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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Few studies have measured the amount of indirect decompression at the contralateral neural foramen after unilateral-approach minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MITLIF). This study examined the amount of intraoperative indirect decompression at the contralateral neural foramen after a unilateral-approach MITLIF in patients with bilateral foraminal stenosis. ⋯ Quantitative and qualitative parameters of the central canal and contralateral neural foramen increased significantly after unilateral-approach MITLIF.
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Posttraumatic abducens nerve palsy is well documented following head injury, but only few case reports exist on sixth nerve palsy after cervical spine trauma. Bilateral abducens palsy following vertical C1-C2 ligamentous distraction has not been described yet. ⋯ We hypothesize that ligamentous C1-C2 distraction leads to caudal displacement of the brainstem in relation to the cranial base causing traction injury to the abducens nerve at its entry into Dorello's canal in the cavernous sinus.
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Anterior iliac crest bone is a widely used donor site for bone harvesting. It provides an autologous bone graft consisting of cancellous bone that can be packed or cortical bone with greater structural support. Uses include spinal fusion and fracture non-union surgery. Although its use is common, dedicated anatomical and radiological studies analysing graft dimensions and optimal harvesting site in relation to local anatomical landmarks [anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), anterior iliac tubercle (AIT) and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN)] have not been described. ⋯ This anatomical and radiographic study determined the anatomical iliac crest landmarks to avoid neurological injury when taking an optimal 5-mm-width tricortical bone graft.
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To present case of vertebral artery duplication surrounding the posterior arch of atlas. ⋯ Precise diagnostic imaging is necessary before surgical interventions at the level of cranio-spinal junction in order to avoid conflict with rare vascular variations.
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Symptomatic disc herniations in the thoracolumbar spine between T10/11 and L1/2 can be collectively called thoracolumbar disc herniation (TLDH). The etiology of this disorder is unclear. However, it is interesting that we have noted numerous TLDH patients have radiographic features of another spinal disorder which is Scheuermann's disease (SD). The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between symptomatic TLDH and SD in a symptomatic TLDH cohort. ⋯ The high proportion of associated SD and the tendency of SD's signs to promote disc herniation in symptomatic TLDH patients suggest a close relationship between these two disorders. Symptomatic TLDH should be seen as a truly different surgical entity, that is, a special form of SD rather than just an indicator of a failing back.