Surgical treatment of ossification of ligamentum flavum in thoracic spine and its therapeutic effect analysis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between CT classification and operative method and to discuss its therapeutic effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January of 2001 to June of 2010, 30 patients with thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum were reviewed retrospectively, including 22 males and 8 females with an average age of 52.8 years old (ranged from 37 to 68 years old). The course of duration ranged from 2 months to 6 years. Single segment lesion was in 11 cases and multiple segments were in 19 cases. Two patients were accompanied by cervical ossification of ligamentum flavum and 1 was accompanied by ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. The ossified lesions were located at T1,2 to T4,5 in 5 cases,T5,6 to T8,9 in 7 cases, T9,10 to T11,12 in 12 cases, at the upper and middle thoracic levels in 2 cases, at the middle and lower thoracic levels in 4 cases. They were divided into 2 types according to the morphologic features of the CT scan:simple type, 18 segments with lateral, slice or unfused type; complex type, 42 segments with thickened, fused or nodular type. The clinical manifestation was paralysis of upper motor neuron in 21 cases, and of upper and lower motor neuron in other 9 cases. Sphincter dysfunction was found in 26 cases. Preoperative JOA sphincter function score was 1.97 +/- 0.56. Preoperative modified JOA motor function score of lower limb was 1.20 +/- 0.76. Different surgical procedure was applied to one of the 2 types. For the simple type, an en bloc laminectomy was performed. However,for the complex type, a laminar shelling decompression was done. Laminectomy combined with internal fixation and lateral fusion was performed in patients whose decompressive areas were wider.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean decompression length was 3.1 lamina (2 to 6 lamina). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage was found in 3 cases and hematoma in incision was found in 1 case. The mean follow-up duration was 26 months (12 to 96 months). Twenty-two patients with the feel of constriction of trunk or lower limbs were completely recovered; 18 cases with sensation disturbance, numbness and pain of the lower limb were totally recovered, and relived in 10 cases. Postoperative JOA sphincter function score was 2.73 +/- 0.45, comparing with the preoperative score, and the difference was significant (P < 0.01). Postoperative JOA motor function score was 3.57 +/- 0.77, comparing with the preoperative score, and the difference was significant (P < 0.01 ). The lower limb function relief rate was 86.1%, 24 patients got an excellent results, 3 good, 2 poor and 1 bad.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Different surgical procedures will be safely and effectively applied to treat thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum according to CT classification.</p>

Progress of research between Helicobacter pylori infection and osteoporosis / 中国骨伤

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is an infectious pathogen which can easily infringe gastric mucosa. If the body is infected by HP, it can release cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6. These cytokines can regulate the absorption and transformation of bone, promote the formation of osteoclast, and then cause localized or systemic osteoporosis. HP infection may decrease the level of estrogen and vitamin B12, which is considered as a risk factor for osteoporosis. Helicobacter pylori infection is related with the occurrence of gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric malignancies, and these diseases and treatments are associated with osteoporosis. Meanwhile the application of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) can influence absorption of calcium, decrease the level of serum calcium and increase the risk of fracture. Gastrostomy may cause bone metabolism disorders.