Differential study of DCE-MRI parameters in spinal metastatic tumors, brucellar spondylitis and spinal tuberculosis

Objective： In the present study, spinal metastatic tumors, brucellar spondylitis and spinal tuberculosis werequantitatively analyzed using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （DCE-MRI） to assess thevalue of DCE-MRI in the differential diagnosis of these diseases.Methods： Patients with brucellar spondylitis, spinal tuberculosis or a spinal metastatic tumor （30 cases of each）received conventional MRI and DCE-MRI examination. The volume transfer constant （Ktrans）, rate constant （Kep）,extravascular extracellular volume fraction （Ve） and plasma volume fraction （Vp） of the diseased vertebral bodieswere measured on the perfusion parameter map, and the differences in these parameters between the patients werecompared.Results： For pathological vertebrae in cases of spinal metastatic tumor, brucellar spondylitis and spinaltuberculosis, respectively, the Ktrans values （median ＋ quartile pitch） were 0.989±0.014, 0.720±0.011 and0.317±0.005 min-1; the Kep values were 2.898±0.055, 1.327±0.017 and 0.748±0.006 min-1; the Ve values were0.339±0.008, 0.542±0.013 and 0.428±0.018; the Vp values were 0.048±0.008, 0.035±0.004 and 0.028±0.009; thecorresponding H values were 50.25 （for Ktrans）, 52.47 （for Kep）, 48.33 （for Ve） and 46.56 （for Vp）, and all differenceswere statistically significant （two-sided P〈0.05）.Conclusions： The quantitative analysis of DCE-MRI has a certain value in the differential diagnosis of spinalmetastatic tumor, brucellar spondylitis and spinal tuberculosis.

One-stage Surgical Treatment for Thoracic and Lumbar Spinal Tuberculosis by Transpedicular Fixation, Debridement, and Combined Interbody and Posterior Fusion via a Posterior-only Approach

This study examined the clinical outcomes of one-stage surgical treatment for patients with spinal tuberculosis via a posterior-only approach. Twenty-four patients with thoracic or lumbar spinal tuberculosis whose lesions were confined to adjacent segments were admitted to our hospital and treated. The American Spinal Injury Association（ASIA） impairment scale was used to assess the neurological function. All patients were treated with one-stage surgical treatment via a posterior-only approach. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association（JOA） scores and oswestry disability index（ODI） of nerve function. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by measurement of spinal deformity using Cobb angle and radiological examination. All the patients were followed up for 13 to 27 months. They had significantly postoperative improvement in JOA score, ODI and ASIA classification scores. The kyphotic angles were significantly corrected and maintained at the final follow-up. Bone fusion was achieved within 4–12 months. It was concluded that one-stage surgical treatment via a posterior-only approach is effective and feasible for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.

Abdominal tuberculosis: Is there a role for surgery?

It is important that surgeons are familiar with the various manifestations of tuberculosis(TB). Although TB has been declining in incidence in the developed world, itremains an important problem in endemic areas of the developing world. The aim of the review was to elucidate the natural history and characteristics of abdominal TB and ascertain the indications for surgery. TB can affect the intestine as well as the peritoneum and the most important aspect of abdominal TB is to bear in mind the diagnosis and obtain histological evidence. Abdominal TB is generally responsive to medical treatment, and early diagnosis and management can prevent unnecessary surgical intervention. Due to the challenges of early diagnosis, patients should be managed in collaboration with a physician familiar with anti-tuberculous therapy. An international expert consensus should determine an algorithm for the diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of abdominal TB.

psk1 virulence gene-induced pulmonary and systemic tuberculosis in a young woman with normal immune function:A case report

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease and an important public health pro-blem.Despite progress in controlling tuberculosis,the incidence of tuberculosis in China is still very high,with 895000 new cases annually.This case report des-cribes the investigation of a case of severe disseminated tuberculosis in a young adult with normal immune function,conducted to ascertain why a Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tuberculosis)strain caused such severe disease.CASE SUMMARY A previously healthy 28-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a 1-mo-nth history of fever and fatigue.She was diagnosed with severe disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis,spinal tuberculosis with paravertebral abscesses,and tuberculous meningitis.M.tuberculosis was isolated from bronchoal-veolar lavage fluid.She was treated with standard antituberculous therapy and underwent debridement,bone graft,and internal fixation surgery for spinal tuberculosis.She responded to therapy and regained her ability to walk following the surgery.We analysed the whole-genome sequence of the strain and designated it BLM-A21.Additional M.tuberculosis genomes were selected from the Virulence Factor Database(http://www.mgc.ac.cn/cgi-bin/VFs/genus.cgi?Genus=Mycobacterium)for comparison.An evolutionary tree of the BLM-A21 strain was built using PhyML maximum likelihood software.Further gene analysis revealed that,except for the pks1 gene,BLM-A21 had similar virulence genes to the CDC 1551 and H37Rv strains,which have lower dissemination.CONCLUSION We speculate that the pks1 virulence gene in BLM-A21 may be the key virulence gene responsible for the wide-spread dissemination of M.tuberculosis infection in this previously healthy adult with normal immune function.

Clinical Study of Applying Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Concept in Single-Segment Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Objective: With the aging population and changes in lifestyle, lumbar spinal stenosis has become a common spinal disorder. Treatment modalities have been advancing, and the application of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles provides a new approach to postoperative recovery in patients. This study aims to investigate the clinical application effects of ERAS principles in single-level lumbar spinal stenosis surgery. Methods: This study included 64 patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery in the Spinal Surgery Department of Baise People’s Hospital from July 2022 to July 2024. These patients were divided into an experimental group (ERAS group, 33 cases) and a control group (conventional group, 31 cases) based on perioperative care, receiving ERAS principles and traditional treatment, respectively. A comparison was made between the two groups in terms of gender, age, BMI, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, hospital costs, VAS scores (preoperative/postoperative day 3), and ODI scores (preoperative/postoperative day 3). Results: There were no significant differences in gender, age, and BMI between the ERAS group and the conventional group (gender: χ2 = 0.5008, P = 0.4792;age: 54.55 ± 8.51 years vs. 57.39 ± 8.16 years, P = 0.0892;BMI: 25.11 ± 2.70 vs. 24.77 ± 2.75, P = 0.3098). However, during surgery, patients in the ERAS group had significantly less blood loss than those in the conventional group (197.58 ± 195.51ml vs. 438.71 ± 349.22 ml, P = 0.0006), and the postoperative length of hospital stay was significantly shorter (7.00 ± 2.24 days vs. 11.55 ± 5.23 days, P = 0.0000). On postoperative day 3, VAS scores were significantly better in the ERAS group compared to the conventional group (3.70 ± 0.88 vs. 4.32 ± 0.87, P = 0.0031), and the ODI scores showed significant improvement as well (46.00 ± 3.04 vs. 48.00 ± 3.39, P = 0.0078). Although there were no significant differences in postoperative complications and hospital costs (complications: 3 cases vs. 0 cases, P = 0.2154;hospital costs: 63524.29 ± 17891.80 RMB vs. 58733.84 ± 13280.82 RMB, P = 0.1154), ERAS demonstrated better postoperative recovery outcomes in single-level lumbar spinal stenosis surgery. Conclusion: The study results support the implementation of ERAS principles in single-level lumbar spinal stenosis surgery to promote rapid recovery, reduce healthcare resource consumption, and improve overall patient satisfaction.

Advances in the Use of Prone Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation During Spinal Surgery in the Prone Position

Spinal surgery is usually performed in the prone position, which is a longer and more difficult procedure and is prone to complications such as circulatory dysfunction and stress injuries. Among them, stress injury is the main complication of prone spine surgery, but the reasons for stress injury in prone spine surgery are not clear, and whether prone cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be used needs to be further verified. Supine cardiopulmonary resuscitation is commonly used in posterior spinal surgery, retroperitoneal surgery, and so on, which can effectively improve the patient’s hypoxemia. Such surgeries require a high level of anesthetic management, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary if a patient in a prone position experiences cardiac arrest. In the process of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, supine cardiopulmonary resuscitation is often used, especially for some obese patients, if they are immediately changed to the supine position, it takes up more time, there may be wound infection, and there is a possibility of missing the optimal rescue and resuscitation time. Based on this, this paper reviews the use of prone-position cardiopulmonary resuscitation for spinal surgery in the prone position.

Study on the Application Effect of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Patients Undergoing Spinal Fracture Surgery

Objective:To study the application effect of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery(ERAS)model in patients undergoing spinal fracture surgery.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was designed,and 86 patients undergoing spinal fracture surgery were randomly divided into the ERAS group and the conventional care group.Postoperative recovery outcomes of the two groups were compared.Results:The ERAS group showed better outcomes in terms of postoperative pain scores,activities of daily living,length of hospital stay,and adherence to rehabilitation training compared to the conventional care group,with shorter hospital stays and lower medical expenses(P<0.05).Conclusion:The ERAS model significantly improves the postoperative recovery quality of patients undergoing spinal fracture surgery,reduces hospital stay and medical costs,and increases patient satisfaction.

Diagnosis and treatment of spinal tuberculosis after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Spinal tuberculosis is a common disease in orthopedic clinical practice; however, it is seldom reported after organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnosis and treatment of spinal tuberculosis after organ transplantation. METHOD: Two cases were diagnosed as spinal tuberculosis after liver transplantation and were treated with socarboxazide, rifampicin, streptomycin and ethambutol for more than one year. RESULTS: After treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs for several months, the symptoms of both patients clearly improved. Back pain disappeared, and erythrocyte sedimentation and body temperature returned to normal. CONCLUSIONS: We should highly suspect spinal tuberculosis if notalgia and night sweats are present after organ transplantation. Anti-tuberculosis therapy is an effective treatment for spinal tuberculosis after organ transplantation.

Treatment of Thoracic Spine Tuberculosis by Paraspinal Muscle Gap Approach

Objective: To evaluate the clinical feasibility and efficacy in treatment of thoracic tuberculosis via paraspinal approach. Methods: From June 2011 to August 2016, 24 patients with mono-segmental thoracic spine tuberculosis were treated by transfacet debridement combined with bone grafting and internal fixation through paraspinal approach. There were 11 males and 13 females with age ranging from 21 to 63 years (average, 39.5). There were 3 patients in T4/5, 2 patients in T5/6, 3 patients in T7/8, 3 patients in T8/9, 4 patients in T9/10, 3 patients in T10/11, and 6 patients in T11/12. Patients had different degraded local kyphosis deformity shown on X-ray, and different degraded bone destruction and abscess in thoracic spine shown on CT and MRI before the operation. All of the patients before the regular anti tuberculosis treatment for 2 to 4 weeks, the surgical approach used by paraspinal muscle approach, postoperative regular anti tuberculosis treatment for 9 to 12 weeks. Record the clinical symptoms of patients before and after surgery, preoperative Frankel functional classification of spinal cord injury, the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative ESR, CRP, complications, VAS score, ODI score and Cobb angle changes, imaging check regularly to evaluate the fusion and follow-up of nerve functional recovery. Results: The average operation time was 198 min. The average blood loss was 436 ml. There were no severe complications during and after operation. All patients were followed up for 1 year to 2 years, average 1.5 years of follow-up, the clinical symptoms improved significantly after operation and last follow-up ESR, CRP, VAS score, ODI score and Cobb angle were significantly improved after operation (P < 0.05), grade I Eck fusion, the fusion rate was 100% and the neurological function were improved. Conclusion: on the basis of strict anti tuberculosis chemotherapy, the use of paraspinal muscle gap approach for the treatment of thoracic tuberculosis is less invasive, less destructive to spinal stability, and can achieve obvious curative effect. It is worthy of clinical application.

Susceptibility of spinal tuberculosis and its related gene polymorphisms

Spinal tuberculosis,as one of the most serious forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis,is one of the primary causes of spinal deformity and paralysis in developing countries.It immensely affects people's quality of life with high incidences of deformity and disability.The onset of spinal tuberculosis is related to many factors such as gender,age,environment,habits and hereditary factor.As a genetic factor,gene polymorphism plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tuberculosis.This article reviews the research progress of the susceptibility of spinal tuberculosis and its related gene polymorphisms,in order to provide reference for early prevention and treatment of spinal tuberculosis.

The Effect of Intensive Psychological Nursing on the Mood and Solutions of Spinal Tuberculosis Patients

Objective:To investigate the effect of intensive psycho1ogical nursing on the mood and coping ways of spinal tuberculosis patients.Methods:The clinical data of 102 patients undergoing spinal tuberculosis surgery in our hospital from February 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.A11 the cases were grouped according to different nursing plans,patients who received routine care were included in the control group(n=50),and the ones with intensive psychological care were included in the observation group(n=52).Compare negative emotions after nursing[assessment using self-assessment scale of anxiety(SAS),depression self-assessment scale(SDS)]and solutions[assessment using medical response questionnaire(MCMQ)]of the two groups.Results:After nursing,the SAs,SDs scores,avoidance and yield scores of the two groups were reduced,and the coping scores were increased,and the change of the observation group was greater than that of the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Spinal tuberculosis surgery patients were treated with intensive psychological care,which can relieve patients'negative emotions,improve solutions and are worthy of clinical use.

Surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis in older patients

Objective To discuss perioperative features,operative approach and surgical effects of spinal tuberculosis in older patients.Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 45 patients with spinal

Prediction of Hidden Blood Loss During Posterior Spinal Surgery

Objective Identification of the risk factors for extraordinary hidden blood loss(HBL) could clarify the underlying causes and provide more appropriate management. This study aims to identify the predictors of HBL in spinal surgery.Methods Medical records were retrospectively retrieved to collect the data of patients who undergoing posterior thoracic and lumbar fusion surgery or scoliosis surgery. Demographic information, perioperative visible blood loss volume, as well as laboratory results were recorded. The patients receiving fusion surgery or scoliosis surgery were further divided into the HBL positive subgroup and the HBL negative subgroup. Differences in the variables between the groups were then analyzed. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors associated with HBL.Results For patients undergoing posterior spinal surgery, the independent risk factors associated with HBL were autologous transfusion(for fusion surgery P = 0.011, OR: 2.627, 95%CI: 1.574-2.782; for scoliosis surgery P < 0.001, OR: 2.268, 95%CI: 2.143-2.504) and allogeneic transfusion(for fusion surgery P < 0.001, OR: 6.487, 95%CI: 2.349-17.915; for scoliosis surgery P < 0.001, OR: 3.636, 95%CI: 2.389-5.231).Conclusion Intraoperative blood transfusion might be an early-warning indicator for perioperative HBL.

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in spinal surgery

Recently, many surgeons have been using intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring(IOM) in spinal surgery to reduce the incidence of postoperative neurological complications, including level of the spinal cord, cauda equina and nerve root. Several established technologies are available and combined motor and somatosensory evoked potentials are considered mandatory for practical and successful IOM. Spinal cord evoked potentials are elicited compound potentials recorded over the spinal cord. Electrical stimulation is provoked on the dorsal spinal cord from an epidural electrode. Somatosensory evoked potentials assess the functional integrity of sensory pathways from the peripheral nerve through the dorsal column and to the sensory cortex. For identification of the physiological midline, the dorsal column mapping technique can be used. It is helpful for reducing the postoperative morbidity associated with dorsal column dysfunction when distortion of the normal spinal cord anatomy caused by an intramedullary cord lesion results in confusion in localizing the midline for the myelotomy. Motor evoked potentials(MEPs) consist of spinal, neurogenic and muscle MEPs. MEPs allow selective and specific assessment of the functional integrity of descending motor pathways, from the motor cortex to peripheral muscles. Spinal surgeons should understand the concept of the monitoring techniques and interpret monitoring records adequately to use IOM for the decision making during the surgery for safe surgery and a favorable surgical outcome.

Current and future surgery strategies for spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord trauma is a prominent cause of mortality and morbidity. In developed countries a spinal cord injury(SCI) occurs every 16 min. SCI occurs due to tissue destruction, primarily by mechanical and secondarily ischemic. Primary damage occurs at the time of the injury. It cannot be improved. Following the primary injury, secondary harm mechanisms gradually result in neuronal death. One of the prominent causesof secondary harm is energy deficit, emerging from ischemia, whose main cause in the early stage, is impaired perfusion. Due to the advanced techniques in spinal surgery, SCI is still challenging for surgeons. Spinal cord doesn't have a self-repair property. The main damage occurs at the time of the injury primarily by mechanical factors that cannot be improved. Secondarily mechanisms take part in the following sections. Spinal compression and neurological deficit are two major factors used to decide on surgery. According to advanced imaging techniques the classifications systems for spinal injury has been changed in time. Aim of the surgery is to decompress the spinal channel and to restore the spinal alinement and mobilize the patient as soon as possible. Use of neuroprotective agents as well as methods to achieve cell regeneration in addition to surgery would contribute to the solution.

Survival and clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression after spinal surgery:a prospective,multicenter,observational cohort study

Background:High quality studies have been challenging to undertake in patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.Nonetheless,in the article "Survival and Clinical Outcomes in Surgically Treated Patients With Metastatic Epidural Spinal Cord Compression:Results of the Prospective Multicenter AOSpine Study" recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology,our team provided convincing evidence that spinal surgery improves overall quality of life in patients with this potentially devastating complication of cancer.Considering that metastatic spinal lesions treated with surgery have the highest mean cost among all oncological musculo-skeletal issues,it is essential to provide high quality data to optimize the therapeutic approaches and cost-effective use of health care resources.Main body:Although the AOSpine Study provided high quality prospective data,it was primarily limited by the lack of non-operative controls and the relatively small sample size.Given the dearth of medical equipoise and the fundamental difference between patients deemed to be adequate surgical candidates and those who are not amenable to operative intervention,conducting a randomized controlled trial in this patient population was not felt to be ethically or medically feasible.Consequently,the optimal option to overcome limitations of both the lack of controls and the relatively small sample size is through collection of large prospective datasets through rigorously developed and maintained registries.Conclusions:With the alarming increase in the incidence of cancer in China and China's parallel growing cancer control efforts,China would offer a fantastic platform to set up a national metastatic spinal lesion registry.Such registry would not only enhance metastatic epidural spinal cord compression translational research but also optimize patient care.

Differentiation of Crohn’s disease from intestinal tuberculosis in India in 2010

Differentiating intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn’s disease (CD) is an important clinical challenge of considerable therapeutic significance. The problem is of greatest magnitude in countries where tuberculosis continues to be highly prevalent, and where the incidence of CD is increasing. The final clinical diagnosis is based on a combination of the clinical history with endoscopic studies, culture and polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, biopsy pathology, radiological investigations and response to therapy. In a subset of patients, surgery is required and intraoperative findings with pathological study of the resected bowel provide a definitive diagnosis. Awareness of the parameters useful in distinguishing these two disorders in each of the different diagnostic modalities is crucial to accurate decision making. Newer techniques, such as capsule endoscopy, small bowel enteroscopy and immunological assays for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have a role to play in the differentiation of intestinal tuberculosis and CD. This review presents currently available evidence regarding the usefulness and limitations of all these different modalities available for the evaluation of these two disorders.

Tuberculosis of the spine

Pott’s spine,commonly known as spinal tuberculosis(TB),is an extrapulmonary form of TB caused by Mycobacterium TB.Pott’s paraplegia occurs when the spine is involved.Spinal TB is usually caused by the hematogenous spread of infection from a central focus,which can be in the lungs or another location.Spinal TB is distinguished by intervertebral disc involvement caused by the same segmental arterial supply,which can result in severe morbidity even after years of approved therapy.Neurological impairments and spine deformities are caused by progressive damage to the anterior vertebral body.The clinical,radiographic,microbiological,and histological data are used to make the diagnosis of spinal TB.In Pott’s spine,combination multidrug antitubercular therapy is the basis of treatment.The recent appearance of multidrug-resistant/extremely drug-resistant TB and the growth of human immunodeficiency virus infection have presented significant challenges in the battle against TB infection.Patients who come with significant kyphosis or neurological impairments are the only ones who require surgical care.Debride-ment,fusion stabilization,and correction of spinal deformity are the cornerstones of surgical treatment.Clinical results for the treatment of spinal TB are generally quite good with adequate and prompt care.

Transient Symptomatic Bilateral Optic Disc Oedema Following Lumbar Spinal Surgery— An Unusual Presentation

Background: Optic disc oedema has various underlying pathologies, however, unless visually disabling does not usually bring a patient to the physician. The more common symptoms of headache, nausea and vomiting lead to the incidental detection of bilateral disc oedema [1]. Optic disc oedema seen following spinal surgery is usually associated with visual acuity changes and often goes by the acronym POVL (Peri/ postoperative visual loss) wherein, as the name goes, visual acuity changes are profound [2] [3] [4]. Purpose: We would like to highlight a case of transient Bilateral Optic Disc oedema following Lumbar spinal surgery maintaining normal visual acuity and attaining spontaneous resolution. Case Report: A 42-year-old female presented with transient obscuration of vision and flashes of light post an uneventful lumbar spinal surgery. Ophthalmic evaluation revealed normal visual acuity and pupils but marked disc edema right more significant than left. There was no colour vision deficit, neither any field changes. By a process of exclusion, it was likely the patient had developed bilateral disc oedema secondary to the spinal surgery. On follow-up 6 weeks and 3 months later, the oedema had completely settled and visual acuity remained at 6/6. Conclusion: Optic disc oedema can be unilateral or bilateral with some of the uncommon conditions mentioned secondary to spinal surgery, however, in those situations, visual loss has been severe and permanent. Our case is unusual in its combination of disc edema with normal acuity along with its transient nature and resolution and to our knowledge, has not been published before.

Liver Transplantation in a Monolung Patient: A Strategy of Sequential Treatments of Multiple Lung Tuberculosis Ca-vitations and Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Hepatitis B Related Virus Cirrhosis

The presence of extrahepatic infection is a contraindication for liver transplantation, even more if supported by an advanced pulmonary tuberculosis with persistent cavitation not curable with medical treatment. We report a case of a young patient with hepatocellular carcinoma on hepatitis B virus related liver cirrhosis and multiple lung tuberculosis cavitations. The patient was referred to our centre for liver transplantation. We adopted a strategy with sequential treatments. First a left extra-pericardial pneumonectomy was performed without opening the infected cavern, followed by a therapy with rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol for a period of nine months. After the cure of tuberculosis, the monolung patient eventually was listed for liver transplantation. An accurate planning of a multistep therapeutical strategy, an appropriate anesthetic management and a meticulous surgical technique allowed to successfully transplant a young patient suffering from three life-threatening diseases: cavitary tuberculosis, hepatitis B virus cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Thirty months after liver transplantation the patient is in good health, with normal liver function, forced expiratory volume in one second of 42% (1.53 liters) and without any tuberculosis disease reactivation.