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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To analyze the prospectively collected data in a series of patients treated with single- or multilevel ACDF with a stand-alone, zero-profile device, focusing on clinico-radiological outcome, complications and technical hints, and to review the literature on such new devices. ⋯ The Zero-P device is safe and efficient, even in multilevel cases. Dysphagia is minimal, extensive anterior osteophytectomy is unnecessary and technical hints may ease the surgical workflow. This is the largest series, with the longest follow-up, reported.
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Review
Measuring procedures to determine the Cobb angle in idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review.
Scoliosis of the vertebral column can be assessed with the Cobb angle (Cobb 1948). This examination is performed manually by measuring the angle on radiographs and is considered the gold standard. However, studies evaluating the reproducibility of this procedure have shown high variability in intra- and inter-observer agreement. Because of technical advancements, interests in new procedures to determine the Cobb angle has been renewed. This review aims to systematically investigate the reproducibility of various new techniques to determine the Cobb angle in idiopathic scoliosis and to assess whether new technical procedures are reasonable alternatives when compared to manual measurement of the Cobb angle. ⋯ All investigated measuring procedures showed high degrees of reliability. In general, digital procedures tend to be slightly better than manual ones. For all other measurement procedures (automatic or smartphone), results varied. Studies implementing vertebral pre-selection and observer training achieved better agreement.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Ultrasound-guided versus computed tomography-controlled periradicular injections in the middle and lower cervical spine: a prospective randomized clinical trial.
We conducted this study to evaluate accuracy, time saving, radiation doses, safety, and pain relief of ultrasound (US)-guided periradicular injections versus computed tomography (CT)-controlled interventions in the cervical spine in a prospective randomized clinical trial. ⋯ US-guided periradicular injections are accurate, result in a significant reduction of procedure expenditure under the avoidance of radiation and show the same therapeutic effect as CT-guided periradicular injections.
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To investigate which pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters are significantly correlated with the immediate postoperative coronal balance (CB) in Lenke 5C AIS patients, and to identify any radiographic parameter that is correlated with the ultimate CB at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. ⋯ In Lenke 5C patients, preoperative UIV translation and LIV tilt are two important parameters that can predict the immediate postoperative CB. During the postoperative follow-up, UIV tilt may play a very important role in compensating for postoperative coronal imbalance.