Spine
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Postoperative outcomes of cervical pedicle screw (CPS) placement were evaluated. The screws were inserted in degenerative vertebrae using anatomic landmarks. ⋯ The deviation rate of CPS placement using anatomic landmarks was higher than anticipated, although no serious complications were encountered. Refinement of the technique (e.g., using a computer-assisted navigation system) is strongly recommended.
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Comparative Study
Biomechanical changes at adjacent segments following anterior lumbar interbody fusion using tapered cages.
A biomechanical evaluation of anterior cages in a calf lumbar spine model. ⋯ Statistically significant changes in intradiscal pressures and motion were found at the adjacent levels following a single-level stand-alone ALIF procedure using paired LT cages.
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Biologic study on the effects of coculture of bovine articular chondrocytes transduced ex vivo with genes expressing bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) on nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. ⋯ Bovine NP cells are stimulated to produce proteoglycans and collagen when exposed to chondrocytes transduced with genes for various BMPs. If applied to the treatment of disc degeneration, this strategy could provide the disc with not only metabolically active chondrocytes but also promote matrix replenishment by stimulating native NP cells.
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Comparative Study
Posterior vertebral column resection in fixed lumbosacral deformity.
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A cross section of Web sites accessible to the general public was surveyed. ⋯ The information about scoliosis on the Internet is of limited quality and poor information value. Although the majority of the Web sites were academic, the content quality and accuracy scores were still poor. The lowest scoring Web sites were the nonphysician professionals and the unidentified sites, which were often message boards. Overall, the highest scoring Web site related to both quality and accuracy of information was www.srs.org. This Web site was designed by the Scoliosis Research Society. The public and the medical communities need to be aware of these existing limitations of the Internet. Based on our review, the physician must assume primary responsibility of educating and counseling their patients.