Spine
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Comparative Study
A comparison of pedicle and lateral mass screw construct stiffnesses at the cervicothoracic junction: a biomechanical study.
Biomechanical comparison of five different posterior cervicothoracic junction (C7-T1) fixation constructs in a cadaveric model. ⋯ C7 pedicle screw fixation provides the construct with the highest normalized stiffness for stabilizing the cervicothoracic junction. If C7 pedicle fixation is not possible, then performing two-level lateral mass fixation at C6 and C7 will achieve a construct with similar normalized stiffness except in axial compression. The addition of triple wiring to the spinous processes does not significantly increase lateral mass construct normalized stiffness.
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Retrospective observational study. ⋯ Osteoporotic vertebral fractures with no sign of vertebral collapse on initial radiographs do indeed exist. They are analogous to occult stress fractures well known in other skeletal sites. They must not be misdiagnosed as malignant lesions.
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Case report with review of the literature. ⋯ This is the first report of vertebral artery dissection occurring secondary to traction in cervical spine surgery. Surgeons must be aware that traction, even when performed appropriately, is not without risks. Anomalous vertebral arteries, osteophytes, and numerous other anatomic variants can lead to vertebral injury with traction.
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Retrospective study. ⋯ The treatment of choice of spinal hydatidosis is surgical removal of the affected vertebrae combined with posterior stabilization, followed by postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Recurrence is very frequent.
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An in vivo study to assess the differentiation status of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplanted to the nucleus pulposus of degenerative discs in a rabbit model. ⋯ MSCs transplanted to degenerative discs in rabbits proliferated and differentiated into cells expressing some of the major phenotypic characteristics of nucleus pulposus cells, suggesting that these MSCs may have undergone site-dependent differentiation. Further studies are needed to evaluate their functional role.