Extraforaminal lumbar synovial cyst causing sudden foot drop: case report.

A 52-year-old female presented with extraforaminal lumbar synovial cyst at the L4-5 level causing sudden foot drop on the right. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and coronal MR myelography source images identified the cystic mass in the extraforaminal zone. The patient underwent microdecompression via a lateral transmuscular route, and the extraforaminal cyst compressing L4 ganglion was successfully removed.

Microdecompression for extraforaminal L5-s1 disc herniation; the significance of concomitant foraminal disc herniation for postoperative leg pain.

Objective: To analyze the relationship of concomitant foraminal lumbar disc herniation (FLDH) with postoperative leg pain after microdecompression for extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation (EFLDH) at the L5-S1 level.

Methods: Sixty-five patients who underwent microdecompression for symptomatic EFLDH at the L5-S1 level were enrolled. According to the severity of accompanying FLDH, EFLDH was classified into four categories (Class I : no FLDH; Class II : mild to moderate FLDH confined within a lateral foraminal zone; Class III : severe FLDH extending to a medial foraminal zone; Class IV : Class III with intracanalicular disc herniation).

Patterned array of nanoparticles on substrates via contact printing method with CNTs/AAO stamp.

Patterned arrays of Fe oxide nanoparticles were transferred via contact printing method on a substrate surface using carbon nanotubes embedded in anodic aluminum oxide (CNTs/AAO) as a stamp, in which vertically aligned CNTs in hexagonally patterned array was first fabricated by chemical vapor deposition into the AAO, followed by a partial chemical etching to expose the CNTs from the AAO. Fe precursor inked CNTs stamp was contact-printed on a Pt-coated Si substrate, and after heat treatment at 200 degrees C, patterned array of Fe oxide nanoparticles with ca. 80 nm of diameter and ca.

High performance thin film transistor with ZnO channel layer deposited by DC magnetron sputtering.

Research in large area electronics, especially for low-temperature plastic substrates, focuses commonly on limitations of the semiconductor in thin film transistors (TFTs), in particular its low mobility. ZnO is an emerging example of a semiconductor material for TFTs that can have high mobility, while a-Si and organic semiconductors have low mobility (<1 cm2/Vs). ZnO-based TFTs have achieved high mobility, along with low-voltage operation low off-state current, and low gate leakage current.

Removal of discal cyst using percutaneous working channel endoscope via transforaminal route.

Discal cyst is a very rare lesion that can cause refractory low back pain and radiating leg pain. Although there are some reports to remove this lesion, there has been no report of discal cyst removed by percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal approach. Two young patients manifested left gluteal and leg pain due to a discal cyst at L5-S1 level and L4-5 level, respectively.

Usefulness of renal volume measurements obtained by a 3-dimensional sonographic transducer with matrix electronic arrays.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of 3-dimensional (3D) sonography using a matrix array transducer to measure renal volume.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with a normal serum creatinine level and kidney appearance on computed tomography (CT) performed within 2 months before sonography were enrolled in this study. Two hundred individual renal volumes were blindly obtained by the ellipsoid formula, the stacked ellipse method, the voxel count method using routine 2-dimensional (2D) sonographic data, 3D sonographic data using a matrix array transducer, and CT data, respectively.

Biomechanical evaluation of an interspinous stabilizing device, Locker.

Study Design: A biomechanical study.

Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical properties of a novel dynamic interspinous device named Locke

Summary Of Background Data: There has been no biomechanical study on this device.

Methods: Five human cadaveric lumbar spine specimens (L2-S1) were tested in the following sequence: (1) intact state; (2) after removal of the interspinous ligaments of L3-L4; (3) after application of the Locker at the interspinous space; (4) after destabilization of the L3-L4 motion segments; and (5) after reapplication of the Locker to the destabilized segments.

Effects of sildenafil on oxidative and inflammatory injuries of the kidney in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Because sildenafil citrate (Viagra) has variable cardiovascular benefits, including antioxidative and immunomodulating effects, we investigated its influence on oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic rat kidney.

Methods: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats received sildenafil (3 mg/kg/day in drinking water) or not (undosed water) for 8 weeks and were compared to age-matched nondiabetic animals.

Learning curve for percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is one of the surgical options for soft lumbar disk herniation, but the learning curve is perceived to be steep. The first 51 PELD cases performed for single-level intracanalicular lumbar disk herniation causing radiculopathy by the same surgeon were prospectively studied. The patients were divided into 3 groups of 17 patients, and the PELD learning curve was assessed by evaluating operating time, failure rate, complication rate, and 1-year reherniation rate.

Single-level instrumented mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in elderly patients.

Object: The purpose of this study was to analyze the surgical outcomes in cases involving elderly patients who underwent single-level instrumented mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective review of 27 consecutive cases involving elderly patients (> or = 65 years of age) who underwent single-level instrumented mini-open TLIF and were followed up for at least 3 years. Degenerative spondylolisthesis was diagnosed in 16 patients, stenosis with instability in 8, and lytic spondylolisthesis in 3.

Predictive factors for subsequent vertebral fracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Object: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive factors for subsequent vertebral fracture occurring after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) at the neighboring levels (adjacent vs nonadjacent levels).

Methods: The medical records of 508 consecutive patients treated with PVP between January 2000 and December 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 45 patients with 49 painful vertebral fractures occurring after PVP was identified based on clinical and radiological findings.

Anterior revision of a dislocated ProDisc prosthesis at the L4-5 level.

Study Design: A case report describing our experience with anterior revision surgery for a dislocated ProDisc artificial disc at the L4-5 level, 2.5 years after the initial surgery.

Objective: To highlight the difficulties and risks associated with the use of a repeat anterior approach for the revision of a ProDisc that has failed at the L4-5 level.

Renal ACE and ACE2 expression in early diabetic rats.

Background/aim: The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-related carboxypeptidase-2 (ACE2) in the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system is not well characterized. This study investigated the changes in the expression of ACE and ACE2 in the kidney in early diabetic rats.

Methods: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were examined.

Investigation of the SH3BP2 gene mutation in cherubism.

Cherubism is a rare developmental lesion of the jaw that is generally inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Recent studies have revealed point mutations in the SH3BP2 gene in cherubism patients. In this study, we examined a 6-year-old Korean boy and his family.

Percutaneous endoscopic approach for highly migrated intracanal disc herniations by foraminoplastic technique using rigid working channel endoscope.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis of 59 patients operated for excision of soft highly migrated intracanal lumbar disc herniations by percutaneous endoscopic foraminoplasty.

Objective: To describe a safe and effective percutaneous endoscopic technique for removal of migrated herniations and report the results on the basis of modified MacNab criteria.

Summary Of Background Data: Migrated herniations pose a great challenge even for experienced endoscopic surgeons.

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor accelerates recovery of mouse small intestinal mucosa after radiation damage.

Purpose: To determine whether systemically administered recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) accelerates the recovery of mouse small intestinal mucosa after irradiation.

Methods And Materials: A mouse mucosal damage model was established by administering radiation to male BALB/c mice with a single dose of 15 Gy applied to the abdomen. After irradiation, rhEGF was administered subcutaneously at various doses (0.

Peroxiredoxin I is an indicator of microglia activation and protects against hydrogen peroxide-mediated microglial death.

Imbalance between oxidative stress and antioxidative defence system is generally known as one of mechanisms causing an oxidative stress-medieated neuropathogenesis. Peroxiredoxins (Prxs), a family of antioxidative enzymes neutralizing cellular hydroperoxides, was characterized recently, but their distributions and roles have not been resolved clearly or controversial in the central nervous system, Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the specific cell types that express Prx I in the mouse brain and primary neural cells, and to examine its antioxidative role in the preferential cell types. Immunohistochemical reactivity for Prx I was detected dominantly in oligodendrocytes and rarely in microglia, whereas strong and specific immunoreactivity for Prx I was observed exclusively in microglia of primary neural cell culture.

Anterior debridement and fusion followed by posterior pedicle screw fixation in pyogenic spondylodiscitis: autologous iliac bone strut versus cage.

Object: An anterior approach for debridement and fusion with autologous bone graft has been recommended as the gold standard for surgical treatment of pyogenic spondylodiscitis. The use of anterior foreign body implants at the site of active infection is still a challenging procedure for spine surgeons. Several authors have recently introduced anterior grafting with titanium mesh cages instead of autologous bone strut in the treatment of spondylodiscitis.

Polymorphisms in two genes, IL-1B and ACE, are associated with erythropoietin resistance in Korean patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Genetic polymorphisms may be linked to inter-individual differences in erythropoietin (EPO) resistance. We investigated the -511C/T polymorphism of the IL-1B gene and the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene for any association with EPO resistance index (ERI) in maintenance hemodialysis patients (n=167). Because EPO responsiveness is multi-factorial, we also included other possible influences (age, sex, time on dialysis, ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker use, ferritin, transferrin saturation, intact PTH, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, albumin, Kt/V, and presence of diabetes mellitus) on ERI in our analyses.

Midterm results of percutaneous CT-guided aspiration of symptomatic lumbar discal cysts.

Objective: Lumbar intervertebral discal cysts are rarely reported. To our knowledge, only 12 cases have been reported in the literature. The symptoms are indistinguishable from those of typical discal herniation.

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion for lumbosacral junction in steep sacral slope.

Study Design: Retrospective study of surgical technique and clinical outcome.

Objectives: To examine the technique and outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgery for a lumbosacral junction in a steep sacral slope.

Summary Of Background Data: There are no studies on the outcome and technical pitfalls on ALIF surgery for a lumbosacral junction in a steep sacral slope.

Beta-catenin gene alterations in a variety of so-called calcifying odontogenic cysts.

Calcifying odontogenic cysts (COCs) evidence a variety of histopathological features, in addition to biological behaviors. Several systems have been proposed for the classification of COCs. However, the molecular changes underlying their development remain largely unknown.