Neuropathic pain(NP) has similar phenotypes but different sequential neuroinflammatory mechanisms in the pathological process. It is of great significance to inhibit the initiation of neuroinflammation, which has become a new direction of NP treatment and drug development in recent years. Mongolian drug Naru-3 is clinically effective in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, sciatica, and other NPs in a short time, but its pharmacodynamic characteristics and mechanism of analgesia are still unclear. In this study, a spinal nerve ligation(SNL) model simulating clinical peripheral nerve injury was established and the efficacy and mechanism of Naru-3 in the treatment of NPs was discussed by means of behavioral detection, side effect evaluation, network analysis, and experimental verification. Pharmacodynamic results showed that Naru-3 increased the basic pain sensitivity threshold(mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal radiation hyperalgesia) in the initiation of SNL in animals and relieved spontaneous pain, however, there was no significant effect on the basic pain sensitivity threshold and motor coordination function of normal animals under physiological and pathological conditions. Meanwhile, the results of primary screening of target tissues showed that Naru-3 inhibited the second phase of injury-induced nociceptive response of formalin test in mice and reduced the expression of inflammatory factors in the spinal cord. Network analysis discovered that Naru-3 had synergy in the treatment of NP, and its mechanism was associated with core targets such as matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β). The experiment further took the dorsal root ganglion(DRG) and the stage of patho-logical spinal cord as the research objects, focusing on the core targets of inducing microglial neuroinflammation. By means of Western blot, immunofluorescence, agonists, antagonists, behavior, etc., the mechanism of Naru-3 in exerting NP analgesia may be related to the negative regulation of the MMP9/IL-1β signaling pathway-mediated microglia p38/IL-1β inflammatory loop in the activation phase. The relevant research enriches the biological connotation of Naru-3 in the treatment of NP and provides references for clinical rational drug use.
Rats ; Mice ; Animals ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Spinal Cord/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Neuralgia/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical research progress of spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL). METHODS: The clinical studies on SEL at home and abroad in recent years were extensively reviewed, and the pathogenesis, clinical and imaging manifestations, and treatment status of SEL were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: SEL is a disease characterized by compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots due to abnormal accumulation of epidural adipose tissue in the spinal canal. Its prevalence and diagnosis rate are low and the pathogenesis is not fully understood. MRI is the most sensitive and specific diagnostic test for SEL. Surgical decompression and removal of excess adipose tissue are the only options for patients with acute SEL or those who have failed conservative management, and conservative management should be considered for other patients. CONCLUSION SEL is a rare disease and related research still needs to be improved. In the future, high-quality, multi-center and large-sample studies will be of great significance for evaluating the choice of treatment methods and effectiveness of SEL patients.
Humans ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Epidural Space/surgery* ; Lipomatosis/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Spinal Cord Diseases/surgery*

Humans ; Spinal Cord Injuries/complications* ; Paralysis/etiology* ; Nervous System Diseases ; Brain

Objective: To compare the volumetric changes of cervical disc herniation (CDH) after cervical microendoscopic laminoplasty(CMEL),expansive open-door laminoplasty (EOLP) and conservative treatment. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 101 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM),at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April 2012 to April 2021. The patients included 52 males and 49 females with an age of (54.7±11.8) years(range:25 to 86 years). Among them, 35 patients accepted CMEL treatment,33 patients accepted EOLP treatment,while 33 patients accepted conservative treatment. Volume data of CDH were measured by three-dimensional analysis of the initial and follow-up MRI images. The absorption rate and reprotrusion rate of CDH were calculated. The happening of resorption or reprotrusion was defined when the ratio was greater than 5%. The clinical outcomes and quality of life were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and the neck disability index (NDI).Quantitative data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA with post LSD-t test (multiple comparison) or Kruskal-Wallis test. Categorical data was analyzed by χ² test. Results: The follow-up time of the CMEL group,EOLP group and the conservative treatment group were (27.6±18.8)months,(21.6±6.9)months and(24.9±16.3)months respectively with no significant difference(P>0.05). Changes of CDH volume in patients:(1) There were 96 CDH of 35 patients in the CMEL group,among which 78 showed absorption. The absorption frequency was 81.3%(78/96) and the absorption rate was ranged 5.9% to 90.9%;9 CDH showed reprotrusion,the reprotrusion frequency was 9.4% (9/96) and the reprotrusion rate was 5.9% to 13.3%;(2) There were 94 CDH of 33 patients in the EOLP group,of which 45 showed absorption. The absorption prevalence was 47.9% (45/94) and the absorption rate was 5.0% to 26.7%;20 CDH showed reprotruded,with the reprotrusion frequency of 21.3% (20/94) and the reprotrusion rate was 5.8% to 28.3%;(3) There were 102 CDH in 33 patients of the conservative group. Among them, 5 showed absorption. The absorption frequency was 4.9% (5/102),and the absorption rate was 7.2% to 14.3%;58 CDH showed reprotruded with the re-protrusion ratio of 56.9% (58/102) and the re-protrusion rate was 5.4% to 174.1%. The absorption ratio and reprotrusion ratio of the CMEL group were statistically different from EOLP group or the conservative group (P<0.01).The absorption ratio and reprotrusion ratio of the EOLP group was different from conservative group (all P<0.01). In terms of clinical outcomes, the excellent/good rate of the JOA score and NDI scores in the CMEL group were different from that of conservative group (all P<0.01) but not from that of the EOLP group(P>0.05). Conclusions: CMEL is an effective method for the treatment of CSM,making CDH easier to resorption compared to the EOLP or conservative treatment,thus making a better decompression effect on the nerves. This study enlightened on a new strategy for the clinical treatment of CSM.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Retrospective Studies ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Conservative Treatment ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; Spondylosis/surgery* ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Laminoplasty/methods* ; Decompression

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most serious subtype, which is characterized by severe clinical symptoms, a high disability rate, and poor prognosis. Traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine have their own advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of CSM at different stages. In order to further standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CSM and improve the clinical efficacy, based on previous experience and evidence-based medicine, after repeated discussions by the national expert group, the expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine was compiled. This consensus comprehensively introduces the definition, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis treatment principles, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment, postoperative rehabilitation and nursing care of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, so as to provide reference for clinicians.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Consensus ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Spinal Cord Diseases/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Cervical Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nitrous Oxide/adverse effects* ; Spinal Cord Diseases/diagnostic imaging* ; Substance-Related Disorders

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of anterior soft tissue swelling after anterior cervical subtotal corpectomy, titanium mesh fusion and internal fixation. METHODS: From November 2015 to July 2018, 151 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were treated with anterior single corpectomy, titanium mesh fusion and internal fixation, including 109 males and 42 females, aged 44 to 81 (59.77±8.34) years. Through postoperative follow up observation, the C RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 15 to 40(28.00±3.52) months. One week after the operation, the swelling of anterior soft tissue reached the peak, and then decreased. At 8 months after the operation, the swelling of anterior soft tissue on C CONCLUSION Anterior subtotal cervical corpectomy, titanium mesh bone graft fusion and internal fixation can cause swelling of the anterior soft tissue. One week after operation, we should pay more attention to the aggravation of the swelling of the anterior soft tissue to avoid the occurrence of dysphagia, respiratory obstruction, asphyxia and other complications.
Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spinal Fusion ; Spondylosis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of microscope assisted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with conventional surgical approach in the treatment of single-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy. METHODS: The clinical data of 89 patients with single-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated from March 2015 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 55 males and 34 females, with an average of (52.00±11.36) years old. Among the patients, 34 cases were treated with conventional anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (conventional group), including C RESULTS: Intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay in microscope group were less than those in conventional group ( CONCLUSION Both methods can achieve satisfactory effect in treating single-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy. However, microscope-assisted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion has advantages of clear vision, less bleeding and fewer intraoperative complications.
Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases/surgery* ; Spinal Fusion ; Spondylosis/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effects of anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion (ACCF) in treating adjacent two-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). METHODS: The clinical data of 37 patients with adjacent two segment CSM treated from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, including 15 males and 22 females, aged from 43 to 69 years old with an average of 54.6 years. The patients were divided into ACDF group (group A, =17) and ACCF group (group B, =20) according to the different surgery. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded;the Cobb angle and cervical curvature in the cervical fusion segments before surgery and 1, 12 months after surgery were observed;Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used to evaluate the surgical efficacy, and the postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months with an average of 18.5 months. Operation time and intraoperative blood loss in group A were (106.3±22.6) min, (52.2±26.4) ml, respectively, while were (115.6±16.8) min, ( 61.7±20.7) ml in group B. There was no statistically significant in operation time between two groups(>0.05);intraoperative blood loss in group B was larger than group A(<0.05). The preoperative and postoperative 1 and 12 months, cervical curvature and Cobb angle of cervical fusion segment in group A were (11.28±1.40)°, (17.56±1.90)°, (16.64±1.80)° and (4.93±4.20) °, (9.44±2.60)°, (9.25±2.80)°, respectively, and in group B were (10.59± 1.20)°, (16.26±2.10)°, (15.76±2.50)° and (4.75±3.90)°, (7.98±2.10)°, (7.79±3.00)°. The cervical curvature and Cobb angle in all cervical fusion segments at 1, 12 months after surgery were obviously improved, and group A recovered more significantly than group B (<0.05). The JOA scores in group A were 9.46±1.70, 11.56±1.40, 14.86±1.20 before operation and 1 and 12 months after operation, and group B were 9.11±1.50, 11.40±1.30, 15.12±1.60, respectively. The postoperative JOA scores of the two groups were significantly improved (<0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between two groups at the same time (>0.05). At the final follow up, in group A, dysphagia occurred in 2 cases, cage displacement in 1 case, and no titanium plate screw loose was found;and in group B, dysphagia occurred in 4 cases, titanium mesh collapse in 2 cases, titanium plate screw loose in 1 case. CONCLUSION Two types of anterior cervical decompression and fusion for the treatment of two segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy can effectively decompress and improve the Cobb angle and cervical curvature of the affected vertebra. The ACDF surgical procedure can directly removethe compressive thing at intervertebral level, which will lead to little vertebral body damage and favorably recovered cervical curvature. The ACCF surgical procedure has a large operation space, which can easily remove the posterior vertebral osteophyte and the calcified posterior longitudinal ligament. Long-term follow-up shows that ACDF and ACCF have good surgical procedures, mature technology, and close efficacy.
Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; Spondylosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of posterior intervertebral foraminal discectomy via Delta channel for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy in the early phase. METHODS: From September 2017 to July 2018, 10 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy underwent posterior intervertebral foraminal discectomy via Delta channel. There were 6 males and 4 females, aged from 30 to 62 years old with an average of (41.5±4.3) years old. All of them had unilateral symptoms caused by cervical nerve root compression, including 2 cases of C, 5 cases of C and 3 cases of C. CT and MRI examination of all the patients did not show ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament or calcification of ligamentum flavum, and no cervical spine instability was present in dynamic radiographs. The clinical outcome was poor after more than 6 weeks of systematic non-surgical treatment. The VAS score, JOA score, NDI score, the cervical spine physiological curvature, and the height and stability of the compressed cervical vertebrae were measured before operation and at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: All patients successfully completed the surgeries without any spinal cord, nerve root or major blood vessel injury. The operation time was 70 to 120 min with an average of 90 min. Intraoperative blood loss ranged from 30 to 90 ml with an average of 40 ml. All the 10 patients were followed up for 6 to 14 months with an average of 9 months. Postoperative nerve root pain got relievd and nerve function was improved in all patients. VAS score decreased from 7.15±2.01 before surgery to 1.59±0.83 at the latest follow-up;JOA score increased from 12.57±1.24 before surgery to 16.42±0.58 at the latest follow-up;NDI score increased from 41.82±4.71 before surgery to 9.59±3.52 at the latest follow-up. All the results above presented significant difference between latest follow-up and preoperative (< 0.05). The D value of cervical physiological curvature increased from (8.21±0.84) mm before surgery to(10.89±0.96) mm at the latest follow-up, and the difference was also statistically significant (<0.05). The height of the diseased vertebrae was (5.62± 0.59) mm before surgery and (5.60±0.57) mm at the latest follow-up, with no statistically significant difference(>0.05). At the latest follow-up, no cervical instability was observed on dynamic radiographs. CONCLUSION Treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy by posterior intervertebral foraminal discectomy via Delta channel can obtain a satisfactory clinical outcome without affecting the stability of cervical vertebra. The surgery is safe, reliable and worthy of clinical application.
Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiculopathy ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spinal Fusion ; Spondylosis ; Treatment Outcome