Spine
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Positive pain responses provoked in an inclusive series of cervical discograms performed over a 12-year period were categorized by level and reviewed. ⋯ Discography is a safe and valuable diagnostic procedure showing characteristic pain patterns that may have clinical significance. In more than half of the studies, three or more levels were identified as pain generators, suggesting that treatment decisions based on information from fewer discs injected during discography may be tenuous.
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A carbon fiber-reinforced polymer cage implant filled with autologous bone was designed to separate the mechanical and biologic functions of posterior lumbar interbody fusion. ⋯ The Brantigan I/F Cage for posterior lumbar interbody fusion and the Variable Screw Placement System are safe and effective for the management of degenerative disc disease.
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The cranial pin force history of a halo-vest orthosis was measured using an instrumented halo in a clinical study with three patients. Pin force values at the time of halo-vest application and at subsequent clinical visits during the halo-vest wear period were compared. ⋯ The study confirmed the hypothesized decrease in the compressive pin forces with time. All patients had developed at least some clinical symptoms of pin loosening at the time of halo-vest removal.
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A retrospective study was performed on the longitudinal changes of the trunkal balance in King II curves treated with selective posterior fusion of the thoracic curve. ⋯ Selective thoracic fusion for King II idiopathic scoliosis curve can achieve acceptable coronal and sagittal plane balance of the spine. The rod to centersacral line distance is a helpful parameter in assessing the results and prognosis of surgically treated patients.