Spine
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Post-traumatic inflammatory response was studied in 11 human cases of acute spinal cord contusion injury. ⋯ Endogenous cells (neurons and microglia) in the human spinal cord, not the blood-borne leukocytes, contribute to the early production of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the post-traumatic inflammatory response, and microglia are involved the early response to traumatic axonal injury.
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We compared the prevalence of chronic back pain (CBP) at two points 4 years apart and examined socio-demographic, health, and pain-related factors associated with its onset and persistence. ⋯ CBP is a common and lasting problem, whose persistence and onset are predicted by clinical (especially pain) and help-seeking behavior factors, rather than socio-demographic. Prevention should focus on these factors.
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Comparative Study
Morphologic characteristics of atlantoaxial complex in rheumatoid arthritis and surgical consideration among Chinese.
A morphometric study of lateral mass from C1 to C2 and involving 42 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ The work provides detailed bony data on the rheumatoid C2 isthmus and C1 structure. Anatomic variation in either side or both sides of the C2 isthmus is severe during erosion in patients with RA. Unilateral C1-C2 transarticular screw, modification of screw diameter, or alternative techniques for C1-C2 arthrodesis should be considered in most Chinese rheumatoid cases.
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Postal survey. OBJECTIVES.: To determine whether Australian primary-care clinicians think that nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is one condition or a number of conditions (subgroups), and whether this belief influences their management of NSLBP. ⋯ Although assigning NSLBP patients to subgroups has not been validated, it is common in primary-care settings and influences case management. If subgroups exist within the NSLBP population, there are implications for research into the effects of treatment. Further research into the validity of subgroups is warranted.
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This report aims, in the light of the recent literature, to describe the clinical features of bilateral thoracic outlet syndrome in a case of Klippel-Feil syndrome, the results of electrophysiologic evaluation, and the outcome after surgical intervention. ⋯ It is often difficult to diagnose thoracic outlet syndrome by conventional neurophysiology. Dynamic changes in F waves appear to be a useful finding. In the absence of symptoms of myeloradiculopathy, thoracic outlet syndrome could be the sole manifestation of Klippel-Feil syndrome.