Spine
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This was a retrospective study focusing on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to assess treatment response in patients with spinal metastases. ⋯ Changes in perfusion, particularly Vp, reflect tumor responses to radiotherapy in spinal bone metastases. These changes were able to predict positive outcomes earlier than 6 months after treatment in 16 of 17 tumors. The ability of DCE-MRI to detect early treatment response has the potential to improve patient care and outcome.
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Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database. ⋯ Disc herniations represent a significant cause of morbidity in the NFL. Although much attention is placed on spinal cord injuries, preventive measures targeting the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine may help to reduce the overall incidence of these debilitating injuries.Level of Evidence: N/A.
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Narrative overview of the focus issue on cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). ⋯ By way of this issue, we have summarized current knowledge gaps and limitations in the evidence to provide direction for future research and investigation. These include the need for a unified nomenclature for referring to CSM, the need to specify the incidence of myelopathy and the prevalence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, and the need to explore both the safety and efficacy of neuroprotective and neuroreparative pharmacological strategies. Further work is also required to optimize the management of patients with minimal symptoms.
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In vitro study to develop an intervertebral disc degeneration organ culture model, using coccygeal bovine intervertebral discs (IVDs) and injection of proteolytic enzymes MMP-3, ADAMTS-4, and HTRA1. ⋯ MMP-3, ADAMTS-4, and HTRA1 provoked neither visible matrix degradation nor major shifts in gene expression. However, cell activity was significantly reduced and HTRA1 induced loss of disc height that positively correlated with changes in GAG/DNA content. The use of higher doses of these enzymes or a combination thereof may, therefore, be necessary to induce disc degeneration.
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Retrospective cohort study among Medicare beneficiaries with lumbar spinal fusion surgery. ⋯ 4.