Risk stratification and clinical outcomes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Objectives

Pulmonary embolism is a common disease associated with a high mortality rate. The risk assessment and appropriate treatment selection of patients with acute pulmonary embolism remains a challenge.

Design and methods

This single center cohort study included a total of 150 patients (96 male, age = 71 ± 15 years) with acute pulmonary embolism confirmed by spiral-computed tomography or magnetic resonance image. The prognostic performance of the clinical characteristics and laboratory values were investigated to predict the in-hospital hemodynamically instable events and 30-day all-cause mortality.

Results

The rate of in-hospital hemodynamic instability and 30-day all-cause mortality was 21% and 12%, respectively. A multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that a heart rate ≥ 110 bpm (odd ratio 4.26 [95% CI 1.42–12.77]), chronic pulmonary disease (6.47 [1.99–21.04]), WBC ≥ 11,000 mm³ (3.78 [1.32–10.82]), and D-dimer level ≥ 4.0 μg/mL (3.68 [1.01–13.43]) independently predicted the 30-day fatal outcome. A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the categorization based on the number of risk factors was significantly associated with the likelihood of 30-day all-cause mortality (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The initial presentation of tachycardia, presence of chronic pulmonary disease, elevated WBC and D-dimer on admission can be used to identify the risk for a short-term fatal outcome within 30 days in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白-2结合纳米晶胶原基骨材料植骨融合在腰椎不稳症中的临床应用

目的观察重组人骨形态发生蛋白-2﹙rhBMP-2﹚结合纳米晶胶原基骨材料﹙nHAC﹚行腰椎间融合治疗腰椎不稳症的疗效。方法 2008年1月~2010年12月23例﹙27个节段﹚腰椎不稳患者,所有患者均行腰椎椎弓根螺钉固定系统,辅助以rhBMP-2结合nHAC椎间植入融合椎体。结果全部病例获随访,手术后平均随访13.5月,按照JOA评价标准,优14例,良6例,可3例。优良率86.9%。结论 rhBMP-2结合nHAC行腰椎间融合治疗腰椎不稳症是一种比较理想的治疗方法。     

Perspectives for tailored chemoprevention and treatment of colorectal cancer in Lynch syndrome

Lynch syndrome (LS) is caused by a germline mutation in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes. The resulting loss of MMR gene function induces a strong mutator phenotype and predisposition to colorectal cancer (CRC). LS mutation carriers undergo regular colonoscopic surveillance and have extensive colonic resection in case of cancer because of the chance of metachronous tumors. Given the high risk and early onset of CRC, LS mutation carriers are good candidates for chemoprevention. Furthermore, evidence increases indicating that the response of MMR-deficient tumors to standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy differs from that of MMR-proficient tumors. Efforts should thus be directed at designing tailored strategies concerning both chemoprevention and medical cancer treatment for LS individuals. This review provides guidance for future studies in this field based on results from clinical and preclinical research.     

单枚cage单侧椎弓根螺钉置入内固定治疗退行性腰椎不稳51例

背景：既往多采用双侧显露,双侧椎弓根钉置入固定治疗退行性腰椎不稳,手术风险较大,出血较多,手术时间长,费用高。 目的：探讨后路单枚cage单侧椎弓根钉置入内固定治疗退行性腰椎不稳的临床效果。 方法：采用后路椎弓根钉及椎间融合器治疗需行内固定融合的退行性腰椎不稳患者51例,男32例,女19例,年龄41~72岁;单节段47例,双节段4例。手术方法均采用单侧显露症状侧椎板及关节突,单侧置入椎弓根钉,经椎间孔入路手术切除椎间盘及软骨终板,植骨后放入单枚cage。根据日本JOA评分法评估术后疗效。 结果与结论：术中出血90~430 mL;手术时间单节段为100(85~120) min, 双节段为150(120~170) min;术后第二三天即可离床活动。术后有2例患者腰腿痛无好转,复查CT 和MRI 均未见异常,其中1 例经3 个月对症处理后腰腿痛减轻,另1 例无变化。按日本JOA 评分法评定标准,术前JOA 评分11(7~13 )分,术后1 年JOA 评分25(18~27 )分。94%患者的JOA改善率>50%。51 例患者中融合44 例,可能融合7例,融合时间为5.4(4.3~7.1) 个月。本组未发现椎弓根螺钉松动、拔出、断钉及cage 移位。说明单侧椎弓根钉及cage内固定手术方法简单,出血少,手术时间短,对脊柱结构破坏少,是治疗退行性腰椎不稳可供选择的较好方法。     

Surgical Treatment of Craniovertebral Junction Instability : Clinical Outcomes and Effectiveness in Personal Experience

Objective

Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) consists of the occipital bone that surrounds the foramen magnum, the atlas and the axis vertebrae. The mortality and morbidity is high for irreducible CVJ lesion with cervico-medullary compression. In a clinical retrospective study, the authors reviewed clinical and radiographic results of occipitocervical fusion using a various methods in 32 patients with CVJ instability.

Methods

Thirty-two CVJ lesions (18 male and 14 female) were treated in our department for 12 years. Instability resulted from trauma (14 cases), rheumatoid arthritis (8 cases), assimilation of atlas (4 cases), tumor (2 cases), basilar invagination (2 cases) and miscellaneous (2 cases). Thirty-two patients were internally fixed with 7 anterior and posterior decompression with occipitocervical fusion, 15 posterior decompression and occipitocervical fusion with wire-rod, 5 C1-2 transarticular screw fixation, and 5 C1 lateral mass-C2 transpedicular screw. Outcome (mean follow-up period, 38 months) was based on clinical and radiographic review. The clinical outcome was assessed by Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score.

Results

Nine neurologically intact patients remained same after surgery. Among 23 patients with cervical myelopathy, clinical improvement was noted in 18 cases (78.3%). One patient died 2 months after the surgery because of pneumonia and sepsis. Fusion was achieved in 27 patients (93%) at last follow-up. No patient developed evidence of new, recurrent, or progressive instability.

Conclusion

The authors conclude that early occipitocervical fusion to be recommended in case of reducible CVJ lesion and the appropriate decompression and occipitocervical fusion are recommended in case of irreducible craniovertebral junction lesion.     

Spinal instability in ankylosing spondylitis

Background:

Unstable spinal lesions in patients with ankylosing spondylitis are common and have a high incidence of associated neurological deficit. The evolution and presentation of these lesions is unclear and the management strategies can be confusing. We present retrospective analysis of the cases of ankylosing spondylitis developing spinal instability either due to spondylodiscitis or fractures for mechanisms of injury, presentations, management strategies and outcome.

Materials and Methods:

In a retrospective analysis of 16 cases of ankylosing spondylitis, treated surgically for unstable spinal lesions over a period of 12 years (1995-2007); 87.5% (n=14) patients had low energy (no obvious/trivial) trauma while 12.5% (n=2) patients sustained high energy trauma. The most common presentation was pain associated with neurological deficit. The surgical indications included neurological deficit, chronic pain due to instability and progressive deformity. All patients were treated surgically with anterior surgery in 18.8% (n=3) patients, posterior in 56.2% (n=9) patients and combined approach in 25% (n=4) patients. Instrumented fusion was carried out in 87.5% (n=14) patients. Average surgical duration was 3.84 (Range 2-7.5) hours, blood loss 765.6 (± 472.5) ml and follow-up 54.5 (Range 18-54) months. The patients were evaluated for pain score, Frankel neurological grading, deformity progression and radiological fusion. One patient died of medical complications a week following surgery.

Results:

Intra-operative adverse events like dural tears and inadequate deformity correction occurred in 18.7% (n=3) patients (Cases 6, 7 and 8) which could be managed conservatively. There was a significant improvement in the Visual analogue score for pain from a pre-surgical median of 8 to post-surgical median of 2 (P=0.001), while the neurological status improved in 90% (n=9) patients among those with preoperative neurological deficit who could be followed-up (n =10). Frankel grading improved from C to E in 31.25% (n=5) patients, D to E in 12.5% (n=2) and B to D in 12.5% (n=2), while it remained unchanged in the remaining - E in 31.25% (n=5), B in 6.25% (n=1) and D in 6.25% (n=1). Fusion occurred in 11 (68.7%) patients, while 12.5% (n=2) had pseudoarthrosis and 12.5% (n=2) patients had evidence of inadequate fusion. 68.7% (n=11) patients regained their pre-injury functional status, with no spine related complaints and 25% (n=4) patients had complaints like chronic back pain and deformity progression. In one patient (6.2%) who died of medical complications a week following surgery, the neurological function remained unchanged (Frankel grade D). Persistent back pain attributed to inadequate fusion/ pseudoarthrosis could be managed conservatively in 12.5% (n=2) patients. Progression of deformity and pain secondary to pseudoarthrosis, requiring revision surgery was noted in one patient (6.2%). One patient (6.2%) had no neurological recovery following the surgery and continued to have nonfunctional neurological status.

Conclusion:

In ankylosing spondylitis, the diagnosis of unstable spinal lesions needs high index of suspicion and extensive radiological evaluation Surgery is indicated if neurological deficit, two/three column injury, significant pain and progressive deformity are present. Long segment instrumentation and fusion is ideal.     

Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow: a case report and literature review

Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow describes a condition that radial head subluxation or dislocation occurs when forearm rotates externally in relation to humerus. It is difficult to diagnose and treat. We reported a typical case which was confirmed by physical examination and MR images. Ligamentous insufficiency was confirmed under direct vision, and was reconstructed with triceps fascia as described by Gong et al with slight modification. Regain of full function was achieved one year after surgery.     

显微内窥镜下椎管减压椎间融合治疗腰椎失稳症的近期疗效观察

目的:探讨显微内窥镜下椎管减压、椎间植骨融合治疗腰椎失稳症的临床疗效。方法:2006年7月～2008年12月共收治退变性腰椎失稳症患者48例,患者均有持续性腰痛,伴有双侧臀部、双侧或一侧下肢疼痛、麻木,均有间歇性跛行、腰部屈伸活动受限。腰椎动力位X线片示均为单节段失稳,椎间水平移位≥4mm或椎间角度变化≥11°,但滑移不超过Ⅰ度。均采用显微内窥镜下经椎板间隙入路椎管减压、经椎间孔入路椎体间自体骨粒、椎间融合器置入椎体间融合术。术后2周(出院时)拍腰椎正侧位X线片,术后每3个月复查X线片。按照Macnab标准评价疗效,随访观察近期治疗效果。结果:手术时间70～150min,平均95min;出血量110～210ml,平均150ml。随访6～18个月,平均12个月。术后症状及体征均有不同程度缓解,术中、术后均无任何并发症发生。末次随访时按照Macnab标准,优24例,良20例,可4例。X线检查未见cage移位、下沉,37例随访超过9个月的患者均见椎间隙变模糊,过伸过屈侧位X线片示椎体间无移位,但所有患者均未观察到椎间隙消失和骨小梁完全通过椎体间上下终板。结论:显微内窥镜下椎管减压及椎间融合术治疗退变性椎间失稳症具有创伤小、早期疗效满意等优点,长期疗效及融合情况需进一步随访观察。