国人颈椎终板矢状面形态学研究

目的 :测量国人颈椎间盘终板矢状面形态,并分析其与年龄、性别、节段之间差异的变化情况,为基于国人颈椎解剖结构设计的椎间融合器、人工椎间盘和人工髓核假体提供理论参考。方法:从深圳市第二人民医院门诊随机筛选颈椎MRI数据404例,其中男性191例,女性213例,年龄15~72岁,平均38.4±8.8岁,通过MRI测量颈椎间盘终板凹陷深度(endplate concavity depth,ECD)和位置(endplate concavity apex,ECA),分析终板矢状面形状。将样本按照年龄分为5组:15~27岁(40例)、28~37岁(143例)、38~47岁(164例)、48~57岁(48例)、58~72岁(9例);按照性别分为男性、女性组;按照不同节段分为:C3/4、C4/5、C5/6、C6/7组,研究矢状面形状、ECD、ECA在年龄、性别、节段之间的统计学变化。结果:各年龄段之间颈椎间盘终板矢状面形状差异无统计学意义(P0.05);404例国人ECD为1.70±0.42mm,各年龄段之间ECD差异无统计学意义(P0.05);ECA差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。男性组和女性组颈椎间盘终板矢状面形状差异无统计学意义(P0.05);男性和女性ECD差异有统计学意义(P0.05),分别为1.79±0.44mm、1.62±0.38mm;ECA差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。上、下终板之间颈椎间盘终板矢状面形状差异有统计学意义,下终板呈平坦型,而上终板大多呈凹陷型;各节段之间ECD差异有统计学意义(P0.05),ECA差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:国人颈椎间盘终板矢状面形状、ECD和ECA在各年龄段之间均无差异。颈椎间盘终板矢状面形状、ECA在性别之间无差异,但ECD有差异,男性比女性大。ECD在各节段之间有差异,但ECA无差异。     

腰椎间盘突出症患者突出椎间盘及相邻椎间盘退变程度的MRI分析

目的:分析腰椎间盘突出症患者突出椎间盘及相邻椎间盘的术前MRI表现,评估其退变程度。方法:回顾性分析2014年6月~2015年12月在宁夏医科大学总医院脊柱骨科已行手术治疗的的单节段腰椎间盘突出症患者100例,其中男56例,女44例,年龄23~79岁(51.68±5.60岁),将所有患者以10年为一年龄段进行分组。突出椎间盘发生在L4/5节段50个,其相邻椎间盘100个;L5/S1节段50个,其相邻椎间盘50个。观察术前腰椎MRI,椎间盘采用Pfirrmann分级标准进行评估;软骨终板形态以Pappou分级标准进行评估。年龄段间的比较采用单因素方差分析,相邻椎间盘与退变椎间盘间的相关性采用Pearson相关分析,相邻椎间盘间的比较采用t检验。结果:各年龄段L4/5、L5/S1突出椎间盘的Pfirrmann分级均在Ⅲ级以上、Pappou分级均在Ⅱ级以上,各年龄段间椎间盘退变结果有统计学差异(P0.05);而各年龄段间软骨终板退变结果无统计学差异(P0.05)。各年龄段间突出椎间盘发生在L4/5、L5/S1的上位相邻椎间盘Pfirrmann分级有统计学差异(P0.05),下位相邻椎间盘Pfirrmann分级各年龄段无统计学差异(P0.05),相邻椎间盘软骨终板退变结果各年龄段间无统计学差异(P0.05)。相邻的L3/4椎间盘Pfirrmann分级与突出的L4/5椎间盘Pfirrmann分级有相关性(r=0.696,P=0.000),相邻L5/S1椎间盘Pfirrmann分级与突出L4/5椎间盘Pfirrmann分级间无相关性(r=0.214,P=0.136);相邻的L3/4、L5/S1椎间盘软骨终板形态Pappou分级与突出的L4/5椎间盘软骨终板形态Pappou分级均有相关性(r=0.467,P=0.001;r=0.380,P=0.007)。相邻L4/5椎间盘的Pfirrmann分级与突出L5/S1椎间盘的Pfirrmann分级有相关性(r=0.549,P=0.000);相邻L4/5椎间盘软骨终板形态Pappou分级与突出L5/S1椎间盘的软骨终板形态Pappou分级有相关性(r=0.684,P=0.001)。L4/5椎间盘突出的相邻L3/4椎间盘Pfirrmann分级和软骨终板形态Pappou分级评分分别为3.26±0.87分、1.54±0.50分,均高于相邻L5/S1椎间盘的2.96±0.59分、1.23±0.49分(P0.05)。结论:腰椎间盘突出症患者突出节段的相邻椎间盘及软骨终板的退变与年龄及突出椎间盘退变程度关系密切,且相邻上位椎间盘较下位椎间盘退变更明显。     

椎体终板的凹陷角与腰椎间盘退变的相关性

目的研究下腰椎椎体终板的凹陷角以及它在腰椎间盘退变时的变化规律.方法129例研究对象依据椎间盘退变情况分成3组对照组27例,共54个椎间盘(L4,5、L5S1椎间盘各27个);腰椎间盘退变102例,共158个椎间盘(L4,5椎间盘84个,L5S1椎间盘74个),按退变程度分为2组腰椎间盘轻度退变组,共99个椎间盘(L4,5椎间盘53个,L5S1椎间盘46个);腰椎间盘重度退变组,共59个椎间盘(L4,5椎间盘31个,L5S1椎间盘28个).所有病例摄腰椎正侧位X线片及腰椎MR检查,将X线片及MR图像输入计算机.在MRI正中矢状面T2加权像上测量终板凹陷角,并观察退变椎间盘相邻椎体骨髓的MRI信号改变;在X线片上测量椎体的相对前高、后高和矢状径.结果①终板凹陷角在男女两性间差异无显著性(P＞0.05);②终板的凹陷角在对照组、腰椎间盘轻度和重度退变组逐渐增大,两两间差异有显著性(P＜0.05);③退变椎间盘的上下位椎体的相对前高、后高在对照组、腰椎间盘轻度和重度退变组逐渐减小,而相对矢状径逐渐增大,两两间比较差异均有显著性(P＜0.05);④椎间盘轻度、重度退变组的相邻椎体骨髓的MRI信号改变率分别为24%和44%,差异有显著性(P＜0.05).结论腰椎间盘退变时,病变间隙椎体终板凹陷角增大、终板倾向平坦化,其平坦化程度与退变的严重程度有关.终板的平坦化是椎间盘退变时椎体骨重建结果,可能是对椎间盘退变时生物力学变化的一种自我保护机制.     

腰椎间盘退变性疾患下腰椎终板形态的MRI观察

【摘要】　目的：在MRI片上观察腰椎间盘退变患者下腰椎终板形态的分布规律,分析终板形态和椎间盘退变的关系。方法：回顾分析两组腰椎间盘退变性疾病患者的术前腰椎MRI,A组110例为单节段腰椎间盘突出症患者,B组35例为椎间盘源性腰痛患者。根据正中矢状面MRI T1像,将终板形态分为凹面、平坦、不规则三型;根据Pfirrmann法评定椎间盘退变程度并将Ⅰ～Ⅴ级分别计为1～5分;按Modic改变分级标准判定各节段终板有无Modic改变。分析下腰椎终板的形态特点及三种分型与椎间盘退变程度、Modic改变等的关系。结果：①435个下腰椎节段中,凹面型终板最多（215/435）,A组中占50.6％（167/330）,B组中占45.7％（48/105）,且主要分布于L3/4（108/215）、L4/5（83/215）节段;平坦型终板占29.0％（126/435）,并主要位于L5/S1节段（76/126）;不规则型终板最少（94/435）,A组中占23.0％（76/330）,B组中占17.1％（18/105）,也主要位于L5/S1节段（45/94）。②A组患者中,凹面型终板退变程度平均为3.31±0.81分,平坦型为3.66±0.64分,不规则型为4.16±0.67分,两两比较有显著差异（P＜0.05）;椎间盘突出节段以平坦型（37/110）和不规则型（43/110）终板占多数,无突出节段则以凹面型（137/220）终板占多数,差异有显著性（P＜0.05）;不规则型终板比凹面型和平坦型更容易伴发Modic改变,差异有显著性（P＜0.05）,凹面型和平坦型间无显著性差异（P＞0.05）。③B组患者中,凹面型终板的椎间盘退变程度平均为3.23±0.86分,平坦型为3.54±0.85分,不规则型为3.94±0.54分,仅凹面型和不规则型间差异有显著性（P＜0.05）。④相同终板形态时A组和B组椎间盘退变程度相比均无显著性差异（P＞0.05）。结论：终板形态与椎间盘退变、Modic改变之间有相关性。终板形态由凹面型到平坦型再到不规则型,腰椎间盘退变程度逐渐加重。影像学上终板形态改变在一定程度上反映了椎间盘退变的程度。     

退变性腰椎滑脱发病的相关因素探讨

[目的]探讨退变性腰椎滑脱发生的相关因素。[方法] 2016年6月～2018年5月,198例腰腿疼痛患者纳入本研究。其中,退变滑脱组95例,无滑脱组103例。测量两组患者的BMI、骨盆入射角、骨盆倾斜体、骶骨倾斜角、腰骶角、腰椎前凸角;采用Kalichman关节突退变分级和Pfirrmann椎间盘退变分级评价退变程度。[结果]两组的体质量指数、骨盆入射角、骨盆倾斜角、骶骨倾斜角、腰骶角、腰椎前凸角差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。退变滑脱组的骨盆入射角明显大于无滑脱组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);退变滑脱组的L_(4/5)节段关节突关节角明显大于无滑脱组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。滑脱节段Kalichman关节突关节退变程度分级和Pfirrmann椎间盘退变分级均显著大于非滑脱节段(P0.05);Kalichman分级和Pfirrmann分组呈显著正相关(P0.05)。[结论]退变性腰椎滑脱的关节突关节和椎间盘退变程度重,骨盆入射角较大,L_(4/5)关节突关节的方向更趋向矢状位。     

不同程度退变的软骨终板的影像学变化及其临床意义

目的：从影像学角度研究腰椎间盘不同程度退变时终板在矢状面和横断面的形态变化规律，探讨其临床意义。方法：本研究选取58例L4．5椎间盘呈退行性改变的影像学资料（MRI、CT）进行研究（其中椎间盘突出者34例），分别将其矢状位MRI T2WI成像采用MRI机内Mean／Curve测量软件测量L4．5运动节段退变的椎间盘与相应节段脑脊液平均信号强度比值，判断椎间盘退变程度进行分组。分为3组：轻度退变组17例，中度退变组17例，重度退变组24例。同时采用正中矢状位MRI T2WI成像分别测量相应椎间（L4．5）终板于矢状面上的凹陷角。另外借助L4．5椎间CT平扫成像测量其相邻终板的最大前后径和横径，计算终板的相对曲率，分析椎间盘在不同退变程度下椎体终板凹陷角及其相对曲率的变化规律，并探讨椎体终板的凹陷角与其相对曲率的相关性。结果：①椎体终板（L4下终板，L5上终板）凹陷角均随着相应椎间盘退变程度加重而增大，重度退变组与中度、轻度退变组（L4下终板、L5上终板）凹陷角差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。②重度退变组与轻度退变组（L4下终板、L5上终板）相对曲率差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01），中度退变组与轻度退变组（L4下终板、L5上终板）相对曲率差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01），中度退变组与重度退变组（L4下终板、k上终板）相对曲率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。⑧终板凹陷角与其相对曲率呈正相关关系（r：0．786，0．490）。结论：椎体终板的凹陷角与相对曲率随着椎间盘退变程度加重而发生相应变化，这种变化是腰椎间盘退变突出、椎间盘源性下腰痛的重要因素，且椎体终板的凹陷角与其相对曲率存在着相关关系，故可以通过凹陷角的变化判断其相对曲率的改变，评估椎间盘突出的概率。     

颈椎间盘退变程度与颈椎矢状力线参数的相关性分析

目的探讨颈椎间盘退变程度与颈椎矢状力线参数变化的相关性,为颈椎退行性疾病的防治提供参考。方法自2017年9月-2018年9月纳入52例颈椎退行性疾病患者,通过X线测量其颈椎矢状力线参数,采用MRI检查评价颈椎间盘退变的Pfirrmann分级情况。颈椎矢状力线参数包括:T_1倾斜角(T_1slope,T_1S)、颈椎前凸角(Cervical lordosis angle,CLA)、颈倾斜角(neck tilt,NT)、胸廓入口角(thoracic inlet angle,TIA)和颈椎矢状面轴向垂直距离(C_2-C_7sagittal vertical axis,C2-7SVA); Pfirrmann分级共Ⅰ～Ⅴ级,分别设定为1-5分,对C_2-C_7中5个节段分别进行Pfirrmann分级评分,总分为5～25分。对不同Pfirrmann分级与颈椎矢状力线参数的相关性进行Spearman分析。结果 (1)以52例患者的各项矢状力线参数中位值为界限,将5项参数各分为≥中位值和中位值的亚组共5组,比较各亚组内C_2-C_7所有节段的Pfirrmann分级评分:T_1S亚组中的C_(5-6)、C_(6-7)节段Pfirrmann评分、CLA亚组的所有节段Pfirrmann评分,以及C_(2-7)SVA亚组的所有节段Pfirrmann评分均有显著的组内差异(P0. 05);(2)以Pfirrmann评分15分作为轻度退变,≥15分为中重度退变进行分组,Pfirrmann≥15分组的T_1S、CLA值显著低于Pfirrmann15分组,NT和C_(2-7)SVA显著高于Pfirrmann15分组,组间差异均有统计学意义(P0. 05)。(3) Spearman相关性分析显示,CLA与颈椎间盘退变Pfiffmann评分之间呈显著的负相关关系(r=-0. 618,P=0. 004); C_(2-7)SVA则与之呈显著的正相关关系(r=0. 725,P=0. 001)。结论颈椎间盘退变人群的颈椎矢状力线参数可发生明显变化,其中CLA与颈椎间盘退变Pfiffmann评分之间呈显著的负相关关系,C_(2-7)SVA则与之呈显著的正相关关系。     

下腰椎小关节退变与脊柱-骨盆矢状面平衡的相关性研究

目的探讨下腰椎各节段椎小关节退变程度与脊柱-骨盆矢状面各平衡参数间的关系。方法回顾性分析2014年6月-11月符合选择标准的120例腰椎退行性疾病患者临床资料,其中男58例,女62例;年龄24~77岁,平均53岁。病程3~96个月,平均6.6个月。病变节段:L3、4 32例,L4、5 47例,L5、S1 52例。患者均摄腰椎CT及站立位腰椎侧位X线片,依据Pathria分级系统对下腰椎小关节退变程度进行分级,并测量以下矢状面参数:脊柱参数——腰椎前凸角(lumbar lordosis,LL)、上腰弯前凸角(upper lumbar lordosis,ULL)、下腰弯前凸角(lower lumbar lordosis,LLL)和骨盆参数——骨盆倾斜角(pelvic tilt,PT)、骨盆入射角(pelvic incidence,PI)、骶骨倾斜角(sacral slope,SS)。将所有患者按PI测量值分为小于正常范围组(A组)、正常范围组(B组)和大于正常范围组(C组),分节段比较各组小关节退变程度;同时,将所有患者分节段依据小关节退变程度分为轻度退变(0、Ⅰ级)组(N组)及重度退变(Ⅱ、Ⅲ级)组(M组),比较矢状面参数与各节段小关节退变之间的关系。结果在L4、5和L5、S1节段,A、B、C组间小关节退变程度比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),C组小关节退变更严重;但在L3、4节段,各组间小关节退变程度比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。各节段N、M组间除PT比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)外,其余各脊柱-骨盆矢状面参数两组间比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论大于正常范围的PI可导致或加重L4、5及L5、S1节段小关节的退变;PT及PI与下腰椎小关节退变程度显著相关。     

胸腰段骨折椎弓根螺钉内固定后终板愈合形态对椎间盘退变的影响

目的 探讨胸腰段骨折椎弓根螺钉内固定后终板愈合形态对椎间盘退变的影响。方法 选择2014年1月～2019年12月在本院接受椎弓根螺钉内固定的87例单节段胸腰椎骨折患者作为研究对象，观察不同骨折分型和终板损伤类型与椎间盘退变程度的关系。结果 A1型骨折患者椎间盘退变Pfirrmann分级显著低于A2、A3、B型骨折患者(P<0.05)。无终板损伤患者的Pfirrmann分级显著低于单个终板损伤、两个终板损伤患者，单个终板损伤患者的Pfirrmann分级显著低于两个终板损伤患者(P<0.05)。2级和3级椎间盘损伤患者的Pfirrmann分级显著高于0级和1级(P<0.05)。终板不规则愈合(irregular healing, IH)和创伤性Schmorl结节(traumatic schmorl node, TSN)患者的椎间盘退变程度显著高于终板曲率增大(increased endplate curvature, IEC)的患者，差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 终板损伤的存在和严重程度可影响椎间盘退变，IH和TSN与椎间盘退变密切相关。     

后方韧带复合体对腰椎椎间融合术后早期相邻节段退变的影响

目的探讨后方韧带复合体对腰椎椎间融合术后早期相邻节段退变的影响。方法 2000年1月至2010年1月在我科实施后路腰椎减压椎间融合内固定治疗L4~5椎间盘突出患者60例。A组(30例)行保留后方韧带复合体的腰椎椎间融合术(posterior lumbar interbody fusion,PLIF),B组(30例)行切除后方韧带复合体的PLIF术。比较两组手术前、后日本骨科协会(Japanese orthopaedic association,JOA)评分及改善率。术前、末次随访时测量腰椎X线片上L3~4椎间盘的高度和椎间隙动态角度、L3~4椎体滑移距离并进行比较。术前及末次随访时对L3~4椎间盘进行Pfirrmann分级。结果手术前、后两组患者的JOA评分差异有统计学意义(P0.05),术后两组JOA评分差异均无统计学意义(P0.05),两组之间改善率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。A组9例患者出现了L3~4节段的邻近节段退变(adjacent segment disease,ASD),B组17例出现了L3~4节段的ASD。其中A、B两组均有2例患者为有症状的ASD。术前两组患者X线片上L3~4椎间盘的高度、椎间隙动态角度、L3~4椎体滑移距离相比差异均无统计学意义(P0.05),而末次随访时差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。A组末次随访时Pfirrmann分级1级6例,2级22例,3级2例,无4、5级病例。B组末次随访时Pfirrmann分级1级4例,2级24例,3级2例,无4、5级病例。结论腰椎椎间融合术中保留后方韧带复合体可减少术后早期相邻节段退变的发生。     

High Endplate Hounsfield Units Value Indicate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Following Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery

Objective

Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is a common cause of low back pain and disability, and its prevalence increases with age. The aim of this study is to investigate whether endplate Hounsfield unit (HU) values have an effect on lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery in patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent TLIF surgery in January 2016 to October 2019. One hundred and fifty-seven patients who underwent TLIF surgery for degenerative lumbar stenosis were enrolled in this study. Demographic data was recorded. VAS and ODI values were compared to assess the surgical outcomes in patients with or without process of LDD after TLIF surgery. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate associations between LDD and endplate HU value. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to study relationships between the DDD and the multiple risk factors.

Results

There was a statistically significant correlation between LDD, body mass index (BMI), age, paraspinal muscle atrophy, and total endplate scores (TEPS). Also, a strong and independent association between endplate HU value and LDD was found at every lumbar disc level (p < 0.01). After conditioning on matching factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher endplate HU (odds ratio [OR]: 1.003, p = 0.003), higher TEPS (OR: 1.264, p = 0.002), higher BMI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.202, p = 0.002), a smaller cross-sectional area (CSA) of the paraspinal muscle preoperatively (OR: 0.096, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of LDD development after TLIF surgery.

Conclusions

There is a significant association between LDD and endplate HU value after TLIF surgery in patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis. Beyond that, results from this study provide a mechanism by which high endplate HU value predisposes to LDD after TLIF surgery.     

Footprint mismatch in lumbar total disc arthroplasty

Lumbar disc arthroplasty has become a popular modality for the treatment of degenerative disc disease. The dimensions of the implants are based on early published geometrical measurements of vertebrae; the majority of these were cadaver studies. The fit of the prosthesis in the intervertebral space is of utmost importance. An undersized implant may lead to subsidence, loosening and biomechanical failure due to an incorrect center of rotation. The aim of the present study was to measure the dimensions of lumbar vertebrae based on CT scans and assess the accuracy of match in currently available lumbar disc prostheses. A total of 240 endplates of 120 vertebrae were included in the study. The sagittal and mediolateral diameter of the upper and lower endplates were measured using a digital measuring system. For the levels L4/L5 and L5/S1, an inappropriate size match was noted in 98.8% (Prodisc L) and 97.6% (Charite) with regard to the anteroposterior diameter. Mismatch in the anterior mediolateral diameter was noted in 79.3% (Prodisc L) and 51.2% (Charite) while mismatch in the posterior mediolateral diameter was observed in 91.5% (Prodisc L) and 78% (Charite) of the endplates. Surgeons and manufacturers should be aware of the size mismatch of currently available lumbar disc prostheses, which may endanger the safety and efficacy of the procedure. Larger footprints of currently available total disc arthroplasties are required. An erratum to this article can be found at     

ISOBAR TTL半坚强动态固定系统对腰椎固定节段椎间负荷的影响

目的 观察ISOBAR TTL动态固定系统对腰椎固定节段椎间负荷的影响.方法 选用6具新鲜人体腰椎标本,建立终板应力测试系统,选取L3椎体下软骨终板为测试应力部位,分别测量L3～L4运动节段软骨终板应力.L3～L4节段在椎间盘正常及摘除状态,分别进行TTL及坚强系统(SS)固定;依次使标本处于中立位、前屈、后伸、左弯、左旋,MTS858材料机施加轴向负荷,数据直接MTS机采集,由放大器放大后形成Excel文件.结果 无论在椎间盘正常或摘除组,固定节段L3～L4在直立、屈曲、伸展、侧屈及旋转等各种状态,TTL、SS系统固定状态下终板应力较无固定的正常标本明显减小,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),各固定组间差异有统计意义(P＜0.05),SS系统坚强固定下终板应力最低,而TTL系统固定下终板应力稍高于坚强组.结论 TTL半坚强动态固定系统能够起到明显缓解腰椎固定节段椎间载荷的作用,避免对固定节段的应力遮挡.     

腰椎两种不同椎间融合方式终板损伤的病例对照研究

目的:总结并比较肌间隙入路通道下经椎间孔椎间融合联合椎弓根螺钉固定方式与斜外侧椎间融合联合椎弓根螺钉固定方式治疗腰椎病变终板损伤的特点与临床结果。方法:回顾性分析2016年1月至2019年6月收治的213例腰椎病变患者,男73例,女140例;年龄24~81(54.9±10.5)岁;病程6~180(40.30±28.71)个月;腰椎间盘退行性病变35例,巨大型腰椎间盘突出症22例,椎间盘源性腰痛15例,炎症转归期原发性腰椎间隙炎9例,腰椎管狭窄症52例,腰椎退行性滑脱47例,腰椎椎弓峡部裂伴或不伴椎体滑脱33例;单节段191例(L_2,3 5例、L_3,4 24例、L_4,5 162例),双节段22例(L_2,3和L_3,4 3例、L_3,4和L_4,5 19例)。采用后方肌间隙入路通道下双侧椎弓根螺钉固定并椎间融合术110例(后路融合组),斜外侧椎间融合联合后方肌间隙入路通道下双侧椎弓根螺钉固定术103例(斜外侧融合组)。观察两组患者终板损伤的发生特点,并比较两组患者的临床和影像结果及并发症情况。结果:后路融合组发生终板损伤8例9个节段,发生率7.27%(8/110),男1例,女7例,年龄(63.22±3.51)岁;8例中术前存在骨量减少或骨质疏松7例;使用香蕉型融合器5例,解剖型融合器3例;发生于椎体上终板3个节段,椎体下终板6个节段。斜外侧融合组发生终板损伤21例24个节段,发生率20.39%(21/103),男4例,女17例,年龄(62.50±5.02)岁;21例中术前存在骨量减少或骨质疏松16例;使用融合器偏大(指融合器高度)5例,终板解剖形态异常4例,髂嵴过高3例;发生于椎体上终板20个节段,椎体下终板4个节段;21例终板损伤中合并椎体骨折2例。后路融合组终板损伤发生率低于斜外侧融合组。两组患者均未发生切口感染,随访时间12~48个月,中位数12个月。随访中后路融合组出现融合器沉降22例,斜外侧融合组43例,两组各发生1例融合器移位,均无内固定松动、移位或断裂。斜外侧融合组并发症发生率33.98%(35/103),高于后路融合组23.64%(26/110),两组比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.039)。两组患者术后椎间隙高度均获得良好的恢复,但在随访时出现不同程度的丢失。融合率后路融合组为94.5%(104/110),斜外侧融合组为96.1%(99/103),两组差异无统计学意义(P=0.083)。末次随访时两组患者临床症状均得到明显改善。结论:两种方法治疗单或双节段腰椎病变均能获得良好的临床效果。两种融合方式终板损伤的特点不完全相同。虽然两种固定融合方式的终板损伤没有影响最终的临床结果,但仍需要加以重视,做好终板损伤的预防和有效处理,尤其是对于斜外侧椎间融合方式。     

A morphological study of lumbar vertebral endplates: radiographic, visual and digital measurements

Purpose

Clinical observations suggest that endplate shape and size are related to complications of disc arthroplasty surgery. Yet, the morphology of the vertebral endplate has not been well defined. This study was conducted to characterize the morphology of lumbar vertebral endplates and to quantify their morphometrics using radiographic, visual and digital measures.

Methods

A total of 591 vertebral endplates from 76 lumbosacral spines of men were studied (mean age 51.3 years). The shape of the vertebral endplates was classified as concave, flat and irregular, and was evaluated from both radiographs and cadaveric samples. Each endplate was further digitized using a laser scanner to quantify diameters, surface area and concavity for the whole endplate and its components (central endplate and epiphyseal rim). The morphological characteristics and morphometrics of the vertebral endplates were depicted.

Results

In both radiographic and visual assessments, more cranial endplates (relative to the disc) were concave and more caudal endplates were flat at all disc levels (p < 0.001). On average, the mean concavity depth was 1.5 mm for the cranial endplate and 0.7 mm for the caudal endplate. From L1/2 down to L5/S1 discs, the vertebral endplate gradually changed into a more oval shape. The central endplate was approximately 70 % of the diameter of the whole endplate and the width of the epiphyseal rim varied from 3 to 7 mm.

Conclusions

There is marked morphological asymmetry between the two adjacent endplates of a lumbar intervertebral disc: the cranial endplate is more concave than the caudal endplate. The size and shape of the vertebral endplate also vary considerably between the upper and lower lumbar regions.     

实验性腰椎失稳致椎间盘退变的放射影像学观察

目的：探讨腰椎失稳对椎间盘的影响及其X线表现。方法：选用新西兰兔27只，随机分为手术组15只，对照组12只，手术组沿L3-L6棘突作后正中切口，剥离骶棘肌，切除棘上，棘间韧带，咬除关节突关节外后1/2，对照组作相同皮肤切口即缝合，分别于术后4，8个月对腰椎行X线检查，结果：除外手术组切口感染1只，术后2和5个月各死亡1只，其余兔存活完好至取材，术后4个月，手术组均发生腰椎后凸畸形，出现软骨终板钙化的椎间盘超过半数，8个月时，所有椎间盘软骨终板均钙化，多数椎间隙狭窄。对椎间隙楔形样变。椎间隙狭窄。终板钙化和骨赘形成4种退变征象发生频数的统计分析显示，手术组与对照组间的差异具有显著性意义。结论：脊柱稳定对保持椎间盘生理功能意义重大，脊柱失稳可诱发椎间盘退变，后凸畸形和软骨终板钙化是失稳诱发的腰椎间盘退变早先发生和常见的X线征象。     

Accumulated Spinal Axial Biomechanical Loading Induces Degeneration in Intervertebral Disc of Mice Lumbar Spine

Objective

To investigate the effect of accumulated spinal axial biomechanical loading on mice lumbar disc and the feasibility of applying this method to establish a mice intervertebral disc degeneration model using a custom‐made hot plate cage. In previous studies, we observed that the motion pattern of mice was greatly similar to that of humans when they were standing and jumping on their lower limbs. There is little data to demonstrate whether or not accumulated spinal axial biomechanical loading could induce intervertebral disc degeneration in vivo.

Methods

Twenty‐four 0‐week‐old mice were randomly divided into model 1‐month and 3‐month groups, and control 1‐month and 3‐month groups (n = 6 per group). The model groups was transferred into the custom‐made hot plate cage three times per day for modeling. The control group was kept in a regular cage. The intervertebral disc samples of the L₃–L₅ were harvested for histologic, molecular, and immunohistochemical studies after modeling for 1 and 3 months.

Results

Accumulated spinal axial biomechanical loading affects the histologic, molecular, and immunohistochemical changes of mice L_3–L₅ intervertebral discs. Decreased height of disc and endplate, fissures of annulus fibrosus, and ossification of cartilage endplate were found in morphological studies. Immunohistochemical studies of the protein level showed a similar expression of type II collagen at 1 month, but a slightly decreased expression at 3 months, and an increased expression level of type X collagen and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13). Molecular studies showed that ColIIa1 and aggrecan mRNA expression levels were slightly increased at 1 month (P > 0.05), but then decreased slightly (P > 0.05). ColXa1, ADAMTS‐5, and MMP‐13 expression levels werer increased both at 1 and 3 months (P < 0.05). In addition, increased expression of Runx2 was observed.

Conclusion

Accumulated spinal axial loading provided by a custom‐made hot plate accelerated mice lumbar disc and especially endplate degeneration. However, this method requires further development to establish a lumbar disc degeneration model.     

The importance of the endplate for interbody cages in the lumbar spine

Intervertebral cages in the lumbar spine represent an advancement in spinal fusion to relieve low back pain. Different implant designs require different endplate preparations, but the question of to what extent preservation of the bony endplate might be necessary remains unanswered. In this study the effects of endplate properties and their distribution on stresses in a lumbar functional spinal unit were investigated using finite-element analyses. Three-dimensional finite-element models of L2-L3 with and without a cage were used. An anterior approach for a monobloc, box-shaped cage was modelled. The results showed that inserting a cage increased the maximum von Mises stress and changed the load distribution in the adjacent structures. A harder endplate led to increased concentration of the stress peaks and high stresses were propagated further into the vertebral body, into areas that would usually not experience such stresses. This may cause structural changes and provide an explanation for the damage occurring to the underlying bone, as well as for the subsequent subsidence of the cage. Stress distributions were similar for the two endplate preparation techniques of complete endplate preservation and partial endplate removal from the centre. It can be concluded that cages should be designed such that they rely on the strong peripheral part of the endplate for support and offer a large volume for the graft. Furthermore, the adjacent vertebrae should be assessed to ensure that they show sufficient density in the peripheral regions to tolerate the altered load transfer following cage insertion until an adequate adaptation to the new loading situation is produced by the remodelling process.