Mechanical properties of the sciatic nerve following combined transplantation of analytically extracted acellular allogeneic nerve and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract Purpose To investigate the effects of Chemically Extracted Acellular Nerves (CEANs) when combined with Adipose-Derived mesenchymal Stem Cell (ADSC) transplantation on the repair of sciatic nerve defects in rabbits. Methods A total of 71 six-month-old Japanese rabbit were used in this study. Twenty rabbits served as sciatic nerve donors, while the other 51 rabbits were randomly divided into Autologous Nerve Transplantation Group (ANT, n=17), CEAN group (n=17) and CEAN-ADSCs group (n=17). In all these groups, the rabbit's left sciatic nerves were injured before the experiment, and the uninjured sciatic nerves on their right side were used as the control (CON). Electrophysiological tests were carried out and sciatic nerves were prepared for histomorphology and stretch testing at 24 weeks post-transplant. Results There were significant differences between ANT and Con groups in amplitude (AMP): P=0.031; motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV): P=0.029; Maximum stress: P=0.029; and Maximum strain P=0.027. There were also differences between the CEAN and CEAN+ADSCs groups in AMP: P=0.026, MNCV: P=0.024; Maximum stress: P=0.025 and Maximum strain: P=0.030. No significant differences in these parameters were observed when comparing the ANT and CEAN+SACN groups (MNCV: P=0.071) or the CEAN and ANT groups (Maximum stress: P=0.069; Maximum strain P=0.077). Conclusion Addition of ADSCs has a significant impact on the recovery of nerve function, morphology, and tensile mechanical properties following sciatic nerve injury.

Atrapamiento del nervio ciático en el espacio subglúteo: tratamiento endoscópico / Deep gluteal syndrome. Endoscopic treatment

Se ha sugerido el término síndrome de glúteo profundo (deep gluteal syndrome) (SGP) para definir la compresión del nervio ciático en la región anatómica del espacio glúteo, o aquellas ciáticas no discogénicas con origen en esta región. Este síndrome tiene una alta prevalencia pero un bajo diagnóstico. Existen numerosas causas que pueden originar su afectación y compresión a nivel de dicho espacio. El uso rutinario de los test de evaluación, junto con una sospecha diagnóstica, determinará la incidencia real de este síndrome. La cirugía abierta ha sido descripta y utilizada como tratamiento. El tratamiento endoscópico es efectivo y disminuye el índice de morbilidad y eficacia en comparación con la cirugía abierta. El objetivo del trabajo es presentar una actualización de las características clínicas, test diagnósticos, métodos complementarios, causas y alternativas de tratamiento del SGP, haciendo hincapié en los detalles técnicos del procedimiento endoscópico.

The term Deep Gluteal Syndrome (DGS) has been suggested to define the compression of the sciatic nerve in the anatomical region of the gluteal space, or those ciatic non-discogenic pain with origin in this region. Pathology that is presented with a high prevalence, but at the moment underdiagnosed. There are numerous causes that can originate their affectation and compression at level of this space. The routine use of the evaluation test, together with a diagnostic suspicion, it will determine the real incidence of this problem. The open surgery has been described and used as treatment. The endoscopic treatment is effective and adds less morbidity and effectiveness in comparison with the open surgery. The objective of this article is to present an upgrade of the clinical features, diagnostic test, complementary methods, causes and alternative of treatment of the DGS, making stress in the surgical technique of the endoscopic release.

Tratamento cirúrgico de pseudoaneurisma de artéria isquiática: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Surgical treatment of false aneurysm of the sciatic artery: case report and literature review

A persistência da artéria isquiática é uma rara variação anatômica, com poucos casos descritos na literatura, manifestando-se por formação de aneurisma, massa pulsátil em glúteo, isquemia aguda ou crônica de membro inferior e compressão de nervo isquiático. O diagnóstico é confirmado com exames de imagem: mapeamento duplex, angiotomografia e angiorressonância magnética. O tratamento é indicado nos casos sintomáticos ou quando há formação de aneurisma, realizado através de ligadura ou embolização por via endovascular, sendo necessário a revascularização do membro nos casos em que a artéria isquiática é a principal responsável pelo suprimento sangüíneo do membro. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 43 anos, com pseudoaneurisma de artéria isquiática confirmada por mapeamento duplex e angiorressonância magnética, com quadro de neuropatia isquiática por compressão nervosa e dor local. A paciente foi submetida à exploração cirúrgica com ligadura da artéria isquiática e remoção dos trombos. No seguimento de 12 meses, apresentou importante melhora da dor e realizou fisioterapia motora para recuperação das funções neurológicas do membro.

The persistent sciatic artery is a rare anatomical variation, with few cases described on the literature. It presents clinically as aneurysm formation, pulsate gluteal mass, acute or chronic limb ischemia and sciatic nerve compression. Diagnosis is confirmed by imaging methods: duplex scan, CT angiographt and magnetic resonance angiography. Treatment is indicated in symptomatic cases and when there is aneurysm formation and it is performed by ligation of the sciatic artery or endovascular embolization, associated with limb revascularization in the cases the sciatic artery is the main blood supply to the limb. We report the case of a 43 year-old female patient, ,with a false aneurysm of the sciatic artery confirmed by duplex scan and magnetic resonance angiography who had local pain and sciatic neuropathy due to neural compression. Surgical exploration was performed, with ligation of sciatic artery and thrombus removal. At the 12 months follow up there was significant pain relief and she was performing motor physical therapy to recover the neurological functions of the limb.