Spine
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Observational and quantitative study with 3-dimensional (3D) computerized tomographic (CT) analysis. ⋯ Instability at the C1-C2 junction in congenital anomaly with occipitalization is likely a direct result of the anteversion of LAA and bony malformation of this region, and it aggratates with the increasing obliquity of anteversion of the AAF. Demonstrating 3D morphological changes of LAA may provide a new means to diagnosis instability in congenital anomaly at craniovertebral junction and a basis for rational surgical treatment.
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Review Case Reports
The incidence of C5 palsy after multilevel cervical decompression procedures: a review of 750 consecutive cases.
Retrospective review of 750 consecutive multilevel cervical spine decompression surgeries performed by a single spine surgeon. ⋯ Incidence of C5 nerve palsy after cervical spine decompression was 6.7%. This is consistent with previously published studies and represents the largest series of North American patients to date. There is no statistically significant difference in incidence of C5 palsy based on surgical procedure, although there was a trend toward higher rates with laminectomy and fusion.
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An in vivo study of intervertebral disc degeneration by using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). ⋯ This study demonstrated a relationship between in vivo MRS spectroscopy (water content and PG content), imaging parameters (T1ρ and Pfirrmann grade), discography results, and clinical self-assessment, suggesting that MRS-quantified water, PG, and MR T1ρ relaxation time may potentially serve as biomarkers of symptomatic IVDD.
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Review Case Reports
Atypical extensive extratemporal hyperpneumatization of the skull base including the cervical spine: case report and review of the literature.
Case report and clinical discussion. ⋯ Atypical radiolucency may represent a very rare benign hyperpneumatization of the skull base, which may include the craniocervical junction. Because of microfractures of the thinned and consecutive, less stable bones, this also can lead to free air and soft-tissue emphysema, which has not been described previously. Special care should be taken to identify epidural free air because of a possible communication of the epidural space with the external environment. Harmful activities and especially high-speed trauma could result in fractures of the cervical spine due to decreased stability of the hyperpneumatized bones.