Successful Laparoscopy-Assisted Resection of the Descending Colon in a Patient with Multiple Large Renal Cysts and Stricture of the Colon due to Ischemic Colitis

Large pathological structures in the abdominal cavity curb the application of laparoscopic surgery. This case report describes a successful laparoscopy-assisted colectomy for benign colon disease in a patient with multiple large renal cysts. An 82-year-old man was referred to our department for treatment of stenosis of descending colon secondary to ischemic colitis. An abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple large renal cysts occupying a large proportion of the peritoneal cavity. To minimize the postoperative recovery period, laparoscopic surgery was planned despite the renal cysts. After inserting access ports, the walls of the several renal cysts were fenestrated with an electronic scalpel and the serous fluid was aspirated to enable continuation of the laparoscopic colectomy. The left colon was mobilized and extracted through an incision at the umbilicus, and the affected part of the colon was resected safely. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and the present case suggests that laparoscopy-assisted colectomy can be performed safely even in patients with multiple large renal cysts

Precision spinal gene delivery-induced functional switch in nociceptive neurons reverses neuropathic pain

Second-order spinal cord excitatory neurons play a key role in spinal processing and transmission of pain signals to the brain. Exogenously induced change in developmentally imprinted excitatory neurotransmitter phenotypes of these neurons to inhibitory has not yet been achieved. Here, we use a subpial dorsal horn-targeted delivery of AAV (adeno-associated virus) vector(s) encoding GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) synthesizing-releasing inhibitory machinery in mice with neuropathic pain. Treated animals showed a progressive and complete reversal of neuropathic pain (tactile and brush-evoked pain behavior) that persisted for a minimum of 2.5 months post-treatment. The mechanism of this treatment effect results from the switch of excitatory to preferential inhibitory neurotransmitter phenotype in dorsal horn nociceptive neurons and a resulting increase in inhibitory activity in regional spinal circuitry after peripheral nociceptive stimulation. No detectable side effects (e.g., sedation, motor weakness, loss of normal sensation) were seen between 2 and 13 months post-treatment in naive adult mice, pigs, and non-human primates. The use of this treatment approach may represent a potent and safe treatment modality in patients suffering from spinal cord or peripheral nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain

Precision spinal gene delivery-induced functional switch in nociceptive neurons reverses neuropathic pain.

Second-order spinal cord excitatory neurons play a key role in spinal processing and transmission of pain signals to the brain. Exogenously induced change in developmentally imprinted excitatory neurotransmitter phenotypes of these neurons to inhibitory has not yet been achieved. Here, we use a subpial dorsal horn-targeted delivery of AAV (adeno-associated virus) vector(s) encoding GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) synthesizing-releasing inhibitory machinery in mice with neuropathic pain. Treated animals showed a progressive and complete reversal of neuropathic pain (tactile and brush-evoked pain behavior) that persisted for a minimum of 2.5 months post-treatment. The mechanism of this treatment effect results from the switch of excitatory to preferential inhibitory neurotransmitter phenotype in dorsal horn nociceptive neurons and a resulting increase in inhibitory activity in regional spinal circuitry after peripheral nociceptive stimulation. No detectable side effects (e.g., sedation, motor weakness, loss of normal sensation) were seen between 2 and 13 months post-treatment in naive adult mice, pigs, and non-human primates. The use of this treatment approach may represent a potent and safe treatment modality in patients suffering from spinal cord or peripheral nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain