Spine
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We collected the specimens of lumbar intervertebral disc (i.e., the symptomatic degenerative disc) from patients with discogenic low back pain to study the histopathologic features and growth factor expressions. ⋯ The findings indicated that degeneration of the painful disc might originate from the injury and subsequent repair of anulus fibrosus. Growth factors, such as bFGF and TGF-beta1, macrophages and mast cells might play a key role in the repair of the injured anulus fibrosus and subsequent disc degeneration.
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The placement of percutaneous posterior cervical screws using three-dimensional fluoroscopic guidance was performed in intact human cadaver specimens. ⋯ This study demonstrates the feasibility of placing percutaneous posterior cervical screws. Three-dimensional fluoroscopy appears to enable highly accurate, percutaneous three-dimensional cervical spine navigation.
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Psychometric testing of translated, culturally adapted questionnaire. ⋯ The EABPS-G is a valid, reliable, and responsive questionnaire for assessing health status and disability influenced by pain in one or more area of the spine and allows intercultural comparisons with the original English version. It could be used for assessment of current state as well as measurement for change.
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Retrospective data review of positive disc injections at low pressures among subjects without chronic low back pain (LBP) illness compared to patients with chronic LBP undergoing Discography. ⋯ The analysis shows that the rate of low-pressure painful injections in subjects without chronic LBP illness is approximately 25%, and correlates with both anatomic and psychosocial factors. In certain subgroups, this may represent an unacceptable risk of false-positive results.