An expert consensus on the evaluation and treatment of acute thoracolumbar spine and spinal cord injury in China

This is an expert consensus on the evaluation and treatment of thoracolumbar spinal injury, estab- lished from February 2009 to July 2010. The expert consensus consists mainly of six parts with a total of 54 recommendations including the overview （one item）; pre-hospital care （one item）; evaluation and diagnosis （13 items）; treatment （23 items）; prevention and treatment of major com- plications （12 items）; and rehabilitation （four items）. This is the first time that Chinese experts have published a consensus on spine and spinal cord injury. The expert consensus was established based on Delphi methods, literature analysis, and clinical experiences. Each recommendation is supported by and was interpreted using multi-level evidences. The level of agreement with the rec- ommendation among the panel members was assessed as either low, moderate, or strong. Each panel member was asked to indicate his or her level of agreement on a 5-point scale, with ＂1＂ cor- respondJng to neutrality and ＂5＂ representJng maxJmum agreement. Scores were aggregated across the panel members and an arithmetic mean was calculated. This mean score was then translated into low, moderate, or strong. After all of the votes were collected and calculated, the results showed no low-level recommendations, 10 moderate-level recommendations, and 44 strong-level recom- mendations. An expert consensus was reached and was recognized by Chinese spine surgeons. Wide-scale adoption of these recommendations is urgent in the management of acute thora- columbar spine and spinal cord injury in a broader attempt to create a standard evaluation and treatment strategy for acute thoracolumbar spine and spinal cord injury in China.

The clinical rehabilitation of spine and spinal cord disorders: detection and evaluation using SPECT/CT

Spine-related disorders are caused by several factors including （1） spinal nerve/visceral nerve stimulation by perivertebral aseptic inflammation, （2） spinal nerve/visceral nerve compression by injured periverterbal soft tissue, dislocated perivertebral small joint, and proliferative/degenerative tissue and, （3） secondary damage to the spinal cord, peripheral nerve, vessels and autonomic nerve, which further stimulate nerve root sheath and surround- ing pain-carrying nerve fibers. In many cases, the source of pain cannot be detected by standard image modalities. Particularly in anatomically complex regions like the spine, SPECT/CT can be helpful for some aspects by intro- ducing a metabolical dimension to the classical way of morphology-based diagnostic. The aim of the present review was to give an overview of the adoption of SPECT/CT in a clinical spine-focused setting.

Clinical features of multiple trauma patients combined with spine and spinal cord injuries

Objective To analyze the clinical features of the multiple trauma patients combined with spine and spinal cord injuries.Methods A retrospective study was performed in143multiple trauma patients combined with spine and spinal

Electroacupuncture promotes the recovery of motor neuron function in the anterior horn of the injured spinal cord

Acupuncture has been shown to lessen the inflammatory reaction after acute spinal cord injury and reduce secondary injury.However,the mechanism of action remains unclear.In this study,a rat model of spinal cord injury was established by compressing the T8-9 segments using a modified Nystrom method.Twenty-four hours after injury,Zusanli（ST36）,Xuanzhong（GB39）,Futu（ST32）and Sanyinjiao（SP6）were stimulated with electroacupuncture.Rats with spinal cord injury alone were used as controls.At 2,4 and 6 weeks after injury,acetylcholinesterase（ACh E）activity at the site of injury,the number of medium and large neurons in the spinal cord anterior horn,glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor（GDNF）m RNA expression,and Basso,Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale scores were greater in the electroacupuncture group compared with the control group.These results demonstrate that electroacupuncture increases ACh E activity,up-regulates GDNF m RNA expression,and promotes the recovery of motor neuron function in the anterior horn after spinal cord injury.

Effects of decompression joint Governor Vessel electro-acupuncture on rats with acute upper cervical spinal cord injury

Decompression is the major therapeutic strategy for acute spinal cord injury,but there is some debate about the time window for decompression following spinal cord injury.An important goal and challenge in the treatment of spinal cord injury is inhibiting or reversing secondary injury.Governor Vessel electroacupuncture can improve symptoms of spinal cord injury by inhibiting cell apoptosis and improving the microenvironment of the injured spinal cord.In this study,Governor Vessel electroacupuncture combined with decompression at different time points was used to treat acute spinal cord injury.The rat models were established by inserting a balloon catheter into the atlanto-occipital space.The upper cervical spinal cord was compressed for 12 or 48 hours prior to decompression.Electroacupuncture was conducted at the acupoints Dazhui（GV14） and Baihui（GV 20）（2 Hz,15 minutes） once a day for 14 consecutive days.Compared with decompression alone,hind limb motor function recovery was superior after decompression for 12 and 48 hours combined with electroacupuncture.However,the recovery of motor function was not significantly different at 14 days after treatment in rats receiving decompression for 12 hours.Platelet-activating factor levels and caspase-9 protein expression were significantly reduced in rats receiving electroacupuncture compared with decompression alone.These findings indicate that compared with decompression alone,Governor Vessel electroacupuncture combined with delayed decompression（48 hours） is more effective in the treatment of upper cervical spinal cord injury.Governor Vessel electroacupuncture combined with early decompression（12 hours） can accelerate the recovery of nerve movement in rats with upper cervical spinal cord injury.Nevertheless,further studies are necessary to confirm whether it is possible to obtain additional benefit compared with early decompression alone.

Cortical transcriptome analysis after spinal cord injury reveals the regenerative mechanism of central nervous system in CRMP2 knock-in mice

Recent studies have shown that mutation at Ser522 causes inhibition of collapsin response mediator protein 2(CRMP2) phosphorylation and induces axon elongation and partial recovery of the lost sensorimotor function after spinal cord injury(SCI).We aimed to reveal the intracellular mechanism in axotomized neurons in the CRMP2 knock-in(CRMP2KI) mouse model by performing transcriptome analysis in mouse sensorimotor cortex using micro-dissection punching system.Prior to that, we analyzed the structural pathophysiology in axotomized or neighboring neurons after SCI and found that somatic atrophy and dendritic spine reduction in sensorimotor cortex were suppressed in CRMP2KI mice.Further analysis of the transcriptome has aided in the identification of four hemoglobin genes Hba-a1, Hba-a2, Hbb-bs, and Hbb-bt that are significantly upregulated in wild-type mice with concomitant upregulation of genes involved in the oxidative phosphorylation and ribosomal pathways after SCI.However, we observed substantial upregulation in channel activity genes and downregulation of genes regulating vesicles, synaptic function, glial cell differentiation in CRMP2KI mice.Moreover, the transcriptome profile of CRMP2KI mice has been discussed wherein energy metabolism and neuronal pathways were found to be differentially regulated.Our results showed that CRMP2KI mice displayed improved SCI pathophysiology not only via microtubule stabilization in neurons, but also possibly via the whole metabolic system in the central nervous system, response changes in glial cells, and synapses.Taken together, we reveal new insights on SCI pathophysiology and the regenerative mechanism of central nervous system by the inhibition of CRMP2 phosphorylation at Ser522.All these experiments were performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Waseda University, Japan(2017-A027 approved on March 21, 2017;2018-A003 approved on March 25, 2018;2019-A026 approved on March 25, 2019).

Application of a paraplegic gait orthosis in thoracolumbar spinal cord injury

Paraplegic gait orthosis has been shown to help paraplegic patients stand and walk, although this method cannot be individualized for patients with different spinal cord injuries and functional recovery of the lower extremities. There is, however, a great need to develop individualized paraplegic orthosis to improve overall quality of life for paraplegic patients. In the present study, 36 spinal cord（below T4） injury patients were equally and randomly divided into control and observation groups. The control group received systematic rehabilitation training, including maintenance of joint range of motion, residual muscle strength training, standing training, balance training, and functional electrical stimulation. The observation group received an individualized paraplegic locomotion brace and functional training according to the various spinal cord injury levels and muscle strength based on comprehensive systematic rehabilitation training. After 3 months of rehabilitation training, the observation group achieved therapeutic locomotion in 8 cases, family-based locomotion in 7 cases, and community-based locomotion in 3 cases. However, locomotion was not achieved in any of the control group patients. These findings suggest that individualized paraplegic braces significantly improve activity of daily living and locomotion in patients with thoracolumbar spinal cord injury.

Low-dose radiation on spinal cord might be a new therapy for intractable chronic cancer and non-cancer pain

Intractable chronic pain is a great challenge in clinic.Central sensitization based on the positive changes of dendritic spines is the main mechanism of intractable chronic pain.And low-dose radiation has been proved to regulate the changes of dendritic spines negatively.Hence,we make a hypothesis that low-dose radiation could relieve cancer and noncancer pain through negatively regulating the shape and reducing the number and density of dendritic spines in the spinal cord.This method is supposed to be a new therapy for intractable chronic pain by expanding indication to non-cancer pain,translocating radiation site from where the tumor exists to special segments of spinal cord and keeping radiation dose at a low level.This therapy would be reliable for relieving non-cancer pain and supply more choices for relieving cancer pain.

Thoracic Spinal Cord Stab Injury: A Case Report and Literature Review

Thoracic spinal cord stab injuries are rare lesions. A 17-year-old boy was stabbed on his back by his classmate when he bent forward to pick up his cloth from the ground. On admission, he presented with: complete paraplegia with muscle strength of zero on all muscle groups, complete anesthesia from dermatome 10 and below, acute urinary retention, and a four-centimeter wound on the thoracolumbar region from which cerebrospinal fluid mixed with blood was oozing out. A high-dose methylprednisolone protocol was started (30 mg/kg in one hour and then 5.4 mg/kg over 23 hours) an indwelling urinary catheter placed and sterile dressing of the wound done. Antibiotics and analgesics were also administered. The computed tomography scanning revealed a spinal cord transection at T10-T11 level with incarceration of the broken knife blade. An emergency thoracic laminectomy was performed. Removal of the broken knife blade revealed complete spinal cord transection with a compressive hematoma within the spinal cord which was removed by smooth suction. The spinal dura was sutured and the wound closed in many layers. On day 14 after surgery, sensitivity was recovered with 3 on 5 muscle strength in both lower limbs except for both feet where motor function remained null. Urinary retention and fecal incontinence persisted. The patient was discharged from our service for a rehabilitation center. At 32-month follow-up, neurological examination was unchanged although patient noticed a slight improvement of sphincter disturbances.

Anesthetic considerations for patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury

Anesthesiologists work to prevent or minimize secondary injury of the nervous system and improve the outcome of medical procedures.To this end,anesthesiologists must have a thorough understanding of pathophysiology and optimize their skills and equipment to make an anesthesia plan.Anesthesiologists should conduct careful physical examinations of patients and consider neuroprotection at preoperative interviews,consider cervical spinal cord movement and compression during airway management,and suggest awake fiberoptic bronchoscope intubation for stable patients and direct laryngoscopy with manual in-line immobilization in emergency situations.During induction,anesthesiologists should avoid hypotension and depolarizing muscle relaxants.Mean artery pressure should be maintained within 85–90 mmHg（1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa; vasoactive drug selection and fluid management）.Normal arterial carbon dioxide pressure and normal blood glucose levels should be maintained.Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is a useful option.Anesthesiologists should be attentive to postoperative respiratory insufficiency（carefully considering postoperative extubation）,thrombus,and infection.In conclusion,anesthesiologists should carefully plan the treatment of patients with acute cervical spinal cord injuries to protect the nervous system and improve patient outcome.

Can neck swelling lead to spinal cord compression?

Spinal cord compression(SCC) caused by cervical spinal canal invasion of a pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma metastasis has never been reported previously. A 59-year-old man, with a history of pulmonary carcinosarcoma, developed over several weeks important neck swelling. Admitted to our division with severe tetraparesis he underwent a cervical spine computed tomography scan that showed a large cervical mass measuring 11 cm × 27 cm × 17 cm with SCC, extending from the occiput to C7. Emergency spinal cord decompression was performed leading to minor neurological improvement. Poor outcome was due to the unusual clinical sign that led to late diagnosis and treatment.

Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma of Cervical Spine

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is a rather uncommon non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with the initial manifestation of spinal cord compression. Herein, we reported a 74-year-old woman with sustained neck pain radiating into the right shoulder and arm and weakness of the right upper extremity. A mass that had invaded the C5 and C6 vertebral bodies, causing a kyphotic curvature and compressing the spinal cord, was discovered with magnetic resonance imaging. The patient then underwent anterior corpectomy at C5 and C6, and reconstruction with a titanic rod and bone cement. The pathology confirmed a diagnosis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma after serial H & E and immunohistochemical staining. She recovered well from her profound neurological deficit. Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy were used postoperatively. Surgical intervention is indicated in these cases to decompress the cord, remove the majority of the tumor mass, stabilize the spine and obtain tissue for pathological diagnosis.

颈椎骨折急性颈脊髓损伤患者手术预后的列线图预测模型

目的构建颈椎骨折急性脊髓颈损伤患者(ACSCI)手术预后的列线图预测模型并进行验证。方法选择2016年1月至2022年6月在该院接受手术治疗的323例ACSCI患者资料进行回顾性分析,患者按照7∶3的比例随机分为训练队列和验证队列,采用卡方检验比较队列之间的变量差异,采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归模型筛选与预后相关的变量,并利用最终筛选的变量构建预测ACSCI术后6个月预后的列线图模型,采用受试者工作曲线(ROC)和曲线下面积(AUC)评估模型的辨别能力,校准曲线(CC)评估一致性,决策分析曲线(DCA)评估模型的临床受益情况。结果预后不良发生率33.12%。训练队列(226例)和验证队列(97例)的临床资料差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析显示,男性、年龄≥45岁、高能量损伤、上颈椎损伤、髓内T2信号长度(IMLL)>6 cm、ASIA-B级、ASIA-A级和晚期手术与ACSCI患者6个月预后存在相关性。校准曲线和标准曲线贴合度较好,DCA曲线显示列线图在预测ACSCI患者术后临床预后不良方面具有良好的临床适用性。ROC曲线分析显示,训练队列和验证队列的AUC分别为0.829和0.811。结论基于性别、年龄、损伤机制、损伤节段、IMLL、ASIA分期和手术时机等风险因素构成的列线图可有效预测ACSCI患者的手术预后。

1例创伤性腰椎骨折合并脊髓损伤患者的护理体会

总结1例创伤性腰椎骨折合并脊髓损伤患者行腰椎骨折切开复位神经减压植骨融合内固定术围手术期护理体会。完善术前检查,术区备皮及导尿;术后密切观察患者生命体征、压力性损伤、神经功能及引流情况,注重心理护理,积极防治并发症,为患者提供全程优质护理服务。该患者好转出院,随访一般状况良好。

脊柱脊髓战创伤救治的研究进展

当战争爆发时,士兵和军事人员可能会面临爆炸、炮火和枪械伤等危险。在伊拉克战争中,38.5%伤亡军人至少有1次脊柱受伤,在所有死亡病例中,67%由爆炸造成,15%由枪击造成,最常见的损伤类型包括脊柱骨折(42.9%)、脊柱脱位(6.9%)、脊柱横断(4.1%)[1]。

基于前馈控制理念的护理干预对颈椎骨折合并脊髓损伤患者的影响

目的探讨基于前馈控制理念的护理干预对颈椎骨折合并脊髓损伤患者的影响。方法选取平顶山市第二人民医院2019年7月至2023年7月收治的80例颈椎骨折合并脊髓损伤患者作为研究对象,采取随机数字表法分为对照组及观察组,对照组(40例)接受常规护理干预,观察组(40例)接受基于前馈控制理念的护理干预。比较两组情绪[心理弹性量表(CD-RISC)]、脊椎功能[日本骨科学会脊椎功能量表(JOA)]以及并发症发生率。结果干预前,两组患者CD-RISC、JOA评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);干预后,两组患者CD-RISC、JOA评分均提高(P<0.05),且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组并发症发生率[5.0%(2/40)]低于对照组并发症发生率[22.5%(9/40)](χ^(2)=5.165,P<0.05)。结论对颈椎骨折合并脊髓损伤患者实施基于前馈控制理念的护理干预可有效缓解患者负面情绪,改善患者脊椎功能,同时有效降低患者并发症发生率。

Time-lapse changes of in vivo injured neuronal substructures in the central nervous system after low energy two-photon nanosurgery

There is currently very little research regarding the dynamics of the subcellular degenerative events that occur in the central nervous system in response to injury. To date, multi-photon excitation has been primarily used for imaging applications; however, it has been recently used to selectively disrupt neural structures in living animals. However, understanding the complicated processes and the essential underlying molecular pathways involved in these dynamic events is necessary for studying the underlying process that promotes neuronal regeneration. In this study, we introduced a novel method allowing in vivo use of low energy（less than 30 m W） two-photon nanosurgery to selectively disrupt individual dendrites, axons, and dendritic spines in the murine brain and spinal cord to accurately monitor the time-lapse changes in the injured neuronal structures. Individual axons, dendrites, and dendritic spines in the brain and spinal cord were successfully ablated and in vivo imaging revealed the time-lapse alterations in these structures in response to the two-photon nanosurgery induced lesion. The energy（less than 30 m W） used in this study was very low and caused no observable additional damage in the neuronal sub-structures that occur frequently, especially in dendritic spines, with current commonly used methods using high energy levels. In addition, our approach includes the option of monitoring the time-varying dynamics to control the degree of lesion. The method presented here may be used to provide new insight into the growth of axons and dendrites in response to acute injury.

Thoracolumbar spine fracture complicated by simple conus medullaris injury

Between 1990 and 1996, 15 patients with thoracolumbar spine fracture complicated by simple conusmedullaris injury were admitted. All patients were Injured by falling from height (mean, o meters). Clinical symp-toms indicated hypoesthesia or anesthesia of S3-5 sensory region,dysporia and urinary dysfunction. but normal sensation and motion of the bilateral lower extremities. Waston-Jones classified the spinal cord and nerve root injury following thoracolumbar spine fracture into three types. According to our observations, it should be classfied into five types: 1) concussion of the conus medullaris; 2) simple incomplete injury of the conus medullaris; 3) simplecomplete injury of the conus medullaris; 4) spinal cord transection and partial nerve root injury; 5) spinal cordtransection and entire nerve root injury.

THORACIC SPINE FRACTURES

Objective. To investigate the unique characteristics and treatment of thoracic spine fractures. Methods. Seventy seven patients with thoracic spine fractures were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, there were 37 compression fractures, 34 fracture dislocations, 3 burst fractures and 3 burst dislocations. Twenty six patients had a complete lesion of the spinal cord, 14 sustained a neurologically incomplete injury, and 37 were neurologically intact. Fifty three patients were treated nonoperatively and 24 treated operatively. Results. All patients were followed up for 2～15 years. None of the 26 patients with a complete lesion recovered any significant function. Of 37 neurologically intact patients, 13 had local pain although all of them remained normal function. Two of 14 patients with incomplete paraplegia returned to normal, 7 recovered some function and 5 did not recovered. Conclusions. Because of the unique anatomy and biomechanics of the thoracic spine, the classification commonly applied to thoracolumbar fractures is not suitable for thoracic fractures. Fusion and instrumentation are indicated when the fractures are unstable, while patients with incomplete lesion of the spinal cord may be the candidates for supplemented decompression.

低分子肝素对比其他抗凝药物预防脊柱脊髓损伤后静脉栓塞症疗效及安全性的Meta分析

目的:系统评价低分子肝素(low molecular weight heparin,LMWH)对比直接口服抗凝药(direct oral anticoagulants,DOACs)与普通肝素(unfractionated heparin,UFH)预防脊柱脊髓损伤后静脉栓塞症(venous thromboembolism,VTE)的疗效以及安全性.方法:在中国知网、万方数据库、维普数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库以及外文数据库包括PubMed、考克兰图书馆、Embase、Web of Science中检索对比LMWH与其他抗凝药物包括DOACs、UFH预防脊柱脊髓损伤患者VTE的文献,检索时限为自建库起至2022年4月20日,筛选符合纳入标准的回顾性队列研究及前瞻性随机对照试验(randomized controlled trials,RCTs).将相关文献纳入并提取干预措施、实验设计等数据采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析,分析结果由森林图表示,RCTs用Cochrane风险偏倚评估工具进行评价,队列研究用纽卡斯尔-渥太华质量评分表(Newcastle-Ottawa Scale,NOS)进行文献质量评价.结果:共纳入11篇文献,其中8篇为回顾性队列研究,3篇为RCTs研究,均为中高质量文献.Meta分析结果表明,DOACs在预防深静脉血栓(deep venous thrombosis,DVT)方面优于LMWH(P<0.00001),在预防总VTE方面优于LMWH(P=0.002),但两者在预防肺栓塞(pulmonary embolism,PE)方面无统计学差异(P=0.23).LMWH与UFH在预防脊柱脊髓损伤患者DVT、PE以及总VTE未见明显差异.进一步对比LMWH与小剂量普通肝素(low-dose unfractionated heparin,LDUH),发现LMWH在预防脊柱脊髓损伤患者PE方面优于LDUH(P=0.0006),而在DVT与总VTE方面无明显差异.根据研究设计不同进行亚组分析,对比预防脊柱脊髓损伤患者PE,发现在回顾性队列研究中LMWH优于LDUH(P=0.004),在RCTs研究中二者无明显差异(P=0.05).对于安全性的比较,回顾性队列研究中LMWH与LDUH无明显差异(P=0.67).由于Meta分析各结局指标所纳入的文献数量较少,未能进行敏感性分析与偏倚性分析.结论:与LMWH相比,DOACs可对脊柱脊髓损伤患者VTE进行更有效的预防性治疗,但在预防PE方面二者疗效上无明显区别.与UHF和LDUH相比,LMWH综合预防疗效、安全性、便捷性以及实用性等各方面更适合于脊柱脊髓患者VTE的预防.