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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The aim of this study was to discuss the clinical presentation, imaging findings, treatments received, and outcome of therapies for patients with epidural spinal cord compression caused by thyroid spinal metastases, with the goal of emphasizing the importance of surgery in this setting and discussing therapeutic plan for treating these patients. ⋯ As thyroid tumor spinal metastases have a favorable prognosis, a radical therapeutic attitude should be considered in decision-making. Dorsal spinal decompression through curettage and stabilization can preserve or restore neurological function for most patients. For patients who have more than one metastatic lesion of the spine, surgeries can be sequentially performed based on the urgency of the case. In addition to treatment of primary disease, surgery and bisphosphonate treatment are the most important therapies for these patients.
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Chance fractures are an uncommon spine injury in the paediatric population. As such there is a relative paucity of evidence in the literature to guide management decisions. We present our single centre experience in the operative management of these injuries. ⋯ Operative management of paediatric chance injuries with instrumentation results in excellent clinical and radiological outcomes.
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To examine disc degeneration at levels adjacent and next adjacent to the fractured vertebra and to analyses, if the disc degeneration is determined by the endplate fracture. Thoracolumbar burst fracture is one of the most common spinal injuries. The diagnostic (clinical and imaging) approach and treatment of a fractured vertebra is well established; however, some controversy remains. The associated disc degeneration is less well known after 9-12 months of the short segment pedicle screw fixations. There is a major controversy whether spinal trauma with vertebral endplate fractures can result in posttraumatic disc degeneration. No study to date, however, has assessed disc degeneration of the AO type A3 thoracolumbar fractures without neurologic deficits after pedicle screw fixations. ⋯ Disc degeneration usually occurs at level adjacent to the fractured endplate of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Endplate fracture is strongly associated with disc degeneration. No correlation between fixation level and disc degeneration is seen in this study.
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Editorial Historical Article
A short history of spinal training and outlook on spine speciality development in the UK 1948-2013.