Spine
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A prospective review of patients undergoing epidural catheter placement after anterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for adolescent scoliosis was performed. Data were collected using visual analog pain scores reflecting the patients' perception of their pain control. ⋯ By following the dosing protocol described, epidural catheters can be used safely and effectively to control postoperative pain after anterior instrumentation and spinal fusion for adolescent scoliosis.
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A case report of a patient presenting with a rare calcified spinal meningioma that recurred and became symptomatic 33 years after initial surgery was performed. ⋯ The recurrent psammomatous meningioma contained clusters of calcified psammoma bodies, resulting in a hard tumor that was visible on a plain radiograph.
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A retrospective study was performed, using the Short Form-36 Health Survey and the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire, to investigate patient outcomes after fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using Harrington rod instrumentation. ⋯ Long-term follow-up evaluation of Harrington rod fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis showed no important impairment of health-related quality of life, as measured by patient-oriented evaluation.
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The neural spaces of thoracolumbar burst fractures were investigated in an in vitro biomechanical study. ⋯ Both flexion and extension can decompress canal and foramina, depending on the choice for the location of the center of rotation. If lordotic posture is preferred clinically, then the optimal choice may be extension around the center of rotation located at the tip of the spinous process of the burst vertebra.
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A study was conducted to determine the association between polymorphism of the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) gene and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) prevalence. ⋯ The T869-->C polymorphism of the TGF-beta1 gene is a genetic determinant of a predisposition to OPLL, with the C allele representing a risk factor for genetic susceptibility to OPLL in Japanese subjects. Therefore, TGF-beta1 genotyping may be useful in the prevention of OPLL.