There is sparse description in the literature of such complications and how they are best managed. The objectives of the study are: (1) to describe the complications at the cervical spine after surgical and radiotherapy treatment for NPC (2) to identify key principles in the diagnosis and treatment of these complications.

A retrospective review of all patients with cervical spine complications after radiation treatment and surgery

selleck products for NPC treated in a tertiary referral center, since 1990.

Fourteen patients with cervical spine ORN and infections were found with an average duration to diagnosis of 8.6 years. All 14 patients had mucosal and deep biopsies and none had tumor recurrence. Four patients had ORN, eight had osteomyelitis and two patients had both ORN and osteomyelitis.

Radiotherapy complications usually have delayed and subtle presentations. ORN progresses slowly and can often be treated conservatively. Infections should be treated aggressively with surgical debridement and the results check details are generally good. Patients should be regularly followed-up with transoral examination to assess the integrity of the posterior pharyngeal wall and imaging to assess for ORN. Pharyngeal defects raise concern for cervical spine infections. Coverage of pharyngeal

defects in these patients is important to prevent recurrent infection.”
“Background: Age, obesity and male sex are risk factors for the development of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Objective: We examined structural and functional properties of the sternohyoid muscle in young lean and aged obese male rats. We hypothesized Apoptosis Compound Library that the aged muscle would be vulnerable to oxidative stress (hypoxia). Methods: Isometric contractile and endurance properties of the sternohyoid muscle were assessed in vitro with or without the superoxide scavenger

Tempol (10 m M). Muscle fibre size and density were determined by myosin heavy chain immunofluorescence. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) enzyme activities were determined. Results: Fibre hypertrophy, increased fast twitch (type 2X) fibre density, decreased SDH activity and increased GPDH activity, together with increased force and fatigue, were observed in aged obese muscles compared to young lean muscles. Tempol treatment increased strength and sensitivity to stimulation. Hypoxic depression of force was ameliorated by antioxidant treatment with equivalent effects in young lean and aged obese muscle. Conclusions: We conclude that the rat sternohyoid exhibits indefinite growth and is protected from oxidative stress as the animal ages. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign, relatively uncommon lesion, representing 1.4 % of primary bone tumors. The vertebral column is involved in 3-30 % of cases. This report describes clinical characteristics and treatment results of 18 patients with aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine.