bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging study of lumbar disc degeneration in 200 healthy individuals
Authors: Kanayama Masahiro , Togawa Daisuke , Takahashi Chihiro , Terai Tomoya , Hashimoto Tomoyuki 
Published: February 2011

Object
The current cross-sectional observational MR imaging study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of lumbar disc degeneration in a healthy population and to establish the baseline data for a prospective longitudinal study.

Methods
Two hundred healthy volunteers participated in this study after providing informed consent. The status of lumbar disc degeneration was assessed by 3 independent observers, who used sagittal T2-weighted MR imaging. Demographic data collected included age, sex, body mass index, episode(s) of low-back pain, smoking status, hours of standing and sitting, and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores. There were 68 men and 132 women whose mean age was 39.7 years (range 30–55 years). Eighty-two individuals (41%) were smokers, and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores were averaged to 0.6/24.

Results
The prevalence of disc degeneration was 7.0% in L1–2, 12.0% in L2–3, 15.5% in L3–4, 49.5% in L4–5, and 53.0% in L5–S1. A herniated disc was observed at the corresponding levels in 0.5, 3.5, 6.5, 25.0, and 35.0% of cases respectively. Spondylolisthesis was observed in < 3% of this population. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age and hours sitting were significantly related to L4–5 disc herniation. Episode of low-back pain, smoking status, body mass index, and hours standing did not affect the prevalence of disc degeneration.

Conclusions
The current study established the baseline data of lumbar disc degeneration in a 30- to 55-year-old healthy population for a prospective longitudinal study. Hours spent sitting significantly increased the prevalence of disc herniation, but episode of low-back pain, smoking status, obesity, and standing hours were not significant risk factors.
Surgical management of cervical degenerative disease: the evidence related to indications, impact, and outcome
Authors: Fehlings Michael G. , Arvin Babak 
Published: February 2011

In this special edition of Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, a series of systematic reviews sponsored by the Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons is presented. This collection of comprehensive reviews summarizes the medical evidence related to the surgical management of cervical degenerative disc disease. Several of the key conclusions are discussed in this introduction to the issue:

There is Class II evidence to suggest that the clinical condition remains stable when observed over a 3-year period in patients with mild-to-moderate cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and age younger than 75 years.

There is consistent Class III evidence that the duration of symptoms, and possibly advancing age, negatively affect outcome in patients with CSM.

There is Class II evidence that somatosensory evoked potentials have prognostic value in patients with CSM. There is Class I evidence to show that electromyographic abnormalities (as well as the presence of radiculopathy) are predictive of the development of myelopathy in minimally symptomatic patients with cervical stenosis and spinal cord compression.

The presence of a low signal on T1-weighted images, high signal on T2-weighted images, and the presence of cord atrophy on preoperative MR images are indicators of a poor outcome in CSM.

There is Class III evidence to show that anterior or posterior surgical approaches that effectively decompress the cervical canal promote short-term improvements in outcome. However, there appears to be a risk of late kyphosis in patients who undergo laminectomy or anterior cervical discectomy alone compared with patients in whom decompression is combined with fusion.

The use of BMP-2 is discouraged for anterior cervical spine surgery based on evidence suggesting that the risks outweigh any potential benefits.
Finally, in patients with symptomatic cervical radiculopathy, arthroplasty achieves outcomes that are equivalent to anterior cervical decompression and fusion, although evidence for superiority is lacking.
Further prospective longitudinal data are required to better define the role and timing of surgical intervention in CSM and to determine the appropriate use of cervical arthroplasty in the management of symptomatic cervical degenerative disc disease.
Imaging correlation of the degree of degenerative L4–5 spondylolisthesis with the corresponding amount of facet fluid
Authors: Cho Bo Young , Murovic Judith A. , Park Jon 
Published: February 2011

Object
The aim of this study was to correlate the degree of L4–5 spondylolisthesis on plain flexion-extension radiographs with the corresponding amount of L4–5 facet fluid visible on MR images.

Methods
Patients underwent evaluation at the Neurosurgical Spine Clinics of Stanford University Medical Center and National Health Insurance Medical Center (Goyang, South Korea) between January 2006 and December 2007. Only patients who were diagnosed with L4–5 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and who had both lumbosacral flexion-extension radiographs and MR images available for review were eligible for this study. Each patient's dynamic motion index (DMI) was measured using the lateral lumbosacral plain radiograph and was the percentage of the degree of anterior slippage seen on flexion versus that seen on extension. Axial T2-weighted MR images of the L4–5 facet joints obtained in each patient was analyzed for the amount of facet fluid, using the image showing the widest portion of the facets. The facet fluid index was calculated from the ratio of the sum of the amounts of facet fluid found in the right plus left facets over the sum of the average widths of the right plus left facet joints.

Results
Fifty-four patients with L4–5 DS were included in this study. Of these 54 patients, facet fluid was noted on MR images in 29 patients (53.7%), and their mean DMI was 6.349 ± 2.726. Patients who did not have facet fluid on MR imaging had a mean DMI of 1.542 ± 0.820; this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was a positive linear association between the facet fluid index and the DMI in the group of patients who exhibited facet fluid on MR images (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.560, p < 0.01). In the subgroup of 29 patients with L4–5 DS who showed facet fluid on MR images, flexion-extension plain radiographs in 10 (34.5%) showed marked anterolisthesis, while the corresponding MR images did not.

Conclusions
There is a linear correlation between the degree of segmental motion seen on flexion-extension plain radiography in patients with DS at L4–5 and the amount of L4–5 facet fluid on MR images. If L4–5 facet fluid in patients with DS is seen on MR images, a corresponding anterolisthesis on weight-bearing flexion-extension lateral radiographs should be anticipated. Obtaining plain radiographs will aid in the diagnosis of anterolisthesis caused by an L4–5 hypermobile segment, which may not always be evident on MR images obtained in supine patients.
Use of pimecrolimus to prevent epidural fibrosis in a postlaminectomy rat model
Authors: Cemil Berker , Tun Kagan , Kaptanoglu Erkan , Kaymaz Figen , Cevirgen Banu , Comert Ayhan , Tekdemir Ibrahim 
Published: February 2011

Object
Epidural fibrosis is the scar tissue formed over the dura mater after a laminectomy. Extensive epidural fibrosis may be an important underlying cause of failed back syndrome. Pimecrolimus, an ascomycin derivative, is one of the new classes of immunomodulating macrolactams and was specifically developed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. This study examined the preventive effects of the local application of pimecrolimus in minimizing spinal epidural fibrosis in a rat laminectomy model.

Methods
Thirty Wistar rats were divided into 3 equal groups: control, mitomycin C (MMC), and pimecrolimus groups. Each rat underwent a laminectomy at the L-3 lumbar level. In the experimental groups, a cotton pad soaked with MMC (0.5 mg/ml) or 5 mg pimecrolimus was placed on the exposed dura mater. No treatment was performed in the control group rats. Thirty days after surgery, the rats were killed and the dura mater thickness, epidural fibrosis, and arachnoidal involvement were quantified.

Results
The mean dura thickness was measured at 9.28 ± 3.39 μm in the MMC group and at 8.69 ± 2.32 μm in the pimecrolimus group, compared with 14.70 ± 4.14 μm in the control group. In addition, the epidural fibrosis and arachnoidal involvement were reduced significantly in the treatment groups compared with the control group.

Conclusions
In this animal model, it was shown that locally applied pimecrolimus effectively reduces epidural fibrosis and dural adherence in rats that underwent lumbar laminectomy. Mitomycin C was equally effective as pimecrolimus in reducing epidural fibrosis and dural adherence in this study.
Intraosseous ultrasonography to determine the accuracy of drill hole positioning prior to the placement of pedicle screws: an experimental study
Authors: Kantelhardt Sven Rainer , Larsen Jörg , Bockermann Volker , Schillinger Wolfgang , Giese Alf , Rohde Veit 
Published: February 2011

Object
Dorsal fixation with rods and pedicle screws (PSs) is the most frequently used surgery to correct traumatic and degenerative instabilities of the human spine. Prior to screw placement, screw holes are drilled along the vertebral pedicles. Despite the use of a variety of techniques, misplacement of screw holes, and consequently of the PSs, is a common problem. The authors investigated the usefulness of an intraspinal, intraosseous ultrasonography technique to determine the accuracy of drill hole positioning.

Methods
An endovascular ultrasound transducer was used for the intraluminal scanning of bore holes in trabecular bovine bone, 12 pedicle drill holes in cadaveric human spine, and 4 pedicle drill holes in a patient undergoing thoracic spondylodesis. Seven of the experimental bore holes in the cadaveric spine were placed optimally (that is, inside the pedicle) and 5 were placed suboptimally (breaching the medial or lateral cortical surface of the pedicle). Computed tomography scans were obtained in the patient and cadaveric specimen after the procedure.

Results
The image quality achieved in examinations of native bovine bone tissue, the formalin-fixed human spine specimen, and human vertebrae in vivo was equal. The authors endosonographically identified correct intrapedicular and intravertebral positions as well as poor (cortex breached) placement of drill holes.

Conclusions
Intraosseous ultrasonography is a promising technique for the investigation of PS holes prior to screw implantation, and may add to the safety of PS placement.
Percutaneous transplantation of human umbilical cord blood–derived multipotent stem cells in a canine model of spinal cord injury
Authors: Lee Jae-Hoon , Chang Hwa-Seok , Kang Eun-Hee , Chung Dai-Jung , Choi Chi-Bong , Lee Jong-Hwan , Hwang Soo-Han , Han Hoon , Kim Hwi-Yool 
Published: February 2011

Object
The authors describe a method for percutaneous transplantation of human umbilical cord blood (hUCB)–derived multipotent stem cells (MSCs) under fluoroscopic guidance. The investigators then tested whether percutaneous transplantation of hUCB-derived MSCs improved neurological functional recovery after acute spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods
The authors induced SCI in 10 dogs by percutaneous balloon compression. The 10 injured dogs were assigned randomly to the following groups (2 dogs each): Group 1, evaluated 2 weeks after sham transplantation; Group 2, evaluated 2 weeks after transplantation; Group 3, evaluated 4 weeks after sham transplantation; Group 4, evaluated 4 weeks after transplantation; and Group 5, evaluated 4 weeks after multispot transplantations. The dogs with sham transplantation (Groups 1 and 3) received the same volume of saline, as a control. A spinal needle was advanced into the spinal canal, and the investigators confirmed that the end of the spinal needle was located in the ventral part of spinal cord parenchyma by using contrast medium under fluoroscopic guidance. The hUCB-derived MSCs were transplanted into the cranial end of the injured segment in 6 injured dogs at 7 days after SCI.

Results
Two dogs in Group 2 showed no improvement until 2 weeks after transplantation. Three of 4 dogs (Groups 4 and 5) that received cellular transplants exhibited gradual improvement in hindlimb locomotion from 3 weeks after cell transplantation. The CM-DiI–labeled hUCB-derived MSCs were observed in the spinal cord lesions at 4 weeks posttransplantation and exerted a significant beneficial effect by reducing cyst and injury size. The transplanted cells were positive for NeuN, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and von Willebrand factor.

Conclusions
The percutaneous transplantation technique described here can be easily performed, and it differs from previous techniques by avoiding surgical exposure and allowing cells to be more precisely transplanted into the spinal cord. This technique has many potential applications in the treatment of human SCI by cell transplantation. The results also suggest that transplantation of hUCB-derived MSCs may have therapeutic effects that decrease cavitation for acute SCI.
Bioabsorbable instrumentation for single-level cervical degenerative disc disease: a radiological and clinical outcome study
Authors: Tomasino Andre , Gebhard Harry , Parikh Karishma , Wess Christian , Härtl Roger 
Published: February 2011

Object
The authors present the radiological and clinical outcome data obtained in patients who underwent single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylosis and/or disc herniation; bioabsorbable plates were used for instrumentation. The use of metallic plates in ACDF has gained acceptance as a stabilizing part of the procedure to increase fusion rates, but when complications occur with these devices, the overall effectiveness of the procedure is compromised. As a possible solution, bioabsorbable implants for ACDF have been developed. This study investigates the feasibility and radiological and clinical outcomes of the bioabsorbable plates for ACDF.

Methods
The radiological and clinical outcomes of 30 patients were investigated retrospectively. All patients presented with cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy and underwent single-level ACDF in which a bioabsorbable anterior cervical plate and an allograft bone spacer were placed at a level between C-3 and C-7. Radiological outcome was assessed based on the fusion rate, subsidence, and Cobb angle of the surgical level. Clinical outcome was determined by using a visual analog scale, the Neck Disability Index, and the Odom criteria.

Results
There were no intraoperative complications, and no hardware failure was observed. No signs or symptoms of adverse tissue reaction caused by the implant were seen. Two reoperations were necessary due to postoperative blood collections. The overall complication rate was 16.7%. After 6 months, radiographic fusion was seen in 92.3% of patients. Subsidence at 11.3 ± 7.2 months was 3.1 ± 5.8 mm (an 8.2% change over the immediately postoperative results), and the change in the sagittal curvature was –2.7 ± 2.7°. The visual analog scale score for neck and arm pain and Neck Disability Index improved significantly after surgery (p < 0.001). Overall at 19.5 months postoperatively, 83% of the patients had favorable outcomes based on the Odom criteria.

Conclusions
Absorbable instrumentation provides better stability than the absence of a plate but graft subsidence and deformity rates may be higher than those associated with metal implants. There were no device-related complications, but adverse late effects cannot be excluded. The fusion rate and outcome are comparable to the results achieved with metallic plates. The authors were satisfied with the use of bioabsorbable plates as a reasonable alternative to metal, avoiding the need for lifelong metallic implants.
Microvascular system of the lumbar dorsal root ganglia in rats. Part I: a 3D analysis with scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts
Authors: Kobayashi Shigeru , Mwaka Erisa Sabakaki , Baba Hisatoshi , Takeno Kenichi , Miyazaki Tsuyoshi , Matsuo Hideaki , Uchida Kenzo , Meir Adam 
Published: February 2011

ObjectSo far, the morphological features of the vascular system supplying the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) have been inferred only from microangiograms. However, in the past most of these studies lacked 3D observations. This study presents the details of the microvasculature of the lumbar DRG visualized by scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts.MethodsWistar rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal sodium pentobarbital. After thoracotomy, the vascular system was perfused with heparinized saline, and Mercox resin was injected into the thoracic aorta. After polymerization of the resin, the vascular casts were macerated with potassium hydroxide, washed with water, and dried. The casts were examined with a scanning electron microscope.ResultsThe vascular cast of the DRG was observed to have a higher density of vessels than the nerve root. Bifurcation or anastomoses of capillaries took place at approximately right angles, in a T-shaped pattern. Within the DRG, both the arterial supply and the capillary network contained blood flow control structures (ring-shaped constrictions in the cast probably representing a vascular sphincter in the microvessel). Three types of vessels could be distinguished: tortuous, straight, and bead-like capillaries. The dilations, bulges, and tortuousness of capillaries could serve the function of locally increasing the capillary surface area in a sensory neuron.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest a causal relationship between the metabolic demands of local neuronal activity and both the density of the capillary network and the placement of the blood flow control structures.
Effect of spinal cord signal intensity changes on clinical outcome after surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Authors: Chatley Anooj , Kumar Raj , Jain Vijendra K. , Behari Sanjay , Sahu Rabi Narayan 
Published: February 2011

Object
The presence of intramedullary T2 high signal intensity changes in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) indicates the existence of a chronic spinal cord compressive lesion. However, the prognostic significance of signal intensity changes remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of spinal cord T2 signal intensity changes on the outcome after surgery for CSM.

Method
In a prospective study, 64 patients with CSM who underwent surgical treatment between October 2006 and April 2008 using an anterior approach were included. Based on the clinical symptoms and signs present, the severity of neurological deficits of all patients was scored according to a modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale score for CSM just before the surgery and at 6 months follow-up. Recovery rates were calculated at 6 months.

Results
There were 22 patients who did not have spinal cord intensity changes on MR imaging and 44 who demonstrated high-intensity signal changes on T2-weighted images (focal or segmental). No statistically significant differences were found in recovery rates between cases with T2 signal intensity changes and those with no signal intensity changes. However, the postoperative modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale scores and the recovery rates were much lower in patients with multisegmental signal intensity changes compared with those without these changes or those with focal signal intensity change, and ANOVA demonstrated this difference to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion
Multisegmental spinal cord signal intensity changes on T2-weighted MR imaging are predictors of a poor outcome in terms of functional recovery rate in patients undergoing operations for CSM.
Effect of hyperglycemia on apoptosis of notochordal cells and intervertebral disc degeneration in diabetic rats
Authors: Won Ho-Yeon , Park Jong-Beom , Park Eun-Young , Riew K. Daniel 
Published: February 2011

Object
Diabetes mellitus is thought to be an important etiologic factor in intervertebral disc degeneration. It is known that notochordal cells gradually disappear from the nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc with age by undergoing apoptosis. What is not known is whether diabetes has an effect on apoptotic rates of notochordal cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hyperglycemia on apoptosis of notochordal cells and intervertebral disc degeneration in age-matched OLETF (diabetic) and LETO (control) rats.

Methods
Lumbar disc tissue (L1–2 through L5–6), including cranial and caudal cartilaginous endplates, was obtained from 6- and 12-month-old OLETF and LETO rats (40 rats, 10 in each of the 4 groups). The authors examined the NP using TUNEL, histological analysis, and Western blot for expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)–1, -2, -3, and -13, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)–1 and -2, and Fas (apoptosis-related protein). The apoptosis index of notochordal cells was calculated. The degree of transition of notochordal NP to fibrocartilaginous NP was classified on a scale ranging from Grade 0 (no transition) to Grade 4 (transition > 75%). The degree of expression of MMP-1, -2, -3, and -13, TIMP-1 and -2, and Fas was evaluated by densitometry.

Results
At 6 and 12 months of age, OLETF rats showed increased body weight and abnormal 2-hour glucose tolerance tests compared with LETO rats. The apoptosis index of notochordal cells was significantly higher in the OLETF rats than in the LETO rats at both 6 and 12 months of age. The degree of transition of notochordal NP to fibrocartilaginous NP was significantly higher in the OLETF rats than in the LETO rats at 6 and 12 months of age. The expression of MMP-1, -2, -3, and -13, TIMP-1, and Fas was higher in the OLETF rats at 6 and 12 months of age. The expression of TIMP-2 was significantly higher in the OLETF rats than in the LETO rats at 6 months of age, but not at 12.

Conclusions
The findings suggest that diabetes is associated with premature, excessive apoptosis of NP notochordal cells. This results in an accelerated transition of a notochordal NP to a fibrocartilaginous NP, which leads to early intervertebral disc degeneration. It remains to be determined if these premature changes are due to hyperglycemia or some other factors associated with diabetes. Understanding the mechanism by which diabetes affects disc degeneration is the first step in designing therapeutic modalities to delay or prevent disc degeneration caused by diabetes mellitus.