Effect of neutral position magnetic resonance imaging on cervical discs herniation volume and cervical curvature / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Cervical neutral position magnetic resonance imaging is widely used for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.However,it is not possible for patients to maintain the exact same position of the head and neck during repeated cervical magnetic resonance imaging examinations.The cervical spine undergoes minor flexion and extension movements in the sagittal plane,and the head may have a certain degree of variation in flexion and extension.Whether these changes in the neutral position of the cervical spine affect the volume of cervical discs herniation and cervical curvature is unclear. OBJECTIVE:Using artificial intelligence-assisted measurement,this study aimed to analyze the accuracy and reliability of magnetic resonance imaging examinations for measuring the volume of cervical discs herniation and cervical curvature in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy undergoing two consecutive cervical neutral positions in the short term. METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted on patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent conservative treatment and underwent two consecutive cervical magnetic resonance imaging examinations within three months between June 2012 and June 2023.We proposed the use of occipital-thoracic distance and occipital-thoracic angle to evaluate the variation in flexion and extension of the head in the neutral position of the cervical spine.Based on the changes in occipital-thoracic angle,patients were divided into occipital-thoracic angle increase group and occipital-thoracic angle decrease group.Cervical discs herniation volume,C2-6 Cobb angle,and cervical(C3-C7)curvature were measured using artificial intelligence-assisted measurement software.Normal distribution data were represented by mean±SD,while non-normal distribution data were represented by the median(interquartile range).Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between changes in Cobb angle,cervical(C3-C7)curvature,and cervical discs herniation volume. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 104 patients and 326 cervical discs herniation were included in the study.There were 47 patients in the occipital-thoracic angle increase group and 57 patients in the occipital-thoracic angle decrease group.(2)Extension and flexion index of the head:There were no significant differences in occipital-thoracic distance and occipital-thoracic angle during the initial diagnosis and follow-up examination.The variation of occipital-thoracic distance was 0.035(3.23)mm,and the variation of occipital-thoracic angle was-0.31(3.28)°.The deviation range of occipital-thoracic distance and occipital-thoracic angle was small,and there was no significant correlation.(3)Cervical curvature index:There were no significant differences in C2-6 Cobb angle and C3-C7 curvature during the initial diagnosis and follow-up examination.There were no significant differences in C2-6 Cobb angle and C3-C7 curvature between the occipital-thoracic angle increase group and occipital-thoracic angle decrease group.(4)There was no significant difference in volume of cervical discs herniation during the initial diagnosis and follow-up examination.There was no significant difference in volume of cervical discs herniation between the occipital-thoracic angle increase group and occipital-thoracic angle decrease group.There was no significant correlation between the change of cervical discs herniation volume and the change of C2-6 Cobb angle and the cervical(C3-C7)curvature.(5)These results indicate that in the neutral position of the cervical spine,there were negligible minor flexion and extension movements in the sagittal plane,and the head was limited to a specific position.Although the head has a certain range of flexion and extension variation,it does not affect the accuracy and reliability of parameters including cervical discs herniation volume,C2-6 Cobb angle,and cervical(C3-C7)curvature.

Establishment and evaluation of anterior cervical discectomy fusion model in small-tailed Han sheep model / 中国实验动物学报

Objective Cervical disc herniation(CDH)is one of the common orthopaedic diseases.With the in-depth study of it and the development of cervical implants,the establishment of cervical fusion animal models has become an indispensable part.Notably however,studies of the establishment and evaluation of cervical fusion animal models in China are currently lacking.This study aimed to provide a suitable animal model and evaluation scheme for implants for cervical spine-related research.Methods Small-tailed Han sheep were chosen for anterior cervical discectomy fusion(ACDF)after modified surgery,and a polyetheretherketone(PEEK)interbody fusion cage(Cage)(control group),3D-printed Ti6Al4V Cage(group 1),and new method Ti6Al4V Cage(group 2)were implanted in different cervical segments(C2/3～C4/5)in each sheep,respectively.Hematology and histopathological analyses were carried out after surgery to evaluate recovery of sheep and the biosafety of the materials.Bone in-growth and bone fusion were assessed by X-ray,computed tomography(CT),Micro-CT and quantitative analysis,hard tissue section staining,and biomechanical tests.Results The modified ACDF ovine model was established successfully.There were no significant differences in important hematology indexes(P＞0.05)and histopathological analysis showed no pathological changes,such as inflammatory cell infiltration.The implants had good biosafety.Furthermore,X-ray and CT examinations showed that the position of internal fixation and the interbody fusion were good.Micro-CT and quantitative analysis at 3 and 6 months after operation showed that compared with PEEK Cage group,the bone volume/total volume and trabecular number were significantly increased(P＜0.01)while the trabecular spacing was significantly decreased in the new method Ti6Al4V and 3D-printed Ti6Al4V groups compared with the PEEK Cage group(P＜0.01).Moreover,the new method new method Ti6Al4V Cage group had more bone growth(P＜0.01).Hard tissue section staining demonstrated that the pores of the new method Ti6Al4V Cage and 3D-printed Ti6Al4V Cage had obvious bone growth and relatively dense pores in the new method Ti6Al4V and 3D-printed Ti6Al4V groups,and the combination was slightly better than that of PEEK Cage.Biomechanical evaluation indicated that the new method Ti6Al4V Cage and 3D-printed Ti6Al4V Cage reduced the range of cervical flexion-extension,lateral bending,and axial rotation(P＜0.05)compared with the PEEK cage,as well as enhancing the stability of the cervical vertebra,and the new method Ti6Al4 V Cage was more advantageous(P＜0.05).Conclusions After the establishment of the modified ACDF ovine model,reasonable and effective assessment method were used to demonstrate the suitability and effectiveness of the model and the good biosecurity of all three Cage materials.Compared with the PEEK Cage,the new method Ti6Al4V Cage and 3D-printed Ti6Al4V Cages showed better performances in terms of bone growth and bone fusion,which could enhance the stability of the cervical vertebrae.The new method Ti6Al4V Cage was particularly advantageous.

Biomechanical Study on Contiguous Three-Level Cervical Hybrid Surgery and Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion / 医用生物力学

Objective To compare the biomechanical effects of contiguous three-level cervical Hybrid surgery[anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) + cervical disc arthroplasty ( CDA)] and three-level ACDF. Methods The finite element model of C1-T1 cervical-thoracic spine was developed based on CT data. Three models were simulated by the implantation of Prestige LP and Zero-P prostheses, including two Hybrid models (AFA, Prestige LP implanted at C3-4 and C5-6 segments and Zero-P implanted at C4-5 segment; FAF, Zero-P implanted at C3-4 and C5-6 segments and Prestige LP implanted at C4-5 segment) and three-level ACDF model(FFF). The changes in range of motion (ROM) of adjacent levels during flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation, the overall ROM, as well as the intradiscal pressure ( IDP) and facet contact force ( FCF) of adjacent levels were compared. Results The ROM in adjacent levels and the overall ROM of the AFA modelwere closer to the intact model, and the maximum increases in the ROM of the adjacent levels for the FAF and FFF models were 15. 0% and 23. 4% , respectively. For AFA, FAF and FFF models, the maximum increases in the maximum IDP of adjacent levels were 19. 0% , 66. 7% , 147. 6% , and the maximum increases in FCF were 17. 4% , 55. 7% , 80. 1% , respectively. Conclusions This study provides biomechanical basis for three-level cervical Hybrid surgery in treating patients with the contiguous three-level cervical degenerative disc disease.

Evaluación del desempeño de una nueva prótesis de disco intervertebral cervical mediante el método de los elementos finitos / Evaluation of a new cervical intervertebral disc prosthesis using the finite element method

Introducción: El tratamiento inicial de la cervicalgia por degeneración de los discos intervertebrales es conservador, pero en caso de fallo la discectomía es la opción quirúrgica habitual, sustituyendo el disco por un injerto óseo u otra estructura que cumpla total o parcialmente las funciones del primero. El Servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital General Camilo Cienfuegos de Cuba ha diseñado un nuevo modelo de prótesis de disco intervertebral cervical para tratar esta enfermedad. Objetivo: Evaluar el desempeño mecánico de la prótesis diseñada a través del método de los elementos finitos bajo las cargas habituales de la columna cervical. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio experimental mediante la simulación numérica, según el método de los elementos finitos, sometiendo la prótesis a las cargas axiales recomendadas por las normas ASTM F2423-11e ISO 18192-1.2011 mediante el software Free CAD 0.18. Resultados: Los mayores esfuerzos soportados por la prótesis en la posición neutral, flexión anterior y flexión lateral fueron de 28.79 MPa, 52.29 MPa y 55.59 MPa respectivamente. La prótesis no sufrió ninguna fractura al no sobrepasar los valores anteriores al límite elástico del material que la constituye. La mayor deformación descrita fue de 1 m. Conclusiones: La mayor concentración de esfuerzos en la prótesis se ubicó en el punto de contacto de la cavidad prismática de la pieza superior al hacer contacto con el prisma de la pieza inferior. El dispositivo diseñado no sufrió ninguna deformación significativa ni se fracturó ante las cargas aplicadas(AU)

Introduction: The initial treatment of cervicalgia due to degeneration of the intervertebral discs is conservative, but in case of failure, discectomy is the usual surgical option, replacing the disc with a bone graft or another structure that fully or partially fulfills the functions of the former. The Neurosurgery Service of the Camilo Cienfuegos General Hospital in Cuba has designed a new cervical intervertebral disc prosthesis model to treat this disease. Objective: To evaluate the mechanical performance of the prosthesis designed through the finite element method under the usual loads of the cervical spine. Material and Methods: An experimental study was carried out using numerical simulation according to the finite element method, subjecting the prosthesis to the axial loads recommended by ASTM F2423-11e ISO 18192-1.2011 standards using Free CAD 0.18 software. Results: The greatest efforts supported by the prosthesis in the neutral position, anterior flexion and lateral flexion were 28.79 MPa, 52.29 MPa and 55.59 MPa, respectively. The prosthesis did not suffer any fracture as it did not exceed the values ​prior to the elastic limit of the material that constitutes it. The greatest deformation described was 1 956;m. Conclusions: The highest concentration of efforts in the prosthesis was located at the point of contact of the prismatic cavity of the upper part when making contact with the prism of the lower part. The designed device did not undergo any significant deformation or fracture at the applied loads(AU)

Correlation between cervical curvature and cervical disc bulging in young patients with neck pain / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the correlation between the curvature of the cervical spine and the degree of cervical disc bulging in young patients with cervical pain.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 539 young patients with neck pain from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 251 males and 288 females, aged 18 to 40 (32.2±6.3) years old. The cervical curvature and cervical disc bulging were measured by cervical X-ray and MRI. According to cervical curvature, the patients were divided into 175 cases of cervical lordosis group (cervical curvature > 7 mm), 163 cases of cervical erection group (0

Tratamiento de la hernia discal cervical. Hospital Provincial General Camilo Cienfuegos de Sancti Spíritus / Cervical disc herniation treatment at Camilo Cienfuegos General Provincial Hospital in Sancti Spíritus

RESUMEN Fundamento: La enfermedad degenerativa cervical produce una variedad de síntomas clínicos que pueden ser tratados de forma no quirúrgica, sin embargo en ocasiones la cirugía es necesaria. La técnica quirúrgica más empleada para tratar esta enfermedad es la discectomía con artrodesis. El tratamiento adecuado de la hernia discal cervical depende de una adecuada selección de la técnica quirúrgica y su correcta realización. Objetivo: Caracterizar el tratamiento quirúrgico de la hernia discal cervical en el Hospital Provincial General Camilo Cienfuegos de Sancti Spíritus en el período: enero de 2015 a diciembre de 2018. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo en el Hospital Provincial General Camilo Cienfuegos de Sancti Spíritus de enero 2015 a diciembre 2018. La población de estudio: todos los pacientes que acudieron a la consulta externa de neurocirugía del hospital refiriendo cervicalgia o cervicobraquialgia; la muestra: 51 pacientes diagnosticados por resonancia magnética nuclear de hernia discal cervical y que se les realizó al menos una discectomía cervical. Resultados: De los pacientes el 62.8 % eran mujeres y el 33.3 % tenía una edad comprendida entre 51-60 años. El espacio intervertebral más afectado fue C5-C6 (43.7 %). La técnica quirúrgica que predominó fue la discectomía con colocación de injerto autólogo (79.7 %). La complicación más frecuente fue la expulsión del injerto (3.9 %). Conclusiones: El comportamiento de la hernia discal en cuanto al sexo, edad y nivel afectado fue similar al descrito en la bibliografía. La técnica quirúrgica más empleada fue la artrodesis con injerto autólogo de cresta ilíaca. Las complicaciones presentadas fueron infrecuentes.

ABSTRACT Background: Cervical degenerative disease produces a variety of clinical symptoms that can be treated by a non-surgical way, however sometimes surgery is necessary. The most widely used surgical technique to treat this disease is discectomy with arthrodesis. The proper treatment of cervical disc herniation depends on an adequate selection of the surgical technique and its correct performance. Objective: To characterize the surgical treatment of cervical disc herniation at Camilo Cienfuegos General Provincial Hospital in Sancti Spíritus in the period: January 2015 to December 2018. Methodology: A prospective study was carried out at Camilo Cienfuegos General Provincial Hospital in Sancti Spíritus from January 2015 to December 2018. The study population: all the patients who attended the hospital outpatient neurosurgery consultation referring cervicalgia or cervicobraquialgia; the sample: 51 patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation and performed at least one cervical discectomy. Results: Of the patients, 62.8 % were women and 33.3 % were between 51-60 years old. The most affected intervertebral space was C5-C6 (43.7 %). The predominant surgical technique was discectomy with autologous graft placement (79.7 %). The most frequent complication was the expulsion of the graft (3.9 %). Conclusions: The behavior of the herniation disc concerning sex, age and affected level was similar to that described in the literature. The most widely used surgical technique was arthrodesis with an autologous iliac crest graft. The complications presented were infrequent.

Percutaneous endoscopic Key-Hole technology for treatment of paracentral cervical disc herniation / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic posterior cervical Key-Hole fenestration decompression and nucleus pulposus extirpation in the treatment of paracentral cervical disc herniation. Methods: Between December 2015 and October 2018, 29 cases of paracentral cervical disc herniation were treated with percutaneous endoscopic posterior cervical Key-Hole fenestration decompression and nucleus pulposus extirpation. There were 16 males and 13 females, with an average age of 49.7 years (range, 39-78 years). The disease duration was 3.5-15.0 months (mean, 6.2 months). The herniated disc located at C 3, 4 in 2 cases, C 4, 5 in 5 cases, C 5, 6 in 9 cases, C 6, 7 in 12 cases, and C 7, T 1 in 1 case. The main symptoms were radiculopathy symptom. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and complications were observed and recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, cervical range of motion (ROM), Macnab standard, and cervical segment stability were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the operation. Results: All patients were followed up 11-43 months, with an average of 19.4 months. The operation time was 67-89 minutes (mean, 73.3 minutes); the intraoperative blood loss was 18-30 mL (mean, 22.9 mL); the hospital stay was 5-10 days (mean, 7.3 days). All the incisions healed by first intention. There was 1 case of hypodynia and hyperalgesia in the affected limb after operation,1 case of decreased limb muscle strength. The VAS scores and JOA scores at each time point after operation were superior to those before operation ( P0.05). At last follow-up, the effectiveness was rated according to the Macnab standard as excellent in 11 cases, good in 15 cases, fair in 2 cases, and bad in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 89.7%. The CT and MRI showed the decompression of spinal canal and nerve canal. There was no significant difference in cervical ROM between pre- and post-operation ( t=1.427, P=0.165), and no surgical segment instability occurred by X-ray films of flexion and extension of cervical vertebrae. Conclusion: For the paracentral cervical disc herniation with simultaneous compression of nerve roots and spinal cord, percutaneous endoscopic posterior cervical Key-Hole fenestration decompression and nucleus pulposus extirpation has the advantages of small trauma, quick recovery, and satisfactory effectiveness, and can be used as a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure.

Clinical study of single-level cervical disc herniation treated by full-endoscopic decompression via anterior transcorporeal approach / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinical feasibility of full-endoscopic decompression for the treatment of single-level cervical disc herniation via anterior transcorporeal approach. Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 patients with cervical disc herniation who received full-endoscopic decompression via anterior transcorporeal approach between September 2014 and March 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 9 females with an age ranged from 32 to 65 years, with an average of 48.5 years. The duration of symptoms ranged from 6 to 18 weeks, with an average of 10.5 weeks. According to the Nurick grading of spinal cord symptoms, there were 2 cases with grade 1, 7 cases with grade 2, and 12 cases with grade 3. Operative segment was C 3, 4 in 2 cases, C 4, 5 in 8 cases, C 5, 6 in 9 cases, and C 6, 7 in 2 cases. The operation time and related complications were recorded. The central vertical height of the vertebral body and the diseased segment space were measured on the cervical X-ray film. The neck and shoulder pain were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score; Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used to evaluate the improvement of neurological function in patients. The MRI of cervical spine was reexamined at 3 months after operation, and the CT of cervical spine was reexamined at 12 months after operation. The decompression of spinal cord and the healing of bone canal in the vertebral body were further evaluated. Results: Full-endoscopic decompression via anterior transcorporeal approach were achieved at all 21 patients. The operation time was 85-135 minutes, with an average of 96.5 minutes. All patients were followed up 24-27 months, with an average of 24.5 months. There was no complication such as residual nucleus pulposus, spinal cord injury, large esophageal vessels injury, pleural effusion, endplate collapse, intraspinal hematoma, cervical spine instability, protrusion of disc in the same segment, or kyphosis. Both VAS scores of neck and shoulder pain and JOA scores were significantly improved at 12 months after operation ( P<0.05). At 3 months after operation, it was confirmed by the cervical MRI that neural decompression was sufficient and the abnormal signal was also degraded in the patients with intramedullary high signal at T2-weighted image. The cervical CT showed that bone healing were achieved in the surgical vertebral bodies of all patients at 12 months after operation. At 24 months after operation, the central vertical height of the diseased segment space significantly decreased compared with preoperative one ( t=2.043, P=0.035); but there was no significant difference in the central vertical height of the vertebral body between pre- and post-operation ( t=0.881, P=0.421). Conclusion: Full-endoscopic decompression via anterior transcorporeal approach, integrating the advantages of the endoscopic surgery and the transcorporeal approach, provide an ideal and thorough decompression of the ventral spinal cord with satisfactory clinical and radiographic results.

Observation of herniated cervical intervertebral disc volume based on quantitative volume measurement “monitoring” based on PACS software / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Herniated cervical intervertebral disc volume measurement is an important parameter for quantitative evaluation of cervical disc degeneration, but it faces a lot of problems such as different measurement standards and the undefined measurement error range. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy of PACS software in measuring cervical disc volume, provide reliable measurement methods and accurate data support for clinical observation and research on cervical disc volume change and degeneration. METHODS: The error rate was obtained by repeated measurements of the normal saline with a known volume of 5.0 mL by means of PACS software. With reference to this error rate, volume changes of cervical disc herniation before and after cervical microendoscopic laminoplasty were “monitored” and analyzed in 30 cases. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (approval No. 2019-KY-274) on September 26, 2019. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) For the measurement of normal saline with known volume, it was found that the error rate of measurement by PACS software was ±5%, suggesting that the measurement of cervical disc volume by PACS software is a simple and accurate method. (2) After cervical microendoscopic laminoplasty, there were 70 patients with reduced cervical disc volume reduction absorption rate of 5%-100%, and the absorption ratio was 76.1% (70/92). The volume increased by 11, but the increase was not more than 5% in the patients with cervical disc herniation after treatment. (3) The spontaneous disappearance or reduction of the herniated cervical disc after cervical microendoscopic laminoplasty was as early as 7 days, and the longest was 76 months. (4) The effects were excellent in 11 cases, good in 15 cases, and fair in 4 cases. The excellent and good rate was 86.7%.

Effect of heterotopic ossification on cervical motion following Prestige artificial cervical disc replacement / 解剖学报

[Abstract] Objective To analyze the effect of heterotopic ossification(HO) on the postoperative segmental range of motion(ROM)after Prestige artificial cendcal disc replacement, and to explore the related factors leading to the formation of heterotopic ossification after artificial cendcal disc replacement. Methods We recruited of 66 patients who had Prestige artificial cendcal disc replacement from January 2014 to January 2018 in Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. To evaluate cendcal spine X-ray, the replacement segment ROM was measured in picture, and the occurrence of HO was defined by the McAfee' s classification. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze the relationship between heterotopic ossification formation and replacement segment ROM,the t test was used to analyze the influence between heterotopic ossification grading and replacement segment ROM. Nine clinical factors including age, gender, bod)' mass index(BMI), number of replacement segments, preoperative ligament ossification, the preoperative disc height ratio of the target level and its adjacent level, preoperative mobility of replacement segments, postoperative mobility of replacement segments, whether to use nonsteroidal autiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during perioperative period. The correlation between these nine clinical factors and the occurrence of postoperative HO was evaluated with logistic regression analysis. Results The occurrence rate of HO was 34. 8% in last follow-up. The replacement segmental ROM of the heterotopic ossification group was significantly smaller than that of the non-ectopic ossification group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 05),and the McAfee grade IH-IV group was significantly less than the McAfee grade I-H group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05). Correlation analysis showed that preoperative and postoperative ROM of the replacement segment presented statistical correlation (P < 0. 05). Furthennore analysis of ROC curve showed that heterotopic ossification was more likely to occur when the degree of ROM of the replacement segment

Effectiveness evaluation of Prodisc-C prosthesis for more than 10 years follow-up after total cervical disc replacement / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To evaluate long-term radiographic and clinical effectiveness of total cervical disc replacement (TDR) with Prodisc-C prosthesis at a minimum of 10 years follow-up. Methods: The clinical data of 118 patients with cervical disc degeneration disease (CDDD) treated with TDR by using Prodisc-C prosthesis between December 2005 and April 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 66 males and 52 females, with the age of 25-62 years (mean, 46.8 years). There were 38 cases of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, 28 cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and 52 cases of mixed cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The operative segments were C 3-7, including 90 cases of single segment, 20 cases of continuous double segments, and 8 cases of continuous three segments. A total of 154 Prodisc-C prostheses were used during the operation. The clinical effectiveness was evaluated by pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, neck disability index (NDI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and Odom grade before and after operation. Imaging evaluation indicators included range of motion (ROM), sagittal lordosis angle, intervertebral disc height (IDH), and prosthesis displacement, subsidence, loosening, locking, and heterotopic ossification (HO), adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), and other complications. Patients were grouped according to whether HO or ASD occurred or not, the ROM of surgical segment was compared. Results: All patients were followed up 121-150 months (mean, 135.8 months). No revision operation was performed during the follow-up period. The VAS, NDI, JOA scores and Odom grades were significantly improved at 1 week after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones ( P0.05). The ROM of the whole cervical spine and the operative segment decreased at 1 week and 10 years after operation when compared with preoperative ones ( P0.05); there was no significant difference in the ROM between the upper adjacent segment (UAS) and the lower adjacent segment (LAS) at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in sagittal lordosis angle of cervical spine before and after operation ( P>0.05); the sagittal lordosis angle of operative segment increased significantly at 1 week, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after operation ( P0.05). No prosthesis displacement, subsidence, or loosening occurred at each time point after operation. There was no significant difference of the prosthetic displacement and subsidence distance between all time points after 6 months after operation ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the incidence of prosthetic locking/fusion was 10.4%, showing no significant difference when compared with 6 months (1.9%) ( P0.05). HO appeared in 58.4% of the segments at 6 months after operation, and the incidence of HO increased significantly with time, which was significantly different from that at 6 months after operation ( P<0.05). The ROM of operative segments in HO group was significantly lower than that in non-HO group at 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years after operation ( P<0.05). Conclusion: TDR has little effect on adjacent segments, although there are some imaging complications, it has no significant effect on the improvement of overall clinical effectiveness. Prodisc-C prosthesis can provide long-term, safe, and definite clinical effectiveness in the treatment of CDDD.

Effect of Xianlu Qige Decoction combined with acupuncture on improvement of cervical intervertebral disc symptoms and serum p-P38MAPK level / 中草药

Objective To study the effects of Xianlu Qige Decoction combined with acupuncture on the improvement of cervical intervertebral disc symptoms (CIDS) and serum phosphorylation-P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-P38MAPK). Methods A total of 156 patients with CIDS admitted to our hospital from April 2016 to September 2018 were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, 78 cases for each. The control group was given conventional Western medicine treatment. The observation group was given the combination of Xianlu Qige Decoction and acupuncture. The acupuncture therapy was supervised, by comparing the total effective rate of the two groups before and after treatment. The Tianzhong Jingjiu cervical spondylosis symptom scale 20 points score, serum immunoinflammatory factors [immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, IgM, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1, p-P38 MAPK pathway protein expression [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-3 p-P38MAPK, MMP-9], serum pain medium [nitrogen monoxide (NO), serotonin (5-HT), and prostaglandin E2 (PEG2)] levels were compared. Results The total effective rate of the experimental group was 94.87% higher than that of the control group of 76.92% (P < 0.001). After treatment the scores of symptoms, signs, work and life ability and hand function of the two groups were higher than those before treatment, and the scores of pain were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of symptoms, signs, work and life ability and hand function in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group, and the scores of pain were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001); the levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.001); the levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). After treatment, the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in both groups were lower than those before treatment, and the levels of MMP-3, p-P38MAPK and MMP-9 were higher than those before treatment (P < 0.001); after treatment, the levels of VEGF in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group, and the levels of MMP-3, p-P38MAPK and MMP-9 were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.001). After treatment, the levels of NO, PEG2 and 5-HT in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05); After treatment, the levels of NO, PEG2 and 5-HT in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Xianlu Qige Decoction combined with acupuncture in the treatment of CIDS can reduce the release of serum pain media, significantly improve the clinical symptoms such as pain, and inhibit the inflammatory response of body, and its curative effect is significant. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of p-P38MAPK signaling pathway.

X-ray measurement of anatomical, natural and pathological heights of cervical intervertebral disc and its clinical significance / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To propose the three heights of intervertebral disc during cervical disc degeneration by measuring the cervical intervertebral disc heights in patients with cervical spondylosis. Methods Totally 96 patients with cervical spondylosis undergoing surgery in our hospital from Jan. 2017 to May 2017 were enrolled in this study, and their intervertebral disc heights of C2-7 were measured by the lateral X-ray. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the Pfirrmann score: anatomical height group (Pfirrmann score-Ⅱ grade without height loss), natural height group (Pfirrmann score III grade), and pathological height group (Pfirrmann score -grade with moderate and severe intervertebral height loss). Two-way ANOVA and LSD analysis were performed to compare the intervertebral disc heights between the three groups. Results The average age of 96 patients was (53.4±19.6) years old, with 57 males and 39 females. Fifty-nine cases were diagnosed with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, 25 with nerve root type cervical spondylosis, and 12 with mixed cervical spondylosis. The average intervertebral disc heights in the anatomic height, natural height and pathological height groups were (7.7±1.2) mm, (7.1±0.9) mm and (5.9±1.0) mm, respectively, and there were significant differences between the three groups (all P<0.01). The cut-off values (sensitivity, specificity) of the anatomical heights and natural heights, natural heights and pathological heights of C3-4, C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7 were 7.45 mm (0.62, 0.65) and 6.95 mm (0.63, 1.00), 7.75 mm (0.49, 0.85) and 6.10 mm (0.89, 0.43), 7.75 mm (0.59, 0.77) and 6.95 mm (0.66, 0.91), and 7.85 mm (0.61, 0.89) and 5.95 mm (0.86, 0.73), respectively. Conclusion During the process of degeneration, cervical disc height can be classified as anatomical height, natural height (degenerative height) and pathological height. We should pay attention to the intervertebral disc height before operation and suggest to restore natural disc height.

The Effect of Cervical Lordosis on Cervical Disc Degeneration in Patients with a High T1 Slope

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effect of cervical lordosis on cervical disc degeneration in patients with a high T1 slope. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The T1 slope is known to be a parameter that may be very useful in evaluating sagittal balance. We previously reported that a low T1 slope was a potential risk factor for cervical spondylosis, especially in the C6–7 cervical segment. However, no study has analyzed the effect of cervical lordosis in patients with a high T1 slope (>25) on cervical disc degeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with a high T1 slope who underwent cervical spine MRI in our orthopedic clinic were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to cervical compensation. The radiologic parameters obtained from radiography and cervical spine MRI were compared between the uncompensated group (cervical lordosis <25) and the compensated group (cervical lordosis ≥25). RESULTS: In the uncompensated group, the average degeneration grade of each segment was 2.72 (±0.70) in C2–3, 3.00 (±0.76) in C3–4, 3.02 (±0.91) in C4–5, 3.37 (±0.95) in C5–6, and 2.95 (±0.98) in C6–7. The average degeneration grade of each segment in the compensated group was 2.38 (±0.78) in C2–3, 2.38 (±0.60) in C3–4, 2.62 (±0.60) in C4–5, 2.82 (±0.72) in C5–6, and 2.41 (±0.74) in C6–7. The degeneration grade was significantly higher in the uncompensated group than in the compensated group for all cervical segments. The risk of high-grade degeneration of C3–4 was significantly higher in the uncompensated group (odds ratio = 6.268; 95% CI, 2.232–17.601; p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a high T1 slope without compensation of cervical lordosis had a higher grade of degeneration in all cervical segments.

Sudden Paraplegia Caused by Nontraumatic Cervical Disc Rupture: A Case Report

A 38-year-old man visited our Emergency Department for sudden onset paraplegia that occurred 1 hour ago. He felt a piercing pain in the posterior neck and became paraplegic while he was watching television, lying down on a sofa. Neurological examination showed motor power grades II–III in both arms and grade 0 in both legs. His cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large ruptured disc at the C5–6 level, severely compressing the spinal cord. Emergency anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C5–6 were performed. Because extensive cord swelling was observed on postoperative MRI, laminoplasty from C3 to C6 was performed 3 days after the initial operation. At a postoperative 8-month follow-up, the motor power was improved to grade III–IV- for both hands and grade IV- for both legs. Nontraumatic cervical disc rupture causing acute paraplegia is a very rare but possible event. Immediate neurologic assessment and thorough imaging studies to allow accurate diagnosis are crucial. Emergency surgical decompression is important and may lead to good neurological outcomes.

Mid-term efficacy of Prestige LP cervical disc arthroplasty for single-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy / 局解手术学杂志

Abstarct:Objective To evaluate mid-term efficacy and complications of Prestige LP cervical disc arthroplasty ( CDA) for treatment of single-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy .Methods Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 29 patients who underwent Prestige LP cervical disc arthroplasty from June 2009 to December 2013 and were followed up for 2 to 6 years.Among them, there were 19 males and 10 females, and the average age was (45.4 ±7.6)years old (ranged from 28 to 58 years old).Cardinal symptom of spinal compression occured in 20 cases of them,and nerve root compression occured in the other 9 cases.Clinical symptoms and functional outcomes were evaluated with Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) scores,neck and arm visual analog scale(VAS) scores,and Neck Disability Index(NDI).Oerpation segmental range of motion(ROM) were evaluated with follow-up dynamic X-ray.Displacement,subsidence of the prosthesis,heterotopic ossifi-cation(HO) and other complications were also investigated .Results The 29 patients were followed up for 24 to 66 months,(35.5 ±10.4) months averagely .At the final follow-up,the JOA score,NDI,Neck-VAS and Arm-VAS were (15.62 ±1.12) points,(14.65 ±5.68)%,(1.93 ± 1.10) points,and (0.76 ±0.99) points respectively,which were significant improved compared with (12.03 ±2.23) points,(42.52 ± 16.31)%,(5.00 ±2.22) points,and (4.59 ±3.18) points preoperatively,and the differences were of statistical significance (P<0.05). The opreation segmental ROM was (7.37 ±3.11)°,which was better remained compared with (8.50 ±3.35)°before operation.After the surgery,there were 1 case of forward displacement ,3 cases of backward displacement ,1 case of subsidence of the prosthesis ,3 cases of adja-cent segment degenerations ,and 14 cases of heterotopic ossification .Conclusion The mid-term efficacy and safety of Prestige LP cervical disc arthroplasty is fine .But there is a high incidence of the prosthesis-related complications which may counteract the function of protecting the adjacent segment .Therefore,the indication,operation skills and perioperative period management of cervical disc arthroplasty are impor -tant aspects to avoid the adverse effect .

Comparative Analysis between Total Disc Replacement and Posterior Foraminotomy for Posterolateral Soft Disc Herniation with Unilateral Radiculopathy : Clinical and Biomechanical Results of a Minimum 5 Years Follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes and biomechanical effects of total disc replacement (TDR) and posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) and to propose relative inclusion criteria. METHODS: Thirty-five patients who underwent surgery between 2006 and 2008 were included. All patients had single-level disease and only radiculopathy. The overall sagittal balance and angle and height of a functional segmental unit (FSU; upper and lower vertebral body of the operative lesion) were assessed by preoperative and follow-up radiographs. C2–7 range of motion (ROM), FSU, and the adjacent segment were also checked. RESULTS: The clinical outcome of TDR (group A) was tended to be superior to that of PCF (group B) without statistical significance. In the group A, preoperative and postoperative upper adjacent segment level motion values were 8.6±2.3 and 8.4±2.0, and lower level motion values were 8.4±2.2 and 8.3±1.9. Preoperative and postoperative FSU heights were 37.0±2.1 and 37.1±1.8. In the group B, upper level adjacent segment motion values were 8.1±2.6 and 8.2±2.8, and lower level motion values were 6.5±3.3 and 6.3±3.1. FSU heights were 37.1±2.0 and 36.2±1.8. The postoperative FSU motion and height changes were significant (p<0.05). The patient’s satisfaction rates for surgery were 88.2% in group A and 88.8% in group B. CONCLUSION: TDR and PCF have favorable outcomes in patients with unilateral soft disc herniation. However, patients have different biomechanical backgrounds, so the patient’s biomechanical characteristics and economic status should be understood and treated using the optimal procedure.

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate alleviated rat cervical intervertebral disc degeneration via reducing tumor necrosis factor α and matrixmetalloproteinase 9 expression and its underlying mechanism / 中国药理学通报

Aim To observe the effect of pyrimidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on the variance of disc morphology and the expressions of TNF-α, MMP-9 in the cervical disc in cervical dynamic equilibrium rat models, and to investigate the roles of PDTC in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration and the mechanism involved.Methods Fifty-four SD rats were divided into three groups randomly, then the dynamic equilibrium rat model was established by cutting the nuchal superficial and deep muscle of the rats.The dynamic equilibrium rats with PDTC solution intraperitoneal injection after operations were defined as PDTC group (group A), the models with saline intraperitoneal injection after operations as saline group (group B), the rats of fake operation with saline intraperitoneal injection as blank group (group C), and the animals were sacrificed in batches 10 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks respectively after operation.The C5, C6 vertebrae and C5/6 discs were harvested, and the disc morphology was observed.TNF-α, MMP-9 mRNA expressions were detected by q-PCR and protein expression was observed by Western blot.Results Compared with the saline group, the morphology of disc in PDTC group was destructed slightly and fiber ring arranged orderly.TNF-α, MMP-9 gene and protein expressions had no obvious changes (P>0.05) in blank group (group C) at each time point.The expressions of IL-6, MMP-9 mRNA increased with time in group B, but the amount increased fast firstly, and slow lately, reaching peak in 12 weeks.The expression of TNF-α, MMP-9 protein became steady in group B from 10 weeks compared with other time points(P>0.05).TNF-α, MMP-9 genes and proteins expression decreased obviously in PDTC group (group A) compared with saline group (group B) (P<0.01) at each time point, but higher than blank group C(P<0.01) at each time point.Conclusions TNF-α and MMP-9 are important inflammatory factors involved in rat cervical disc degeneration, PDTC relieves the degeneration of rat cervical disc by reducing the expression of TNF-α and MMP-9 via disturbing the NF-κB signal pathway probably, and PDTC may become potential medicine for disc degeneration.

Cervical Disc Herniation and Central Horner Syndrome

Central Horner syndrome is a rare condition, comprising a unique pathophysiological phenomenon. It results from vascular lesions, head or thoracic trauma. We describe a case of Horner syndrome associated to cervical disc herniation, and first-order neuron compression. To our knowledge, this is the second case reported to date in the literature.

A síndrome de Horner central é uma condição rara, que compreende um fenómeno fisiopatológico singular. Resulta de lesões vasculares, trauma cerebral ou torácico. Descrevemos um caso de síndrome de Horner associado a hérnia de disco cervical, com lesão de primeiro neurónio. De acordo com a revisão, é o segundo caso reportado na literatura.

The preliminary clinical study about the effectiveness of selective treatment for traumatic cervical disc herniation with stand alone RIO-C / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the efficacy of a new double plate self locking interbody fusion device(ROI-C) in the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF) to treat traumatic cervical disc herniation(TCDH) without segmental instability, fracture or dislocation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ACDF with stand alone ROI-C was performed in 17 selective TCDH patients between December 2011 and December 2013. There were 12 males and 5 females, aged from 24 to 41 years old with a mean of 32.9 years, including 11 patients with single segment, 4 patients with double segments and 2 patients with three segments. Japanese Orthopaedics Assiciation (JOA), visual analogue scale(VAS) score and the Neck Disability Index(NDI) were recorded before and after operation in order to evaluate the clinical outcome, meanwhile, the preoperative and postoperative X ray films were collected to measure the intervertebral space height and whole cervical curvature. According to Vaccraro criteria to observe the bone fusion. The clinical effects were assessed according to Odom criteria.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up from 12 to 33 months with an average of 18.5 months. JOA score was increased significantly from preoperative 4.3±3.8 to 13.9±2.5 at final follow up (<0.05). VAS, NDI were decreased from preoperative (6.5±2.2) scores and (38.2±11.7) % to (1.0±0.9) scores and (8.7±3.4) % in final follow up, respectively (<0.05). Intervertebral space height and cervical curvature were increased from preoperative (5.2±1.7) mm and (5.1±7.5) ° to (7.8±0.6) mm and (10.5±5.1) °, respectively(<0.05). Hoarseness occurred in one patient and dysphagia occurred in 2 patients and they recovered spontaneously in 2 weeks and 3 months after operation, respectively. All the segments (25 levels) of the 17 cases achieved bony fusion in 6 months after operation. No displacement, subsidence and failure of ROI-C were found during follow up. According to Odom's criteria to evaluate clinical effects at the last follow up, 13 cases got excellent results, 3 good, and 1 fair.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ACDF with stand alone ROI-C is an effective, minimally invasive and reliable method in treating TCDH without segmental instability, fracture or dislocation, it can obtain satisfactory clinical outcomes and has advantage of less complications, high fusion rate.</p>