Spine
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A retrospective cohort study with cross-sectional outcome analysis of patients who underwent anterior column reconstruction with a titanium mesh cage after single-level or multilevel thoracic or lumbar vertebrectomy. ⋯ The cylindrical mesh titanium cage is a successful adjunct in restoring and maintaining sagittal plane alignment after thoracolumbar vertebrectomy and, in this context, provides an effective method for anterior column reconstruction.
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Prospective cohort study. Victims of car accidents who initiated compensation claim procedures at a Dutch insurance company and presented themselves with neck complaints were sent a questionnaire containing neck-related questions and questions regarding the coping styles used shortly after the accident. An additional two questionnaires were administered 6 and 12 months, respectively, after the accident. ⋯ The coping style during the first few weeks after the accident and the gender are related to the duration of neck complaints (Cox regression: palliative handling relative risk = 0.91, P = 0.002; seeking social support relative risk = 1.06, P = 0.042; and gender relative risk = 1.50, P = 0.036). Thereafter the intensity of somatic complaints plays a role. Paying attention to the coping style could contribute to the prevention of the development of late whiplash syndrome.
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A national hospitalization database was used to determine rates and trends in the treatment of cervical disc disease. ⋯ Although the rate of surgery for cervical disc disease did not increase significantly during the 1990s, the rate of fusion procedures did rise significantly.
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A cross-sectional study of 745 young adolescents in the area of two Regional Health Centers in the Netherlands. ⋯ Psychosomatic factors appear to be more strongly related to the occurrence of neck and/or shoulder and back complaints than the type and weight of the schoolbag and other physical factors. The role of psychosomatic factors should be further explored in future longitudinal research.
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In 1997, the results from the Third National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (NASCIS 3) were published. We undertook the present study to determine the treatment protocols for patients with spinal cord injuries in Colorado and assess whether there were any barriers to the administration of corticosteroids. ⋯ Our study demonstrated relatively poor compliance with the NASCIS 3 protocol, but good compliance with the NASCIS 2 protocol. There was skepticism about the efficacy of corticosteroid treatment among some Colorado physicians that treat patients with spinal cord injuries acutely; however, this does not completely explain the findings.