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 clarify the relationship between operative timing and the early post-operative radiological and clinical outcome after kyphoplasty. ⋯ Kyphoplasty is effective for vertebral height restoration as well as pain relief for both acute, subacute and chronic fractures. However, the achievable correction of the fracture-related local kyphosis decreases significantly after 6 weeks. Therefore, we recommend making a final decision about conservative vs. operative treatment within 6 weeks to ensure better height restoration in surgically treated patients.
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To evaluate the feasibility of histogram analysis of T2* value for the detection and grading of degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) and for the characterization of microstructural heterogeneity of discs. ⋯ Histogram analysis of T2* value is an effective tool for the detection and grading of degenerative IVDs. Identification of the "red zone" may provide new breakthroughs in the study of disc degeneration initiation and generate new hypotheses in anatomical and histological studies of IVDs.
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Traumatic spinal injuries can be life-threatening conditions. Despite numerous epidemiological studies, reports on specific spinal regions affected are lacking. ⋯ Our findings confirm a recent increase in all spinal fractures and in the cervical and sacral regions in particular. Advanced age may be an important underlying factor.
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To identify specific morphological characteristics in thoracolumbar burst fractures associated with neurological outcome after severe traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). ⋯ Morphological features of the bony structures involving the spinal canal in thoracolumbar burst fractures with severe TSCI are associated with the chronic neurological outcome and could provide more insight than the AIS clinical grading. The fracture pattern may better reflect the actual level of energy transferred to the spinal cord than distinguishing between low- and high-energy trauma.
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Early disc degeneration (DD) has been thought to be associated with loss of spine stability. However, before this can be understood in relation to back pain, it is necessary to know the relationship between DD and intervertebral motion in people without pain. This study aimed to find out if early-to-moderate DD is associated with intervertebral motion in people without back pain. ⋯ This study found only small, indefinite associations between early-to-moderate DD and intervertebral motion in healthy controls. Motion sharing in the absence of pain was also not related to early DD, consistent with previous control studies. Further research is needed to investigate these relationships in patients.