European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Modic changes (MC) are associated with low back pain (LBP). Inflammation is considered as a key factor that triggers symptoms in especially type I MC, but so far of the potential inflammatory candidates only TNFα has been linked to MC. The objective of the study was to analyze a set of inflammatory mediators in human surgical disk samples and quantify their association with MC in the adjacent vertebral bodies. ⋯ Since these cytokines are related to differentiation and proliferation of osteoclasts, our data suggest that the stimulation of vertebral osteoclasts by factors secreted by disk tissue is involved in the pathophysiology of MC.
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The objective of this study is to investigate whether preexisting severe cervical spinal cord compression affects the severity of paralysis once patients develop traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) without bone injury. ⋯ Preexisting severe cervical cord compression is an independent risk factor for severe paralysis once patients develop traumatic CSCI without bone injury.
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Previous studies have shown gender differences in preoperative status and outcome of spine surgery. This study explores whether gender differences in preoperative demographics exist in patients scheduled for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) surgery. ⋯ Women scheduled for LDH surgery report inferior clinical status than men scheduled for the same operation. We have in the literature found no evidence-based data that support such a difference, and the reason for the discrepancy is unclear.
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The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiological patterns (mortality, incidence of non-fatal cases and overall incidence), of traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) in 2002-2012 in Austria. ⋯ The population >65 years has been at the highest risk of TSCI in Austria for the analysed period and therefore preventive activities should be focused on this group. The increasing overall incidence of TSCI was driven by the increasing mortality rates that were highest in the age group >65 years. We advocate harmonization of epidemiological reporting especially regarding aetiology of TSCI in order to better inform policy makers and prevention.
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Low back pain and sciatica are the most common symptoms of patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). The pathophysiology of lumbocrural pain and sciatica is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to define the membrane properties and activities of voltage-gated sodium channels of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a rat model of LDH. ⋯ These data suggest that NP application produces pain-related behavior and potentiates sodium current density of DRG neurons, which is most likely mediated by enhanced expression of NaV1.7 and NaV1.8.