Spine
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Assessment of curve flexibility in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
A prospective comparative evaluation of the commonly accepted or described radiologic techniques to determine curve flexibility in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), comparison of the results to those obtained by supine traction radiographs taken with the patient under general anesthesia (UGA) just before surgery and correlation of all findings to surgical correction. ⋯ Fulcrum higher than bending higher than traction with the patient UGA is the order of radiographs for better predicting flexibility and correction in curves between 40 degrees and 65 degrees. Flexibility obtained at traction radiographs with the patient UGA is clearly better in numerical values, and closer to the amount of surgical correction than the amount of flexibility at fulcrum and side-bending radiographs for curves larger than 65 degrees, although not statistically significant as a result of the small number of patients in this group. However, pedicle screw instrumentation provides even more correction than the traction radiographs with the patient UGA. Thus, traction radiographs with the patient UGA may show much better flexibility, especially in more than 65 degrees and rigid curves.
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To analyze patient outcomes and risk factors associated with proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in adults undergoing long posterior spinal fusion. ⋯ Incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis was high, but SRS-24 scores were not significantly affected in patients with PJK. The sagittal C7 plumb was not significantly more positive in PJK patients. No patient, radiographic, or instrumentation variables were identified as risk factors for developing PJK.
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Retrospective study. ⋯ Selective thoracic fusion with segmental pedicle screw fixation in thoracic idiopathic scoliosis had satisfactory radiographic and clinical outcomes after surgery and has been well-maintained for minimum 5-year follow-up. It is a safe and effective method for preservation of lumbar motion segments as well as for restoration and maintenance of both coronal and sagittal alignment.
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Comparative Study
Closing wedge osteotomy versus opening wedge osteotomy in ankylosing spondylitis with thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity.
Retrospective. ⋯ Both OWO and CWO were safe and enabled substantial correction, with good clinical results. CWO resulted in a significantly longer operative time and more bleeding but offered fewer instances of paralytic ileus or delayed union with a broken rod.
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Case Reports
Failure of standard imaging to detect a cervical fracture in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.
Retrospective case study of 38-year-old male with ankylosing spondylitis who presented with a Brown-Séquard syndrome following a fall and an occult fracture on initial spinal imaging studies. ⋯ Occult fractures in ankylosing spondylitis may not be apparent on routine plain radiographic and MRI studies. In the setting of ankylosing spondylitis, a high index of suspicion must be maintained in all patients presenting with spinal pain following even minor trauma. High-resolution multidetector CT imaging appears to be more sensitive and accurate in the diagnosis of fractures in this patient subgroup than other contemporary imaging methods.