Spine
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A retrospective study evaluating early halo immobilization of Types II and IIA hangman's fractures. ⋯ Early halo immobilization after traction reduction of Type II and IIA hangman's fractures is an effective method of management. Type II fractures with an angulation of greater than or equal to 12 degrees may require an extended period of traction to ensure adequate long-term fracture alignment.
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Retrospective patient identification and prospective data collection were performed. ⋯ Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion appears to be quite effective for discogenic cervical headache, but should be reserved for patients who are extremely impaired and refractory to all other treatments.
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A case of a perirectal urinoma from a ureteral injury incurred during spinal surgery is reported. ⋯ Although ureteral injury after abdominal surgery is not so uncommon, it is very rarely incurred during spinal surgery. Because symptoms are usually nonspecific, the radiologist should be aware of this possible complication, and should perform CT with intravenous contrast material and with delayed scans because a rapid-sequence helical CT may not yet show opacification of the fluid present in the abdomen. This is the hallmark of the diagnosis.
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The case of a 14-year-old boy who sustained simultaneous fractures of every cervical vertebra in a high-energy snowmobile accident is reported. ⋯ This case report is the first to describe a patient of any age who sustained simultaneous fractures of every cervical vertebra. Treatment with a halo vest was successful in protecting the cervical spine until healing was complete.