唑来膦酸钠对高转换患者椎体成形术后椎体再骨折发生率影响因素的相关性分析

目的分析高转换患者椎体成形术后应用唑来膦酸钠降低骨质疏松性椎体再骨折发生状况,并探讨再骨折发生率与骨转换指标、骨密度、疼痛、生活质量四者之间的相关性。方法选取2012年7月至2014年10月于我院行椎体成形术治疗骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折的282名女性患者,治疗组于术后3 d开始在口服阿法迪三及钙尔奇D的基础上静脉点滴唑来膦酸钠,(阿法迪三和钙尔奇D用三个月,停半个月),共160名,脱落5名;对照组于术后3 d开始口服阿法迪三及钙尔奇D抗骨质疏松基础治疗,共122名,脱落7名;术前3 d行骨密度测定、抽血检测β-胶原特殊序列(β-CTx)和总Ⅰ型胶原氨基酸延长肽(t-P1NP)、为了避免由于手术时机不同而导致患者临床症状缓解不佳对调查结果的影响,术后1周后进行VAS评分及生活质量SF-36评分;于术后1年、2年回访记录患者唑来膦酸钠使用次数及再发椎体骨折情况,并再次行骨密度测定、血清检验骨转换指标、疼痛VAS、SF-36评估,统计数据并运用统计学SPSS17.0软件分析,椎体成形术后应用唑来膦酸钠对骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折患者再骨折、骨代谢、骨密度、疼痛、生活质量的影响,并探讨它们之间的相关性。结果实验中共脱落12名,8名出现骨水泥泄露、4名再次骨折后行椎体成形术;治疗组中连续两年口服阿法迪三和钙尔奇D并使用唑来膦酸钠治疗者64例,为治疗A组;第2年由于静滴唑来膦酸钠出现肌痛,关节不适,费用等原因只口服阿法迪三和钙尔奇D而未继续使用唑来膦酸钠者91例,为治疗B组;再骨折发生率,对照组术后1年内椎体再骨折12例,骨折率10.43%,治疗A组再骨折6例,骨折率降为9.38%,治疗B组再骨折8例,骨折率为8.79%,经卡方试验分析,治疗组间差异无统计学意义,P0.05,而治疗组与对照组间差异有统计学意义,P0.05;第2年内治疗A组发生椎体再骨折4例,骨折率6.25%,治疗B组再骨折9例,骨折率9.89%,两组比较A组可显著降低骨折发生,P0.05;对照组再骨折12例,骨折率10.43%,治疗B组与对照组比较,治疗B组可显著降低骨折;组间自身比较,治疗A组在第2年内降低骨折3.13%,治疗B组增加骨折1.10%。于骨转换指标,t-P1NP在实验各组中均无显著差异,均P0.05;而β-CTx在1、2年后治疗组相较对照组均能显著降低;骨密度1年后治疗A组可提高1.61%,治疗B组可提高1.29%,对照组提高0.32%,两治疗组差异无统计学意义,P0.05,治疗组与对照组比较,差异均有统计学意义,P0.05;2年后,治疗A组骨密度可增加3.53%,治疗B组增加1.61%,对照组提高0.64%,治疗组间比较骨密度的提高差异存在统计学意义,P0.05,治疗B组与对照组比较,差异亦存在统计学意义,P0.05。疼痛VAS评分及生活质量SF-36评分在1、2年后治疗组与对照组比较,差异均有统计学意义,P0.05。结论椎体成形术后应用唑来膦酸钠能降低骨折发生率、提高骨密度、降低骨转换率、缓解疼痛、提高生活质量,连续使用疗效更佳;降低骨折发生率、提高骨密度在观察时间上有相关性,可能是通过降低骨转换率、提高骨密度而降低骨折的发生,从而缓解疼痛、逐步提高生活质量。     

葛根素联合纳洛酮治疗椎基底动脉供血不足随机平行对照研究

[目的]观察葛根素联合纳洛酮治疗椎基底动脉供血不足疗效。[方法]使用随机平行对照方法,将40例住院患者按随机数字表法随机分为两组。对照组20例口服阿司匹林,0.4mg/次,3次/d。治疗组20例葛根素,0.4mg/次,1次/d,静滴;纳洛酮,0.8mg/次,1次/d,静滴。均连续治疗20d为1疗程。观测临床症状、体征、不良反应。连续治疗2疗程,判定疗效。[结果]治疗后,治疗组痊愈10例,显效5例,有效2例,无效1例,总有效率95.00%。对照组痊愈8例,显效4例,有效1例,无效7例,总有效率65.0%。治疗组疗效优于对照组(P0.05)。[结论]葛根素联合纳洛酮治疗椎基底动脉供血不足效果显著,值得推广。     

Diagnosis and treatment of vertebral hemangiomas with neurologic deficit: a report of 29 cases and literature review

Background contextVertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are called benign tumors but are actually just vascular malformations. The diagnosis and treatment for aggressive VHs is still controversial, due to their rarity.PurposeTo evaluate the safety and efficiency of the present diagnostic methods and treatment choices.Study designA retrospective study of aggressive VHs with neurologic deficit.Patients sampleA total of 29 consecutive aggressive VH cases were diagnosed and treated in our department since 2001.Outcome measuresWe routinely took anteroposterior and lateral spinal roentgenograms, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance images.MethodsTrocar biopsy is indicated in suspected malignant cases. Radiotherapy was usually our first choice if the neurologic deficit was mild or developed slowly. Surgery was indicated if the neurologic deficit was severe or developed quickly or if the radiotherapy was not effective.ResultsThis series included 12 males and 17 females, and the mean age at diagnosis was 44.0 years (range, 21–72 years). Ten patients had radiculopathy, 1 had cauda equina syndrome, and 18 cases had myelopathy. Twenty-one cases had lesions in the thoracic spine, 5 in the lumbar, and 3 in the cervical region. Eleven cases had untypical image findings, including five cases with pathologic vertebral fracture. The neurologic compression came from only epidural soft tumor mass in 18 cases, whereas it came from both bony compression and soft lesion in the other 11 cases. Ten cases had radiotherapy alone, but two failed and had surgery later. Twenty-one cases had surgery. In the 12 cases having surgical decompression without vertebroplasty, the average estimated blood loss was 1900 mL, and it was 1093 mL for the eight cases having decompression with vertebroplasty. The average follow-up was 51.1 months (range, 24–133 months). There was no recurrence in those cases with radiotherapy, whereas three had local recurrence in those six cases treated by surgical decompression alone without radiotherapy.ConclusionsIn aggressive VHs, epidural soft-tissue compression was usually the main reason for neurologic deficit. In cases with rapid progressive and/or severe myelopathy, posterior decompression and stabilization could be combined with intraoperative vertebroplasty to reduce blood loss.     

Assessment of patient's pain-related behavior at physical examination may allow diagnosis of recent osteoporotic vertebral fracture

Background contextAlthough innumerable studies have analyzed the multiple aspects of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, no study has focused on the clinical features related to spine pain in patients with recent osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs).PurposeTo determine whether the assessment of pain-related behavior (P-RB) of patients with osteoporotic VCFs of recent onset may allow the fracture to be strongly suspected, or even diagnosed, at physical examination.Study designPain-related behavior of elderly patients attending an outpatient spine clinic was evaluated on the basis of six consecutive movements made on the examining table.Patient sampleFifty-six patients complaining only of lumbar or thoracic pain. The fractured patients (FPs), representing the fracture group (FG), were the 19 who had a recent VCF, whereas the control group (CG) consisted of the remaining 37 patients.MethodsAssessment of P-RB was based on six parameters: grimacing, sighing, clenching or blocking eyelids, gaping or strongly tightening the lips, need for help to take positions, and extreme difficulty to turn in the prone position. A score of 1 or a decimal was assigned to each parameter, the final score to each patient being 0 to 6. Three types of injury, acute (I), subacute (II), or chronic (III), were identified on the basis of the time elapsed from the probable occurrence of the fracture. The diagnosis of recent fracture was based on magnetic resonance images. Patients were videotaped during their movements. An examiner, unaware of the clinical history and diagnosis, gave a P-RB score to all patients and indicated whether they had to be placed in FG or CG, and also their presumable type of fracture. Subsequently, a DVD with the videotapes of all patients was given to three independent examiners, not specifically expert of spine conditions, who were asked to make the same evaluations as the first examiner.ResultsThe mean scores for P-RB given by the first examiner were 4.6 to FG and 0.7 to CG (p<.01). He identified as FPs 89% of those who were in FG. The type of fracture was indicated correctly in 88% of patients identified as FPs. The mean scores for the three types of fracture ranged from 5.4 (Type I) to 3.3 (Type III) (p<.001). The mean scores for P-RB given by the independent examiners to FG and CG were similar to those of the first examiner. The rates of correctness in identifying the type of fracture in patients indicated as FPs varied from 87% to 80%. The mean scores assigned to the patients included in the three types of fracture ranged from 5.4 to 2.8.ConclusionsPain-related behavior evaluation of patients with osteoporotic VCF during their movements on the examining table may allow to suspect, or even diagnose, the presence of a fracture, particularly in the initial 4 to 6 weeks after the occurrence. Even orthopedic surgeons not particularly familiar with spine care may be able to suspect the injury during physical examination.     

Panoramic radiomorphometry and vertebral fractures in Spanish postmenopausal women

ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between panoramic radiomorphometric indexes, and the presence of osteoporotic fractures in a Spanish postmenopausal women.MethodsA sample of 120 women (60 with fragility spine fractures and 60 healthy), aged 55–70 years, with fragility spine fractures, were included in this cross-sectional study that was conducted from 2008 to 2011. All the women were referred to undergo a radiological spine examination, spinal densitometry and a panoramic radiograph for assessing osteoporosis using 3 radiomorphometric indexes: Panoramic Mandibular Index (PMI), Mental Index (MI) and Mandibular Cortical Index (MCI). According to mandibular cortical shape, in MCI, three groups were defined: C3 (osteoporosis), C2 (osteopenia), C1 (health).ResultsSignificant differences were found between all the MCI groups due to their composition between fractures and non-fractures. C1 group (healthy) has less fractures women than C2 (Bonferroni p < 0.001), C1 has less fractures than C3 (Bonferroni p < 0.001) and finally, C2 has less fractures than C3 (Bonferroni p < 0.006). PMI and MI values were significantly lower in cases than in controls (U Mann–Whitney p < 0.001).ConclusionsPanoramic radiomorphometrics mandibular indexes such as MCI, PMI, and MI, may be useful for identifying the population at higher risk for fracture. The relationship between panoramic index and osteoporosis remains unclear and further studies using fragility fracture as a real marker of osteoporosis are warranted to clarify the exact role and effect of one condition on the other and the corresponding clinical implications.     

Cervical fracture patterns associated with blunt cerebrovascular injures when utilizing computed tomographic angiography: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND CONTEXTPrior studies have demonstrated an association between cervical spine fractures and blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) due to the intimate anatomic relationship between the cervical spine and the vertebral arteries. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has historically been the gold standard, but computed tomography angiography (CTA) is commonly used to screen for BCVI in the trauma setting. However, there is no consensus regarding which fracture patterns mandate screening. Over aggressive screening may lead to increased radiation, increased false positives, and overtreatment of patients which can cause unnecessary patient harm, and increased healthcare costs.PURPOSEThe aim of this meta-analysis is to analyze which cervical spine fracture patterns are most predictive of BCVI when utilizing CTA.STUDY DESIGN/SETTINGSystematic review and meta-analysis.OUTCOME MEASURESOdds ratios for specific cervical fracture patterns and risk of developing a BCVI.METHODSA systematic literature review of all English language studies from 2000-2020 was conducted. The year 2000 was chosen as the cut-off because use of CTA prior to 2000 was rare. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, and ClinicalTrials.gov were queried. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) the diagnostic imaging modality was CTA; (2) investigated blunt cervical trauma; (3) noted specific cervical spine fracture patterns associated with BCVI; (4) odds ratios for specific cervical spine fracture patterns or the odds ratio could be calculated; (5) subjects were 18 years old or older. Studies were excluded if they: (1) included DSA or magnetic resonance imaging; (2) included penetrating cervical trauma; (3) included pediatric patients less than 18 years of age; (4) were not written in English. All statistical analysis was performed using R Studio (RStudio, Boston, MA, USA).RESULTSThe initial search, after duplicates were removed, resulted in 10,940 articles for independent review. Six studies met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Specific fracture patterns mentioned are isolated C1, C2, C3 fractures, any C1–C3 fracture, any C4–C7 fracture, two-level fractures, subluxation/dislocations, and transverse foramen (TF) fractures. Three studies were included in the meta-analysis for C1, C2, C1–C3, subluxations/dislocations, and TF fractures. Two studies were included in the meta-analysis for C3, C4–C7, and two-level fractures. The pooled odds ratio with 95% confidence interval for: C1 fractures and BCVI is 1.3 (0.8–2.1); C2: 1.6 (0.9–2.8); C3: 1.8 (0.9–3.6); C1–C3: 2.2 (1.1–4.2); C4–C7: 0.7 (0.3–1.7); Two-level: 2.5 (1.4–4.6); Subluxation/Dislocation: 2.9 (1.8–4.5); TF: 3.6 (1.4–8.9).DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONThis study found that when utilizing CTA for screening of BCVI only fractures in the C1-C3 region, two-level fractures, subluxations/dislocations, and transverse foramen fractures were associated with increased incidence of a BCVI. Further refinement of protocols for CTA in the setting of blunt cervical trauma may help limit unnecessary patient harm from overtreatment and reduce healthcare costs.     

Skipped vertebral spontaneous spondylodiscitis caused by Granulicatella adiacens: Case report and a systematic literature review

BackgroundGranulicatella adiacens is a nutritional variant of streptococcus (NVS), which has been rarely reported as an etiologic agent in spondylodiscitis (SD).Material and methodsWe report a case of a 51-year-old male with from chronic low-back pain associated with right sciatica and ipsilateral monoparesis. Spinal MRI showed radiological signs on L1-L2 and L5-S1 discs consistent with SD. We also performed a systematic review of the pertinent literature in order to retrieve all the key information regarding microbiological and clinical features.ResultsIncluding our patients, seven cases with a mean age 56 ± 10.2 years were reported in English literature. Six patients were conservatively managed with antibiotic therapy (66%), whereas three with surgery in combination with antibiotics (33%). An endocarditis was associated in three cases, and a pacemaker infection in one. All patients received targeted antibiotic therapy resulting in a quick improvement of clinical symptoms with favorable outcome. Our case is the only with a skip spontaneous SD, which needed a surgical decompression due to the associated neurological symptoms.ConclusionsThis incidence of SD sustained by Granulicatella adiances could be underestimated due to their particular microbiological conditions requested for their cultures. However, this infection should be suspected in cases of culture-negative SD, especially when associated with endocarditis.