The IL-1ß (+3953 T/C) gene polymorphism associates to symptomatic lumbar disc herniation.

PURPOSE: To determine whether polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding cytokines and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) might play some role in lumbar disc herniation (LDH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Case-control study in which 179 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The case group was made of 50 patients with symptomatic LDH diagnosed by MRI while the control group was made of 129 individuals undergoing routine hip or knee arthroplasty with a lifetime lack of low back pain. SNPs in the cytokine genes of IL-1 [IL-1α (-889 C/T), IL-1ß (+3953 T/C)], TNF-α (-308 G/A and -238 G/A) and NOS genes [eNOS (r 27 bp, intron 4 and -786 T/C) and iNOS (22 G/A)]. RESULTS: The CC genotype and C allele of the IL-1ß (+3953 T/C) SNP were significantly more frequent among LDH patients compared to controls. On the other hand, eNOS (-768 T/C) and iNOS (22 G/A) SNPs were significantly more common in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Carriers of the CC genotype of the IL-1ß (+3953 T/C) SNP were more frequent among LDH patients suggesting some potential role of the IL-1ß SNP on LDH pathogenesis. The eNOS (-786 T/C) and iNOS (22 G/A) SNPs were more frequent among the control subjects, suggesting their possible protective role against LDH. Genotyping these SNPs could be useful to identify persons with an increased lifetime risk of disc herniation in whom measures to avoid LDH could be implemented.

Asociación entre el polimorfismo genético de la interleucina-1Beta (3953 T/C) y la hernia discal lumbar sintomática / Association between the genetic polymorphism of interleukin-1Beta (3953 T/C) and symptomatic lumbar herniated disc

Objetivo. Evaluar la asociación entre la presencia en el genotipo de determinados polimorfismos genéticos (PG) de las citocinas y del óxido nítrico sintasa (NOS) y el desarrollo de la hernia discal lumbar (HDL) sintomática.Material y método. Se revisaron 179 pacientes en un estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles. El grupo de casos estaba formado por 50 pacientes con HDL confirmada mediante resonancia magnética. El grupo control lo componían pacientes ingresados para cirugía protésica de la cadera o de la rodilla que no presentaban ni habían presentado nunca clínica compatible con HDL. Se realizó una extracción de sangre a todos los participantes del estudio. Se genotiparon los PG de las citocinas que pretendíamos estudiar: interleucina (IL)-1 (IL-1alfa [−889 C/T] e IL-1Beta [+3953 T/C]) y factor de necrosis tumoral-alfa (TNF-alfa´ [−308 G/A] y TNF-alfa´ [−238 G/A]). Resultados. El genotipo CC y la frecuencia del alelo C del PG IL-1Beta (+3953 T/C) fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo de pacientes con HDL respecto a la población control. Por el contrario, los pacientes del grupo control portaban los PG de NOS endotelial (−768 T/C) y de NOS inducible 22 G/A con mayor frecuencia que el grupo de pacientes con HDL, esta diferencia es estadísticamente significativa para ambos polimorfismos. Conclusiones. Encontramos que ser portador del alelo C del PG IL-1Beta (+3953 T/C) puede ser un factor de predisposición para desarrollar una HDL. Por otro lado, ser portador del PG NOS endotelial (−768 T/C) y del NOS inducible 22 G/A parece comportarse como un factor protector frente al desarrollo de esta enfermedad (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the association between the presence of the genotype of certain genetic polymorphisms (GP) of the cytokine and oxide nitric synthase (NOS) and the development of lumbar herniated disc (LHD). Materials and methods. We reviewed 179 patients in a retrospective case-control study. The case group was made up of 50 patients with confirmed lumbar herniated disc diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The control group was made up of patients admitted for hip and knee prosthetic surgery who did not have or had not had any symptoms consistent with LHD. Blood was drawn from all of the study participants. The genotypes of the GP were obtained of the cytokines to be studied: Interleukin-1 [IL-1alpha(−889 C/T), IL-1Beta(+3953 T/C)], Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha [TNF-alpha (−308 G/A) and (−238G/A)]. Results. The CC genotype and C allele frequency of the IL-1Betaβ PG (+3953T/C) polymorphism were significantly more frequent in patients with LDH compared to the controls. On the contrary, the control group patients carried eNos GPs (−768 T/C) and iNOS22 G/A polymorphisms more frequently than the LHD group, this difference being statistically different for both polymorphisms. Conclusions. We found that individuals who were carriers of the CC genotype of the IL-1b(+3953T/C) polymorphism showed higher susceptibility to suffer lumbar disc herniation. Furthermore, being a carrier of ENOS (−786 T/C) and iNOS (22 G/A) polymorphisms suggests that this could behave as a protection factor against disc herniation (AU)

Epifisiólisis femoral proximal / Proximal femoral epiphysiolysis

Objetivo. La epifisiólisis de cadera es una entidad frecuente en el niño o adolescente, de etiopatogenia desconocida. La actuación del cirujano ortopédico para detener y corregir esta enfermedad es un tema controvertido. Se realiza una revisión de 108 casos intervenidos en nuestro Servicio en 94 pacientes entre los años 1976 y 2002, analizando los resultados obtenidos. Material y método. El tratamiento consistió en la mayoría de los casos en reducción y osteosíntesis in situ con agujas de Kirschner, tornillos de esponjosa o tornilllos canulados. Resultados. El 67% eran varones con una edad media al diagnóstico de 13,25 años; el 33% mujeres, con una media de 12,27 años. En 14 casos la afectación era bilateral (14,9%). Se obtuvieron buenos resultados en el 81% de los casos de epifisiólisis aguda, en el 73% de las agudas sobre crónicas y en el 89% de las crónicas. Discusión y conclusiones. Las técnicas quirúrgicas más agresivas, como osteotomías cervicales o transtrocantéreas, no parecen modificar en exceso el mal resultado de epifisiólisis con desplazamiento severo no corregido. Aquellos casos en los que se obtuvieron malos resultados pertenecían al grupo de epifisiólisis con desplazamiento inicial severo, o a aquellos en los que se desarrolló una necrosis aséptica de la cabeza femoral o una condrólisis. Se considera de gran importancia la «exquisitez» a la hora de realizar la fijación, evitando la penetración intraarticular del material y su colocación en valgo. Actualmente se prefiere la osteosíntesis con un solo tornillo canulado

Purpose. Hip epiphysiolysis of unknown origin is frequent in children and adolescents. It is a point of controversy whether the orthopedic surgeon should act to correct this disorder. We reviewed 108 cases in 94 patients operated on in our Department from 1976 to 2002 and analyzed the results. Materials and methods. In most cases treatment consisted of in situ reduction and osteosynthesis with K-wires, and cannulated or cancellous screws. Results. 67% of the patients were male with an average age at diagnosis of 13.25 years; 33% of the patients were female with an average age at diagnosis of 12.27; 14.9% of the patients were bilateral cases (14 patients). We had good results in 81% of the acute cases, in 73% of the acute on chronic cases and in 89% of the chronic cases. Discussion and conclusions. More aggressive surgical techniques such as neck or transtrochanteric osteotomies do not seem to excessively modify the poor results of epiphysiolysis with severe uncorrected displacement. Poor results were seen in the group of epiphysiolysis cases with severe initial slip or in those cases which developed chondrolysis or non-septic necrosis of the femur head. The fixation technique requires great skill; the osteosynthesis materials must not penetrate the intra-articular space; the procedure must not cause a valgus deformity. Currently, osteosynthesis using a single cannulated screw is the preferred procedure