Spine
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Comparative Study
Clinimetric testing of three self-report outcome measures for low back pain patients in Brazil: which one is the best?
Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and clinimetric testing of self-report outcome measures. ⋯ The results from this study demonstrate that the Brazilian-Portuguese versions of the RMDQ, the FRI and the PSFS have similar clinimetric properties to each other and to the original English versions. Of allthe measures tested in this study the PSFS seems the most responsive. These measures will enable international comparisons to be performed, and encourage researchers to include Portuguese speakers in their clinical trials.
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Case Reports
Unusual association of tethered cord, filum terminale lipoma, and myxopapillary ependymoma.
Case report. ⋯ The coexistence of filum terminale lipoma and ependymoma is rare. Patients with relevant symptoms may be referred for an MRI study; however, especially patients with known filar lipomas causing tethered cord may be missed. Therefore, including these patients, a contrast-enhanced lumbar MRI must be performed to exclude any coexistence of filum terminale lipoma and ependymoma in the early course of the disease which can also help the surgeon in guiding the appropriate treatment.
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Observational study with retrospective computerized tomography (CT) angiography analysis. ⋯ The present study confirms the presence of anomalous VA routes in the V2 segment. A preoperativethree-dimensional computerized tomography (CT) angiography with axial images may be useful to identify the presence of an anomalous V2 route when suspected on magnetic resonance imaging or CT. Delineation of this anomaly may reduce the risk of intraoperative VA injury.
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Retrospective analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical findings about chemical radiculitis-associated anular tear in patients with radiculopathy. ⋯ The perianular enhancement adjacent to anular tears on MRI may be relevant in the diagnosis of symptomatic chemical radiculitis.
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Comparative Study
A biomechanical evaluation of three revision screw strategies for failed lateral mass fixation.
This is a biomechanical study evaluating 3 revision strategies for failed cervical lateral mass screw fixation. ⋯ Conversion of a stripped lateral mass screw to an alternate trajectory appears to offer no biomechanical advantage over placement of an increased diameter salvage screw using the same trajectory. Pedicle screw fixation provides superior biomechanical fixation but was associated with a significant breech rate.