European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is a rare but well-recognized condition. In general, the onset of its symptoms is insidious and the disease progresses slowly. ⋯ These SEL patients developed neurologic symptoms after less than 5 months; these symptoms were confirmed to be due to SEL by serial MR images. After the debulking of the epidural fat, their symptoms improved.
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Comparative Study
An in vitro biomechanical comparison of Cadisc™-L with natural lumbar discs in axial compression and sagittal flexion.
The elastomeric, monobloc disc prosthesis (Cadisc™-L, Ranier Technology, Cambridge, UK) aims to preserve biomechanics of an implanted spinal motion segment. ⋯ Implantation of Cadisc™-L caused a reduction in axial stiffness, but maintained disc height and flexion stiffness. IAR loci remained mobile without large displacement of the centroid from the intact spine position.
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Spinal stab wound injuries are quite rare and only few patients have been reported on the basis of MRI scan. ⋯ MRI gives the most detailed view of soft tissue lesions in SSWs and is in accordance with our intraoperative findings.
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Although pedicle screw fixation has been increasingly used in the upper thoracic spine in recent years, controversies exist about the safety and complications such as nerve or vascular intrusion associated with the technique. In this study, an alternative method of transarticular screw fixation was validated. ⋯ The morphometric data of C7-T3 zygapophysial joints indicate the suitable screw diameter and screw length for this technique. Transarticular screw fixation proved to be a potentially safe alternative to pedicle screw fixation in this region.