European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Although pedicle screw fixation has been increasingly used in the upper thoracic spine in recent years, controversies exist about the safety and complications such as nerve or vascular intrusion associated with the technique. In this study, an alternative method of transarticular screw fixation was validated. ⋯ The morphometric data of C7-T3 zygapophysial joints indicate the suitable screw diameter and screw length for this technique. Transarticular screw fixation proved to be a potentially safe alternative to pedicle screw fixation in this region.
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Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a minimally invasive technique that has gained growing interest in recent years. We performed a retrospective review of the medical records and operative reports of patients undergoing LLIF between March 2006 and December 2009. We seek to identify the incidence and nature of neurological deficits following LLIF. ⋯ LLIF is a valuable tool for achieving fusion through a minimally invasive approach with little risk to neurovascular structures.
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Total disc arthroplasty (TDA) has been successfully used for monosegmental treatment in the last few years. However, multi-level TDA led to controversial clinical results. We hypothesise that: (1) the more artificial discs are implanted, the stronger the increases in spinal mobility and facet joint forces in flexion and extension; (2) deviations from the optimal implant position lead to strong instabilities. ⋯ The more artificial discs are implanted, the stronger the motion increase in flexion and extension was predicted with respect to the intact condition. Deviations from the optimal implant position lead to unfavourable kinematics, to high facet joint forces and even to lift-off phenomena. Therefore, multilevel TDA should, if at all, only be performed in appropriate patients with good muscular conditions and by surgeons who can ensure optimal implant positions.
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A 47-year-old male with a history of recurrent low-back pain presented with acute left radiculopathy. ⋯ Intradural disc herniation is a rare condition and requires durotomy to remove the pathology. Therefore an actual high resolution MRI is mandatory in all cases of intraspinal space occupying lesions.