Spine
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Case report. ⋯ Accessory C1-C2 joints are possibly a result of genetic aberration giving rise to abnormality in segmentation of C1 sclerotome. These joints are dysmorphic and partially formed as evidenced by the absence of synovial membrane and capsule. The function of such joints remains questionable.
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Retrospective study developing diagnostic criteria. ⋯ ExGBB seems to be a far more reliable and accurate to determine anterior cervical fusion. The diagnostic criteria using bone bridging should be different based on the intradiscal materials. With cages in particular, InGBB seems unreliable and ExGBB is necessary to determine anterior cervical fusion.
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Meta Analysis
Aggrecan variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism and lumbar disc degeneration: a meta-analysis.
Data on the association between the ACAN (encoded for aggrecan core protein) variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism and lumbar disc degeneration are conflicting, so we performed a meta-analysis. ⋯ Our results suggest an increased risk of shorter alleles compared with normal alleles and longer alleles against lumbar disc degeneration among populations especially among Asian descent. Such association may not be statistically significant in European populations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of using intravenous antibiotic only versus local intrawound vancomycin antibiotic powder application in addition to intravenous antibiotics on postoperative infection in spine surgery in 907 patients.
A prospective randomized controlled trial. ⋯ The local application of vancomycin powder in surgical wounds did not significantly reduce the incidence of infection in patients with surgically treated spinal pathologies. The use of vancomycin powder may not be effective when incidence of infection is low.