ObjectiveTo observe the in vivo three-dimensional (3-D) transient motion characteristics of the subaxial cervical spine in healthy adults. MethodsSeventeen healthy volunteers without cervical spine related diseases were recruited for this study, including 8 males and 9 females with a mean age of 26 years (range, 23-41 years). The vertebral segment motion of each subject was reconstructed with CT, and Rhinoceros 4.0 solid modeling software were used for 3-D reconstruction model of the subaxial cervical spine. In vivo cervical vertebral motion in flexionextension, left and right bending, left and right rotation was observed with dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS). Coordinate systems were established at the vertebral center of C3-7 to obtain the intervertebral range of motion (ROM) and displacement at C3, 4, C4, 5, C5, 6, and C6, 7. The X-axis pointed to the left along the coronal plane, the Y-axis pointed to the back along the sagittal plane, and the Z-axis perpendicular to the X-Y plane pointed to the head. The ROM along X, Y, and Z axises were represented by rotation in flexion-extension (α), in left-right bending (β), and in left-right twisting (γ) respectively, and the displacement in left-right direction (x), in anterior-posterior direction (y), and in proximaldistal direction (z), respectively. ResultsIn flexion and extension, the displacement in anterior-posterior direction of C6, 7 was significantly less that of other segments (P<0.05), but the displacements in left-right direction and in proximaldistal direction showed no significant difference between segments (P>0.05); the ROM values in flexion-extension of C4, 5 and C5, 6 were significantly larger than those of C3, 4 and C6, 7 (P<0.05), and the ROM value in left-right twisting of C4, 5 was significantly larger than those of C5, 6 and C6, 7 (P<0.05), but the ROM value in left-right bending showed no significant difference between segments (P>0.05). In left and right bending, there was no significant difference in the displacement between other segments (P>0.05) except that the displacement in anterior-posterior direction of C3, 4 was significantly larger than that of C4, 5 (P<0.05), and that the displacement in proximal-distal direction of C6, 7 was significantly less than that of C3, 4 and C4, 5 (P<0.05); no significant difference was shown in the ROM value between segments (P>0.05), except that the ROM value in left-right twisting of C3, 4 was significantly larger than that of C5, 6 and C6, 7 (P<0.05). In left and right rotation, the ROM value in left-right twisting of C3, 4 was significantly larger than that of C4, 5 and C6, 7 (P<0.05), and the displacement and ROM value showed no significant differece between other segments (P>0.05). ConclusionThe intervertebral motions of the cervical spine show different characters at different levels. And the 6-degree-of-freedom data of the cervical vertebrae are obtained, these data may provide new information for the in vivo kinematics of the cervical spine.
Objective To evaluate surgical results of the titanium screwplate internal fixation in treatment of the lower cervical fracture dislocation. Methods From September 2001 to March 2006, 31 patients(24 males, 7 females; age range, 2063 years) with the lower cervical fracturedislocation were treated in our department. The injuries were caused by a road accident in 25 patients, a high crash in 4, and a heavy object crash in 2. The fracture dislocation occurred in the following cervical segments:C3(1 patient),C4(5 patients), C5(12 patients), C6(10 patients), and C7(3 patients). The disease course ranged from 1 to 23 days. The associated spinal nerve root injury occurred in 29 patients. The Frankle scaling revealed that 14 patients were at Grade A, 3 at Grade B, 7 at Grade C, 3 at Grade D, and 2 at Grade E (associated nerve root injury with hand and shoulder numbness). The 29 patients underwentthe spinal cord decompression, the grafting fusion of the small joints, and thelateral mass titanium screwplate internal fixation; 2 patients without nerve injury underwent only the grafting fusion of the small joints and the lateral mass titanium screwplate internal fixation. The bone fusion, cervical vertebra movement, and internal fixation condition were observed by the X-ray examinations postoperatively. The nerve function recovery was evaluated by the Frankle scaling system. Results The followedup in all the patients for 6months to 4 years revealed that the small joint fusion time was 36 months, with an average of 3.6 months. The cervical X-ray films showed that there was no instability or fracture looseness of the internal fixation at 6 months. Among the 29 patients with the spinal nerve root injury, 14 were at Grade A preoperatively but 13 were improved at Grade B and 1 at Grade C postoperatively; 3 were at Grade B preoperatively but 2 were improved at Grade C and 1 at Grade D postoperatively; 7 were at Grade C preoperatively but 3 were improved at Grade D and 4 at Grade E postoperatively; 3 at Grade D preoperatively but all the 3 were improvedat Grade E postoperatively; 2 were at Grade E preoperatively and remained unchanged postoperatively. In the 2 patients with only the nerve root injury, numbness disappeared soon after operation. Conclusion This posteriorapproach has two advantages: the mobility range of the cervical vertebra can preserved to the greatest extent because of the short segment fixation; the betterstability can obtained because of the titanium screwplate internal fixation on the cervical jointcolumn to prevent the hyperextension and hyperflexion. Therefore, the titanium screwplate internal fixation on the cervical lateral massis an effective treatment of the lower cervical fracture dislocation.
Objective To summarize the methods andskills of anterior cervical locking plate systems in clinical application and to analyze the causes of some complications as well as give some preventive or remedial countermeasures. Methods From 1998 to 2002, 159 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy,fracturedislocation,tumor or tuberculosis of the cervical spine were treated with anterior locking plate systems. The complications were reviewed and analyzed. Results Ten kinds of complications related to anterior locking plate systems occurred in 21 patients. Most of the complications were caused by improperly-selecting implants, experience and technique deficiency. Conclusio The important preventive or remedial countermeasures are correctly-selecting patients, meticulous preoperative preparation, properly-selecting implants, standard and skillful manipulation and rational postoperative protection.
Objective To compare the loss of anterior column heightand cervical Cobb angle with three different types of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF). Methods A prospective randomized study was performed on 60 patients who had undergone ACDF with the autologous iliac crest graft (group A, n=20), the autogenous bone and the anterior cervical locking plates (group B, n=20), and Syncage-C filled with the local autograft reamings (group C, n=20) from January 1998 to January 2003. The patients diagnosed as having cervical radiculopathy (RP) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) were indicated for ACDF. Of the patients, 41 were male and 19 female with a mean age of 57 years (range, 36-68) and their average course of disease was 6.2 months (range, 1-36). There were 36 one-level and 24 two-level fusions from C3,4 to C7,T1. Radiological measurements were performed on the cervical radiographs taken before operation, 7 days and 3 months after operation, and on the last day of the follow-up; then, the height and Cobb angle of the fused segment, functional restoration, and clinical outcome were evaluated in the three groups. Results The followup of more than 2 years (range,2-7) showed that the average loss of anterior column height and Cobb angle of the fused segments in groups A and B, which had not preserved the-endplate, hada greater increase than that in group C, which had preserved the endplate. Of the patients, 12 had autograft collapse, 3 autograft displacement, and 10 postural abnormality between the fused segments, most of which happened in groups A andB. The fusion rate was 93.3% (56 cases) according the strict arthrodesis critera; their excellent and good rate in the functional assessment was 83.3% (RP 90.4%, CSM 79.5%); the overall satisfactory (excellent and good) rates in groups A,B and C were 75%, 85% and 90%, respectively. Conclusion To increase the resistance to graft subsidence, which is a major reason for narrowness of the fused segments, and to maintain normal cervical curvature, we should improve our skills of bone grafting performance, preserve the endplate, carefully evaluate the degree of osteoporosis before operation, and use anterior cervical locking plate and /or fusion with Syncage-C when necessary.
Objective To develop a high-accuracy, better-safety and low-cost cervical pedicle locator system for guiding cervical pedicle screw placement. Methods Cervical pedicle screw locator system was made of stainless steel. Ten cervical specimens from voluntary donation were divided into two groups according to compatibil ity design: control group inwhich 60 screws were planted into C2-7 by free hand; and experimental group in which 60 screws were planted into C2-7 under the guidance of three-dimensional locator system. The condition of screw insertion was observed and the accuracy was evaluated by the integrity of pedicle walls. Results In the control group, 32 screws (53.33%) were placed inside the pedicles and 28 (46.67%) were outside; 9 screws (15.00%) led to nerve root injury, 5 screws (8.33%) caused vertebral artery injury and no spinal cord injury occurred; and the qual ification ratio of screw insertion was 76.67% (excellent 32, fair 14, poor 14). While in the experimental group, 54 screws (90.00%) were placed inside the pedicles and 6 (10.00%) were outside; 1 screw (1.67%) caused vertebral artery injury and no nerve root injury and spinal cord injury occurred; and the qual ification ratio of screw insertion was 98.33% (excellent 54, fair 5, poor 1). There was significant difference between the two groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Cervical pedicle screw locator system has the advantages of easy manipulation, high accuracy of screw placement and low cost. With further study, it can be appl ied to the cl inical.
Objective To explore the feasibilities, methods, outcomes and indications of atlas pedicle screw system fixation and fusion for the treatment of upper cervical diseases. Methods From October 2004 to January 2006, 17 patients with upper cervical diseases were treated with atlas pedicle screw system fixation and fusion. There were 13 males and 4 females, ageing 19 to 52 years. Of 17 cases, there were 14 cases of atlantoaxial dislocation(including 3 cases of congenital odontoid disconnection，4 cases of old odontoid fracture，2 cases of new odontoid fracture(typeⅡC), 3 cases of rupture of the transverse ligament, and 2 cases of atlas fracture； 2 cases of tumor of C2; 1case of giant neurilemoma of C2,3 with instability after the resection oftumors. JOA score before operation was 8.3±3.0. Results The mean operative time and bleeding amount were 2.7 hours (2.1-3.4 hours) and 490 ml (300-750 ml) respectively. No injuries to the vertebral artery and spinal cord were observed. The medial-superior cortex of lateral mass was penetrated by 1 C1 screw approximately 3 mmwithout affecting occipito-atlantal motions. All patients were followed up 3-18 months. The clinical symptoms were improved in some extents and the screws were verified to be in a proper position, no breakage or loosening of screw and rob occurred. All patients achieved a solid bone fusion after 3-6 months. JOA score 3 months after operation was14.6±2.2. JOA improvement rates were 73%-91%(mean 82%). Conclusion The atlas pedicle screw system fixation and fusion is feasible for the treatment of upper cervical diseases and has betteroutcomes, wider indications if conducted properly.
Objective To investigate and compare the effects of restoring and maintaining the cervical curvature and height of the fused segment by using three different anterior cervical plate systems. Methods From January 2002 to June 2004, 122 patients underwent anterior cervical decompression,autogenous iliac bone graft and plate fixation. Of the 122 patients (85 males, 37 females, aged 14-70), 37 underwent surgery involving the fixation with the Orion plate system, 39 with the Zephir plate system, and 46 with the Codman platesystem. The cervical curvature and height of the fused segment were measured onthe lateral X-ray films so as to compare the changes of the conditions preoperatively,1 week after surgery, and during the follow-up, and also to compare the difference among the three groups. Results The follow-up of the patients for 6-35 months (average 17.3 months) showed that all the patients developed the bone fusion 6 months after operation. There was a significant improvement in the cervical curvature and height of the fused segment before operation versus 1 week after operation（Plt;0.05）; however, there were no significant changes 1 week after operation versus during the followup in each group（Pgt;0.05）; there was no significant difference among the three groups（Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion The three plate systems can effectively reconstruct and maintain the cervical curvature and height of the fused segment, with a satisfactory effect in a short term.
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of core stable training on cervical vertebrae pain, cervical function and balance ability in patients with neck type cervical spondylopathy (NTCS).MethodsFrom January to August 2018, 98 patients with NTCS were treated. According to the odd and even bed numbers, 49 patients were enrolled in the observation group and 49 were in the control group. The patients in the control group was given Kinesio tape treatment, and the observation group was given core stability training based on the treatment of the control group. Cervical vertebrae pain was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Clinical Assessment Scale for Cervical Spondylosis (CASCS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI); cervical vertebra activity were used to assess the cervical; the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to assess patients’ balance before intervention and at the 4th week of intervention. The incidence of complications during the intervention and the effective of treatment 4 weeks after intervention were recorded. The recurrence rate 6 months after the intervention was recorded.ResultsThere were no significant difference in CASCS, NDI, VAS, and BBS scores between the two groups before intervention (P>0.05). At the 4th week of the intervention, the CASCS and BBS scores of the two groups were higher than those before the intervention, and the VAS and NDI scores were lower than those before the intervention (P<0.05); and the CASCS and BBS scores in observation group at the 4th week of the intervention were higher than that of control group, and VAS and NDI scores were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the activity of the cervical vertebrae before intervention in both of the two groups (P>0.05). At the 4th week of the intervention, the activity of the cervical vertebrae in all directions was bigger than that of before the intervention in both of the two groups (P<0.05), and that in observation group were bigger than that of the control group (P<0.05). The effective rate at the 4th week in the observation group (95.92%) was higher than that in the control group (81.83%)(P<0.05). The recurrence rate 6 months after intervention in the observation group (6.38%) was lower than that in the control group (22.50%) (P<0.05).ConclusionCore stability training can relieve cervical spondylosis in NTCS patients, and improve the cervical function and patients’ balance; it has high safety and stable efficacy.
Objective To investigate the treatment methods and the cl inical therapeutic effects of symptomatic cervical vertebral hemangioma associated with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 18 patients (10 males and 8 females, aged 30-62 years with an average age of 45.3 years) with cervical vertebral hemangioma associated with cervical spondylotic myelopathy between January 2006 and September 2008. The disease duration was 10-26 months (mean, 15.6 months). All patients had single vertebral hemangioma, including 2 cases at C3, 3 cases at C4, 5 cases at C5, 5 cases at C6, and 3 cases at C7. The X-ray films showed a typical “pal isade” change. According to the cl inical and imaging features, there were 13 cases of type II and 5 cases of type IV of cervical hemangioma. The standard anterior cervical decompression and fusion with internal fixation were performed and then percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) was used. The cervical X-ray films were taken to observe bone cement distribution and the internal fixation after operation. The recovery of neurological function and the neck pain rel ief were measured by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score. Results All operations were successful with no spinal cord and nerves injury, and the incisions healed well. Anterior bone cement leakage occurred in 2 cases without any symptoms. All cases were followed up 24-28 months (mean, 26 months) and the symptoms were improved at different degrees without fracture and collapse of vertebra or recurrence of hemangioma. During the follow-up, there was no implant loosening, breakage and displacement, and the mean fusion time was 4 months (range, 3-4.5 months). The JOA score and VAS score had a significant recovery at 3 months and at last follow-up when compared with preoperative values (P lt; 0.05). Based on JOA score at last follow-up, the results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 6 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. Conclusion The anterior cervical decompression and fusion with internalfixation combined with PVP treatment is one of the ideal ways to treat symptomatic cervical vertebral hemangioma associated with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, which could completely decompress the spinal cord and effectively alleviate the cl inical symptoms caused by vertebral hemangioma.