Spine
-
A retrospective analysis of patients who had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine, comparing those with a normal straight spine and those with a right thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). ⋯ It is important to understand the relationship of the rib head to the vertebral body to provide-excellent screw purchase within the vertebral body without risking penetration into the spinal canal. In both normal and AIS groups, the relationship of the rib head to the vertebral body and spinal canal changes so that the rib head is positioned more anteriorly in the cephalad-thoracic spine and more posteriorly in the caudal thoracic spine. When placing anterior thoracic screws, at the cephalad- thoracic spine (T4, T5, T6, and T7), removal of rib heads is recommended to allow for good screw purchase. However, at the caudal thoracic spine (T10-T12), staying anterior to the rib head is important to avoid penetration into the spinal canal.
-
A retrospective chart and radiographic review of patients with a Fontan physiology who underwent surgical correction of their scoliosis. ⋯ Operative treatment of scoliosis in these patients may be successful; however, complications are frequent and significant.
-
Cyclic mechanical stress (CMS) was applied to cultured nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus cells, and the production of inflammatory agents by these cells was evaluated. ⋯ The results of this study suggested that CMS might be involved in the pathomechanism of pain induction of lumbar disc diseases.