Upper tract urothelial cancer

Upper tract transitional cell carcinoma is a lethal disease with half the patients dead within 5 years of diagnosis. Unlike urothelial tumours arising in the bladder, the disease is more likely to be invasive at the time of diagnosis and in part reflects the poorer prognosis. It is a biologically aggressive disease with a high chance of recurrence even after local control. Diagnosis is made by a combination of upper tract imaging, urine cytology and ureteroscopic biopsy. Organ-confined disease is amenable to radical surgery, whereas superficial low-grade disease may be managed endoscopically. A number of prognostic factors have been incorporated into nomograms to predict non-organ-confined disease. Even those with apparently organ-confined disease are prone to recurrence. As a result regular surveillance protocols are in place to identify both local and metastatic spread as well as metachronous bladder lesions.     

Axis vertebral dimensions for safe screw placement: A CT normative data analysis

IntroductionMorphometric evaluation of the pedicle and isthmus of second cervical vertebra (C2) (Axis) is extremely vital before contemplating any surgical stabilization involving the Craniovertebral region, in view of its proximity to the vertebral artery and the cervical nerve root. The dimensions of pedicles and isthmuses in C2 vary between individuals and there is paucity of data in the Indian population. This study strives to measure the average pedicle and isthmus dimensions in a sample of population, which would enable selection of screws with safest diameters to be used in C2; thereby avoiding injury to adjacent neurovascular structures.Materials and methodsOne Hundred patients in the age group between 18 and 70 years who underwent CT scan of head and neck region were included in the study. The aim of this study was to assess the anatomic suitability of transarticular and pedicle screw placement in Axis vertebrae of Indian population and determine the maximum safe diameter for screw placement. The following parameters were measured in millimeters: Pedicle width, Pedicle angle, Internal height and Isthmic height.ResultsThe Mean maximum diameter of potential pedicle screw was 4.99 ± 1.1 mm for the right side with the left side being slightly wider at 5.20 ± 1.16 mm. Twenty eight (28%; 56 out of 200 pedicles) had a measurement < 4.5 mm. The internal height in sagittal images representing the pedicle height was found to be 4.79 ± 0.96 mm on the right side and 4.75 ± 1.04 mm on the left side. Sixty five (65) out of 200 pedicles (32.5%) had measurements < 4.5 mm in sagittal plane. The Mean maximum diameter of potential Transarticular screw (outer diameter of isthmus) was 5.05 ± 0.78 mm for the right side and 5.18 ± 0.84 mm on the left side.DiscussionIsthmic height < 4.5 mm could potentially violate the vertebral foramen when a 3.5 mm screw is used. In our study 22.5% isthmuses were narrow (<4.5 mm). The mean maximum safe diameter for a potential transarticular screw in the present study was 5.11 mm. Though our patients had smaller isthmus dimensions compared with literature, 77.5% of C2 could take a 4 mm transarticular screw quite comfortably considering the 0.5 mm margin on either side. In the present study, 28% of pedicles were found to be inappropriately sized (<4.5 mm) to accommodate the standard 3.5 mm screw. The mean maximum diameter of a potential pedicle screw in our study was 5.09 mm; and in 72% of patients a 4 mm screw could be placed with confidence. Though our patients on an average can accommodate a 4 mm screw comfortably, we suggest a protocol of obtaining CT measurements of C2 prior to operative intervention for identifying those individuals at risk of neurovascular injury; 22.5% for transarticular screw and 28% for pedicle screw.     

单平面钉经皮伤椎短节段固定治疗胸腰椎骨折

目的探讨单平面钉经皮伤椎短节段固定治疗胸腰椎骨折的疗效。方法2015年5月-2017年8月,采用单平面钉经皮伤椎短节段固定治疗38例无神经症状的胸腰椎骨折患者。其中男22例,女16例;年龄25~52岁,平均32.5岁。骨折AO分型:A3型23例、A4型15例。骨折节段:T114例、T129例、L111例、L210例、L33例、L41例。骨折至手术时间3~7 d,平均4.5 d。手术前后采用疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)评估患者腰背痛程度;行腰椎正侧位X线片、CT三维重建及MRI检查,测量伤椎前缘高度比和矢状面Cobb角,评估伤椎高度及骨折区局部后凸恢复情况。结果38例患者均顺利完成手术,术中无硬膜囊、神经根、血管损伤等并发症发生。手术时间(56.2±3.7)min,术中出血量(42.3±3.5)mL。切口无红肿、渗出,均Ⅰ期愈合。所有患者均获随访,随访时间17~33个月,平均21.5个月。术后各时间点VAS评分均较术前显著改善(P<0.05),术后3个月和末次随访时较术后1周进一步改善(P<0.05);术后3个月和末次随访间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。随访期间均未出现内固定物松动、断裂及迟发性后凸畸形。术后各时间点患者伤椎前缘高度比和矢状面Cobb角均较术前明显改善(P<0.05),术后各时间点间比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论采用单平面钉经皮伤椎短节段固定治疗无神经症状的胸腰椎骨折,操作简便,可以较好恢复伤椎高度、矫正后凸畸形,避免远期后凸畸形发生。     

伤椎固定结合成形与跨伤椎固定结合伤椎成形治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎爆裂骨折的疗效比较

目的:比较伤椎椎弓根固定结合伤椎成形与跨伤椎椎弓根固定结合伤椎成形在治疗骨质疏松性胸腰椎爆裂骨折的临床疗效。方法:收集2015年1月至2017年12月符合纳入标准的骨质疏松性胸腰椎爆裂骨折患者70例,其中35例采用伤椎椎弓根螺钉固定结合伤椎椎体成形术治疗(A组),男20例,女15例;年龄55～74 (64.03±7.82)岁;AO分型A3型26例,A4型9例。其余35例采用短节段跨伤椎椎弓根固定结合伤椎椎体成形术(B组),男18例,女17例;年龄54～72(62.78±6.40)岁;A3型28例,A4型7例。比较两组手术时间、术中出血量、并发症、临床疗效及影像学参数。结果:所有患者随访时间至少12个月;术前两组患者性别、年龄、损伤部位、术前疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、Cobb角与伤椎前缘高度比例差异均无统计学意义。两组手术时间、术中出血差异无有统计学意义。术前、术后1周及末次随访时VAS评分:A组分别为(5.5±2.5)、(1.8±0.8)、(0.9±0.4)分,B组分别为(5.4±2.3)、(1.7±0.6)、(1.2±1.8)分;术前、术后1周及末次随访时伤椎前缘高度比例:A组分别为(40.4±8.8)%、(92.0±4.9)%、(87.1±3.8)%,B组分别为(41.2±6.6)%、(93.2±4.6)%、(80.0±4.3)%;术前、术后1周及末次随访时Cobb角:A组分别为(18.4±6.9)°、(2.8±2.2)°、(4.2±2.6)°,B组分别为(16.8±7.2)°、(2.7±2.5)°、(6.0±2.4)°。所有患者术前与末次随访3项评估结果差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);Cobb角和伤椎前缘高度比例术后1周与末次随访差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。A组末次随访伤椎前缘高度比例与B比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。A组术后出现2例内固定失败,B组出现4例内固定失败。两组均无神经并发症。结论:对骨质疏松性胸腰段椎体爆裂骨折,伤椎固定结合伤椎椎体成形与单纯结合伤椎成形均能取得良好临床疗效,但伤椎固定结合成形术更有利于维持术后伤椎高度和矢状位排列,减少内固定相关并发症,值得研究应用并推广。     

复位前与复位后伤椎置钉固定胸腰椎骨折比较

[目的]比较复位棒辅助复位后伤椎置钉与常规复位前伤椎置钉短节段固定治疗Magerl A3型胸腰椎骨折的临床疗效。[方法]2018年12月一2020年6月收住本院的59例Magerl A3型胸腰椎骨折患者随机分为两组。所有患者均接受短节段椎弓根钉固定,其中,32例采用自制复位棒复位后,再行伤椎置钉(复位置钉组);27例采用常规技术,复位前伤椎置钉(常规组)。比较两组围手术期、随访和影像资料。[结果]两组患者均顺利完成手术,无严重术中并发症。两组手术时间、切口长度、术中失血量、术后引流量、下地行走时间及完全负重时间方面比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。59例患者随访时间12?21个月,平均(14.42±2.04)个月。随时间推移,两组的VAS及0DI评分均显著减少(P<0.05),相应时间点,两组间VAS及0DI评分的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。影像学方面,与术前相比,术后两组的伤椎前缘相对高度、后凸Cobb角和椎管占位率均显著改善(P<0.05)。相应时间点,两组间伤椎前缘相对高度和Cobb角的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但复位置钉组术后3d及末次随访椎管占位率改善显著优于常规组(P<0.05)。[结论]伤椎复位置钉与单纯置钉短节段固定治疗Mag-erl A3型胸腰椎骨折临床疗效无显著差异,但伤椎复位置钉椎管占位的改善优于单纯置钉。     

Long-term follow-up of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in childhood

BackgroundBladder tumours are rare in children, with only 0.38% of cases occurring in the first two decades of life.ObjectiveTo describe a long-term follow-up series of nine urothelial bladder tumours in children.Patients and methodsWe carried out a retrospective study covering the period from 1988 until 2005. We found that during this time, urothelial tumours had been diagnosed at our centre in eight patients (9 tumours) younger than 18 years old who reported an episode of haematuria. Diagnosis was attained through renal and bladder ultrasound in 85% of patients, and through cystoscopy under anaesthesia in 15%. All cases were treated by means of transurethral resection of the bladder, with ensuing follow-up using renal and bladder ultrasound and urinary cytology.MeasurementsPatients characteristics and outcome are evaluated.ResultsSingle exophytic tumours were present in seven (87.5%) of the patients, located either in the lateral wall or in the trigone; one patient showed two small tumours. The pathology was as follows: two G1Ta, one G1T1, one G2T1, and five G2Ta. There were no recurrences.ConclusionsTransitional cell carcinoma in childhood is of low grade and low aggressiveness. It has a good prognosis and recurrences are infrequent. We suggest performing a urinary cytology/cystoscopy every 6 months the first 2 years and urinary cytology/bladder ultrasound once a year.     

The variation of cancellous bones at lumbar vertebra,femoral neck,mandibular angle and rib in ovariectomized sheep

This study aimed to compare the variation of cancellous bones at four skeletal sites: lumbar vertebra, femoral neck, mandibular angle and rib in ovariectomized sheep. Sixteen adult sheep were randomly divided into two groups: eight sheep were ovariectomized served as experimental group; the other eight untreated sheep were served as control group. Bone mineral density was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry on lumbar vertebrae at baseline and twelve months after ovariectomy. After 12 months, lumbar vertebrae L3 and L4, femoral necks, mandibular angles and the fourth ribs were harvested for micro-CT scanning, histological analysis and biomechanical test. The results showed that bone mineral density of lumbar vertebra decreased significantly in twelfth month (p < 0.05). The results of micro-CT showed that the bone volume/total volume decreased by 45.6%, 36.1% 21.3% and 18.7% in lumbar vertebrae, femoral necks, mandibular angles and ribs in experimental group (p < 0.05) respectively. The trabecular number showed the same downtrend (p < 0.05). Histological analysis showed trabecular area/tissue area decreased by 32.1%, 23.2% and 20.7% in lumbar vertebrae, femoral necks and mandibular angles respectively (p < 0.05), but no significant difference in ribs. Specimens elastic modulus from lumbar vertebra, femoral neck and mandibular angle were 952 ± 76 MPa (628 ± 70 MPa), 961 ± 173 MPa (610 ± 72 MPa) and 595 ± 60 MPa (444 ± 31 MPa) in control group (experimental group) respectively. These datum indicated that the sensibility of cancellous bones to oestrogen deficiency in ovariectomized sheep was site-specific on a pattern as follows: lumbar vertebra, femoral neck, mandibular angle and rib.     

颈椎后路单开门加侧块内固定治疗椎管狭窄伴不稳

目的 探讨颈椎侧块钢板内固定加后路单开门术治疗颈椎管狭窄合并颈椎不稳定的疗效。方法对21例颈椎管狭窄脊髓损伤合并颈椎不稳定病人，采用Ⅰ期后路单开门减压加侧块钢板内固定，椎间小关节植骨融合术。查体按日本矫形学会joA分级法评定，拍颈椎片观察小关节融合情况。结果经过平均9个月随访，本组术前平均评分为9．5分，术后评分为16．2分，平均改善率86．6％。术后4月复查椎间小关节已融合。CT复查片示开门侧未见有再关门现象。结论侧块内固定加单开门术治疗颈椎管狭窄伴不稳是疗效确切、术式简便的治疗方法。     

项背肌功能锻炼颈椎康复器的临床应用

目的探讨颈椎康复器的临床疗效.方法对128例临床应用自行设计的颈椎康复器患者,于治疗前及治疗1个月后的疼痛及功能活动进行评分.结果全部患者的颈部疼痛、不适于1个月内基本消失,治疗后疼痛及功能评分同治疗前比较有非常显著性差异（P＜0.01）.结论颈椎康复器可通过改善项背肌肌力而增强颈椎稳定性,适用于各种颈椎疾病的辅助康复治疗.     

Lymphadenectomy in Bladder Cancer

Pelvic lymphadenectomy is widely accepted as an essential part of radical cystectomy. It provides important information (number of lymph nodes involved, tumor volume, capsular perforation) for prognosis, which may help identify patients at increased risk for progression. More important, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that meticulous, extended pelvic lymphadenectomy may cure a substantial number of patients who would otherwise develop local recurrences or distant metastases. Furthermore, extended bilateral lymph node dissection facilitates cystectomy, makes it safer to perform and does not substantially alter morbidity of the operation.