Spine
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A biomechanical study was designed to assess relative construct stabilities of modern anterior thoracolumbar instrumentations in a calf spine model with an anterior and middle column defect. ⋯ Modern anterior instrumentations for the thoracolumbar spine, such as the Kaneda device, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital system, Z-plate, and University plate, restored the stability in all motions when an interbody graft was inserted. The stability of fixation devices revealed that the Kaneda device is the best, particularly in restoring the torsional stability. The information on the relative stability provided by different instrumentations should help the spine surgeon in choosing the appropriate instrumentation for the particular circumstance.
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Lower extremity polysynaptic reflexes and descending neurogenic motor and ascending somatosensory activity were recorded. ⋯ Intraoperative lower extremity reflex changes are more sensitive to spinal cord compromise than are changes in long tract function. Lower extremity polysynaptic reflexes monitor the integrated activity of the spinal cord that is responsible for the control of complex motor behavior.
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This is a report of a patient with acute spinal epidural hematoma taking aspirin, 250 mg/day. ⋯ Because aspirin is widely used, its role in causing spinal epidural hematoma will remain conjectural. For the present patient, however, it was postulated that aspirin had a major impact on the extent of the epidural bleeding. There should be awareness of a possible link between aspirin and spinal epidural hematoma.
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The influence of initial horizontal weight placement on the loads at the lumbar spine while lifting.
This was a biomechanical study of the effect of the initial horizontal distance between a person lifting and the load. Experimental data were analyzed using a dynamic rigid link model. ⋯ As the horizontal distance at the start of a lift increased, the peak moment acting on the lumbar spine also increased, but the increase was nonlinear. This is explained by a change in the technique of lifting when the distance is 40 cm or greater.
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This is a retrospective single-patient case report with a literature review. ⋯ Traumatic bilateral atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation is uncommon in adults. This probably is due to the unique biomechanical features of the atlantoaxial articulation and the probable lethality of injury to the adjacent medulla or vertebral arteries before presentation at the trauma center.