Spine
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A retrospective study of patient outcomes after decompression and fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis, using the SF-36 survey and a functional questionnaire. ⋯ Patients treated with decompression and fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis had improved functional outcomes, when measured by a disease-specific questionnaire and by widely used instruments.
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Thirty-four patients with idiopathic scoliosis who underwent anterior spinal surgery as part of the correction of spinal deformity were studied prospectively. Superior and inferior endplates were harvested and examined histologically for evidence of residual growth activity. This was then correlated with Risser grades, chronologic age, and pubertal status. ⋯ The crankshaft phenomenon is reported to occur only in patients with Risser Grade 2 or less, particularly those with open triradiate cartilages. Our findings of significant endplate growth activity, even in patients with Risser Grade 4, make it unlikely that the crankshaft phenomenon is caused purely by longitudinal spinal growth.
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Comparative Study
The publication rates of presentations at major Spine Specialty Society meetings (NASS, SRS, ISSLS).
A review of all the presentations at three major spine specialty meetings held over a 3-year period. ⋯ The publication rates of presentations at three major spine specialty meetings are high and quite comparable with the publication rates of meetings in other medical subspecialties. This reflects the high quality of the meeting programs and validates their selection process.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Temporary external transpedicular fixation of the lumbosacral spine.
In this study, 133 patients with incapacitating low back pain underwent temporary external transpedicular fixation of the lumbosacral spine in a prospective trial. Of these patients, 67% had undergone one or more spinal procedures in the past. On the basis of temporary external transpedicular fixation, 55 of 133 patients were treated conservatively. With an average follow-up period of 37 months, the clinical results were analyzed. ⋯ In selecting suitable candidates for spinal fusion, temporary external transpedicular fixation (including a placebo trial) can be a valuable test.
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Case Reports Comparative Study
Can intramedullary signal change on magnetic resonance imaging predict surgical outcome in cervical spondylotic myelopathy?
A retrospective study evaluating magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomographic myelography, and clinical parameters in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. ⋯ Patients with multisegmental areas of high signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images tended to have poorer surgical results. However, the transverse area of the spinal cord at the level of maximum compression was a better prognostic indicator.