Relationship between the morphology of the atlanto-occipital joint and the radiographic results in patients with atlanto-axial subluxation due to rheumatoid arthritis

The upper cervical spine is a common focus of destruction from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Atlanto-axial subluxation (AAS) presents with marked frequency among patients with instability. However, there are occasional patients who show no motion between the occipital bone and atlas on a dynamic cervical radiograph in AAS patients. This study investigated the morphology of the atlanto-occipital joint (AOJ) in AAS patients due to RA using computed tomography, and examined the relationship between its morphology and other radiographic results. Twenty-six consecutive patients with AAS due to RA treated by surgery were reviewed. The subjects included 18 females and 8 males. The average patient age was 59.3 years. The mean duration of RA was 14.3 years. In all the patients, the AOJ was morphologically evaluated using sagittal reconstruction view on computed tomography before surgery. Moreover, the ADI value was investigated at the neutral and maximal flexion position, and atlanto-axial angle (AAA) at the neutral position in preoperative lateral cervical radiographs. The morphology of the AOJ on a CT sagittal reconstruction view was classified into three types as follows: a normal type which showed a maintenance of the joint space, a narrow type which showed a disappearance of the joint space and a fused type which showed the fusion of the AOJ. The pre-operative CT sagittal reconstruction image of the AOJ demonstrated a normal type bilaterally in six cases (Group A). In 15 cases (Group B), CT image demonstrated narrowing on at least one side of the AOJ. In five cases (Group C), CT images demonstrated fusion on at least one side of the AOJ. The average ADI value at the flexion position was 10.7 mm in Group A, 11.7 mm in Group B, and 12.6 mm in Group C. There was no significant difference among those groups. The average ADI value at the neutral position before surgery was 2.8 mm in Group A, 5.9 mm in Group B, and 10.4 mm in Group C. There was no significant difference between Group A and B (P > 0.105), and Groups B and C (P > 0.032), however, there was a significant difference between Groups A and C (P < 0.004). The average AAA value was 25.3° in Group A, 19.3° in Group B and 3.4° in Group C. There was no significant difference between Groups A and B (P > 0.230), however, there was a significant difference between Groups A and C (P < 0.002), and Groups B and C (P < 0.007). This study showed that fusion or ankylosis of the AOJ induced an enlargement of the ADI and anterior inclination of the atlas in the neutral position, despite the fact that normal findings of AOJ showed a slight displacement of the atlas to axis in RA patients showing AAS involvement. This morphology may progress to SAS and VS due to AOJ after atlanto-axial arthrodesis. No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.     

针刀为主治疗寰枢椎不稳颈椎病及生物力学原理浅析

目的阐述在生物力学原理指导下针刀治疗寰枢椎不稳的思路与方法。方法对73例枢椎旋转移位的患者采用针刀松解寰枢椎动、静力失衡的应力超常部位,配合手法正骨3～5次,佩戴颈托2星期。结果治愈率达94.5%,有效率为100%。结论纠正颈椎动、静力失衡是治疗寰枢椎不稳的关键。     

桡骨小头半脱位的超声诊断及其临床意义

目的 探讨超声检查对桡骨小头半脱位（RHS）的诊断价值。方法 回顾性分析34例RHS患儿的临床及超声检查资料。所有患儿均接受常规双侧肘关节多切面、对比超声检查,且X线检查结果均为阴性。结果 RHS的超声表现包括：肱桡间距增宽29例（29/34,85.29%）,关节间隙增宽、回声增强25例（25/34,73.53%）,旋后肌上移并呈“钩”型表现32例（32/34,94.12%）,环状韧带嵌顿33例（33/34,97.06%）。结论 RHS的声像图表现具有一定特征,通过超声连续扫查双侧肘关节,并进行对比,有助于快速、准确地对X线检查阴性的RHS做出诊断。     

晶状体后脱位的彩色多普勒超声诊断价值

目的：探讨晶状体后脱位的超声诊断价值。方法：应用彩色多普勒超声对38例不同类型的晶状体后脱位患者的眼球进行超声检查，了解晶状体在眼内的位置、形态、回声以及与周围组织的关系。结果：完全性品状体后脱位13例，人工晶状体后脱位3例，不完全性品状体后脱位22例。合并玻璃体出血4例，玻璃体混浊、增殖及机化13例，玻璃体后脱离15例，视网膜脱离3例。38例患者中33例进行了玻璃体切除联合品状体切除或取出术，超声诊断符合率100％。结论：超声在晶状体后脱位的诊断中具有很高的实用价值，是临床上诊断晶状体后脱位的重要手段之一；同时，为晶状体后脱位手术治疗方法的选择提供有价值的参考。     

综合康复治疗脑卒中偏瘫患者肩关节半脱位的疗效

目的 观察综合康复治疗脑卒中偏瘫患者肩关节半脱位的疗效。方法 对20例脑卒中偏瘫后肩关节半脱位患者进行良肢位摆放、保持肩关节被动活动度、肩胛肌群抗阻训练、戴肩吊带等综合康复治疗，6周后评定疗效。结果 20例患者经康复治疗后，肩关节半脱位恢复，患肢运动功能与治疗前比较有显著性差异（P〈0．05～0．01）。结论 综合康复治疗能有效改善脑卒中偏瘫患者肩关节半脱位及所致的功能障碍。     

C1 lateral mass screw placement with intentional sacrifice of the C2 ganglion: functional outcomes and morbidity in elderly patients

Placement of C1 lateral mass screws may be facilitated by intentional C2 root sacrifice. Functional outcomes and morbidity following intentional sacrifice of the C2 root have not been reported in the literature. The objective is to find out if intentional C2 nerve root sacrifice affects functional outcomes and operative morbidity in patients undergoing posterior cervical fusion with C1 lateral mass screws. The study is a case report. Twenty-two consecutive elderly patients (10 males, 12 females with an average age of 77 years) with C1–2 instability were treated with posterior cervical fusion using C1 lateral mass screw placement. Five patients had preservation of the bilateral C2 nerve roots (PRES group) and 18 patients had intentional sacrifice of the bilateral C2 nerve root (SAC group). Operative times, blood loss, hospital length of stay, and complications were recorded for each patient. Functional outcomes, pain, and satisfaction scores were compared between the two groups at the time of ultimate follow-up. Average follow-up time was 19.3 months (range 6–66). The SAC group demonstrated significantly decreased operative time (109.4 vs. 187 min) and a trend towards decreased blood loss (344 vs. 1,030 mL). At ultimate follow-up both groups experienced similar mild disability with no significant difference in NDI scores, analog pain, and satisfaction scores. No patient had C2 root dysesthesia, swallowing, or speech difficulty. In this small case series, intentional sacrifice of the bilateral C2 nerve root ganglion resulted in less operative time and decreased blood loss in elderly patents undergoing C1–2 posterior fusion with the Harms technique. Functional outcome, pain and satisfaction scores were not adversely affected when this technique was used in elderly patients.     

A biomechanical rationale for C1-ring osteosynthesis as treatment for displaced Jefferson burst fractures with incompetency of the transverse atlantal ligament

Nonsurgical treatment of Jefferson burst fractures (JBF) confers increased rates of C1–2 malunion with potential for cranial settling and neurologic sequels. Hence, fusion C1–2 was recognized as the superior treatment for displaced JBF, but sacrifies C1–2 motion. Ruf et al. introduced the C1-ring osteosynthesis (C1–RO). First results were favorable, but C1–RO was not without criticism due to the lack of clinical and biomechanical data serving evidence that C1–RO is safe in displaced JBF with proven rupture of the transverse atlantal ligament (TAL). Therefore, our objectives were to perform a biomechanical analysis of C1–RO for the treatment of displaced Jefferson burst fractures (JBF) with incompetency of the TAL. Five specimens C0–2 were subjected to loading with posteroanterior force transmission in an electromechanical testing machine (ETM). With the TAL left intact, loads were applied posteriorly via the C1–RO ramping from 10 to 100 N. Atlantoaxial subluxation was measured radiographically in terms of the anterior antlantodental interval (AADI) with an image intensifier placed surrounding the ETM. Load–displacement data were also recorded by the ETM. After testing the TAL-intact state, the atlas was osteotomized yielding for a JBF, the TAL and left lateral joint capsule were cut and the C1–RO was accomplished. The C1–RO was subjected to cyclic loading, ramping from 20 to 100 N to simulate post-surgery in vivo loading. Afterwards incremental loading (10–100 N) was repeated with subsequent increase in loads until failure occurred. Small differences (1–1.5 mm) existed between the radiographic AADI under incremental loading (10–100 N) with the TAL-intact as compared to the TAL-disrupted state. Significant differences existed for the beginning of loading (10 N, P = 0.02). Under physiological loads, the increase in the AADI within the incremental steps (10–100 N) was not significantly different between TAL-disrupted and TAL-intact state. Analysis of failure load (FL) testing showed no significant differences among the radiologically assessed displacement data (AADI) and that of the ETM (P = 0.5). FL was Ø297.5 ± 108.5 N (range 158.8–449.0 N). The related displacement assessed by the ETM was Ø5.8 ± 2.8 mm (range 2.3–7.9). All specimens succeeded a FL >150 N, four of them >250 N and three of them >300 N. In the TAL-disrupted state loads up to 100 N were transferred to C1, but the radiographic AADI did not exceed 5 mm in any specimen. In conclusion, reconstruction after displaced JBF with TAL and one capsule disrupted using a C1–RO involves imparting an axial tensile force to lift C0 into proper alignment to the C1–2 complex. Simultaneous compressive forces on the C1-lateral masses and occipital condyles allow for the recreation of the functional C0–2 ligamentous tension band and height. We demonstrated that under physiological loads, the C1–RO restores sufficient stability at C1–2 preventing significant translation. C1–RO might be a valid alternative for the treatment of displaced JBF in comparison to fusion of C1–2.     

Gallie结合单侧Magerl内固定法治疗寰枢椎不稳的生物力学研究

目的 对Gallie+单侧Magerl内固定技术治疗寰枢椎不稳进行生物力学评估.方法 10具成年国人甲醛固定的枕颈(C0～C4)标本,对寰枢椎不稳模型分别行Gallie内固定、Gallie+单侧Magerl内固定、双侧Magerl内固定,在颈椎三维运动试验机上对颈椎施加2.0 N×M纯力偶矩,产生前屈/后伸,左/右侧屈和左/右旋转6种生理运动,测量其三维运动范围(ROM).结果 单侧Magerl+Gallie法固定,其屈/伸ROM为1.66度,侧屈为0.5l度,轴向旋转为6.22度,与Gallie固定法比较,ROM分别减少78%、86%、69%,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).双侧Magerl法固定,其屈/伸ROM变为1.48度,侧屈为0.46度,轴向旋转为5.38度,与单侧Magerl+Gallie法比较,ROM减少其差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 Gallie+单侧Magerl固定法治疗寰枢椎不稳的生物力学稳定性与双侧Magerl法接近.