No abstract available.
Arthritis* ; Tendon Entrapment*

OBJECTIVE: Recently, we have demonstrated that embryonic ventral spinal cord motor neurons(ESMNs), transplanted into the distal stump of the axotomized tibial nerve, can grow into the denervated gastrocnemius muscle and form neuromuscular junctions. Our interest in study was to see whether these newly formed neuronal connections are physiologically active, and to electrophysiologically characterize the reinnervated motor units. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three to eight weeks after transplantation rats were prepared for electrophysiological recording. Motor unit (MU) action potential and gross EMG were monitored. In eleven out of sixteen transplanted animals single unit and gross EMG were recorded after electrical stimulation of the transplant site. Total of 63 motor units were analyzed for their stimulus threshold (ST), latency and stimulus intensity, which is required to produce maximum firing. RESULTS: ST intensities activating MUs were significantly higher in transplanted animals than in controls. Maximum firing of MUs occurred at less than 1.2×T in the control but greater variation was observed in the transplanted animals ranging from 1.1×T to 1.6×T. No significant differences were found in the latencies of MU's firing following stimulation. MU firing was reversibly blocked by infusion of succinylcholine. CONCLUSION: we characterized the temporal, morphological and electrophysiological parameters of denervated skeletal muscle reinnervated by dissociated grafts of embryonic ventral spinal cord cells. MUs reinnervated by the embryonic motoneuronal transplant were physiologically active, with some properties similar to the MUs of the normal.
Action Potentials ; Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Fires ; Mice ; Motor Neurons ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Neuromuscular Junction ; Neurons ; Rats ; Spinal Cord ; Succinylcholine ; Tibial Nerve ; Transplants

No abstract available in English.
Adult ; Hip Joint ; Hip ; Humans ; Osteoporosis

Correction of funding statement.

Correction of funding statement.

No abstract available.
Animals ; Evoked Potentials, Motor* ; Rats*

OBJECTS: There was a trend to perform fusion and instrumentation in spinal stenosis surgery, because of extensive decompression and instability. However, the introduction of microscope in spine operation can minimize the range of excision of anatomical structure and reduced the decompressin level in the multiple lesions and the incidence of spinal fusion. The purpose of this study were to assess the outcome of this procedure in 3 years follow up and to identify the clinical features of the patients and technical aspects of the operation that were associated with a poor outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients were identified as having had a microscopic decompression without arthrodesis, for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis over 60 years or their who had osteoporosis with Saville's index 2 or higher. The follow up period was more than 3 years. The clinical results was evaluated by Kim's criteria. RESULTS: Eleven cases were above good results in two levels involved 14 cases, 2 cases above good results in three levels involved 5 cases and 1 case above good results in four levels involved 2 cases. In the cases of affected duration, 7 cases are less than 1 year or more than 5 years each 6 cases and 2 cases were above good results by the criteria. We concluded that the long-term outcome of decompressive surgery in the elderly is good; it does not differ from that reported for younger patients . CONCLUSIONS: Selective microscopic decompression is one of the effective method for the elderly patients or patients with osteoporosis in addition to multiple stenotic lesions.
Aged ; Arthrodesis ; Decompression* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Osteoporosis* ; Spinal Fusion ; Spinal Stenosis* ; Spine

Osteoblastomas were originally thought to be lesions that could be controlled with minimal local therapy, including curettage. However, at least some of the osteoblastomas with an unexpectedly active clinical course had histologic features which differed from ordinary osteoblastomas, and the term aggressive osteoblastoma was given to these lesions. In the aggressive osteoblastoma the osteoblasts are cytologically atypical. In addition, the well organized trabecular patterns of typical osteoblastoma is partly lacking, especially in the areas that are rich in atypical osteoblasts. The case report deals a case of aggressive osteoblastoma of the left iliac wing in a 44 year old male. The interesting radiologic manifestationa(plain x-ray CAT and radionuclide bone scan) and characteristic histologic findings are presented along with review of pertinent literatures.

A congenital absence of a lumbar articular process is a rare condition with an uncertain etiology. However, an intervertebral instability caused by this anomaly can cause occasional lower back pain. A 20 years old man presented with lower back pain. The physical examination revealed no neurological deficits. Plain radiographs of the lumbar spine revealed an absence of the left inferior articular process at the fourth lumbar vertebra associated with hypoplasia of the left lamina. The patient's symptoms were resolved after conservative treatment. We report a case of a congenital absence of articular process at the fourth lumbar vertebra.
Low Back Pain ; Physical Examination ; Spine

No abstract available.
Intervertebral Disc* ; Retrospective Studies*