Spine
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A retrospective follow-up study of low-grade (slip < or = 50%) isthmic spondylolisthesis after posterior or posterolateral fusion in young patients. ⋯ Long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes after posterolateral fusion of low-grade spondylolisthesis were satisfactory. Cosmetic aspects of this deformity should be included as one of the outcome measurements, since cosmetic questions on the Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire showed inverse correlations between the amount of slip at final follow-up observation. The Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire could be used as a primary patient-oriented outcome tool after back surgery in young patients.
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Cohort study with follow-up after at least 1.5 years. ⋯ On the long-term, decompressive laminectomy in selected octogenarians results in decreased disability, decline of analgesics usage, and increased quality of life.
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A prospective clinical and radiologic investigation of two groups of patients presenting with either acute back pain only or acute leg pain only, yet similar restriction in straight leg raising (SLR). ⋯ Acute low back pain associated with significant restriction in SLR is likely to be caused by a disc prolapse compressing the anterior theca.
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A report of five cases of thoracolumbar osteoid osteoma treated with combined computer-assisted and gamma probe-guided high-speed drill excision. ⋯ The combination of both computer-assisted surgery and gamma probe-guided high-speed drill excision for osteoid osteoma of the spine helps to localize and excise the nidus of the osteoid osteoma with minimal bone resection of the posterior spinal structures.
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Light microscopy study of the lumbar spinal meninges of a murine model of Marfan syndrome. ⋯ These morphologic findings in the Marfan phenotype mouse mimic the findings of disordered elastic-fibers in other Marfan tissues and demonstrate gross attenuation of the tissue architecture, corroborating the theory that dural ectasia in Marfan syndrome results from hydrostatic pressure on weakened dura. These changes may be due in part to transforming growth factor beta overactivation and gelatinase-A-mediated elastolysis and collagen breakdown.