Journal of neurosurgery. Spine
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Comparative Study
Amelioration of spinal cord compressive injury by pharmacological preconditioning with erythropoietin and a nonerythropoietic erythropoietin derivative.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating clinical syndrome for which no truly efficacious therapy has yet been identified. In preclinical studies, erythropoietin (EPO) and its nonerythropoietic derivatives asialoEPO and carbamylated EPO have markedly improved functional outcome when administered after compressive SCI. However, an optimum treatment paradigm is currently unknown. Because the uninjured spinal cord expresses a high density of EPO receptor (EPOR) in the basal state, signaling through these existing receptors in advance of injury (pharmacological preconditioning) might confer neuroprotection and therefore be potentially useful in situations of anticipated damage. ⋯ These results demonstrate that EPO and its analog do not need to be present at the time of injury to provide tissue protection and that tissue protection is markedly effective when either agent is administered immediately after injury. Furthermore, the findings suggest that asialoEPO is a useful reagent with which to study the dynamics of EPO-mediated neuroprotection. In addition, the findings support the concept of using a nonerythropoietic EPO derivative to provide tissue protection without activating the undesirable effects of EPO.
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Extensive peridural fibrosis after lumbar spine surgery may contribute to poor outcome and recurrent symptoms leading to repeated operation. Secondary procedures are considerably hampered by the presence of scar tissue. Moreover, after excision of the peridural scar, the fibrous tissue may recur, leading to unsuccessful surgical outcome. Mitomycin C (MMC), an alkylating antibiotic substance isolated from Streptomyces caespitosus, potentially suppresses fibroblast proliferation after surgical intervention. The authors investigated the effect of MMC on the reformation of epidural fibrosis in a laminectomy model in rats. ⋯ In this experimental study, MMC in a concentration of 1 mg/ml locally applied significantly reduced recurrence of epidural fibrosis and dural adhesions without any side effects after repeated spinal surgery in a laminectomy model in rats.
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The authors conducted a study to evaluate and compare prospectively the implantation of either an empty carbon fiber composite frame cage (CFCFC) or an iliac crest autograft after anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) for cervical disc herniation with monoradiculopathy. ⋯ Implantation of an empty CFCFC or a tricortical iliac crest autograft after ACD are safe and reliable options for the treatment of cervical disc herniation causing one-sided radiculopathy. Both procedures produced equally satisfying clinical and radiological results, leading to a high fusion rate and maintaining intervertebral height. Implantation of an empty CFCFC has the advantages of avoiding any donor site morbidity and requiring a significantly shorter operative time.
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The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is the transitional region between the cervical and thoracic sections of the spinal axis. Because it is a transitional zone between the mobile lordotic cervical and rigid kyphotic thoracic spines, the CTJ is a region of potential instability. This potential for instability may be exaggerated by surgical intervention. ⋯ The CTJ is a vulnerable region, and this vulnerability is exacerbated by surgery. Results of the present study indicate that laminectomy across the CTJ should be supplemented with instrumentation (and fusion). Multilevel ventral corpectomies across the CTJ should also be supplemented with dorsal instrumentation. Supplemental instrumentation should be considered for patients who have undergone prior cervical surgery, have a history of tobacco use, or are undergoing surgery for deformity correction.
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Percutaneous spinal cord stimulation (SCS) electrodes are prone to migration even after scar tissue encapsulation. The authors devised a simple technique to eliminate longitudinal migration. ⋯ With modification of the standard technique for implantation of percutaneous SCS electrodes, no longitudinal migration of electrodes was noted in this series of 99 patients.