[Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic TESSYS technique for the treatment of bilateral lumbar disc herniation in single segment].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early clinical effects of transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS) for the treatment of bilateral lumbar disc herniation in single segment. METHODS: The clinical data of 38 patients with single-segment bilateral lumbar disc herniation treated by TESSYS technique from February 2016 to February 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 26 males and 12 females, aged from 30 to 55 years old with an average of(35.2±6.4) years, 6 cases of L3,4, 22 cases of L4,5, and 10 cases of L5S11. Using the intervertebral foramen endoscope produced by Joimax GmbH, Germany, under local anesthesia, bilateral puncture to the outside of the intervertebral foramen of the diseased segment, four-stage dilatation catheter to complete the progressive enlargement of the intervertebral foramen, and the ring saw progressively enlarge the intervertebral foramen. The bilateral foramen was placed and the herniated nucleus was removed until the nerve root was completely released. Postoperatively, the patients were reviewed on regular outpatient visits and telephone follow-ups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were compared before operation and after operation at 1, 3, 6, 12 months respectively. At the final follow-up, according to modified MacNab criteria to evaluate the clinical effect. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients underwent successful surgery and were followed up for more than 12 months. The ODI score and VAS score of the lower extremities pain at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation were obviously improved (P<0.05), there was significant difference between 1, 3 months and 6, 12 months after operation(P<0.05), there was no significant difference between 1 and 3 months, between 6 and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). At the final follow-up, according to MacNab criteria, 14 cases got excellent results, 16 good, 4 fair, 2 poor. CONCLUSIONS: Using TESSYS technique to remove the bilateral herniated nucleus from single segment can fully decompress for the nerve root, and can be effectively applied to patients with single-segment bilateral lumbar disc herniation.

The feasibility of inserting a C1 pedicle screw in patients with ponticulus posticus: a retrospective analysis of eleven patients.

BACKGROUND: Ponticulus posticus is a common anatomic variation that can be mistaken for a broad posterior arch during C1 pedicle screw placement. When the atlas lateral mass screws are placed via the posterior arch, injury to the vertebral artery may result. To our knowledge, there are few clinical studies that have analyzed the feasibility of C1 pedicle screw fixation in patients with ponticulus posticus, in clinical practice. PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of inserting a C1 pedicle screw in patients with ponticulus posticus. METHODS: Between January 2008 and January 2012, 11 consecutive patients with atlantoaxial instability, and with a ponticulus posticus at C1, underwent posterior fusion surgery in our institution. According to preoperative computed tomography (CT) reconstruction, a complete ponticulus posticus was found unilaterally in nine patients and bilaterally in two. Postoperative CT reconstructive imaging was performed to assess whether C1 pedicle screw placement was successful. Patients were followed up at regular intervals and evaluated for symptoms of ponticulus posticus syndrome. RESULTS: Thirteen C1 pedicles (atlas vertebral artery groove), each with a complete ponticulus posticus, were successfully inserted with thirteen 3.5- or 4.0-mm diameter pedicle screws, without resection of the bony anomaly. No intraoperative complications (venous plexus, vertebral artery, or spinal cord injury) occurred. The mean follow-up period was 21 (range 14-30) months. Postoperative CT reconstructive images showed that all 13 pedicle screws were inserted in the C1 pedicles without destruction of the atlas pedicle cortical bone. In the follow-up period, none of the patients demonstrated clinical symptoms of ponticulus posticus syndrome or developed bone fusion. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional CT imaging should be considered prior to C1 pedicle screw fixation in patients with ponticulus posticus, to avoid mistaking the ponticulus posticus for a widened dorsal arch of the atlas. If there is no ponticulus posticus syndrome preoperatively, C1 pedicle screw fixation can be successfully performed without removing the bony anomaly.

Neuroprotective effects of allicin on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury via improvement of mitochondrial function in rabbits.

Allicin, the active substance of garlic, exerts a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities and is considered to have potential therapeutic applications. The present study was designed to investigate the beneficial effects of allicin against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and its associated mechanisms. Male New Zealand white rabbits were pretreated with allicin (1, 10 and 50 mg/kg) for two weeks, and exposed to infrarenal aortic occlusion-induced spinal cord I/R injury. We found that allicin significantly reduced the volume of the spinal cord infarctions, improved the histopathologic features and increased the number of motor neurons in a dose-dependent manner. This protection was associated with an improvement in neurological function, which was measured by the hind-limb motor function scores. Furthermore, allicin also significantly suppressed the accumulations of protein and lipid peroxidation products, and increased the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). In addition, allicin treatment preserved the function of mitochondria respiratory chain complexes and inhibited the production of ROS and the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c in the spinal cord of this model. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that allicin exerts neuroprotection against spinal cord I/R injury in rabbits, which may be associated with the improvement of mitochondrial function.