Spine
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Cross-sectional survey. ⋯ Fifty-three percent of the Web sites reviewed were authorized by a private physician group, 4% by an academic physician group, 13% by industry, 16% were news reports, and 14% were not otherwise categorized. Sixty-five percent of Web sites offered a mechanism for direct contact and 19% provided clear patient eligibility criteria. Benefits were expressed in 80% of Web sites, whereas associated risks were described in 35% or less. European experiences were noted in 17% of Web sites, whereas only 9% of Web sites detailed the current US experience. CONCLUSION.: The results of this study demonstrate that much of the content of the Internet-derived information pertaining to the cervical artificial disc replacement is for marketing purposes and may not represent unbiased information. Until we can confirm the content on a Web site to be accurate, patients should be cautioned when using the Internet as a source for health care information related to cervical disc replacement.
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Propensity score matched retrospective cohort study. ⋯ Fusion patients had greater overall complication rates, increased length of stay, and greater resource utilization but were discharged home in a greater proportion. Both fusion and halo were associated with significant (more than 3-fold) increase in complication rates in elderly patients aged 80 years or older. Given the similar mortality rate between the fusion group and the halo group and the higher cost and complication rate in the fusion group, our study supports the use of halo-vest immobilization in patients where operative therapy is contraindicated.
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A retrospective cohort study comparing long-term clinical and radiographical outcomes using selective thoracic instrumented fusion versus long instrumented fusion for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). ⋯ Spinal balance and correction of the lumbar curve remain stable over time in selective thoracic fusion. Those with selective fusions have outcome measures comparable with those with long fusions.
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Retrospective analysis of lumbosacral radiculography using 3-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) rendering in patients with extraforaminal disc herniation. ⋯ Based on lumbosacral radiculography through 3D MR rendering, important findings related to the diagnosis of symptomatic extraforaminal disc herniation include swelling of DRG and/or nerve roots and DRG indentation. Ultimately, 3D MR lumbosacral radiculography is a very useful method in the diagnosis of the symptomatic extraforaminal disc herniation.
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This study explores the use of bilaminar coculture pellets of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) as a cell-based therapy for intervertebral disc regeneration. The pellets were tested under conditions that mimic the degenerative disc. ⋯ This study shows that BCPs outperform controls in a simulated degenerated disc environment. Adapting inductive mechanisms from development to trigger differentiation and restore diseased tissue has many advantages. As opposed to strategies that require growth factor supplements or genetic manipulations, our method is self-sustaining, targeted, and minimally invasive injection.