前路椎间盘减压融合与前路椎体次全切除减压融合治疗多节段颈椎病的疗效比较

目的:探索前路椎间盘减压融合与前路椎体次全切除减压治疗多节段颈椎病的疗效,为临床手术方式的选择提供依据。方法:收集我院骨科2008年6月到2014年6月收治的多节段颈椎病患者26例,按照患者手术方式分为研究组(13例)和对照组(13例),研究组给予前路椎间盘减压融合治疗,对照组给予前路椎体次全切除减压治疗,对比两组手术时间、术中出血量、术后住院时间,记录并分析两组术前和术后3月、6月、12个月JOA评分、颈椎总活动度、颈椎曲度、颈椎节段高度。结果:研究组手术时间、术中出血量低于对照组(P0.05);两组JOA评分术前、术后3月、6月、12个月逐渐升高(P0.05),术后12月组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组颈椎总活动度术前、术后3月、6月、12个月逐渐降低(P0.05),但是术后同时期组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组颈椎曲度与颈椎节段高度术后3月、6月、12个月差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:前路椎间盘减压融合治疗多节段颈椎病较前路椎体次全切除减压治疗效果好,手术时间短、术中出血量少,并且颈椎曲度和节段高度恢复好。     

微创ROI-C式椎间融合器在颈椎前路中的临床应用研究

目的:评价应用自稳型插片式椎间融合器(Zero notch self stabilizing cervical fusioncage, ROI-C)在颈椎前路患者中的临床疗效和安全性,并进一步找寻其优缺点。方法:回顾性分析自2017年6月至2018年6月在我院诊断为颈椎病并行颈前路椎间盘减压植骨融合内固定手术(Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion,ACDF)的患者,共计84例。根据手术中使用内固定的不同,分为观察组(ROI-C组;48例)和对照组(常规融合器+钢板组;36例)。比较术后3天、1月,及12个月的VAS、JOA及Macnab评分。比较两组患者在手术中的情况(出血量,手术时间,住院时间等)的功能评分;在术后1年时比较两组患者的并发症情况。结果:在术后的各个时间截点的比较中,两组患者在VAS、JOA及Macnab评分中较术前均有显著性改善(P0.05),但两组间均无显著统计学差异(P0.05)。两组患者在最后一次(术后1年)的并发症的比较中未见显著性差异(P0.05)。观察组在手术中各项指标的比较中均显著优于对照组。结论:与传统的常规融合器-钢板ACDF治疗方法相比,自稳型插片式椎间融合器能够达到相似的治疗效果及安全性。但能够有效的减少手术时间及出血量,缩短住院时间,并有效提高患者术后的舒适度,在临床中可以进一步推广。     

Measuring Surgical Outcomes in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Assessment of Minimum Clinically Important Difference

Object

The concept of minimum clinically important difference (MCID) has been used to measure the threshold by which the effect of a specific treatment can be considered clinically meaningful. MCID has previously been studied in surgical patients, however few studies have assessed its role in spinal surgery. The goal of this study was to assess the role of MCID in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Methods

Data was collected on 30 patients who underwent ACDF for CSM between 2007 and 2012. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual-Analog Scale (VAS), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Component Summary PRO scores were collected. Five distribution- and anchor-based approaches were used to calculate MCID threshold values average change, change difference, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), minimum detectable change (MDC) and standard error of measurement (SEM). The Health Transition Item of the SF-36 (HTI) was used as an external anchor.

Results

Patients had a significant improvement in all mean physical PRO scores postoperatively (p<0.01) NDI (29.24 to 14.82), VAS (5.06 to 1.72), and PCS (36.98 to 44.22). The five MCID approaches yielded a range of values for each PRO: 2.00–8.78 for PCS, 2.06–5.73 for MCS, 4.83–13.39 for NDI, and 0.36–3.11 for VAS. PCS was the most representative PRO measure, presenting the greatest area under the ROC curve (0.94). MDC values were not affected by the choice of anchor and their threshold of improvement was statistically greater than the chance of error from unimproved patients.

Conclusion

SF-36 PCS was the most representative PRO measure. MDC appears to be the most appropriate MCID method. When MDC was applied together with HTI anchor, the MCID thresholds were: 13.39 for NDI, 3.11 for VAS, 5.56 for PCS and 5.73 for MCS.     

Meta-Analysis Comparing Zero-Profile Spacer and Anterior Plate in Anterior Cervical Fusion

Background

Anterior plate fusion is an effective procedure for the treatment of cervical spinal diseases but is accompanied by a high incidence of postoperative dysphagia. A zero profile (Zero-P) spacer is increasingly being used to reduce postoperative dysphagia and other potential complications associated with surgical intervention. Studies comparing the Zero-P spacer and anterior plate have reported conflicting results.

Methodology

A meta-analysis was conducted to compare the safety, efficacy, radiological outcomes and complications associated with the use of a Zero-P spacer versus an anterior plate in anterior cervical spine fusion for the treatment of cervical spinal disease. We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and other databases and performed a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective or retrospective comparative studies assessing the two techniques.

Results

Ten studies enrolling 719 cervical spondylosis patients were included. The pooled data showed significant differences in the operation time [SMD = –0.58 (95% CI = −0.77 to 0.40, p < 0.01)] and blood loss [SMD = −0.40, 95% CI (−0.59 to –0.21), p < 0.01] between the two groups. Compared to the anterior plate group, the Zero-P group exhibited a significantly improved JOA score and reduced NDI and VAS. However, anterior plate fusion had greater postoperative segmental and cervical Cobb’s angles than the Zero-P group at the last follow-up. The fusion rate in the two groups was similar. More importantly, the Zero-P group had a lower incidence of earlier and later postoperative dysphagia.

Conclusions

Compared to anterior plate fusion, Zero-P is a safer and effective procedure, with a similar fusion rate and lower incidence of earlier and later postoperative dysphagia. However, the results of this meta-analysis should be accepted with caution due to the limitations of the study. Further evaluation and large-sample RCTs are required to confirm and update the results of this study.     

Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Arthroplasty versus Arthrodesis for Single-Level Cervical Spondylosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

To estimate the effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA) compared to anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) for patient-important outcomes for single-level cervical spondylosis.

Data sources

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Register for Randomized Controlled Trials, BIOSIS and LILACS), archives of spine meetings and bibliographies of relevant articles.

Study selection

We included RCTs of ACDF versus ACDA in adult patients with single-level cervical spondylosis reporting at least one of the following outcomes: functionality, neurological success, neck pain, arm pain, quality of life, surgery for adjacent level degeneration (ALD), reoperation and dysphonia/dysphagia. We used no language restrictions. We performed title and abstract screening and full text screening independently and in duplicate.

Data synthesis

We used random-effects model to pool data using mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes and relative risk (RR) for dichotomous outcomes. We used GRADE to evaluate the quality of evidence for each outcome.

Results

Of 2804 citations, 9 articles reporting on 9 trials (1778 participants) were eligible. ACDA is associated with a clinically significant lower incidence of neurologic failure (RR  = 0.53, 95% CI  = 0.37–0.75, p = 0.0004) and improvement in the Neck pain visual analogue scale (VAS) (MD  = 6.56, 95% CI  = 3.22–9.90, p = 0.0001; Minimal clinically important difference (MCID)  = 2.5. ACDA is associated with a statistically but not clinically significant improvement in Arm pain VAS and SF-36 physical component summary. ACDA is associated with non-statistically significant higher improvement in the Neck Disability Index Score and lower incidence of ALD requiring surgery, reoperation, and dysphagia/dysphonia.

Conclusions

There is no strong evidence to support the routine use of ACDA over ACDF in single-level cervical spondylosis. Current trials lack long-term data required to assess safety as well as surgery for ALD. We suggest that ACDA in patients with single level cervical spondylosis is an option although its benefits and indication over ACDF remain in question.     

Mid- to Long-Term Outcomes of Cervical Disc Arthroplasty versus Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Treatment of Symptomatic Cervical Disc Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Eight Prospective Randomized Controlled Trials

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the mid- to long-term outcomes of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of 1-level or 2-level symptomatic cervical disc disease.

Methods

Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials that reported mid- to long-term outcomes (at least 48 months) of CDA versus ACDF. All data were analyzed by Review Manager 5.3 software. The relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for dichotomous variables. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95%CIs were calculated for continuous variables. A random effect model was used for heterogeneous data; otherwise, a fixed effect model was used.

Results

Eight prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved in this meta-analysis, including 1317 and 1051 patients in CDA and ACDF groups, respectively. Patients after an ACDF had a significantly lower rate of follow-up than that after CDA. Pooled analysis showed patients in CDA group achieved significantly higher rates of overall success, Neck Disability Index (NDI) success, neurological success and significantly lower rates of implant/surgery-related serious adverse events and secondary procedure compared with that in ACDF group. The long-term functional outcomes (NDI, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) neck and arm pain scores, the Short Form 36 Health Survey physical component score (SF-36 PCS)), patient satisfaction and recommendation, and the incidence of superior adjacent segment degeneration also favored patients in CDA group with statistical difference. Regarding inferior adjacent segment degeneration, patients in CDA group had a lower rate without statistical significance.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis showed that cervical disc arthroplasty was superior over anterior discectomy and fusion for the treatment of symptomatic cervical disc disease in terms of overall success, NDI success, neurological success, implant/surgery-related serious adverse events, secondary procedure, functional outcomes, patient satisfaction and recommendation, and superior adjacent segment degeneration.     

颈前路椎管减压术后复发致邻近节段颈髓受压:1例报道及相关原因探讨

目的:颈前路椎管减压术是治疗颈椎病的重要方法,但术后少数患者发生邻近融合节段的退行性变,甚至需要二次手术治疗。本文旨在分析术后再次退变的原因,以期为广大外科医师提供参考。方法:报道1例该病再次手术的患者,回顾其疾病发展过程和治疗经过,并结合该病例综述国内外相关文献,深入探讨术后复发原因。结果:颈前路椎管减压术后复发主要有三类原因:1手术入路和手术方法的选择不恰当;2手术减压不充分,未能彻底解除潜在的颈髓压迫;3椎间融合后生物力学改变,相应颈椎节段应力不平衡。结论:对于需再次手术的患者,术前应仔细分析上次手术效果不佳或术后复发的原因,妥善选择再手术的方式。     

人工颈椎间盘置换与颈前路减压植骨融合术治疗脊髓型颈椎病近期疗效的回顾性研究

摘要 目的：回顾性分析人工颈椎间盘置换（ADR）与颈前路减压植骨融合术（ACDF）治疗脊髓型颈椎病（CSM）的近期疗效。方法：回顾性选取2016年7月~2018年12月期间我院收治的CSM患者120例,上述患者根据手术方式的不同分为A组（n=58,ACDF治疗）和B组（n=62,ADR治疗）,比较两组患者疗效、围术期指标、生活质量简表（SF-12）评分、日本矫形外科协会（JOA）评分、颈椎活动度及并发症发生情况。结果：B组术后12个月的优良率为74.19%（46/62）,高于A组的53.45%（31/58）（P<0.05）。两组患者术后6个月、术后12个月躯体健康评分、精神健康评分均较术前升高,且B组高于A组（P<0.05）。B组术后1个月、术后3个月、术后6个月、术后12个月JOA评分和颈椎活动度均高于A组（P<0.05）。B组住院时间、术后颈托固定时间、术后恢复工作时间均短于A组（P<0.05）。两组术后并发症发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：与ACDF治疗相比,ADR治疗CSM的近期疗效显著,可有效改善患者脊椎功能及生活质量,且安全性较好,临床应用价值较高。     

Cervical Total Disc Replacement is Superior to Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Randomized Controlled Trials

Background

Despite being considered the standard surgical procedure for symptomatic cervical disc disease, anterior cervical decompression and fusion invariably accelerates adjacent segment degeneration. Cervical total disc replacement is a motion-preserving procedure developed as a substitute to fusion. Whether cervical total disc replacement is superior to fusion remains unclear.

Methods

We comprehensively searched PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and the Cochrane Library in accordance with the inclusion criteria to identify possible studies. The retrieved results were last updated on December 12, 2014. We classified the studies as short-term and midterm follow-up.

Results

Nineteen randomized controlled trials involving 4516 cases were identified. Compared with anterior cervical decompression and fusion, cervical total disc replacement had better functional outcomes (neck disability index [NDI], NDI success, neurological success, neck pain scores reported on a numerical rating scale [NRS], visual analog scales scores and overall success), greater segmental motion at the index level, fewer adverse events and fewer secondary surgical procedures at the index and adjacent levels in short-term follow-up (P < 0.05). With midterm follow-up, the cervical total disc replacement group indicated superiority in the NDI, neurological success, pain assessment (NRS), and secondary surgical procedures at the index level (P < 0.05). The Short Form 36 (SF-36) and segmental motion at the adjacent level in the short-term follow-up showed no significant difference between the two procedures, as did the secondary surgical procedure rates at the adjacent level with midterm follow-up (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Cervical total disc replacement presented favorable functional outcomes, fewer adverse events, and fewer secondary surgical procedures. The efficacy and safety of cervical total disc replacement are superior to those of fusion. Longer-term, multicenter studies are required for a better evaluation of the long-term efficacy and safety of the two procedures.     

Surgical Results and Prognostic Factors of Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion for Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Background

Mechanism of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) has not been elucidated clearly. Surgical decompression is usually necessary for the patients with neurological symptoms. Anterior decompression and resection of OPLL seems to be a radical surgical option, because the spinal cord is compressed from the anterior direction.

Methods

Among 229 patients who underwent ACF for OPLL between January 2001 and December 2007 in our hospital, a total of 133 patients responded to the invitation and made return visits, with a follow-up rate of 58.1%. For these patients, clinical data were collected from medical and operative records. Neurological status were evaluated by using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system. Radiological evaluations including C2-7 lordotic angle, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), occupying rate of OPLL, double-layer sign and high-intensity zone were obtained from all the patients. Complications and causes of revision surgery were also investigated. Correlations between the long-term surgical outcome and various prognostic factors were statistically analyzed.

Findings

Eighty-four males and forty-nine females completed the follow-up, with a mean age at operation of 56.8 years. The overall average JOA score significantly increased, with a mean recovery rate of 64.1%±14.2%. The mean C2-7 lordotic angle and SVA were also significantly improved, and fusion rate was satisfactory. The incidence of complications was consistent to the previous reports and most of them were controllable by suitable treatments. Multiple regression analysis showed that number of corpectmies and preoperative JOA score were important predictors of surgical outcome.

Conclusions

ACF is a reliable and effective method for treating OPLL patients in terms of neurological recovery, maintenance of radiological parameters, fusion rate and complications. Number of corpectomies and preoperative JOA score are important predictors for the clinical outcome when this procedure is used.     

Ovine Model for Critical-Size Tibial Segmental Defects

A segmental tibial defect model in a large animal can provide a basis for testing materials and techniques for use in nonunions and severe trauma. This study reports the rationale behind establishing such a model and its design and conclusions. After ethics approval of the study, aged ewes (older than 5 y; n = 12) were enrolled. A 5-cm mid diaphyseal osteoperiosteal defect was made in the left tibia and was stabilized by using an 8-mm stainless-steel cross-locked intramedullary nail. Sheep were euthanized at 12 wk after surgery and evaluated by using radiography, microCT, and soft-tissue histology techniques. Radiology confirmed a lack of hard tissue callus bridging across the defect. Volumetric analysis based on microCT showed bone growth across the 16.5-cm³ defect of 1.82 ± 0.94 cm³. Histologic sections of the bridging tissues revealed callus originating from both the periosteal and endosteal surfaces, with fibrous tissue completing the bridging in all instances. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the quality of the healing response. Clinical, radiographic, and histologic union was not achieved by 12 wk. This model may be effective for the investigation of surgical techniques and healing adjuncts for nonunion cases, where severe traumatic injury has led to significant bone loss.Abbreviations: BMP2, bone morphogenic protein 2; CATK, cathepsin K; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factorThe human tibia is the most frequently broken long bone, often with significant bone loss.⁴ Segmental tibial defects can occur as a result of large tumor removal, trauma such as motor vehicle accidents, and more recently, blast injuries as seen with the escalating number of global conflicts. Treatment of these large bone and surrounding soft tissue defects is an ongoing, costly, and challenging clinical problem; no surgical technique has currently achieved preeminence.⁴ The general consensus on factors that affect healing include concomitant disease, age, and degree of trauma.⁵ When the first 2 factors, which are patient-related, are removed from the equation, healing is influenced by the size, anatomic location, and soft-tissue coverage of the defect. The ability to study these situations in a well-controlled, robust, and reproducible preclinical model would be advantageous to help establish effective surgical techniques and evaluate implants and materials.A literature review revealed that many ovine models for bone defects have been used, but all have limitations^{6,12,14,15,20,21,24,25,27,31,37,39,40} (Figure 1). Variations in protocols, such as age of the animals, size of the defect, and the bone and stabilization techniques used, limit meaningful comparison between studies.^33,34 Although some studies have investigated material performance in the healing of defects, they did not rigorously quantify control defects,^17,20 and others used no controls at all.³⁹ There is often no explanation regarding the use of a particular defect size, leading to the question of whether the defect size was critical.²⁴ The choice of bone used has been also varied; the femur,¹⁵ tibia,³⁷ and metatarsus⁴⁰ have all been studied. A noncritical-size defect implies that healing would eventually occur without the presence of any graft materials. One study,¹² for example, used a 3-cm defect at an average of 1.8 times the diameter of the tibias in question and found that empty controls achieved as much as 26% of the stiffness of an intact tibia after 12 wk. Stabilization methods include plating,^21,40 external fixtures,²⁰ intramedullary nails,^6,16 and a combination of intramedullary nails and plating.³⁷Open in a separate windowFigure 1.A limited summary of the many studies where a segmental tibial has been used with their references.The criteria used in the present study for a critical-size segmental tibial defect model were based on the following factors. The ovine tibia closely resembles that of the human tibia in terms of size, shape, and physical properties and is commonly used when studying human orthopedic diseases.^26,34 Intramedullary nailing has become the most commonly used method of tibial fracture fixation in human orthopedic surgery.^8,22 An 8-mm intramedullary nail is commonly used in the treatment of human fractures, further confirming the size similarity between the ovine and human tibiae.¹⁹The aim of this study was to establish and characterize a preclinical ovine 5-cm osteoperiosteal critical-size tibial segmental defect model in mature sheep. The endpoints included those commonly used clinically, such as radiography and microCT. Histology to investigate the degree of healing and immunohistochemistry to characterize the healing process were included to complete the evaluation process.     

Artificial Cervical Vertebra and Intervertebral Complex Replacement through the Anterior Approach in Animal Model: A Biomechanical and In Vivo Evaluation of a Successful Goat Model

This was an in vitro and in vivo study to develop a novel artificial cervical vertebra and intervertebral complex (ACVC) joint in a goat model to provide a new method for treating degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine. The objectives of this study were to test the safety, validity, and effectiveness of ACVC by goat model and to provide preclinical data for a clinical trial in humans in future. We designed the ACVC based on the radiological and anatomical data on goat and human cervical spines, established an animal model by implanting the ACVC into goat cervical spines in vitro prior to in vivo implantation through the anterior approach, and evaluated clinical, radiological, biomechanical parameters after implantation. The X-ray radiological data revealed similarities between goat and human intervertebral angles at the levels of C2-3, C3-4, and C4-5, and between goat and human lordosis angles at the levels of C3-4 and C4-5. In the in vivo implantation, the goats successfully endured the entire experimental procedure and recovered well after the surgery. The radiological results showed that there was no dislocation of the ACVC and that the ACVC successfully restored the intervertebral disc height after the surgery. The biomechanical data showed that there was no significant difference in range of motion (ROM) or neural zone (NZ) between the control group and the ACVC group in flexion-extension and lateral bending before or after the fatigue test. The ROM and NZ of the ACVC group were greater than those of the control group for rotation. In conclusion, the goat provides an excellent animal model for the biomechanical study of the cervical spine. The ACVC is able to provide instant stability after surgery and to preserve normal motion in the cervical spine.     

BMP13 Prevents the Effects of Annular Injury in an Ovine Model

Chronic back pain is a global health problem affecting millions of people worldwide and carries significant economic and social morbidities. Intervertebral disc damage and degeneration is a major cause of back pain, characterised by histological and biochemical changes that have been well documented in animal models. Recently there has been intense interest in early intervention in disc degeneration using growth factors or stem cell transplantation, to replenish the diseased tissues. Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) have been approved for clinical use in augmenting spinal fusions, and may represent candidate molecules for intervertebral disc regeneration.     

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Caused by Single-Level Vertebral Spontaneous Fusion

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical features, imaging characteristics, surgical options, and clinical outcomes of patients with Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) caused by single-level vertebral spontaneous fusion (SLVSF).

Methods

Sixteen consecutive patients with SLVSF who underwent anterior surgery were included in this study and 38 patients with CSM caused by spinal degeneration were enrolled as a control group. Demographic features, clinical presentations, imaging characteristics, surgery strategy, Nurick grade, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, neck disability index (NDI), and complications were evaluated.

Results

There were significant differences between the two groups in the mean age and the average duration of neck pain. There was no significant difference between the two groups in length of cervical spine. In the SLVSF group, 13 patients had upper segment translational instability and none had rotational instability. Pre- and postoperative Nurick grades were 2.94±0.77 and 2.19±0.54 in the SLVSF group, and 2.97±0.72 and 2.16±0.64 in the control group. Pre- and postoperative JOA scores were 9.25±2.02 and 11.69±1.62 in the SLVSF group, and 9.87±2.58 and 12.53±2.69 in the control group. Pre- and postoperative NDI values were 28.5±7.75 and 15.56±5.51 in the SLVSF group, and 16±6.13 and 11.29±4.58 in the control group.

Conclusions

Patients with SLVSF have necks of normal lengths, which can be used to distinguish this disorder from Klippel-Feil syndrome. There are three main features of SLVSF: (1) hypoplasia at both of the spontaneously fused vertebral bodies; (2) a major pathological feature of translational instability of the upper vertebra to the fused level; and (3) severe neck pain. Anterior surgery has a good therapeutic effect for patients with cervical SLVSF.     

颈椎椎板切除融合术后轴性疼痛

目的：目前已证实颈椎椎板切除融合术是治疗多阶段的脊髓型颈椎病和后纵韧带骨化病的一种安全和有效的方法。然而,颈椎椎板切除融合术后经常发生颈部轴性疼痛。本研究的目的是观察C7棘突保留与否与颈椎椎板切除融合术后轴性疼痛的关系。方法：对2006年1月～2008年12月在我院行颈椎椎板切除融合术的67个病人进行回顾性分析。将这67个病人之中保留了C7棘突的29名病人称为A组,未保留C7棘突的38名病人称为B组,对两组病人的轴性症状、颈椎曲度和颈椎曲度指数（cervical curbature index,CCI）进行评估和比较。结果：在A组中有51.7%的病人发生了早期的轴性症状,10.3%的病人发生了晚期的轴性症状,B组分别为60.5%和42.1%。B组中42.1%的病人和A组中10.3%的病人在手术后晚期有轴性症状,A组的轴性疼痛发生率低于B组,有统计学意义（p=0.001）。结论：保留C7棘突可以降低颈椎椎板切除融合术后轴性症状的发生率。     

颈椎椎板切除融合术后轴性疼痛

目的:目前已证实颈椎椎板切除融合术是治疗多阶段的脊髓型颈椎病和后纵韧带骨化病的一种安全和有效的方法。然而,颈椎椎板切除融合术后经常发生颈部轴性疼痛。本研究的目的是观察C7棘突保留与否与颈椎椎板切除融合术后轴性疼痛的关系。方法:对2006年1月～2008年12月在我院行颈椎椎板切除融合术的67个病人进行回顾性分析。将这67个病人之中保留了C7棘突的29名病人称为A组,未保留C7棘突的38名病人称为B组,对两组病人的轴性症状、颈椎曲度和颈椎曲度指数(cervical curbature index,CCI)进行评估和比较。结果:在A组中有51.7%的病人发生了早期的轴性症状,10.3%的病人发生了晚期的轴性症状,B组分别为60.5%和42.1%。B组中42.1%的病人和A组中10.3%的病人在手术后晚期有轴性症状,A组的轴性疼痛发生率低于B组,有统计学意义(p=0.001)。结论:保留C7棘突可以降低颈椎椎板切除融合术后轴性症状的发生率。     

Prions of Ruminants Show Distinct Splenotropisms in an Ovine Transgenic Mouse Model

Background

Transmissible agents involved in prion diseases differ in their capacities to target different regions of the central nervous system and lymphoid tissues, which are also host-dependent.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Protease-resistant prion protein (PrP^res) was analysed by Western blot in the spleen of transgenic mice (TgOvPrP4) that express the ovine prion protein under the control of the neuron-specific enolase promoter, after infection by intra-cerebral route with a variety of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) from cattle and small ruminants. Splenic PrP^res was consistently detected in classical BSE and in most natural scrapie sources, the electrophoretic pattern showing similar features to that of cerebral PrP^res. However splenic PrP^res was not detected in L-type BSE and TME-in-cattle, or in the CH1641 experimental scrapie isolate, indicating that some TSE strains showed reduced splenotropism in the ovine transgenic mice. In contrast with CH1641, PrP^res was also consistently detected in the spleen of mice infected with six natural “CH1641-like” scrapie isolates, but then showed clearly different molecular features from those identified in the brains (unglycosylated PrP^res at ∼18 kDa with removal of the 12B2 epitope) of ovine transgenic mice or of sheep. These features included different cleavage of the main PrP^res cleavage product (unglycosylated PrP^res at ∼19 kDa with preservation of the 12B2 epitope) and absence of the additional C-terminally cleaved PrP^res product (unglycosylated form at ∼14 kDa) that was detected in the brain.

Conclusion/Significance

Studies in a transgenic mouse model expressing the sheep prion protein revealed different capacities of ruminant prions to propagate in the spleen. They showed unexpected features in “CH1641-like” ovine scrapie suggesting that such isolates contain mixed conformers with distinct capacities to propagate in the brain or lymphoid tissues of these mice.     

内镜辅助经口咽前路减压后路融合一期手术治疗寰枢椎脱位

目的:探讨显微内窥镜下经口咽入路前路减压同时一期后路融合治疗寰枢椎脱位的手术方法,评价该手术方法的临床效果。方法:2005年2月至2006年6月对11例有手术指征的寰枢关节脱位患者,其中外伤齿状突骨折畸形愈合4例、先天性寰枕融合畸形1例、齿突发育不良并不连6例。全组均有不同程度的颈脊髓压迫引起的不同程度的肢体运动、感觉障碍;ASIA分级C级3例、D级8例。行显微内窥镜辅助下经口咽入路前路减压,术中颅骨牵引复位后一期后路融合。结果:11例均获得脊髓充分减压,9例获解剖复位、2例部分复位,无术中和术后并发症;所有患者的临床症状均有明显改善,四肢运动功能不同程度的恢复,A- SIA分级1例C级恢复至D级,2例C级恢复至正常,8例D级恢复至正常。内固定无松脱、无断裂及再脱位,植骨融合良好均获得骨性融合。术后随访6月-18个月,平均12个月,效果良好。结论:显微内镜下经口咽入路前路减压,具有视野清晰、操作精确、损伤小的优点;充分前路减压可以术中即刻复位、一期后路融合,避免了二次手术。     

Elevated Intracranial Pressure and Cerebral Edema following Permanent MCA Occlusion in an Ovine Model

Introduction

Malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke has a disproportionately high mortality due to the rapid development of refractory space-occupying cerebral edema. Animal models are essential in developing successful anti-edema therapies; however to date poor clinical translation has been associated with the predominately used rodent models. As such, large animal gyrencephalic models of stroke are urgently needed. The aim of the study was to characterize the intracranial pressure (ICP) response to MCA occlusion in our recently developed ovine stroke model.

Materials and Methods

30 adult female Merino sheep (n = 8–12/gp) were randomized to sham surgery, temporary or permanent proximal MCA occlusion. ICP and brain tissue oxygen were monitored for 24 hours under general anesthesia. MRI, infarct volume with triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and histology were performed.

Results

No increase in ICP, radiological evidence of ischemia within the MCA territory but without space-occupying edema, and TTC infarct volumes of 7.9+/-5.1% were seen with temporary MCAO. Permanent MCAO resulted in significantly elevated ICP, accompanied by 30% mortality, radiological evidence of space-occupying cerebral edema and TTC infarct volumes of 27.4+/-6.4%.

Conclusions

Permanent proximal MCAO in the sheep results in space-occupying cerebral edema, raised ICP and mortality similar to human malignant MCA stroke. This animal model may prove useful for pre-clinical testing of anti-edema therapies that have shown promise in rodent studies.     

椎间盘镜与开放手术对患者腰椎稳定性影响的临床研究

目的:观察分析后路显微内窥镜手术(microendoscopic disccectomy ,MED)与开放手术在治疗腰椎间盘突出症后对患者腰椎稳定性1的影响,探讨两种术式对患者腰椎稳定性影响程度的不同.方法:回顾分析2008年8月-2009年7月手术治疗的单节段椎间盘突出症患者50例,其中应用椎间盘镜手术及椎板间开窗髓核摘除术(fenestration discectomy,FD)治疗腰椎问盘突出症患者各25例,对术后病人主观满意度及腰椎稳定性的影响等进行回顾性随访观察研究,对其临床疗效进行评价.结果:与FD组相比,MED组术后水平移位及角移位较术前无显著差异,FD组在术后3个月以后的水平移位或角移位较术前增加,两组之间有显著性差异.结论:椎板开窗髓核摘除术相比,MED术后临床疗效相近,但术后对患者腰椎稳定性影响程度较开放手术明显降低,更具有微创性.