Spine
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Limitation of movement of the back, pelvis, chest wall, and other joints are the consequences of ankylosing spondylitis. The most serious problem is severe kyphosis leading to disturbance of the activities of daily living and failure of the respiratory system. Transpedicular decancellation closing wedge vertebral osteotomy, using the posterior approach followed by segmental spinal instrumentation, is a safe and easy technique for correction of the deformity. ⋯ Only one case in this report had dura tear due to adhesion between the dura and the ossified ligamentum flavum, which required exploration and repairing with myofascial graft. No case had any neurologic complication. At an average of 24 months' follow-up, all cases had improvement of their general appearance, posture, respiratory and gastrointestinal functions, and had good bony union.
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Review Case Reports
Posterior fracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine without neurologic deficit. A case report and short literature review.
The authors present a case of posterior fracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine without neurologic deficit. A 63-year-old man injured by traffic accident. ⋯ At the present time, approximately 1 year after the injuries, the patient does not have any neurologic complaint. Conservative treatment should be adopted as the first choice in patients at older ages and in those with underlying diseases or serious complications.
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Since its formation 20 years ago, the International Society for Study of the Lumbar Spine has stimulated basic and clinical research. Because few disorders of the lumbar spine are lethal, our usual goal is to improve the quality of life of our patients by relieving pain and improving function. ⋯ If quality is our goal, we need to be precise in our definition, understand how we measure it, and most importantly, be explicit in how we will improve it. Also, we must understand that our work is being conducted in a shrinking world, where all industrialized nations are profoundly concerned about the costs of health care.
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Ossified spinal meningiomas alone are uncommon lesions and spinal meningiomas en plaque are even more. A rare case is presented of ossified meningioma en plaque in the midthoracic spine, which was totally removed. Characteristics of this tumor with reference to relatively pathognomonic neuroimagings are discussed. Microsurgical outcome of this type of tumor is expected to be good.