Spine
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An in vivo experimental study to examine the possibility of using fresh frozen intervertebral disc allograft in disc transplantation. ⋯ Fresh frozen disc allografts can survive and maintain some degree of cell metabolism and segmental mobility at 24 months after transplantation. However, severe disc degeneration is also observed at this stage.
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In 1997, the results from the Third National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (NASCIS 3) were published. We undertook the present study to determine the treatment protocols for patients with spinal cord injuries in Colorado and assess whether there were any barriers to the administration of corticosteroids. ⋯ Our study demonstrated relatively poor compliance with the NASCIS 3 protocol, but good compliance with the NASCIS 2 protocol. There was skepticism about the efficacy of corticosteroid treatment among some Colorado physicians that treat patients with spinal cord injuries acutely; however, this does not completely explain the findings.