Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation From Adults to Children: A Review.

Neuromodulation via spinal stimulation is a promising therapy that can augment the neuromuscular capacity for voluntary movements, standing, stepping, and posture in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The spinal locomotor-related neuronal network known as a central pattern generator (CPG) can generate a stepping-like motor output in the absence of movement-related afferent signals from the limbs. Using epidural stimulation (EP) in conjunction with activity-based locomotor training (ABLT), the neural circuits can be neuromodulated to facilitate the recovery of locomotor functions in persons with SCI. Recently, transcutaneous spinal stimulation (scTS) has been developed as a noninvasive alternative to EP. Early studies of scTS at thoracolumbar, coccygeal, and cervical regions have demonstrated its effectiveness in producing voluntary leg movements, posture control, and independent standing and improving upper extremity function in adults with chronic SCI. In pediatric studies, the technology of spinal neuromodulation is not yet widespread. There are a limited number of publications reporting on the use of scTS in children and adolescents with either cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or SCI.

Abdominal pseudohernia in a child after surgical correction of congenital scoliosis: case report.

Abdominal wall relaxation is a rare complication of various surgical procedures or diseases, when the intercostal or upper lumbar nerves are affected, and the innervation of the muscles of the abdominal wall is damaged. The result is a mass that can visually mimic a ventral hernia. We present a clinical case and the results of a literature review on this topic. Clinical case: The 2 years 5 months patient diagnosed with a congenital deformity of the spine (posterolateral hemivertebra) underwent extraction of the hemivertebra from the retroperitoneal approach. In the postoperative period, a pseudohernial protrusion of the anterior abdominal wall was observed. 4.5 months later the protrusion resolved spontaneously. Discussion: Abdominal wall relaxation is studied worldwide and is presented primarily as clinical case reports, mainly in older patients with neurological diseases. Single cases of this pathology are described among children. The Th10-Th12 roots are most often affected. Possible manifestations include: bloating and abdominal pain, pseudo-obstruction of the small and/or large intestine, and constipation. In the described case, only unilateral bloating at rest was observed, which increased with crying and strain. The natural course and prognosis of this diagnosis are usually favorable-the recovery period, according to the literature, takes an average of 4-5 months, which also coincided with our case. Conclusion: Pseudohernias are a rare complication and may can occur during correction of spinal deformities in children. This condition is a transient disorder of the anterior abdominal wall muscles, the cause of which may be neuropathy caused by infection, metabolic disorders, or mechanical damage. The main principles of treatment of this condition include active observation and symptomatic therapy. The prognosis is usually favorable.

The results of surgical treatment of preschool and primary school age children with congenital deformation of the spine in isolated hemivertebra: Comparative analysis.

Introduction: Despite a detailed study of the natural development of congenital spinal deformity in an isolated hemivertebra and the methods of surgical correction of this pathology, some issues remain unresolved. The age at which the surgical correction of congenital spinal deformity should be performed is a controversial issue among specialists dealing with this problem. The aim of the work was to conduct a comparative analysis of the results of spinal deformity correction in children with congenital kyphoscoliosis with an isolated hemivertebra of preschool and primary school age. Materials and methods: The study involved 26 patients aged from 1 year 9 months to 9 years 6 months (10 girls and 16 boys) with congenital kyphoscoliosis caused by an isolated hemivertebra. The patients underwent surgical interventions of partial or complete resection of the hemivertebra with adjacent intervertebral discs from the dorsal or combined approach, correction, and stabilization of congenital deformity of the spine with a posterior multi-support metal structure. All the patients were divided into two groups by age: the first group-children under 4 years old (14 children), and the second group-children of 6 years and older (12 children). Results: Metal fixation during surgical treatment in children of primary school and preschool ages was carried out in the majority of cases in a polysegmental manner. Regarding the approach for surgical treatment, it can be noted that in the 2nd group of patients, preference was more often given to the dorsal surgical approach. The duration of the surgical intervention and the amount of blood loss between different age groups did not have statistically significant differences. In the group of children of preschool age, in three cases, the destabilization of the metal structure was noted in the early postoperative period when control radiographs were performed after surgical treatment. In the group of older children, after surgical treatment, the spinal dysplastic deformity above or below the zone of metal fixation was detected in three cases. Conclusion: The effectiveness of surgical treatment of congenital deformity was significantly higher in children of the younger age group compared to school-age patients.

Hypothetical Role of Growth Factors to Reduce Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Significantly through Trained Biological Transformations.

BACKGROUND: Given the evidence of little or no therapeutic benefit of injection-based growth factor therapies, it has been proposed that a naturally triggered uninterrupted blood circulation of the growth factors would be superior. OBJECTIVE: We seek to stimulate discussions and more research about the possibility of using the already available growth factors found in the prostate gland and endometrium by starting novel educable physiology, known as biological transformations controlled by the mind. METHODS: We summarized the stretch-gated ion channel mechanism of the cell membrane and offer several practical methods that can be applied by anyone, in order to stimulate and enhance the blood circulation of the growth factors from the seminal fluid to sites throughout the body. This study describes, in detail, the practical application of our earlier published studies about biological transformations. RESULTS: A previously reported single-patient case study has been extended, adding more from his personal experiences to continually improve this novel physiological training and extending the ideas from our earlier findings in detail. CONCLUSION: The biological transformation findings demonstrate the need for additional research to establish the benefits of these natural therapies to repair and rejuvenate tissues affected by various chronic diseases or aging processes.

Updated Understanding of the Degenerative Disc Diseases - Causes Versus Effects - Treatments, Studies and Hypothesis.

BACKGROUND: In this review we survey medical treatments and research strategies, and we discuss why they have failed to cure degenerative disc diseases or even slow down the degenerative process. OBJECTIVE: We seek to stimulate discussion with respect to changing the medical paradigm associated with treatments and research applied to degenerative disc diseases. METHOD PROPOSAL: We summarize a Biological Transformation therapy for curing chronic inflammations and degenerative disc diseases, as was previously described in the book Biological Transformations controlled by the Mind Volume 1. PRELIMINARY STUDIES: A single-patient case study is presented that documents complete recovery from an advanced lumbar bilateral discopathy and long-term hypertrophic chronic rhinitis by application of the method proposed. CONCLUSION: Biological transformations controlled by the mind can be applied by men and women in order to improve their quality of life and cure degenerative disc diseases and chronic inflammations illnesses.

Updated Understanding of Cancer as a Metabolic and Telomere-Driven Disease, and Proposal for Complex Personalized Treatment, a Hypothesis.

In this review, we propose a holistic approach to understanding cancer as a metabolic disease. Our search for relevant studies in medical databases concludes that cancer cells do not evolve directly from normal healthy cells. We hypothesize that aberrant DNA damage accumulates over time-avoiding the natural DNA controls that otherwise repair or replace the rapidly replicating cells. DNA damage starts to accumulate in non-replicating cells, leading to senescence and aging. DNA damage is linked with genetic and epigenetic factors, but the development of cancer is favored by telomerase activity. Evidence indicates that telomere length is affected by chronic inflammations, alterations of mitochondrial DNA, and various environmental factors. Emotional stress also influences telomere length. Chronic inflammation can cause oxidative DNA damage. Oxidative stress, in turn, can trigger mitochondrial changes, which ultimately alter nuclear gene expression. This vicious cycle has led several scientists to view cancer as a metabolic disease. We have proposed complex personalized treatments that seek to correct multiple changes simultaneously using a psychological approach to reduce chronic stress, immune checkpoint therapy with reduced doses of chemo and radiotherapy, minimal surgical intervention, if any, and mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming protocols supplemented by intermittent fasting and personalized dietary plans without interfering with the other therapies.

Comparing the Treatment of Congenital Spine Deformity Using Freehand Techniques In Vivo and 3D-Printed Templates In Vitro (Prospective-Retrospective Single-Center Analytical Single-Cohort Study).

INTRODUCTION: Hemivertebrae excision with local posterior instrumentation is the most common technique for treatment of patients with congenital spine deformity-it is performed at a very young age. We conducted a comparative analysis for accuracy of pedicle screw positioning in infants with congenital scoliosis of the thoracolumbar area inserted using freehand technique in vivo and 3D-printed guiding templates in vitro. METHODS: The study analyzes the results of 10 surgically treated patients with congenital deformity of the thoracolumbar spine due to vertebrae failure of formation. These patients were included in group 1 (in vivo) comprising six boys and four girls with a mean age of 3 years 8 months (2 years 2 months-6 years 8 month). Group 2 (in vitro) consisted of 27 plastic 3D-printed models of congenitally deformed spine of the same 10 patients in which screws were placed using 3D-printed guiding templates. The accuracy of screw position was assessed using computer tomography data performed postoperatively with Gertzbein-Robbins classification. RESULTS: Results of our study show that screw insertion using 3D-printed guiding templates during surgical treatment of infants with congenital spine deformities is more accurate than using freehand technique (96.3% vs. 78.8% p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: The data show that this method of screw insertion is very promising and can be used in surgical treatment of infants with congenital spine deformities.

Diagnosis and treatment of diastematomyelia in children: a perspective cohort study.

Study design: Cohort study. Objectives: The objectives of this study were examination, observation and surgical interventions of pediatric patients with diastematomyelia, a rare congenital deformity of the spinal cord. Setting: Spine surgery and neurosurgery clinic under ministry of health, the Russian Federation. Methods: Twenty children (1-18 years of age) with diastematomyelia participated in this study. Diagnosis was based on subjects' medical history, results of clinical examination, spine radiography in anteroposterior and lateral views, and neurophysiological examinations. Septum resection surgery was done in seventeen subjects. Results: All the subjects had skin manifestations along the midline of the back. Neurological symptoms were noted in 17 subjects: paraparesis in 11, urinary incontinence in 2, monoparesis in 4, and spasticity in 2 subjects. Three subjects did not show any neurological deficit. Orthopedic examination revealed spinal deformities of various degrees of severity. In 4 subjects, partial restorations of neurological functions were observed; and in 1 subject, bladder incontinence developed after the surgery. Conclusions: Patients who have limb length discrepancy, congenital scoliosis, skin manifestations should be examined for the presence of diastematomyelia. Patients having neither neurological deficit nor orthopedic deterioration should be monitored, and in case of deterioration, surgical treatment should be reserved. We advocate for performing resection of the septum in patients with diastematomyelia prior to surgical correction of scoliosis or orthopedic correction of lower limb deformities.