Spine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Epidural steroid injections are associated with less improvement in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a subgroup analysis of the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial.
Subgroup analysis of prospective, randomized database from the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT). ⋯ Despite equivalent baseline status, ESIs were associated with significantly less improvement at 4 years among all patients with spinal stenosis in SPORT. Furthermore, ESIs were associated with longer duration of surgery and longer hospital stay. There was no improvement in outcome with ESI whether patients were treated surgically or nonsurgically.
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Comparative Study
Correlation of vertebral strength topography with 3-dimensional computed tomographic structure.
Biomechanical and radiographical study. ⋯ Stiffness and strength at discrete sites of human lumbar vertebrae depend on the superficial vertebral bone structure and density and can be evaluated using models based on quantitative analysis of micro-CT and con-CT images.
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Prospective, clinical, noninvasive imaging study. ⋯ 3.
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Case Reports
Cervical spinal cord contusion in professional athletes: a case series with implications for return to play.
Retrospective case series. ⋯ It is hypothesized that the horizontal facet orientation of the C3-C4 level, congenital stenosis, and relative hypermobility in extension are the contributing factors in the cause of this clinical entity. An anterior fusion at the C3-C4 level seems to be the most reliable method of preventing or delaying the return of symptoms. Return-to-play guidelines should emphasize the athletes' history of symptoms in context with their MR image because there is poor correlation between the finding of a contusion and the clinical presentation. Recurrence of symptoms is common and the long-term consequences of repeated episodes remain unknown.