Spine
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Comparative Study
Is it safer to place pedicle screws in the lower thoracic spine than in the upper lumbar spine?
An anatomic study of 100 patients comparing the pedicle isthmic width of the lower thoracic spine and the upper lumbar spine using magnetic resonance imaging. ⋯ The results show that the lower thoracic pedicles are larger than the upper lumbar pedicles. This may make it safer to place screws in the lower thoracic spine than in the upper lumbar spine. Upper lumbar may be so small (<5 mm) to preclude safe conventional screw placement.
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Comparative Study
Factors of thoracic cage deformity that affect pulmonary function in adolescent idiopathic thoracic scoliosis.
This clinical study examined the association between pulmonary function and thoracic cage deformities in scoliosis. ⋯ The factors that reduced %VC were the sagittal diameter of the thoracic cage, total lung area and vertebral rotation at the T8 and T9 levels.
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Comparative Study
Assessment of forearm pronation strength in C6 and C7 radiculopathies.
Consecutive case series of patients with C6 and C7 radiculopathies. ⋯ Forearm pronation weakness is the most frequent motor finding in C6 radiculopathies and may be noted is some cases of C7 nerve root compression.