Objective To introduce laminar shelling decompression technique and to discuss its benefit for decompression of thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum. Methods 102 patients were diagnosed as thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum, 63 males and 39 females with an average age of 49.7 years (range, 33 to 71 years). 99 cases suffered with sensation disturbance, 73 cases with constriction on trunk or lower limbs, 77 cases with sphincter dysfunction. The IMSOP Standard Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury was applied for localized the level of thoracic spondylopathy. The JOA lower limb motor function standard and sphincter function standard were used to evaluate the ability of lower limb motion and sphincter function respectively. In the decompression the dorsal cortex of lamina was the first layer to resect, the facet joint surface indicate the depth for removing the second layer, then thinning the ossified tissue by shaving with the motor bur until it was somewhat lucent. Finally decompress the spinal canal by moth eaten manner. Results The mean decompression length was 2.8 lamina(2 to 4 lamina). The mean follow-up duration was 18.9 months (3 to 41 months). Among 99 sensation disturbance 69 totally recovered, 30 relived. 73 cases with the feel of constriction of trunk or lower limbs were completely recovered. Postoperative JOA sphincter function score was 2.632?0.407, comparing with the preoperation score, and the difference was significant (t=15.93, P

0.05). The mean degrees for coronal inclinations of facet joint of the patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis were significantly greater than those of the patients without degenerative spondylolisthesis (P

Objective To evaluate the surgical techniques of open reduction and internal fixation and its clinical results of trimalleolar fractures retrospectively. Methods Between March 1996 and October 2002, 48 consecutive patients, including 27 males and 21 females with an average age of 42.8 years, were treated for trimalleolar fractures. According to the system of Lauge-Hansen, the fractures were classified as pronation-external rotation(grade Ⅳ) injury in 20 cases, and supination-external rotation(grade Ⅳ) in 28 cases. The time from injury to operation was from 2 hours to 21 days. The operation was delayed due to associated injury, skin conditions and so on, and then the patients were manipulated primarily and immobilized with a posterior plaster splint. The medial, lateral and posterior malleolus were exposed by anteromedial and Gatellier-Chastang approaches. The reduction and internal fixation started with the posterior, then the medial and the lateral malleolus and distal tibiofibular syndesmosis in sequence. The ankles were immobilized with plaster in neutral position and elevated. All patients were assessed with Baird and Jackson ankle scoring system based on pain, instability, walking ability, movement and radiological manifestations. Results The follow-up period varied from 6 to 36 months with an average of 13 months. The rates of clinical result were excellent in 26, good in 15, fair in 5 and poor in 2 respectively. The total rate of good to excellent results was 85.4%. There were no local complication, malunion and nonunion of the fractures and the deformity of the ankle. However, the inserted screw to distal tibiofibular syndesmosis was broken in one case. Conclusion Trimalleolar fractures require open reduction and internal fixation more often, especially while the fragment of posterior malleous is so large that it should be anatomically reduced and immobilized with internal fixation. It can ensure anatomical joint restoration and union for the ankle trimalleolar fractures, only by achieving most satisfied kinematics of the ankle joint.

Objective To evaluate contrast-enhanced MRI sequence for diagnosing cholangiocarcinoma.Methods Cholangiocarcinoma was confirmed by surgery and pathology in 17 cases,all underwent preoperative CT and MRI T1-VIBE scan with contrast-enhancement sequence.We retrospectively analyzed imaging signs in two scan methods,including lesion position,number,size,enhancement degree,expansion degree of bile duct,invasion of adjacent artery and portal vein,and portal vein tumor thrombosis.The differences on detecting lesions between two methods were compared.Results The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) between tumor and liver tissue in MRI T1-VIBE images was obviously superior to that in CT images.Peripheral lesion boundary in T1-VIBE enhanced images was clearer than CT.One hemorrhage lesion was shown in T1-VIBE images,and tumor thrombosis was visible in the left branch of portal vein in 1 case.Bile duct wall lesions in T1-VIBE enhanced images was more evident than CT in hilar cholangiocarcinoma and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.The VIBE enhanced images find more lesions in 9 out of 11 multiple focus cases,compared with CT images.Conclusions Contrast-enhanced MRI T1-VIBE sequence can give more comprehensive and clear evaluation on cholangiocarcinoma,and has important clinical diagnostic values.

3 cm)ultrasonography image was the absent of rotator cuff image(nonvisualization)or discontinuity(local nonvisualization);moderate full thickness cuff tears(size 1-3 cm)ultrasonography image was the hypoechoic zone extending through the entire substance of the cuff;bursa surface partial thickness was small hypoechoic discontinuities of the external surfaces of the cuff;articular surface partial thickness was small hypoechoic discontinuities of the internal surfaces of the cuff.All the ultrasonography examination results were compared with findings at shoulder operation or arthroscopy as a golden standard.12 shoulders were open repaired;16 shoulders were limited open and arthroscope repaired;6 shoulders were contracted under the radio frequency ablation;22 shoulder were taken acrominal plasty under the arthroscope.Results The ultrasonography correctly depicted 30 of 33 rotator cuff tears with sensitivity 90.91%,specificity 91.30%,positive predictive value 93.75%,negative predictive value 87.50%.6 large to extensive tears,11 small and moderate full-thickness tears,5 acrominal partial-thickness tears,11 articular partial-thickness tears.Conclusion The ultrasonography is a highly accurate diagnostic method for detecting full-thickness rotator cuff tears,but is less sensitive in detecting partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of re-fracture in patients suffering from osteoporosis-related fractures as well as effective interventions.Methods From January 2006 to January 2008,a total of 273 patients with osteoporosis-related fracture were entered in the study,including out-patients and in-patients who were over 50 years old.The patients were divided into fracture group(n=225)and re-fracture group(n=48).The re-fracture rate was followed up for 2 years,during which 11 patients developed re-fracture.General data including age and sex,fracture types,femoral neck bone mineral density(BMD)T-scores tested by dual-energy X-rays absorptiometry(DEXA),Charlson index,timeinterval between two fractures as well as mobility skill assessment were collected and analyzed.Results The average age at the first fracture was 67.7±8.5 years vs.72.7±9.5 years for the re-fracture cases.Female accounted for 70.2% of the fracture group and 77.1% of the re-fracture group.The most common re-fracture type was vertebral fracture for the first time and femoral neck fracture for the second time during the followup.Risk factors for a second fracture in osteoporotic fractures patients include age(＞75 years,HR=1.23; ＞85years,HR=1.68),female sex(HR=1.36),prior vertebral fractures(HR=1.62),prior hip fractures(HR=1.27),BMD T-score＜-3.5(HR=1.38)and weakened motor skills(HR=1.27).The refracture rate in osteoporosis-related fractures was 4.9% followed up for 2 years.The second fracture happened 3.7 years after the first one on average.Conclusion The risks of second fracture among patients with initial brittle fracture are substantial.Mobility skill assessment is an important risk factor for osteoporosis fractures recurrence.There is adequate time between fracture and re-fracture for effective interventions to prevent or reduce the risks of refracture,especially for the old women with a vertebral or hip fracture.Medication,motor function rehabilitation and fall-down prevention training would be helpful.

ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the synapses developing process of newly generated connections of autologus activated Schwann cells (AASCs) in combination with fetal spinal cord cell suspension(FSCS) in the surrounding area of the spinal cord injury site.MethodsA total of 42 Wistar rats underwent unilateral ligation of the saphenous nerve.The portion of nerve tissues distal to the ligation site were harvested 1 week after operation.AASCs were isolated,cultured and purified.Spinal cord injury model produced in 42 Wistar rats on T7 by modified Allen impact method.Three days after injury,20 μl FSCS with a density of 1×105/μl prepared from pregnant rats (El4) in combination with AASCs were injected into the epicenter of the traumatized cavity.Animals were sacrificed at 2,4,6,8,10,12 weeks post transplantation.Light and electronmicroscopic studies as well as immunohistochemical assay were carried out to evaluate the graft survival,its differentation and integration with the host.ResultsIn the transplantation area,AASCs showed good growth and differentiation,and glial scarring surrounding the lesions was less.The neuroblast stretched out the terminal endings 4 weeks after implantation,followed by the presenting of the pre- and post-synaptic membrane.Eight weeks post transplantation,the dense or developed projections were observed in the pre- and post-synaptic membrane,the high electron dense substance full filled the synaptic cleft.All the spherical cleat vesicles,granular vesicles,elliptical vesicles and flattened-f type vesicles were discovered under the electron microscope.Ten weeks after injury,the axosomatic,dendrosomatic,dendro-dendritic,axoaxonic,and dendro-axonic synapses coexisted.Light microscopy showed that the graft cell grew gradually.Immunohistochemical assay showed that NF,5-HT,CGRP and GFAP positive fibers were in the graft.Synapses,glia fibers and blood brain barrier integrated each other.Conclusion1) The transplanted FSCS combined with AASCs can develop mature synapses with miscellaneous synaptic vesicles in the acute injured spinal cord.2) Co-existing indicate the possibility of synaptic connection between FSCS and host.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the MR findings of lumbar elements and chronic low back pain(CLBP).Methods The patients underwent lumbar MRI examinations and sent for a questionnaires of low back pain (LBP).Among them,139 patients whose questionnaires illustrated with CLBP were enrolled.The enrolled patients included 68 patients with nerve roots compression and 71 patients without.Meanwhile,198 hospital staffs underwent lumbar MRI examinations and were sentfor a LBP questionnaire.Among them,62 patients without LBP and nerve roots compression were enrolled.Categorical regression was used to analyze the relationship between MR findings and CLBP.The MR findings iucluded nerve roots compression,average disk degeneration scores(ADD),high-intensity zones (HIZ),Schmorlnodes,Modic Ⅰ change,average facet joints degeneration scores(AZZ),facet joint effusion,high T2 signal in interspinous ligament and subcutaneousparaspinal muscles edema.The regression model was used to analyze the MR imaging and CLBP.Results The regression model was statistically significant (F=9.478,P＜0.01).All predictors yielded an adjusted value was 0.446.Among all predictors,nerve roots compression,ADD,AZZ,subcutaneous or paraspinal muscles edema were statistically associated with the VAS degree (P＜0.05).The sum of the importance of the four predictors above was 0.983.The quantification of predicted VAS degree increased as ADD level increased.The quantification of predicted VAS degree increased to the top at the 2 AZZ level and then decreased.Nerve roots compression and Subcutaneous or paraspinal muscles edema yielded higher quantification of predicted VAS degree level.Conclusion ADD,AZZ,subcutaneousparaspinal muscles edema were probably associated with CLBP degree after adjusting for nerve roots compression.

Objective To observe the expression of vascular endothelia l growth factor (VEGF)and transforming growth factor a 1 (TGF-a 1 )in callus of non-union,bone defect for investigation of the molecular mechanisms of bone defect resulted from non-union,and further explore the co rrelative influences of VEGF and TGF-a 1 in fracture healing.Methods The bone defect resulted from non-union model and the fracture healing model were established in the radius of rabbit.The sp ecimens of callus and soft tissue were collected postoperatively at1,2,4, 6,8and12weeks.The expressions of VEGF and TGF-a 1 were in-vestigated by means of immunohistochemistry(SP method).Results There was no sign of subperiosteal healing except a large segment filled with hemorrhage and granulation tissue in bone defect area.There was only a little amount of granulation tissues transforming into chondrocytes.Some chondrocyt es stopped prolif-erating after reaching hyper-trophic chondrocyte stage but changed into fibrous connective tissues.Most of the granulation tissue finally changed to fibrous connective tissues in the fracture gap.In addition,there w ere a large number blood vessels invading the normal fracture healing site than that in non-union.In im muno-histochemistry observation,there were significa nt decreasing expressions of VEGF and TGF-a 1 in callus of different period of non-union comparing to union(P

Objective To introduce the surgical strategy of enlarged laminectomy (with partial facet joint dissection to expose the nerve root), and to discuss its benefit for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) with myelopathy. Methods Totally 82 patients with cervical OPLL were treated by enlarged laminectomy from January 1998 to December 2005. There were 47 males and 35 females, with an average age of 57 years (ranged, 39-84 years). Among them, there were 31 cases of the solitary type, 40 cases of the continuous type, and 11 cases of the mixed type. JOA scoring system and the visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring were applied to evaluate the neurological function and neck/shoulder pain respectively.Ishihara method was employed to measure cervical curvature index(CCI). The degree of spinal cord backward expanding and displacement were calculated in MR1. Results The mean decompression length was 5.2 (4-6) segments. The mean follow-up duration was 41 months (ranged, 13-58 months). JOA score has improved from 10.9(7-15) preoperatively to 13.9(11-17) postoperatively (t=14.65, P＜0.01). The excellent and good rate was 98.7%. The palsy of C5 nerve root occurred in only 2 patients, both recovered after surgery. Zhe mean postoperative VAS score was 1.4(1-3), comparing with the preoperative score of 5.3 (4-6). The pain in neck/shoulder was alleviated obviously (t=15.46, P＜0.01 ). CCI decreased from 18.8% to 10.5%(t=5.03, P＜0.01 ),but did not follow by neuron function deterioration. MRI indicated that the cross-sectional area at the level of maximum compression of the dural sac increased from 85.4 mm2 preoperatively to 153.8 mm2 postoperatively (t=16.33, P＜0.01), and the mean spinal cord posterior shift was 6.2 mm (t=15.35, P＜0.01). Conclusion The enlarged laminectomy is proved to be effective in treating cervical OPLL, in terms of significant posterior shift of the spinal cord, relief of cervical/shoulder pain, lower rate of the palsy of C5 nerve root, with no recurrence of spinal cord compression symptom.