No abstract available.
Animals ; Calcium* ; Clonidine* ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Rats* ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Tetracaine*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Capsaicin* ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Rats* ; Spinal Nerve Roots*

This study was performed to investigate origins of the dorsal root ganglion cells containing calcitonin gene -related peptide (CGRP) which innervate the calcaneal tendon in the rat. We used the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or fluoro -gold (FG) to trace retrogradely somatic afferents in dorsal root ganglion cells after unilateral injections into the rat calcaneal tendon. HRP or fluoro -gold labeled DRG cells for the calcaneal tendon were seen generaaly in lumbosacral (L1 to S1) DRGs ipsilaterally. In lumbosacral DRGs, the largest number of labeled cells were found in the L6 DRG. Many DRG cell bodies contained the CGRP throughout the L1~S1. A plenty of HRP -or FG -labeled cells innervating the calcaneal tendon were also identified to contain the CGRP in L1~S1 DRGs. These FG +/- CGRP DRG cells innervating the calcaneal tendon were primarily found in the L6 DRG. These results suggest that the main sensory DRG for the calcaneal tendon is the L6. This fact may be available in diagnosis and treatment of neurogenic pain in the calcaneal tendon.
Animals ; Calcitonin ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Horseradish Peroxidase ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rats* ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Tendons*

The authors investigated the morphometric analysis of substance P(SP)- and somatostatin(SOM)- containing nerve cells in dorsal root ganglia. For this purpose, immunohistochemical method was used to determine the number, size and the morphological characteristics of SP- and SOM-reactive cells in L5 dorsal root ganglia of rats. In addition, changes in type A, type B, SP- and SOM-containing nerve cells in ganglia after sciatic nerve transection were also determined. The results were as follows : 1) SP- and SPOM-reactive nerve cells belong to the population of type B cell, but N/C ratios of immunoreactive cells were higher than others ; 2) in normal group, SP- and SOM-reactive nerve cells were 12.5 and 3.2% of total nerve cells in ganglia, respectively ; 3) the case of coexistence of SP and SOM in one cell was not found ; 4) and there was a marked reduction in the number of SP- and SOM-reactive cells at 2 weeks after nerve injuries. And SP-reactive nerve cells were increased in number at 6 weeks after operation, but SOM-reactive cells were not. According to these results, SP- and SOM-reactive nerve cells belong to type B cells, but do not coexist in one cell. These nerve cells were decreased in number after nerve transection. SP-reactive nerve cells were recovered at 6 weeks after operation but recovery of SOM-reactive cell was not found.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Ganglia ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neurons ; Rats* ; Sciatic Nerve* ; Somatostatin* ; Somatostatin-Secreting Cells ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Substance P*

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between change in the expression of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (NTR) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) after a spinal nerve injury with time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The L5 and L6 spinal nerve of the rats were cut unilaterally. The spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were subjected to immunohistochemistry for p75 NTR and TRPV1. RESULTS: The immunoreaction (IR) for p75 NTR in the neuronal cytoplasm was persistently lower on the ipsilateral L5 and L6 DRG but higher in the satellite cells and fibers. The colocalization between p75 NTR and TRPV1 was increased temporarily in the L4 DRG in both sides. In the spinal cord, p75 NTR-IR decreased temporalily in the ipsilateral dorsal horn of the L4-L6 level and had recovered at 28 days after injury. CONCLUSION: These results show that a differential change in the expression of p75 NTR and TRPV1 is related to the different functional recovery of the sensory and motor system, and that increased colocalizations between p75 NTR and TRPV1 in a non-injured DRG might be related to the development of neuropathic pain after a peripheral nerve injury.
Animals ; Cytoplasm ; Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Horns ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neuralgia ; Neurons ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Rats* ; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor* ; Spinal Cord* ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Spinal Nerves*

BACKGROUND: When applying pulsed radiofrequency on dorsal root ganglia for treating chronic lower back pain, maximum efficiency can be expected when a needle is placed 1-2 cm peripheral to the dorsal root ganglion. The object of this study is to analyze images taken after adding contrast to transforaminal epidural injection, categorize root ganglia according to anatomical position, and provide a reference for efficient needle positioning in applying pulsed radiofrequency on dorsal root ganglia. METHODS: From January 2008 to January 2009, 457 patients who visited our hospital for root pain or radiculopathy were treated with transforaminal epidural injection on the nerve roots based on the dermatome of the painful area. Anteroposterior views were taken after injection of contrast. A virtual line was made by connecting the internal and external parts of the spinal pedicle from the contrast images. Then the dorsal root ganglia were categorized as intraspinal (IS), intraforaminal (IF), or extraforaminal (EF). RESULTS: In the fourth lumbar spine, dorsal root ganglia positions were 48% IF, 41% IS, and 6% EF. In the fifth lumbar spine, dorsal root ganglia positions were 75% IF, 10% IS, and 6% EF. In the first sacral spine, dorsal root ganglia locations were 8% IF and 83% IS. CONCLUSIONS: Positional categorization of dorsal root ganglia according to contrast images was proven to be good anatomical references for effective radiofrequency or blocking of dorsal root ganglia.
Catheter Ablation ; Ganglia ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Humans ; Injections, Epidural ; Low Back Pain ; Lumbosacral Region ; Needles ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Spine

Capsaicin, the pungent ingredient in hot pepper, activates nociceptors to produce pain and inflammation. However, prolonged exposures of capsaicin will cause desensitization to nociceptive stimuli. Hyperpolarization-activated cation currents (Ih) contribute to the maintenance of the resting membrane potential and excitability of neurons. In the cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, we investigated mechanisms underlying capsaicin-mediated modulation of Ih using patch clamp recordings. Capsaicin (1 microM) inhibited Ih only in the capsaicin-sensitive neurons. The capsaicin-induced inhibition of Ih was prevented by preexposing the TRPV1 antagonist, capsazepine (CPZ). Capsaicin-induced inhibition of Ih was dose dependent (IC50= 0.68 microM) and partially abolished by intracellular BAPTA and cyclosporin A, specific calcineurin inhibitor. In summary, the inhibitory effects of capsaicin on Ih are mediated by activation of TRPV1 and Ca(2+)-triggered cellular responses. Analgesic effects of capsaicin have been thought to be related to desensitization of nociceptive neurons due to depletion of pain-related substances. In addition, capsaicin-induced inhibition of Ih is likely to be important in understanding the analgesic mechanism of capsaicin.
Animals ; Calcineurin ; Capsaicin ; Cyclosporine ; Egtazic Acid ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Inflammation ; Membrane Potentials ; Neurons ; Nociceptors ; Rats ; Spinal Nerve Roots

Dorsal root ganglionotomy of the S5 nerve is useful for pain around the coccyx. The S5 dorsal root ganglion lies behind the sacrum at a level 1 cm caudal to the S2 foraminal opening and approximately 2 mm lateral to the midline of the sacrum. A small burr-hole was made through the plates of the posterior sacrum to approach the dorsal root ganglion of S5 nerve. Sensory stimulation was performed at 0.3 V, 50 Hz. No motor fasciculations was noted at 0.6 V, 2 Hz. A thermal lesion was created at 75oC for 60 sec. The patient whom we report now was a 67-year-old male who suffered from the pain around the coccyx due to rectal cancer metastasis. He failed to respond to other oral and invasive conventional therapy. We experienced a successful result in the treatment of his intractable pain after the S5 dorsal root ganglionotomy.
Aged ; Coccyx ; Fasciculation ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pain, Intractable ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Sacrum ; Spinal Nerve Roots*

Segmental zoster paresis is a focal, asymmetric limb weakness caused by a herpes zoster infection. It is a rare complication of herpes zoster and the exact pathogenesis is uncertain. However, the most likely cause is the direct spread of the virus from the sensory ganglia to the anterior horn cells or anterior spinal nerve roots. We experienced two patients with segmental zoster paresis who showed both anterior and posterior root involvement on a gadolinium-enhanced MRI, supporting this hypothesis.
Anterior Horn Cells ; Extremities ; Ganglia, Sensory ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neuroimaging ; Paresis* ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Spinal Nerves*

Inguinal hernia repair can result in paresthesia and/or pain in the inguinal region. Pharmacological and surgical management often yield inconsistent results associated with considerable risks and side effects. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF) is a neuro-destructive treatment for severe pain, but associated with hypoesthesia, neuritis-like reactions, and occasional neuroma formation. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), unlike RF, delivers high intensity currents in pulses, is non-neurodestructive, and therefore less painful, without the potential complications. Here we report on PRF in chronic postoperative inguinal pain. A 23-year-old male who received right inguinal hernia repair and complained of right sided groin pain for approximately 10 years underwent PRF at the L1 and L2 dorsal root ganglia (DRG). He then reported a decrease in pain from 80-90/100 mm to 15-30/100 mm on a visual analogue scale (VAS), which lasted for twelve months.
Electrocoagulation ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Groin ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Herniorrhaphy* ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Male ; Neuroma ; Paresthesia ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Young Adult