<p>Prophylactic Electroacupuncture on the Upper Cervical Segments Decreases Neuronal Discharges of the Trigeminocervical Complex in Migraine-Affected Rats: An in vivo Extracellular Electrophysiological Experiment</p>

Object Cervical laminoplasty is an effective procedure for decompressing the spinal cord at multiple levels, but restriction of neck motion is one of the well-known complications of the procedure. Although many authors have reported on cervical range of motion (ROM) after laminoplasty, they have focused mainly on 2D flexion and extension on lateral radiographs, not on 3D motion (including coupled motion) nor on precise intervertebral motion. The purpose of this study was to clarify the 3D kinematic changes in the cervical spine after laminoplasty performed to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Methods Eleven consecutive patients (6 men and 5 women, mean age 68.1 years, age range 57–79 years) with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who had undergone laminoplasty were included in the study. All patients underwent 3D CT of the cervical spine in 5 positions (neutral, 45° head rotation left and right, maximum head flexion, and maximum head extension) using supporting devices. The scans were performed preoperatively and at 6 months after laminoplasty. Segmental ROM from Oc–C1 to C7–T1 was calculated both in flexion-extension and in rotation, using a voxel-based registration method. Results Mean C2–7 flexion-extension ROM, equivalent to cervical ROM in all previous studies, was 45.5° ± 7.1° preoperatively and 35.5° ± 8.2° postoperatively, which was a statistically significant 33% decrease. However, mean Oc–T1 flexion-extension ROM, which represented total cervical ROM, was 71.5° ± 8.3° preoperatively and 66.5° ± 8.3° postoperatively, an insignificant 7.0% decrease. In focusing on each motion segment, the authors observed a statistically significant 22.6% decrease in mean segmental ROM at the operated levels during flexion-extension and a statistically insignificant 10.2% decrease during rotation. The most significant decrease was observed at C2–3. Segmental ROM at C2–3 decreased 24.2% during flexion-extension and 21.8% during rotation. However, a statistically insignificant 37.2% increase was observed at the upper cervical spine (Oc–C2) during flexion-extension. The coupling pattern during rotation did not change significantly after laminoplasty. Conclusions In this first accurate documentation of 3D segmental kinematic changes after laminoplasty, Oc–T1 ROM, which represented total cervical ROM, did not change significantly during either flexion-extension or rotation by 6 months after laminoplasty despite a significant decrease in C2–7 flexion-extension ROM. This is thought to be partially because of a compensatory increase in segmental ROM at the upper cervical spine (Oc–C2).

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In vivo 3D kinematics of the upper cervical spine during head rotation in rheumatoid arthritis

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2014.1.spine13252 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 404-410 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Tsuyoshi Sugiura ◽

Yukitaka Nagamoto ◽

Motoki Iwasaki ◽

Masafumi Kashii ◽

Takashi Kaito ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Rotation Angle ◽

Joint Destruction ◽

Head Rotation ◽

Control Group ◽

Upper Cervical Spine ◽

3D Kinematics ◽

Articular Facet ◽

Upper Cervical

Object The upper cervical spine is commonly involved in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although 2D measurements have long been used in the evaluation of cervical lesions caused by RA, 2D measurements are limited in their effectiveness for detecting subtle and complex morphological and kinematic changes. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the 3D kinematics of the upper cervical spine in RA and the relationship between 3D morphological changes and decreased segmental rotational motion. Methods Twenty-five consecutive patients (2 men and 23 women, mean age 63.5 years, range 42–77 years) with RA (the RA group) and 10 patients (5 men and 5 women, mean age 69.9 years, range 57–82 years) with cervical spondylosis and no involvement of the upper cervical spine (the control group) underwent 3D CT of the cervical spine in 3 positions (neutral, 45° head rotation to the left, and 45° head rotation to the right). The segmental rotation angle from the occiput (Oc) to C-2 was calculated for each participant using a voxel-based registration method, and the 3D destruction of articular facets was quantified using the authors' own parameter, the articular facet index. Results The segmental rotation angle was significantly smaller at C1–2 and larger at Oc–C1 in the RA group compared with the control group. The degree of the destruction of the articular facet at C-1 and C-2 correlated with the segmental rotation angle. Conclusions In vivo 3D kinematics of the upper cervical spine during head rotation in patients with RA were accurately measured, allowing quantification of the degree of joint destruction for the first time. Joint destruction may play an important role in decreasing segmental motion of the upper cervical spine in RA.

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An Electromyographically Driven Cervical Spine Model in OpenSim

Journal of Applied Biomechanics ◽

10.1123/jab.2020-0384 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Jeff M. Barrett ◽

Colin D. McKinnon ◽

Clark R. Dickerson ◽

Jack P. Callaghan

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Potential Energy ◽

Degrees Of Freedom ◽

Inverse Dynamics ◽

Published Data ◽

Upper Cervical Spine ◽

Biomechanical Models ◽

Upper Cervical ◽

Spine Model

Relatively few biomechanical models exist aimed at quantifying the mechanical risk factors associated with neck pain. In addition, there is a need to validate spinal-rhythm techniques for inverse dynamics spine models. Therefore, the present investigation was 3-fold: (1) the development of a cervical spine model in OpenSim, (2) a test of a novel spinal-rhythm technique based on minimizing the potential energy in the passive tissues, and (3) comparison of an electromyographically driven approach to estimating compression and shear to other cervical spine models. The authors developed ligament force–deflection and intervertebral joint moment–angle curves from published data. The 218 Hill-type muscle elements, representing 58 muscles, were included and their passive forces validated against in vivo data. Our novel spinal-rhythm technique, based on minimizing the potential energy in the passive tissues, disproportionately assigned motion to the upper cervical spine that was not physiological. Finally, using kinematics and electromyography collected from 8 healthy male volunteers, the authors calculated the compression at C7–T1 as a function of the head–trunk Euler angles. Differences from other models varied from 25.5 to 368.1 N. These differences in forces may result in differences in model geometry, passive components, number of degrees of freedom, or objective functions.

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In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy detection of combined glutamate-glutamine in healthy upper cervical cord at 3 T

NMR in Biomedicine ◽

10.1002/nbm.2867 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 357-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Bhavana S Solanky ◽

Khaled Abdel-Aziz ◽

Marios C Yiannakas ◽

Alaine M Berry ◽

Olga Ciccarelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Cervical Cord ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Upper Cervical

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Validation protocol for assessing the upper cervical spine kinematics and helical axis: An in vivo preliminary analysis for axial rotation, modeling, and motion representation

Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine ◽

10.4103/0974-8237.121617 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 10 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pierre-Michel Dugailly ◽

Véronique Feipel ◽

SergeVanSint Jan ◽

Alphonse Lubansu ◽

Marcel Rooze ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Preliminary Analysis ◽

Axial Rotation ◽

Helical Axis ◽

Upper Cervical Spine ◽

Motion Representation ◽

Spine Kinematics ◽

Upper Cervical

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Robotically Controlled Variation of the Instantaneous Center of Rotation: The Effects on Kinetics and Kinematics of Cervical Spine

ASME 2012 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B ◽

10.1115/sbc2012-80327 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

R. W. Colbrunn ◽

T. F. Bonner ◽

P. Mageswaren ◽

A. Bartsch ◽

R. F. McLain

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Neck Flexion ◽

Center Of Rotation ◽

Biomechanical Assessment ◽

Chin Tuck ◽

Upper Cervical ◽

Instantaneous Center ◽

Simple Action

Cervical spine loads are complex, with different head and neck movements producing different spine loading conditions. Imagine performing a chin tuck, (this simple action predominantly utilizes mostly upper cervical segments), or stretching out your neck to look down over something (this action requires the utilization of lower level cervical segments). The effect in both cases is neck flexion, but cervical spine loads may vary greatly. With a trend towards increasing fidelity and in vivo applicability of in vitro simulations [1], this study aimed to provide a novel biomechanical assessment of the influence of varying the location of the regional Instantaneous Center of Rotation (ICR) on the kinetics and kinematics of the cervical spine.

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Fine Structural Changes in the Microvasculature of the Mouse Pinna: Aging and Radiation Injury

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100050287 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 32 ◽

pp. 54-55

Author(s):

S. Phyllis Steamer ◽

Rosemarie L. Devine

Keyword(s):

Structural Changes ◽

Radiation Treatment ◽

Arterial Stenosis ◽

Ultrastructural Changes ◽

Vascular Effects ◽

Microvascular Changes ◽

Surrounding Connective Tissue ◽

Fission Neutrons ◽

Total Body

The importance of radiation damage to the skin and its vasculature was recognized by the early radiologists. In more recent studies, vascular effects were shown to involve the endothelium as well as the surrounding connective tissue. Microvascular changes in the mouse pinna were studied in vivo and recorded photographically over a period of 12-18 months. Radiation treatment at 110 days of age was total body exposure to either 240 rad fission neutrons or 855 rad 60Co gamma rays. After in vivo observations in control and irradiated mice, animals were sacrificed for examination of changes in vascular fine structure. Vessels were selected from regions of specific interest that had been identified on photomicrographs. Prominent ultrastructural changes can be attributed to aging as well as to radiation treatment. Of principal concern were determinations of ultrastructural changes associated with venous dilatations, segmental arterial stenosis and tortuosities of both veins and arteries, effects that had been identified on the basis of light microscopic observations. Tortuosities and irregularly dilated vein segments were related to both aging and radiation changes but arterial stenosis was observed only in irradiated animals.

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Induction and Differentiation of Dental Epithelium in Vivo and in Vitro

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100053425 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. 142-145

Author(s):

E. J. Kollar

Keyword(s):

Connective Tissue ◽

Oral Mucosa ◽

Basal Lamina ◽

Functional Derivatives ◽

Specific Source ◽

Dental Epithelium ◽

Connective Tissue Stroma

The differentiation and maintenance of many specialized epithelial structures are dependent on the underlying connective tissue stroma and on an intact basal lamina. These requirements are especially stringent in the development and maintenance of the skin and oral mucosa. The keratinization patterns of thin or thick cornified layers as well as the appearance of specialized functional derivatives such as hair and teeth can be correlated with the specific source of stroma which supports these differentiated expressions.

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