Spine
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Biologic study on the effects of coculture of bovine articular chondrocytes transduced ex vivo with genes expressing bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) on nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. ⋯ Bovine NP cells are stimulated to produce proteoglycans and collagen when exposed to chondrocytes transduced with genes for various BMPs. If applied to the treatment of disc degeneration, this strategy could provide the disc with not only metabolically active chondrocytes but also promote matrix replenishment by stimulating native NP cells.
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Comparative Study
Pathomechanism of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy: a multidisciplinary investigation based on clinical, biomechanical, histologic, and biologic assessments.
A multidisciplinary study involving clinical, histologic, biomechanical, biologic, and immunohistologic approaches. OBJECTIVE.: To clarify the pathomechanism of hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum. ⋯ Fibrosis is the main cause of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, and fibrosis is caused by the accumulation of mechanical stress with the aging process, especially along the dorsal aspect of the ligamentum flavum. TGF-beta released by the endothelial cells may stimulate fibrosis, especially during the early phase of hypertrophy.
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Prospective consecutive series. ⋯ Even if the clinical expectations were met, some patients were still dissatisfied. Patients with spinal stenosis (Group 2) seem to have more unrealistic expectations than patients with disc herniation (Group 1).
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Comparative Study
Posterior vertebral column resection in fixed lumbosacral deformity.
Retrospective study. ⋯ PVCR is an effective procedure for the management of fixed lumbosacral deformity. It provides satisfactory correction and improved functional outcomes. However, it is a technically demanding and exhausting procedure with possible risks for complications.
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Comparative Study
The positional magnetic resonance imaging changes in the lumbar spine following insertion of a novel interspinous process distraction device.
Patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis underwent magnetic resonance imaging to study changes in the lumbar spine in various postures before and after implantation of the X STOP Interspinous Process Distraction Device (St. Francis Medical Technologies, Concord, CA). ⋯ This study shows that the X STOP device increases the cross-sectional area of the dural sac and exit foramens without causing changes in posture.