Excessive swelling of nerve roots : Important factor for recurring sciatica after lumbar surgery.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of unexpectedly swollen nerve roots and to investigate the relationship between nerve root edema and recurrent radicular pain.

Methods: During the period from August 2010 to August 2015, a total of 462 patients with degenerative lumbar disease underwent surgery in this study group. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the details of the nerve root.

Restoration of the spinopelvic sagittal balance in isthmic spondylolisthesis: posterior lumbar interbody fusion may be better than posterolateral fusion.

Background Context: More and more orthopedic surgeons recognize the importance of the sagittal balance of the spine.

Purpose: To analyze the pre- and postoperative sagittal and deformity parameters of low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis and evaluate the effect of posterolateral fusion (PLF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) on spinopelvic sagittal balance.

Study Design: Nonrandomized controlled prospective study with a historical control.

Changes in autophagy proteins in a rat model of spinal cord injury.

Objective: Autophagy is involved in several neurodegenerative diseases and recently its role in acute brain injury has won increasing interest. Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) often lead to permanent neurological deficit. Therefore, in this study, we examined the pro?les of autophagy-linked proteins (MAP-LC3) after SCI to investigate whether the expression of autophagy contributes to neurological deficit after SCI.

Laminoplasty versus conservative treatment for acute cervical spinal cord injury caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament after minor trauma.

Background Context: No reports to date have accurately evaluated the management for acute spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) after minor trauma.

Purpose: To assess whether outcomes of laminoplasty is better than conservative treatment.

Study Design/setting: A retrospective study.

Influence of the posterior lumbar interbody fusion on the sagittal spino-pelvic parameters in isthmic L5-S1 spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Prospective study of the sagittal spino-pelvic parameters and deformity parameters in low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis preoperation and postoperation.

Objective: To better understand how the surgery influences sagittal spino-pelvic alignment in low-grade spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: Over the past decade, the importance of the sagittal spino-pelvic parameters was recognized.

[SOX9 enhanced chondrogenic differentiation potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells through cellular aggregation].

Objective: To explore the effects of transcription factor SOX9 on chondrogenic differentiation potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs).

Methods: hUC-MSCs were harvested from human umbilical cord and their phenotypic characteristics identified by flow cytometry. To confirm their multipotency, hUC-MSCs were induced to differentiate toward adiposity and osteogenesis.

A clinical morphologic study of the C2 pedicle and isthmus.

Purpose: This anatomic, radiographic study investigated locational differences in the C2 pedicle and isthmus [pediculoisthmic component (PIC)] and characterized its narrowest section for clinical application in posterior C2 screw fixation.

Methods: Structures surrounding the transverse foramina of 30 dry C2s and 10 C3s were compared morphologically. Spinal CT scans of 32 Chinese adults were subjected to volume rendering and multiplanar reconstruction to identify the narrowest C2 PIC, and correlative parameters were measured and analyzed.

Protective effects of two constituents of Chinese herbs on spinal motor neurons from embryonic rats with hypoxia injury.

Neuroprotective agents are becoming significant tools in the repair of central nervous system injuries. In this study, we determined whether ginkgolides (Gin, extract of GinkgoBiloba) and Acanthopanax senticosus saponins (ASS, flavonoids extracted from Acanthopanax herbal preparations) have protective effects on rat spinal cords exposed to anoxia and we explored the mechanisms that underlie the protective effects. Spinal motor neurons (SMNs) from rat spinal cords were obtained and divided into five groups with 10 wells in each group.

Combination of skull traction with posterior C1-2 fusion for old C1-2 dislocations.

Between January 2003 and December 2009, 23 patients who had suffered old C1-2 dislocations, were surgically treated in our orthopedics department. Fifteen patients underwent direct posterior C1-2 fusion following pre-operative reduction by skull traction. In eight patients, reduction was achieved only by skull traction under general anesthesia, facilitated by manual hyperextension of the cervical spine and maintained by simultaneous posterior C1-2 fusion.

Evaluation of an injectable silk fibroin enhanced calcium phosphate cement loaded with human recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 in ovine lumbar interbody fusion.

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an injectable calcium phosphate cement/silk fibroin/human recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 composite (CPC/SF/rhBMP-2) in an ovine interbody fusion model. Twenty-four mature sheep underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion at the levels of L1/2, L3/4, and L5/6 with random implantation of CPC/SF, CPC/rhBMP-2, CPC/SF/rhBMP-2, or autogenous iliac bone. After the sheep were sacrificed, the fusion segments were evaluated by manual palpation, CT scan, undestructive biomechanical testing, undecalcified histology, and histomorphology.

Surgical treatment of chronic C1-C2 dislocation with absence of odontoid process using C1 hooks with C2 pedicle screws: a case report and review of literature.

Study Design: A case report. OBJECTIVE.: A rare case of chronic C1-C2 dislocation with absence of odontoid process that underwent posterior C1-C2 arthrodesis using C1 hooks and C2 pedicle screws.

[Construction of lentiviral vector containing SOX9 gene and its expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells].

Objective: To construct the lentiviral vector containing SOX9 gene and to detect its expression in MSCs derived from rabbit bone marrow.

Methods: Human sox-9 gene coding region fragment was obtained by RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) and then cloned into the plasmid of Pwpxl-MOD2 to form Pwpxl-MOD2/SOX9. Pwpxl-MOD2/SOX9, pRsv-REV, pMDlg-Prre and pMD2G were co-transfected into 293T cells to obtain recombinant virus containing SOX9 gene.

[Open-door laminoplasty for the treatment of failed anterior cervical spine surgery].

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of open-door laminoplasty for the treatment of failed anterior cervical spine surgery.

Methods: From February 2003 to June 2009, 15 patients underwent open-door laminoplasty for the failed anterior cervical spine surgery. The causes of revision and the progression of disease were analyzed.

Comparison of the mini-midvastus with the mini-medial parapatellar approach in primary TKA.

A prospective randomized study was performed to compare the clinical and radiological results of primary total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) using a mini-midvastus approach or a mini-medial parapatellar approach in 134 patients. The mini-midvastus approach was used on 68 patients (group A) and the mini-medial parapatellar approach on 66 patients (group B). All knees were implanted with the same posterior-stabilized prosthesis by the same surgeon (T.

Spinal extradural arachnoid cyst following percutaneous vertebroplasty.

We report a rare complication of extradural arachnoid cyst following percutaneous vertebroplasty in a spinal metastasis patient. Percutaneous vertebroplasty has been established as a safe and effective treatment for osteoporotic vertebral fractures and vertebral metastatic lesions. To our knowledge, extradural arachnoid cyst following vertebroplasty has not been reported in literature.

Outcome of thoracolumbar burst fractures treated with indirect reduction and fixation without fusion.

Indirect reduction and fixation is not a new method in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures but the indications and efficacy are controversial. The current study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of indirect reduction without fusion. Sixty-four patients with single-level thoracolumbar burst fractures were identified and treated by this method.

[Balloon kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with osteonecrosis].

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of the percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with osteonecrosis.

Methods: The clinical data of 31 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures associated with osteonecrosis from January 2005 to January 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 13 male and 18 female in this study.

[Unilateral versus bilateral balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of multi-vertebral osteoporotic compression fractures].

Objective: To comparatively study the efficacy and safety of unilateral and bilateral balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of painful multi-vertebral osteoporotic compression fractures.

Methods: From May 2002 to June 2007, 41 consecutive patients with painful multi-vertebral osteoporotic compression fractures underwent unilateral or bilateral kyphoplasty. The unilateral group included 3 male and 14 female with an average age of 70.

Results after surgical treatment of transtectal transverse acetabular fractures.

Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the results of operative treatment of transtectal transverse fractures of the acetabulum.

Methods: From May 1990 to July 2006, 40 patients with displaced transtectal transverse fracture of the acetabulum were treated surgically. A mean postoperative follow-up of 88.

Use of an integrated anterior cervical plate and cage device (PCB) in cervical anterior fusion.

The aim of this study is to evaluate an integrated cage and plate device (the plate cage Benezech, PCB) filled with autogenous bone in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The fused segment height, lordosis, and fusion were assessed by postoperative radiographic examination at different intervals. Patients were evaluated using Odom's criteria and the Short Form (SF)-36 Health Survey questionnaire.

Efficacy of surgery and type of fusion in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) can be treated by several surgical procedures. However, the choice of procedure and use of instrumentation remain controversial. In this retrospective study of 81 patients with DLSS, 43 patients received decompression and posterolateral fusion without instrumentation, and the surgery for 38 patients was supplemented with posterior transpedicular screw fixation.

[Preliminary experiences in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion].

Objective: To explore clinical application of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the management of lumbar disorders and discuss its indications, surgical techniques and clinical effectiveness.

Methods: From Jan 2005 to Dec 2006, 31 selected patients (22 males and 9 females, aged from 41 to 63 years) with degenerative lumbar diseases were treated with minimally invasive TLIF assisted by METRx X-Tube micro-endoscopy system. The index diagnosis was lumbar disc herniation with Lumbar spinal stenosis in 7, lumbar disc herniation with segmental instability in 16, grade 1 to 2 of lumbar spondylolisthesis in 8.

Two-year follow-up results after treatment of lumbar instability with titanium-coated fusion system.

Objective:   The purpose of this prospective clinical trial, with a minimum two-year follow-up, was to evaluate the clinical effects of a titanium-coated lumbar interbody fusion system in the treatment of lumbar instability.

Methods:   The study cohort consisted of 94 patients with lumbar instability who accepted posterior lumbar interbody fusion with a titanium-coated fusion system. The patients were examined at the sixth, 12th and 24th month postoperatively.

Long-term results of thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures after short-segment pedicle instrumentation, with special reference to implant failure and correction loss.

Objective: To assess the long-term results of short-segment pedicle instrumentation for thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures.

Methods:  From February 1987 to June 1995, 89 patients with thoracolumbar or lumbar burst fracture were treated with short-segment pedicle instrumentation, and 68 (76.4%) of them were followed up for an average of 8.