Spine
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Comparative Study
Comparison between sheep and human cervical spines: an anatomic, radiographic, bone mineral density, and biomechanical study.
The quantitative anatomic, radiographic, computerized tomographic, and biomechanical data of sheep and human cervical spines were evaluated. ⋯ Although several differences were found between human and sheep cervical spines, the small intergroup standard deviations and the good comparability with the human spine encourage the use of the sheep cervical spine as a model for cervical spine research. On the basis of the quantitative data obtained in this study, the sheep motion segment C3-C4 seemed to be the most reliable model for the corresponding human motion segment.
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Comparative Study
Influence of different types of progressive idiopathic scoliosis on static and dynamic postural control.
Balance control assessment of static and dynamic conditions was performed to study the effects of progressive idiopathic scoliosis on postural control in 102 adolescents. ⋯ These data demonstrate that idiopathic scoliosis indeed alters balance control, with different hierarchies, from the best to the worst as follows: double major, thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbar curves in the static test and double major, lumbar, thoracolumbar, and thoracic curves in the slow dynamic test. The location of the major curve appeared to be important, with an effect on lateral disequilibrium and vestibular symmetry. The absence of anomaly in the fast dynamic test suggests that the type of scoliosis does not impair proprioception.
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The changes in dorsal root ganglion neurons innervating the L5-L6 facet joint were studied using the retrograde neurotransport method and the immunohistochemistry of calcitonin gene-related peptide in an inflammatory model of rats. ⋯ The ratio of fluorogold-labeled, calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive neurons was significantly higher in the L1 and L2 dorsal root ganglia of the inflammatory group than in those of the control group, and the average cross-sectional area of the cells from L1-L5 dorsal root ganglion increased. Associated with the inflammation in the facet joints, the change in calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive neuron distribution and the phenotypic switch to large neurons may complicate the mechanism of facet joint inflammatory pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Periradicular infiltration for sciatica: a randomized controlled trial.
A randomized, double-blind trial was conducted. ⋯ Improvement during the follow-up period was found in both the methylprednisolone and saline groups. The combination of methylprednisolone and bupivacaine seems to have a short-term effect, but at 3 and 6 months, the steroid group seems to experience a "rebound" phenomenon.
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A new surgical technique of cervical osteotomy to correct an extension deformity of the cervical spine is described, and a case is reported. ⋯ Osteotomy at a higher level in the spine for correction of global kyphotic deformity may result in a significant overcorrection of the gaze angle upward. The authors believe that the new technique described in this report is a technically demanding but adequate and safe approach for correcting such a rare deformity.