Spine
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Comparative Study
Comparison of standing sagittal spinal alignment in asymptomatic adolescents and adults.
A retrospective examination of the spine radiographs of 88 asymptomatic adolescents was performed to analyze the indices of regional and segmental sagittal spinal alignment in relation to the sagittal vertical axis as determined by the C7 plumb line. ⋯ Asymptomatic adolescents tend to stand in greater negative sagittal spinal balance than asymptomatic adults, despite similar regional and segmental alignments in the thoracic and lumbar spine. The role of hip extension, spinopelvic axis rotation, and other sagittal alignment parameters in determining the sagittal vertical axis in adolescents warrants further study.
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A retrospective study evaluating the complications in 43 consecutive patients treated with posterior lateral mass plate fixation of the subaxial cervical spine. ⋯ With the authors' surgical technique, lateral mass plate fixation is safe and effective. There were no nerve root or vertebral artery injuries.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Expansive midline T-saw laminoplasty (modified spinous process-splitting) for the management of cervical myelopathy.
The authors developed a method of spinous process-splitting laminoplasty using a threadwire saw in a prospective study of 25 patients with cervical myelopathy. This report describes the surgical technique and the results of the expansive midline laminoplasty performed with an threadwire saw. ⋯ The application of the threadwire saw to split the spinous processes made Kurokawa's procedure simpler, faster, and safer.
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Pain outcome and functional outcome after primary lumbar fusion surgery were determined by a self-assessment questionnaire. The responses were correlated with various clinical parameters. ⋯ The outcome of primary lumbar fusion surgery was decreased pain and increased function for the majority of patients in all five diagnostic categories. The amount of improvement varied by diagnostic group. Patients with developmental conditions showed greater improvement than patients with degenerative conditions.
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This study was designed to investigate the morphologic changes in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging that occur during conservative treatment of patients with unilateral leg pain resulting from herniated nucleus pulposus without significant lumbar canal stenosis. ⋯ Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is a useful prognostic parameter, and multiple use contributes to the proper management of lumbar disc herniation.