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
-
The purpose of this study is to analyze the data in terms of the number of channels employed to examine the usefulness of multi-channels in intraoperative spinal cord monitoring. ⋯ We suggest that multi-channel monitoring of at least eight channels is desirable for intraoperative spinal cord monitoring.
-
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is an interview-based instrument generally accepted as a measure of disability in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). There is, however, no generally accepted measure for neurological impairment in LSS. We therefore developed a scoring system [neurological impairment score in lumbar spinal stenosis (NIS-LSS)] for the assessment of neurological impairment in the lower limbs of patients with LSS, then performed a validation study to facilitate its implementation in the routine clinical evaluation of patients with LSS. ⋯ The NIS-LSS is a simple and valid measure of neurological impairment in the lower limbs of patients with LSS (without comorbidity), discriminating them from healthy controls to a high degree of sensitivity and specificity and correlating closely with the degree of disability. It extends our ability to quantify neurological status and to follow changes arising out of the natural course of the disease or the effects of treatment.
-
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure elevation may worsen spinal cord ischaemia after spinal cord injury (SCI). We developed a rat model to investigate relationships between CSF pressure and spinal cord blood flow (SCBF). ⋯ Our rat model allows SCBF and CSF pressure measurements after induced SCI. After SCI, CSF pressure significantly increases.
-
Editorial Comment
Antibiotics a cure for back pain, a false dawn or a new era?
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of timing of rehabilitation on physical performance after lumbar spinal fusion: a randomized clinical study.
The number of patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion procedures (LSF) has risen in recent years, but only few studies have examined different rehabilitation strategies for this patient group. ⋯ No difference was found in the effect of initiating rehabilitation either 6 or 12 weeks after LSF on the patients' physical performance in terms of fitness and walking distance. The 6MWT showed fair to moderate correlation to the questionnaire-based outcome measures. The AF-test showed no significant independent value, and we question its use in LSF patients.