The role of polymorphisms of genes encoding collagen IX and XI in lumbar disc disease.

The intervertebral disc disease (IDD) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. A number of environment and anthropometric risk factors may contribute to it. The recent reports have suggested the importance of genetic factors, especially these which encode collagen types IX and XI. The allelic variants in the collagen IX genes - COL9A2 (Trp2) and COL9A3 (Trp3) have been identified as genetic risk factors for IDD, because they interfere the cross-linking between collagen types II, IX and XI and result in decreased stability of intervertebral discs. Type XI collagen is a minor component of cartilage collagen fibrils, but it is present in the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs. Some studies have shown the association between gene COL11A1 polymorphism c.4603C>T and IDD. The frequency of 4603T allele was significantly higher in the patients with IDD than in the healthy controls.

[Intraneural ganglion of the peroneal nerve--two case reports]. / Torbiel galaretowata nerwu strzalkowego--opis dwóch przypadków.

This paper describes two cases of gelatinous cyst of rare location within the peroneal nerve. Clinical picture was different in described patients. The gelatinous cyst was completely resected in both cases. The final diagnosis was established based on the histo-patological examination.

360 degree decompresion and stabilisation of the C6-C7 cervical spine luxation - case study.

We present the operative technique employed in a young man with cervical spine luxation at the level of C6-C7 with clinical signs of damage to the spinal cord at the level of C5. In order to achieve an optimal therapeutic effect (decompression of neural structures and spinal stabilisation) during one surgical procedure, the positioning of the patient was changed twice during the procedure. Considering the positioning of the patient at the beginning of the procedure, the body position was changed by 360 degrees. The first part of the procedure was performed from an anterior approach with the patient in the supine position. It involved a C6-C7 discectomy and removal of the upper surface of the body of C7, which was protruding into the vertebral canal and compressing the spinal cord. Intraoperative inspection showed that a posterior approach was necessary to reduce the luxation. Therefore, for the second part of the operation, the patient was turned by 180 degrees and placed in the prone position. For the last (third) part of the surgical procedure, the patient was again turned by 180 degrees and placed in the supine position in order to insert an anterior spine fixator. We believe that a procedure utilising different surgical approaches and different positioning of the patient in order to achieve optimal therapeutic effect may be used in selected cases in everyday clinical practice.

[The clinical value of transpedicular thoraco-lumbar spine stabilisation]. / Wartosc kliniczna stabilizacji transpedikularnej w chorobie nowotworowej kregoslupa piersiowo-ledzwiowego.

The authors present the results of treatment of spine neoplastic disease using transpedicular stabilisation. The clinical material of 2004 year are 20 cases, 15 males (75%) and 5 female (25%), 19 of them were qualified to the surgical treatment (95%). Obtained outcomes permit authors to make confirmation that the transpedicular stabilisation of thoraco-lumbar spine as a surgical treatment of it's neoplastic disease decrease pain, improve neurological condition if spinal cord damage are not durable, makes easer the rehabilitation process and nursing care.