0.05). Conclusion Our finding suggests that it is reasonable to operate on elderly patients with lumbar stenosis who are different in body mass index, because little relation has been found between body mass and surgery outcome.

Objective To prevent wrong diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuritis(CIDP) by analyzing the clinical characteristics of CIDP and spine degeneration disorders. Methods In order to distinguish CIDP from spine degeneration diseases, we retrospectively reviewed 16 CIDP patients from December 2000 to December 2003 (male 10, female 6; range 38-58 years old, mean 49.1 years old) who were misdiagnosed as spine degeneration diseases. The duration of the disease was 2 months to 2 years and 8 months, with an everage of 106 months. All clinical data of the 16 patients were analyzed. The data included clinical manifestation, physical examination, protein content of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and upper-lower extremity electrophysiologic study(EPS). Comparing the clinical charateristics of CIDP with those of spine degeneration disease. Results All 16 patients of CIDP sufferred limbs sensory disturbance or abnormality, walking difficulty. Upper or lower extremity were involved at equal pace and symmetry; limb tendon reflexes weakened or dissappeared, but limbs muscular atrophy were not significant. X-ray showed degeneration of cervical or thoracic and lumbar spine; MRI showed that there were disc herniation in different intervertebral. The content of protein of CSF remarkably increased(mean 479.9 mg/L). There were significant deviation compare to normal. Electrophysiology study found that sensory nerve action potential(SNAP) wave amplitude were descending; motor nerve conduction velocity(MNCV) were slower. Conclusion We could rightly diagnose and distingnish CIDP from spine degeneration diseases by analyzing clinical manifestation, physical examination, cerebrospinal fluid and electrophysiological study. [

Objective To retrospectively analyze the results of closed reduction and static trans-articular fixation with unilateral external fixators in the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures.Methods From June 2000 to March 2005,45 patients with 50 unstable distal radius fractures were treated with closed reduction and static transarticular fixation by unilateral external fixators.Their average age was 44.8 years(15 to 78 years).All the fractures were classified with AO-scheme.There were five A3-fractures,four B3-fractures,three C1-fractures,nine C2-fractures and 29 C3-fractures in 24 cases.Follow-ups lasted from 8 to 48 months(averaging 20 months).Results The time of bone healing was 6 to 8 weeks(averaging 7.6 weeks).At the latest follow-up,the radiological outcomes were excellent in 42 fractures(39 patients)and good in eight fractures(six patients)according to the Sarmiento rating system modified by Ste wart et al.The functional results included 37 excellent cases(34 patients),nine good ones(eight patients)and four fair ones(three patients)according to the Gartland-Werley assessment.There were only four cases of superficial pin site infection settled with oral antibiotics and mild disinfectants.Conclusions Closed reduction by manipulation and static transarticular fixation with unilateral external fixators is an effective method to treat severely comminuted distal radius fractures caused by high-energy injury.Radial nerve injury and iatrogenic fracture of the 2nd metacarpal bone can be avoided,pin tract infection and pin loosening can be decreased,and early postoperative mobilization of hand can be facilitated by insertion of external pins at appropriate sites.It is unnecessary to apply supplementary bone grafting to promote bone healing.

Objective To study the short-term outcome of transforaminal posterolateral endoscopic discectomy and radiofrequency annuloplasty in patients with discogenic low back pain. Methods A total of 25 patients with discogenic low back pain,who were diagnosed by provocative discography,received transforaminal posterolateral endoscopic discectomy and radiofrequency annuloplasty in our hospital. The VAS scores determined before and 6 months after the operation were compared in the patients. Their MacNab scores were also evaluated at 6 months postoperation. Results After the surgery,2 patients who had ruptured intervertebral discs (L5-S1) developed sunburn syndrome,and then was relieved by pulsed electrical stimulation for one week. The patients were followed up for 6-10 months,during which no other postoperative complications occurred. The mean VAS score of this series decreased significantly after the treatment,and kept being reduced in 6 months [preoperation:6.24?0.97,1,3,6 months after the operation:0(0~2); Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test,H=61.680,P=0.000]. Four patients showed lower limbs pain before the treatment and were relieved after the surgery. The evaluation of MacNab score showed excellent in 11 pateints,good in 12,and fair in 2,suggesting an effective rate of 92.0%(23/25). Conclusions Transforaminal posterolateral endoscopic discectomy plus radiofrequency annuloplasty is effective for discogenic low back pain in a short term.

Objective To analyze retrospectively the results of closed reduction and static transarticular fixation with unilateral external fixators in the treatment of severely comminuted distal radius fractures caused by high-energy injuries. Methods From June 2000 to June 2003, 20 patients with 24 severely comminuted distal radius fractures were treated with closed reduction and static transarticular fixation with unilateral external fixator. The injuries involved 16 males and 4 females, the age of the patients was from 15 to 48 years (average 33.4 years). All fractures were classified as Frykman's type Ⅷ or AO type C3. The operative technique consisted of reduction of the fractures by manipulation or assisted with the external fixator, then fixed them statically. The mean duration of the union was 7.4 weeks (ranged from 6-8 weeks). After the fixator removal, the patients were encouraged to proceed for the rehabilitations, such as the elbow flexion-extension, radial abduction, ulnar adduction, and the pronation as well as the supination of the forearm. Results All patients were available at the final follow-up, the mean duration was 16 months (range, 6-42 months). At the last examination, the radiological manifestations revealed excellent in 21 fractures (17 patients) and good in 3 (3 patients) according to the Sarmiento scoring system (modified by Stewart); and the functional results displaied excellent in 16 (13 patients), good in 6 (5 patients) and fair in 2 (2 patients) according to Gartland-Werley functional assessment system. There were only 2 cases of superficial pin site infection cured with oral antibiotics and local care with mild disinfectants. 7 obvious defect of mataphysis occurred in 5 patients, but the fractures united simultaneously without any additional treatment. And there was no any complication, such as pin tract infection, fixator loosening, iatrogenic fracture and injury of the superficial radial nerve. Conclusion The technique of closed reduction by manipulations or external fixators combined with static transarticular fixation plus unilateral external fixators is an effective method for the treatment of severely comminuted distal radius fracture caused by high-energy injuries, such as falling from the height. It is unnecessary to apply supplementary bone grafts to promote bone healing. The complications can be avoided by selecting the right sites for the insertion of the pins, which is beneficial for the hand to mobilize earlier after operation.

Objective To study the pathologic characteristics and clinical significance of high intensity zone (HIZ) of lumbar intervertebral disc in the patients with discogenic low back pain. Methods 52 patients with low back pain without disc herniation underwent MRI and following discography of lumbar vertebrae. All patients previously were treated conservatively without relief of their symptoms for more than 6 months. Specimens of lumbar intervertebral discs containing HIZ in the posterior annulus from 11 patients with discogenic low back pain during posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) were collected to investigate the morphologic patterns and clinical significance. Results In all of 142 discs in 52 patients at discography, 17 discs in 17 patients presented HIZ, all showed painful reproduction and abnormal morphology with annular tears extending either well into or through the outer third of the annulus fibrosus. The histologic study of the consecutive sagittal slices in the HIZ lesions revealed that the normal lamellar structure was replaced by disorganized, vascularized granulation tissue that consisted of small round cells, fibroblasts, and newly formed blood vessels around the tears extending from the nucleus pulposus to the outer region of the annulus fibrosus. Blood vessel proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration were seen extending along the margins of the tears into the middle and inner annulus, and sometimes the tears were bridged with granulation tissue. Ingrowth of vascularized tissue was sometimes observed to end abruptly at the junction between the inner third of the annulus and the nucleus pulposus. There was also matured scarring collagenous tissue. Conclusion The HIZ in the lumbar disc in the patients with symptomatic low back pain can be considered as a reliable marker of painful outer annular disruption.

Objective The theory of chemical radiculitis was put forward about 30 years ago, but it has not been proved by clinical study so for. The current study was initiated to assess whether the annular tear in painful disc was the cause of radiating leg pain (radiculopathy) in patients with discogenic low back pain. Methods Forty-two patients with chronic low back pain in single level and shooting leg pain in unilateral or bilateral lower limbs without lumbar disc herniation on CT and MR imaging were treated (age range, 19-52 years; mean age, 34.9 years; 27 males, 15 females). All patients showed annular disruption and pain reproduction on injection of the contrast during discography at single disc level (not including patients who had two or three levels disc disease). CT scan was performed to identify the location of annular tears after discography. The examinations of electromyography(EMG) and motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) were performed in all patients, which were used to analyze the degree of nerve root injury and the relation with radiating leg pain. Results The patients with posterolateral annular disruption in single side mainly presented single lower limb radiation pain, in contrast, the patients with posterolateral annular disruption in two sides or posterior midline annular disruption mainly presented dual lower limb radiation pain. There was a significant positive correlation between the site of annular tear and the side of radiation pain. The examinations of EMG in all 42 cases found that there were abnormal insertional activities such as fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves in 32 cases(76%). Of the 23 patients with unilateral lower limb radiation, nerve root lesions were found on the symptomatic side in 17 cases(74%). Of the 19 cases with bilateral lower limb radiation pain, root lesions were suggested in 15 patients(79%). The conduction velocities of common peroneal nerve and tibial nerve decreased with a statistically significant difference in symptomatic side compared with normal side. Conclusion Inflammatory chemical mediators and cytokines produced in painful disc leaking into epidural space through annular tear could lead to the injury to adjacent nerve roots, which might be primary pathophysiologic mechanism for the production of chemical radiculitis.

Objective To study the effect of Vincristine-loaded intact human erythrocytes on tumor cell in vitro. Methods VCR was loaded in intact human erythrocytes using a modified hypotonic preswelling technique. The proliferation of K562 cells after incubation with VCR-loaded erythrocytes was detected by MTT. Cellular cycle and apoptosis of K562 cells were analyzed through FACS staining with PI/Rhodamin123, and morphology of apoptotic K562 cells and their nucleus were observed through staining with Hoechest33258. Results VCR-loaded erythrocytes could efficiently inhibit the proliferation of co-cultured K562 cells and induce the cells′ apoptosis in a dosage-dependent manner. Cellular cycle analysis demonstrated that proportion of K562 cells in G 0/G 1 decreased whereas in S+G 2/M increased after incubation with VCR-loaded erythrocytes. Such effects could also be displayed from alone VCR group, and significant change was observed in K562 cells co-cultured with unloaded erythrocytes (P

The purpose of our study is to determine whether the slow Ca2 + channel blocker, nicardipiae, could prevent or reduce the cardiac to-xicity induced by ouabain. The guinea pig heart in vivo and vitro perfusion of the isolated heart were used for the study . The results demonstrated that nicardipine ( i .v .50?g? kg-1') could significantly increase the doses of ouabain induced arrhythmias and death(P

Objective:To further study the pathogenesis of classic Schm orl′s nodes based on clinical practice.Methods:A patient with severe low back pain was found that the irregularity of the endplates and the presence of Schm orl′s nodes in L2 - 3 and L3- 4spaces in lumbar radiographs.Two painful intervertebral discs with Schm orl′s nodes in their superior or inferior endplates were identified by discography and pain provocation.Two foci of Schnorl′s nodes were rem oved in en bloc via a retroperitoneal approach for histological examination.Meanwhile,anterior intervetebral body fusion of painful discs were undertaken.Results:The radiographic manifestation of Schmorl′s nodes was the end- plate indentation.Schmorl′s nodes in CT scan was shown as a round- like or multicystic irregular zone of bone density with an indistinct sclerotic margin beneath the cartilaginous endplate,which was sim ilar to the typical CT changes of osteonecrosis.The histological examinations of en bloc slices of Schm orl′s nodes revealed subchondral osteonecrosis.Conclusion:The current study indicate classic Schm orl′s node shown in radiograph is osteonecrosis zone beneath cartilaginous endplate,suggesting the necessity of further study on Schmorl′s node form ation. [