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 evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance three-dimensional fast-imaging employing a steady-state acquisition (MR 3D-FIESTA) sequence to study cervical EFLs using the anatomical results of cadavers as the gold standard. ⋯ MR 3D-FIESTA sequences clearly showed cervical EFLs. In the 3D-FIESTA sequence scans that the radiologist believed to indicate the presence of a cervical TFL, the probability that the TFL existed was approximately 93%. When the radiologist believed that no TFL was present in the 3D-FIESTA sequence scan, the probability that a TFL existed was 14%.
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To compare perioperative parameters, clinical outcomes, radiographic parameters, and complication rates of the new zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage with those of the stand-alone cages with a titanium plate for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the surgical treatment of single- and multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD). ⋯ The zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage for ACDF is an effective, reliable, and safe alternate to the conventional method for the treatment of cervical DDD. However, there is no definitive evidence that Fidji cervical cage has better intermediate-term outcomes than the stand-alone cages with a titanium plate for ACDF.
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Postoperative C5 palsy is a widely known complication of cervical decompression surgery. Many studies have focused on its etiology and factors affecting it. However, no study to date has evaluated the association between the clinical outcome and recovery duration of post-operative C5 palsy. We evaluated this in our current report. ⋯ A motor grade ≤2, the presence of multi-segment paresis involving more than the C5 root, the loss of somatic sensation with pain, and the degree of posterior spinal cord shifting significantly influence whether the duration of recovery from postoperative C5 palsy will take longer than 6 months.
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Recently, it has been reported that impairment by an 8th cervical nerve root lesion can cause drop finger, namely C8 drop finger. Here, we report a clinical case series of C8 drop finger to reveal the clinical outcome of surgical treatments to allow for a better choice of treatment. ⋯ C8 drop finger is better treated by surgery than conservative therapy.
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Many investigators have reported the financial conflicts of interest (COI), which could result in potential bias in the reporting of outcomes for patients undergoing total disc replacement (TDR) rather than anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). This bias may be subconsciously introduced by the investigator in a non-blinded radiographic review. The purpose of this study was to determine if bias was present when a group of spine specialists rated adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) following cervical TDR or ACDF. ⋯ The knowledge of the surgical procedure performed did not bias the assessment of ASD.