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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Anterior cervical decompression and fusion is a well-established procedure for treatment of degenerative disc disease and cervical trauma including flexion-distraction injuries. Low-profile interbody devices incorporating fixation have been introduced to avoid potential issues associated with dissection and traditional instrumentation. While these devices have been assessed in traditional models, they have not been evaluated in the setting of traumatic spine injury. This study investigated the ability of these devices to stabilize the subaxial cervical spine in the presence of flexion-distraction injuries of increasing severity. ⋯ The locked screw spacer showed significantly reduced motion compared with the intact spine even in the setting of progressive flexion-distraction injury. The variable angle screw spacer did not sufficiently stabilize flexion-distraction injuries. The resulting motion for both constructs was higher than that reported in previous studies using traditional plating. Locked screw spacers may be utilized with additional external immobilization while variable angle screw spacers should not be used in patients with flexion-distraction injuries.
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To confirm the feasibility and safety of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for treating spinal neuropathic pain associated with compression myelopathy, we have initiated an open-label single-center prospective clinical trial. ⋯ The present results provide us with the possibility that G-CSF has a pain-relieving effect for neuropathic pain in patients with compression myelopathy.
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Clinical Trial
Is hybrid surgery of the cervical spine a good balance between fusion and arthroplasty? Pilot results from a single surgeon series.
Few studies have investigated the role of hybrid surgery (HS) that incorporates anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and artificial disc replacement (ADR) techniques. To our knowledge, this is the first study that provides a direct comparison of all three groups in terms of intra-operative parameters and outcomes with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. ⋯ HS is comparable to ACDF and ADR in terms of safety and feasibility. Findings of shorter in-hospital stay and earlier return to work in HS group may be further explored in large, randomised controlled trials.
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Case Reports Comparative Study
Characteristics of idiopathic atlanto-axial subluxation: a comparative radiographic study in patients with an idiopathic etiology and those with rheumatoid arthritis.
Atlanto-axial subluxation (AAS) is caused by multiple conditions; however, idiopathic AAS patients without RA, upper-cervical spine anomalies or any other disorder are rarely encountered. This study retrospectively investigated the radiographic findings in idiopathic AAS patients, and clarified the differences between those AAS patients and those due to RA. ⋯ The SAC value at both the neutral and flexion positions in idiopathic AAS patients was significantly smaller than those values in RA-AAS patients. This may be because the narrowing of the SAC in the idiopathic group easily induces cervical myelopathy. Furthermore, surgery was often recommended to RA patients, because of the neck pain induced by RA-related inflammation of the atlanto-axial joint, regardless of any underlying myelopathy.
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To assess the long-term results of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using the Cloward procedure for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and to identify possible clinical outcome predictors. ⋯ The Cloward technique is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The patients' preoperative neurological status and the length of follow-up affect the grade of postoperative ambulatory improvement.