Journal of spinal disorders & techniques
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jul 2008
Residual motion on flexion-extension radiographs after simulated lumbar arthrodesis in human cadavers.
Flexion-extension radiographs are commonly used to assess lumbar fusion. Recommended criteria for solid fusion have varied from 1 to 5 degrees of angular motion between vertebrae. Notwithstanding this wide variation, the validity of these criteria have never been biomechanically tested. ⋯ The amount of radiographically detectable flexion-extension motion with simulated fusions varies widely and seems to be influenced by fusion type. This study documents a range of measurable motion on flexion-extension radiographs after several types of simulated lumbar fusion. However, as the degrees of motion seemed to be high, future studies should use a fusion simulation other than metallic implants that more closely resembles bony arthrodesis.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jul 2008
Clinical results of intrapedicular partial pediculectomy for lumbar foraminal stenosis.
A retrospective case study of the use of intrapedicular partial pediculectomy (IPPP) to treat lumbar foraminal stenosis. ⋯ This follow-up study confirms that IPPP affords long-lasting improvements in leg symptoms for patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jul 2008
Instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion for patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis.
Surgery for degenerative lumbar scoliosis remains challenging for spine surgeons even with the application of pedicle screw instrumentation. This retrospective study assesses the outcomes of instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for degenerative lumbar scoliosis. ⋯ Analytical results demonstrate that instrumented PLIF after laminectomy in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis is an effective and safe procedure.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Jul 2008
Preservation of the nuchal ligament plays an important role in preventing unfavorable radiologic changes after laminoplasty.
Prospective study. ⋯ These results indicate that the preserved funicular section of the nuchal ligament attached both to the C6 and C7 spinous processes plays an important role in preventing undesirable radiologic changes after laminoplasty.
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Retrospective study of consecutive patients that were struck by motor vehicles and sustained spinal injuries over a 6-year period from 1997 to 2003. ⋯ Spinal injuries in pedestrians struck by motor vehicles are more evenly distributed throughout the spinal column and more often coexist with injuries to remote organs compared with car occupants and motorcyclists where regional tendencies and isolated spinal injuries are more frequent. A systematic approach to both diagnosis and treatment is, therefore, necessary. Helical truncal CT, performed to evaluate visceral injury, effectively screens for TL fractures.