Journal of spinal disorders & techniques
-
J Spinal Disord Tech · Apr 2005
Vertebral rotation and thoracic torsion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: what is the best radiographic correlate?
As a result of the increased appreciation of the three-dimensional nature of scoliosis and modern spinal instrumentation's improved corrective capabilities, there has been renewed interest in the correction and measurement of vertebral rotation. Computed tomography (CT), the gold standard for accuracy, is limited in its clinical utility owing to cost, radiation exposure, and the effects of postural changes on scoliosis curves and vertebral rotation. Consequently, the Perdriolle and Nash-Moe techniques remain the standard measurements for providing a reasonable estimate of pre- and postoperative vertebral rotation because of their simplicity. However, these techniques have considerable interobserver variability, and pedicle screw instrumentation obscures the landmarks necessary for utilizing these techniques for postoperative vertebral rotation assessment. The purpose of the present study was to assess the utility of alternate radiographic measures to assess vertebral rotation and thoracic torsion when compared with conventional measures on pre- and postoperative radiographs and CT evaluation. ⋯ The RH, AVB-R, and the ARSD-measures of thoracic torsion-demonstrated moderate to good overall correlation with the main thoracic curve Cobb angles, apical Perdriolle rotation, and apical CT rotation. These should be useful as clinical measures for assessing three-dimensional deformity correction on plane radiographs, especially for the intraoperative evaluation of vertebral derotation and thoracic symmetry restoration.
-
J Spinal Disord Tech · Apr 2005
Case ReportsIntradural migration of broken IDET catheter causing a radiculopathy.
This case report describes the migration of a broken intradiscal electrothermal therapy catheter tip from the disc space into the thecal sac, leading to a radiculopathy that improved after removing the catheter.
-
We report three cases of tectorial membrane injury in children. An increased interspinous ratio was identified on cervical spine radiographs. ⋯ The three children were restrained passengers in high-speed motor vehicle accidents, and all sustained polytrauma. Two children with partial tears of the tectorial membrane were immobilized in a halo, and one with a longitudinal tear of the tectorial membrane had an occiput-to-C2 fusion.
-
J Spinal Disord Tech · Apr 2005
Clinical TrialLimited clinical utility of pain drawing in assessing patients with low back pain.
The aim of this study was to assess the use of pain drawing by studying its ability to identify patients with low back pain and abnormal psychological profile. The intraevaluator repeatability of the penalty point method of scoring of pain drawing was also evaluated. ⋯ Though there are differences in anxiety and depression scores in patients with normal and abnormal pain drawing, the performance characteristics of pain drawing are less than acceptable and therefore limit its use in clinical practice.