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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There have been few reports on the risk factors for tracheostomy and the possibility of patients for decannulation. The purpose of this study was to identify factors necessitating tracheostomy after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and detect features predictive of successful decannulation in tracheostomy patients. ⋯ The risk factors for tracheostomy after complete SCI were a history of smoking and complete paralysis irrespective of the level of injury. High cervical level complete SCI was found to be a risk factor for the failure of decannulation in patients without shoulder shrug within 3 weeks after injury.
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Normal progression of osteoporosis or the rigid reinforcement of the fractured vertebral body with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement is being discussed as a cause for adjacent-level fractures after vertebroplasty. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether augmentation with low stiffness cement can decrease the risk of adjacent-level fractures in low-quality bone. ⋯ A possible method to reduce adjacent-level fractures after vertebroplasty in patients with reduced bone quality could be the use of a lower modulus cement. Therefore, mixing cement with biocompatible fluids could prove useful to tailor cement properties in the operating theater.
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The number of cases of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) with intravertebral cleft (IVC) with delayed neurologic deficit (DND) is increasing as the population ages. However, the cause of DND is poorly understood, and no definitive treatment of the disease has been established. The purpose of this study was to clarify the radiographic parameters contributing to the occurrence of DND, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty for this pathology. ⋯ Intravertebral instability is the dominant cause of DND. Percutaneous vertebroplasty appears effective and safe in the treatment of OVCF with IVC with DND. Patients with less intravertebral instability and severe spinal canal compromise could be candidates for conventional surgical treatment.