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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Observational Study
Contributions of birthweight, annualised weight gain and BMI to back pain in adults: a population-based co-twin control study of 2754 Australian twins.
To investigate associations between anthropometric measures (birthweight, weight gain and current BMI) and back pain; and to determine whether these associations differ between those born with low or full birthweight. ⋯ Birthweight was not associated with prevalence of back pain in adulthood. Weight gain and current BMI were weakly associated with back pain prevalence in the total sample analysis but did not differ between those born with low or full birthweight. However, the small-magnitude association only just achieved significance and appeared to be confounded by genetics and the early shared environment. Our results suggest that a direct link between these predictors and back pain in adults is unlikely. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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The aim was to (1) verify our previous finding that endplates (EPs) display load-induced T2-changes, (2) investigate whether vertebrae display load-induced T2-changes and (3) investigate whether EPs and vertebrae in LBP patients and controls display T2-differences during conventional unloaded MRI and axial loaded MRI (alMRI). ⋯ This study demonstrated significantly higher EP and vertebral T2-values in LBP patients in comparison with controls. In addition, alMRI induced significant T2-changes in the superior EPs for patients but not for controls. Importantly, the T2-differences between the groups may indicate that EPs and vertebrae in LBP patients have altered biodynamical characteristics compared to controls and the higher T2-values measured in patients may represent early inflammation or impaired nutritional transport. These slides can be retrieved from electronic supplementary material.
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Abstract
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Case Reports
Idiopathic spinal cord herniation: consideration of its pathogenesis based on the histopathology of the dura mater.
We present a patient with idiopathic spinal cord herniation (ISCH) whose dura mater was histopathologically examined to elucidate its pathogenesis. ⋯ It is unclear whether the observed degeneration besides the ventral opening was the primary cause of ISCH or reflected secondary changes resulting from cumulative damage due to pulsation of the herniated spinal cord. However, the degeneration limited to the ventral opening suggests that ISCH was a local event in an individual with a normal dural theca.
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The purpose of this article is to report a successful treatment experience in a rare case of simultaneous cervical nerve root compression by spondylotic cervical foraminal stenosis and a vertebral artery loop. ⋯ This report illustrates the first phenomenon of a double crush syndrome caused by vertebral artery loop and cervical spondylotic changes. When patients with cervical spondylosis present with unexplainably severe pain and weakness, additional underlying pathologies should be considered when making differential diagnoses. The investigation planning should involve electromyography, computed tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging.