RESUMEN
Background: Spondylodiscitis is a rare illness and serious complication of the vertebral column. The suitable type of surgery is debatable for these patients. This study describes a series of cases that are treated with modified interbody fusion for the treatment of spondylodiscitis by combining allograft and autograft bone chips with posterior segmental fusion. Methods: This was a retrospective study. The clinical deficit was evaluated with ASIA, VAS, and JOABPEQ scores before and after surgery. Radiological parameters were assessed with local kyphosis angle (degree), segmental height correction, and loss of correction. Post-operative bone union was evaluated as suggested by Tan et al. Results: The mean age of patients (n=34) was 52.3(SD=13.6) years and 67.6% were males. The mean follow-up duration was 25.8 (2.3) months. In the last follow-up, VAS back pain 4.9(0.77), VAS leg pain 4.6(0.78), JOABPEQ low back pain 68.1 (9.3), JOABPEQ lumbar function 81.3 (8.9), and JOABPEQ walking ability 72.8 (8.3) shows a significant difference when compared with preoperative scores. According to ASIA grading, none of the patients deteriorated neurologically (all p<0.0001). The average segmental height correction and loss of correction were observed 7.5(3.7) % and -1.8(3.6) %, respectively, indicating improvements in the patients. A high union fusion rate (82.4%) was observed in the last follow-up. Conclusion: This modified method can be a safe and effective technique for surgical intervention in patients with spondylodiscitis.
RESUMEN
Objective: Migraine is one of the most common diseases. Curcumin with anti-oxidative and anti-neuroinflammatory properties might have beneficial effects in migraine patients. This study will be conducted to evaluate the effects of a phytosomal preparation of curcumin on clinical signs, oxidative stress, and inflammatory parameters in patients with migraine. Materials and Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial in which, 60 patients with migraine will be assigned to receive a daily dose of 250 mg of phytosomal curcumin for 8 weeks (intervention group) or 250 mg maltodextrin as a placebo for the same duration (control group). Before and after the study, frequency, duration, and severity of the attacks, quality of life and sleep, mood status, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Nitric Oxide (NO), and oxidative stress factors will be measured. Conclusion: It seems that phytosomal formulation of curcumin (a solid dispersion preparation of curcumin with phosphatidylserine) with high bioavailability, can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and result in decreased neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity. This way, phytosomal curcumin might lead to reduction of headaches and other complications of migraine and increase the quality of life of patients with migraine.
