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
-
Case Reports Webcasts
C4 anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
-
Neurogenic bladder is a common complication of several central nervous system injuries. Statins and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors are reportedly beneficial in neural injuries and urinary system dysfunction. The effect of simvastatin, sildenafil and tadalafil on several renal function indices of an animal model of neurogenic bladder was investigated. ⋯ Statins can effectively improve the motor and renal functions in a condition of renal dysfunction in a rat model of neurogenic bladder. PDE-5 inhibitors could help to improve motor function, but are not helpful in renal function, at least in short time.
-
Retro-odontoid pseudotumor, not related to inflammatory or traumatic conditions, is an uncommon pathology. Atlanto-axial instability has been advocated to explain the pathophysiology of retro-odontoid pseudotumor's formation and growth. Despite pseudotumor direct removal through transoral or lateral approach represented the main surgical strategy for a long time, in the last decade several authors highlighted the possibility to treat retro-odontoid pseudotumor by occipito-cervical or C1-C2 fixation without removal of the intracanalar tissue. The goal of this study is to analyze the data collected in a series of patients suffering from cervical myelopathy due to non-inflammatory, degenerative retro-odontoid pannus and treated by posterior C1-C2 fixation. The relevant literature is also reviewed. ⋯ Although the etiopathogenesis of non-inflammatory, i.e., degenerative, retro-odontoid pseudotumor is still controversial, our series (the second largest on degenerative retro-odontoid pannus in the literature) confirms that a posterior approach may be sufficient and transoral surgery is not required.
-
Due to their properties and characteristics human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to have great therapeutic potential. Many different populations of MSCs have been described and to understand whether they have equivalent biological properties is a critical issue for their therapeutic application. ⋯ The ability of vertebrae-derived MSCs in terms of expansion and differentiation is very interesting at the light of a clinical application for bone fusion in spine surgery.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Ultrasound-guided versus computed tomography-controlled periradicular injections in the middle and lower cervical spine: a prospective randomized clinical trial.
We conducted this study to evaluate accuracy, time saving, radiation doses, safety, and pain relief of ultrasound (US)-guided periradicular injections versus computed tomography (CT)-controlled interventions in the cervical spine in a prospective randomized clinical trial. ⋯ US-guided periradicular injections are accurate, result in a significant reduction of procedure expenditure under the avoidance of radiation and show the same therapeutic effect as CT-guided periradicular injections.