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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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of surgery on locomotor ability in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and compare the results between elderly and younger patients. ⋯ Decompression surgery can improve locomotor ability and decrease nursing care requirements among elderly patients with CSM. However, other neurological diseases can co-exist in elderly patients, making it difficult to diagnose the origin of locomotor disability. Therefore, detailed peri-operative work-up and timely decompression should be given priority to avoid progression towards fixed locomotor disability.
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To evaluate the outcome of pure percutaneous fixation of unstable single level fractures at the thoraco-lumbar junction (A1 to B2 Magerl/AO Spine). ⋯ When feasible we recommend a pure percutaneous short segment pedicle screw fixation adding a lordorizing screw.
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Lumbar disc degeneration may be associated with intensity of neovascularization in disc herniations. Our study was designed to evaluate how much the severity of histodegeneration is related to the development of neovascularization and to the level of pleiotrophin in the herniated lumbar discs. ⋯ Severe histodegeneration of the lumbar disc herniations is associated with enhanced neovascularization and potentially also spontaneous regression of the herniated tissue.
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Spondylolisthesis surgical treatment is often difficult with higher degree of slip and related techniques still debated. We have taken into consideration double thread recoil Schanz screws. This system should allow the best reduction of the slip, treating only the affected vertebrae. ⋯ Fixation system with Schanz screws seems to be effective in reducing the slip, treating only the affected level, in high grade of spondylolisthesis.
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To study family history in relation to curve severity, gender, age at diagnosis and treatment in idiopathic scoliosis. ⋯ Larger curve sizes were found in patients with a family history of scoliosis than in the ones without. No relation between family history and gender or between family history and age at onset of idiopathic scoliosis was found. Although the presence of a family history of scoliosis may not be a strong prognostic risk factor, it indicates that these patients are at higher risk of developing a more severe curve.