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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With more cement augmentation procedures done, the occurrence of serious complications is also expected to rise. Symptomatic central cement embolization is a rare but very serious complication. Moreover, the pathophysiology and treatment of intrathoracic cement embolism remain controversial. ⋯ After cement augmentation, close clinical monitoring is mandatory. A chest CT is pivotal in determining the interdisciplinary management approach in view of the availability of necessary expertise, facilities and the location of the cement emboli whether accessible by cardiac or vascular surgical means. The clinical presentation and its timing may vary and the patient may be seen subsequently by other health care providers obligating a wide-spread awareness for this serious entity among health care providers for this age group as spine surgeons, family and emergency room doctors, and institutional or home-care nurses. Most symptomatic central cement emboli may be treated conservatively.
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The authors declare that when writing their article [1] they referenced two previously published papers [2, 3]. Several sentences on pages 807, 808, and 813 were similar to sentences from these two previously published articles.
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The interrelations between age-related muscle deterioration (sarcopenia) and vertebral fractures have been suggested based on clinical observations, but the biomechanical relationships have not been explored. The study aim was to investigate the effects of muscle ageing and sarcopenia on muscle recruitment patterns and spinal loads, using musculoskeletal multi-body modelling. ⋯ The study highlights the distinct and detrimental consequences of sarcopenia, in contrast to normal ageing, on spinal loading and required muscular effort. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Review Meta Analysis
Single balloon versus double balloon bipedicular kyphoplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Kyphoplasty has been widely used to treat vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). In standard procedure of kyphoplasty, two balloons were inserted into the vertebral body through bipedicular and inflated simultaneously, while using a single balloon two times is also a common method in clinic to lessen the financial burden of patients. However, the effect and safety of single balloon versus double balloon bipedicular kyphoplasty are still controversy. ⋯ This systematic review and meta-analysis collectively concludes that single balloon bipedicular kyphoplasty is as effective as double balloon bipedicular kyphoplasty in improving clinical symptoms, deformity and complications of VCFs but not so expensive. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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To analyze clinical, radiographic and magnetic resonance findings that might predict risk of complications and conservative treatment failure of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. ⋯ Shape and level of the fracture were risk factors associated with the progression of collapse, pseudoarthrosis, kyphotic deformity and neurologic impairment. MRI findings were often related to the failure of conservative treatment. If prognosis can be predicted at the early fracture stage, more aggressive treatment options, rather than conservative ones, might be considered.