Objective:To explore the efficacy of stage I modified posterior vertebral column resection (mPVCR) in the treatment of postoperative infection after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 11 OVCF patients with post-PVP infection who were admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedics Hospital from January 2016 to June 2022, including 4 males and 7 females, aged 61-81 years [(70.2±6.4)years]. Injured segments included T 9 in 1 patient, T 11 in 2, T 12 in 3, L 1 in 1, L 2 in 2, T 11-T 12 in 1, and T 12-L 1 in 1. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading was grade D in 5 patients and grade E in 6. All the patients were treated with stage I mPVCR. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume were recorded. The values of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI), and Cobb angle of the lesion segments before, at 2 weeks, 3 months after surgery, and at the last follow-up were compared. The loss of Cobb angle of the lesion segments at 2 weeks after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared, and the ASIA grading at the last follow-up was recorded. The infection control, bone healing, and the incidence of complications were observed at the last follow-up. Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-44 months [(26.0±9.4)months]. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume were 230-330 minutes [(279.2±28.6)minutes] and 500-1 100 ml [(840.9±184.1)ml] respectively. At 2 weeks, 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up, the VAS scores were (4.0±0.8)points, (2.7±0.9)points, and (2.4±0.7)points respectively, which were all lower than that before surgery [(8.1±1.2)points] ( P<0.01); the ODI was (45.5±5.1)%, (30.0±6.5)%, and (18.5±3.6)% respectively, which were all lower than that before surgery [(78.7±6.2)%] ( P<0.01); the Cobb angle of the lesion segments were (7.9±1.4)°, (8.5±1.4)°, and (9.2±1.5)° respectively, which were lower than that before surgery [(25.5±9.2)°] ( P<0.01). The VAS and ODI were both improved at 3 months after surgery compared with those at 2 weeks after surgery ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in Cobb angle of the lesion segments ( P>0.05). The ODI was further improved at the last follow-up compared with that at 3 months after surgery ( P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in VAS or Cobb angle of the lesion segments ( P>0.05). The loss of Cobb angle correction of the lesion segment at the last follow-up was 0.96 (0.69, 1.45)° compared with that at 2 weeks after surgery and the rate of loss of Cobb angle correction of the lesion segment was 4.4(2.2, 7.4)%. At the last follow-up, the ASIA grading was grade E for all the patients, who were able to walk normally independently. The infection was all cured and good bony fusion was observed in the operated area at the last follow-up. Two patients had pleural effusion and pulmonary atelectasis, 1 incision fat liquefaction, and 1 pneumonia after the surgery. None of the patients had internal fixation failure and serious complications such as worsening neurological symptoms or death. Conclusion:Stage I mPVCR for the treatment of post-PVP infection in patients with OVCF is proved to attain significant pain relief and functional improvement, good correction results, effective reconstruction of spinal stability, complete removal of infected lesions, and few serious complications.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of one-stage posterior-anterior combined operation for the treatment of abnormal fusion after facet joint dislocation in the subaxial cervical spine.Methods:A retrospective study of case series was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 10 patients with abnormal fusion after facet joint dislocation in the subaxial cervical spine who had been admitted to Department of Spine Surgery, Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2015 to May 2023. There were 7 males and 3 females with an age of (41.2±3.1) years. Preoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading: 5 cases of grade A, 4 cases of grade B, and 1 cases of grade C. All the patients were treated with one-stage posterior-anterior combined operation. The surgical time and intraoperative bleeding volume were recorded. The ASIA grading was used to evaluate the improvements in nerve function of the spinal cord 3 months after surgery. The VAS scores, cervical intervertebral heights, and Cobb angles were compared between pre-surgery, 3 months after surgery, and the last follow-up. The fusion of intervertebral bone graft was evaluated 3 months after surgery using the Bridgell intervertebral fusion criteria. Complications were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 15.5 (13.8, 20.5) months. The surgical time was (119.5±3.6) minutes, and the intraoperative bleeding volume (141.6±25.6) mL. Significant improvements in VAS score, cervical intervertebral height, and Cobb angle were observed at 3 months after surgery and the last follow-up compared with the pre-surgery values ( P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between 3 months after surgery and the last follow-up ( P>0.05). ASIA grading 3 months after surgery: 4 cases of grade A, 4 cases of grade B, and 2 cases of grade C. By the Bridgell intervertebral fusion criteria at 3 months after surgery: 9 cases of grade Ⅰ and 1 cases of grade Ⅱ, showing good intervertebral fusion. Surgery went on well for all patients, showing no postoperative complications such as aggravation of nerve lesion or vascular injury. Conclusion:In the treatment of abnormal fusion after facet joint dislocation in the subaxial cervical spine, the efficacy of one-stage posterior-anterior combined operation is definite because it can effectively reduce pain, restore the height and physiological curvature of the cervical intervertebral space, and achieve good intervertebral fusion.

Objective:To evaluate the application of digital visualization in preoperative planning for surgical clearance of vertebral infection lesions following percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 13 patients with infectious spondylitis following PVP who had undergone one-stage posterior debridement and interbody bone grafting combined with instrumentation at Department of Spinal Surgery, Zhengzhou Orthopaedics Hospital from January 2016 to December 2022. They were 4 males and 9 females with an age of (71.4±6.5) years. Before surgery, the CT raw data of the patients were imported into software Mimics to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of the spine. After the distribution of bone cement in the model and its relationships with the vertebral plate, pedicle, articular process, and spinal cord were observed, a safe area for spinal canal surgery was designed. Intraoperative operations were carried out according to the preoperative planning. Surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, improvements in American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading, and postoperative complications were recorded. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by comparisons of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), visual analogue scale (VAS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between preoperation, 2 weeks and 3 months postoperation, and the last follow-up.Results:Surgery went on successfully in all the 13 patients according to the preoperative planning. The surgical time was (275.9±28.3) min and the intraoperative blood loss (865.4±183.0) mL. All patients were followed up for (24.7±9.4) months. The levels of ESR, CRP, VAS, and ODI at 2 weeks, 3 months and the last follow-up were significantly lower than those before surgery ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, X-ray and CT examinations showed good positions of internal fixation and sufficient bone graft fusion. The ASIA grading recovered from preoperative D to E in 5 patients. No incision infection, sinus formation, worsening of neurological symptoms, loosening or rupture of internal fixation, or worsening of neurological dysfunction were found. Conclusion:With the assistance of 3D visualization, the spinal cord, bone cement, and debridement area can be visualized directly to reduce nerve injury complications so that a safe and effective preoperative planning can be made for surgical clearance of vertebral infection lesions following PVP.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of the classified reduction based on CT two-dimensional images for the surgical treatment of single segment facet joint dislocation in subaxial cervical spine.Methods:A retrospective case series study was made on 105 patients with single segment facet joint dislocation in subaxial cervical spine admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from January 2015 to October 2022. There were 63 males and 42 females, with the age range of 22-78 years [(47.5±3.6)years]. Preoperative American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) classification was grade A in 23 patients, grade B in 45, grade C in 22, grade D in 15 and grade E in 0. The classification of surgical approach was based on the presence or not of continuity between anterior and posterior subaxial cervical structures and the movability of the posterior cervical facet joint on CT two-dimensional images, including anterior cervical surgery if both were presented and posterior facet joint resection plus anterior cervical surgery if there was discontinuity between anterior and posterior subaxial cervical structures or posterior facet joint fusion. Reduction procedures were applied in accordance with the type of facet joint dislocation classified based on the position of the lower upper corner of facet joint, including skull traction or manipulative reduction for the dislocation locating at the dorsal side (type A), intraoperative skull traction and leverage technique for the dislocation locating at the top (type B) and intraoperative skull traction and leverage technique with boosting for the dislocation locating at the ventral side (type C). If the dislocation of two facet joints in the same patient was different, the priority of management followed the order of type C, type B and type A. The reduction success rate, operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The cervical physiological curvature was evaluated by comparing the intervertebral space height and Cobb angle before operation, at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up. The fusion rate of intervertebral bone grafting was evaluated by Lenke grading at 3 months after operation. The spinal cord nerve injury was assessed with ASIA classification before operation and at 3 months after operation. Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was applied to measure the degree of cervical spinal cord dysfunction before operation and at 3 months after operation, and the final follow-up score was used to calculate the rate of spinal cord functional recovery. The occurrence of complications was observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 3-9 months [(6.0±2.5)months]. The reduction success rate was 100%. The operation time was 40-95 minutes [(58.6±9.3)minutes]. The intraoperative blood loss was 40 to 120 ml [(55.7±6.8)ml]. The intervertebral space height was (4.7±0.3)mm and (4.7±0.2)mm at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up, significantly decreased from preoperative (3.1±0.5)mm (all P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in intervertebral space height at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The Cobb angle was (6.5±1.3)° and (6.3±1.2)° at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up, significantly increased from preoperative (-5.4±2.2)° (all P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in Cobb angle at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The fusion rate of intervertebral bone grafting evaluated by Lenke grading was 100% at 3 months after operation. The ASIA grading was grade A in 15 patients, grade B in 42, grade C in 29, grade D in 12 and grade E in 7 at 3 months after operation. The patients showed varying degrees of improvement in postoperative ASIA grade except that 15 patients with preoperative ASIA grade A had partial recovery of limb sensation but no improvement in ASIA grade. The JOA score was (13.3±0.6)points and (13.1±0.6)points at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up, significantly improved from preoperative (6.8±1.4)points (all P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in JOA score at 3 months after operation and at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The rate of spinal cord functional recovery was (66.3±2.5)% at the last follow-up. All patients had no complications such as increased nerve damage or vascular damage. Conclusion:The classified reduction based on CT two-dimensional images for the surgical treatment of single segment facet joint dislocation in subaxial cervical spine has advantages of reduced facet joint dislocation, recovered intervertebral space height and physiological curvature, good intervertebral fusion and improved spinal cord function.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacies of precision targeted and traditional percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in the treatment of refracture of injured vertebra after operation for Kümmell disease.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 23 Kümmell disease patients suffering from refracture of injured vertebra after PVP in Zhengzhou Orthopedic Hospital from October 2014 to October 2018. The patients included 7 males and 16 females, aged 53-89 years [(69.3±3.5)years]. There were 11 patients of stage I Kümmell disease and 12 patients of stage II Kümmell disease. The vertebral distribution of fracture was T 11 (3 patients), T 12 (9 patients), L 1 (8 patients) and L 2 (3 patients). Eleven patients received traditional PVP treatment (traditional PVP group) and 12 patients received precision targeted PVP treatment (targeted PVP group). The operation time, amount of bone cement injection and filling of bone cement in the fracture space were compared between the two groups. The visual analogue score (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were also compared before operation, at 2 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after operation, and at the last follow-up. The rates of bone cement leakage and re-collapse of injured vertebra were observed in the two groups. Results:The patients were followed up for 12-36 months [(24.2±2.6)months]. There were no significant differences in the operation time or amount of bone cement injection between the two groups (all P>0.05). All the fracture spaces in the targeted PVP group were fully filled with bone cement, while 4 patients in the traditional PVP group showed inadequate filling of the fracture area ( P<0.05). The VAS values in the targeted PVP group were (8.9±0.5)points, (1.6±0.2)points, (1.7±0.1)points, (1.8±0.1)points, (1.9±0.3)points, and (1.8±0.4)points before operation, at 2 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up; and those in the traditional PVP group were (9.1±0.9)points, (1.8±0.4)points, (1.8±0.2)points, (2.0±0.4)points, (2.1±0.2)points, and (2.4±0.3)points, respectively. The VAS values of both groups were significantly decreased at 2 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after operation, and at the last follow-up compared with those before operation (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between different time points after operation (all P>0.05). No significant differences were found in the VAS values between the two groups before operation and at 2 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation (all P>0.05). However, the VAS value in the targeted PVP group was significantly lower than that in the traditional PVP group at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). The ODI values in the targeted PVP group were 38.5±4.3, 7.2±2.3, 7.3±2.0, 7.2±1.8, 7.3±2.4, and 7.4±2.5 before operation and at 2 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after operation, and at last follow-up; and those in the traditional PVP group were 37.8±4.1, 7.5±2.5, 7.7±1.9, 7.9±2.4, 8.1±2.6, and 9.6±2.4, respectively. The ODI values of both groups were significantly decreased at 2 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up compared with those before operation (all P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between different time points after operation (all P>0.05). The ODI values were not significantly different between the two groups before operation and at 2 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after operation (all P>0.05), but the ODI value in the targeted PVP group was significantly lower than that in the traditional PVP group at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the rates of bone cement leakage or re-collapse of injured vertebra between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with traditional PVP treatment for refracture of injured vertebra after operation for Kümmell disease, targeted PVP can make bone cement injection fully dispersed, greatly reduce pain and promote functional recovery.

Ischemic stroke(IS)is a multifactorial and heterogeneous disease.Despite years of studies,effective strategies for the diagnosis,management and treatment of stroke are still lacking in clinical practice.Metabolomics is a growing field in systems biology.It is starting to show promise in the identification of biomarkers and in the use of pharmacometabolomics to help patients with certain disorders choose their course of treatment.The development of metabolomics has enabled further and more biological appli-cations.Particularly,metabolomics is increasingly being used to diagnose diseases,discover new drug targets,elucidate mechanisms,and monitor therapeutic outcomes and its potential effect on precision medicine.In this review,we reviewed some recent advances in the study of metabolomics as well as how metabolomics might be used to identify novel biomarkers and understand the mechanisms of IS.Then,the use of metabolomics approaches to investigate the molecular processes and active ingredients of Chinese herbal formulations with anti-IS capabilities is summarized.We finally summarized recent developments in single cell metabolomics for exploring the metabolic profiles of single cells.Although the field is relatively young,the development of single cell metabolomics promises to provide a powerful tool for unraveling the pathogenesis of IS.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for premature proximal femur physeal closure (PPC) in children treated surgically for femoral neck fractures.Methods:Data of 106 children with an open triradiate cartilage who were treated surgically for a femoral neck fracture were retrospectively analyzed. Age, gender, laterality, mechanism of injury, the type of fracture, initial displacement, time to reduction, fixation method, whether the implant crossed the physeal plate, reduction method, reduction quality and development of femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN) were collected. PPC of the proximal femur was assessed through postoperative 6-12 months radiographs.Results:A total of 106 patients with an open triradiate cartilage were followed up, with an average duration of 20.4±13.3 months (range, 6-86 months). The overall rate of PPC following paediatric femoral neck fractures treated surgically was 36.8% (39/106). Among the 39 patients with PPC, 25 were males and 14 were females; the average age at the time of injury was 9.7±3.6 years (range, 3-15 years); 23 patients were involved in left hips and 16 were in right; the mechanisms of injury included motor vehicle accident in 5 fractures, falling injury in 21, sports-related injury in 12 and other causes in 1 fracture; two hips were Delbet type I, and 26 hips and 11 hips were Delbet type II and III, separately; type II and III of initial displacement were involved in 26 and 13 patients, separately; the mean duration from injury to surgery was 3.3±2.8 d (range, 1-14 d); 2 hips were treated with Kirschner wires, 35 hips with screw fixation, and the remaining 2 hips underwent screw and plate fixation; 2 hips had the hardware crossing the proximal femoral growth plate, and the remaining 37 hips didn’t; 15 hips were treated by closed reduction and internal fixation, and the other 24 hips underwent open reduction and internal fixation; anatomical reduction was achieved in 14 patients, acceptable reduction in 24 hips and unacceptable reduction in 1 hip; 24 hips developed AVN at the latest follow-up and the remaining 15 hips didn’t. Statistical analysis indicated that age ( t=3.875, P< 0.001), the severity of initial displacement ( Z=-2.118, P=0.034) and the rate of AVN ( χ2=42.280, P< 0.001) in patients with PPC were significantly higher than those in patients without; Logistic regression analysis confirmed age ( OR=1.288, P=0.011) and AVN ( OR=40.336, P< 0.001) as risk factors for PPC. ROC curve analysis indicated 10 years was the cut off age to significantly increase the rate of PPC. The rate of PPC in patients aged over 10 years (63.6%, 21/33) was significantly higher than that (24.7%, 18/73) in those aged less than 10 years ( χ2=14.848, P< 0.001). Conclusion:Age over 10 years and AVN are risk factors for PPC in children with femoral neck fractures treated surgically.

Tetanus consists of neonatal tetanus and non-neonatal tetanus. Non-neonatal tetanus remains a serious public health problem, although neonatal tetanus has been eliminated in China since 2012. Non-neonatal tetanus is a potential fatal disease. In the absence of medical intervention, the mortality rate of severe cases is almost 100%. Even with vigorous treatment, the mortality rate remains 30%-50% globally. These specifications aim to regulate non-neonatal tetanus diagnosis and treatment in China, in order to improve medical quality and safety. These specifications introduce the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and laboratory tests, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, grading and treatment of non-neonatal tetanus.

Objective:To identify the significance of interstitial implantation of radioactive seeds for stage IV pancreatic cancer.Methods:Clinical and follow-up data of 37 patients of stage Ⅳ pancreatic cancer with ultrasound-guided percutaneous radioactive seeds implantation as the primary treatment were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The postoperative survival time of 37 cases in the whole group was (7.49±4.08) months, ranging from 3 to17 months. Of the 30 patients who had upper abdominal and/or back pain before operation, 27 patients got different degrees of pain relief after operation; 20 cases were found with ascites before operation, but ascites in 18 cases decreased or disappeared after operation.Conclusion:The treatment of interstitial implantation of 125I radioactive seeds can effectively upgrade the life quality of stage IV pancreatic cancer patients.

Tetanus consists of neonatal tetanus and non-neonatal tetanus.Non-neonatal tetanus remains a serious public health problem,although neonatal tetanus has been eliminated in China since 2012.Non-neonatal tetanus is a potential fatal disease.In the absence of medical intervention,the mortality rate of severe cases is almost 100％.Even with vigorous treatment,the mortality rate is still 30％-50％ globally.These specifications aim to regulate non-neonatal tetanus diagnosis and treatment in China,in order to improve medical quality and safety.These specifications introduce the etiology,epidemiology,pathogenesis,clinical manifestations and laboratory tests,diagnosis,differential diagnosis,grading and treatment of non-neonatal tetanus.