TANDEM URETEROCYSTOPLASTY

Background : Bladder augmentation may be undertaken by using various gastrointestinal segments but their use is associated with a multitude of well-recognized complications. The mega-ureter has proven to be a satisfactory alternative; in patients with bilateral mega-ureters, both ureters may be used for this purpose. Methods : Seventeen patients had augmentation ureterocystoplasty, including three in whom both distal ureters were used in tandem. The latter included two patients with neurogenic bladder and one with bladder exstrophy. Results : Satisfactory augmentation was achieved in all patients undergoing tandem ureterocystoplasty. The neurogenic bladder patients are managed by urethral clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and the exstrophy patient is managed by CIC of an appendico-vesicostomy (Mitrofanoff). All are continent. Conclusions : The mega-ureter provides an excellent source of augmentation material in patients with small non-compliant bladders. In those with bilateral mega-ureters, consideration should be given to using both ureters in tandem to achieve the maximum possible bladder capacity.     

Autoperfusion balloon catheter for treatment of vertebral artery stenosis

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the vertebral artery was performed with an autoperfusion balloon catheter in five patients. There were no complications in the form of embolic episodes or neurological deficits due to brain ischaemia during inflation. In critical cases with insufficient collateral circulation during temporary occlusion, the use of an autoperfusion balloon catheter may expand the indications for PTA in patients with ischaemic cerebrovascular disease.     

Augmentation strategies in geriatric depression

Approximately 30–40% of elderly patients with major depression have inadequate response to an initial therapeutic trial of antidepressant medication. In these cases augmentation of the antidepressant has been recommended as one way of improving the rate of response. This article reviews the literature on augmentation strategies in treatment-resistant geriatric depression. Successful augmentation with lithium, triiodothyronine, stimulants, carbamazepine, valproate and a tricyclic–serotonin reuptake inhibitor combination have been described. However, there have been no controlled trials and, with the exception of two open prospective studies of lithium potentiation, the literature consists entirely of case reports and retrospective case series. As a result, it is difficult to draw conclusions about the efficacy of these strategies in late life, especially since treatment failures seldom get reported. Side-effects may limit the usefulness of some augmentation regimens in old age—up to 25% of patients treated with lithium or carbamazepine discontinued these medications because of adverse events. There is a need for controlled studies to better determine the clinical utility of augmentation strategies in physically well depressed elderly, as well as those with depression complicating medical illness, dementia and other neurological disorders.     

Effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide on canine cerebral artery strips and the in-vivo vertebral blood flow in dogs

Summary The effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on canine cerebral arteries and on vertebral blood flow were investigated in-vivo and in-vitro and the findings compared with the effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P. Administration of CGRP into the vertebral artery caused a dose-dependent and long-lasting increase in blood flow. The in-vivo vasodilatory effects of substance P and VIP were short-lasting. CGRP (0.1 to 100 nmol/l) elicited a concentration-dependent relaxation of the isolated middle cerebral and basilar arteries when the tissues were precontracted by exposure to prostaglandin F₂ (PGF₂). This effect was not antagonized by propranolol, atropine, tetrodotoxin, (N-Ac-Tyr¹, D-Phe²)-growth hormone-releasing factor(1–29)-NH₂ or (D-Pro², D-Trp^7,9) substance P. CGRP also reduced concentration-dependently the contraction of cerebral arteries induced by KCl or 9,11-epithio-11,12-metano-thromboxane A₂ (STXA₂). Mechanical removal of the endothelium did not abolish the vasodilatory response to CGRP. In PGF₂-contracted canine cerebral arteries, VIP (0.1 to 100 nmol/l) was less potent a vasodilator than CGRP. At low concentrations (0.01 to 1 nmol/l) substance P elicited a rapid and short-lasting relaxation, and in the absence of endothelium this relaxation disappeared. These findings are clear evidence that CGRP modulates vascular tone.     

Evolution of Vertebroplasty: A Biomechanical Perspective

This paper is a collection of computational, finite element studies on vertebroplasty performed in our laboratory, which attempts to provide new biomechanical evidence and a fresh perspective into how the procedure can be implemented more effectively toward the goal of preventing osteoporosis-related fractures. The percutaneous application of a bone cement to vertebral defects associated with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture has proven clinical successful in alleviating back pain. When the biomechanical efficacy of the procedure was examined, however, vertebroplasty was found to be limited in its ability to provide sufficient augmentation to prevent further fractures without risking complications arising from cement extravasations. The procedure may instead be more efficient biomechanically as a prophylactic treatment, to mechanically reinforce osteoporotic vertebrae at risk for fracture. Patient selection for such intervention may be reliably achieved with the more accurate fracture risk assessments based on vertebral strength, predicted using geometrically detailed, specimen-specific finite element models, rather than on bone density alone. Optimal cement volume, placement, and material properties were also recommended. The future of vertebroplasty involving biodegradable augmentation material laced with osteogenic agents that upon release will stimulate new bone growth and increase bone mass was proposed.     

寰椎的解剖学测量及其临床意义

目的　探讨寰椎因素致椎 基底动脉供血不足的发病机制及手术切开横突孔减压提供解剖学依据。方法　在5 0例中国成年人干燥寰椎标本上 ,对具有临床意义的数据进行解剖学测量。结果　寰椎横突孔与椎动脉沟的成角左侧为(6 7 87± 5 39)°,右侧为 (6 9 84± 4 5 5 )° ;椎动脉沟绕寰椎侧块成角 :左侧为 (6 2 4 6± 4 6 6 )°,右侧为 (6 3 6 1± 2 31)°。寰椎横突孔前壁厚度 :左侧为 (2 96± 0 5 4 )mm ,右侧为 (3 2 1± 0 4 0 )mm。横突孔后壁厚度 :左侧为 (2 2 8± 0 5 7)mm ,右侧为 (2 0 2± 0 2 6 )mm。以上数据左、右侧比较差异无显著性。结论　椎动脉行经在寰椎横突孔与椎动脉沟内时 ,在骨性结构上有明显的两个成角 ,即横突孔与椎动脉沟的成角和椎动脉沟绕过侧块的成角 ,椎动脉的这两个成角增加了血液循环的阻力 ,同时在头颈部旋转运动时 ,椎动脉与骨性成角间更加贴近 ,这两个成角与椎 基底动脉供血不足的发生有关。寰椎横突孔后壁较前壁薄 ,此数据可作炒寰椎横突孔后壁切开减压时手术参考依据     

骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉固定治疗老年退行性腰椎疾病的疗效观察

目的评价骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉固定治疗老年退行性腰椎疾病的近期临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2011年6月~2013年5月采用聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉固定结合后路椎体间植入聚醚醚酮(PEEK)材质椎间融合器治疗老年退行性腰椎疾病30例。所有患者术前骨密度检测均符合骨质疏松诊断(超声骨密度值测定-2.5)。结果 30例患者均顺利完成手术,术中无神经及硬膜损伤,骨水泥无严重渗漏,术后复查X线、CT显示骨水泥分布均匀。随访10~21个月,平均(16±2.11)个月,神经受压症状均得到改善。VAS评分术前(7.01±1.44)、术后6个月随访为(3.00±0.57)、末次随访为(2.23±1.19);JOA评分术前为(9.98±5.64)、术后6个月随访为(17.99±1.41)、末次随访为(18.42±1.47);ODI评分术前为(0.64±0.24)、术后6个月为(0.27±0.07)、末次随访为(0.22±0.09)。三项评分术后6个月、末次随访分别与术前对比差异有统计学意义;术后6个月和末次随访对比差异无统计学意义。末次随访时复查X线或CT显示椎弓根螺钉无松动,椎间融合器无下沉,椎间融合满意,融合率为86.7%。结论使用骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉能够提高螺钉对伴有骨质疏松的椎体的握持力,防止椎弓根螺钉松动,保证较高的椎间融合率,是治疗老年退行性腰椎疾病一种安全而有效的手术方式。     

Light and Electron Microscopic Study of an Invasive Cribriform Carcinoma with Extensive Microcalcification Developing in a Breast with Silicone Augmentation

Although recent epidemiologic studies suggest that silicone augmentation of the breast is not associated with an increased risk of mammary carcinoma, cases of breast carcinoma arising in augmented breasts are being increasingly encountered as a large number of patients who had augmentation are getting older. A case of a 51-year-old woman with a 20-year history of breast augmentation who developed an invasive cribriform carcinoma associated with extensive microcalcification is presented. The patient had submammary silicone implants 20 years ago that were replaced, because of local complications, in subpectoral positions 10 years later. Dispersive X-ray microanalysis failed to demonstrate silicone in sections of the tumor and adjacent breast tissue. Appropriately fixed tumor tissue was available for electron microscopic examination. The tumor cells were rich in mitochondria, and their luminal surfaces were endowed with abundant microvilli, but the cell surfaces that came closest to the calcified microspheriols were devoid of microvilli and had cellular buddings between the microspheriols. It is suggested that the tumor cells might have been actively involved in the process of microcalcification.     

Extrinsic risk factors for compromised blood flow in the vertebral artery: anatomical observations of the transverse foramina from C3 to C7

The vertebral artery (VA) is often involved in the occurrence of complications after spinal manipulative therapy. Due to osteophytes compressing the VA anteriorly from the uncinate process or posteriorly from the facet complex, the VAs are susceptible to trauma in the transverse foramina. Such altered anatomical configurations are of major clinical significance, as spinal manipulations may result in dissection of the VA with serious consequences for the blood supply to the vertebrobasilar region. The purpose of this study is to describe numerous structural features of the third to seventh cervical vertebrae in order to contribute to the understanding of pathological conditions related to the VA. The minimal and maximal diameter of 111 transverse foramina in dry cervical vertebrae were studied. The presence of osteophytes and their influence on the VA were evaluated at the vertebral body and at the superior and inferior articular facets. The diameter of the transverse foramina increased from C3 to C6, while the transverse foramina of C7 had the smallest diameter. At all levels the mean dimensions of the left foramina were greater than those of the right side. Osteophytes from the uncinate process of C5 and C6 vertebrae were found in over 60% of dry vertebrae. Osteophytes from the zygapophyseal joints were more frequent at C3 and C4 vertebrae. About half of the osteophytes of the uncinate and of the superior articular process partially covered the transverse foramina. This was less common with those of the inferior articular facets. Osteophytes covering the transverse foramen force the VAs to meander around these obstructions, causing narrowing through external compression and are potential sites of trauma to the VAs potentially even leading to dissection. We strongly advocate that screening protocols for vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) be used prior to any manipulation of the cervical spine and should include not only extension and rotation but any starting position from which the planned manipulation will be performed.     

经皮椎体后凸成形术治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折

目的初步探讨应用球囊扩张椎体后凸成形术治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的临床疗效。方法应用球囊扩张椎体后凸成形术治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折患者24例28个椎体，并随访4～11个月，平均8个月。结果所有患者手术均获成功，无脊髓神经损伤，病椎疼痛缓解，后凸畸形平均矫正20°，随访期间，疗效满意，无病椎高度丢失。结论应用经皮椎体成形术治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折能明显改善患者疼痛症状，恢复椎体高度，矫正后凸畸形，是一种安全的微创方法。