Spine
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Intra-arterial injection in the rat brain: evaluation of steroids used for transforaminal epidurals.
Prospective in vivo experimental animal model. ⋯ This study presents the first in vivo evaluation of intra-arterial steroid injection. Data demonstrate Depo-Medrol, as well as its nonparticulate carrier, and Solu-Medrol can produce significant injury to the blood-brain barrier when injected intra-arterially. These results demonstrate that injury is produced not only by particulate obstruction of the cerebral microvasculature, but also by toxicity of the carrier or steroid (methylprednisolone).
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A retrospective study of a consecutive series of traumatic cervical spine injuries treated with halo vest immobilization (HVI) over an 8-year period at a level 1 trauma center. ⋯ Treatment with HVI was successful in 85% of patients and 74% of survivors completed their intended treatment period. Complications, though common, were mostly not severe. HVI is still a reasonable treatment option in managing cervical spine injuries.
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Retrospective cohort. ⋯ Dynamic anterior cervical plating after anterior decompression and grafting provides comparable fusion rates to that reported following the use of rigid cervical plating. Immediate changes in cervical alignment towards lordosis are partially lost on follow-up. The loss of lordosis is related to the amount of graft settling.
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Experimental study. ⋯ Anterior spinal arthrodesis in the immature porcine spine results in iatrogenic retardation on spinal canal growth. This effect is most likely related to the tethering effect of the interbody fusion over the NCC. Although, it is difficult to directly extrapolate these findings to clinical practice, the spine surgeons operating on pediatric patients should be aware of this possibility.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Great expectations: really the novel predictor of outcome after spinal surgery?
Prospective study. ⋯ In this patient group, expectations of surgery were overly optimistic. Having one's expectations fulfilled was most important for a good outcome. The results emphasize the importance of assessing patient-orientated outcome in routine practice, and the factors that might influence it, such that realistic expectations can be established for patients before surgery.