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 investigate the association between occupational direct radiation exposure to the hands and longitudinal melanonychia (LM) and hand eczema in spine surgeons. ⋯ The present study suggests that direct radiation exposure to physician's hands is associated with LM and hand eczema. Those with LM and radially biased hand eczema may have had high direct radiation exposure.
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Sacropelvic fixation is frequently used in combination with thoracolumbar instrumentation for the correction of severe spinal deformities. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of the triangular titanium implants on the iliac screw fixation. Our hypothesis was that the use of triangular titanium implants can increase the stability of the iliac screw fixation. ⋯ Sacropelvic fixation decreased L5-S1 range of motion suggesting increased stability of the joint. The combination of triangular titanium implants and iliac screws reduced the residual flexibility of the sacroiliac joint, and resulted in a protective effect on the S1 pedicle screws and iliac screws themselves. Clinical studies may be performed to demonstrate applicability of these FEA results to patient outcomes.
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Various surgical techniques have been introduced for atlantoaxial (C1-C2) fusion, the most common being Magerl's (transarticular) or the Harms/Goel screw fixation. Common indications include degenerative osteoarthritis (OA), trauma or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Only few, small studies have evaluated patient-reported outcomes after C1-C2 fusion. We investigated 2-year outcomes in a large series of consecutive patients undergoing isolated C1-C2 fusion. ⋯ In this large series with almost complete follow-up, C1-C2 fusion showed extremely good results. Despite the complexity of the intervention, outcomes surpassed those typically reported for simple procedures such as ACDF and lumbar discectomy, suggesting reservations about the procedure should perhaps be reviewed.
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Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is presumably caused by focal myopathy in the cervical posterior muscles; however, distinguishable radiological features of the cervical spine in DHS remain unidentified. This study investigated the radiological features of the cervical spine in dropped head syndrome. ⋯ Our results demonstrated that the characteristic radiological features in the cervical spine of DHS include lower-level dominant severe degenerative change and upper-level dominant spondylolisthesis. These findings suggest that degenerative changes in the cervical spine may also play a role in the onset and progression of DHS.
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Definitive fusion can be considered in early onset scoliosis (EOS) around triradiate cartilage closure. Halo-gravity traction (HGT) is an old strategy that can help lengthen and balance the spine before fusion. The postoperative changes of the trunk have never been investigated to date with modern imaging. The goal of this study was to analyze the 3D radiological outcomes, and the associated pulmonary function, of a cohort of severe EOS patients treated by definitive posterior fusion prepared by HGT. ⋯ IV.