Spine
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Cross-sectional study. ⋯ This study uses preoperative anemia to demonstrate the potential inaccuracies of ICD-9 coding. These results have implications for publications using databases that are compiled from ICD-9 coding data. Furthermore, the findings of the current investigation raise concerns regarding the accuracy of additional comorbidities. Although administrative databases are powerful resources that provide large sample sizes, it is crucial that we further consider the quality of the data source relative to its intended purpose.
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A retrospective radiographical study. ⋯ This study demonstrated that the lower EV disc degeneration strongly correlated with sagittal imbalance in patients with DLS, implying that disc degeneration may be regarded as a potential risk factor for sagittal imbalance. This result strengthened the importance of not selecting the lower EV as the lower instrumented vertebra during the surgical decision making, which may lead to deterioration of sagittal balance. Disc degeneration was also strongly correlated with sagittal malalignment, as demonstrated by a more positive SVA, decreased TK and LL, providing insight into reasons for low quality of life in elderly patients with DLS.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Pragmatic Clinical Trial
Costs and cost-effectiveness of epidural steroids for acute lumbosacral radicular syndrome in general practice: an economic evaluation alongside a pragmatic randomized control trial.
A pragmatic, randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial in Dutch general practice. ⋯ The effect on pain and disability of epidural steroids in lumbosacral radicular syndrome is small but significant, and at lower costs with no reported complications or adverse effects. Segmental epidural steroid injections could be considered by policy makers as an additional treatment option.
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Retrospective cohort analysis of prospectively collected data. ⋯ Obesity did not affect the amount of deformity correction and did not increase comorbidities and postoperative complication rates. Overweight patients had a greater lumbar lordosis before surgery than normal weight patients. Obese and overweight patients benefited from surgery just as much as normal weight patients at 2-year follow-up.
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A retrospective study of 1162 consecutive patients who underwent spinal deformity surgical procedures at our spine center from January 2010 to December 2013. ⋯ Our study indicates that the appropriate use of MEP monitoring based on our protocol is able to obtain satisfying sensitivity and specificity and thus provide important information for intraoperative decision making.