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Objective: To investigate the effect of extract of ginkgo biloba leaves (EGb50) on the proliferation of SCs cultured in vitro., Methods: The SCs were isolated from 3-day-old SD rats' sciatic nerves by the method of enzyme gradation digestion (n=20) and the purified 2nd passage of SCs were divided into 2 groups: the experimental group, in which SCs were cultured in FBS-DMEM medium with EGb50 (terminal concentration: 50 microg/mL); the control group, in which SCs were cultured in the FBS-DMEM medium without EGb50. The absorbance (A) value was detected by the 2, 3-bis- (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) method 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 days after culture, then the growth curves was drawn. Cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Disintegration per minute (DPM) of SCs was detected by the method of 3H-thymine nucleoside (3H-TdR) 2 and 3 days after culture and nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in SCs culture media was detected by ELISA method., Results: Most SCs were spindle-shaped with a purity above 90%. XTT detection showed that A value of SCs in the control group was gradually increased 3 days after culture, reached the peak 5 days after culture and gradually decreased from then; the A value in the experimental group experienced the similar changes, but it was higher than that in the control group at each time point (P < 0.01). 3H-TdR showed that the DPM of the experimental group was 1 961.78 +/- 231.13 and 4 601.51 +/- 605.08 at 2 and 3 days after culture, while for the control group, the A value was 1347.15 +/- 121.57 and 3740.42 +/- 158.73 at the same time point, indicating a significant difference between two groups (P < 0.01). FCM observation indicated that the SCs proliferation index of the experimental group and the control group was 18.6% +/- 3.2% and 9.7% +/- 2.9%, indicating a significant difference between two groups (P < 0.01). ELISA observation showed that the NGF concentration in the experimental and the control group was (0.0656 +/- 0.0039) ng/mL and (0.0386 +/- 0.0036) ng/mL, indicating a significant difference (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: EGb50 is capable of enhancing the proliferation of SCs cultured in vitro, which may be one of the important mechanisms to promote peripheral nerve regeneration.

Objective: To discuss the optimal approach to treat suprascapular nerve compression syndrome., Methods: From January 2000 to June 2003, 8 cases of suprascapular nerve compression syndrome were treated by surgical intervention to cut the transverse scapular ligament through posterior approach. Of the 8 patients, there were 2 males and 6 females (age ranged from 21 to 53) with duration of 6 months to 3 years. The change of symptom, muscle power, and muscle atrophy after operation were observed., Results: One week after operation, pain around the scapular disappeared, muscle power of supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles recovered to normal. One, 6, 12 and 16 months after the operation, the patients were followed up. No recurrence was observed. Muscle atrophy didn't recover., Conclusion: To treat suprascapular nerve compression syndrome with operation through posterior approach is easy to operate. When the suprascapular nerve is entrapped in scapular notch, this approach is a good choice.

Objectives: To investigate anatomical mechanism of the ulnar wrist pain caused by the compression of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve, and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of the compression., Methods: 40 sides of the upper extremities of adult cadavers were studied anatomically. The dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve and its relationship to the surroundings was dissected and observed grossly and microscopically. 13 cases of the compression of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve were treated and followed up., Results: The dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve was penetrated from the deep of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle 5.6 approximately 6.8 cm proximally from the styloid process of the ulna, then ran along the ulna and divided into 2 approximately 3 big branches at the medial side of the head of the ulna. The transverse branch was apt to injury during wrist movement as it crossed or rounded the head of the ulna where it was close to the peristeam. Seven of 13 cases of the compression of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve were treated by local block, and 6 by surgical neurolysis. Nine cases of this group got showed good effect without recurrence after 4 months to 1 year follow-up., Conclusion: The anatomical basis of the compression of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve is repetitive traction to this nerve during wrist movement, and the compression of the transverse branch is the main cause of ulnar wrist pain. The compression of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve should be considered to the patients with ulnar wrist pain and abnormal sensation along the dorsal ulnar side of hand.