Spine
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A retrospective-cohort investigation (N = 245) utilizing a review of patient medical records and costs accrued through the Workers' Compensation Fund of Utah. ⋯ Medical costs among compensated Utah patients receiving lumbar fusion have risen dramatically since the 1990s, whereas compensation costs have not. Biopsychosocial variables continue to be predictive of these costs, although to a more modest degree than in prior studies. Further investigations should look at other factors leading to increased medical costs.
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A cross-sectional, population-based cohort study. ⋯ Our large-scale study is the first to describe novel variants of SLDD types and their clinical relevance. More important, LBP and severity of pain were more pronounced in individuals with CMDD rather than those with SLDD. Our study suggests that subjects with a similar degree but different patterns of multilevel disc degeneration do differ with respect to low back symptoms. This finding may provide new evidence with regard to the mechanism of LBP.
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A retrospective review of clinical and radiological parameters. ⋯ After vertebroplasty, the compression and kyphosis of avascular necrotic vertebral bodies progressed continuously for 2 years or longer. Vertebroplasty may not provide sufficient stability. Therefore, we strongly recommend that strict observation and follow-up be used after vertebroplasty.
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Retrospective clinical study. ⋯ In the patients with grade 1 DS, the back pain relief and functional improvement following ISS were affected by the improvements in the sagittal spinal alignment through the achievement of segmental lumbar lordosis. ISS can be an alternative treatment to fusion surgery for grade 1 DS in patients who do not require fixation or reduction.
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We conducted a prospective cohort study of 448 patients with spinal metastases from a variety of cancer groups. ⋯ Both T12 and T15 showed significant predictive value in patients with spinal metastases. T15 has a statistically higher accuracy rate than T12. Among the various cancer groups, the 2 scoring systems are especially reliable in prostate and breast metastases groups. T15 is recommended as superior to T12 because of its higher accuracy rate.