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 study comparing cervical laminoplasty with or without muscle release for the treatment of cervical myelopathy resulting from athetoid cerebral palsy. ⋯ Cervical laminoplasty combined with muscle release for the treatment of cervical myelopathy due to athetoid cerebral palsy is effective in simplifying postoperative therapy and improving JOA scores.
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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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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.