Spine
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This case report illustrates a patient presenting with sciatica and diagnosed with epithelioid sarcoma involving the spine. ⋯ Spinal epithelioid sarcoma can be mistaken for a benign inflammatory process. After a histologic diagnosis, aggressive wide resection is necessary. Multiple recurrences are documented with this tumor in other sites. Prognosis in trunk involvement is less favorable than involvement of the extremities. The role of adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy is unclear for spinal involvement.
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Comparative Study
Validation of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score and the National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (NASCIS) motor score.
In this study the motor scores of 62 consecutive acute spinal cord-injured patients were retrospectively reviewed. ⋯ The American Spinal Injury Association and National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study motor scores can both be used for the neurological quantification of motor deficit and motor recovery.
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This study evaluated the preconditions for exact axial rotation measurement and the possibility for other parameters to measure axial rotation and mechanical torsion. ⋯ The sagittal axial rotation measurement method of Aaro and Dahlborn is superior to other techniques of measurement. It can be improved considerably if computed tomography scans fulfill certain quality criteria.
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This study analyzed anteroposterior, lateral, inlet, and outlet radiographic representations of different iliosacral screw orientations and evaluated anatomic features of the superior aspects of the sacral alae. ⋯ The inlet view shows the orientation of screws relative to the coronal plane and extraosseus screws extending anterior to the ala, whereas the outlet view elucidates the placement of screws relative to the transverse plane and extraosseus screw tips extending into the sacral foramina or superior to the ala. Evaluation of preoperative pelvic computed tomography scans may be helpful in understanding the unique morphology of each individual patient and enhancing the safety of iliosacral screw placement.
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In embalmed human bodies the tension of the long dorsal sacroiliac ligament was measured during incremental loading of anatomical structures that are biomechanically relevant. ⋯ The long dorsal sacroiliac ligament has close anatomical relations with the erector spinae muscle, the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia, and a specific part of the sacrotuberous ligament (tuberoiliac ligament). Functionally, it is an important link between legs, spine, and arms. The ligament is tensed when the sacroiliac joints are counternutated and slackened when nutated. The reverse holds for the sacrotuberous ligament. Slackening of the long dorsal sacroiliac ligament can be counterbalanced by both the sacrotuberous ligament and the erector muscle. Pain localized within the boundaries of the long ligament could indicate among other things a spinal condition with sustained counternutation of the sacroiliac joints. In diagnosing patients with aspecific low back pain or peripartum pelvic pain, the long dorsal sacroiliac ligament should not be neglected. Even in cases of arthrodesis of the sacroiliac joints, tension in the long ligament can still be altered by different structures.