Spine
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A prospective study to determine the long-term outcome of traumatically induced vertebral artery injuries. Magnetic resonance angiography was performed at the time of cervical injury and at a follow-up office visit. ⋯ According to these data, most patients with vertebral artery injuries after nonpenetrating cervical spine trauma do not reconstitute flow in the injured vertebral arteries. This lack of flow must be considered if future surgery in this region of the cervical spine is contemplated.
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The Alpine goat model for multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion was used to analyze the use of an intervertebral fusion device to promote an arthrodesis after anterior cervical discectomy. Comparisons were drawn with biomechanical, histologic, and radiographic data. ⋯ The use of a threaded intervertebral fusion cage, with or without hydroxyapatite coating, filled with autogenous bone graft provides a fusion rate that is slightly better than those previously reported using autogenous interbody bone grafts with or without plate stabilization. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2-filled cages resulted in a much higher arthrodesis rate and accelerated bone formation compared with either autogenous bone-filled BAK devices, or autogenous interbody bone grafts with or without plate stabilization.
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Surface electromyographic activities were recorded from bilateral trunk muscles as test participants maintained a 50% maximum, voluntary, isometric, lateral bend contraction to volitional exhaustion. ⋯ The trunk responded to a prolonged, lateral bend contraction by increasing co-contraction as agonist trunk muscles fatigued. It was proposed that the fatigue compromised neural coordination and that the co-contraction served to maintain spine stability.
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Reinforcement of thoracolumbar burst fractures with calcium phosphate cement. A biomechanical study.
A biomechanical study on the stabilization of thoracolumbar burst fractures. ⋯ This hydroxyapatite cement compound augments anterior column stability in a burst fracture model. This technique may improve outcomes in burst fracture patients without the need for a secondary anterior approach.
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Reciprocal angulation of vertebral bodies in the sagittal plane in an asymptomatic Greek population.
A prospective study conducted on several roentgenographic parameters of the standing sagittal profile of the spine in an asymptomatic Greek population. ⋯ In the results of this study, a reliable table of reference for roentgenographic parameters in the sagittal plane of the spine was established in an asymptomatic Greek population. The parameters are similar to those used in previous studies. Thus, these data should be considered in preoperative planning and postoperative evaluation of achieved correction during restoration procedures of the spine in the sagittal plane.