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 compare the stabilization behavior of additional unilateral mass screw fixation with current standard procedures in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in a biomechanical study. ⋯ The degree of stabilization was as expected for LC and LCB; namely, no stabilization for LC and maximal stabilization for LCB. LPU exhibited almost the same degree of stabilization as LCB. LPU could be a new treatment option for less invasive decompression for multilevel CSM.
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Lack of normal reference value of diffusion tensor imaging parameters hinders its application in clinical practice. In this study, we aim to establish a comprehensive normal DTI database of Chinese subjects. ⋯ A comprehensive normal database of DTI parameters of cervical spinal cord was established. The effect of gender and age-related changes is negligible in DTI analysis of cervical spinal cord disorders.
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Given that the disc moves simultaneously with facet joints, there would be a relationship between Modic changes and facet joint degeneration in the cervical spine. However, there is no literature investigating the relationship. The purpose is to evaluate the relationship between Modic changes and facet joint degeneration in the cervical spine. ⋯ Modic changes and facet joint degeneration are most common at C2-C3 in the cervical spine. However, there were no relationships between the presence of Modic changes and facet joint degeneration at the same level of the cervical spine.
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Available studies of craniocervical junction (CCJ) involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are based on conventional radiography, which has limited ability in the definition of many elements of the CCJ. The goal of the present study was to describe the spectrum of computed tomography (CT) findings in the CCJ in a cohort of patients with AS. ⋯ The CCJ is frequently involved in AS patients with advanced disease and may be independent on the mSASSS. Both articulations and ligaments of CCJ may be affected in AS patients.
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Nonunion is a major complication of anterior cervical fusion that causes poor outcomes and occasionally requires additional operative intervention. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of functional computed tomography (CT) scanning for determining fusion status after anterior cervical fusion by comparing with functional radiographs. ⋯ Functional radiographs demonstrated solid fusion in 83.9% at 6 months and 91.1% at 12 months postoperatively; functional CT showed solid fusion in 55.3 and 78.6%, respectively. The fusion rate detected on functional CT images was significantly lower than that on functional radiographs at each period. At 6 months postoperatively, patients with incomplete union on functional CT were more likely to have neck pain than those who had complete union on functional CT. (46.2 vs 13.3%, P < 0.05) CONCLUSION: Functional CT can detect nonunion more clearly than functional radiography. At 6 months postoperatively, patients with incomplete union on functional CT images were likely to have more neck pain. Functional CT may allow accurate detection of symptomatic nonunion after anterior cervical fusion.