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
-
To quantitatively assess the dynamic changes of Lactate in lumbar discs under different physiological conditions using MRS and T2r. ⋯ MRS documented changes in lactate response to cellular demand which suggested a 'Lactate Symbiotic metabolic Pathway'. The differences in lactate response preceded changes in Proteoglycan/hydration and thus could be a dynamic radiological biomarker of early degeneration.
-
To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of the operative management of three-column uncomplicated type «B» subaxial injures treated with a one-level cervical corpectomy with an expandable cage. ⋯ One-level cervical corpectomy with an expandable cage, despite a poor fusion rate, can be considered a feasible and relatively safe method for treating three-column uncomplicated subaxial type «B» injures, with the benefit of immediate stability, anatomical reduction, and direct decompression of the spinal cord. While no one in our series had any catastrophic complications, we did note a high complication rate.
-
We aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of the treatment of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) on functional outcomes and patients' quality of life (QoL) with a special focus on psychological well-being. ⋯ Even almost seven years on average after completed treatment of VO, patients report impaired QoL. Assessment of psychological disorders should be implemented in clinical practice and future prospective studies.
-
Lumbar endplate morphology varies in individuals; thus, custom-made implants are sometimes more useful than standardized implants. This study aimed to analyze endplate morphology and factors associated with endplate depth using computed tomography (CT) in a non-symptomatic population. ⋯ Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding.
-
Standalone lateral lumbar interbody fusion (SA-LLIF) without posterior instrumentation can be an alternative to 360° fusion in selected cases. This study aimed to investigate quantitative changes in psoas and paraspinal muscle morphology that occur on index levels after SA-LLIF. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that SA-LLIF did not alter psoas muscle morphology, underlining its minimally invasive nature. However, FI of PPM significantly increased over time despite the lack of direct tissue damage to posterior structures, suggesting a pain-mediated response and/or the result of segmental immobilization.