Morphometric analysis of the spinal cord of the Sus scrofa (large white and landrace crossbreed)

The incidence of spinal cord (SC) injury in developed and undeveloped countries is alarming. The pig (Sus scrofa) has been recommended as a suitable research model for translational studies because of its morphophysiological similarities of organ systems with humans. There is a dearth of information on the SC anatomy of the large white and landrace crossbreed (LW-LC) pigs. We therefore aim to describe the gross morphology and morphometry of its SC. Twelve juvenile LW-LC pigs (six males and six females) were used. The skin and epaxial muscles were dissected to expose the vertebral column. The SC was carefully harvested by laminectomy, and 13 gross SC morphometric parameters were evaluated. Thirty-three spinal nerves were seen emanating from either side of the SC by means of dorsal and ventral spinal roots. The overall average of SC length and weight was 36.23 ± 1.01 cm and 16.60 ± 0.58 g, respectively. However, the mean SC length and weight were higher in females compared with males, with SC weight being statistically significant. A positive relationship between SC length and weight was significant for males (p = 0.0435) but not for females (p = 0.42). Likewise, the strength of the relationship between SC length and weight was significant in males (r = 0.82) but not significant in females (r = 0.41). Baseline data for the morphometric features of the spinal cord in the LW-LC pigs were generated, which will contribute to the knowledge of this species anatomy and useful information on regional anaesthesia that should further strengthen the drive in adopting the pig as a suitable research model for biomedical research.     

DISPERSAL PATTERN OF INJECTATE FOLLOWING CT‐GUIDED PERINEURAL INFILTRATION IN THE CANINE THORACOLUMBAR SPINE: A CADAVER STUDY

An increasing proportion of canine patients are presented with chronic thoracolumbar back pain and without compressive spinal lesions. In humans, spinal perineural infiltrations have been reported to have a favorable effect on pain control. The purpose of this prospective cadaver study was to describe the dispersal pattern of injectate following CT‐guided spinal perineural infiltration in the canine thoracolumbar region. Seven fresh canine cadavers were first scanned using multislice CT and then CT‐guided spinal perineural infiltration was performed at 42 sites from T13/L1 to L6/L7. The injectate for each site was a mixture of new methylene blue and iodinated contrast medium. Immediately following CT‐guided injection, cadavers were frozen, cut, and dissected macro‐ and mesoscopically (using a magnifying glass) to identify anatomic structures that were infiltrated. In the majority of sites (64.3%), complete epidural and hypaxial staining of spinal nerve components (including the spinal ganglion, trunk, and ventral branch) was successfully achieved. However, no (11.9%) or unpredictable staining (9.5%) of nervous tissue occurred in some sites despite careful CT guidance and the application of relatively large volumes of injectate. Optimal results were achieved when the needle tip was positioned periforaminally ventral to the cranial contour of the cranial articular process. Findings from this ex vivo study indicated that CT‐guided spinal perineural infiltration is feasible for testing in the canine thoracolumbar region and that successful nerve tissue infiltration would likely occur in the majority of sites. Future in vivo studies are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of this technique.     

小美牛肝菌生物碱抑制运动神经系统原理

通过大鼠急性毒性试验、大鼠脊髓损伤运动功能试验和大鼠脊髓含水量试验,对小美牛肝菌生物碱抑制运动神经系统的原理进行研究。大鼠急性毒性试验结果表明,小美牛肝菌生物碱含有一定的毒性,对机体组织的运动神经系统有一定的影响;大鼠脊髓损伤运动功能试验结果表明,小美牛肝菌所含的生物碱物质能够促进大鼠脊髓损伤恢复,降低大鼠脊髓神经损伤;大鼠脊髓含水量试验结果表明,小美牛肝菌生物碱具有消炎抗氧化作用,能够降低过氧化物对神经细胞的损害。     

Cervical vertebral osteomyelitis in a 4‐month‐old foal

Vertebral body osteomyelitis in the cervical spine secondary to Rhodococcus equi has been treated both medically and surgically. This Case Report describes a 4‐month‐old foal exhibiting severe neurological signs from R. equi vertebral body osteomyelitis. Rapid, significant resolvement of neurological signs was noted in this case with surgical debridement and use of synthetic bone filler. The outcome suggests that aggressive surgical therapy in conjunction with synthetic allograft may be indicated in treatment of cervical vertebral body osteomyelitis.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—METASTATIC ADRENAL PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA IN A DOG

A 10‐year‐old Akita mix became acutely paraplegic. Upon magnetic resonance imaging, multiple, slightly T2‐hyperintense, T1‐isointense extradural masses, relative to spinal cord were found in the vertebral canal. The retroperitoneal masses had mixed T2‐signal intensity. The contrast enhancement pattern for the spinal masses was both homogenous and heterogenous. The diagnosis was metastatic pheochromocytoma. Signal intensity of the tumors in this dog was similar to reports of pheochromocytoma in human beings.     

USE OF INTRAOPERATIVE ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN CANINE SPINAL CORD LESIONS

The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the intraoperative appearance of various spinal cord conditions, and to investigate how intraoperative ultrasonography assisted in modification of surgical and postoperative treatment plans. Intraoperative ultrasonography (B-mode, and power Doppler mode) was used in 25 dogs undergoing spinal surgery. The neurologic conditions included cervical spondylomyelopathy, intervertebral disc (IVD) protrusion, IVD extrusion, spinal tumors, nerve sheath mass, granulomatous myelitis, and discospondylitis. All of these diagnoses were supported by histopathologic and/or cytologic evaluation. It was possible to visualize the spinal cord and the abnormal spinal tissue in all of the patients. Power Doppler imaging allowed assessment of the spinal cord microcirculation, and assisted in judgment of the degree of decompression. Ultrasound imaging directly impacted the surgical and the medical treatment plans in four patients. Owing to the intraoperative imaging, two hemilaminectomies were extended cranially and caudally, and additional disc spaces were fenestrated, one hemilaminectomy site was extended dorsally to retrieve the disc material from the opposite side, and one intramedullary cervical spinal cord lesion was discovered, aspirated, and consequently diagnosed as granulomatous inflammation, which altered the long-term medication protocol in that dog. This study suggests that intraoperative sonographic spinal cord imaging is a useful and viable technique.     

山羊胚胎脊髓灰质的发育

对山羊胚胎脊髓灰质形成和发育的形态学变化进行了系统研究。结果表明 :山羊脊髓神经管闭合以后 ,其组织发生持续近 2 0 d才形成完整的 3层同心圆结构 ;山羊脊髓神经管的组织发生和脊髓灰质的形成在时间上有很大程度的重叠性 ;脊髓灰质各结构形成和发育的规律也不完全一致 ,有些结构发生早 ,而神经元分化较晚 ,如侧角、胶状质 ;有些结构发生虽然晚 ,但其中的神经元胞体分化和发育则较早 ,如 Clarke氏背核 ;有些结构发生早 ,神经元发育也早 ,如腹角运动神经元。     

Z-形钛合金钢板前路内固定术治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折的疗效观察

目的观察Z-形钛合金钢板前路内固度定术对胸腰椎爆裂性骨折患者的临床疗效。方法对60例胸腰段脊柱爆裂性骨折患者进行前方减压、椎体间植骨、Z-形钛钢板内固定,术后卧床3周,3周后戴支架起床活动。结果随访平均12.5个月,术后CT或MR显示椎管内压迫去除,植骨愈合。脊柱后凸Cobb角较术前改善12.7°,无继发脊柱后凸畸形。神经功能较术前有1~2级以上的改善。结论Z-形钛合金钢板前路内固定术对胸腰椎爆裂性骨折减压彻底,固定牢固,不破坏后稳定结构,并能一期重建脊柱系列。     

鸡卵巢传入神经元在脊神经节内的节段性分布

将CB—HRP(霍乱毒素B亚单位结合态的辣根过氧化物酶)溶液注入母鸡卵巢内,逆行追踪研究了分布于卵巢的感觉神经元的定位及其规律性。结果表明:①分布于鸡卵巢,经交感途径传入的感觉神经元胞体位于T_1—L_3节段的脊神经节内,峰值在T_6节段。说明鸡卵巢经交感途径传入的感觉神经元的分布具有相对的集中性和弥散性。②脊神经节内的标记细胞以小细胞居多,推测鸡卵巢内可能含感受损伤性刺激的纤维占绝对优势。