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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Anatomical landmarks and their relation to the lumbar vertebrae are well described in subjects with normal spine anatomy, but not for subjects with lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV), in whom correct numbering of the vertebrae is challenging and can lead to wrong-level treatment. The aim of this study was to quantify the value of different anatomical landmarks for correct identification of the lumbar vertebra level in subjects with LSTV. ⋯ While anatomical landmarks are not always reliable, the 'iliac crest tangent sign' can be used without advanced knowledge in MRI to most accurately number the vertebrae in subjects with LSTV, if only a lumbar spine MRI is available.
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To investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and the association with home posture habits while watching TV and using the computer in adolescents. ⋯ Our findings support the high prevalence and the substantial impact of LBP in late adolescence and add the association with inappropriate home postural habits.
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Odontoid fracture fixation allows for early mobilisation out of orthosis. Both anterior and posterior fixation techniques have been described but anterior surgery has less post-operative morbidity through the use of natural cleavage planes. We described the use of anterior transarticular stabilisation as a salvage procedure following a failed odontoid screw fixation.
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Wound infection rates are generally higher in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastasis. Risk factors of wound infection in these patients are poorly understood. ⋯ Risk of infection is high (17.9 %) in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastasis. Seven or more vertebral levels of surgery increase the risk of infection significantly (p < 0.05). Low albumin level and presence of neurological disability appear to show a trend towards increased risk of infection. Use of absorbable skin closure material, age, low lymphocyte count, peri-operative administration of corticosteroids and MUST score do not appear to influence the risk of infection.
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Goldenhar syndrome consists of a combination of unilateral auricular appendages, auricular fistulas, and ocular epibulbar dermoids combined with a unilateral underdevelopment of the craniofacial structures and vertebral abnormalities. We aimed to elicit the underlying spine pathology in a group of patients via tomographic assessment. ⋯ The importance of this paper is threefold; first, little information is available in the literature regarding the magnitude and the diversity of spine pathology in patients with Goldenhar syndrome. Second, is to alert spine specialists that conventional radiographic assessment of the craniocervical area is an insufficient modality to assess children with syndromic associations. Third, a rotation and flexion deformity of the neck associated with facial asymmetry and/or plagiocephaly should be considered as a syndromic entity rather than a simple physiological deformation.