Spine
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Prospective cohort study of randomly selected Veterans Affairs out-patients without baseline low back pain (LBP). ⋯ Depression is an important predictor of new LBP, with MRI findings likely less important. New imaging findings have a low incidence; disc extrusions and nerve root contact may be the most important of these findings.
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The expression of vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and isolectin B4 (IB4)-binding glycoprotein in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating the lumbar disc and the plantar skin was investigated. ⋯ VR1 is less abundant in lumbar disc than in cutaneous tissue. Our data suggest that nociceptive information from the disc is transmitted mostly by NGF-sensitive neurons, while that from the cutaneous tissue is transmitted by both NGF-sensitive and GDNF-sensitive neurons.
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An in vitro biomechanical study of C1-C2 posterior fusion techniques using a cadaveric model. ⋯ The results clearly indicate the potential of the intralaminar screw technique to provide stability that is equivalent to methods currently used. Given the serious complications that can follow vertebral artery injury and the decreased likelihood of injury by avoiding placement of C2 pedicle screw(s) and C1-C2 transarticular screw(s), strong consideration should be given to using a construct that incorporates C2 intralaminar screw(s).
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This study retrospectively reviewed 12 years of consecutive patients with cervical spine injuries. ⋯ The realistic expectation for short-term postoperative survival in the elderly patient with a cervical spine injury is 87.8%. With a complete neurologic injury, 80.0% short-term survival was observed. Incomplete neurologic injury yielded 83.3% short-term survival. Close to 100.0% survival can be expected with no neurologic injury.