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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Dogs are often used as an animal model in spinal research, but consideration should be given to the breed used as chondrodystrophic (CD) dog breeds always develop IVD degeneration at an early age, whereas non-chondrodystrophic (NCD) dog breeds may develop IVD degeneration, but only later in life. The aim of this study was to provide a mechanical characterization of the NCD [non-degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs), rich in notochordal cells] and CD (degenerated IVDs, rich in chondrocyte-like cells) canine spine before and after decompressive surgery (nucleotomy). ⋯ Spinal biomechanics significantly differ between NCD and CD dogs and researchers should consider this aspect when using the dog as a model for spinal research.
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Review Meta Analysis
Balloon kyphoplasty versus percutaneous vertebroplasty in treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: grading the evidence through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To assess the safety and efficacy of balloon kyphoplasty (KP) compared with percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP) and provide recommendations for using these procedures to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF). ⋯ KP and VP are both safe and effective surgical procedures for treating OVCF. KP may be superior to VP in patients with large kyphosis angles, vertebral fissures, fractures in the posterior edge of the vertebral body or significant height loss in the fractured vertebrae. Due to the poor quality of the evidence currently available, high-quality RCTs are required.
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To determine the level of evidence for altered mechanical and motor control of the pelvis being associated with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP). ⋯ The level of evidence for an association between PPGP and altered motor control and kinematic or kinetic parameters of the pelvis was found to be moderate.
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The life span of cancer patients has improved due to advancements in cancer management. With long survival periods, more patients show metastatic disease. Osteolytic tumours of spine are generated by metastatic deposits or primary tumours of the spine. A prospective study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous kyphoplasty in patients with osteolytic tumours of the thoracic and lumbar spine. ⋯ Kyphoplasty is a suitable palliative treatment option for patients with advanced metastatic disease of the spine even with low Tokuhashi scores allowing rapid pain relief and mobilisation to increase the quality of life.
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Case Reports
A novel "pelvic ring augmentation construct" for lumbo-pelvic reconstruction in tumour surgery.
Reconstructing or augmenting the lumbo-pelvic junction after resection of L5 and part of the sacrum is challenging. Numerous lumbo-pelvic reconstruction methods based on posterior construct and anterior cages have been proposed for cases involving total sacrectomy and lumbar vertebrectomy. These constructs create long lever arms and generate high cantilever forces across the lumbo-sacral junction, resulting in implant failure or breakage. Biomechanical studies have shown that placing implants anterior to lumbo-sacral pivot point provides a more effective moment arm to resist flexion force and improves the ultimate strength of the construct. We present here a novel method to augment a lumbo-pelvic construction using a pelvic ring construct. ⋯ There were no intra-operative complications. At the end of 12 months, she was mobilising with a frame, with no radiological evidence of failure of the construct. However, she died due to disease progression at the end of 15 months. Experience from one clinical case shows that such a construct is feasible and adds a technical option to the difficult reconstruction of lumbo-pelvic junction after tumour surgery.