BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation in repair of single segment of thoracolumbar fracture can overcome quadrilateral effect, get better biomechanical properties, meanwhile, it also can provide three-point fixation, reduce suspension effect, and reduce the formation of kyphosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and incidence of complications of the percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of single segment thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS:Totaly 36 patients with single segment thoracolumbar fractures treated by percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation were enroled. A total of 36 vertebral bodies were treated: T11=5, T12=8, L1=17, L2=6. The visual analog scale scores before treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, the Oswestry disability indexes before treatment, at the first week and at the 12th month after treatment, the Cobb angle before treatment, the first day and at the 12th month after treatment were compared and observed. The incidence of complications was recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The visual analog scale scores at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment was significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.001). The Oswestry disability indexes before treatment, at the first week and at the 12th month after treatment were significantly lower those that before treatment (P < 0.001).The Cobb angle before treatment, at the first day and at the 12th month after treatment was significantly smaler than that before treatment (P < 0.001). Only three (8%) patients had complications, including pedicle screw penetrating pedicle into the spinal canal, pedicle screws loosing and the infection in puncture site. These results suggest that percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of single segment thoracolumbar fractures can correct kyphosis, improve the thoracolumbar motion, quickly relieve patient’s back pain, and the incidence of complications is low.

BACKGROUND: It is stil controversial about whether percutaneous vertebroplasty can be as an option for treatment of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures. METHODS: Total y 20 patients who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures between March 2010 and January 2013 were col ected. The variation of visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients was observed before and after the repair. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients were significantly reduced after repair compared with those before repair, moreover, the visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients at the 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after repair were similar. (2) Al patients had no adverse effects and complications. (3) These results suggest that percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures quickly relieves back pain and improves the actives of thoracolumbar segments.

Objective To investigate the effects of mefformin on the differentiation of osteoclastas well as relative mechanism.Methods Raw264.7 cells from the murine macrophage cell line was used.Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) was used to stimulate osteoclast differentiation from Raw264.7 cells.Osteoclast differentiation was assessed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and actin fluorescence staining and counting the TRAP-positive cells after exposure to different concentrations of mefformin (0 μmol/L,400 μmol/L,800 μmol/L and 1000 μmol/L) or rapamicin (100 nmol/L) in the presence of 50 ng/ml RANKL for 5 days.Bone-resorbing activity was evaluated by BD BioCoatTM OsteologicTM Bone Cell Culture System.The expression of osteoclast-specific genes like TRAP,capthesin K,calcitonin receptor (CTR) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) was evaluated by RT-PCR.The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-ct) S6K1Thr389,S6 Ser235/236,4E-BP1Thr37/46 and c-Fos protein was evaluated by ELISA kit and Western blot analysis,respectively.Results Mefformin dose-dependently inhibited RANKL-stimulated osteoclasts differentiation in Raw264.7 cell culture,as manifested by decrease of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells and pit erosion area,down-regulation of TRAP,cathepsin K,CTR and MMP-9 mRNA and reduction of TNF-α and c-Fos protein expression.Further study revealed that RANKL activated mTOR complex 1(mTORC1) signaling,while mefformin impaired RANKL-stimulated mTORC1 signaling.Rapamycin,an mTORCl-specific inhibitor and immunosuppressive macrolides could also prevent RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro.Conclusion Mefformin inhibits osteoclastogenesis in vitro,which may due to reduction of TNF-α and c-Fos protein expression,and mTORC1 signaling is involved in this process.

Objective To investigate the clinical results of selective decompression and short-segment fusion with fixation for symptomatic degenerative lumbar stenosis combined with lumbar scoliosis.Methods All of 30 patients from Jul.2008 to Oct.2013 were recruited for this retrospective study.There were 11 males and 19 females,whose mean age was 60.3±12.7 years.The preoperative X-ray of the total spine showed the mean Cobb's angle was 24.3°±8.8°.And the mean lumbar lordosis angle was 30.5°±15.5°.Pain and function were assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry dsability index (ODI).The responsible segments were determined from physical examination and radiological findings.Selective decompression and short-segment fixation and fusion were performed.The radiographic parameters,ODI,VAS of pre-operation and post-operation were recorded and compared.Results All the patients were followed up for 21-73 months with mean 46.0±10.9 months.The complication incidence was 33.3％.The ODI and VAS assessment was significantly improved during the follow-up,as well as the sagittal and coronal radiographic parameters (LL,SS,PT,SVA,Cobb's angle,C7PL-CSVL).The improvement of VAS and ODI of lumbar spine was significant correlated with sagittal parameters (LL,PT),whilst not correlated with coronal parameters.Conclusion The surgical strategy of selective decompression and short-segment fusion with fixation is effective for the patients with symptomatic degenerative lumbar stenosis combined with lumbar scoliosis.