,the degeneration of proximal adjacent disc and facet were not evident,however the degeneration of facets at the ADR levels was evident.Conclusion The 5 years results of ADR for discogenic low back pain were satisfactory,with preserved motion at the ADR level,and the degeneration of adjacent level was not evident.However,there was obvious degeneration in facet joints of the ADR level.
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Objective To study the onset,treatment,prognosis and possible causes of transient quadriplegia shortly after anterior cervical compression and fixation (within four hours postoperatively) in three patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who could function well for limbs after anesthesia awakening from the operation. Methods A retrospective study was carried out on medical data of three patients including two males and one females,at age of 41-61 years.Anterior cervical corpectomy,titanium mesh bone fusion and titanic plate fixation were performed under general anesthesia.The decompression segment was C5 in one patient,C6 in one and C5 plus C6/7intervertebral disc in one respectively.Paralysis occurred between 30 minutes and 4 hours postoperatively.Two patients were with complete paralysis and one with incomplete. All the patients received dehydration,neurotrophic drugs and high-dose methylprednisolone therapy immediately after paralysis. Meanwhile,emergent cervical MRI was performed,which showed spinal cord swelling,without obvious spinal cord compression by hematoma.Results The paralysis was alleviated completely in two patients within two hours after early medication without additional surgical compression.The other one patient was recovered incompletely at 24 hours after medicationand then underwent posterior cervical laminoplasty,when tremendous pressure was released from cervical spinal cord.But the spinal function had significant recovery after surgical compression and won complete recovery one week later. Conclusions Besides spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury,the transient paralysis after anterior cervical surgery may be associated with cervical spinal cord swelling and limited anterior decompression space.Early diagnosis and early intervention of paralysis may save the spinal cord function and attain a satisfactory prognosis.
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Objective To discuss the value of thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) and load-sharing scores in guiding selection of the indications of combined anteroposterior surgery for thoracolumbar fractures. Methods A total of 216 patients with thoracolumbar fractures treated surgically from January 2006 to January 2008 were involved in the study. Combined anterior and posterior surgery was carried out in 48 patients including 32 males and 16 females (at average age of 39 years, range 18-55 years). Segments involved T11 in two patients, T12 in eight, L1 in 20 and L2 in 18. According to the classification of Magerl, there were 20 patients with type B1 fractures, 15 with type B2, four with type C1 and nine with type C2. Neurologic status based on ASIA classification was at grade A in five patients, grade B in 16, grade C in 16, grade D in nine and grade E in two. All patients were operated in lateral position at one stage within 14 days after injury, with posterior laminectomy and pedicle fixation, anterior corpectomy, reduction and strut graft. Forty-five patients were followed up for 14-38 months. Plain X-ray radiographs and reconstruction CT were taken to observe the bone healing. Local kyphosis and vertebral canal were also measured. All the patients were evaluated with TLICS and load-sharing scores. Results Lumbar physical lordosis was reconstructed, with no evident correction loss,pseudoarthrosis or implant failure noted during follow-up. The patients treated with combined surgery had TLICS score ≥5 points, load-sharing scores ≥7 points and were combined with posterior ligamentous complex injury, so the fracture could not be sufficiently decompressed and reconstructed with single anterior or posterior surgery. Of all, 45 patients were followed up for 14-38 months (mean 25 months), which showed that all the combined surgeries were performed successfully, with bone fusion and neurological status improved for at least one ASIA grade. No complications like implant breakage, loosening, titanium mesh displacement or subsidence were observed. Conclusions LICS is basically helpful for guiding selection of combined surgery, but does not well evaluate the canal compromise, to which the load-sharing scores can supplement. These two evaluation systems should be applied together. The anteroposterior surgery can be recommended when the patients are with TLICS≥5 points, load-sharing score ≥7 points and combined with ligament complex injury.
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@#ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and potential benefit of olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) intraspinal transplantation in the treatment of intractable chronic neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods17 patients, 15 male and 2 female, with intractable chronic neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury was treated by OEC implant from November, 2004 to November, 2007. The age ranged from 18 to 68 (mean 40.4) years. The etiology of cord impairment included car accidents, falls, radiation damage, machine extrusion, gun-shot, and diving. The patients suffered severe persistent pain for 6 to 309 (mean 102.2) months, and the time points when cell therapy were administrated in the patients ranged from 6 to 312 (mean 105.9 months) after their injuries. Olfactory bulbs were harvested and trypsinized down to single fetal OECs. They were cultured for 12～14 days before implant. The fetal OECs were transplanted by injection into spinal cord at opposing ends of the injury site. The degree of pain was assessed and compared before operation and long-term follow-up according to the International Association of Neurorestoratology Spinal Cord Injury Functional Rating Scale (IANR-SCIFRS), i.e., 0 point means extreme pain, uncontrolled; 1 point, severe pain, narcotics required; 2 points, mild pain, ordinary pain killer effective; 3 points, no pain.ResultsThe follow-up and pain reevaluation were performed at 0.5 to 88 months with an average of 17.5 months after cell transplantation. The mean score of pain amelioration is 1.2 points.ConclusionThe OEC intraspinal transplantation appears to have a promising role in treatment of intractable chronic neuropathic pain after SCI.
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Objective To evaluate proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) for detection of the motor cortex and adjacent brain in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with apparent upper motor neuron involvement after olfactory ensheathing cells(OECs) transplantation. Methods From December 2004 to February 2005, 7 patients with clinically definite ALS who could safely undergo MRS were admitted into the perspective study. The neurological status, ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS), EMG, and 1H-MRS taken before and 2 weeks after operations were carefully analyzed. The NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were measured in the cerebral peduncle, genu and posterior limb of the internal capsule, corona radiata and precentral gyrus. Results The ALSFRS in 2 cases improved obviously whose ALSFRS increased from 30 to 33 and from 29 to 34 respectively. And 5 cases remained stable 2 weeks after OECs transplantation. Statistical analyses for all seven cases showed both the NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios decreased, but in the two cases with ALSFRS improvement the NAA/Cr increased in the certain anatomic position which confirmed the neurological and EMG findings. Conclusion The proton MR spectroscopy is a suitable noninvasive measure for ALS evaluation. The preliminary study suggests that two of the seven ALS cases improved apparently short-term after OECs transplantation. More patients are required for the clinical study and longer follow-up duration is needed for future research.
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ObjectiveTo determine whether transplanting olfactory ensheathing cells(OECs)is effective in controlling or re.versing the deterioration caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(AtS). MethodsUetwcen February 2003 and April 2006,327 pa-fients(241 males and 86 females)with probable or definite ALS(diagnosed according to the El Escorial criteria)received dle oECstransplantation.Their ages ranged from 20 to 84 years(51.6±11.1 years).The duaration of sympltoms before surgical trealment wit84.8months to 13 years(2.9±2.0 years).OECs were cultured and.injected into palllological regions of the spinal cord and/or bilateralcoroila radiata of the brain;the patients were divided into three groups,group A(cord only,n=29),group B(cord and brain,,n=6),and group C(brain only,n=292)based on the transplant sites.ResultsThe patient's neurological function was assessedboth before and at4 weeks after transplantation by using the Amyolrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale(ALSFRS)of the ALSCNTF Trealment Study(ACTS).The$cores were increased from 17.2±8.6 pre-operation to 20.1±9.7 post-operation in group A(P<0.05),from 24.2 4-6.8 to 25.7±6.6(P>0.05)in group B,and from 20.3±8.6 to 22.0±9.4(P<0.001)in group C.There were no significant difference inincreased ALSFRS scores amongthe three groups(P>O.05).The total improvement rate of neurological function was 77.1%(252/327).The result of electramyographic examination showed that spontaneous potential diminishedand/or disappeared,the amplitude of the motor unit action potential decreased remarkably andthe numbers of motor unitaction potentialgreatly increased in 261 cases(79.8%).Sixteen patients(4.9%)experienced the various complications including headache.short-term fever,seizure attack,central nerve system infection,pneumonia,respiratory failure,urinary tract infection,heartfailure,and pos-sible pulmonary embolism;of them,there were 4 deaths(1.2%). ConclusionThese preliminary results suggest that the OECs trasplantafion is effective in controlling or reversing the physiological deterioration caused by ALS.
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Objective To explore the influence factors for the functional improvement after the fetal olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation for chronic spinal cord injury(SCI). Methods The olfactory bulbs were harvested and trypsinized down to single fetal OEC. They were cultured for 12-17 days prepared for use. From November 2001 to December 2003, a total of 300 patients volunteered for the fetal OEC transplantation, among whom 222 suffered from complete chronic SCI and 78 suffered from incomplete chronic SCI. The procedures were performed on the patients with a disease course ranging from 6 months to 31 years (average 3.1 years) after their injuries. The fetal OEC was transplanted by the form of injections into the spinal cord at the upper and lower ends of the injury site. All the patients were assessed by the ASIA standard before the transplantation and 2-8 weeks after the transplantation. The influence factors including age, sex, duration after the injury, and injury degrees and levels were compared with those in the functional improvement after fetal OEC transplantation. Results The partially-improved neurological functions assessed by the ASIA standard were indicated by the motor scores increasing from 39.1±20.6 to 45.9±20.3 (P<0.001), the light touch scores from 51.7±24.9 to 63.4±23.0 (P<0.001), and the pin prick scores from 53.0±24.2 to 65.3±22.7(P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the functional improvement of the motor, light touch, and pin brick when compared with the age, sex, duration after the injury, and the injury degrees and levels. The motor scores and light touch scores at the cervical level were higher than the scores at the thoracic level. Conclusion The fetal OEC transplantation can partially improve the neurological functions quickly in treatment of the chronic spinal cord injury. All the influence factors except the motor scores and light touch scores, which were higher at the cervical level than at thoracic level, have no impact on the functional improvement after the fetal OEC transplantation.
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Objective To determine the safety of the fetal olfactory ensheathing cell(OEC) transplantation in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) by examination of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods A prospective clinical study involving 16 patients with chronic SCI was designed to investigate the feasibility and biological safety of the fetal OEC transplantation in treatment of SCI. The olfactory bulbs from the 3-4-month-old aborted human fetuses following the strict ethical guidelines were harvested and trypsinized down to single fetal OEC. These cells were then cultured for 12-17 days and were prepared for a clinical use. From November 2001 to December 2002, 16 patients with chronic SCI were randomly enrolled. The patients suffered from SCI for 1.5-8 years (average 4.3 years) after the injury. The suspension (50 μl) containing about 1×106 fetal OECs was transplanted by an injection into the patients' spinal cords above and below the injury site. All the patients were assessed before the transplantation and were followed up with MRI for 29-42 months (average 38 mon) after the transplantation. Results No cell-related adverse effects were observed in any patient during the follow-up period. The follow-up with MRI did not reveal any development of optic glial tumor, tumor-like mass, new hemorrhage, edema, expanding cyst, new cyst formation, infection or disruption of the neural structure in the transplant site of all the patients. Conclusion This is the first clinical study demonstrating the long-term safety of the OEC therapy for SCI. The results indicate that our protocol is feasible and safe in treatment of patients with chronic SCI within 38 months after the injury. Although the size of the samples for our study was not big enough, the positive results of the study have encouraged us to make a further research in this field.
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BACKGROUND: It was thought that there was no regeneration capacityin central nerves. Recent research shows that regeneration capacity of injured neural axons and recovery of some neurological functions can be achieved by changing local surroundings after spinal cord injury (SCI).OBJECTIVE: To probe into whether the transplantation of fetal olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) in recovering the neurological functions of patients with chronic SCI is safe, feasible, and effective.DESIGN: Auto-control observation before and after surgery.SETTING: Neurological Research and Treatment Center of Beijing Xishan Hospital; Second Department of Neurosurgery in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital University of Medical Sciences; Second Department of Neurosurgery in Naval General Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 171 patients with chronic spinal cord injury were selected from the Second Department of Neurosurgery in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital University of Medical Sciences and the Second Department of Neurosurgery in Naval General Hospital betweenNovember 2001 and February 2003, of which there are 147 patients with complete injury and 24 ones with incomplete injury. Post-injury period ranged from 0.5 to 18 years. Process of treatment is discussed and permitted by relevant Medical Ethics Committees. Cells were obtained from voluntary donors and patients agreed to receive the treatment.METHODS: ① Fetal olfactory bulbs were cultured for 12-17 days after being digested into single cells. ② Fetal OECs were transplanted into sites rostral and caudal to the epienter. ③ Neurological functions of all patients 2-8 weeks before and after operation were evaluated according to the scoring standard of ASIA.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Status of functional recovery in spinal cord of patients after transplantation of OECs. ② Harmful events and side effects.RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were involved in the analysis of results.①Status of functional recovery in spinal cord of patients with OECs transplantation: Partial neurological functions of 171 patients rapidly recovered,whose motor function score increased from (34.5±20.3) points before operation to (42.0±20.0) points (P ＜ 0.001) after operation, score of light touch increased from (47.2±24.0) points to (61.8±23.0) points (P ＜ 0.001) after operation,score of pain sense increased from (48.6±23.5) points to (64.0±22.8) points (P ＜ 0.001). ②Harmful events and side-effects: Early manifestations of spinal cord injury induced by infection in surgical area of one patient aggravated; two patients suffered from serious pulmonary infection,one patient from thalamic hemorrhage. Three patients mentioned above died of serious respiration and circulatory failures.CONCLUSION: OEC transplantation can rapidly promote partial neurological function of patients with chronic SCI, while the mechanism needs further observing.
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Aim To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effects of AgLA2 on lung carcinoma cells SPC-A-1 and its mechanism in vitro.Methods The MTT assay was used to assess the proliferation of SPC-A-1 cells treated with AgLA2 in vitro.Apoptosis-inducing effects was investigated by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis,cell morphology and Elisa.RT-PCR was used to measure the expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA,and immunocytochemistry was used to measure the expression of bcl-2 and bax protein.Results The IC50 of AgLA2 to SPC-A-1 cells was(3.447?0.436)mg?L-1.Treated with AgLA2,typical nuclear chromatine condensation and fragmentation were observed.The concentration of Caspase-3 in the group treated with AgLA2 was higher than that of the control group.Treated with AgLA2,bcl-2 mRNA,protein expression decreased while bax mRNA,protein expression increased.Conclusions AgLA2 can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of SPC-A-1 cells.Its mechanism of action may be related to changing the ratio of bax/bcl-2 and the set-point of apoptosis,making the apoptosis power hold dominance.