Objective To evaluate the cl inical significance of the combination of intensified anti-tuberculosis treatment, posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation, intertransverse bone grafting, and anterior approach focus debridement for the treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis. Methods From January 2005 to December 2007, 20 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis (T10-L3) were treated. There were 13 males and 7 females aged 21-64 years old (average 44 years old). The course of disease was 3 months to 3 years (average 10 months). The focus involved single vertebrae bodies in 8 cases, two vertebrae bodies in 9 cases, and three vertebrae bodies in 3 cases. The preoperative Cobb angle was 9-35° (average 26.7°). The neurological function was evaluated according to the Frankel grading criterion, there were 2 cases of grade B, 5 of grade C, 7 of grade D, and 6 of grade E. Vertebral body defect index score: 9 cases of 1-2 points, 7 cases of 2-3 points, and 4 cases above 3 points. After receiving the systemic five-drug treatment of anti-tuberculosis for 2-3 weeks, the patients underwent the posterior transpedicular screw system internal fixation and intertransverse bone grafting, and then received tuberculosis focus debridement via anterior approach, nerve decompression, and bone grafting fusion. Results The time of operation averaged 210 minutes and the mean blood loss during operation was 650 mL. Postoperatively, 2 patients had mild belting sensation in their thorax and 2 patients had mild pneumothorax. Their symptoms rel ived 2-3 weeks later without specific treatment. All the patients were followed up for 12-23 months. X-ray films showed that all the patients achieved successful bony fusion 6-18 months after operation, and the Cobb angle was 7-21° (average 15.2°) 12 months after operation without aggravation. The Frankel gradingsystem was used to assess the postoperative neurological function, 1 patient in grade B before operation was improved to grade C after operation, 1 patient in grade B was improved to grade D, 1 patient in grade C was improved to grade D, 4 patients in grade B were improved to grade E, and 7 patients in grade D were improved to grade E. All of the incisions healed and erythrocyte sedimentation rate became normal 2 weeks to 3 months after operation. All the patients showed no obvious abnormity in l iver and kidney function. There was no recurrence of tuberculosis. Conclusion It seems that the systemic drug treatment of antituberculosis before and after operation, the thorough debridement of focus during operation, and the effective and rel iable wayto reconstruct for the spinal stabil ity are the key points for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.
Objective To study the clinical results of focal debridement and primary internal fixation with CD rod in treatment of multisegmental spinaltuberculosis.Methods From July 1999 to November 2002, 16 patients with multisegmental spinal tuberculosis were given focal debridement and primary internal fixation with CD rod trans sick vertebra. There were 9 males and 7 females, aging from 21 to 59 years. The course of disease was 2 to 11 months. The locations of lesion were T 6T 11 in 11 patients and T 10 -L2 in 5 patients.The involved vertebral bodies were 3 segments in 13 patients, 4 or more than 4 segments in 3 patients. There were 5 cases of Pott’s paralysis (according to Frankel classification system: 3 cases of degree C, 2 cases of degree D) and 4 cases of kyphosis and 2 cases of collapse. Focal debridement and internal fixation was performed in 1 or 2 incisions according to concrete conditions. Results All patients were followed up 11 months (6 months-3years), spinal tuberculosis was completely cured and the grafted bones were fused in all 16 patients. All patients obtainedprimary healing of the incision. Postoperative complication met with cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 1 case. After 6 months, 5 cases of paraplegia recovered. The kyphosis was corrected partly. No loose and dislocation of the nails and rods was found. Conclusion Focal debridement and primary internal fixation with CD rod can stabilize involved spinal segments, prevent and correct local deformity,and improve its curative ratio and fused ratio of grafted bone.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and safety of treatment of thoracic tuberculosis with thoracoscope supported by digital technology. MethodsBetween June 2010 and February 2012, 11 patients with thoracic tuberculosis were treated and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 4 females with an average age of 23.6 years (range, 16-47 years) and an average disease duration of 16 months (range, 6-18 months). Two vertebral bodies and one intervertebral space were involved at T6-11. At preoperation, the neurologic function degree was classified as Frankel grade E. Three dimensional reconstruction of thorax and spine and surgical procedure design (including focal clearance, bone grafting, and screw fixation) were done at SUPERIMAGE workstation. Surgery procedures were conducted following the preoperative designs. ResultsThe operative procedures were consistent with preoperative designs. All of these operations were successfully performed. The mean time of operation was 146 minutes (range, 120-180 minutes); the mean blood loss was 120 mL (range, 100-150 mL); the mean indwelling time of closed thoracic drainage was 38 hours (range, 24-48 hours); and the mean hospitalization time was 4.6 days (range, 3-5 days). Eleven patients were followed up 12-25 months (mean, 16 months). No complication of nerve damage, incision pain and infection, or pulmonary infection was observed. Rigid fixation and born fusion were obtained at last follow-up; no obvious change of thoracic vertebral alignment was detected and no internal fixation failure occurred. ConclusionIt is a minimally invasive, effective, and safe method to treat thoracic tuberculosis with thoracoscope supported by digital technology.
目的 探讨镰状韧带引起假性病灶的影像学表现，以提高对其的认识，减少误诊。 方法 对2010年1月－2012年1月收入的817例患者进行上腹部64排CT平扫加增强扫描，筛选出肝镰状韧带附近假病灶，详细记录其部位、大小、形状以及扫描各期图像的密度变化情况。 结果 有72例存在镰状韧带假病灶，绝大多数位于肝左叶内侧段（69例），并呈单发病灶（70例）。假病灶最大直径约5.1～22.0 mm，平均约13.1 mm，假病灶分别呈三角形43例、类圆形19例、结节状10例。CT扫描：平扫显示10例，动脉期显示63例，门脉期几乎全部显示清晰。 结论 镰状韧带形成假病灶比较少见，其发生部位特殊，在门脉期易于显示，可与肝内真性病灶鉴别，以免误诊。
Objective To evaluate the cl inical outcomes of primary anterior focus debridement, bone autograft, and internal fixation via transperitoneal approach in treating tuberculosis of the lumbosacral junction. Methods From February 2002 to April 2007, 16 patients with tuberculosis of the lumbosacral junction underwent anterior radical debridement, autologous il iac bone graft (two pieces of il iac bone, 5 cm × 3 cm in size), and internal fixation via transperitoneal approach, including 4 males and 12 females aged 27-63 years old (average 38 years old). The course of the disease ranged from 6 to 18 months (average 10 months). All patients experienced various degrees of pain in the lumbosacral area and toxic symptoms of thetuberculosis. Nine cases were compl icated with radicular pain in the lower extremities, and 3 cases had saddle area anaesthesia. Two cases were initially diagnosed as lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and treated accordingly. The segments involved by the tuberculosis were L5-S1 level in all cases. The average erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 61 mm/hour. Imaging examination confirmed the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. All cases received four antitubercular drugs and nutrition support for nerve before operation. Operation was performed when hepatorenal function was normal, and the toxic symptom of the tuberculosis was under control or ESR was decreased. Results Operation was performed safely in all cases without injuries of abdominal viscera, major blood vessel, cauda equina nerve and ureter. All wounds healed by first intention. No recurrence of tuberculosis and formation of sinuses occurred. All cases were followed up for 12-37 months (average 21 months). No such compl ications as tuberculous peritonitis and intestinal obstruction occurred. No postoperative erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation occurred in the 4 male patients. ESR was recovered to normal 3-6 months after operation, and regular X-ray and CT exams showed no displacement of grafted bone. All patients achieved bony fusion 12 months after operation without the occurrence breakage and loosening of titanium plate and screw. The radical pain in the lower extremities and the saddlearea anaesthesia disappeared. Four patients had pain in the il iac donor site, 2 patients had mild pain in the lumbosacral area, and the pain was el iminated after symptomatic treatment. The therapeutic effect was graded as excellent in 14 cases and good in 2 cases according to the therapeutic effect evaluation criteria of Chen and co-workers. Conclusion The surgical treatment of tuberculosis of the lumbosacral junction with primary anterior focus debridement, bone autograft, and internal fixation via transperitoneal approach can achieve satisfying bony fusion and reconstruct spinal stabil ity.
目的探讨腹腔镜联合手术的优越性和临床应用价值。方法回顾性分析2005年6月至2010年6月期间在我院行腹腔镜联合手术的98例患者临床资料。结果98例均顺利完成联合手术，无中转开腹。一期胆总管缝合病例中有2例患者术后第2天出现漏胆，3 d后停止，超声检查无异常、拔管出院。所有患者平均下床活动时间13 h，随访3~48个月（平均35个月），无严重并发症发生。结论腹腔镜联合手术能安全、有效地处理腹腔内多个病灶，扩大了腹腔镜的手术领域，值得推广。
Objective To explore the effectiveness and related issues in the treatment of multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis through posterior unilateral debridement with bone graft and internal fixation. Methods The clinical data of 29 patients with multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis who met the selection criteria were retrospective analyzed between January 2012 and July 2015. There were 17 males and 12 females, with age of 21-62 years (mean, 37.4 years). Lesions contained 3-8 vertebral segments, including 3 segments in 6 cases, 4-6 segments in 17 cases, and 7-8 segments in 6 cases. The center lesions located at thoracic spine in 8 cases, lumbar spine in 10 cases, and thoracolumbar segment in 6 cases, and thoracic lumbar skip lesions in 5 cases. The complications included vertebral abscess in 7 cases, psoas major abscess in 6 cases, sacral spine muscle abscess in 7 cases, iliac fossa and the buttocks abscess in 1 case, spinal canal abscess in 2 cases. Preoperative neurological function was assessed according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification: 1 case of grade B, 3 cases of grade C, 8 cases of grade D, and 17 cases of grade E. The disease duration was 6-48 months (mean, 19.3 months). All the patients were treated with posterior unilateral transpedicular or transarticular debridement with bone graft fusion and internal fixation under general anesthesia. Pre- and post-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and sagittal Cobb angle were recorded and compared. Bridwell classification standard was used to evaluate bone graft fusion. According to the number and the center of the lesion, the necessity to placement of titanium mesh cage was analyzed. Results All the patients were followed up 18-30 months (mean, 24 months). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 3 cases, intercostal neuralgia in 2 cases, wound unhealed and fistula formation in 1 case, and ofiliac fossa abscess recurred in 1 case, and all recovered after symptomatic treatment. During follow-up, no fracture or loosing of internal fixation was found and all the lesions were cured at last follow-up. According to Bridwell classification standard, bone graft achieved bony fusion during 4-9 months after operation. The VAS score, ODI, and Cobb angle at immediate after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the neural function of all patients improved significantly when compared with preoperative one (Z= –3.101, P=0.002). The ratio of no placement of titanium mesh cage was significantly higher in patients with more than 6 lesion segments (6/6, 100%) than in patients with less than 6 lesion segments (4/23, 17.4%) (χ2=14.374, P=0.000). And the ratio of placement of titanium mesh cage was not significantly different between the patients with the different locations of center focus (χ2=0.294, P=0.863). Conclusion For treating multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis, the method of posterior unilateral debridement with bone graft and internal fixation can decrease the damage of posterior spinal structures and surgical trauma.
To evaluate the appl ication value of internal fixation of spinal column by posterior approach and extraperitioneal bilateral focal debridement for the treatment of tuberculosis of lumbosacral vertebral body. Methods From March 2000 to February 2005, 16 cases of spinal tuberculosis in L3-S1 were treated with internal fixation of spinal column by posterior approach and extraperitioneal bilateral focal debridement. Sixteen cases included 11 males and 5 females, and the age was 21-56 years. The locations of spinal tuberculosis were L3 in 4 cases, L4 in 6, L5 in 4, and S1 in 2. The course of disease averaged 13 monthes (range 6 monthes to 6 years). The ESR of all cases was greater than 20 mm/h (average40 mm/h); WBC was normal in 14 cases, and a l ittle high in 2 cases. The X-ray picture showed narrow intervertebral space in 5 cases, compressed body of vertebra in 7 cases, and destroyed 2 consecutive vertebra and its sclerotin was condupl icate in 1 case. All cases were abscess in major psoas muscle. The CT showed destruction of bone, abscess-formation and dead bone in body of vertebra of 16 cases. The abscess were found in vertebral canal in 5 cases and dura mater of spinal cord and spinal nerve root crushed in 2 cases. The MRI showed destruction of bone, abscess-formation and hibateral abscess in major psoas muscle in 11 cases. The abscess were found in vertebral canal and dura mater of spinal cord and spinal nerve root crushed in 6 cases. The therapy of pasid was treated after operation in all the cases. Results Incision healed by first intention in 16 cases; and disruption of wound occurred and heal ing was achieved after symptomatic treatment in 1 case. Sixteen cases were followed up 2-5 years (29 months on average). Among all the cases, anaesthesia in double thigh was found in 3 cases, adynamia of dorsiflexion in foot in 1 case, gatism in 1 case; after 2 weeks the symptoms were vanished. Indirect hernia of fold inguen were found in 1 case after 2 years, and the patient refused operation for age and was no longer followed up. Fuzzy, exsic and acerb in eyes were foundin 6 cases, hearing disturbance were found in 2 cases, and symptoms were vanished after medication adjustment. Low-grade fever and lumbar myalgia were found in 1 case and cured after staying in bed and medication adjustment. All ESR were normal, synostosis of lumbosacral vertebral body was found in 13 cases, kyphosis in 1 case. Conclusion Internal fixation of spinal column by posterior approach and extraperitioneal bilateral focal debridement is safe and available way for the treatment of tuberculosis of lumbosacral vertebral body, it can save the times of operation, shorten period and enhance effect of treatment.
How to improve the performance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) signal acquisition and the accuracy to authenticate ultra low-frequency mutation are major challenges of minimal residual disease (MRD) detection in solid tumors. In this study, we developed a new MRD bioinformatics algorithm, namely multi-variant joint confidence analysis (MinerVa), and tested this algorithm both in contrived ctDNA standards and plasma DNA samples of patients with early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our results showed that the specificity of multi-variant tracking of MinerVa algorithm ranged from 99.62% to 99.70%, and when tracking 30 variants, variant signals could be detected as low as 6.3 × 10−5 variant abundance. Furthermore, in a cohort of 27 NSCLC patients, the specificity of ctDNA-MRD for recurrence monitoring was 100%, and the sensitivity was 78.6%. These findings indicate that the MinerVa algorithm can efficiently capture ctDNA signals in blood samples and exhibit high accuracy in MRD detection.