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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Ultrasound (US) is increasingly used for transforaminal approaches. We evaluated whether fusing computed tomography (CT) images with dynamic US could be based on bony and surface landmarks in two phantom models. ⋯ Bony and surface landmarks allowed for accurate fusion of CT and US images of the lumbar spine. These techniques, performed on phantoms, allowed for precise localization and puncturing of lumbar neural foramina.
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Observational Study
Revisiting thoracic kyphosis: a normative description of the thoracic sagittal curve in an asymptomatic population.
Thoracic kyphosis (TK) remained in the shadow of lumbar lordosis. Based on Berthonnaud and Roussouly segmentation, TK is divided into two arches: upper TK (UTK) and lower TK (LTK). The purpose of this study is to propose a normative description of the TK arches in an asymptomatic adults' population and their correlation with spinal and pelvic parameters. ⋯ In asymptomatic young adults, thoracic kyphosis is composed by two unequal arches, a stable UTK and a variable LTK, with an apex around T8 and T9 vertebra, depending on the spinal morphotype according to Roussouly classification. This should be taken into consideration when analyzing spine sagittal compensation and preparing corrections to minimize risk of mechanical complications.
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To assess feasibility of a three-dimensional ultrashort echo time (3D-UTE)-sequence to evaluate normal and pathological disco-vertebral complex (DVC), with assessment of its different portions in a rat model of degenerative disk disease (DDD) with histological correlation. To assess whether this sequence, in comparison with long echo time T2-weighted sequence, is able to monitor DDD with differentiation of early from chronic DVC changes in pathological mechanical conditions. ⋯ Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with the consistently applied reference standard and blinding.