Spine
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The adjacent discs of 13 goats, originally used in a lumbar spinal fusion model study, were analyzed for symptoms of intervertebral disc degeneration by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), macroscopy, and histology. These goats were followed for 6 months and the results were compared with 6 control goats. ⋯ Large animal fusion models offer an excellent opportunity to study ASD in vivo, as pre-existing degenerative disc disease is not present and biomechanical effects of the fusion can be studied more isolated. Our results suggest that adjacent disc degeneration does not develop in our spinal goat fusion model. There is, however, an increased risk of disc degeneration in the L5-L6 level through an unclear mechanism.
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The role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in sciatica in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in rats was investigated. ⋯ Exogenous 5-HT to the nerve root induced pain-related behavior with short-lasting effects compared with the nucleus pulposus application. 5-HIAA content in plasma and expression of 5-HT2A receptors in DRG neurons increased early time points after the nucleus pulposus application. These results suggest that 5-HT plays a role in the early phase of the chemical pathogenesis of sciatica in LDH in rats.
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The contralateral pain-related behavioral and immunohistochemical changes after hemilateral spinal nerve injury in rats were investigated. ⋯ These results suggest that contralateral mechanical allodynia induced by hemilateral spinal nerve injury is associated with upregulation of satellite cells and TNF-alpha in the contralateral DRG. In addition, our results suggest that spinal astrocytes play an important role in these contralateral changes.
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A retrospective review. ⋯ Despite circumferential spinal cord decompression through posterior approach for thoracic OPLL providing effective neurologic recovery, there was a high rate of complications such as postoperative neurologic deterioration. Risk factor analysis shows that multiple level circumferential decompression of 5 or more vertebral levels to be associated with unfavorable surgical outcome.
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Comparative Study
Sympathectomy reduces mechanical allodynia, tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression, and dorsal root ganglion apoptosis following nerve root crush injury.
An analysis of pain behavior and neuronal apoptosis in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) following crush injury to the L5 nerve root, with or without surgical sympathectomy. ⋯ Surgical sympathectomy reduced mechanical allodynia for 14 days after nerve root crush injury, and that DRG apoptosis was decreased in injured animals that underwent sympathectomy. Sympathetic block may not only cause an increase in nerve blood flow, but may also prevent the development of significant TNF-alpha elevation, DRG apoptosis, and neuropathic pain.