OBJECTIVE: To explore short-term effectiveness of floating island laminectomy surgery in treating thoracic spinal stenosis and myelopathy caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum. METHODS: A total of 31 patients with thoracic spinal stenosis and myelopathy caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum between January 2019 and April 2022 were managed with floating island laminectomy surgery. The patients comprised 17 males and 14 females, aged between 36 and 78 years, with an average of 55.9 years. The duration of symptoms of spinal cord compression ranged from 3 to 62 months (mean, 27.2 months). The lesions affected T _1-6 in 4 cases and T _7-12 in 27 cases. The preoperative neurological function score from the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) was 4.7±0.6. Surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were recorded. The thoracic MRI was conducted to reassess the degree of spinal cord compression and decompression after operation. The mJOA score was employed to evaluate the neurological function and calculate the recovery rate at 12 months after operation. RESULTS: The surgical duration ranged from 122 to 325 minutes, with an average of 204.5 minutes. The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 150 to 800 mL (mean, 404.8 mL). All incisions healed by first intention after operation. All patients were followed up 12-14 months, with an average of 12.5 months. The patients' symptoms, including lower limb weakness, gait disorders, and pain, significantly improved. The mJOA scores after operation significantly increased when compared with preoperative scores ( P<0.05), gradually improving with time, with significant differences observed among 1, 3, and 6 months ( P<0.05). The recovery rate at 12 months was 69.76%±11.38%, with 10 cases exhibiting excellent neurological function and 21 cases showing good. During the procedure, there were 3 cases of dural tear and 1 case of dural defect. Postoperatively, there were 2 cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage. No aggravated nerve damage, recurrence of ligamentum flavum ossification, or postoperative thoracic deformity occurred. CONCLUSION The floating island laminectomy surgery is safe for treating thoracic spinal stenosis and myelopathy caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum, effectively preventing the exacerbation of neurological symptoms. Early improvement and recovery of neurological function are achieved.
Humans ; Male ; Spinal Stenosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Laminectomy/methods* ; Ligamentum Flavum/pathology* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery* ; Adult ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ossification, Heterotopic/surgery* ; Spinal Cord Compression/etiology* ; Spinal Cord Diseases/etiology* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different manners of heat exposure on thoracic aorta injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Normal 6 to 7-week-old male SHRs were randomized into control group (cage at room temperature), intermittent heat exposure group (SHR-8 group, exposed to 32 ℃ for 8 h daily for 7 days) and SHR-24 group (with continuous exposure to 32 ℃ for 7 days). After the treatments, the pathologies of the thoracic aorta of the rats were observed with HE staining, and the expressions of Beclin1, LC3B and p62 were detected with Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay; TUNEL staining was used to observe cell apoptosis in the thoracic aorta, and the expressions of caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 were detected using Western blotting. The effects of intraperitoneal injections of 3-MA (an autophagy agonist), rapamycin (an autophagy inhibitor) or compound C 30 min before intermittent heat exposure on the expressions of proteins associated with autophagy, apoptosis and the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway in the aorta were examined with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In SHR-8 group, the rats showed incomplete aortic intima with disordered cell distribution and significantly increased expressions of Beclin1, LC3II/LC3I and Bax, lowered expressions of p62 and Bcl-2, and increased apoptotic cells in the thoracic aorta (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with 3-MA obviously inhibited the expressions of autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins, whereas rapamycin promoted their expressions. Compared with the control group, the rats in SHR-8 group had significantly down-regulated p-mTOR and up-regulated p-AMPK and p-ULK1 expression of in the aorta; Treatment with compound C obviously lowered the expressions of p-AMPK and p-ULK1 and those of LC3B and Beclin1 as well. CONCLUSION In SHRs, intermittent heat exposure causes significant pathologies and promotes autophagy and apoptosis in the thoracic aorta possibly by activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism* ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Beclin-1 ; Hot Temperature ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Aortic Diseases ; Autophagy ; Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy of percutaneous pedicle screw short segment internal fixation with or without the intermediate screw in the treatment of Magerl A3 thoracolumbar fractures with low bone mineral density. METHODS: Patients with Magerl A3 thoracolumbar fracture underwent percutaneous pedicle screw short segment internal fixation from January 2017 to July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, 93 cases met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria, 9 cases were excluded according to the exclusion criteria, and the remaining 84 cases obtained complete imaging follow-up data. There were 38 males and 46 females, the age ranged from 56 to 73 years old with an average of (64.78±7.12) years old, bone mineral density (BMD) ranged from 0.61 to 0.89 g/cm³ with an average of (0.73±0.14) g/cm³, the follow-up time was 11 to 25 months with an average of (17.58±6.12) months. There were 45 cases in group A with intermediate screw and 39 cases in group B without intermediate screw. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used for clinical evaluation. The Cobb angle, vertebral wedge angle (VWA) and anterior vertebral body height (AVBH) were measured by X-ray after the operation. The corrected loss of the above parameters was calculated. RESULTS: There were 5 cases of screw loosening in 84 patients (2 cases in group A and 3 cases in group B, P>0.05). There were significant differences in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between two groups(P<0.01). Clinical effects of two groups were good, postoperative VAS and ODI after operation obviously improved, there was no significant difference between two groups during all follow-up periods (3 days, 1 month after operation and the final follow-up) (P>0.05). Three days after the operation, the image evaluations (Cobb angle, VWA and AVBH) were significantly improved (P<0.05), but significant reduction loss was observed in both groups at 1 month after the operation and at the final follow-up (P<0.05). At the final follow-up, the loss of Cobb angle, VWA and AVBH in group A were (5.26±4.18) °, (4.63±3.80) ° and (9.54±8.71)%, respectively;group B was (6.01±4.34) °, (6.55±6.21) ° and (11.67± 9.95)%, respectively;however, there was no significant difference in reduction loss between the two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSION Although the curative effect of the patients is satisfactory, the stability of the patients can not be improved by increasing the middle injured vertebra screw placement, the two groups of percutaneous short segment internal fixation can not resist the reduction loss of Magerl-A3 thoracolumbar fracture with low bone mineral density. Because the injured vertebra screw increases the operation time and intraoperative blood loss, it is not significant to use the intermediate screw for the elderly Magerl A3 thoracolumbar fractures with low bone mineral density.
Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Bone ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment strategies of patients with severe traumatic aortic injury (TAI). Methods: A total of 25 patients with TAI, who hospitalized in our hospital between August 2005 to March 2021 and underwent thoracic aortic endovascular repair (TEVAR), were included in this retrospective study. According to the time from admission to TEVAR, the patients were divided into emergency TEVAR group (14 cases, TEVAR within 24 h of admission) and elective TEVAR group (11 cases, patients underwent surgery or fracture reduction and fixation first for serious injuries and then underwent TEVAR more than 24 h after admission). The general clinical data of patients, injury severity score (ISS), time from admission to intervention, total hospital stay, the proportion of closed chest drainage and the proportion of abdominal organ repair were obtained and compared. Clinical follow-up and 1-year postoperative aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA) were performed on the patients. Death, the occurrence of aortic adverse events and injury recovery were followed up and recorded. Results: The mean age of these 25 TAI patients was (41.4±14.4) years, 20 patients were males (80.0%). 21 patients (84.0%) had persistent chest and back pain, 17 (68.0%) had pleural effusion and 5 (20.0%) had mediastinal hematoma. The injury severity score (ISS) was significantly higher in the elective TEVAR group than in the emergency TEVAR group (24.9±14.4 vs. 35.5±9.3, P=0.044). The time from admission to intervention ((1.0±0.0) d vs. (3.4±0.9) d, P<0.001], the time from admission to TEVAR ((1.0±0.0) d vs. (11.5±13.8) d, P=0.030) and total hospital stay ((6.1±2.3) d vs. (26.8±7.7) d, P<0.001) were significantly longer in elective TEVAR group than in emergency TEVAR group. The proportion of thoracic closed drainage was significantly lower in the elective TEVAR group than in the emergency TEVAR group (9 (64.3%) vs. 2 (18.2%), P=0.042). The proportion of abdominal organ repair was significantly higher than in the emergency TEVAR group (0 vs. 4 (36.4%), P=0.026). All of 25 patients were discharged alive and followed up for (84.0±30.5) months. All patients survived and completed 1-year postoperation CTA. There were no aortic adverse events occurred, and no complications after surgery, and the fractures and organ injuries healed well. Conclusions: The clinical characteristics of severe TAI are acute multi-injuries combined with persistent chest and/or back pain, pleural effusion, and mediastinal hematoma. Timely diagnosis and treatment are important factors for the outcome. The treatment strategy for multi-injuries should give priority to dealing with life-threatening injuries. TEVAR is the primary treatment strategy for severe TAI and is related to satisfactory outcomes.
Adult ; Aorta, Thoracic/surgery* ; Aortic Diseases ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/adverse effects* ; Endovascular Procedures/methods* ; Female ; Hematoma/surgery* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To explore the prognostic value of simple renal cyst (SRC) for adverse events in patients receiving thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for Stanford B aortic dissection (TBAD). Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study. Consecutive patients receiving TEVAR for TBAD between January 2010 and December 2015 were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into SRC group and non-SRC group. With sex and age ±2 years old as matching factors, SRC group and non-SRC group were matched by 1∶1. Collect and compare the differences of clinical data between the two groups. Adverse events were recorded through outpatient, telephone follow-up and in-hospital review. After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the risk factors of aortic adverse events. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival curve of SRC group and non-SRC group. Results: A total of 692 consecutive patients were recruited. Patients were divided into SRC group (n=235) and non-SRC group (n=457). After 1∶1 matching, there were 229 cases in SRC group and no SRC group respectively. The age of SRC group was (62.3±10.4) years old, 209 cases were male (91.3%), and the age of no SRC group was (62.0±10.2) years old, 209 cases were male (91.3%). Cox regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for confounding factors, comorbid SRC (HR=1.991, 95%CI: 1.090-3.673, P=0.025), TEVAR in the acute phase (HR=13.635, 95%CI: 5.969-31.147, P=0.001), general anesthesia (HR=2.012, 95%CI: 1.066-3.799, P=0.031) are independent factors of aortic-adverse events after TEVAR for TBAD. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative survival rate of SRC group was significantly lower than non-SRC group (log-rank P=0.031, 0.005). Conclusion: SRC is an independent predictor of aortic-related adverse events in patients following TEVAR for TBAD.
Aged ; Aortic Dissection/surgery* ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/surgery* ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/methods* ; Endovascular Procedures/methods* ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic/complications* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Thoracic splenosis is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue in the left thoracic cavity as a result of a splenic injury. This rare pathology is usually asymptomatic and may be discovered on incidental imaging, but the diagnosis often requires invasive procedures such as surgery in order to eliminate a neoplasic origin. We report a rare symptomatic case of a 39-year-old man presenting with chest pain and multiple nodules revealed on a computed tomography scan. The patient underwent a surgical exploration and the pathological studies concluded to a thoracic splenosis. Indeed, the previous medical history of the patient revealed a left thoraco-abdominal traumatism during childhood. The aim of this paper is to emphasize that the diagnosis can now be performed using only imaging techniques such as technetium-99 sulfur colloid or labelled heat-denatured red blood cell scintigraphy to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures including thoracotomy.
Abdominal Injuries ; complications ; Adult ; Asymptomatic Diseases ; Humans ; Male ; Spleen ; injuries ; Splenectomy ; Splenosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Thoracic Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Thoracic Injuries ; complications ; Thoracotomy ; Unnecessary Procedures

Patients undergoing thoracic surgery show various lesions such as chronic obstructive lung diseases, pleural adhesion, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, atelectasis, pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, and pneumothorax throughout preoperative, operative, and recovery periods. Therefore, lung ultrasonography has potential for perioperative use in thoracic surgery. Benefits of lung ultrasonography over conventional chest X-ray are convincing. First, ultrasonography has higher sensitivity than X-ray in various lesions. Second, it can be performed at bed side to obtain diagnosis immediately. Third, it does not expose patients to radiologic hazard. If anesthesiologists can obtain necessary skills and perform lung ultrasonography as a routine evaluation process for patients, territory of anesthesia would become broader and patients would obtain more benefit.
Anesthesia ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; Lung* ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Pulmonary Edema ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND: The aortic knob width (AKW) and the heart rate variability (HRV) were suggested to be related to development of cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between them has not been investigated; thus, this study aimed to determine this relationship. METHODS: This study included 587 Koreans aged 18–79 years. Their physical measurements, medical and social histories, blood test findings, and chest radiographs were obtained. The HRV parameters included the standard deviation of the N-N interval (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), approximate entropy (ApEn), total power (TP), very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF ratio, which were measured for 5 minutes. The AKW was measured on chest radiographs by a single reviewer. RESULTS: The AKW was significantly correlated with the HRV parameters, except for the LF/HF ratio. However, RMSSD and ApEn were not significantly related to the AKW in women. After dividing the participants into quartile groups, the AKW was significantly related to the SDNN, RMSSD, TP, VLF, LF, and HF. The HRV parameter values decreased in the higher AKW quartile groups, the HRV parameter values decreased. After adjusting for sex, drinking status, exercise habits, smoking status, waist circumference, and triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin levels, the AKW showed significant negative associations with the HRV parameters, except for the LF/HF ratio. CONCLUSION: The AKW is significantly associated with the HRV parameters of SDNN, RMSSD, ApEn, TP, VLF, LF, and HF.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Blood Glucose ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Drinking ; Entropy ; Fasting ; Female ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Hematologic Tests ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

Objective To provide a reference for the assessment of the disability grade of Kümmell's disease cases, through the analysis of the basic situation, the disability grade and the causality of Kümmell's disease cases. Methods Data of appraised individuals in 8 cases of Kümmell's disease from traffic accident spinal injury cases accepted by the Institute from 2015 to 2017 were collected, and the basic situation, vertebral fracture sites and disability grades of the appraised individuals were analyzed. Results Among 8 cases of appraised individuals, there were 2 males and 6 females, the oldest 75 years and the youngest 50 years, with an average age of 62.5 years, all of whom suffered from single vertebral fracture. Among them, 1 patient had thoracic 11 vertebra fracture, 3 thoracic 12 vertebra fracture, 2 lumbar 1 vertebra fracture, 1 lumbar 2 vertebra fracture, and 1 lumbar 4 vertebra fracture, all of whom were assessed as grade 10 disability. Conclusion In the assessment of disability grade of vertebral fracture, dynamic observation of the vertebral fracture and its recovery should be made based on imaging data. If it is suspected that there is Kümmell's disease, it should be differentiated from other diseases. Also, the disability grade will be assessed according to the corresponding standards when the morphology of the injured vertebral body is relatively stable.
Accidents, Traffic ; Aged ; Disability Evaluation ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Diseases/pathology* ; Spinal Fractures/pathology* ; Thoracic Vertebrae

Thoracic splenosis is a rare disease that develops as a result of autotransplantation of splenic tissue into the thoracic cavity following splenic and diaphragmatic injury. We report the case of a 53-year-old man with a chief complaint of heartburn and cough. He had a history of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture treated with surgical repair and splenectomy 15 years ago. Imaging studies revealed a paraesophageal mass, and surgical resection was performed considering the possibility of Castleman disease or an esophageal submucosal tumor. Pathologic results showed findings of normal splenic tissue. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 5 without any complications.
Autografts ; Cough ; Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia ; Heartburn ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Rare Diseases ; Rupture ; Splenectomy ; Splenosis ; Thoracic Cavity ; Transplantation, Autologous