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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It is a retrospective analysis of 1806 consecutive cervical magnetic resonance images taken in weight-bearing flexion, neutral, and extension positions. ⋯ II (Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding). These slides can be retrieved from Electronic Supplementary Material.
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The pathomechanism of annulus fibrosus (AF) failure is still unknown. We hypothesise that mechanical overload and an inflammatory microenvironment contribute to AF structural weakening. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the influence of these factors on the AF, particularly the translamellar bridging network (TLBN) which connects the AF lamellae. ⋯ Our findings suggest that CTS and IL-1β act synergistically to increase pro-inflammatory and catabolic molecules within the AF, particularly the TLBN, leading to a weakening of the tissue. This standardised model enables the investigation of AF/TLBN structure-function relationship and is a platform to test AF-focused therapeutics. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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This retrospective study determined the rate of osteoarthritis and spontaneous facet joint fusion and analyzed risk factors related to patient characteristics, fracture type or surgical technique on pre- and postoperative CT after percutaneous instrumentation in thoracolumbar fractures. ⋯ Occurrence or worsening of osteoarthritis was mainly observed in elderly patients with cement-augmented screws and spontaneous facet fusion in elderly patients with high BMI and preoperative osteoarthritis, or in anteriorly fused B-type injuries. Thus, percutaneous instrumentation can safely be removed after fracture consolidation in younger patients while preserving facet joints.
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To investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with dysfunctional low back pain (LBP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ The factors associated with dysfunctional LBP in patients with RA were more vertebral fractures, higher DAS-28CRP, vertebral endplate and/or facet erosion, higher BMI, longer disease duration, greater PT, older onset age, greater SVA, and less MTX use. Strictly controlling patients' body weight and disease activity with MTX and avoiding spinopelvic malalignment through vertebral fracture prevention are important. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Case Reports
Traumatic hyperextension-distraction injuries of the thoracolumbar spine: a technical note on surgical positioning.
Hyperextension-distraction type injury of the thoracolumbar spine is an unstable fracture pattern that generally necessitates surgical stabilization by posterior instrumentation. Care must be taken when positioning these patients from supine to prone due to the unstable nature of their injury. The study objectives were (1) to describe a novel modification of the Jackson table turn technique, which may be safer and more effective than the conventional log-roll method and traditional Jackson table technique for positioning patients with hyperextension-distraction injuries of the thoracolumbar spine from supine to prone in the operating room and (2) to present two cases in which this technique was successfully performed. ⋯ This technique is safe and effective for positioning patients with hyperextension-distraction type injuries of the thoracolumbar spine from supine to prone in the operating room and may be superior to conventional methods. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.