Surgical management for chronic pain

Chronic pain in the UK affects up to 43% of the population. The consequences include physical and psychological distress, loss of function, employment, family and social strain and increased utilization of healthcare services. Modern pain management services operate across primary, secondary and tertiary care and incorporate general practitioners, psychologists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, specialist nurses, pain physicians and surgeons. This allows for a coordinated approach to chronic pain, engaging the patient in a structured pathway from conservative measures, through to surgery if necessary. Surgical interventions have been utilized effectively throughout the 20^th century for the treatment of a variety of conditions, some of which are now effectively managed with improved pharmacological approaches or novel neuromodulation techniques. Ablative procedures that aim to permanently interrupt the pain pathway still represent the final solution for some conditions, particularly those with cancer associated pain; however, the search for less invasive, less risky measures continues. This is stimulated by an increased understanding of the neurobiology of pain transmission and the physiological changes which occur in persistent pain.     

前后挤压型骶骨Ⅱ区骨折与骶丛神经损伤的关系

目的 探讨前后挤压致骶骨Ⅱ区骨折造成骶丛神经损伤的机制。方法 经甲醛短期（1年内）浸泡固定的国人尸体6具，12侧。解剖保护骶丛神经，制成前后挤压型暴力致骶Ⅱ区骨折模型，定量测量不同骨折移位时骶丛神经被拉长的距离。另外，利用X线片观察骶从神经受压情况。结果 随耻骨联合分离逐渐增大，骶丛神经张应变呈直线相关逐渐加大，以S1，S4为最显著，且可造成神经的刺伤，多见于L5和S1，X线未发现骶丛神经受压表现。结论 前后挤压型暴力致骶骨Ⅱ区骨折神经损伤以牵拉伤为丰，以S1，S4为主，且与骨折移位程度成正相关关系。神经的刺伤，多见于骨折移位较大的L5和S1。     

使用新型倒刺电极的骶神经调节治疗神经源性膀胱的初步临床结果

目的探讨应用新型倒刺电极（Tined-lead）对神经源性膀胱患者行S骶神经调节（SNM）的初步疗效。方法对5例神经源性膀胱患者采用新型倒刺电极，在X线监测下将电极植入S3骶神经孔，进行SNM。术前、术后详细记录排尿日记，用影像尿动力学方法评估患者的膀胱尿道功能。结果患者1（隐性骶裂）术后排尿次数和排尿量分别改善22％和49％；患者2（隐性骶裂）术后排尿次数、排尿量和残余尿量分别改善0．7％、11％和46％；患者3（隐性骶裂）术后排尿次数、排尿量和残余尿量分别改善0．4％、18％和44％。患者4（脑外伤）术后漏尿次数和漏尿量分别改善36％和54％。患者5（高位截瘫）术后间歇导尿次数和导尿量分别改善42％和54％，尿动力学参数改善37％～45％。结论用新型倒刺电极进行SNM为神经源性膀胱的治疗提供了一条新的可供选择的微创方法。     

Five‐Year Follow‐up After Sacral Neuromodulation: Single Center Experience

Objective. We studied long‐term clinical efficacy of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) therapy in patients with refractory urgency incontinence (UI), urgency/frequency (UF) and voiding difficulty (VD), together with urodynamic data at baseline and six   months postimplant. Materials and Methods. Twenty‐two patients were implanted with a neurostimulator after a positive response to a percutaneous nerve evaluation test defined as a greater than 50% improvement in symptoms. Results. At five‐year follow‐up, the number of incontinent episodes and pad usage per day decreased significantly in 10 out of 15 UI patients. Two of five UF patients were successfully treated with SNM; the number of daily voids for all UF patients decreased from 25 to 19 and average voided volume increased from 98 to 212 mL. One of the two VD patients was able to void to completion. Mean first sensation of filling at the six‐month urodynamic investigation for the UI and UF patients increased from 78 to 241 mL and 141 to 232 mL, respectively, and the maximum bladder capacity increased from 292 to 352 mL and 223 to 318 mL, respectively. Five of 22 patients underwent device explant and one patient still has an inactive stimulator implanted. Conclusion. SNM is an effective treatment modality that offers sustained clinical benefit in the majority of patients with refractory UI, UF, and VD that do not respond to other, more conservative therapies.     

Treatment of fecal incontinence by temporary sacral nerve stimulation

Summary BACKGROUND: Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is an option for the treatment of fecal incontinence in patients with morphologically intact, but weak external anal sphincter. METHODS: In ten patients a percutaneous test-SNS was performed. Two patients suffered from fecal incontinence after surgery, one patient after incomplete leg palsy after traumatic spine injury and seven patients from idiopathic incontinence. Incontinence score, anorectal manometry and patient diary were performed before and after test-SNS. RESULTS: Intraoperative response (Bellows action) could be achieved in 90% of patients. Test-SNS was successful in 50% of patients. In these patients, resting pressure was increased by 100.1% and squeeze pressure by 84.5%. CONCLUSIONS: SNS is an effective therapy in a subset of patients with fecal incontinence. Fifty percent of patients tested are eligible for implantation of a permanent stimulation device.      

原发性骶骨肿瘤病理及影像学表现

目的:分析原发性骶骨肿瘤的病理学分型及影像学表现特点。方法:48例原发性骶骨肿瘤均经手术病理证实,术前均行常规X线平片、CT和/或MR检查,结合病理回顾分析了其影像学表现。结果:原发性骶骨肿瘤以脊索瘤(21例)最多见,其次是巨细胞瘤(7例)、神经源性肿瘤(6例)、软骨肉瘤(4例)、滑膜肉瘤(3例),囊肿(3例),其它相对少见,包括纤维组织细胞癌1例,尤文氏肉瘤1例,梭形细胞癌1例,节细胞神经瘤1例。影像表现包括软组织肿块、骶孔扩大、瘤灶内钙化、骨嵴形成等不同特点。常见原发骶骨肿瘤常有其特征性影像学表现。结论:原发骶骨肿瘤病理分型相对复杂,影像表现多样化,诊断常需综合不同影像检查手段。     

The subdivisions of the intermediolateral nucleus in the sacral spinal cord of the cat

The subdivisions of the sacral intermediolateral nucleus (IML) of the cat have been studied by using a double-labeling technique of retrograde Fluoro-gold (FG) and wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) tracing. The parasympathetic preganglionic neurons (PGNs) that were labeled by the FG injected into the pelvic nerve formed a ‘V’-shaped column known as the sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN) in the sacral IML. The neurons that were labeled by the WGA-HRP applied to the lateral parabrachial nucleus (PBL) formed an elongated spindle-shaped column extending throughout the IML of the sacral segments. We designated it by the name of sacral visceral sensory nucleus (SVSN). These findings indicate that the sacral IML of the cat contain two distinct subdivisions, SPN and SVSN.     

Time-dependent changes of insufficiency fractures of the sacrum: intraosseous vacuum phenomenon as an early sign

Sacral insufficiency fractures develop over a period of time and show time-dependent changes. We report on 15 CT examinations of 5 patients with early-stage insufficiency fractures of the sacrum. In 4 patients only irregular sclerosis without distinct fracture lines was present in 7 of 8 fractures. Of these 4 patients; 3 exhibited intraosseous gas inclusions in a ventral part of a lateral mass; 5 of 8 fractures disclosed a ventral cortical break. When distinct fracture lines had developed in 1 patient, intraosseous vacuum phenomenon had disappeared. Fracture lines evolve over weeks to months and show central bone absorption. The fractures can heal as demonstrated in 4 of 6 fractures in 3 patients, can persist over 1 year without significant changes or can progress to pseudoarthrosis with bone destruction similar to neuropathic joint disease. Intraosseous vacuum phenomena can persist to this stage. Intraosseous vacuum phenomenon is recognized as a potential finding in the early stage of sacral insufficiency fracture, which also is true for irregular sclerosis and ventral cortical disruption. Correspondence to: A. Stäbler