Surgical treatment of lumbar ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Report of two cases and description of surgical technique.

The authors report two cases of patients with lumbar ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). One patient underwent surgery via the single posterior approach, and the other patient underwent combined anterior-posterior surgery. The authors consider the anterior approach for excision of the ossified lesion to be the most reasonable for treatment of lumbar OPLL.

Targeted expression of anti-apoptotic protein p35 in oligodendrocytes reduces delayed demyelination and functional impairment after spinal cord injury.

Functional impairment after spinal cord injury (SCI) is attributed to neuronal cell necrosis death and axonotmesis, with further worsening caused by the accompanying apoptosis of myelin-forming oligodendrocytes (OLGs). However, it is unclear as to how much OLG apoptosis contributes to functional impairment. To address this issue, we used transgenic mice characterized by the targeted expression of p35, a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, in OLGs using the cre/loxP system (referred to as cre/p35 transgenic mice).

A transsternoclavicular approach for the anterior decompression and fusion of the upper thoracic spine. Technical note.

The anterior approach is commonly used to reach the upper thoracic region to achieve decompression and stabilization; however, upper thoracic lesions are difficult to treat because of the regional anatomical structures, and this approach is associated with risks of complication. The authors evaluated the advantages of using a transsternoclavicular approach to aid in treating upper thoracic lesions. The procedure and surgery-related outcomes are discussed.