地震中颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤和(或)肺部并发症患者救治体会

目的 分析四川大地震中颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤患者肺部并发症的发生原因并总结救治体会.方法 回顾性分析泸州医学院附属医院神经外科自2008年5月12日至2008年8月6日收治的9例颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤患者的临床资料.结果 颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤患者均采取手术治疗,其中6例伤后5 d内发生肺部并发症,其中肺炎3例,通气障碍2例,肺水肿和血气胸1例,经积极的呼吸道管理等非手术治疗,肺部并发症都得到有效控制.结论 颈椎骨折伴颈脊髓损伤急性期(<5 d)常发生严重肺部并发症.以高位损伤(C4>以上)、合并胸部损伤、高龄、有肺部疾患史与吸烟史者更易发生,早期发现后内科治疗效果好.     

电刺激运动诱发电位监护在脊柱脊髓手术中的应用

目的观察运动诱发电位在脊柱脊髓手术监护中的应用效果。方法对30例脊柱脊髓手术患者采用经颅电刺激-四肢肌记录肌活动电位，行术中脊髓机能监测，其中对采用经颅电刺激-四肢肌记录无效者，配合经脊髓硬膜外刺激-四肢肌记录肌活动电位。结果30例采用经颅电刺激-四肢肌记录方法，其中26例于术中和术后都记录到了正常的运动诱发电位波形。其余4例改为使用经脊髓硬膜外刺激-四肢肌记录方法后，共29例患者的运动诱发电位获得记录。结论采用经颅电刺激，并配合经脊髓硬膜外刺激-四肢肌记录肌活动电位，使术中对脊髓内部运动传导通路机能监测的有效率得到了提高。     

无症状型颈椎退变对脊髓的压迫

背景：目前对无症状颈椎退变性脊髓压迫的影像现象尚缺乏系统研究和认识。 目的：探讨无症状颈椎退变性脊髓压迫的临床特点及治疗方法。 方法：以“无症状、颈椎、退变性脊髓压迫、组织工程”为中文检索词。以“asymptomatic spondylotic cervical cord compression”为英文检索词，应用计算机检索PubMed、万方数据库及重庆维普(VIP)期刊全文数据库1987-01/2009-01文献并查阅有关图书资料。纳入有关无症状颈椎退变性脊髓压迫的临床文献。排除重复性研究和不典型报道。保留36篇文献做进一步分析。 结果与结论：无临床症状和体征的颈椎退变所形成的致压物对脊髓压迫的MRI征象上，发现脊髓压迫而不具备脊髓型颈椎病的症状和体征者诊断为无症状压迫；临床治疗方法的评价没有统一的标准。因此制定一个统一的评判标准，将有利于临床准确诊断分型及临床疗效的评估和疗法的选择，从而选择出最佳治疗方案，以提高疗效和稳定性。动物实验表明，将组织工程同种异体冻干辐照骨应用于椎板切除术后椎板重建，发现其在引导推板再生，预防全椎板切除后并发症方面效果较为满意。     

脊髓型颈椎病椎间盘白细胞介素1水平与颈脊髓功能的相关性

背景：白细胞介素1自身及其产生的级联反应在椎间盘退变及周围组织如脊髓的功能障碍中起着重要作用。 目的：分析脊髓型颈椎病患者颈椎间盘白细胞介素1α、白细胞介素1β水平及其与颈脊髓功能的相关性，探讨白细胞介素1在脊髓型颈椎病发病机制中可能起到的作用。 设计、时间及地点：实验采用对比观察，于2008-01/11在安徽医科大学第一附属医院骨科及安徽医科大学寄生虫学实验室完成。 对象：实验组收集安徽医科大学第一附属医院2008-01/10骨科住院的25例脊髓型颈椎病患者48个椎间盘组织，因颈椎创伤的10例患者20个椎间盘组织作为对照。标本均为颈椎前路手术摘取且患者自愿捐献。 方法：应用酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法测量两组颈椎间盘白细胞介素1α、白细胞介素1β的水平；采用日本骨科协会颈脊髓功能评分(JOA评分17分法)对实验组病例进行术前颈脊髓功能评分。 主要观察指标：①两组椎间盘组织中的白细胞介素1α、白细胞介素1β水平。②实验组椎间盘组织中的白细胞介素1α、白细胞介素1β质量浓度与JOA评分相关性分析。 结果：所收集的病例全部纳入结果分析。脊髓型颈椎病患者椎间盘组织白细胞介素1α、白细胞介素1β质量浓度水平明显高于对照组(P < 0.01)。脊髓型颈椎病患者椎间盘组织中的白细胞介素1α、白细胞介素1β质量浓度与JOA评分间呈负相关(ra =-0.860；rb =-0.669，P < 0.01)。 结论：脊髓型颈椎病患者颈椎间盘组织的白细胞介素1α、白细胞介素1β水平明显增高，且与颈脊髓功能成负相关。     

颈段动态MRI在脊髓型颈椎病早期诊断中的应用价值：8例报告*★

对有脊髓型颈椎病症状体征常规MRI无明显脊髓受压征象而动态MRI中整个序列脊髓受压呈现波浪样压迹或念珠样改变的8例患者进行颈椎后路单开门椎管成型手术治疗。8例患者仅1例因为病程较长（大于2年）、脊髓损伤症状比较严重（术前JOA评分5分），术后半年JOA评分改善率为25%外，其余患者术后症状都有不同程度的恢复，术后半年JOA评分改善率都在50%以上。术后1个月检查颈椎前凸角较术前减少4.5°~8.6°，3个月后患者去掉颈围制动，颈椎的前凸角逐渐向正常恢复，术后半年检查颈椎前凸角与术前基本相同。结果提示以颈段动态MRI结合临床表现早期诊断脊髓型颈椎病并以颈段动态MRI为依据对脊髓型颈椎病患者早期行颈椎后路手术，效果良好；颈椎生理曲度随访半年，结果与手术前无明显改变。     

颈椎病的三维CT表现

目的 探讨三维CT(3DCT)在诊断颈椎病方面的价值。方法 采用3DCT技术检查了300例颈椎病患者。其中，神经根型145例，椎动脉型41例，脊髓型40例,混合型73例．食管压迫型1例。3DCT观察颈椎病患者的颈椎骨质增生、椎间孔大小、椎动脉和颈椎骨质增生的关系、骨性椎管狭窄的改变。结果 21．3％的惠者有颈椎椎体骨质增生．42．3％的钩突关节和16．2％的小关节突柱有骨质增生，另外有12个小关节突有错位改变。在145例神经根型颈椎病惠者中，发现狭窄的椎间孔438个。其中，C6—7和C5—6椎间孔狭窄占81．3％。椎间孔狭窄的原因有钩突关节骨质增生、椎间盘突出、椎体肥大、小关节突骨质增生／错位等。椎动脉型颈椎病表现为骨赘压迫椎动脉(22．0％)和椎动脉变细或粗细不均(65．9％)，12．1％的患者未见异常。脊髓型颈椎病3DCT表现有颈椎管狭窄、椎体后缘骨质增生、后纵韧带钙化、椎闻隙狭窄和颈椎问盘突出等。结论 3DCT能全面评价颈椎问盘退变及其产生的颈椎骨质增生对神经、血管和脊髓的影响，是一种诊断颈椎病的实用影像学检查方法.     

脑血管造影术致多发性脑梗死1例报告

1 病例介绍 患者,女,57岁.因"头昏,颈项不适伴双手指麻、痛一年余",于2006-08-07收入我院伤科病房.曾在外院MRI示:颈3/4椎间盘突出,压迫脊髓;颈2/3、颈4/5椎间盘突出,压迫硬膜囊;颈5/6椎间盘向后左侧突出.患者既往有高血压、高血脂史.本院门诊X片示:颈椎右偏,左颈5/6椎间孔狭窄.     

脊髓运动诱发电位在脊髓肿瘤手术中的监测应用

目的探讨脊髓运动诱发电位(SCMEP)在脊髓肿瘤手术中监测的应用价值.方法采用硬膜外电极在椎管内直接刺激脊髓记录脊髓运动诱发电位(SCMEP)监测脊髓肿瘤手术,并对17例肿瘤患者的手术监测的记录结果进行回顾性分析.结果SCMEP由于病变部位及性质、刺激电极与记录电极间的距离不同,波幅及潜伏期的差异较大,电极安放后与手术结束时的结果个体对照,相差不显著(P=0.083;P=0.387).7例术中波幅降低超过预警值20%,5例经短暂休息或改变手术方向后,波幅恢复正常.结论SCMEP的波幅变化是提示脊髓损伤的可靠性灵敏指标,对辅助医生进行手术安全操作,缩短手术时间,提高手术质量,减少术后神经功能障碍起到重要作用.     

动态MRI检测颈椎健康者、颈肩部不适者脊髓型颈椎病未确诊及确诊者的价值

背景：目前MRI对于颈椎病的检查多是常规的中立仰卧位静态平扫,是在非运动和非承重的条件下完成的,容易忽略脊髓在人体中承重和动态下脊髓的器质性改变。 目的：分析颈椎动态MRI结合临床表现早期诊断脊髓型颈椎病的临床意义。 方法：对随机抽取的正常人群10名(正常组)、有颈肩部不适的亚健康人群20名(亚健康组)、有脊髓型颈椎病症状体征但常规MRI不支持的患者20名(MRI正常脊髓型颈椎病组)、符合现行脊髓型颈椎病诊断标准的患者20名(脊髓型颈椎病组)进行JOA评分,颈椎正侧位片、颈椎中立位MRI及颈椎动态MRI检查,并随访18个月以上,观察4组研究对象各项观察指标的变化情况及4组人群的转归情况。 结果与结论：脊髓型颈椎病组20例患者均在入组半年内手术治疗;MRI正常脊髓型颈椎病组20例中有16例在入组16个月内行手术治疗,其中4例入组1年内在中立位MRI检查尚无明显改变时即行手术治疗,12例在入组1年后颈椎中立位MRI也已有脊髓型颈椎病的典型改变时行手术治疗,前者治疗效果明显优于后者(P < 0.05);亚健康组有4例出现了脊髓型颈椎病的症状体征,发现此4例患者动态颈椎MRI检查均有椎管变窄脊髓受压征象,但中立位MRI仅发现1例由此改变,且此例动态MRI在入组12个月时已经发现脊髓受压。在正常组随访中动态MRI与中立位MRI检查均发现1例有椎管变窄脊髓受压征象,但患者没有任何不适症状,考虑为假阳性;二者假阳性率相同。结果表明,颈椎动态MRI检查较中立位MRI能够更早期、更真实客观地发现脊髓受压征象;在临床症状、体征检查的基础上将常规的中立位MRI检查与动态MRI检查相结合将会更早期发现脊髓型颈椎病。     

颈椎病手术治疗的现状

颈椎病是以颈椎退行性变为病理基础的临床病征.颈椎椎间盘组织退行性改变及其继发病理改变累及周围组织结构(神经根、脊髓、椎动脉、交感神经等),出现相应的临床表现,即为颈椎病.椎间盘变性导致颈椎不稳,带来继发改变,如前后纵韧带-椎间盘问隙的出现与血肿形成、钙化、骨化和骨赘形成,钩椎关节及关节突关节增生,黄韧带、前后纵韧带、关节囊、项韧带的松弛、增生、钙化、骨化等.以上病理改变对神经根、脊髓、交感神经、椎动脉、脊髓周围动静脉造成刺激与压迫,从而产生相应的临床表现.颈椎病通常分为颈型、神经根型、脊髓型、椎动脉型、交感神经型与混合型.     

Epidurally recorded spinal cord evoked potentials in patients with cervical myelopathy and normal central motor conduction time measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: Use epidural recording of evoked spinal cord potentials (ESCPs) to investigate the pathology of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in patients with normal central motor conduction time (CMCT) in upper and lower limbs. METHODS: A total of 75 patients with CSM were studied. All patients were examined before surgery for motor evoked potentials (MEPs) following transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). They were also evaluated during surgery by epidurally recorded ESCPs following stimulation of the median nerve, brain and spine. RESULTS: Seven patients (9%) showed normal CMCT in upper and lower limbs upon TMS examination. Only the ESCPs following median nerve stimulation (MN-ESCPs) were abnormal in these patients. In 5 of the 7 patients, a marked block in conduction of MN-ESCPs was observed at the C3-4 intervertebral level. The remaining two patients showed attenuation in the amplitude of MN-ESCPs at mid-cervical levels. CONCLUSIONS: We present 7 cases of CSM with negative CMCT findings. From the MN-ESCP results, we surmise that the pathology of CSM with normal CMCT is due predominantly to dysfunction of sensory systems involved in the upper limbs. SIGNIFICANCE: Examination by TMS is useful in the diagnosis of CSM but the possibility of negative CMCT findings upon TMS must be borne in mind. Multi-functional evoked spinal cord responses demonstrate that lesions in the sensory system are the major underlying pathology.     

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly people: a high incidence of conduction block at C3-4 or C4-5

OBJECTIVES: To precisely localise the site of conduction block in elderly patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy in the presence of multilevel compression shown by MRI. METHODS: A total of 44 patients aged 65 and older underwent serial intervertebral recording of spinal somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) from either the intervertebral disc or the ligamentum flavum after epidural stimulation. The site of conduction block identified by abrupt reduction in size of the negative peak was designated as the 0 level with the other levels numbered in order of distance assigning a minus sign caudally. RESULTS: A single site of focal conduction block was disclosed in 42 patients, 23 (55%) at C3-4, 17 (40%) at C4-5, and two (5%) at C5-6. At these levels (0), the amplitude of the negative component was reduced (p<0.0001) to 29% and the area to 22%, with a concomitant increase (p<0.0001) of the initial positive component to 150% in amplitude and 293% in area as compared to the-2 level which was taken as the baseline (100%). CONCLUSIONS: A high incidence (95%) of focal conduction block at C3-4 or C4-5 with normal conduction at C5-6 and C6-7 characterises cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly people. Incremental SSEP studies documenting the site of conduction block will help exclude clinically silent cord compression, directing the surgical intervention to the appropriate level of concern.     

Differential recording of upper and lower cervical N13 responses and their contribution to scalp recorded responses in median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials.

To distinguish the different origins of cervical N13 potentials in median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), cervical N13 potentials were recorded by two different montages. The abnormal patterns of the SSEPs were compared to the abnormal evoked spinal cord responses (ESCPs) recorded from posterior epidural space in 13 patients with various cervical lesions. SSEPs from the posterior cervical surface were recorded from the mid-cervical level with anterior neck reference (Cv5-AN) and from the upper cervical level with inion reference (Cv2-IN). Scalp responses were recorded from the parietal region contralateral to the stimulating side with non-cephalic reference (shoulder contralateral to stimulating side). ESCPs were recorded from the posterior epidural space using catheter electrodes or needle electrodes inserted into the ligamentum flavum. Lower cervical N13 (LC-N13) recorded from the Cv5-AN montage showed similar latency to upper cervical N13 (UC-N13) recorded from the Cv2-IN montage. The latency of the early part of the P13-P14 complex in the scalp montage was similar to that of the UC-N13 and the negative peak latency of the ESCPs recorded at the C2-3 level. Attenuation of the LC-N13 and relatively preserved UC-N13 and P13-P14 were characteristic in patients with cervical syringomyelia and compression cervical myelopathy at the mid-cervical levels. Attenuation of the UC-N13 with normal LC-N13 was characteristic in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who showed conduction blockade of the ESCPs at the C3-4 level. In a patient with schwannoma at the C1-2 level, conduction blockade of the ESCPs was observed at the C1-2 level. P13 was normal but P14 was prolonged. UC-N13 and P13 latencies were similar to the negative peak latency of the ESCPs at the C2-3 level. We demonstrated that two different cervical N13 potentials can be recorded by two different montages and they represent different behavior in various spinal cord lesions. In addition, at least the early part of the P13-P14 complex originates in the upper cervical region. To distinguish two different cervical N13, it is useful to detect not only the cervical pathology but also the symptomatic cervical cord compression level in patients with cervical myelopathy.     

脊髓型颈椎病的演变过程

本目的是深入了解CSM的自然演变过程。首先研究了影响CSM发病的几个因素：颈椎管矢状径，颈脊髓矢状径，椎体矢状径，动态性椎管形态及容积的变化：其发病过程包括颈椎间盘及其关节退变，颈椎骨与软组织的继发病理改变，脊髓及其血管的慢性压迫性病理改变三个阶段。我们认为：CSM的早期诊断及早期治疗意义重大：某些保守治疗在发病早期可获得明显疗效；手术治疗直接去除压迫脊髓及其血管的因素．在脊髓的病理改变还处在可逆阶段时．手术治疗常可取得较为满意疗效。     

The usefulness of central motor conduction studies in the localization of cord involvement in cervical spondylytic myelopathy

Cervical spondylytic myelopathy (CSM) is common. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), although sensitive, often reveals extensive and sometimes clinically irrelevant findings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of central motor conduction studies in localizing the rostral level of cord involvement in 6 patients with CSM. Central motor conduction was assessed using high-voltage stimulation for the spinal roots and magnetoelectrical stimulation for the motor cortex, recording from “marker muscles” innervated by successively higher cervical cord segments. Abnormal central motor conduction affected all subjects at C8–T1, 5 subjects at C7, but none at the C5–C6 levels. The MRI showed abnormalities at multiple levels as high as C4. Our results suggest that central motor conduction studies are helpful in localizing the clinically relevant levels of spinal cord compression in CSM and correlate well with motor abnormalities on clinical examination. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21:1220–1223, 1998.     

C3-4 level cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is uncommon at the C3-4 level. Fourteen patients with C3-4 CSM were treated over a period of 3 years. The radiological factors contributing to CSM at the C3-4 level were studied. These factors included the assessment of static and dynamic canal diameters, retrolisthesis, posterior osteophytes and degenerative spinal segmental fusion on plain X-rays; and, the antero-posterior cord compression ratio (APCR) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The clinical status of the patients was assessed by the modified Japanese orthopedic association scale (mJOAS). The mean difference between the static and dynamic canal diameters was statistically significant at C3-4 (p < 0.01). The APCR obtained at different levels showed a significant compression at the C3-4 level in comparison to the lower level. There was a correlation between the APCR and the preop mJOAS, r=0.6 (p< 0.05). The mean mJOAS improved from 9.35 to 14.35 at follo-up. The recovery rate calculated using the modified Hirabayashi rate was 66.9%. Degenerative changes at lower cervical segments predispose to increased mobility and spondylotic changes at the C3-4 level. The patients in this study were young as compared to those reported in the international literature.     

Radiological factors associated with the severity of corticospinal tract dysfunctions for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: An analysis of the central motor conduction time and kinematic CT myelography

Patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) often exhibit symptoms in clinical practice, particularly the elderly, whose lower extremity functions are more likely to deteriorate; however, the underlying mechanisms currently remain unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the neurological severity of CSM based on an electrophysiological examination and radiological findings.Eighty-six patients with CSM were examined using kinematic CT myelography. The cross-sectional area of the spinal cord and dynamic changes in the spinal cord were measured at the affected level.The central motor conduction time (CMCT) using transcranial magnetic stimulation was calculated as follows: motor evoked potential latency - (compound muscle action potential latency + F latency − 1)/2 (ms). A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the radiological parameters associated with severe lower limb dysfunction.CMCT in the upper limbs correlated with spinal cord compression during neck extension, while that in the lower limbs correlated with a larger C2-7 sagittal vertical axis, cervical lordosis, a small C2-7 range of motion (ROM), and spinal cord compression during neck flexion. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, significant risk factors specific for severe lower limb dysfunction were greater anterior spondylolisthesis during neck extension (P = 0.006, OR: 2.53, 95%CI: 1.13–2.07) and small C2-7 ROM in neutral to flexion (P = 0.035, OR: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.52–0.88).Imaging findings affect upper and lower extremity functions in specific manners. Cervical stiffness or anterior compression factors may be associated with the deterioration of lower limb function.     

Age related shift in the primary sites of involvement in cervical spondylotic myelopathy from lower to upper levels

Ascending axonal volleys were analysed after epidural stimulation at multiple sites along the cervical cord to localise the site of the lesion precisely in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The intraoperative recordings uncovered a single site of focal conduction block in 129 of 136 affected patients who underwent surgical intervention because of evidence of multilevel compression obtained by magnetic resonance imaging. Statistical analyses showed a shift of abnormalities from lower to upper cervical levels with advancing age (p < 0.0001). In particular, 92% of the oldest group (aged over 70 years) had localised dysfunction at C3-4 or C4-5, while 68% of patients aged under 60 years had lesions at C5-6 or C6-7.     

Molecular mechanisms of spinal cord dysfunction and cell death in the spinal hyperostotic mouse: Implications for the pathophysiology of human cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in adults in Western society. Paradoxically, relatively little is known about the pathobiological mechanisms associated with the progressive loss of neural tissue in the spinal cord of CSM patients. In this report we have utilized the twy/twy mutant mouse, which develops ossification of the ligamentum flavum at C2–C3 and exhibits progressive paralysis. This animal model represents an excellent in vivo model of CSM. This study reports novel evidence, which demonstrates that chronic extrinsic cervical spinal cord compression leads to Fas-mediated apoptosis of neurons and oligodendrocytes which is associated with activation of caspase-8, -9 and -3 and progressive neurological deficits. While surgical decompression will remain the mainstay of management of CSM, molecular therapies, which target Fas-mediated apoptosis could show promise as a complementary approach to maximize neurological recovery in this common spinal cord condition.     

Descending spinal cord evoked potentials in cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Characteristic waveform changes seen at the lesion site

ObjectivesTo characterize waveform changes of descending spinal cord evoked potentials (D-SCEPs) seen in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).MethodsIntraoperative D-SCEP recording from serial intervertebral discs after transcranial electrical stimulation in 19 CSM patients with cord compression at a single level.ResultsCompared to the baseline (100%) obtained one level rostrally, the D-SCEP recorded at the compression site showed a significantly (p < 0.001) decreased amplitude (48%) and area (48%) of negative peak and increased amplitude (171%) and area (279%) of initial-positive peak. The degree in reduction of negative peak remained the same irrespective of the cord level involved, whereas enhancement of the positive peak tended to diminish with a more caudal compression.ConclusionsIn intraoperative electrophysiological studies of CSM with D-SCEP, an abrupt reduction of the negative peak accompanied by an enhancement of the initial-positive peak helps identify the site of conduction block. We speculate that progressive loss of the descending motor volleys at the synapses in the cervical enlargement may account for limited or absent enhancement of positive peak seen caudally.SignificanceThe current finding helps us understand the pros and cons of various electrophysiologic techniques for intraoperative localization of maximal cord involvement in CSM.