Spine
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A literature review was conducted. ⋯ Animal models will continue to play a critical role in the development of experimental therapies for spinal cord injuries. Both sharp and blunt spinal cord injury paradigms have unique characteristics that make them useful in addressing slightly different neurobiologic problems.
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This prospective 2-year follow-up study evaluated patients treated surgically for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). ⋯ Back pain incidence was higher than reported for healthy adolescents. Oswestry Disability Index was within normal adult limits. Pain varied by curve type, related to the maximum angle of trunk inclination and the maximum apical vertebral translation. After surgery, back pain and ODI were unchanged, but concerns regarding scoliosis were reduced.
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Comparative Study
Outcome of posterior lumbar interbody fusion versus posterolateral fusion for spondylolytic spondylolisthesis.
This retrospective study analyzed the outcome of 44 patients who had decompression, pedicle screw-rod fixation, and fusion for Grades 1 and 2 spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. ⋯ Posterolateral fusion has a better clinical outcome in low grades of isthmic spondylolisthesis, although posterior lumbar interbody fusion is more predictable in maintaining correction and achieving union. Careful patient selection is needed for each operation, and adjacent level disc degeneration may influence the procedure offered to the patient.
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The results of short anterior rigid rod instrumentation used to treat thoracolumbar scoliosis in 24 patients were reviewed retrospectively. ⋯ Anterior correction and fusion using solid rod instrumentation constitute effective and safe treatment of thoracolumbar scoliosis. As compared with posterior systems, it provides correction and rebalance of the trunk through a shorter fusion segment.