Complications associated with cervical vertebral body replacement with expandable titanium cages

Our aim was to analyze complications and risk factors for cervical vertebral body replacement (VBR) with expandable titanium cages (ETC). Fifty patients; 22 women and 28 men, mean age 61 years, undergoing cervical VBR from 2010 to 2015 were analyzed. Complications were stratified by hardware-association (HA). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors. Single, two and three level corpectomies were performed in 32, 15 and 3 patients respectively. A circumferential approach was necessary in 16 cases. At mean follow-up (7.3 months) 66% of patients had recovered. Radiological data showed a significant distraction (2.60 mm, p < 0.0001) and lordosis (5°, p = 0.001). Twenty-three patients experienced 42 complications; 18 HA, 24 non-HA and 24% needed revision surgery. The number of corpectomy levels and surgical approach significantly correlated with the risk of complications (p = 0.001), especially non-HA complications (p = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, only the number of corpectomy levels (p < 0.02, odds ratio 5.48, 95% CI 1.31–22.91) was a significant predictor of complications. We conclude that ETC are efficacious devices for cervical spine VBR, however, when used for more than 1 level, the corpectomy complication rate significantly increases.     

血管内介入治疗椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的回顾性研究

目的：目前,椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的治疗手段仍有争议。本研究通过对椎动脉夹层动脉瘤患者的临床和影像学特点的分析,评估血管内治疗技术的安全性和有效性。方法：回顾性分析哈尔滨医科大学神经外科2007年1月～2014年7月行血管内介入治疗的椎动脉夹层动脉瘤患者的临床资料,对患者动脉瘤位置,临床表现,治疗方法及预后进行统计学分析,P＜0．05有意义。结果：将过去7年内,在本中心治疗的48例夹层动脉瘤纳入研究对象,其中17人有蛛网膜下腔出血表现。48例患者中12例采用血管孤立术,25例采用支架辅助弹簧圈技术,4例单纯采用支架技术,7例患者进行假腔栓塞。结果：夹层动脉瘤发生在右椎28例,左椎20例。串珠征是椎动脉夹层动脉瘤最常见的表现,见于23例患者。部分患者出现了围手术期并发症,其中3例患者栓塞后再次出血。未破裂动脉瘤患者的预后良好率（100％）好于破裂组（85．7％）。结论：血管内介入治疗技术应根据患者的临床表现、影像学特点、后循环情况以及术者的经验进行选择。各项技术目前仍存有不足之处,需要今后的技术发展及材料的升级来进一步改善。     

倍他司汀联合氟桂利嗪治疗椎基底动脉供血不足的临床研究

目的：观察倍他司汀联合氟桂利嗪治疗椎基底动脉供血不足的疗效。方法：将所有病例随机分为氟桂利嗪组和联合治疗组。氟桂利嗪组给予氟桂利嗪胶囊治疗;联合治疗组在此基础上给予倍他司汀口服治疗。治疗后使用经颅多普勒血流诊断系统（TCD）检测血流情况,观察两组治疗效果。结果：联合治疗组的有效率高于氟桂利嗪组,P＜0.05。两组经过治疗,血流异常情况得到改善,联合治疗组血流异常情况的改善情况要优于氟桂利嗪组,P＜0.05。结论：倍他司汀联合氟桂利嗪治疗椎基底动脉供血不足安全有效。     

Improvement in spine bone density and reduction in risk of vertebral fractures during treatment with antiresorptive drugs

PURPOSE: To estimate how much the improvement in bone mass accounts for the reduction in risk of vertebral fracture that has been observed in randomized trials of antiresorptive treatments for osteoporosis. METHODS: After a systematic search, we conducted a meta-analysis of 12 trials to describe the relation between improvement in spine bone mineral density and reduction in risk of vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women. We also used logistic models to estimate the proportion of the reduction in risk of vertebral fracture observed with alendronate in the Fracture Intervention Trial that was due to improvement in bone mineral density. RESULTS: Across the 12 trials, a 1% improvement in spine bone mineral density was associated with a 0.03 decrease (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02 to 0.05) in the relative risk (RR) of vertebral fracture. The reductions in risk were greater than predicted from improvement in bone mineral density; for example, the model estimated that treatments predicted to reduce fracture risk by 20% (RR = 0.80), based on improvement in bone mineral density, actually reduce the risk of fracture by about 45% (RR = 0.55). In the Fracture Intervention Trial, improvement in spine bone mineral density explained 16% (95% CI: 11% to 27%) of the reduction in the risk of vertebral fracture with alendronate. CONCLUSION: Improvement in spine bone mineral density during treatment with antiresorptive drugs accounts for a predictable but small part of the observed reduction in the risk of vertebral fracture.     

The value of bone scintigraphy in the follow-up of vertebral osteoporosis

Summary In an open study, we have assessed the bone/soft tissue uptake index in recent osteoporotic vertebral collapse using scintigraphy. The evolution of these cases was followed-up at 6 months in 22 patients treated with 100 IU of salmon calcitonin plus 500 mg of elemental calcium/10 days per month and in 18 patients treated with 500 mg of elemental calcium only on a daily basis. There were no index differences between groups prior to treatment. At six months, the group treated with calcitonin plus calcium showed a significant decrease from 10.2±6.4 to 3.2±1.1 (p<0.001), while the calcium only group did not show any significant changes (12.1±6.6 vs 9.2±4.6), considering that there were significant differences between groups (p<0.001). On a mid-term basis, these results have shown the values of the bone soft tissue index in the follow-up of osteoporotic vertebral collapse.     

Radiographic damage associated with low bone mineral density and vertebral deformities in rheumatoid arthritis: The Oslo‐Truro‐Amsterdam (OSTRA) collaborative study

Objective

To examine variables associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and vertebral deformities in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from 3 northwest European countries.

Methods

Female patients were recruited from rheumatology clinics in Oslo, Norway; Truro, UK; and Amsterdam, The Netherlands (150 total, 50 per center, age 50–70 years, disease duration ≥5 years). Demographic and clinical data were collected and BMD was measured by means of dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry. Associations between demographic and clinical measures on the one hand and BMD and vertebral deformities on the other were investigated by single and multiple regression analyses.

Results

Body mass index (BMI), medication use, RA damage measures, and BMD differed significantly between the 3 centers. Overall, Norwegian patients had the lowest BMI, used more corticosteroids and antiosteoporotic drugs, had lower joint damage measured by Larsen score, and lower BMD at both spine and hip. High age, low BMI, and high cumulative dose of corticosteroids (last 2 years) are related to low BMD. A high Larsen score was associated with low BMD at the hip. Larsen score was the independent determinant of vertebral deformities after correction for center, age, BMI, and BMD.

Conclusion

Data from 3 countries on BMD and vertebral deformities in female patients aged 50–70 years with longstanding RA are presented, demonstrating an association between radiographic RA damage and low BMD and between radiographic RA damage and vertebral deformities.

     

Risk factors for calcification of the vertebrobasilar arteries in cardiovascular patients referred for a head CT,the SMART study

Background and purposeVertebrobasilar artery calcification (VBAC) has been associated with increased stroke occurrence. Little is known on VBAC risk factors, especially for patients with cardiovascular disease. We aimed to assess risk factors associated with VBAC in a cohort of cardiovascular patients referred for a head computed tomography (CT) scan.Materials and methodsAll patients who underwent a clinically indicated, unenhanced, thin slice head CT 6 months before or after inclusion in the SMART study were included. CTs were assessed for presence of VBAC (dichotomously). Relative risks of the associations of age, sex, diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, use of lipid lowering medication, smoking status, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, ankle-brachial index (ABI; ≤ 0.90, ≥ 1.30, continuous), internal carotid artery stenosis ≥ 70%, and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) with VBAC were estimated using Poisson regression analysis with robust standard errors, adjusted for age and sex.ResultsOf the 471 patients included (57% male, median age 58 [interquartile range 47–63]), 117 (24.8%) showed VBAC. Presence of VBAC was associated with older age (RR per 10 years = 1.70 [95%CI 1.46–1.99]), DM (RR = 1.45 [95%CI 1.03–2.06]), obesity (RR = 1.53 [95%CI 1.10–2.12]), ABI ≤ 0.90 (RR = 1.57 [95%CI 1.02–2.41]), and an increased carotid IMT (RR = 2.60 per mm [95%CI 1.20–5.62]). Other measurements were not associated with VBAC.ConclusionsWe identified several markers associated with VBAC in patients with cardiovascular disease referred for a head CT. Future investigation into the relationship between VBAC and stroke is warranted to determine the potential of VBAC in stroke prevention.     

椎动脉和第1颈神经穿经硬膜处的形态学特点及其与高血压颈枕痛的关系

目的　观察椎动脉和第1颈神经穿经硬膜处的形态特点及毗邻结构,探讨高血压合并枕颈部疼痛的发生机制。 方法　头颈部标本18具,解剖剥离法暴露,观察椎动脉穿经硬膜处部位及毗邻结构、椎动脉与第1颈神经（C1）的位置关系。 结果　椎动脉在寰枕外侧关节内后侧穿经硬膜,穿经处形成边缘光滑的圆孔,直径6.5~9.0 mm,硬膜与椎动脉外膜由纤维结缔组织连结。C1神经前后根自脊髓发出向外侧走行于椎动脉内侧并在其下方相伴共同穿经硬膜孔（100%）,其中与动脉壁相贴者66.7%（12例）;神经嵌入动脉壁者22.2%（4例）;隔有硬膜组织者11.1%（2例）。C1神经根出孔后走行于椎动脉与椎动脉沟之间。 结论　椎动脉穿经硬膜孔处位置固定,孔边缘致密,限制椎动脉扩张,利于颈椎活动时维持椎动脉供血,当全身血压波动时椎动脉管径不会产生明显变化,以维持后循环血液动力学稳定,但血压升高有可能将C1颈神经根卡压在硬膜边缘,椎动脉搏动刺激C1颈神经根导致椎枕肌痉挛,出现枕颈部疼痛。这可能是高血压合并枕颈部症状的形态学基础。     

CT引导经皮椎体成形术治疗后缘破损型骨质疏松伴椎体压缩性骨折的疗效

目的 探讨CT引导经皮椎体成形术治疗后缘破损型骨质疏松伴椎体压缩性骨折的临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2018年1月至2019年1月于安徽医科大学第一附属医院疼痛科行CT引导经皮椎体成形术的60例后缘破损型骨质疏松伴椎体压缩性骨折患者的临床资料,比较患者术前、术后不同时间点疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）及Oswestry功能障碍指数（ODI）评分的差异。结果 60例患者术前与术后的VAS、ODI评分进行比较,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）;进一步两两比较,患者术后第1天、术后1周、术后3个月、术后6个月、术后12个月的VAS、ODI评分均低于术前,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 CT引导经皮椎体成形术适用于后缘破损型骨质疏松伴椎体压缩性骨折的治疗,该手术方法安全,能有效缓解患者疼痛症状,改善患者活动功能障碍,值得临床推广。     

经皮球囊扩张椎体成形术治疗陈旧性椎体压缩性骨折并假关节形成的疗效观察

目的：探讨经皮球囊扩张椎体成形术（percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty,PKP））治疗陈旧性椎体压缩性骨折并假关节形成的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析我科2009年9月～2014年3月收治的15例患者,均确诊为陈旧性椎体压缩性骨折并假关节形成,行经皮球囊扩张椎体成形术（ PKP）治疗;术前、术后行视觉模拟评分（ visual analogue scales,VAS）及日常生活能力（ Macnab标准）比较,测量术前、术后伤椎节段矢状面指数,明确椎体后凸矫正情况。结果15例均顺利完成手术,无一例并发症。患者疼痛症状及日常生活能力明显改善,术后VAS评分：1d（2．53±0．51）、1个月（2．06±0．70）、3个月（2．13±0．51）,均比术前（7．47±0．64）有显著性差异（P＜0．05）。术后伤椎节段矢状面指数（25．8±5．12）°与术前（34．4±5．10）°有显著性差异（P＜0．05）。结论 PKP技术可以稳定陈旧性椎体压缩性骨折后形成的假关节,改善椎体后凸,明显减轻患者的腰痛症状,提高患者日常生活能力。