Spine
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Individuals with low back pain were classified by cluster analysis of their responses to the Dallas Pain Questionnaire. These results enabled development of an alternative simple classification tool that yielded results close to those obtained by the cluster analysis. ⋯ The Dallas Pain Questionnaire discriminated between different groups of persons with low back pain. The proposed classification uses a short, simple practical tool to assess different levels of low back pain.
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An electrophysiologic study to examine effects of exogenous application of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha ) activities and nociresponses of dorsal horn neurons in the spinal cord at L5. ⋯ These results suggest the possibility that TNF-alpha produced in the vicinity of nerve roots due to disc herniation might cause ectopic discharges in primary afferent fibers and thereby induce the prolonged excitation in pain-processing neurons responsible for radicular pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The association between cervical rib and sacralization.
After determining the normal reference values for the length of the transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebra, the association between the presence of cervical rib and sacralization was investigated. ⋯ Presence of cervical rib might be a clue to the existence of sacralization or vice versa. In patients with cervical or lumbar pain, this association may be helpful for differential diagnosis before applying sophisticated diagnostic techniques.
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Case Reports
Multimodality management of a giant cell tumor arising in the proximal sacrum: case report.
Descriptive. ⋯ A novel multimodality approach, consisting of resection, controlled cryosurgery, and a unique lumbopelvic reconstruction, was safe and successful in managing a challenging proximal sacral giant cell tumor. Twenty months after surgery the patient has excellent bowel and bladder control, no tumor recurrence, and functional ambulation without a brace or pain.
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Clinical Trial
Low fusion rate after L5-S1 laparoscopic anterior lumbar interbody fusion using twin stand-alone carbon fiber cages.
Prospective study of a cohort of patients who underwent L5-S1 laparoscopic anterior lumbar interbody fusion. ⋯ Two years after endoscopic L5-S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion using twin stand-alone laparoscopic carbon-fiber cages, the fusion rate was unacceptably low. However, the clinical outcomes of these patients were significantly improved compared with their preoperative status.