Pregnancy and the syndrome of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc; an epidemiological study.

In a study of the epidemiology of acute herniated lumbar intervertebral discs in the New Haven, Connecticut, area, it was found that the female cases had had more pregnancies resulting in live births than women of similar age without known herniated discs. However, cases had not had more pregnancies resulting in miscarriages than other women of their age. Among women who underwent surgery for their herniated discs, the association between number of live births and herniated discs was found for women with herniations at the L5 level but not for women with herniations at the L3 level.     

Chemonucleolysis for relief of sciatica due to a herniated intervertebral disc.

Chemonucleolysis is the nonoperative chemical removal of displaced lumbar disc material. The enzyme chymopapain, which has a wide margin of safety between its effective therapeutic and toxic doses, is effective in the management of sciatica due to a herniated intervertebral disc. The patient will have leg pain as the dominant symptom and a 50% reduction in straight-leg raising with or without bowstring discomfort and crossover pain. Neurologic symptoms and signs are usual, as are abnormal results of contrast studies, which will verify the level of involvement. In 220 randomly selected patients who met criteria for the diagnosis of sciatica due to a herniated intervertebral disc and did not have psychogenic or nonorganic spinal pain, a spinal stenosis or a history of a previous, unsuccessful operation to relieve the sciatica, chemonucleolysis had a success rate of 80%. The only complications were a severe anaphylactic reaction in two patients and lesser, delayed reactions in five others. All of the reactions were successfully treated. Of the 45 patients in whom chemonucleolysis was unsuccessful, 38 underwent a laminectomy. In 3 of the 38 the results of chemonucleolysis were initially good, but later the disc herniation recurred; thus, the long-term treatment failure rate was 1.4%.     

Assessment of non-invasive intervertebral motion measurements in the lumbar spine

This study compared the accuracy of new, FDA-approved, image-analysis software to conventional radiographic assessment techniques for the measurement of intervertebral motion. Six adult human cadaveric lumbar spines (L1-S1) were individually mounted in a custom Plexiglas device and electromagnetic sensors were rigidly mounted to the spinous processes of L3, L4, and L5. Lateral radiographs of the spines in neutral, full flexion, and full extension were digitized and analyzed both using the software and manually by three orthopedic surgeons. Compared to intervertebral rotations determined from the electromagnetic device, the errors in rotations reported by the software and surgeons were 0.47+/-0.24 degrees and 2.16+/-0.78 degrees , respectively. Rotations measured by the surgeons were significantly less accurate and more variable than that of the software (p<0.05).     

Arteriovenous fistula after intervertebral disk surgery at L4-L5

We describe a 34-year-old woman who had symptoms of heart failure due to an arteriovenous fistula between the right iliac artery and the inferior vena cava caused by surgery for a herniated intervertebral disk. The literature is reviewed. An intra-arterial placed covered stent was successfully used to close the fistula.     

影响腰间盘突出症下肢症状的因素分析

目的：探讨腰间盘突出症下肢症状产生的影响因素。方法：回顾性分析179例腰间盘突出症诊治的临床资料。结果：通过射频热凝及手术两种治疗方法不同阶段的先后应用,进行疗效观察。单纯通过射频热凝治疗方法,治愈率为20.67％;单纯通过手术治疗;治愈率为21．23％;两种方法先后协同使用,治愈率为48．04％。结论：腰间盘突出的患者,其下肢症状的产生既有椎管内病变因素,又有椎管外病变因素,其中,椎管内外病变的共同影响,是下肢症状产生的最常见原因。     

Interleukin-10 promoter polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to lumbar disc degeneration in a Chinese cohort

We investigated a possible association between interleukin (IL)-10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and susceptibility to and severity of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) in a Chinese cohort of 320 patients with LDD and 269 gender- and age-matched controls. The degree of disc degeneration was determined by magnetic resonance imaging using Schneiderman's classification. Genetic analysis of IL-10 promoter polymorphisms (at -1082 A/G, -819 T/C, and -592 A/C) was carried out by PCR-RFLP. A total of 134 herniated lumbar intervertebral discs were collected during surgery for IL-10 mRNA detection. For SNPs at -592, the A allele and AA genotype frequencies were significantly higher in LDD patients than in controls. Similarly, the AA genotype and A allele frequencies at -1082 were significantly higher in cases than in controls. Among the LDD subjects, carriers of AA at -592 and GG at -1082 had significantly lower mean IL-10 mRNA expression than the other two genotypes. The SNPs at each locus were not significantly associated with severity grade in the LDD patients. Logistic regression analyses showed that the AA at -1082, AA at -592, and IL-10 mRNA expression level were independent risk factors for LDD. We conclude that the IL-10 SNPs at -1082 A/G and -592 A/C as well as IL-10 mRNA in the herniated lumbar intervertebral discs are associated with susceptibility to LDD in this Chinese cohort, but not with disease severity.     

Intervertebral disc lesions; surgical treatment,end results,disability ratings and cost in industrial accident injuries

In lumbar intervertebral disc operations there is sometimes pronounced disparity between the clinical results and the results as reflected in the disability rating given by the Industrial Accident Commission. It is believed that the difference must be due to excessive complaining and exaggeration on the part of the claimant and his representative before the Commission, and that undue credence and importance are given to these subjective symptoms as compared with the objective findings as reported by the surgeon or clinician. Data in the present study indicate that the belief that surgical decompression of a single nerve root and removal of an injured or degenerated disc necessarily entails a certain degree of disability is not justified. Satisfactory clinical results were obtained in 93 per cent of compensation cases, but when settled or rated by the Industrial Accident Commission, only 59 per cent were closed as having good or excellent results.     

缺氧诱导因子-1α和血管内皮生长因子在突出腰椎间盘中的表达及意义

目的探讨缺氧诱导因子-1α（hypoxia—induciblefactor-1α,HIF-1α）和血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）在突出腰椎间盘组织中的表达及意义。方法采用链霉亲和素-过氧化物酶复合物（SABC）免疫组化方法,测定40例腰椎间盘突出症患者椎间盘组织中HIF-1α和VEGF的表达情况。结果退变椎间盘组织中HIF-1α和VEGF呈高表达,HIF-1α和VEGF在髓核的表达显著高于纤维环;纤维环破裂型显著高于纤维环完整型;各组中HIF-1α和VEGF的表达均高度相关。结论HIF-1α和VEGF共同参与了椎间盘退变;HIF-1α可能通过上调VEGF的表达来促进椎间盘组织中新生血管的形成,进而延缓椎间盘退变的发生。     

Increase of nerve growth factor levels in the human herniated intervertebral disc: can annular rupture trigger discogenic back pain?

Introduction

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has an important role in the generation of discogenic pain. We hypothesized that annular rupture is a trigger for discogenic pain through the action of NGF. In this study, the protein levels of NGF in discs from patients with disc herniation were examined and compared with those from discs of patients with other lumbar degenerative disc diseases.

Methods

Patients (n = 55) with lumbar degenerative disc disease treated by surgery were included. Nucleus pulposus tissue (or herniated disc tissue) was surgically removed and homogenized; protein levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for NGF. Levels of NGF in the discs were compared between 1) patients with herniated discs (herniated group) and those with other lumbar degenerative disc diseases (non-herniated group), and 2) low-grade and high-grade degenerated discs. Patient’s symptoms were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI); the influence of NGF levels on pre- and post-operative symptoms was examined.

Results

Mean levels of NGF in discs of patients were significantly higher in herniated discs (83.4 pg/mg total protein) than those in non-herniated discs (68.4 pg/mg).No significant differences in levels of NGF were found between low-grade and high-grade degenerated discs. Multivariate analysis, adjusted for age and sex, also showed significant correlation between the presence of disc herniation and NGF levels, though no significant correlation was found between disc degeneration and NGF levels. In both herniated and non-herniated groups, pre-operative symptoms were not related to NGF levels. In the herniated group, post-operative lower extremity pain and low back pain (LBP) in motion were greater in patients with low levels of NGF; no significant differences were found in the non-herniated group.

Conclusions

This study reports that NGF increased in herniated discs, and may play an important role in the generation of discogenic pain. Analysis of patient symptoms revealed that pre-operative NGF levels were related to post-operative residual lower extremity pain and LBP in motion. The results suggest that NGF in the disc is related to pain generation, however, the impact of NGF on generation of LBP varies in individual patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/ar4674) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

哈萨克族成人腰稚间盘高度的放射学测量及其临床意义

目的：为人工椎间盘的设计提供形态学依据。方法：对56例哈萨克族成人腰椎（L）间盘高度进行放射学测量。结果：56例哈萨克族L1-2椎间盘高度男女性之间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,L3-5椎间盘高度男、女性之间差异有统计学意L（P〈0．005-0．001）;哈萨克族与汉族腰椎间盘高度之间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．005）。结论：哈萨克族腰椎间盘高度均大于汉族,临床上可通过对腰椎间盘间高度的测量,为人工椎间盘假体设计提供参数．     

腰椎间盘突出症的CT及MRI诊断

目的：总结分析１９１例腰椎间盘突出症的ＣＴ及ＭＲＩ影像特征。方法：ＣＴ组１０４例,ＭＲＩ组８７例,同时行ＣＴ及ＭＲ检查４４例。结果：ＣＴ组中,椎间盘同位于Ｌ３－４者１２例,Ｌ４－５者３２例,Ｌ５－Ｓ１者６０例。骨质增生３１例,髓核钙化１１例,后纵韧带钙化９例。ＭＲ组中,椎间盘突出位于Ｌ３－４者１３例,Ｌ４－５者３９例,Ｌ５－Ｓ１者３５例,椎间盘突变性４１例。     

Morphometric analysis of vertebrae and intervertebral discs as a basis of disc replacement

In this study measurements were obtained from 359 vertebrae and 215 intervertebral discs in an attempt to classify discs by their size. At the cervical and thoracic levels, this attempt was unproductive because of extensive variations. In the lumbar spine, discs were allocated to six size-matched groups and to two height-matched groups. The breadth of marginal rims were also measured with a view to provide surgeons operating on the spine with precise data on disc morphology to facilitate disc replacement.     

经皮椎间孔镜联合超前镇痛的术后疼痛的疗效分析

目的:探讨经皮椎间孔镜联合盘内注射胶原酶对于椎间盘突出症术后疼痛的疗效。方法:选取我科收治的经皮椎间孔镜手术患者110例,将其随机分为观察组以及对照组,每组55例,观察组采取椎间孔镜联合盘内注射胶原酶联合超前镇痛治疗,对照组给予相同的手术方式联合术后口服药物治疗,连续治疗1个疗程后,比较两组患者术后4、12、24、48、72 h的疼痛评分,观察两组术后曲马多的用量,比较两组患者术后出现恶心、呕吐、嗜睡、便秘、皮肤瘙痒等并发症的发生情况,比较两组术前以及术后7、14d的JOA评分情况。结果:术后4、12、24、48、72 h观察组的疼痛评分均明显低于对照组,观察两组术后曲马多的用量明显少于对照组,观察组术后并发症的发生率为7.27%(4/55),对照组为30.91%(17/55),组间比较有明显差异(x2=13.624,P0.05),术后7 d观察组JOA评分明显优于对照组,P0.05,术后14 d组间比较无明显差异,P0.05。结论:塞来昔布超前镇痛措施应用于经皮椎间孔镜联合盘内注射胶原酶治疗腰椎间盘突出症术后患者能够有效缓解术后疼痛,并减少术后阿片类药物的使用,改善术后功能,值得临床推广应用。     

骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉联合椎间融合复位治疗老年重度腰椎滑脱的临床研究

摘要 目的：观察椎间融合复位联合骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉治疗老年重度腰椎滑脱的临床效果。方法：回顾性分析我院于2016年3月~2019年3月期间收治的老年重度腰椎滑脱患者92例,根据治疗方案的不同可将患者分为A组（n=44）和B组（n=48）,A组给予椎弓根螺钉联合椎间融合复位治疗,B组给予骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉联合椎间融合复位治疗,对比两组视觉疼痛模拟评分（VAS）、Oswestry功能障碍指数（ODI）及日本骨科协会（JOA）腰腿痛评分、临床指标、滑脱距离、滑脱率、椎间隙高度、椎间融合率、椎间孔高度、并发症及螺钉松动情况。结果：术后12个月,两组VAS、ODI、JOA评分均下降,且B组低于A组（P<0.05）。两组术中出血量对比组间无统计学差异（P>0.05）,B组手术时间长于A组,住院时间短于A组,椎间融合率高于A组（P<0.05）。术后12个月,两组滑脱距离、滑脱率均下降,且B组小于A组（P<0.05）。术后12个月,两组椎间隙高度、椎间孔高度均升高,且B组高于A组（P<0.05）。两组并发症发生率组间对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：老年重度腰椎滑脱患者椎间融合复位联合骨水泥强化椎弓根螺钉治疗,虽一定程度上延长了手术时间,但可促进临床症状,改善椎间高度及腰椎滑脱程度,缩短住院时间,且不增加并发症发生率。     

Validation of single-segment and three-segment spinal models used to represent lumbar flexion

Changes in spinal posture between the erect and flexed positions were calculated using angular measurements from lateral photographs and radiographs of ten adult male subjects. For photographic measurements, the thoracolumbar vertebral column was modelled as either a single segment or as three segments. In the three-segment model, there was a non-significant correlation between the decrease in lumbar concavity and intervertebral motion. In addition, there was a non-significant negative correlation between the increase in thoracic convexity and lumbar motion determined radiographically. In the single-segment model, the decrease in angulation between the thoracolumbar spine and pelvis was a good representation of lumbar spine flexion as determined by the mean lumbar intervertebral angular change. Therefore, modelling the thoracolumbar vertebral column as a single segment allowed better estimation of lumbar intervertebral angular change during flexion than a three-segment model. The results indicate that large range dynamic motion of the lumbar vertebral column can be represented using photographic analysis of the positions of three easily identified anatomical landmarks: the anterior superior iliac spine, posterior superior iliac spine and the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra.     

Numerical analysis of the influence of nucleus pulposus removal on the biomechanical behavior of a lumbar motion segment

Nucleus replacement was deemed to have therapeutic potential for patients with intervertebral disc herniation. However, whether a patient would benefit from nucleus replacement is technically unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of nucleus pulposus (NP) removal on the biomechanical behavior of a lumbar motion segment and to further explore a computational method of biomechanical characteristics of NP removal, which can evaluate the mechanical stability of pulposus replacement. We, respectively, reconstructed three types of models for a mildly herniated disc and three types of models for a severely herniated disc based on a L4–L5 segment finite element model with computed tomography image data from a healthy adult. First, the NP was removed from the herniated disc models, and the biomechanical behavior of NP removal was simulated. Second, the NP cavities were filled with an experimental material (Poisson's ratio = 0.3; elastic modulus = 3 MPa), and the biomechanical behavior of pulposus replacement was simulated. The simulations were carried out under the five loadings of axial compression, flexion, lateral bending, extension, and axial rotation. The changes of the four biomechanical characteristics, i.e. the rotation degree, the maximum stress in the annulus fibrosus (AF), joint facet contact forces, and the maximum disc deformation, were computed for all models. Experimental results showed that the rotation range, the maximum AF stress, and joint facet contact forces increased, and the maximum disc deformation decreased after NP removal, while they changed in the opposite way after the nucleus cavities were filled with the experimental material.     

经皮椎弓根空心螺钉微创椎体间融合治疗腰椎间盘突出的临床效果分析

目的：探究经皮椎弓根空心螺钉微创椎体间融合治疗腰椎间盘突出的临床效果及安全性。方法：病例来源于我院2009 年12 月~2013 年12 月收治的确诊为腰椎间盘突出症的病患174 例,依据随机数字表法将其均分为观察组与对照组,每组87 例。其 中,观察组施行Quadrant微创通道经皮椎弓根空心螺钉椎间融合术,对照组施行经后入路开放性椎间融合术。评估和比较两组病 患术前和随访结束时的视觉模拟评分系统(VAS)疼痛评分与Oswestry 功能障碍指数(ODI)的变化及术后并发症的发生情况。结 果：观察组治疗前、出院时及随访一年时的VAS 评分与ODI指数与对照组比较差异均不显著(P>0.05)。观察组手术切口长度、术 后住院时间及术中出血量均明显优于对照组(P<0.01),而其手术所需时间明显长于对照组(P<0.01)。对照组患者术后出现20 例神 经根损伤(22.99%),3 例椎间隙感染(3.45%),其并发症总发生率为(26.44%),而观察组患者术后仅出现3 例神经根损伤,发生率为 3.45%,显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。结论：经皮椎弓根空心螺钉微创椎体间融合治疗的临床效果肯定,能减少对病患的创伤,控制术 后并发症的发生,具有较高的临床应用价值。     

椎弓根内固定联合椎体间植骨融合术治疗退行性腰椎滑脱症的临床探讨

目的:探讨椎弓根内固定联合椎体间植骨融合术治疗退行性腰椎滑脱症的临床效果。方法:回顾性分析我院2012年3月至2014年3月收治的30例采用椎弓根内固定联合椎体间植骨融合术治疗的退行性腰椎滑脱症患者临床资料,观察患者对手术效果的满意度,并对症状进行JOA评分。比较患者术前术后的腰椎X线的影像学变化,观察术后临近节段的退变发生率与影像的融合率。结果:术后随访1-3年发现患者JOA评分的平均改善率为(73.81±16.12)%,术后滑脱率与椎间高度均有明显改善,与术前比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。术后影像学显示植骨融合A级15例,B级12例,C级3例,融合优良率为90%。结论:椎弓根内固定联合椎体间植骨融合术对退行性腰椎滑脱症具有显著的临床效果,不仅可以缓解疼痛,改善功能评分,而且使患者影像学变化恢复正常生理形态,是理想的手术方法之一。     

Difference of mineral contents in human intervertebral disks and its age-related change

To establish a difference of the relative contents (RCs) of elements among the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar intervertebral disks and its age-related change, the intervertebral disks between the axis and the sacrum, which were resected from the nine cadavers who died at 53 to 99 yr old, were analyzed by inductively coupled atomic plasma emission spectrometry. It was found that both the RCs of calcium and phosphorus were high in the cervical disks, especially the highest in the disk between the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae, and lower in the order of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar intervertebral disks. In regard to the RCs of sulfur and magnesium, there were no significant differences among the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar intervertebral disks. In addition, it was found that both the RCs of calcium and phosphorus in the cervical intervertebral disks started to increase in the sixth decade of life, became the highest in the eighth decade of life, and then decreased.