The early treatment principles of spinal cord injury (SCI) included early drug using, early surgery and early rehabilitation.The literatures on how to use drug early and how to control the time for SCI before surgery were reviewed.

BACKGROUND:Percutaneous vertebroplasty has been extensively applied in treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, and now it is also used in spinal metastatic tumor. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty for metastatic tumor of thoracic lumbar vertebrae by bone cement perfusion at different times and temperature gradient. METHODS:A total of 24 cases (38 vertebrae) of metastatic tumor receiving percutaneous vertebroplasty and bone cement perfusion at different times and temperature gradient were reviewed retrospectively. Al patients were classified into group A (11 vertebrae in 9 cases) featured with apparent vertebral compression (≥ 1/4) and group B (27 vertebrae in 15 cases) of no obvious compression (<1/4). The percutaneous vertebroplasty was conducted with C-arm fluoroscopy positioning. Bone cement was injected by perfusion at different times and temperature gradient method. Visual Analogue Scales and Owestry Disability Index were recorded to assess pain al eviation and functional restoration before and after bone cement injection at different times and temperature gradient. The height of treated vertebrae was also analyzed. Fol ow-up was performed for 12 to 56 months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al 24 patients successful y underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty and bone cement perfusion at different times and temperature gradient. Bone cement (4±1) mL was averagely injected into each thoracic vertebra. Bone cement (5±1) mL was injected into each lumbar vertebra. Postoperative recheck radiographs revealed good bone cement distribution, no nerve root injury or spinal compression occurred. Vertebral height was significantly higher posttreatment compared with pretreatment in both groups (P<0.05). Visual Analogue Scales and Owestry Disability Index scores were significantly lower at 1 day, 1 month after treatment and during final fol ow-up compared with preoperation in al patients (P<0.05). No significant difference in Visual Analogue Scales and Owestry Disability Index scores was detected between two groups at the same time point. Results suggested that percutaneous vertebroplasty and bone cement perfusion at different times and temperature gradient for metastatic tumor of thoracic lumbar vertebrae could reduce the occurrence of bone cement leakage, and could ease the pain quickly for apparent and non-apparent compressed tumor metastatic vertebrae. It is an effective method to treat metastatic tumor of vertebrae.

Objective To investigate the anti-chronic stress effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) transplantation in rats with spinal cord injury.Methods Forty-eight adult SD rats were divided into control group,model group and treatment group according to the random number table,with 16 rats each.In model and treatment groups,lower thoracic (T10) spinal cord injury were constructed using the modified Allen's method.In control group,only laminectomy was performed.After 7 days,100 μl Hank's buffer suspension containing 1.0 × 106 BMSCs was injected into the subarachnoid space of L4-5 intervertebral space of rats in control group and treatment group.While in model group,only the equal volume of Hank's buffer was used.Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale was performed to evaluate hindlimb motor function in rats.At postoperative 14 and 28 days,blood samples were collected to measure adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH),norepinephrine (NE),epinephrine (E) and corticosterone (CORT) using the ELISA method;brains were harvested for the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor proteins GluR1 and GluR2 immunohistochemical staining.Results After injury,BBB scores in model and treatment groups were similar,but both were lower than that in control group (P ＜ 0.05).After BMSCs transplantation,BBB score in treatment group [21 d:(9.85 ± 0.82)points and 28 d:(11.23 ±0.68)points] improved continuously compared to model group [21 d:(8.42 ± 0.39) points and 28 d:(8.84 ± 0.25) points],but all were lower than that in control group [(21.00 ±0.00)points,P ＜0.05].ACTH contents in model and treatment groups at 14d [(104.80±6.16) and (98.50 ± 4.07) pg/ml] and 28 d [(101.40±2.33) and (96.50± 2.28) pg/ml] were higher than those in control group [(90.40 ± 1 1.36) and (83.20 ± 5.22) pg/ml] (P ＜ 0.05).CORT contents in model and treatment groups [(44.40 ± 1.44) and (43.30 ± 1.17) ng/ml] was lower than that in control group [(48.20 ± 2.27) ng/ml] at 14 d,but were found to be elevated [(70.40 ± 1.90) and (61.40 ± 1.83) ng/ml] compared to control group [(46.40 ± 1.49) ng/ml] at 28 d (P ＜ 0.05).Meanwhile,the CORT content in treatment group was lower than that in model group (P ＜ 0.05).Changes in NE and E contents among the groups were similar with ACTH.Immunohistochemical staining suggested the amounts of GluR1 and GluR2 positive cells in treatment group lowered compared to control group (P ＜ 0.05),but increased in model group compared to control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion BMSCs transplantation can improve the hindlimb motor function,contribute to reducing the secretion of stress-related hormones ACTH,CORT,NE and E,and down-regulate the expression of AMPA receptor proteins GluR1 and GluR2 in rats with spinal cord injury,suggesting a potential role in antichronic stress.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of painful multi-vertebral osteoporotic compression fractures. Methods From October 2002 to April 2007, 42 patients (96 vertebrae) with painful multi-vertebral osteoporotic compression fractures underwent kyphoplasty. The group included 14 men and 28 women with an average age of 72.5 years (range 56-91 years). Each pro-cedure included insertion and insertion of balloon, fracture reduction and cement filling under "C"-arm monitoring. Preoperative and postoperative pain level, SF-36 score, vertebral height restoration, local kypho-sis correction and complications were recorded and analysed. Results All 42 patients tolerated the opera-tion well and were followed up for average 31.4 months (range 12-71 months). The mean VAS pain score decreased significantly from 7.1±2.4 preoperatively to 2.7±1.3 postoperatively, the mean height of anterior and medial vertebral body were (1.8±0.5) cm, (1.6±0.6) cm preoperatively and (2.3±0.6) cm, (2.2±0.7) cm postoperatively. No significant change of posterior vertebral height was recorded postoperatively.The mean correction of local kyphosis was 9.2°at each level. 6 of 8 subscahs measured by SF-36, including physical function, role function, bodily pain, vitality, role emotion, mental health, were significantly improved by the operation. Complications were found in 7 patients including 6 cases of cement leakage with no clinical symptoms (intradiscal cement leakage in two cases, paravertebral vessel leakage in two cases, paravertebral leakage in one case and cement leakage into canal in one case), and 1 case of pulmonary embelization with symptoms relieved after conservative treatment. Conclusion Kyphoplasty is effective and relatively safe for multi-vertebral osteoporotic compression fractures.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of the treatment of lumbar spine steno-sis by modified unilateral approach for bilateral decompression under microendoscope.Method:217 cases with degenerative lumbar spine stenosis from September 2003 to December 2008 were treated by modified unilater-al approach for bilateral decompression of central spinal canal and nerve root canal under microendoscope.A-mong them laminectomy of one segment was done in 163 cases,two segments were done in 54 cases.After surgery,the routine radiograph were carried out and the Nakai criterion was used for assessment.Result:The mean operative time was 48±13min (range,25 to 95min),the average blood loss was 37±9ml (range,25 to 180ml),the average skin incision length was 2.2±0.2cm(1.8 to 2.4cm).2 cases had dural matter tearing,which healed after filling with gelatin foam and 2 weeks bed rest,after that no cerebrospinal fluid leakage was noted after surgery.Mislocation was noted in 1 case.No nerve inury and postoperative infection oceurred.Postoperative CT scan demonstrated complete decompression of the central spinal canal and nerve root canal.All patients were followed-up for an average of 14 months (range,3 months to 24 months).The Nakai criterion at final follow-up showed clinical excellent in 134 cases,good in 63 cases,fair in 16 cases and worse in 4 cases, with the excellent and good rate of 90.8%.No lumbar spine instability was noted.Conclusion:Treatment of de-generative lumbar spine stenosis by modified unilateral approach for bilateral decompression under mieroendo-scope has the merit of minimal invasive,less complications and reliable therapeutical effect.

Objective To investigate therapeutical methods on lumbar disc herniation with posterior edge separation of the vertebral body. Methods Different methods were applied to 31 patients, including 24 males and 7 females whose ages ranged from 18 to 61 years. Except that 2 patients with mild lumbar pain were treated with conservative therapy, the other 29 patients were treated with operation. The operations were made according to the relationship between compressive hernia and vertebral canal. For instance, for cases that the herniated mixtures were lateral, decompression with fenestration or amplified fenestration was applied to the trouble side; for cases that mixtures were central or paracentral, the same treatment was applied to both sides; and posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF) or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) was applied to those that the mixtures occupied most part of the front canal. Results The follow-up studies were made for all the patients for 1 to 4 years with an average period of 2.6 years. For the two patients treated with conservative therapy, one was fully recovered and the other, who took no effect from former therapy, was finally recruited after decompression with fenestration on the trouble side. Among the patients who were treated with operation, those with lateral herniated mixtures received significant effect, while only 60% of those with central or paracentral mixtures recovered (the unrecovered or even worsened patients after operation finally recruited by PLIF), and for those with mixtures occupying most part of the front canal, satisfactory effect were achieved. Conclusion Operation treatment should be applied to patients as early as possible when conservative therapy has no obvious effect. Different operation methods should be taken according to the relationship between compressive hernia and vertebral canal: 1) Decompression with fenestration or amplified fenestration on the trouble side be applied to those with lateral herniated mixtures; 2) Decompression with fenestration on both sides be applied to those with paracentral mixtures but no lateral crypt narrowness, and PLIF or TLIF to those with central mixtures or lateral crypt narrowness; 3) PLIF or TLIF be applied to those with mixtures occupying most part of the front canal.

Objective To discuss the individual method and its feasibility and security of balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with vertebral body wall incompetence. Methods Thirty-nine vertebral bodies were performed for kyphoplasty in 35 osteoporotic patients with vertebral compression fractures with incompetence of vertebral body wall. During operation, the cement was injected twice to avoid anterior leaking in the patients with anterior wall incompetence, while in the patients with posterior or lateral wall incompetence, the cement was injected with continuously X-ray monitoring by C-arm to prevent lateral or posterior leaking. The symptoms improvement, vertebral height restoration and complications were observed. Results All patients tolerated the procedure well with immediate relief of back pain after kyphoplasty. No symptomatic complications were found in all patients. The vertebral height had a recovery rate of 68.46%, and the mean Cobb angle was improved 8.6?. There was significant difference in Cobb angles between preoperation and postoperation (P

Objective To study the method of isolating and culturing stem cells from rat adipose tissue and to determine if adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs)harvest from rat could differentiate into osteogenic and chondrogenic in vitro.Methods ADSCs were isolated from rat inguinal fat pads after extensive washing with phosphate-derived saline and digesting with collagenase.After primary culture in control medium and expanded to two passages,the cells were incubated in either an osteogenic medium or an chondrogenic medium for 2-4 weeks to induce osteogenesis and chondrogenesis,respectively.Evidences of Osteogenic differentiation,were detected by a ALP solution,and while chondrogenic differentiation was confirmed using the histologic Alcian blue staining at acidic pH.Expressions of osteocyte and chondrocyte specific genes were confirmed by RT-PCR.Results ADSCs can be isolated from rat adipose tissue and,expanded rapidly.It exhibited a heterogeneous population of fibroblast like cells morphologically.ADSCs induced to osteogenesis were stained positively for alkaline phosphatase activity after 2 weeks and formed mineralized nodular structures,as conformed by Von kossa staining.Expression of osteocyte specific genes,such as ALP,osteopontin,osteocalcin,was detected.ALP and osteopontin,were expressed constitutively in osteogenic medium after 2 and 4 weeks of culture.Expression of osteocalcin,was induced by osteogenic growth factors at 4 weeks.Induced to chondrogenesis cells were positive of Alcian blue staining under acidic conditions and expression of aggrecan and typeⅡ/Ⅹ collagen genes.Aggrecan and typeⅡcollagen genes were abundant after 2 weeks in chondrogenic medium.TypeⅩ collagen gene was detected at 4 weeks.Conclusion Adipose-derived stem cells can be isolated from rat adipose tissue.Their biological characteristics are similar with mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs),and have the potential to differentiate into osteogenic and chondrogenic lineage.It may be an idea source of ADSCs for tissue engineering.

[Objective]To explore the complications of tibial fracture treated with interlocking intramedullary nail.[Method]The full data of 785 cases of tibial fiacture treated with interlocking intramedullary nail were studied retrospectively.[Result]Mean follow-up period was 27 months (8~40months).There were some complications as follows: infection rate was 2.7% (21 cases),fracture nonunion 1.5% (12 cases),fracture delayed union 6.8% (53 cases),fracture malunion 0.9% (7 cases),knee pain 6.8% (53 cases),nail broken 1.4% (ll cases),locking screw broken or drop out 2.2% (17 cases).[Conclusion]Proper manipulations,strict indications,and postoperative treatment are vital to prevent the complications.

[Objective]To evaluate the outcome of thoracolumbar fracture with spinal cord injury treated with short-segment pedicle instrumentation.[Method]47 cases of thoracolumbar fracture with spinal cord injury from 1999 to 2004 in our department were collected,all of them were treated with short-segment pedicle instrumentation.The radiologic,neurologic,and functional outcome were assessed.[Result]All of the 47 cases were followed up,the mean follow-up were 51.9 months(18~ 86 months),the average of vertebral anterior and posterior height were corrected from 43.6%,71.4% to 92.2%,96.4%;and 88.3%,93.1% at the last follow-up separately.The Cobb's angle were corrected from 23.5?to 4.3?,and 8.8? at the last follow-up.62.8% of the vertebral canal was occupied pre-operation,and 11.4% post-operation,6.2% at last follow-up.There was significant deference in targets between pre-operation and post-operation(P0.05).Neurologic status improved at least 1 Frankel grade in the patients who had preoperative incomplete paraplegia.61.7% of patients returned to work.[Conclusion]Short-segment pedicle instrumentation can provide good reduction,strong fixation,complete decompression and fusion.The treatment outcome is good.Moreover,it is a less traumatic,simple and safe technique.