Spine
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Comparative Study
The effectiveness of various cervical orthoses. An in vivo comparison of the mechanical stability provided by several widely used models.
The amount of motion allowed by various cervical orthoses was compared with the amount of unrestricted neck motion in vivo. ⋯ Although cervical orthoses can be helpful for other reasons, they do not provide a high level of mechanical restriction of motion. Additionally, the restriction they do provide can vary widely between people. Prescribing physicians should consider the relative merits of the various orthoses before deciding whether they will meet a patient's needs. The differences between the collars tested may not be enough to justify one of the more expensive or less comfortable collars.
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The present study evaluated the cervical nerve groove and intervertebral foramen using dried vertebrae and cadaveric cervical spine. ⋯ These data may enhance understanding of the important bony elements associated with the cervical spinal nerves and roots as they pass through the cervical nerve groove and the intervertebral foramen.
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Data were obtained in a Danish cross-sectional postal survey and compared with information from four methodologically similar studies conducted in some of the Nordic countries between 1977-1985. ⋯ When data were examined from five methodologically similar studies on the 30- to 50-year-old Nordic population, there was reasonable consistency of prevalence figures. Thus, approximately 66% report having had low back pain at least sometime during their lifetime and approximately 50% sometime during the preceding year, with no significant differences relating to age or sex. The best method to investigate whether low back pain is on the increase might be through replicate studies.
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Comparative Study
Reducing the lifetime risk of cancer from spinal radiographs among people with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Data from a retrospective cohort study of people with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were combined with information on full-spinal radiographs to estimate contemporary x-ray doses and lifetime risks for development of cancer. ⋯ The cancer risks from full-spinal radiographs for scoliosis are not negligible and can be reduced from one half to three quarters if the anteroposterior view is replaced with the posteroanterior view.
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Twenty-one cases of chordoma arising in the mobile spine were retrospectively reviewed. ⋯ En bloc excision--even if marginal--is the treatment of choice of chordomas of the spine. Early diagnosis and careful surgical staging and planning are necessary. Megavoltage radiation can be administered as an adjuvant.