Journal of neurosurgery. Spine
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The authors investigate the correlation between thoracic and lumbar curves in patients with degenerative flat back syndrome, and demonstrate the predictability of spontaneous correction of the thoracic curve and sacral angle after surgical restoration of lower lumbar lordosis. ⋯ Lower lumbar lordosis plays an important role in sagittal alignment and balance. Surgical restoration of lumbar lordosis results in predictable spontaneous correction of the thoracic curve and sacral slope in patients with degenerative flat back syndrome.
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A primary consideration of all spinal fusion procedures is restoration of normal anatomy, including disc height, lumbar lordosis, foraminal decompression, and sagittal balance. To the authors' knowledge, there has been no direct comparison of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) concerning their capacity to alter those parameters. The authors conducted a retrospective radiographic analysis directly comparing ALIF with TLIF in their capacity to alter foraminal height, local disc angle, and lumbar lordosis. ⋯ The ALIF procedure is superior to TLIF in its capacity to restore foraminal height, local disc angle, and lumbar lordosis. The improved radiographic outcomes may be an indication of improved sagittal balance correction, which may lead to better long-term outcomes as shown by other studies. Our data, however, demonstrated no difference in clinical outcome between the two groups at the 2-year follow-up.
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The authors present a case of concurrent hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis (HSP) and heavy-chain disease (HCD). The patient was a 71-year-old woman presenting with leg paralysis and fever. Laminectomy was performed for thoracic HSP, and chemotherapy was administered for HCD. ⋯ Once the HCD was controlled by chemotherapy, the fever subsided and the hypertrophy was resolved. No previous reports have supported a link between the two diseases. Idiopathic HSP may be secondary to rare conditions such as HCD, and systemic examinations should be performed to the fullest extent possible to investigate the possibility of some underlying disease.
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Porous biomaterials with adequate pore structure and appropriate mechanical properties are expected to provide a new generation of devices for spinal interbody fusion because of their potential to eliminate bone grafting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fusion characteristics of porous bioactive titanium implants using a canine anterior interbody fusion model. ⋯ Bioactive treatment effectively enhanced the fusion ability of the porous titanium implants. These findings, coupled with the appropriate mechanical properties in load-bearing conditions, indicate that these porous bioactive titanium implants represent a new generation of biomaterial for spinal interbody fusion.
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The authors undertook this study to evaluate the incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) in geriatric patients (> or = 70 years of age) and examine the impact of patient age, extent of neurological injury, and spinal level of injury on the mortality rate associated with traumatic SCI. ⋯ Spinal cord injuries in older patients are becoming more prevalent. The mortality rate in this patient group is much greater than in younger patients and should be taken into account when aggressive interventions are considered and in counseling families regarding prognosis.