Endovascular treatment combined with vertebral artery endarterectomy for patients with acute tandem vertebrobasilar artery occlusion

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment combined with vertebral artery endarterectomy in patients with acute tandem vertebrobasilar artery occlusion.MethodsFrom April 2017 to March 2019, three patients with acute basilar artery occlusion combined with ostial vertebral occlusion in our institution were enrolled in the study. They underwent endovascular treatment combined with vertebral artery endarterectomy. The clinical, technical and functional outcomes of the patients were retrospectively analysed.ResultsAll three patients in the study underwent complete recanalization. The modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) grade was 2b/3 in all patients. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was 0–2 for the three patients at 3 months. Follow-up CT scans revealed no cerebral haemorrhage, and no patients died during follow-up. All patients achieved good clinical outcomes after the combined treatment.ConclusionEndovascular treatment combined with vertebral artery endarterectomy is a feasible method to treat patients with acute basilar artery occlusion combined with ostial vertebral occlusion, especially when the guidewire cannot pass through the ostium of the dominant vertebral artery occlusion.     

Clinical Investigation and Experience with Distal phalanx Replantation

Objective: To explore the measures and methods for improving distal phalanx replantation. Methods: One hundred and forty-eight cases with distal phalanx replantation from Sep 2004 to Sep 2007 were investigated. The indication for surgery and the operative program was determined by the trauma type and the degree of injury. As many microcirculation pathways as possible were reconstructed during the operation, and postoperative tissue decompression was also performed. Results: The survival rate of distal phalanx replantation was 89. 9%(169/148). Conclusion: To improve the survival rate of distal phalanx replantation it is essential to reconstruct an effective local blood circulation, determine the degree of injury in cases with ecchymosis, and employ comprehensive postoperative measures.     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植膝类风湿关节炎兔:关节滑膜体积和软骨厚度的MRI评价

背景:骨髓间充质干细胞具有显著的免疫调节功能和多向分化潜能,可抑制类风湿关节炎的炎症反应,促进软骨损伤的修复。目的:用骨髓间充质干细胞治疗兔早期类风湿关节炎,运用MRI观察软骨厚度及滑膜体积的改变,评价治疗效果。方法:选取42只新西兰大白兔,用卵蛋白制造类风湿关节炎模型,造模第4周(治疗前)取6只兔行MRI和病理检查以对照,余36只兔随机分模型组和骨髓间充质干细胞治疗组,两组于治疗后1,2,3个月分别选取6只兔行MRI和病理检查。对病变膝关节的滑膜体积和软骨厚度进行MRI测量及病理学评分。结果与结论:治疗1,2,3个月,类风湿关节炎组滑膜进行性增厚,软骨厚度变薄,病理学评分增加;骨髓间充质干细胞治疗组滑膜增厚程度减轻,关节软骨厚度恢复,病理学评分减低。MRI测量数据和病理学评分有相关性。提示MRI可用于评价骨髓间充质干细胞对早期类风湿关节炎的疗效。     

Lumbar endplate microfracture injury induces Modic-like changes,intervertebral disc degeneration and spinal cord sensitization – an in vivo rat model

BACKGROUND CONTEXTEndplate (EP) injury plays critical roles in painful IVD degeneration since Modic changes (MCs) are highly associated with pain. Models of EP microfracture that progress to painful conditions are needed to better understand pathophysiological mechanisms and screen therapeutics.PURPOSEEstablish in vivo rat lumbar EP microfracture model and assess crosstalk between IVD, vertebra and spinal cord.STUDY DESIGN/SETTINGIn vivo rat EP microfracture injury model with characterization of IVD degeneration, vertebral remodeling, spinal cord substance P (SubP), and pain-related behaviors.METHODSEP-injury was induced in 5 month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats L4–5 and L5–6 IVDs by puncturing through the cephalad vertebral body and EP into the NP of the IVDs followed by intradiscal injections of TNFα (n=7) or PBS (n=6), compared with Sham (surgery without EP-injury, n=6). The EP-injury model was assessed for IVD height, histological degeneration, pain-like behaviors (hindpaw von Frey and forepaw grip test), lumbar spine MRI and μCT, and spinal cord SubP.RESULTSSurgically-induced EP microfracture with PBS and TNFα injection induced IVD degeneration with decreased IVD height and MRI T2 signal, vertebral remodeling, and secondary damage to cartilage EP adjacent to the injury. Both EP injury groups showed MC-like changes around defects with hypointensity on T1-weighted and hyperintensity on T2-weighted MRI, suggestive of MC type 1. EP injuries caused significantly decreased paw withdrawal threshold, reduced axial grip, and increased spinal cord SubP, suggesting axial spinal discomfort and mechanical hypersensitivity and with spinal cord sensitization.CONCLUSIONSSurgically-induced EP microfracture can cause crosstalk between IVD, vertebra, and spinal cord with chronic pain-like conditions.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThis rat EP microfracture model was validated to induce broad spinal degenerative changes that may be useful to improve understanding of MC-like changes and for therapeutic screening.     

颈前路Zero-P系统与传统钛板联合cage系统治疗多节段颈椎病的病例对照研究

目的:探讨颈前路零切迹椎间植骨融合内固定系统(zero-profile intervertebral fusion system,Zero-P)和颈前路减压植骨融合内固定术(conventional cage-plate intervertebral fusion system,CCP)应用于颈椎病多节段(≥2个节段)减压融合内固定的近期临床疗效。方法:选取2012年10月至2017年10月因颈椎病行颈椎前路多节段减压融合术的42例作为研究对象。其中Zero-P组21例,CCP组21例。分别记录两组手术一般状况及围术期参数,颈部手术前后VAS、JOA评分及吞咽困难发生率。测量患者在术后1周、1个月及末次随访时的椎前软组织厚度。同时测量融合节段脊柱功能单位Cobb角,观察颈椎整体曲度的改变情况。于术后1周,1、3、12个月追踪临床疗效并复查颈椎正侧位X线片,评价内固定效果。结果:两组患者年龄、性别、病程、手术节段、平均随访时间及住院日组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。手术切口长度、术中出血量、手术时间、术后引流量Zero-P组分别为(4.37±0.72)cm、(50.9±7.98)ml、(84.4±8.18)min、(76.2±10.13)ml,CCP组分别为(6.50±0.71)cm、(108.6±9.25)ml、(118.6±8.55)min、(130.1±9.42)ml,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。末次随访时VAS评分及JOA改善率两组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05),颈椎整体生理曲度两组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后1周、1个月及末次随访椎前软组织厚度Zero-P组分别为(11.6±1.9)、(9.8±1.4)、(9.5±1.6)mm,CCP组分别为(12.5±2.6)、(11.1±2.4)、(11.0±1.9)mm,两组间各随访时间点椎前软组织厚度差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。至末次随访时,Zero-P组无一例诉吞咽困难,CCP组有3例发生吞咽困难,两组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:在颈椎病多节段减压融合中,不论是传统CCP系统还是新型的Zero-P系统均为有效治疗手段,但Zero-P系统具有手术切口小、手术时间短、术中出血少、操作方便的优点,且术后椎前软组织肿胀恢复佳,术后发生吞咽困难的可能性更低。     

非融合棘突间固定器不同棘突间撑开高度与植入节段关节突关节的压力分布

背景：棘突-棘突间固定可分担椎间盘及关节突关节的压力并保留生理活动,但其具体的生物力学机制有待进一步研究。 目的：测量棘突间不同的撑开程度情况下节段关节突关节负荷分担及应力分布情况。 方法：取6具新鲜成人无病变无破坏腰椎标本(L2~5),将各标本棘突间高度锉至12 mm,在L3~4棘突间分别植入支撑高度为10,12,14,16,18,20 mm的非融合棘突间固定器,采用ZWICK-Z010/BIXI电子万能实验机施加700 N•m模拟腰椎前屈、中立、后伸运动负荷。 结果与结论：支撑高度为10 mm的非融合棘突间固定器对植入节段关节突关节的压力分布无显著影响;支撑高度为12 mm的非融合棘突间固定器在过伸时可分担关节突关节压力;支撑高度为14 mm的非融合棘突间固定器可显著降低关节突关节负荷;而支撑高度为16~20 mm的非融合棘突间固定器可使关节突关节负荷基本消除。说明支撑高度等于或略大于中立位棘突间高度的非融合棘突间固定器可合理分担关节突关节的负荷。     

Dyslipidemia as a novel risk for the development of symptomatic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

BACKGROUND CONTEXTObesity and visceral fat have been implicated as potential factors in the pathogenesis of the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL); the details of the factors involved in OPLL remain unclear.PURPOSEWe aimed to determine the association between dyslipidemia and symptomatic OPLL.STUDY DESIGNSingle institution cross-sectional study.PATIENT SAMPLEData were collected from Japanese patients with OPLL (n=92) who underwent whole-spine computed tomography scanning. Control data (n=246) without any spinal ligament ossification were collected from 627 Japanese participants who underwent physical examination.OUTCOME MEASURESBaseline information and lipid parameters, including triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from fasting blood samples were collected to assess the comorbidity of dyslipidemia.METHODSPatient data were collected from 2020 to 2022. Patients with dyslipidemia were defined as those who were taking medication for dyslipidemia and who met one of the following criteria: TG ≥150 mg/dL, LDL-C ≥140 mg/dL, and/or HDL-C <40 mg/dL. The factors associated with OPLL development were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTSThe comorbidity of dyslipidemia in the OPLL group was more than twice that in the control group (71.7% and 35.4%, respectively). The mean body mass index (BMI) of the OPLL group was significantly higher than that of the control group (27.2 kg/m² and 23.0 kg/m²). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that dyslipidemia was associated with the development of OPLL (regression coefficient, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–1.50). Additional risk factors included age, BMI, and diabetes mellitus.CONCLUSIONSWe demonstrated a novel association between dyslipidemia and symptomatic OPLL development using serum data. This suggests that visceral fat obesity or abnormal lipid metabolism are associated with the mechanisms of onset and exacerbation of OPLL as well as focal mechanical irritation due to being overweight.     

Early methylprednisolone impact treatment for sensory and motor function recovery in patients with acute spinal cord injury A self-control study

BACKGROUND: For the treatment of spinal cord injury, any pathological changes of the injured tissue should be primarily corrected or reversed. Any remaining fibrous function and neurons with intact structure should be retained, and the toxic substances caused by ischemia-hypoxia following spinal cord injury, should be eliminated to create a favorable environment that would promote neural functional recovery. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the effects of the impact of early methylprednisolone-treatment on the sensory and motor function recovery in patients with acute spinal cord injury. DESIGN: A self-control observation. SETTING: Department of Spine Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-three patients with acute spinal cord injury were admitted to the Department of Spine Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, between October 2005 and September 2007. These patients were recruited for the present study. The patients comprised 33 males and 10 females, and all met with the inclusive criteria namely, the time between suffering from acute spinal cord injury and receiving treatment was less than or equal to eight hours. METHODS: According to the protocol determined by the State Second Conference of Acute Spinal Cord Injury of USA, all patients received the drop-wise administration of a 30-mg/kg dose of methylprednisolone (H200040339,500mg/bottle, Pharmacia N.V/S.A, Belgium) for 15 minutes within 8 hours post injury. After a 45-minute interval, methylprednisolone was administered at 5.4mg/kg/h for 23 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prior to and post treatment, acupuncture sense and light touch scoring were performed at 28 dermatomic area key points, including occipital tuberosity and supraclavicular fossa. At the same time, motor scoring of key muscles among 10 pairs of sarcomeres was also performed.RESULTS: All 43 patients participated in the final analysis. There was no significant difference of sensory and motor scores in patients with complete acute spinal cord injury between prior to and post methylprednisolone impact treatment (P>0.05). The motor score was significantly decreased in patients with incomplete acute spinal cord injury post methylprednisolone impact treatment (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Early methylprednisolone impact may improve the motor function of patients with incomplete acute spinal cord injury. However, it has no influences on patients with complete acute spinal cord injury.     

非融合性棘突间固定器在下腰痛治疗中的应用

目的:了解非融合性棘突间固定器的应用研究进展。资料来源:检索Medline 1966-01/2004-10和Ovid数据库2003-01/2007-06与非融合性棘突间固定器及下腰痛相关的文章,检索词"inter-spinous,low back pain",并限定文章语言种类为英文。资料选择:阅读全部文章的文题和大部分文章的摘要。选择文献所述内容与非融合性棘突间固定器类型、非融合性棘突间固定器减轻疼痛的机制相关的文献。排除重复性研究和Meta分析类文章。资料提炼:共得到符合纳入条件的文献351篇,排除322篇。选择其中29篇进行分析,排除的文章为重复性研究。资料综合:非融合性棘突间固定器改善下腰痛的机制为对腰椎退变性下腰痛的生物力学环境的影响,如对椎间盘纤维环后缘的负荷减轻作用、对椎间孔的撑开等。目前应用的非融合性棘突间固定器,如X-STOP,Wallis,DIAM,都是相对早期开发并经过测试的,所以其有效性,有用性和危险性及引发并发症情况正通过和即将通过临床试验得到证实。结论:非融合性棘突间固定器治疗腰椎退变性下腰痛可以取得良好的临床效果,且可避免融合技术的并发症。     

磁共振评价关节腔内注射骨髓间充质干细胞治疗早期骨性关节炎

背景：作者已对FS-3D-FISP序列诊断骨性关节炎做出研究评价,该序列对早期骨性关节炎的分级与病理有较好的一致性。 目的：用骨髓间充质干细胞治疗兔早期骨性关节炎,运用MR观察软骨厚度及信号的改变评价治疗效果。 方法：将新西兰大白兔随机分成对照组、骨性关节炎模型组和骨髓间充质干细胞组。骨髓间充质干细胞组在造模后第4周左膝关节腔内注射骨髓间充质干细胞。分别在术后第2周,1,2及3个月行膝关节核磁共振检查,每次每组随机选3只实验兔;扫描使用FS-3D-FISP序列测量膝关节软骨厚度, T2-FSE双回波序列测量T2值治疗前后改变,并取膝关节标本行病理观察进行Mankin’s评分,评价兔膝关节骨性关节炎治疗的效果。 结果与结论：与骨性关节炎组相比,骨髓间充质干细胞组MRI示关节软骨厚度接近正常,T2值减低,无关节腔积液。提示MR显示膝关节软骨厚度及信号的改变可用于评价骨性关节炎治疗前后的改变。