William Gemio Jacobsen Teixeira

Fractures of the cervical spine

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to review the literature on cervical spine fractures. METHODS: The literature on the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of lower and upper cervical fractures and dislocations was reviewed. RESULTS: Fractures of the cervical spine may be present in polytraumatized patients and should be suspected in patients complaining of neck pain. These fractures are more common in men approximately 30 years of age and are most often caused by automobile accidents. The cervical spine is divided into the upper cervical spine (occiput-C2) and the lower cervical spine (C3-C7), according to anatomical differences. Fractures in the upper cervical spine include fractures of the occipital condyle and the atlas, atlanto-axial dislocations, fractures of the odontoid process, and hangmans fractures in the C2 segment. These fractures are characterized based on specific classifications. In the lower cervical spine, fractures follow the same pattern as in other segments of the spine; currently, the most widely used classification is the SLIC (Subaxial Injury Classification), which predicts the prognosis of an injury based on morphology, the integrity of the disc-ligamentous complex, and the patients neurological status. It is important to correctly classify the fracture to ensure appropriate treatment. Nerve or spinal cord injuries, pseudarthrosis or malunion, and postoperative infection are the main complications of cervical spine fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Fractures of the cervical spine are potentially serious and devastating if not properly treated. Achieving the correct diagnosis and classification of a lesion is the first step toward identifying the most appropriate treatment, which can be either surgical or conservative.

Pouchitis: extracolonic manifestation of ulcerative colitis?

Pouchitis is the most frequent complication of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for treatment of ulcerative colitis. There are several possible explanations. Among them, we focus on the one that considers pouchitis as an extracolonic manifestation of ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between pouchitis and extra-intestinal manifestations (EIM), which are frequent in these patients. Sixty patients underwent restorative proctocolectomy with an ileal J pouch (IPAA) from September 1984 to December 1998. Pouchitis was defined by clinical, endoscopic, and histologic criteria. The following extra-intestinal manifestations were studied: articular, cutaneous, hepatobiliary, ocular, genitourinary, and growth failure. Thirteen patients, of which 10 were female (76.9%), developed one or more episodes of pouchitis. Twelve patients of this group (92.3%) presented some kind of extra-intestinal manifestation, 4 pre-operatively (exclusively), 2 post-operatively (exclusively), and 6 both pre- and post-operatively (1.7 per patient). Twenty patients (42.7%) of the 47 without pouchitis did not present extra-intestinal manifestations; 10/35 (28. 5%) of females had pouchitis, compared to 3/35 (12.0%) of men. Pouchitis was more frequent among females, though not statistically significant. EIM increases the risk of pouchitis. Pouchitis is related to EIM in 92.3 % of cases, corroborating the hypothesis that it could be an extracolonic manifestation of ulcerative colitis.

Aseptic Loosening of Total Hip Arthroplasty: Preliminary Genetic Investigation

Femoral and acetabular loosening can be attributed different factors, but the causes and mechanism of early failure are still obscure. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between gene polymorphisms and early implant failure. Fifty-eight patients older than 50 years was recruited for analysis of MMP-1 promoter polymorphisms in early osseointegrated implant failure. The results showed in control group a frequency of 20.97% of 2G allele and 67.74% the genotype 1G/1G whereas, in the test group, a frequency of 83.33% of 2G allele and 66.66% the genotype 2G/2G. These results indicate that the polymorphism in the promoter of the MMP-1 gene could be a risk factor for early implant failure of total hip arthroplasty.

Imunonutrição em colite experimental: efeitos benéficos dos ácidos graxos ômega-3

Background - Recent data have given emphasis to the benefits of immunonutrition with omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) in various clinical situations. This work presents the results of parenteral administration of different lipid emulsions in experimental acute colitis and reviews the pertinent literature. Methods - Seventy-four adult male Wistar rats were randomized in six groups that had 10% acetic acid-induced colitis (except CS). During 7 days, control groups CS (without colitis) and CC (with colitis) received physiological solution and the others received specific lipid emulsion by a central venous catheter (0,5 mL/h). The n-3/n-6 FA ratio and lipidic compositions were: group L - 1:7,7 (LCT, n = 12), M - 1:7,0 (MCT and LCT, n = 12), LW-3 - 1:4,5 (LCT plus FO, n = 12) and MW-3 - 1:3,0 (MCT and LCT plus FO, n = 13). Rats were evaluated to assess abdominal and intestinal alterations, macrophage cellularity and colonic concentrations of LTB4, LTC4, PGE2 and TXB2. Results - N-3 FA treated rats (LW-3 and MW-3) presented less inflammatory abdominal alterations than CC rats. Mucosal ulcer formation in MW-3 group was the only comparable to CS group. Only CS, M and MW-3 rats presented smaller cellularity than CC group. Comparing to CC group, there were found smaller averages of LTB4 in CS, LW-3 and MW-3 groups, of PGE2 in CS, M and MW-3 groups, and of TXB2 in CS and MW-3 groups. LTC4 averages were not different. Conclusions - 1) LCT-containing lipid emulsion with low n-3/n-6 ratio do not modify inflammatory colitis derived manifestations; 2) the association of MCT/LCT-containing lipid emulsion with fish oil with high n-3/n-6 ratio impels great beneficial impact, attenuating morphological and inflammatory consequences and decreasing colonic concentrations of proinflammatory mediators.

Radiotherapy-induced tumors of the spine, peripheral nerve, and spinal cord: Case report and literature review

Background: The development of a secondary malignancy in the field of radiation is a rare but well-recognized hazard of cancer treatment. The radiotherapy-induced (RT-I) tumors are even more aggressive and potentially lethal than the primary tumor. To goal of this article is to report a case of RT-I neural tumor located in the peripheral nerve and spinal cord and to perform a literature review of the subject. Case Reports: Thirty-year male with symptoms of hypoesthesia and dysesthesia of the L5 nerve root distribution and previous treatment of a testicular seminoma 20 years previously. The lumbar magnetic resonance imaging showed the growth of a nerve root tumor. Surgery was performed, and a fusiform tumor was resected with clear margins. The anatomopathological and immunohistochemical studies were compatible with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. A total of 30 cases were included in the review. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis of the induced tumor was 39.36 (±16.74) years. Most were male (63.3%). The main type of primary disease was neural tumors (30%). The most common type of histology was fibrosarcoma (20.0%). No difference was found in age, gender, and time of diagnosis between neural and nonneural tumors. The mean survival after the diagnosis of the secondary tumor was 10.7 months (±13.27), and neural tumors had a longer survival period (P = 0.031). Conclusion: The current gold standard therapy is complete resection with clear margins, since most tumors do not respond to chemotherapy and RT. The neural type of RT-I tumor presented a longer survival period.

Estudo experimental da ação da metilprednisolona utilizada antes do traumatismo raquimedular em ratos Wistar

Objective: To evaluate the effects of methylprednisolone used prior to spinal injury, both in relation to possible beneficial ef fects and to possible associated complications. Materials and methods: The study subjects were 32 Wister rats, divided into 4 groups. Two groups received drugs A (placebo) and B (methylprednisolone) immediately after the injury. Another 2 groups received the same drugs 4 hours before the injury. They were all evaluated over a period of 28 days to verify locomotor function and associated complications. Results: The 4 groups were compared in terms of weight and age. No statistically significant dif ference was found between the study groups in relation to mean weight and age. In the comparison of intercurrences among the 4 groups a statistically significant difference was found in deaths (p = 0.047), where the Drug B T-0 group exhibited a significantly lower proportion of deaths (0%) than that found in the Drug B T-4 group (55.6%). There was no statistical difference among these groups in terms of motor and complication rates (p > 0.05 in all the comparisons). Conclusions: the animals treated with methylprednisolone four hours before the injury trauma presented a significantly higher number of deaths than the rats treated with the same drug after the injury.

Pregabalin for the Prevention of Oxaliplatin‐Induced Painful Neuropathy: A Randomized, Double‐Blind Trial

Abstract Lessons Learned. Pregabalin is a medication that can decrease neuronal hyperexcitability, relieve neuropathic pain, and reach stable plasma levels after a titration period of only a few days. Its use during oxaliplatin infusions was not able to decrease the incidence of chronic, oxalipaltin‐related neuropathic pain, compared with placebo. Background. Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) receiving oxaliplatin (OXA) develop acute and chronic painful oxaliplatin‐induced peripheral neuropathy (OXAIPN). Acute and chronic OXA‐related neuropathies have different pathophysiological bases, but both lead to a common phenomenon: central sensitization (CS) of nociceptive neuronal networks, leading to increased sensitivity (hyperlgesia, allodynia) in the somatosensory system, the common ground of chronic neuropathic pain. Because CS is related to increased risk of painful OXAIPN, we hypothesized that preemptive use of the anti‐hyperalgesic drug pregabaline (known to decrease CS) during OXA infusions would decrease the incidence of chronic OXAIPN. Methods. Pain‐free, chemotherapy‐naïve CRC patients receiving at least one cycle of modified‐FLOX [5‐FU(500 mg/m2)+leucovorin(20 mg/m2)/week for] 6 weeks+oxaliplatin(85 mg/m2) at weeks 1‐3‐5 every 8 weeks] were randomized (1:1) into the study. Patients received either pregabalin or placebo for 3 days before and 3 days after each OXA infusion and were followed for up to 6 months. Clinical assessments were performed at baseline, at the end of chemotherapy, and after the follow‐up period. The main outcome was average pain at the last visit assessed by the visual analogic scale (0–10) item of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Secondary endpoints were presence of neuropathic pain according to the Douleur Neuropathique‐4 (DN‐4), pain dimensions (short‐ form McGill Pain Questionnaire [MPQ]), Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), and changes in nerve conduction studies (NCS) and side effect profile. Results. One hundred ninety‐nine patients (57.0 ± 10.7 years old, 98 female, 101 male) were randomized. Data from 56 patients were not included in the analyses (as they did not receive at least one full cycle of modified FLOX). Data from 78 patients in the pregabalin group and 65 patients in the placebo group were retained for analyses. At the last visit, pain intensity in the pregabalin group was 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79–1.26), and 0.85 (95% CI = 0.64–1.06) in the placebo group, which did not reach significance. Scores from the BPI, MPQ, DN‐4, NPSI, and NCS and side‐effect profiles and incidence of death did not differ between groups. Quality of life (QoL) score did not differ between groups (placebo = 76.9 ± 23.1, pregabalin group 79.4 ± 20.6). Mood scores were not significantly different between groups (placebo 9.7 [8.1–11.2]; pregabalin 6.8 [5.6–8.0]). Conclusion. The preemptive use of pregabalin during OXA infusions was safe, but did not decrease the incidence of chronic pain related to OXAIPN.

LATE FAILURE OF POSTERIOR FIXATION WITHOUT BONE FUSION FOR VERTEBRAL METASTASES

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE : To verify the frequency of late radiological com-plications in spinal fixation surgeries performed without fu-sion in oncological patients METHODS : This is a retrospective analysis analysing failure in cases of non-fused vertebral fixation in an oncology reference hospital between 2009 and 2014. Failure was defined as implant loosening or bre-akage, as well as new angular or translation deformities RESULTS : One hundred and five cases were analyzed. The most common site of primary tumor was the breast and the most common place of metastasis was the thoracic spine. The average follow-up was 22.7 months. Nine cases (8%) of failure were reported, with an average time until failure of 9.5 months. The most common failure was implant loosening. No case required further surgery CONCLUSION : The occurrence of failure was not different than that reported for fused cases. The time interval until failure was higher than the median of survival of the majority (88%) of cases. Level of Evidence IV, Therapeutic Study.

Giant-Cell Tumor of the Tendon Sheath in the Upper Cervical Spine

Introduction Giant-cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is part of the group of synovial tumors that can affect joints, bursas, and tendon sheaths. It is rare for GCTTS to involve the spine. When present, it is more common in the lower cervical spine. In the literature, there are only four cases described in the upper cervical spine. In this report, we describe a rare case of GCTTS in the upper cervical spine, which was treated with en-bloc marginal resection.

Laminectomy without instrumentation for surgical treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression

OBJETIVO: Analisar o desenvolvimento de complicacoes mecânicas como resultado da descompressao medular ou da cauda equina de pacientes com doenca metastatica da coluna vertebral atraves de laminectomia ou laminoartrectomia sem fixacao. METODOS: Estudamos todos os prontuarios de pacientes que foram submetidos a descompressao da coluna vertebral por laminectomia sem fixacao. A descompressao foi indicada por compressao medular ou da cauda equina por tumores solidos em doenca metastatica. Os pacientes foram avaliados quanto ao desenvolvimento de instabilidade mecânica pos-operatoria atraves da comparacao dos exames radiologicos pre-operatorios com o ultimo exame disponivel no prontuario. Nessas imagens, avaliamos o surgimento de deformidade nova no plano sagital ou coronal e deformidade translacional. Consideramos como deformidade nova, sinais de deformidade maior ou igual a 5o no plano coronal ou sagital e sinais de aumento da translacao vertebral maior ou igual a 3 mm. RESULTADOS: Nenhum paciente evoluiu com instabilidade radiologica no periodo avaliado com tempo medio de seguimento de 163,24 dias (3-663). A taxa de complicacoes encontrada em nossa amostra nao foi superior a encontrada na literatura. CONCLUSAO: A laminectomia isolada em um ou mais niveis e um procedimento seguro para tratamento da compressao medular metastatica quando ha julgamento de que a coluna e estavel no momento da indicacao da cirurgia.RESUMO OBJETIVO: Esse estudo tem por objetivo analisar os resultados da descompressao medular ou da cauda equina de doentes com doenca metastatica da coluna vertebral atraves de laminectomia ou laminoartrectomia sem fixacao quanto ao desenvolvimento de complicacoes mecânicas METODOS: Estudamos todos prontuarios de doentes que foram submetidos a descompressao da coluna vertebral por laminectomia sem fixacao no Instituto do Câncer de Sao Paulo no periodo entre fevereiro de 2009 a janeiro de 2013. A descompressao foi indicada por compressao medular ou da cauda equina por tumores solidos em doenca metastatica. Os doentes foram avaliados quanto ao desenvolvimento de instabilidade mecânica pos-operatoria atraves da comparacao dos exames radiologicos pre-operatorios com o ultimo exame disponivel no prontuario. Nestas imagens, avaliamos o surgimento de deformidade nova no plano sagital ou coronal e deformidade translacional. Consideramos como deformidade nova, sinais de deformidade no plano coronal ou sagital maior ou igual a 5o e sinais de aumento na translacao vertebral maior ou igual a 3 mm. RESULTADOS: Nenhum doente evoluiu com instabilidade radiologica no periodo avaliado com tempo medio de seguimento de 163,24 dias (3-663). A taxa de complicacoes encontrada em nossa amostra nao foi superior a encontrada na literatura. CONCLUSAO: A laminectomia isolada em um ou mais niveis e um procedimento seguro para tratamento da compressao medular metastatica quando ha julgamento de que a coluna e estavel no momento da indicacao da cirurgia. Descritores: compressao medular, laminectomia, instrumentacao, estabilidade, complicacoes.