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Abstract The poor prognosis of cervical spine surgery is mainly manifested as poor neurological recovery and the presence of new upper extremity dysfunction that promotes significant psychological and physiological burdens on patients. Many factors influence the prognosis of cervical spine surgery, including the age of patients, the time and mode of surgery, and the surgical technique used. However, in clinical studies, it has been observed that patients with diabetes have a higher probability of poor prognosis after surgery. Therefore, we review the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathies and discuss its impact on cervical nerve system function, especially in cervical nerve roots and upper limb peripheral nerve conduction.

BackgroundPatients with bone metastasis often experience a significantly limited survival time, and a life expectancy of

BackgroundPre-operative depression and anxiety are associated with poorer patient-reported outcomes following cervical spine surgery. Identification of and interventions for these disorders are key to preventing related negative effects. However, most spine surgeons do not routinely evaluate mental health disorders. Few studies have investigated which patients with cervical degenerative disc diseases (CDDD) are susceptible to depression and anxiety.ObjectiveTo determine the factors associated with depression and anxiety in patients with CDDD.MethodsThree hundred twelve patients with CDDD were recruited in this cross-sectional case-control study. Patients underwent a structured interview to acquire demographic and clinical characteristic information, which included the Neck Disability Index (NDI), modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for neck/arm pain. Depression and anxiety were evaluated using the Zung Self-Rating Depression and Anxiety Scales. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with depression and anxiety.ResultsOf all patients, 102 (32.7%) had depression and 92 (29.5%) had anxiety. Two hundred six (66.0%) patients with neither depression nor anxiety were defined as the control group. Univariate analysis indicated that gender, educational level, occupation type, Charlson comorbidity index, symptom duration, symptomatology, surgery history, NDI, mJOA, VAS-neck, and VAS-arm scores were associated with depression and anxiety (except for symptom duration for anxiety). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that females [odds ratio (OR) 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–3.23], physical work (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.16–3.65), poor mJOA score (ORmoderate 2.67, 95% CI 1.40–5.07; ORsevere 7.63, 95% CI 3.85–15.11), and high VAS-neck score (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11–1.39) were independent risk factors for depression. Physical work (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.01–3.35), poor mJOA score (ORmoderate 2.66, 95% CI 1.33–5.33; ORsevere 9.26, 95% CI 4.52–18.99), and high VAS-neck score (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.19–1.51) were independent risk factors for anxiety.ConclusionApproximately one-third of patients with CDDD had depression or anxiety. Patients who engaged in heavy work and had severe symptoms (poor mJOA and high VAS-neck scores) are susceptible to depression and anxiety. Additionally, female patients are susceptible to depression. Our findings may help identify CDDD patients with depression and anxiety in clinical practice.

Introduction: Cervical muscular dysfunction is closely associated with disorders and neuromuscular diseases of the cervical spine, and the hanger reflex (HR) has the potential to become a rehabilitation method. The muscular electrophysiology mechanism of HR is unclear. This study aims to identify the impacts of HR on cervical rotators’ myoelectrical activity and function.Methods: We designed a self-control clinical trial, and asymptomatic volunteers were continuously included from 1 September 2021 to 30 April 2022 in our department. Rotation tasks were performed on both sides under each of the situations: no HR, unilateral HR, and bilateral HR. Surface electromyography (SEMG) was used to detect the myoelectrical activity of agonistic splenius capitis (SPL), upper trapezius (UTr), and sternocleidomastoid (SCM). The co-contraction ratio (CCR) during rotation tasks was calculated. Correlation analyses and multiple linear regression were performed.Results: Finally, 90 subjects were enrolled (power >90%). The adjusted EMG value (aEMG) of SPL UTr, SCM, and rotating CCR under the unilateral HR and bilateral HR were higher than no HR; the aEMG of SPL and rotating CCR under the bilateral HR were higher than the unilateral HR. Multiple linear regression showed that HR pattern and age were the independent affecting factors for the aEMG of SPL (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), UTr (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), and SCM (p < 0.001, p < 0.001); BMI was an independent affecting factor for the aEMG of SPL (p < 0.001) and SCM (p < 0.001); HR pattern was the only affecting factor for CCR (p < 0.001).Conclusion: HR can increase the cervical rotators’ myoelectrical activities and rotating CCR, and the effects of bilateral HR are greater than unilateral HR, suggesting that bilateral HR has a greater clinical potential to become a rehabilitation method for treating cervical neuromuscular disorders.

BackgroundGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system. GBM with primitive neuronal component (GBM-PNC) is an aggressive variant identified in 0.5% of GBMs. Extracranial metastasis from GBM-PNC is a rare and challenging situation.MethodsA special case of early-onset GBM with systemic bone metastasis was enrolled. Clinical data, including patient characteristics, disease course, and serial radiological images were retrieved and analyzed. Tumor tissues were obtained by surgical resections and were made into formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. Histopathological examinations and genetic testing were performed for both the primary and metastatic tumor specimens.ResultsA 20-year-old man suffered from GBM with acute intratumoral hemorrhage of the left temporal lobe. He was treated by gross total resection and chemoradiotherapy following the Stupp protocol. Seven months later, he returned with a five-week history of progressive neck pain and unsteady gait. The radiographic examinations identified vertebral collapse at C4 and C6. Similar osteolytic lesions were also observed at the thoracolumbar spine, pelvic, and left femur. Anterior spondylectomy of C4 and C6 was performed. The resected vertebral bodies were infiltrated with greyish, soft, and ill-defined tumor tissue. One month later, he developed mechanical low-back pain and paraplegia caused by thoracolumbar metastases. Another spine surgery was performed, including T10 total en-bloc spondylectomy, T7-9, L2-3, and L5-S1 laminectomy. After the operation, the patient’s neurological function and spinal stability remained stable. However, he finally succumbed to the rapidly increased tumor burden and died 15 months from onset because of cachexia and multiple organ failure. In addition to typical GBM morphology, the histological examinations identified monomorphic small-round cells with positive immunohistochemical staining of synaptophysin and CD99, indicating the coexistence of PNC. The next-generation sequencing detected pathogenic mutations in TP53 and DNMT3A. Based on above findings, a confirmed diagnosis of systemic metastases from GBM-PNC (IDH-wild type, WHO grade IV) was made.ConclusionsThe present case highlights the occurrence and severity of extensive axial skeletal metastases from GBM-PNC. This rare variant of GBM requires aggressive multimodal treatment including surgery and chemoradiotherapy targeting PNC. The pathological screening of PNC is recommended in patients with early-onset GBM and intratumoral hemorrhage. Surgery for spinal metastasis is appropriate in patients with chemoradioresistance and relatively good general status, with the objectives of restoring spinal stability and relieving spinal cord compression.