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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Previous studies have investigated sensory recovery in patients with lumbar disc herniation using rather subjective methods. There have been no reports on changes of sensory function in patients suffering from a preoperative sensory deficit using quantitative sensory testing (QST). The aims of this prospective study were (1) to assess the recovery of preoperative sensory dysfunction after lumbar sequestrectomy and (2) to quantify the strength of relationship between a sensory deficit and the patient's quality of life. ⋯ Our data clearly show that there is a subjective and quantifiable improvement in sensory dysfunction postoperatively. The current data suggest that a sensory dysfunction does not influence a patient's quality of life.
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This technical note presents, to the authors' knowledge, the first reported case of a hybrid pedicle-cortical screw system for instrumented fusion in a patient with congenital vertebral column deformity. ⋯ Cortical screw fixation may serve to be helpful in augmenting pedicle screw fixation and in circumstances in which the bone quality is suboptimal or the pedicles are compromised. Cortical screw fixation is a relatively new technology, but it may prove to be invaluable in providing an adjunct to pedicle screw constructs in anatomically distorted or osteoporotic spines.
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The present report intended to introduce the hemilaminoplasty technique and evaluate the efficacy of our surgical procedure for LISCs. ⋯ These lesions could be regarded as a result of facet arthrosis/instability and repetitive facet minor trauma with herniation of synovium through the defective joint capsule. Improvement in lumbago and leg pain may be a consequence of complete cyst resection via hemilaminoplasty plus partial facetectomy with anatomical reconstruction of the posterior spinal elements.
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To determine whether the presence of intervertebral bridging ossifications is associated with intravertebral cleft (IVC) formation following a vertebral compression fracture (VCF). ⋯ A fresh VCF with bridging ossification at the second proximal intervertebral level is associated with increased risk of IVC formation. Careful observation and strict conservative treatment are recommended in such cases.
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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.