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
-
Lateral radiographs are commonly used to assess cervical sagittal alignment. Three assessment methods have been described and are commonly utilized in clinical practice. These methods are described for perfect lateral cervical radiographs, however in everyday practice radiograph quality varies. The aim of this study was to compare the reliability and reproducibility of 3 cervical lordosis (CL) measurement methods. ⋯ All three methods appeared to be highly reliable. Although, high agreement between all measurement methods was shown, we do not recommend using Cobb measurement method interchangeably with PTM or SPTM within a single study as this could lead to error, whereas, such a comparison between tangent methods can be considered.
-
Review Meta Analysis
The location of Modic changes in the lumbar spine: a meta-analysis.
This meta-analysis was to study the location of Modic changes in the lumbar spine. ⋯ In this study, Modic Changes was more common in the lowest two levels, especially in L5/S1. Additionally, the sub-types (type I and type II) were also more likely to appear in L5/S1. It appeared that there existed a correlation between MC and biomechanics. And it seemed that local biomechanical stress might contributed to the distribution of MC and the conversion of type I to type II for the patients treated conservatively.
-
To determine whether depression in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis is associated with an increased risk of thoracolumbar fragility fracture. ⋯ Depression is associated with a higher risk of thoracolumbar fracture, with more fracture pain and with lower quality of life in the 2 months following fracture.
-
Surgical treatment of Tarlov cysts is still a matter of debate. Published literature thus far includes mainly small case series with retrospective evaluation and short-term follow-up. We present a novel microsurgical technique that combines the decompression of the nerve fibers with the prevention of recurrence. The long-term follow-up is provided. ⋯ The inverted plication technique combined with sacroplasty is a promising technique. It improves pain and neurological deficits on the long term in the majority of patients with symptomatic Tarlov cysts.