ObjectiveTo observe the short-term effectiveness of Endobutton plate in the reconstruction of Lisfranc ligament in tarsometatarsal joint injury.MethodsBetween March 2015 and July 2018, 18 patients with tarsometatarsal joint injuries were treated with Lisfranc ligament reconstruction by Endobutton plate. There were 12 males and 6 females with an average age of 32.5 years (range, 16-55 years). The causes of injury were traffic accident in 8 cases, falling from height in 3 cases, crushing by a heavy objective in 4 cases, and spraining in 3 cases. There were 10 cases of Myerson type A, 4 of type B1, 2 of type B2, 1 of type C1, and 1 of type C2. The interval between injury and operation ranged from 3 to 9 days (mean, 4.9 days). X-ray examination was performed regularly after operation to measure the distance between the first and the second metatarsal joints, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the pain relief. At last follow-up, the reduction of tarsometatarsal joint was evaluated by measuring and comparing the height of the affected and healthy arches. The foot function was evaluated according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score.ResultsThe average follow-up time was 15.8 months (range, 10-28 months). All incisions healed by first intention. X-ray reexamination showed that there was no screw loosening or plate fracture. There were significant differences in the distance between the first and the second metatarsal joints and VAS score at 3 months after operation, before removal of the internal fixator, and at last follow-up when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the time points after operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in the arch height between affected foot [(5.3±0.2) mm] and healthy foot [(5.4± 0.3) mm] (t=1.798, P=0.810). The AOFAS score of foot function was 89.5±7.3 with excellent in 12 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases. The excellent and good rate was 88.9%.ConclusionThe reconstruction of Lisfranc ligament with Endobutton plate can stabilize the tarsometatarsal joint and achieve satisfactory foot function at early stage.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of autophagy-related genes and proteins in the lung tissues of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsPulmonary tissues were obtained from the surgically resected lung tissues of patients with NSCLC who were clinical diagnosed. The lung cancer tissues were derived from the pathologically diagnosed NSCLC and the normal tissues were from lung tissues 5 cm away from the lung lesions (29 cases in the lung cancer group and 32 cases in the normal group). The expression of autophagy-related proteins ATG5, LC3B, and p62 in lung tissues were measured by Western blot, and mRNA expression of ATG5 and p62 in the lung tissues were measured by real-time PCR.ResultsWestern blot analysis showed that the expression of ATG5 and p62 in lung cancer group were significantly higher than those in normal group (P<0.05). However, the expression of LC3B in lung cancer group was significantly lower than that in normal group (P<0.05). Real-time PCR analysis found that the mRNA expression of ATG5 and p62 in lung cancer group were significantly higher than those in normal group (P<0.05). The expression of ATG5, LC3B and p62 had no relationship with gender, age, smoking history, tumor location, tumor size, clinicopathological classification, differentiation or TNM stage. The expression of ATG5 had statistical significance in lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), but there was no difference for LC3B or p62 in lymph node metastasis (P>0.05).ConclusionsAutophagy plays a role in the tumorigenesis of lung cancer. If it’s possible to regulate and control autophagy-related genes and proteins effectively, it may supply new insights or targets into treatment for lung cancer patients.
Objective To discuss the clinical characteristics, mechanism, and treatment of odontoid fracture combined with lower cervical spinal cord injuries without fracture or dislocation. Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7 male patients aged 37-71 years (mean, 51.4 years), suffered from odontoid fractures combined with lower cervical spinal cord injuries without fracture or dislocation were analyzed retrospectively between June 2007 and October 2015. The trauma causes were traffic accidents in 2 cases, fall in 2 cases, and hit injury in 3 cases. The time from injury to admission was 2 hours to 3 days with an average of 9 hours. According to Anderson-Grauer classification of odontoid fracture, 1 case of type IIA, 3 cases of type IIB, 2 cases of type IIC, and 1 case of shallow type III were found. The cervical spinal cord injuries affected segments included C4, 5 in 1 case, C4–6 in 2 cases, and C5–7 in 4 cases. All the cervical spine had different degenerative changes: 2 of mild, 3 of moderate, and 2 of severe. The lower cervical spinal cord injury was assessed by Sub-axial Injury Classification (SLIC) with scoring of 4-6 (mean, 5.1). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the occipital neck pain with scoring of 7.8±1.0; the neurological function was assessed by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) as grade B in 1 case, grade C in 4 cases, and grade D in 2 cases; and Japanese Orthopedic Association score (JOA) was 9.2±3.9. For the odontoid fractures, 4 cases were fixed with anterior screw while the others were fixed with posterior atlantoaxial fixation and fusion. For the lower cervical spine, 4 cases were carried out with anterior cervical corpectomy and titanium fusion while the others with anterior cervical disecotomy and Cage fusion. Results The operation time was 178-252 minutes (mean, 210.2 minutes); the intraoperative blood loss was 60-140 mL (mean, 96.5 mL) and with no blood transfusion. All incisions healed primarily. All the patients were followed up 12-66 months (mean, 18 months). There was no direct surgical related complications during operation, and all bone grafting got a fusion at 6-9 months (mean, 7.7 months) after operation. There was no inter-fixation failure or loosening. At last follow-up, the VAS score declined to 1.7±0.7 and JOA score improved to 15.1±1.7, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (t=18.064, P=0.000; t=–7.066, P=0.000). The neurological function of ASIA grade were also improved to grade D in 5 cases and grade E in 2 cases, showing significant difference (Z=–2.530, P=0.011). Conclusion Complex forces and degeneration of lower cervical spine were main reasons of odontoid fracture combined with lower cervical spinal cord injuries without fracture or dislocation. The type of odontoid fracture and neurological deficit status of lower cervical spinal cord were important to guide making strategy of one-stage operation with a satisfactory clinic outcome.
Objective To investigate the changes in spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters from preoperative standing to prone position in old traumatic spinal fractures with kyphosis. Methods The clinical data of 36 patients admitted between December 2016 and June 2021 for surgical treatment of old traumatic spinal fractures with kyphosis, including 7 males and 29 females, aged from 50 to 79 years (mean, 63.9 years), were retrospectively analyzed. Lesion segments included 2 cases of T11, 12 cases of T12, 2 cases of T11, 12, 4 cases of T12 and L1, 12 cases of L1, 2 cases of L2, 1 case of L2, 3, and 1 case of L3. The disease duration ranged from 4 to 120 months, with an average of 19.6 months. Surgical procedures included Smith-Petersen osteotomy in 4 cases, Ponte osteotomy in 6 cases, pedicle subtraction osteotomy in 2 cases, and improved fourth level osteotomy in 18 cases; the remaining 6 cases were not osteotomized. The bone mineral density ranged from −3.0 to 0.5 T, with a mean of −1.62 T. The spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters from preoperative standing to prone positions were measured, including local kyphosis Cobb angle (LKCA), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and PI and LL mismatch (PI-LL). The kyphotic flexibility=(preoperative standing LKCA−preoperative prone LKCA)/preoperative standing LKCA×100%. Spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters were compared between standing position and prone position before operation, and Pearson correlation was used to judge the correlation between the parameters of standing position and prone position before operation. ResultsWhen the position changed from standing to prone, LKCA and TK decreased significantly (P<0.05), while SS, LL, PT, and PI-LL had no significant difference (P>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that LL was significantly correlated with SS and PI-LL in both standing and prone positions (P<0.05), and the correlation strength between LL and SS in prone position was higher than that in standing position. In the standing position, LKCA was significantly correlated with SS and PT (P<0.05). However, when the position changed from standing to prone, the correlation between LKCA and SS and PT disappeared, while PT and PI-LL was positive correlation (P<0.05). The kyphotic flexibility was 25.13%-78.79%, with an average of 33.85%. Conclusion For the patients of old traumatic spinal fractures with kyphosis, the preoperative LKCA and TK decrease significantly from standing position to prone position, and the correlation between spinal and pelvic parameters also changed, which should be taken into account in the formulation of preoperative surgical plan.
ObjectiveTo explore the safety and preliminary effectiveness of transintervertebral release, bone impaction grafting, and posterior column compressed-closing in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture combined with moderate to severe spinal kyphosis.MethodsThe clinical data of 21 elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture combined with moderate to severe spinal kyphosis were retrospectively analyzed between March 2016 and November 2017. There were 1 male and 20 females, aged 55-75 years, with an average of 64.8 years. The disease duration was 8-24 months, with an average of 13.1 months. The bone density T value ranged from −3.4 to −2.1, with an average of −2.3. Lesion segments: T11 in 2 cases, T12 in 6 cases, L1 in 8 cases, L2 in 1 case, T11, 12 in 1 case, T12, L1 in 2 cases, and T12, L2 in 1 case. Preoperative neurological function was classified according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA): 5 cases of grade D and 16 cases of grade E. All patients underwent transintervertebral release, bone impaction grafting, and posterior column compressed-closing. The effectiveness was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) score before operation, at 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up. The neurological function was assessed by ASIA at last follow-up. Local kyphosis Cobb angle (LKCA), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), and sagittal vertebral axis (SVA) were measured on the X-ray films of the full-length lateral spine of the patient before operation, at 1 week after operation, and at last follow-up.ResultsNo complication such as fracture of internal fixator or nerve injury occurred. LKCA, TK, and SVA were significantly improved at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in LL before and after operation (F=3.013, P=0.057). The VAS and ODI scores were significantly improved at 3 months after operation and at last follow-up, and further improved at last follow-up when compared with the scores at 3 months after operation, showing significant differences between time points (P<0.05). Five patients with ASIA grade D neurological function recovered to grade E at 6 months after operation.ConclusionTransintervertebral release, bone impaction grafting, and posterior column compressed-closing for treating osteoporotic vertebral fracture combined with moderate to severe spinal kyphosis has definite effectiveness, strong orthopaedic ability, and minimal trauma, which can effectively restore the sagittal balance of the spine, alleviate pain, and improve the patients’ quality of life.
ObjectiveTo discuss the security and effectiveness of fixing the unstable region of sagittal injured unit symmetrically with pedicle screws combined with bone graft fusion for treating thoracolumbar fractures.MethodsA series of 65 patients with a single level thoracolumbar fracture between November 2011 and November 2015 were included in the study. There were 41 males and 24 females with an average age of 36.7 years (range, 23-60 years). The fracture segments included T7 1 case, T9 in 2 cases, T10 in 4 cases, T11 in 8 cases, T12 in 14 cases, L1 in 19 cases, L2 in 13 cases, L3 in 3 cases, and L4 in 1 case. According to AO classification, there were 34 cases classified as type A, 27 cases type B, and 4 cases type C. The neurological function was evaluated by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade score, there were 1 case at grade A, 2 cases grade B, 6 cases grade C, 15 cases grade D, and 41 cases grade E. The thoracolumbar injury severity score (TLICS) was 4 in 9 cases, 5 in 29 cases, 6-8 in 23 cases, 9-10 in 4 cases. The time form injury to operation was 2-12 days (mean, 5.3 days). The fractured vertebra, along with the superior and inferior discs were defined as a injured unit and divided into three parts on the sagittal position: region Ⅰ mainly including the superior disc, cephalic 1/3 of injured vertebra, and posterior ligamentous complex as to oppose; region Ⅱ mainly including the middle 1/3 of injured vertebra, pedicles, lamina, spinous process, and supraspinal ligament; region Ⅲ mainly including the inferior disc, caudal 1/3 of injured vertebra, and posterior ligamentous complex as to oppose. The unstable region was defined as the key injured region of the vertebra. Pedicle screws were fixed symmetrically and correspondingly with bone grafting to treat thoracolumbar fractures. The neurological status, ratio of anterior body height, and sagittal Cobb angle were collected at preoperation, immediate after operation, and last follow-up to evaluate surgical and clinical outcomes.ResultsAll patients accepted operation safely and were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 17.3 months). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 3 patients, and cured by symptomatic treatment. There was no complications such as loosening, displacement, and breakage of internal fixator. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients at 10-13 months (mean, 11.4 months) after operation. At last follow-up, according to ASIA grading, 1 case was grade A, 1 grade B, 3 grade C, 9 grade D, and 51 grade E, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative data (Z=–2.963, P=0.014). The ratio of anterior body height at preoperation, immediate after operation, and last follow-up were 53.2%±6.8%, 91.3%±8.3%, 89.5%±6.6% respectively; and the sagittal Cobb angle were (16.3±8.1), (2.6±7.5), (3.2±6.8)° respectively. The ratio of anterior body height and the sagittal Cobb angle at immediate after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between at immediate after operation and at last follow-up (P>0.05).ConclusionIt is safe and reliable to treat thoracolumbar fractures under the principle of fixing the unstable region of injured unit symmetrically with pedicle screws combined with bone grafting.
Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics of cervical kyphosis and spinal cord compression in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) with cervical kyphosis and the influence on effectiveness. Methods The clinical data of 36 patients with single-segment CSM with cervical kyphosis who were admitted between January 2020 and December 2022 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the positional relationship between the kyphosis focal on cervical spine X-ray film and the spinal cord compression point on MRI: the same group (group A, 20 cases, both points were in the same position), the adjacent group (group B, 10 cases, both points were located adjacent to each other), and the separated group (group C, 6 cases, both points were located >1 vertebra away from each other). There was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05) in baseline data such as gender, age, body mass index, lesion segment, disease duration, and preoperative C2-7 angle, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (C2-7 SVA), C7 slope (C7S), kyphotic Cobb angle, fusion segment height, and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. The patients underwent single-segment anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF). The occurrence of postoperative complications was recorded; preoperatively and at last follow-up, the patients’ neurological function was evaluated using the JOA score, and the sagittal parameters (C2-7 angle, C2-7 SVA, C7S, kyphotic Cobb angle, and height of the fused segments) were measured on cervical spine X-ray films and MRI and the correction rate of the cervical kyphosis was calculated; the correlation between changes in cervical sagittal parameters before and after operation and the JOA score improvement rate was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Results In 36 patients, only 1 case of dysphagia occurred in group A, and the dysphagia symptoms disappeared at 3 days after operation, and the remaining patients had no surgery-related complications during the hospitalization. All patients were followed up 12-42 months, with a mean of 20.1 months; the difference in follow-up time between the groups was not significant (P>0.05). At last follow-up, all the imaging indicators and JOA scores of patients in the 3 groups were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). The correction rate of cervical kyphosis in group A was significantly better than that in group C, and the improvement rate of JOA score was significantly better than that in groups B and C, all showing significant differences (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the other groups (P>0.05). The correlation analysis showed that the improvement rate of JOA score was negatively correlated with C2-7 angle and kyphotic Cobb angle at last follow-up (r=−0.424, P=0.010; r=−0.573, P<0.001), and positively correlated with the C7S and correction rate of cervical kyphosis at last follow-up (r=0.336, P=0.045; r=0.587, P<0.001), and no correlation with the remaining indicators (P>0.05). Conclusion There are three main positional relationships between the cervical kyphosis focal and the spinal cord compression point on imaging, and they have different impacts on the effectiveness and sagittal parameters after ACDF, and those with the same position cervical kyphosis focal and spinal cord compression point have the best improvement in effectiveness and sagittal parameters.
ObjectiveTo analyze the correlation between bone cement cortical leakage and injury degree of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP), and to provide guidance for reducing clinical complications. Methods A clinical data of 125 patients with OVCF who received PKP between November 2019 and December 2021 and met the selection criteria was selected and analyzed. There were 20 males and 105 females. The median age was 72 years (range, 55-96 years). There were 108 single-segment fractures, 16 two-segment fractures, and 1 three-segment fracture. The disease duration ranged from 1 to 20 days (mean, 7.2 days). The amount of bone cement injected during operation was 2.5-8.0 mL, with an average of 6.04 mL. Based on the preoperative CT images, the standard S/H ratio of the injured vertebra was measured (S: the standard maximum rectangular area of the cross-section of the injured vertebral body, H: the standard minimum height of the sagittal position of the injured vertebral body). Based on postoperative X-ray films and CT images, the occurrence of bone cement leakage after operation and the cortical rupture at the cortical leakage site before operation were recorded. The correlation between the standard S/H ratio of the injured vertebra and the number of cortical leakage was analyzed. Results Vascular leakage occurred in 67 patients at 123 sites of injured vertebrae, and cortical leakage in 97 patients at 299 sites. Preoperative CT image analysis showed that there were 287 sites (95.99%, 287/299) of cortical leakage had cortical rupture before operation. Thirteen patients were excluded because of vertebral compression of adjacent vertebrae. The standard S/H ratio of 112 injured vertebrae was 1.12-3.17 (mean, 1.67), of which 87 cases (268 sites) had cortical leakage. The Spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the number of cortical leakage of injured vertebra and the standard S/H ratio of injured vertebra (r=0.493, P<0.001). ConclusionThe incidence of cortical leakage of bone cement after PKP in OVCF patients is high, and cortical rupture is the basis of cortical leakage. The more severe the vertebral injury, the greater the probability of cortical leakage.
Objective To investigate the radiological features of degenerative cervical kyphosis (DCK) and the relationship between cervical sagittal parameters. Methods The quality of life scores and imaging data of 89 patients with DCK treated between February 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively analysed. There were 47 males and 42 females, with an average age of 48.4 years (range, 25-81 years). Quality of life scores included visual analogue scale (VAS) score and neck disability index (NDI). The imaging data included C0-C2 angle, C2-C7 angle, C3-C7 inclination of zygapophyseal joints, C7 slope (C7S), cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA), kyphosis range, and kyphosis focal. The patients were grouped by gender, and the differences of the above parameters between the two groups were compared. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between age, quality of life scores, and cervical sagittal parameters, and the relationship between cervical sagittal parameters. Results The preoperative VAS score was 0-9 (mean, 4.3); NDI was 16%-44% (mean, 30.0%). There was no significant difference in VAS score and NDI between male and female groups (P>0.05). The kyphosis range of cervical spines was C3-5 in 3 cases, C3-6 in 41 cases, C3-7 in 30 cases, C4-6 in 4 cases, C4-7 in 10 cases, C5-7 in 1 case, and the kyphosis focal was mostly located between C4-C5 (78/89, 87.64%). The C3-C7 inclination of zygapophyseal joints were (60.25±5.56)°, (55.42±5.77)°, (53.03±6.33)°, (58.39±7.27)°, and (64.70±6.40)°, respectively. The C0-C2 angle, C2-C7 angle, C7S, and cSVA were (–23.81±6.74)°, (10.15±2.94)°, (15.31±4.59)°, and (2.37±1.19) mm, respectively. The C7S and cSVA of males were significantly larger than females (P<0.05), with no significant difference in other parameters between male and female groups (P>0.05). VAS score and NDI were negatively correlated with C0-C2 angle (P<0.05), and positively correlated with C2-C7 angle and cSVA (P<0.05); VAS score was negatively correlated with C7S (P<0.05). Except VAS, NDI and all cervical sagittal parameters were affected by age. Age was positively correlated with NDI, C7S, and cSVA (P<0.05), and negatively correlated with C0-C2 angle and C2-C7 angle (P<0.05). The correlation analysis of cervical sagittal parameters showed that C0-C2 angle was negatively correlated with C2-C7 angle and cSVA (P<0.05); C7S was negatively correlated with C2-C7 angle (P<0.05) and positively correlated with cSVA (P<0.05). There was no correlation among other parameters (P>0.05). ConclusionThe inclination of zygapophyseal joints of cervical spines of DCK patients is U-shaped in the kyphosis range, and the inclination at the kyphosis focal is the smallest. When cervical degenerative kyphosis occurs, in addition to the interaction of sagittal parameters, age, gender, neck pain, and dysfunction will also affect the cervical sagittal balance. Furthermore, cervical curvature and morphological changes are not purely local problems.
ObjectiveTo introduce a self-designed adjustable operation frame and explore the feasibility and safety in the treatment of severe kyphosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis with posterior osteotomy.MethodsBetween March 2016 and May 2018, 7 cases of severe kyphosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis were treated with posterior osteotomy using self-designed adjustable operation frame with prone position. There were 5 males and 2 females with an average age of 49.4 years (range, 40-55 years). The disease duration was 10-21 years (mean, 16.7 years). The apical vertebrae of kyphosis were located at T11 in 2 cases, T12 in 1 case, L1 in 1 case, and L2 in 3 cases. Among the 7 cases, 2 were classified as typeⅠ, 4 as type ⅡB, and 1 as type ⅢA according to 301 classification system. There was no neurological deficit of all cases; but 1 case suffered bilateral hip joints ankylosed in non-functional position. The parameters of chin-brow vertical angle (CBVA), global kyphosis (GK), thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured; and the operation time, the intraoperative blood loss, and the complications were also collected and analyzed.ResultsAll operations completed successfully. The operation time was 310-545 minutes (mean, 409.7 minutes) and the intraoperative blood loss was 1 500-2 500 mL (mean, 1 642.9 mL). There were 2 cases treated with one-level osteotomy of sagittal translation, 1 case of radiculopathy symptom of L3, and 3 cases of tension of abdominal skin. All patients were followed up 20-35 months (mean, 27.9 months). There were significant differences in CBVA, GK, TLK, LL, and SVA between pre- and post-operation (P<0.05); but no significant difference between 1 week after operation and last follow-up (P>0.05). All the osteotomies and bone grafts fused well and no complications of loosening and breakage of internal fixator occurred during the follow-up.ConclusionIn the posterior osteotomy for correction of severe kyphosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis, the self-designed adjustable operation frame is convenient for the patient to be placed in prone position. It is safe, feasible, and effective to perform osteotomy correction with the aid of the self-designed adjustable operation frame.