Quantification of lumbar stability by using 2 different abdominal activation strategies

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the abdominal hollowing technique is more effective for lumbar spine stabilization than a full abdominal muscle cocontraction. DESIGN: Within-subject, repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to examine the effect of combining each of 4 loading conditions with either the hollow or brace condition on the dependent variables of stability and compression. A simulation was also conducted to assess the outcome of a person activating just the transversus abdominis during the hollow. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Eight healthy men (age range, 20-33y). INTERVENTIONS: Electromyography and spine kinematics were recorded during an abdominal brace and a hollow while supporting either a bilateral or asymmetric weight in the hands. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spine stability index and lumbar compression were calculated. RESULTS: In the simulation "ideal case," the brace technique improved stability by 32%, with a 15% increase in lumbar compression. The transversus abdominis contributed .14% of stability to the brace pattern with a less than 0.1% decrease in compression. CONCLUSIONS: Whatever the benefit underlying low-load transversus abdominis activation training, it is unlikely to be mechanical. There seems to be no mechanical rationale for using an abdominal hollow, or the transversus abdominis, to enhance stability. Bracing creates patterns that better enhance stability.     

脊髓血管畸形的DSA分析及血管内栓塞治疗

目的：评价血管造影对脊髓血管畸形的诊断及栓塞治疗价值。方法：16例脊髓血管畸形病人做了选择性脊髓血管造影检查，确诊后进行血管内栓塞治疗。结果：根据DSA显示的异常血管的部位、形态、分布和供血动脉及引流静脉情况将其分为三型：髓内动静脉畸形4例；髓周动静脉瘘4例；硬脊膜动静脉瘘8例。栓塞治疗后，13例获得较满意效果，2例无变化。在2个月至3年的随访期间，13例临床症状有改善。结论：脊髓血管造影是诊断脊髓血管畸形的可靠依据，可清晰显示畸形血管及供血动脉和引流静脉。栓塞治疗是一种创伤小、并发症少的方法。     

Lumbar interbody fusion: a parametric investigation of a novel cage design with and without posterior instrumentation

Introduction  

A finite element model of the L4-L5 human segment was employed to carry out a parametric biomechanical investigation of lumbar interbody fusion with a novel “sandwich” cage having an inner stiff core and two softer layers in the areas close to the endplates, with and without posterior fixation.     

Bisphosphonates and glucocorticoid osteoporosis in men: results of a randomized controlled trial comparing zoledronic acid with risedronate

Background

We studied 265 men (mean age 56.4 years; range 18-83 years), among patients enrolled in two arms of a double-blind, 1-year study comparing the effects of zoledronic acid (ZOL) with risedronate (RIS) in patients either commencing (prednisolone 7.5 mg/day or equivalent) (prevention arm, n = 88) or continuing glucocorticoid therapy (treatment arm, n = 177).

Methods

Patients received either a single ZOL 5 mg infusion or RIS 5 mg oral daily at randomization, along with calcium (1000 mg) and vitamin D (400-1200 IU). Primary endpoint: difference in percentage change from baseline in bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (LS) at 12 months. Secondary endpoints: percentage changes in BMD at total hip (TH) and femoral neck (FN), relative changes in bone turnover markers (β-CTx and P1NP), and overall safety.

Findings

In the treatment subpopulation, ZOL increased LS BMD by 4.7% vs. 3.3% for RIS and at TH the percentage changes were 1.8% vs. 0.2%, respectively. In the prevention subpopulation, bone loss was prevented by both treatments. At LS the percentage changes were 2.5% vs. − 0.2% for ZOL vs. RIS and at TH the percentage changes were 1.1% vs. − 0.4%, respectively. ZOL significantly increased lumbar spine BMD more than RIS at Month 12 in both the prevention population (p = 0.0024) and the treatment subpopulation (p = 0.0232) in men. In the treatment subpopulation, ZOL demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in serum β-CTx and P1NP relative to RIS at all time-points. In the prevention subpopulation, ZOL significantly reduced β-CTx? at all time-points, and P1NP at Month 3 (p = 0.0297) only. Both treatments were well tolerated in men, albeit with a higher incidence of influenza-like illness and pyrexia events post-infusion with ZOL.

Interpretation

Once-yearly ZOL preserves or increases BMD within 1 year to a greater extent than daily RIS in men receiving glucocorticoid therapy.     

Value of repeat CT scans in low back pain and radiculopathy

We assessed the clinical value of repeat spine CT scan in 108 patients aged 18–60 years who underwent repeat lumbar spine CT scan for low back pain or radiculopathy from January 2008 to December 2010. Patients with a neoplasm or symptoms suggesting underlying disease were excluded from the study. Clinical data was retrospectively reviewed. Index examinations and repeat CT scan performed at a mean of 24.3 ± 11.3 months later were compared by a senior musculoskeletal radiologist. Disc abnormalities (herniation, sequestration, bulge), spinal stenosis, disc space narrowing, and bony changes (osteophytes, fractures, other changes) were documented. Indications for CT scan were low back pain (60 patients, 55%), radiculopathy (46 patients, 43%), or nonspecific back pain (two patients, 2%). A total of 292 spine pathologies were identified in 98 patients (90.7%); in 10 patients (9.3%) no spine pathology was seen on index or repeat CT scan. At repeat CT scan, 269/292 pathologies were unchanged (92.1%); 10/292 improved (3.4%), 8/292 worsened (2.8%, disc herniation or spinal stenosis), and five new pathologies were identified. No substantial therapeutic change was required in patients with worsened or new pathology. Added diagnostic value from repeat CT scan performed within 2–3 years was rare in patients suffering chronic or recurrent low back pain or radiculopathy, suggesting that repeat CT scan should be considered only in patients with progressive neurologic deficits, new neurologic complaints, or signs implying serious underlying conditions.     

VSD闭式冲洗引流技术在治疗脊柱后路内固定术后感染中的应用

目的：评价VSD闭式冲洗引流技术应用于脊柱后路内固定术后感染的治疗效果。方法回顾性分析南昌大学第二附属医院2010年1月至2014年6月脊柱后路内固定手术后发生感染的15例患者的治疗过程,全部病例均早期进行清创,术中安装VSD装置进行闭式冲洗引流,根据细菌培养结果给予敏感抗生素,7d后拆除VSD装置,根据伤口情况及引流液细菌培养情况,决定是否直接闭合伤口或更换VSD继续冲洗引流,直至伤口可以闭合为止。结果15例患者冲洗7-21d （平均13.5d）后二期关闭伤口,全部获得愈合,C反应蛋白、血沉降至正常水平,随访5-48个月,无感染复发病例。结论 VSD闭式冲洗引流技术是治疗脊柱后路内固定术后感染的有效治疗方式。     

皮肤免缝合技术在骨科脊柱手术中的应用

目的 探讨骨科脊柱手术中皮肤免缝合技术的应用前景.方法 20例接受脊柱手术患者随机分为观察组和对照组,观察组采用皮肤免缝合技术进行手术切口处理;对照组采用传统皮肤缝合方法进行处理.观察2组之间皮肤愈合情况、切口感染率、切口换药次数、平均住院日及平均住院花费等指标是否存在差异.结果 观察组切口换药次数、平均住院日2项指标较对照组存在明显差异(P＜0.05),切口愈合较对照组美观,而切口感染率和平均住院花费2项指标差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 新型皮肤免缝合技术的应用不仅美容效果良好,又可以免除切口拆线、减少切口换药次数和明显降低平均住院日,是一项值得临床大力推广的切口美容缝合技术.     

椎管内髓外硬膜下毛细血管瘤临床及MRI特征

目的 探讨椎管内髓外硬膜下毛细血管瘤的临床及MRI特征。方法 回顾性分析5例经手术病理确诊的椎管内髓外硬膜下毛细血管瘤的临床资料及MRI表现。结果 临床表现:胸背痛伴双下肢麻木、无力4例,颈部疼痛伴双上肢疼痛1例。MRI示肿块均为单发,均位于椎管内硬脊膜下脊髓背侧,胸段4例,颈段1例;T1WI呈等(4例)或低信号(1例),T2WI呈高信号,增强后多均匀强化(4例);病灶周围可见含铁血黄素沉积(1例)、脊膜尾征(1例)及肿块头侧可见引流血管(1例)。结论 椎管内髓外硬膜下毛细血管瘤好发于中年人,位于脊髓背侧。MRI特征表现为肿块周围引流血管、含铁血黄素沉积、脊膜尾征、显著均匀强化。     

Intravertebral vacuum phenomenon in multiple myeloma

Summary Authors report one case of intravertebral vacuum phenomenon associated with a multiple myeloma. Initially, there occurred a collapse and a lysis of the L4 vertebral body. Two months later, after chemotherapy and cobalt-therapy, X-ray examination showed a vacuum cleft phenomenon within the body of L4 and a backward displacement of the L4 posterior wall. At the same time the patient complained of a cruralgia. Recovery occurred after decompression surgery. Histologic sampling of the L4 vertebral body revealed bone necrosis without any abnormal plasmocytosis. Authors draw attention to the neurological complications occurring in the course of the vertebral necrosis and to the fact that, even in case of multiple myeloma, the occurrence of a transverse vacuum cleft may result from osteonecrosis.