Aikeremujiang Muheremu

Diagnosing giant cell tumor of the bone using positron emission tomography/computed tomography: A retrospective study of 20 patients from a single center

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the diagnosis of giant cell tumor of the bone (GCTB) using the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), which indicates the metabolic rate of tissue. Patients diagnosed with pathologically confirmed GCTB between January 2006 and July 2015 were included in the study. Data from PET/CT scans and pathological and clinical reports for all patients were retrospectively reviewed. The SUVmax value from the PET/CT scan of each patient was retrieved and analyzed. A total of 20 patients [12 male and 8 female; age range, 12–45 years; mean age ± standard deviation (SD), 33.5±15.7] with complete PET/CT data and a pathologically and clinically confirmed diagnosis were examined. The SUVmax of GCTB was between 1.8 and 18.6, with a mean ± SD of 9.2±3.8. Although GCTB is not considered to be a malignant lesion, PET/CT scans of the tumors reveal high-grade malignant osseous sarcomas. It is, therefore, important not to mistake such lesions for osteosarcomas or metastatic malignancies of the bone.

Halo-pelvic traction for severe kyphotic deformity secondary to spinal tuberculosis.

Abstract To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Halo-pelvic ring traction in the treatment of severe kyphotic deformity secondary to spinal tuberculosis. Eighty patients with severe kyphotic deformity due to spinal tuberculosis were included in the study. Forty of those patients (experimental group) received Halo- pelvic ring traction before surgery and the rest (control group) received surgical treatment directly. Two groups were compared by means of the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, correction of Cobb angle, change in patient height, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale. Halo-pelvic traction group achieved significantly (P < .05) better results than direct surgical treatment group by means of the time of surgery (244 ± 58 minutes vs 276 ± 47 minutes, P = .036), intraoperative blood loss (950 ± 236 mL 1150 ± 305 mL, P = .018), correction of Cobb angle (68.3 ± 12.6 vs 55.6 ± 13.8, P = .001), change in patient height (9.4 ± 4.0 cm vs 6.8 ± 3.8 cm, P = .024). The mean improvement of ASIA scale was more in the experimental group than in the control group (0.23 ± 0.07 vs 0.15 ± 0.06); however, the difference is not statistically significant (P = .09). Halo-pelvic ring traction before osteotomy can be applied in patients with severe spinal kyphotic deformity due to spinal tuberculosis to increase efficacy and safety of surgical treatment.

Relationship between platelet parameters and hepatic pathology in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection – a retrospective cohort study of 677 patients

Objective A retrospective study to determine the relationships between platelet parameters and inflammation and fibrosis of the liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB). Methods Patients with liver biopsy-confirmed CHB were included in the study. Liver fibrosis and inflammation were assessed by histopathology of biopsied liver tissue. Platelet count (PLT), platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were determined as part of routine blood tests. The relationship between inflammation and fibrosis and platelet parameters were analysed by multiple linear regression. Results The study included 677 patients. PLT and PDW accounted for 20.5% of liver inflammation. PLT and PDW accounted for 18.4% of liver fibrosis. Conclusion Platelet parameters can provide valuable information for the assessment of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.

Anatomical and radiologic characteristics of isthmus parameters in guiding pedicle screw placement

Objective To study the clinical application of lumbar isthmus parameters in guiding pedicle screw placement. Methods Lumbar isthmus parameters were measured in normal lumbar x-rays and cadaveric specimens from a Chinese Han population. Distance between the medial pedicle border and lateral isthmus border was recorded as a ‘D’ value and was compared between X-rays and cadavers. Orthopaedic surgeons estimated different distances (2–6 mm) and angles (5–20°), and bias ratios between estimated and real values were compared. Orthopaedic residents placed pedicle screws on cadaveric specimens before and after application of the ‘D’ value, and screw placement accuracy was compared. Results Except for L4 vertebrae, significant differences in the ‘D’ value were found between 25 cadaveric specimens and x-ray films from 120 patients. Distances and angles estimated by 40 surgeons were significantly different from all real values, except 2 mm distance. Accuracy of pedicle screw placement by six orthopaedic residents was significantly improved by applying the ‘D’ value. Conclusions Surgeon estimates of distance were more accurate than angle estimates. Addition of a ‘D’ value to conventional parameters may significantly improve pedicle screw placement accuracy in lumbar spine surgery.

Use of three-dimensional finite element models of the lateral ankle ligaments to evaluate three surgical techniques

Objective To compare three surgical techniques for lateral ankle ligament reconstruction using finite element (FE) models. Methods A three-dimensional FE model of the left foot of a healthy volunteer and lateral collateral ligament injury models were developed. Three tendons [one-half of the autologous peroneus longus tendon (PLT), one-half of the peroneus brevis tendon (PBT), and an allogeneic tendon] were used for lateral collateral ligament reconstruction. The ankle varus stress and anterior drawer tests were performed to compare the three surgical techniques. Results The ankle varus stress test showed that the equivalent stresses of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) (84.00 MPa) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) (27.01 MPa) were lower in allogeneic tendon reconstruction than in the other two techniques but similar to those of normal individuals (138.48 and 25.90 MPa, respectively). The anterior drawer test showed that the equivalent stresses of the ATFL and CFL in autologous PLT reconstruction (31.31 and 28.60 MPa, respectively) and PBT reconstruction (31.47 and 29.07 MPa, respectively) were lower than those in allogeneic tendon reconstruction (57.32 and 52.20 MPa, respectively). Conclusions The allogeneic tendon reconstruction outcome was similar to normal individuals. Allogeneic tendon reconstruction may be superior for lateral ankle ligament reconstruction without considering its complications.

Selective peripheral nerve resection for treatment of persistent pain around the knee joint after total knee arthroplasty

Objective This study was performed to determine the efficacy of selective peripheral nerve resection for treatment of persistent neuropathic pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Patients who underwent TKA in our department from January 2013 to July 2016 and experienced persistent pain around the knee joint after TKA were retrospectively included in the current study. Sixty patients were divided into experimental and control groups according the treatment they received. The treatment effect was evaluated by the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score preoperatively and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results The HSS knee scores were higher in both groups after than before the treatment, and HSS knee scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The VAS pain scores were lower in both groups after than before the treatment, and VAS pain scores were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions Selective peripheral nerve resection is an effective treatment method for persistent neuropathic pain after TKA.

Micro-endoscopic discectomy versus percutaneous endoscopic surgery for lumbar disk herniation

Objective This study was performed to compare the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) versus micro-endoscopic discectomy (MED) in the treatment of patients with lumbar disk herniation. Methods In total, 216 patients treated for lumbar disk herniation in our center from January 2016 to July 2017 were prospectively divided into two groups according to the treatment received. One group was treated with PELD and the other group was treated with MED. The surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, total hospital stay, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score before and after the surgery were compared between the groups. Results The surgical duration was significantly longer in the PELD than MED group. The intraoperative blood loss volume was significantly larger in the MED than PELD group. The total hospital stay was significantly longer in the MED than PELD group. The decline in the VAS pain score and increase in the ODI score after surgery were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions Although PELD is associated with a longer surgical duration than MED, it should still be considered superior to MED because of less intraoperative hemorrhage and a significantly shorter hospitalization time.

Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum and expression of transforming growth factor beta

Objective To explore the relationship between cellular apoptosis and hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum in the lumbar region. Methods Thirty patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were evaluated. Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum was present in 15 patients and absent in 15. Hematoxylin–eosin staining and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) immunohistochemical testing were applied to compare these two groups. Results Derangement of fibrous alignment, fibrocartilage changes, and infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed in the patients with hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum, while fibrous alignment was normal and few inflammatory cells were observed in patients without hypertrophy. Immunohistochemical studies showed positive expression of TGF-β in patients with hypertrophy, while expression was negative in patients without hypertrophy. The integrated optical density was 2.6556708 in the hypertrophy group and 23104671 in the normal controls. Conclusions Expression of TGF-β was closely related to hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum. Appropriate application of the TGF-β expression level can be used to predict progression of hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum.

Establishment of a three-dimensional finite element model of severe kyphotic deformity secondary to ankylosing spondylitis

Objective To establish a three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) kyphosis that is a digital platform for further studies. Methods A 30-year-old man with AS kyphosis underwent computed tomography transverse scanning from T1 to the sacrococcyx. The images were imported into Mimics® 17.0 software to establish a 3D model of the posterior spine, which was then imported into Studio Geomagic 2013 software. Posterior spine convex geometry was established on the 3D geometric model for subsequent optimization of image processing. Unigraphics NX 8.5 produced the spinal kyphosis surface model. Modeled calcification of ligaments and partial resection of useless sacral bone were added. The model was imported into ANSYS 15.0 FE analysis software. Ligaments were added. Parameters were set to generate a 3D FE model of AS. Results and Conclusion A 3D FE model of AS was successfully established, providing a reliable digital platform for subsequent biomechanical analysis.

Administration of rocuronium based on real body weight versus fat-free mass in patients with lymphedema

Objective To compare the clinical pharmacokinetics of rocuronium when applied according to fat-free mass versus real body weight during anesthetic induction of patients with lymphedema. Methods Sixty patients with lymphedema (age, 18–60 years; American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, I–II) undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups. Rocuronium was administered based on the fat-free mass in 30 patients and real body weight in 30 patients. General anesthesia was induced with propofol and remifentanil by target-controlled infusion. Intubation was attempted when the onset time (T1) (time from end of bolus injection to 100% twitch depression) reached maximal inhibition, and respiratory support with mechanical ventilation was then applied. The T1, clinical duration (time from end of bolus injection to recovery of twitch tension to 25% of control), recovery index (time from 25% to 75% of recovery of T1), and dosage were recorded. Results Complete data were recorded for 59 patients, and there were no significant differences in the general condition, intubation condition, or median duration of action of rocuronium between the two groups. However, the median T1, recovery index, and dosage of rocuronium were significantly different. Conclusion Good intubation conditions and a shortened clinical duration can be obtained for patients with lymphedema when induction with rocuronium is based on the fat-free mass.