Clinical Case Report of Expansive Laminoplasty for Cervical Myelopathy Due to Both Disc Herniation and Developmental Cervical Spinal Canal Stenosis in Older Adolescents.

Reports on adolescent patients with cervical myelopathy who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion are scarce. However, to our knowledge, no cases of expansive laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy associated with progressive neurological deficit after a series of conservative treatment, caused by both disc herniation and developmental cervical spinal canal stenosis, have been reported.From January 2006 to July 2012, we retrospectively studied 3 patients in late adolescence presenting with cervical myelopathy who underwent expansive unilateral open-door laminoplasty at our hospital.

An Approach to Primary Tumors of the Upper Cervical Spine With Spondylectomy Using a Combined Approach: Our Experience With 19 Cases.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To examine the link between major complications, surgical techniques, and perioperative care in the intralesional spondylectomy of the upper cervical spine.

Summary Of Background Data: Spondylectomy has been demonstrated to prolong cancer-free survival in many patients with locally aggressive spinal tumors.

Primary tumors of the spine: a review of clinical features in 438 patients.

Primary spinal tumors are rare. Current knowledge on this subject is therefore limited due to the lack of study with large cohort. This study is prompted to share our data on clinical profiles of primary spinal tumors collected from a large series of patients.

Circumferential decompression via the posterior approach for the surgical treatment of multilevel thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligaments: a single institution comparative study.

Background: The treatment strategies for multilevel thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligaments (T-OPLL) were rarely reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes and complications of circumferential decompression for multilevel T-OPLL and compare two different methods in the management of the OPLL (resection or floating).

Methods: Data of sequentially treated patients who received surgical treatment for thoracic spinal stenosis caused by multilevel T-OPLL from January 2005 to February 2012 were retrospectively reviewed.

Chordomas of the upper cervical spine: clinical characteristics and surgical management of a series of 21 patients.

Background: Chordomas of the upper cervical spine are rare and present unique surgical challenge. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and surgical management of patients with chordomas of the upper cervical spine.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with chordomas of the upper cervical spine who were treated in Peking University Third Hospital from January 1999 to October 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.

Novel surgical classification and treatment strategy for atlantoaxial dislocations.

Study Design: Retrospective study of 904 patients with a diagnosis of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD), using a novel surgical classification and treatment strategy.

Objective: To describe a novel surgical classification and treatment strategy for AADs.

Summary Of Background Data: AADs can result from a variety of etiologies, yet no comprehensive classification has been accepted that guides treatment.

Anterior approach versus posterior approach for the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes, complications, and surgical trauma between anterior and posterior approaches for the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for randomized controlled trials or non-randomized controlled trials that compared anterior and posterior surgical approaches for the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Simvastatin mobilizes bone marrow stromal cells migrating to injured areas and promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury in the rat.

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of simvastatin administered by subarachnoid injection after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats; explored the underlying mechanism from the perspective of mobilization, migration and homing of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) to the injured area induced by simvastatin. Green fluorescence protein labeled-bone marrow stromal cells (GFP-BMSCs) were transplanted into rats through the tail vein for stem cell tracing. Twenty-four hours after transplantation, spinal cord injury (SCI) was produced using weight-drop method (10g 4cm) at the T10 level.

Stro-1(+) stromal cells have stem-like features in giant cell tumor of bone.

Background: Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is an aggressive benign bone tumor with poor prognosis whose neoplastic component is stromal cells (SCs). Tumor stem-like cells (TSCs) have been demonstrated as precursors for tumor genesis and growth. The aim of this study is to identify TSCs in GCTB.

Simvastatin induces estrogen receptor-alpha expression in bone, restores bone loss, and decreases ERα expression and uterine wet weight in ovariectomized rats.

We previously reported that simvastatin induces estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) in murine bone marrow stromal cells in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effect of simvastatin on ERα expression in bone and uterus in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and evaluated bone mass, bone strength, and uterine wet weight. Three-month-old Sprague-Dawley female rats received OVX or sham operation.

Interferon alfa-2b for recurrent and metastatic giant cell tumor of the spine: report of two cases.

Study Design: Case report.

Objective: To demonstrate that interferon alfa-2b is a therapeutic option for obtaining long-term control of recurrent and metastatic giant cell tumor of spine.

Summary Of Background Data: Interferon alfa served as angiogenesis inhibitor and has been successfully used to treat giant cell tumor of long bones and facial bones.

Simvastatin treatment improves functional recovery after experimental spinal cord injury by upregulating the expression of BDNF and GDNF.

The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of simvastatin treatment starting 1 day after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rat and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Spinal cord injury was induced in adult female Sprague-Dawley rats after laminectomy at T9-T10. Then additionally with sham group (laminectomy only) the SCI animals were randomly divided into 3 groups: vehicle-treated group; 5-mg/kg simvastatin-treated group; and 10-mg/kg simvastatin-treated group.

Differential proteomic profiling of chordomas and analysis of prognostic factors.

Background: The recurrence rate of chordoma is high, and the prognosis is poor.

Methods: Differential proteomic analysis was performed on chordomas and adjacent normal tissues, with verification by Western blot. Protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of 37 chordomas.

[Analysis of veracity of the C1 lateral mass screw insertion in the atlantoaxial fixation].

Objective: To evaluate the veracity of the C1 lateral mass screw insertion in the atlantoaxial fixation using plate and screw method without A-P fluoroscopic guiding.

Methods: In the atlantoaxial fixation, without A-P fluoroscopic guiding, we probe lateral mass edge and identify the entrance point of C1 lateral mass screw indirectly. 159 patients treated with atlantoaxial fixation using plate and screw method were studied.

Simvastatin induces estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) in murine bone marrow stromal cells.

Simvastatin has been shown to stimulate osteogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism by which simvastatin exerts its effects is still unclear. We previously reported that simvastatin promotes bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) expression, induces osteoblastic differentiation, and inhibits adipocytic differentiation in mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), and that this occurs, at least in part, via a BMP-2-dependent pathway.

[Qualitative diagnosis and therapeutic strategy of atlanto-axial tuberculosis].

Objective: To investigate the qualitative diagnosis method of atlanto-axial tuberculosis and the corresponding therapeutic strategy.

Methods: Twenty-two cases with atlanto-axial tuberculosis proven by histopathologic diagnosis were observed. Three cases and 17 cases underwent trans-oral biopsy and CT-guide percutaneous biopsy respectively, 2 cases were conformed by frozen section in operation.

Atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation with morselized autograft and without additional internal fixation: technical description and report of 57 cases.

Study Design: Retrospective clinical and radiologic evaluation of posterior C1-C2 fusion by transarticular screw (TAS) with morselized autograft and without additional internal fixation.

Objective: Description and assessment of a modified Magerl technique.

Summary Of Background Data: The majority of spine surgeons prefer to supplement the posterior TAS with a posterior cable-secured strut graft and a postoperative rigid cervical orthosis.

Treatment of cervical dislocation with locked facets.

Background: Lower cervical dislocation with locked facets is common in cervical injury. The locked facets include unilateral and bilateral types. Different successful closed reduction rates has been achieved between unilateral and bilateral types by using rapid skull traction, which was commonly used to reduce the cervical dislocation.

Icariine stimulates proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts by increasing production of bone morphogenetic protein 2.

Background: Icariine is a flavonoid isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium pubescens and is the main active compound of it. Recently, Epimedium pubescens was found to have a therapeutic effect on osteoporosis. But the mechanism is unclear.

[X-ray measurement of cervical spinal canal in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis].

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of high occurrence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy in the patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and the relationship between these two diseases.

Methods: Lateral radiographic plain films were made on 68 cases with degenerative lumbar spine stenosis 23 males and 45 females, aged 50.0 (22 - 69).

[Single-stage combined anterior-posterior instrumentation for multiple level cervical spine fractures].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of single-stage combined anterior-posterior instrumentation for treatment of multiple level cervical spine fractures.

Methods: Nine patients with multiple-level fractures of the cervical spine, 8 males and 1 female aged 24 - 63, underwent ingle-stage combined anterior-posterior instrumentation. Seven patients with multiple contiguous fractures of the cervical spine were treated with anterior decompression and plating combined with posterior cervical lateral mass screw fixation; and 2 patients with non-contiguous cervical fractures, both with type II odontoid fracture and lower cervical fracture, were treated with both anterior odontoid screw and posterior cervical lateral mass screw fixation.

[Lumbar interbody fusion using autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-calcium phosphate ceramic composite in rhesus monkey].

Objective: To determine the osteogenic capacity of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-calcium phosphate ceramic composites in vitro and implanted as a bone graft substitute for lumbar anterior interbody fusion in rhesus monkeys.

Methods: From March 2003 to April 2005, 9 adult rhesus monkeys underwent lumbar L(3 - 4) and L(5 - 6) discectomy and interbody fusion via an anterior retroperitoneal approach. Two fusion sites in each animal were randomly assigned to two of three treatments: autogenous tricortical iliac crest bone graft (autograft group, n = 6) or cell-free ceramic graft (ceramic group, n = 6) or BMSCs-ceramic composite graft (BMSCs group, n = 6).

[The effect of early diagnosis of recurrence and revision after resection of primary spine tumors].

Objective: To explore the effect of early diagnosis of recurrence and early revision after resection of primary spine tumors.

Methods: From March 1989 to September 2005, the relate clinic data of 55 patients with giant cell tumors, osteoblastomas, chondrosarcomas and chordomas in spine in big piecemeal and current fashion was analysed.

Results: In 55 cases, 43 patients were followed up and had complete materials.

[Reliability of direct probing isthmus of axial vertebrae to defining the screw path in atlas during Magerl technique].

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and reliability of atlantoaxial transarticular screw insertion (Magerl's technique) in atlas under lateral fluoroscopic monitoring without anteroposterior view.

Method: Seventy-five consecutive patients with atlantoaxial instability, 48 males and 27 females, aged 35.1, were treated by Magerl's technique.

[Clinical characteristics and treatment of flexion-distraction stage I injuries in subaxial cervical spine].

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics and treatment of flexion-distraction stage I injuries in subaxial cervical spine.

Methods: Twelve cases of flexion-distraction stage I injuries with delayed symptoms, admitted in our hospital between January 1995 and December 2004, were studied retrospectively. In acute phase, all of 12 cases had neck pain and limited neck movements, neurological deficits were found in 6 of 12 cases.