Spine
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An evidence-based analysis of published radiologic criteria for assessing spinal canal compromise and cord compression in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury. ⋯ To date, there are few quantitative, reliable radiologic outcome measures for assessing spinal canal compromise or cord compression in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury.
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An outcomes assessment of 14 elite college athletes who had undergone lumbar disc surgery was performed using the SF-36, a validated questionnaire that assesses quality of life. ⋯ All patients were satisfied with their surgeries, were greatly improved, and were pain free in activities of daily living. For a single-level microdiscectomy, the success rate in elite athletes is excellent, with 90% of athletes able to return to a high level of competition. Two-level disease may be associated with a less favorable outcome.
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Case report. ⋯ It is important for the surgeon to be aware of this potential complication and to inform patients who have diplopia that develops from abducens nerve palsy that most of these cranial nerve deficits spontaneously improve.
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A radiographic study of the effect of a modern orthotic device in the treatment of rheumatoid atlantoaxial subluxation. ⋯ The Headmaster collar is an effective and useful tool in the conservative treatment of simple unstable atlantoaxial subluxation, but an ordinary custom-made stiff collar is still often needed. These two collars are complementary, and their selection and use must be determined individually.
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Thirty-four patients with idiopathic scoliosis who underwent anterior spinal surgery as part of the correction of spinal deformity were studied prospectively. Superior and inferior endplates were harvested and examined histologically for evidence of residual growth activity. This was then correlated with Risser grades, chronologic age, and pubertal status. ⋯ The crankshaft phenomenon is reported to occur only in patients with Risser Grade 2 or less, particularly those with open triradiate cartilages. Our findings of significant endplate growth activity, even in patients with Risser Grade 4, make it unlikely that the crankshaft phenomenon is caused purely by longitudinal spinal growth.