"Houxi (SI 3) communicating the governor vessel" verified with the infrared thermal imaging technology / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect on facial acupoint temperature between acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) and Dazhui (GV 14) so as to verify "Houxi (SI 3) communicating the governor vessel" based on the infrared thermal imaging technology.@*METHODS@#Thirty-five healthy subjects (5 cases dropped off) were collected and before-after study in the same subject was adopted. The subjects were successively assigned into a sham-acupuncture group, a Houxi group, a Wangu group and a Dazhui group. Sham-acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) on the left, acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) on the left, Wangu (SI 4) on the left and Dazhui (GV 14) were given respectively. One intervention was given and the needles were retained for 30 min in each group. 30 min before and after acupuncture, the infrared thermal images of the face were collected, and the facial temperature was compared among the following 5 acupoints, i.e. Yintang (GV 24+), Suliao (GV 25), Shuigou (GV 26), Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24).@*RESULTS@#After acupuncture, the facial temperature at Yintang (GV 24+) and Chengjiang (CV 24) was increased compared before acupuncture in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The facial temperature at Suliao (GV 25) in the Houxi group was reduced after acupuncture (P<0.05). In the Wangu group, the temperature at Yintang (GV 24+) was increased compared before acupuncture (P<0.01). The facial temperature was increased at Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24) compared before acupuncture in the Dazhui group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The differences of facial temperature at Chengjiang (CV 24) and Suliao (GV 25) after acupuncture were larger than before acupuncture in the Houxi group and the Dazhui group (P<0.01). In comparison with the temperature at Suliao (GV 25) of the same group, the differences of facial temperature before and after acupuncture at Yintang (GV 24+), Shuigou (GV 26), Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24) were increased in the Houxi group (P<0.01, P<0.05); while, the increase was also obtained at Yintang (GV 24+), Shuigou (GV 26), Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24) in the Dazhui group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The difference of facial temperature at Yintang (GV 24+) before and after acupuncture was increased compared with Suliao (GV 25) in the Wangu group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) generates a similar thermal effect as Dazhui (GV 14). It regulates and dissipates the core temperature to "govern the yang qi of the whole body".

The application of three lumbar fusion methods in the treatment of spondylolisthesis / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>to compare the therapeutic effect of posterolateral fusion (PLF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and posterior circumferential fusion (PCF) for lumbar spondylolisthesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>from January 2003 to December 2008, 232 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with pedicle screw fixation and followed for reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups based on fusion method: group A (PLF, 66 case), group B (PLIF, 54 case)and group C (PCF, 112 case). The three groups were reviewed and compared for clinical outcome and fusion rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>the mean follow-up period was 21 months (range, 6-60 months). The fusion rate was 80.1% for PLF, 92.5% for PLIF and 93.7% for PCF group (P > 0.05). As to isthmic spondylolisthesis or Meyerding grade degenerative II and III spondylolisthesis, the fusion rate was 60.7% for PLF group, 90% for PLIF group and 93.3% for PCF group (P < 0.05). Compare the fusion rate for PLF group and PLIF+ PCF group (P < 0.05), fusion rate for PLIF group and PCF group (P > 0.05). The rate of excellent and good together was 84.8% in PLF group, 90.7% in PLIF group and 93.6% in PCF group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>posterior lumbar interbody fusion and posterior circumferential fusion are more consistent with bio-mechanics, have a higher fusion rate, for the treatment of spondylolisthesis they are the preferred surgical approaches.</p>

Treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head by percutaneous decompression and autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell infusion / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head by percutaneous decompression and autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMCs) infusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>44 hips in 28 patients with avascular necrosis at early stage were treated by percutaneous multiple holes decompression followed by autologous BMCs infusion. Autologous BMCs were concentrated from bone marrow that was taken from the posterior iliac crest of the patient. Patients were followed up at least 2 years. The results were determined by the changes in the Harris hip score and the progression in the radiograghic stages.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No complications were observed after the operation. Before operation, there were stage I of femoral head necrosis in 8 hips, stage II in 15 hips, stage III in 14 hips, stage IV in 7 hips, and the postoperative stages at the most recent follow-up were stage O in 1 hip, stage I in 6 hips, stage II in 13 hips, stage III in 13 hips, stage IV in 7 hips, stage V in 4 hips. The mean preoperative Harris hip score was 58 (46-89), and improved to 86 (70-94) postoperatively. All the femoral head collapsed preoperatively showed that the necrotic size was at least more than 30%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Percutaneous multiple holes decompression combined with autologous BMCs is a new way to treat avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The earlier the stage, the better the result. A randomized prospective study needed to compare with routine core decompression in the future.</p>