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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The conservative and operative treatment strategies of hematogenous spondylodiscitis in septic patients with multiple risk factors are controversial. The present series demonstrates the outcome of 18 elderly patients (median age, 72 years) with septic hematogenous spondylodiscitis and intraspinal abscess treated with microsurgical decompression and debridement of the infective tissue, followed by posterior stabilization and interbody fusion with iliac crest bone graft in one or two lumbar segments. The majority of the patients were unsuccessfully treated with intravenous antibiotics prior to the operation. ⋯ Twelve patients had excellent or good outcomes during the follow-up period of at least 1 year. The series shows that operative decompression and eradication of the intraspinal and intervertebral infective tissue with fusion and stabilization via a posterior approach is possible in septic patients with multiple risk factors and leads to good results in those patients, who survive the initial severe stage of the septic disease. However, the morbidity and mortality suggest that this surgical treatment is not the therapy of first choice in high-risk septic patients, but may be considered in patients when conservative management has failed.
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The Matthiass posture test is a clinical test to detect posture changes in children and adolescents. Aim of this study was to objectify this test using a dynamic rasterstereographic measuring device. We examined 31 healthy athletes during a modified Matthiass test with a dynamic rasterstereographic measuring system. ⋯ Additional weight loads of only 5% body weight (bw) resulted in significant changes of the posture (lordosis and kyphosis angle) during this test. With this rasterstereographic measuring device it seems to be possible to determine spinal posture changes under dynamic conditions. The results suggest that additional weights of 5% bw during the Matthias-test are enough to create significant deviations in posture parameters, even in healthy subjects.
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Posterior spinal ligament pathology is becoming increasingly recognized as a significant cause of low back pain. Despite the growing clinical importance of interspinous ligament degeneration in low back pain patients, formal reliability studies for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of interspinous ligaments have not been performed. We proposed an MRI classification system for interspinous ligament degeneration and conducted a comprehensive reliability and reproducibility assessment. ⋯ A difference of 1, 2, and 3 grades occurred in 8.1, 3.0, and 1.1% of readings, respectively. This proposed MRI classification of interspinous ligament degeneration was simple, reliable, and reproducible. Its use as a standardized nomenclature in clinical and radiographic research may be recommended.
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Open-door laminoplasty is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of multiple level cervical spinal stenosis. One complication of this procedure is closure of the hinge and subsequent restenosis. Twinfix suture anchor was used in laminoplasty to stabilize cervical canal expansion. 53 patients with multiple level cervical spinal stenosis underwent laminoplasty. ⋯ There were four short-term complications: two were small dural-tears which were repaired intraoperatively without further sequelae, and the other 2 were both epidural hematomas that required emergent return to the operating room for evacuation. There were no Twinfix suture anchor-related complications. This Twinfix suture anchor can provide a firm and secure anchor for elevated open laminae in laminoplasty.
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The instrumentation of the osteoporotic spine may sometimes result in failure due to the loosening or pullout of the conventional pedicle screw. Moreover, augmentation of screws with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has risks of complications. We developed a new and original pedicle nail system with PMMA for osteoporotic vertebral fractures. ⋯ A pedicle nail system stabilizes the spinal column with osteoporosis and reduces the instrumentation failure. The technique for the insertion of the pedicle nail reduces complication from cement augmentation. The authors speculate that the strategy using the pedicle nail system for osteoporotic spine may be effective and safe when the surgery is performed through a posterior approach.