Spine
-
Retrospective observational study utilizing prospectively collected population-based data. ⋯ The incidence of TSCI in our population has remained remarkably stable, and age-related changes mirror those in the population across 10 years. An increased tendency to surgical treatment during the 10 years of this study has not resulted in concomitant changes in patients' in-hospital mortality or length of stay.
-
Retrospective study of a consecutive series of patients treated for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) of the upper thoracic and cervicothoracic spine. ⋯ For a selected cohort of patients who develop PJK of the upper thoracic and cervicothoracic spine, osteotomies, cervical traction, and intraoperative manual reduction provide a significant improvement of proximal junctional Cobb angles. To our knowledge, this is the first study to address treatment for symptomatic patients with this condition.
-
Case Reports
Posterior column reconstruction with autologous rib graft after en bloc tumor excision.
Retrospective review of consecutive case series. ⋯ The use of autologous rib graft with a proximal step-cut and distal saddle-cut supplemented with posterior instrumentation allowed immediate stabilization of the posterior column defect created by the en bloc tumor resection. This technique of fashioning the graft and taking advantage of its natural curved structure for immediate press-fit was associated with graft incorporation in our cases.
-
In vitro cadaveric study of thoracic spinal cord intramedullary pressure (IMP) in kyphotic deformity. ⋯ Thoracic kyphosis less than +51° resulted in no meaningful increase in IMP, whereas kyphosis measuring +51° to +63° resulted in minor increases in IMP. After the thoracic kyphosis exceeded +63°, IMP increased significantly. ΔIMP with spinal alignment may help explain the wide range of "normal" thoracic neutral upright sagittal alignment in studies of asymptomatic adult individuals and may help further define thoracic kyphotic deformity.
-
A retrospective cohort study. ⋯ Our retrospective evaluation indicates that there should be a lower threshold for obtaining arterial imaging with cervical injury patterns historically known to compromise the vasculature, which also have concomitant displaced cervical spine injuries and/or a neurological deficit.