Spine
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An in vivo study to assess the differentiation status of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplanted to the nucleus pulposus of degenerative discs in a rabbit model. ⋯ MSCs transplanted to degenerative discs in rabbits proliferated and differentiated into cells expressing some of the major phenotypic characteristics of nucleus pulposus cells, suggesting that these MSCs may have undergone site-dependent differentiation. Further studies are needed to evaluate their functional role.
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A retrospective review of all patients with neurologic deficit following gunshot wounds that did not penetrate the spinal canal. ⋯ Neurologic deficit following gunshot wounds is possible even without violation of the spinal canal. It is most probably the result of the kinetic energy emitted by the bullet.
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Posterior cervical spinal cord shifting after selective single laminectomy associated with partial laminotomies was compared with that after bilateral open-door laminoplasty between the C3 and C7 levels in relation to the clinical results of each procedure. ⋯ The outcome of posterior decompression surgery for multisegmental CSM is not correlated with the magnitude of postoperative backward shifting of the spinal cord. Extensive and consecutive decompression performed in conventional cervical laminoplasties is therefore not always necessary for multisegmental CSM.
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Histologic changes in the spinal cord caused by progressive spinal kyphosis were assessed using a new animal model. ⋯ Progressive kyphosis of the cervical spine resulted in demyelination of nerve fibers in the funiculi and neuronal loss in the anterior horn due tochronic compression of the spinal cord. These histologic changes seem to be associated with both continuous mechanical compression and vascular changes in the spinal cord.
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A case report of a T1-T2 herniated disc adjacent to a cervical spine fusion. ⋯ Adjacent-segment degeneration after cervical spine fusion may rarely occur even at T1-T2, and the unusual symptoms of a T1 radiculopathy may obscure the diagnosis. The combination of sharp anterior paramedian chest pain and numbness or weakness of the hand should prompt consideration of the diagnosis when cardiac ischemia or other more serious conditions have been ruled out.