Spine
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A case of a multisegmental, cervicothoracolumbar epidural abscess, in an 80-year-old man, successfully decompressed by using a minimally invasive technique, is presented. ⋯ In cases of suspected acute epidural abscess, especially in elderly debilitating patients: the whole spine should be scanned by MRI to exclude the possibility of multilevel involvement and adequate pus drainage, when indicated, could be performed with the above described minimally invasive technique.
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A technical report. ⋯ When used judiciously to treat axial back pain during intradiscal electrothermal therapy heating, ketamine is a safe and effective rescue medication.
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Comparative Study
Biomechanical comparison of expandable cages for vertebral body replacement in the thoracolumbar spine.
An in vitro biomechanical study of expandable cages for vertebral body replacement in the human thoracolumbar spine. ⋯ Biomechanical results indicate that design variations of expandable cages for vertebral body replacement are of little importance. Additionally, no significant difference could be determined between the biomechanical properties of expandable and nonexpandable cages. After corporectomy, isolated implantation of expandable cages plus anterior plating was not able to restore normal stability of the motion segment. Therefore, isolated anterior stabilization using cages plus Locking Compression Plate should not be used for vertebral body replacement in the thoracolumbar spine.
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Retrospective single-center study ⋯ Recovery of neurologic function following severe traumatic spinal cord injury occurs with a significantly greater incidence in children than adults, and these improvements can occur over a prolonged postinjury period.
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A cohort study. ⋯ Spinal cord enlargement with abnormal expansion of the T2 high-signal intensity area, although not common, is an unpreventable complication after laminoplasty. This was strongly related with distal and diffuse type of postoperative paresis of the upper extremity without deterioration of lower motor function, but was little associated with a proximal type of paresis, so-called C5 and C6 palsies.