Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
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BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the accuracy of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the quantitative evaluation of lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) in carotid atherosclerotic plaques compared with histopathology, and to assess the association of LRNC size with cerebral ischemia symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty patients were enrolled and 19 patients (16 men and 3 women) were analyzed. All the patients were submitted to MRI on a Siemens Avanto (1.5-Tesla) device before carotid endarterectomy (CEA). ⋯ LRNC area percentages in the S- and NS-groups were 22.2±5.8% and 12.6±10.7%, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS MRI can quantitatively measure LRNC in carotid atherosclerotic plaques, and may be useful in predicting the rupture risk of plaques. These findings provide a basis for imaging use in individualized treatment plan.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Adjacent Segment Degeneration Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Versus the Bryan Cervical Disc Arthroplasty.
BACKGROUND Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is an established treatment for degenerative disease of the cervical disc, but adjacent segment degeneration or instability may develop long term. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for adjacent segment degeneration following ACDF compared with the use of the Bryan artificial disc for cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA). MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective comparative study included 93 patients who underwent ACDF or CDA with the Bryan artificial cervical disc between 2002 and 2004, and who had more than eight years of follow-up. ⋯ Univariate analysis showed that advanced age (OR 1.271, 95% CI 1.005-1.607), low preoperative overall lordosis (OR 0.858, 95% CI 0.786-0.936) and low preoperative segmental lordosis (OR 1.185, 95% CI 1.086-1.193) were significantly correlated with adjacent segment degeneration. CONCLUSIONS Equally good clinical outcomes were achieved with both the ACDF and the Bryan CDA. Increasing patient age was associated with adjacent segment degeneration in both patient groups.