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 purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of peri-radicular infiltration for radicular pain in patients with spinal stenosis and lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Patients with spinal stenosis ( n=62) or LDH ( n=55) who met our criteria received fluoroscopically guided peri-radicular infiltration of local anaesthetic and steroid at the site of documented pathology. All the patients were followed-up at 3 months. ⋯ There was a significantly better response to peri-radicular infiltration for radicular pain in patients with LDH than the spinal stenosis. Our findings help us to provide a better information for future patients. We do not know if this is a treatment effect or natural history of the pathology, as this is a cohort study and not a randomised controlled trial.
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There is evidence in the literature for both a congenital and a post-traumatic aetiology for os odontoideum. In no series published to date has CT been used to aid in the diagnosis. This is a prospective study of the history of trauma and presence of diagnostic features on CT of 18 consecutive cases with os odontoideum. ⋯ These features were not seen in paediatric cases of atlanto-axial instability, including odontoid non-union. In conclusion, an elevated arch-peg ratio and the presence of a jigsaw sign are sensitive and specific diagnostic criteria for os odontoideum. This series supports a congenital aetiology for this condition.
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Clinical Trial
Acute phase response in patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery: modulation by perioperative treatment with naproxen and famotidine.
In orthopaedic surgery, perioperative administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been shown to reduce postoperative pain and analgesic consumption. In addition, preoperative administration of ibuprofen has proved to reduce interleukin-6 (IL-6) release, while that of ranitidine reduced postoperative IL-6-induced C-reactive protein synthesis in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. However, it has not been established whether the preoperative administration of both types of drugs may reduced the postoperative inflammatory reaction after instrumented spinal surgery. ⋯ C-reactive protein, alpha(1)-acid-glycoprotein and haptoglobin levels were also significantly increased postoperatively in all patients; however, they were significantly lower in pretreated patients. In conclusion, perioperative treatment with naproxen plus famotidine was well tolerated and reduced the acute phase response after instrumented spinal surgery. However, further research is needed to determine the best dose and timing of preoperative treatment administration, and to correlate these changes with long-term clinical results.
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Comparative Study
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion with carbon fiber cage loaded with bioceramics and platelet-rich plasma. An experimental study on pigs.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autogenous source of growth factor and has been shown to enhance bone healing both in clinical and experimental studies. PRP in combination with porous hydroxyapatite has been shown to increase the bone ingrowth in a bone chamber rat model. The present study investigated whether the combination of beta tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and PRP may enhance spinal fusion in a controlled animal study. ⋯ Histomorphometric evaluation found no difference between beta-TCP and beta-TCP+PRP levels on new bone volume, remaining beta-TCP particles, and bone marrow and fibrous tissue volume, while the same parameters differ significantly when compared with autogenous bone graft levels. We concluded from our results in pigs that the PRP of the concentration we used did not improve the bone-forming capacity of beta-TCP biomaterial in anterior spine fusion. Both beta-TCP and beta-TCP+PRP had poorer radiological and histological outcomes than that of autograft after 3 months.