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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Coupling motions (CMs) are the motions occurring in different directions around the primary motion. As low back pain (LBP) is known to be associated with lumbar CMs, some studies measured lumbar CMs using the microelectromechanical system inertial measurement unit (MEMS-IMU) because of its low cost and small size. This study aimed to examine the reliability of lumbar CM measurements using the MEMS-IMU and to classify the individual characteristics of lumbar CMs. ⋯ Lumbar CM measurements obtained using the MEMS-IMU are reliable, and identifying the individual variations of lumbar CMs may be helpful for alleviating chronic or recurrent LBP.
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Dural tear (DT) resulting in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a common complication of spinal surgery. Most cases of DT are recognised and addressed intraoperatively; however, a small percentage of cases may present at a later stage with delayed symptoms of CSF leak, either due to an unrecognised intraoperative DT or as a result of a de novo delayed DT. Apart from few reports describing delayed symptomatic CSF leaks, most studies tend not to separate intraoperatively recognised DTs from delayed symptomatic CSF leaks. To our knowledge, there are no long-term studies describing specifically the incidence and management of this complication. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of late presentation of dural tear (LPDT) following lumbar spinal surgery, its treatment, associated complications and clinical outcomes from long-term follow-up in a consecutive series of patients. ⋯ A delayed symptomatic presentation of DT unrecognised intraoperatively is a specific complication that needs to be recognised and treated appropriately. A high suspicion and vigilance can help discover and address delayed CSF leaks with no long-term sequelae.
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The ratio of notochordal (NC) cells to mature nucleus pulposus (MNP) cells in the nucleus pulposus varies with species, age and health. Studies suggest that loss of NC cells is a key component of intervertebral disc degeneration. However, few studies have examined the phenotypes of these two cell populations. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate NC and MNP cells from the same intervertebral disc and study phenotypic differences in extracellular matrix production and cell morphology in 3D culture over 7 days. ⋯ NC and MNP cells can be isolated from the same bovine disc and maintain their distinct phenotypes in 3D culture.