OBJECTIVES: To analyze the treatment results of combined treatment with percutaneous vertebroplasty and adhesiolysis in the patients who happened the osteoporotic compression fractures during the conservative treatment of pre-existing degenerative spinal stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out on 38 patients who happened the osteoporotic compression fractures during the conservative treatment of pre-existing degenerative spinal stenosis. We performed percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic compression fractures and adhesiolysis for degenerative spinal stenosis after 4 weeks after vertebroplasty. Radiologic results were evaluated by progression of compression rate, fractures in adjacent segment and change of the BMD. Clinical results were evaluated with Denis pain scale for osteoporotic compression fractures and Katz satisfaction scale for degenerative spinal stenosis. RESULTS: The compression rate was 30.2% preoperatively, 21.4% postoperatively, and 24.6% at 12 months postoperatively. There was no fracture in adjacent segment. Clinically, the Denis score were P3 in 13 and P4 in 25, preoperatively, P1 in 11 and P2 in 26, P3 in 1, postoperatively (P=0.03). In regard to degenerative diseases, the Kats scale were 38 to 5, 86.8% in low back pain (P=0.017) and 38 to 4, 89.4% in claudication (P=0.006). The overall Katz satisfaction scale was 81.5% at 12 months postoperatively. The BMD changes in patients who treated neuroplasty was not significant (P=0.175). CONCLUSIONS: The combined treatment with percutaneous vertebroplasty and adhesiolysis may be an effective treatment strategy for the osteoporotic compression fracture and spinal stenosis without surgical intervention in old age patients.
Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis ; Vertebroplasty

TWIK-related K+ channel-2 (TREK-2) and TWIK-related spinal cord K+ (TRESK) channel are members of two-pore domain K+ channel family. They are well expressed and help to set the resting membrane potential in sensory neurons. Modulation of TREK-2 and TRESK channels are involved in the pathogenesis of pain, and specifi c activators of TREK-2 and TRESK may be benefi cial for the treatment of pain symptoms. However, the effect of commonly used analgesics on TREK-2 and TRESK channels are not known. Here, we investigated the effect of analgesics on TREK-2 and TRESK channels. The effects of analgesics were examined in HEK cells transfected with TREK-2 or TRESK. Amitriptyline, citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine significantly inhibited TREK-2 and TRESK currents in HEK cells (p<0.05, n=10). Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, nabumetone, and bupropion inhibited TRESK, but had no effect on TREK-2. These results show that all analgesics tested in this study inhibit TRESK activity. Further study is needed to identify the mechanisms by which the analgesics modulate TREK-2 and TRESK differently.
Acetaminophen ; Amitriptyline ; Analgesics* ; Antidepressive Agents* ; Bupropion ; Citalopram ; Fluoxetine ; Humans ; Ibuprofen ; Membrane Potentials ; Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; Spinal Cord

Persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA) is the most common carotid-basilar anastomosis; on the other hand, persistent primitive otic artery (PPOA) is extremely rare. PPTA is often misdiagnosed as PPOA on cerebral angiography. We present a case of PPTA that mimicked PPOA on cerebral angiography. We further describe the utility of brain computed tomography angiography for differential diagnosis of PPTA from PPOA, together with a review of previous literature.
Angiography ; Arteries* ; Brain ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations ; Cerebral Angiography* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hand

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency and safety of Y configuration stent-assisted coiling with double-closed stents for wide-necked intracranial aneurysms located at arterial bifurcations thorough analysis of a multicenter case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was done on 10 patients who underwent endovascular treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms with Y-configuration stent-assisted coil embolization in three centers from August 2011 to March 2014. The degree of aneurysmal occlusion was assessed using the Raymond scale. Clinical outcomes were assessed before operation, at discharge, and at the last follow-up visit using the Glasgow outcome scale. RESULTS: The 10 patients included 6 females and 4 males with a mean age of 58.6 years. Indications for treatment included 6 unruptured intracranial aneurysms and 4 ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Five aneurysms were located at the basilar artery bifurcation, four aneurysms were located in an anterior communicating artery, and one aneurysm was in the pericallosal artery. The mean size of the 10 aneurysms was 9.7 mm. All aneurysms had a dome-to-neck ratio of < 1.5 (mean, 0.89). Immediate complications included one thromboembolic event out of the 10 cases. Immediate posttreatment angiograms showed complete occlusion in 1 aneurysm and residual necks in 9 aneurysms. Follow-up results showed 8 complete occlusions and 2 residual necks. No delayed complications were observed during the follow-up period (mean: 20 months). CONCLUSION: Y configuration using double-closed cell stents is feasible and safe in selected patients. This method is an acceptable option for managing complex wide-necked bifurcations.
Aneurysm* ; Arteries ; Basilar Artery ; Embolization, Therapeutic* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Male ; Methods ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents