Spine
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Retrospective study on 185 patients with 490 cervical disc herniation (CDH). ⋯ Patients who underwent CMEL developed a postoperative reduction of CDH volume, with more popularity, greater degree and earlier-staged than EOLP-patients. Young females with longer follow-up time were more likely occur.Level of Evidence: 4.
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Cross-sectional. ⋯ The spine grows predominantly in the vertebral bodies. Thoracic discs increase in height only during the first years, whereas the transverse surface area continues to increase throughout growth, thus discs slenderness decreases. Relatively, female discs remained slenderer around growth-spurt. These measurements may assist future studies on the role of disc morphology in the etiology and treatment of spinal deformity.Level of Evidence: 4.
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Finite element analysis (FEA) and in vivo ovine spinal interbody fusion study. ⋯ Validating FEA estimates, cages with smaller diameter struts exhibited more rapid fusion consolidation and more aggressive osseointegration compared with cages with larger diameters struts.Level of Evidence: 4.
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Observational Study
No Benefit with Preservation of Midline Structures in Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Results from the National Swedish Spine Registry 2-Year Post-Op.
Observational cohort study. ⋯ In this study on decompression techniques for LSS, there was no benefit in preserving the midline structures compared to LE 2 years after decompression. The conclusion is that the surgeon is free to choose the surgical method that is thought most suitable for the patient and the condition with which the patient presents.Level of Evidence: 3.
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General population utility valuation study. ⋯ This study provides a simple technique for converting the mJOA score to utilities and quantify the importance of mJOA domains. The ability to evaluate QALYs for DCM will facilitate economic analysis and patient counseling. Clinicians should heed these findings and offer treatments that maximize function in the attributes viewed most important by patients.Level of Evidence: 3.