OBJECTIVETo observe the relationship of adjacent segment degeneration and neck symptom after anterior cervical fusion.

METHODSMaking follow-up to 66 cases who had accepted anterior cervical fusion for 1 - 16 years, average 10.5 years. Observe the mobilization and gliding degree of adjacent segment in flexion-extension X-ray film, neck symptom, and the relationship of them. In 59 of these patients, the mobilization of entire cervical spine and non-fusion segment was observed before/after operation.

RESULTSThe incidence of adjacent segment instability in follow-up term was 72.7%, and 40.9% of all patients had significant neck symptom. The rate of significant neck symptom in patients who had instability was 48%, whereas which in patients without instability was 18.8%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference of mild instability and severe instability was not statistically significant (P > 0.1). The mobilization of entire cervical spine decreased obviously (P < 0.001). The mobilization of adjacent segment increased obviously (P < 0.01), and which of non-adjacent segment had no change (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMajority of patients who have accepted anterior cervical fusion possessed instability of adjacent segment, but many of them have no symptoms. Adjacent segment instability is one of the reasons that induce neck symptoms.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; physiology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spinal Diseases ; etiology ; therapy ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the character, diagnosis and treatment of multiple-level fractures of the cervical spine.

METHODSForty-three patients (38 male, 5 female) with multiple-level fractures of the cervical spine were retrospectively analysed in our hospital from 1988-2001.

RESULTSAmong 36 patients with multiple contiguous fractures of the cervical spine, 32 cases were injured at low cervical spine; 7 patients were non-contiguous spinal fractures in which there were 5 cases injured at upper and lower cervical spine. The frequently injured sites were vertebral body (31 patients), laminae (25 patients), spinous process (9 patients), vertebral arch (4 patients), transverse process (5 patients), lateral mass (5 patients); level frequently affected were C(4), C(5), C(6) and C(7); 21 patients were treated with anterior vertebrectomy and fusion, 10 patients with posterior laminectomy and fixation, 2 patients with both anterior and posterior decompression and fixation. 60.5% were flexion-compression injury. 10 patients with conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONSContiguous type was more common than non-contiguous type in multiple level cervical spinal fractures; Injured sites always located at lower cervical spine in contiguous cervical fractures different from that fractures of atlas, axis and lower cervical spine in non-contiguous type; Unstable segments and level of spinal cord injury were at lower cervical spine; Operations must obtain both decompression and stability of spine.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Trauma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Spinal Injuries ; diagnosis ; surgery ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the causes of failure following surgical treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis, procedures for redo surgery and the final result of reoperation.

METHODS20 patients who had a repeat operation for lumbar spondylolisthesis were studied retrospectively. On average 24.3 months following the previous surgery, all of these patients had recurrence or progression of back and leg pain. All of 20 patients were reoperated by means of three different procedures.

RESULTSThe causes of failure were post-operative destabilization (6 cases); progressive spondylolithesis (3 cases) implants failure (10 cases) and mistake segment (one case). After reoperation, a mean 34.1 months' follow-up was made. The excellent or good rate was 90%. Incorporation of graft was found in 18 cases with fusion by inter-transverse process and 2 cases by intervertebral space. New bone formation was found in 6 out of 8 cases that had a simultaneous intervertebral cage implant. No implant failure was found in all patients.

CONCLUSIONSSimple laminectomy or discectomy was not indication for lumbar spondylolithesis. No bone graft or union was the main causes of implant failure. Posterior instrumented fusion with laminectomy decompression can be used in the patients who had a prior surgery of simple discectomy or anterior intervertebral bone graft. Except for posterior instrumented fusion with extensive laminectomy decompression, Intervertebral fusion should be considered in the patients who had a prior surgery of laminectomy decompression with instrument, anterior intervertebral fusion (ALIF) was recommended for these cases.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Decompression, Surgical ; Diskectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo introduce the application of Ilizarov technique in ankle fusion with serious pathology and failed ankle arthrodesis.

METHODThe medical records and images of 9 cases of complex ankle fusion using Ilizarov external fixator were analyzed. Among the 9 cases, 6 received revisional ankle fusion, and 3 primary fusion for septic arthritis. All the cases were followed up for an average of 18.1 months.

RESULTSSix cases showed good results, i.e, no or mild pain, occasional limp and stable fusion and 3 cases fair results, i.e, moderate pain, persistent limp or occupational restriction, and stable fusion.

CONCLUSIONIlizarov technique is one of the effective method for the treatment of complex ankle arthrodesis.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Joint ; surgery ; Arthrodesis ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Salvage Therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of Hangman's fracture and its clinical manifestation and treatment.

METHODSTen patients with Hangman's fracture treated at our hospital from 1988 to 2001 were analysed.

RESULTPatients were injured by motor vehicle accidents (7 patients), object hitting on the head (1), and fall (1). Injuries were classified as type I (1 patient), type II (5), type IIa (2) and type III (2).

CONCLUSIONSMotor vehicle accident and fall are major causes of Hangman's fracture with neurological deficits but limited motion and neck pain. Hangman's fracture is easily diagnosed using lateral cervical X-ray and CT. Hangman's fractures of types I, II and IIa can be treated conservatively, but those of type III or spinal cord injury require surgical stabilization.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; injuries ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; Traction ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of epimedium pubescens icariine on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts.

METHODHuman osteoblasts were obtained by inducting human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) directionally. MTT was used to observe the proliferation and activity of ALP was assayed to observe the differentiation of the third passage human osteoblasts cultured in vitro. The expression of BMP-2 mRNA was checked by RT-PCR.

RESULTEpimedium pubescens icariine at the dose of 20 microg x mL(-1) increased greatly the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts and promoted the expression of BMP-2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONEpimedium pubescens icariine enhances significantly the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts, which may be mediated by increasing the expression of BMP-2 mRNA.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDIcariine is a flavonoid isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium pubescens and is the main active compound of it. Recently, Epimedium pubescens was found to have a therapeutic effect on osteoporosis. But the mechanism is unclear. The aim of the study was to research the effect of Icariine on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts.

METHODSHuman osteoblasts were obtained by inducing human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) directionally and were cultured in the presence of various concentrations of Icariine. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test was used to observe the effect of Icariine on cell proliferation. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the amount of calcified nodules were assayed to observe the effect on cell differentiation. The expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIcariine (20 microg/ml) increased significantly the proliferation of human osteoblasts. And, Icariine (10 microg/ml and 20 microg/ml) increased the activity of ALP and the amount of calcified nodules of human osteoblasts significantly (P < 0.05). BMP-2 mRNA synthesis was elevated significantly in response to Icariine (20 microg/ml).

CONCLUSIONSIcariine has a direct stimulatory effect on the proliferation and differentiation of cultured human osteoblast cells in vitro, which may be mediated by increasing production of BMP-2 in osteoblasts.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; analysis ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo find the causes of the spinal primary tumors recurrence in surgical technique.

METHODSFrom 1989 to 2002, 38 cases of primary spine tumors, including giant cell tumor, osteoblastoma, chondrosarcoma and chordoma with wide resection via a piece-meal fashion. By adopting a retrospective method, the present study investigated the clinical and imaging materials of pre- and post-operation period and those in follow-up.

RESULTSThe study included 18 cases of giant cell tumor, 6 osteoblastoma, 6 chondrosarcoma and 8 chordoma. In all cases, 63% of tumors were in cervical and cervicothoracic (C(7)-T(2)) spine; 29% in thoracolumbar (T(4)-L(5)) spine and 8% in sacrum. Tumors involved in multi-segment were 34%. And 71% patients had the tumor in the body and the arch simultaneously. And 71% of tumors formed paraspinal masses, 42% in both sides. The tumors invaded the channel in 58% of the cases. The compartment were invaded in 79% patients. Finally, 32 patients were followed up, from 1.0 approximately 14.9 years, 5.1 years average. Seventeen patients recurred after the surgery, the recurrence rate was 53%. The recurrence rate of giant cell tumor was 35%, osteoblastoma 50%, chondrosarcoma 75%, chordoma 100%. The recurrence rate of tumor in cervical and cervicothoracic spine was 63%, thoracic-lumbar 33%, sacrum 67%. The recurrence rate of multi-segment tumors was 80%, and that of single segment 41%. The recurrence rate of the tumors involving in vertebral body alone or involving the arch simultaneously reached 75% and 55% respectively; the recurrent rate in the arch alone was 33%. The recurrence rate of the tumors involving in vertebral body ranged in different segments. Those growing in cervical and cervicothoracic spine reached 73%; those growing in thoracolumbar spine was only 25%. The recurrence of the tumors without soft masses was 20%, those of single-sided soft masses was 45% and those of double-sided 91%. Among the 17 recurrent patients, 83% of the tumors were in the cervical and cervicothoracic spine. Those extending to the upper cervical and cervicothoracic amounted to 58%. All the 17 recurrent patients had body lesion and paraspinal soft masses.

CONCLUSIONSDuring the primary spinal tumor operation, that failure to get adequate exposure and full division is thought to be the cause of recurrence. So the precise design before surgery and adequate exposure of the tumor in the surgery is the guarantee of wide excision.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the qualitative diagnosis method of atlanto-axial tuberculosis and the corresponding therapeutic strategy.

METHODSTwenty-two cases with atlanto-axial tuberculosis proven by histopathologic diagnosis were observed. Three cases and 17 cases underwent trans-oral biopsy and CT-guide percutaneous biopsy respectively, 2 cases were conformed by frozen section in operation. Thirteen of the 22 cases underwent surgical therapy: 1 case with anterior trans-oral radical eradication and fusion under Halo-vest immobilization, 7 cases with anterior cervical radical eradication, 1 case with anterior interbody fusion and titanic plate fixation, 2 cases were with posterior atlantoaxial interlaminar fusion and 2 cases with posterior cervical occipito-axial titanic plate internal fixation and fusion. Other 9 cases accepted nonsurgical therapy: 8 cases with Halo-vest immobilization and 1 case with head halter traction. All cases were given appropriate antituberculotic chemotherapy for 12-18 months.

RESULTSAll of the 22 cases were followed up, and the average time was 37 month. The lesion focus showed reparation and fusion in X-ray, and the results were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSBiopsy can acquire the qualitative diagnosis on atlanto-axial tuberculosis. The choice of therapy is made on the situation of cold abscess, pathological fracture, atlanto-axial dislocation and spinal cord compression.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antitubercular Agents ; therapeutic use ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; pathology ; Biopsy, Needle ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo determine the effectiveness of surgical correction for post-traumatic kyphosis of thoracolumbar spine.

METHODSFrom 1996 to 2003, 33 consecutive patients with post-traumatic kyphosis of thoracolumbar spine were corrected surgically. The mean age was 40.3 years (range, 13 - 65 years). The mean time between the initial injury and surgical correction was 36.0 months (range, 6 - 220 months). The kyphotic deformity averaged 40.8 degrees (range, 20 degrees - 82 degrees ). All the patients had neurological deficits. Twelve patients had obvious back pain. Seven patients lost sphincter function completely and nineteen patients lost the function partly. Twenty-three patients had ever undergone laminectomy and/or instrumentation. The treatment procedure consisted of anterior release and posterior spinal osteotomy with instrumentation (15 patients), posterior closing wedge osteotomy with instrumentation (12 patients), anterior release and instrumentation (6 patients).

RESULTSKyphosis was corrected from an average of 40.8 degrees to an average of 5.7 degrees, the corrective rate was 86.0% (40.8 degrees - 5.7 degrees /40.8 degrees). There were no severe complications. The average follow-up period was 24.6 months (range, 6 - 84 months). There was no loss of correction at follow-up. Ten of these patients showed an improvement in neural function by one or two levels according to the classification. Sphincter function recovered partly in ten patients. Back pain was relieved significantly in all of twelve patients with back pain preoperatively. Bony fusion was achieved in thirty-two patients. One patient had nonunion and achieved bony fusion after revision.

CONCLUSIONPosterior closing wedge osteotomy was suitable to kyphosis less than 40 degrees. Anterior release and posterior spinal osteotomy was effective, especially to the patients with severe kyphosis deformity or with operation history. Patients with incomplete neurological deficits and/or severe back pain could get benefit from osteotomy of spine, even if their medical history was long.

Adolescent ; Bone Transplantation ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; complications ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome