Spine
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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.
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Dissection of 37 human cadavers was performed to assess the variability in the vascular anatomy anterior to the L5-S1 disc space. ⋯ The middle sacral artery, present in 100% of the specimens, is a poor anatomic landmark for locating the midline at L5-S1. Because the average space available between the left common iliac vein and the right common iliac artery is 33.5 mm, and because the left common iliac vein averages only 12 mm from midline, the surgeon must be prepared to mobilize the local vasculature in most cases to expose the L5-S1 disc space adequately.