Journal of spinal disorders & techniques
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyIs there a difference between simultaneous or staged decompressions for combined cervical and lumbar stenosis?
We evaluated 43 patients diagnosed with tandem spinal stenosis (TSS) from 1999 to 2005 in an academic hospital. ⋯ These results indicate that TSS can be effectively managed by either surgical intervention, simultaneous, or staged decompressions. However, patient age, blood loss, and operative time do significantly impact outcomes. Therefore, operative management should be tailored to the patient's age and the option which will limit blood loss and operative time, whether that is by simultaneous or staged procedures.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Aug 2011
Comparative expression of matrix-associated genes and inflammatory cytokines-associated genes according to disc degeneration: analysis of living human nucleus pulposus.
The 2 groups of living human nucleus pulposus were prospectively compared according to disc degeneration. ⋯ Mildly degenerated discs showed greater matrix, chondrogenic, and osteoblastic gene expressions than severely degenerated discs, indicating that the ability to produce matrix-associated proteins is greater for cells in mildly degenerated than in severely degenerated discs. However, inflammatory cytokine genes associated with disc degeneration were expressed at higher levels in the severely degenerated group. This study shows that a reduction in matrix synthesis and an increase of inflammatory cytokine levels occurs during disc degeneration at the same time.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Aug 2011
Case ReportsSafety and efficacy of concurrent pediatric spinal cord untethering and deformity correction.
A retrospective clinical records analysis of concurrent pediatric spinal cord deformity correction and tethered cord release compared with a 2-staged approach. ⋯ Concurrent tethered cord release and spinal fusion for correction of scoliosis and/or kyphosis may be a safe and effective approach in patients likely to experience deformity progression.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Aug 2011
Extreme lateral interbody fusion approach for isolated thoracic and thoracolumbar spine diseases: initial clinical experience and early outcomes.
Retrospective review of prospective collected data on 22 patients. ⋯ The XLIF technique can be expanded to treat diseases in the thoracic spine. Although the magnitude of deformity correction achieved is less than that of the traditional open approaches, the lesser invasiveness of this technique may be tolerable for the elderly and in patients with significant medical comorbidities.
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Aug 2011
Which is the preferred revision technique for loosened iliac screw? A novel technique of boring cement injection from the outer cortical shell.
An in vitro biomechanical cadaver study. ⋯ Wadding corticocancellous bone and increasing screw length failed to provide sufficient anchoring strength for a loosened iliac screw; however, both traditional and boring PMMA-augmented techniques could effectively increase the fixation strength. On the basis of the viewpoint of minimal invasion, the boring PMMA augmentation may serve as a suitable salvage technique for iliac screw loosening.