Journal of spinal disorders
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The authors report a case of thoracic spinal cord stab injury with neurologic impairment that was treated surgically after injury. A literature review and case analysis indicate that surgical extraction of foreign bodies retained within the spinal canal is indicated to avoid infection, delayed myelopathy, and neurologic loss. The amount of motor and functional recovery for incomplete injuries after spinal cord stab wound can be strikingly good despite pathologic changes to severely damaged areas, and removal of retained intraspinal metallic fragment can improve this neurologic outcome. Open removal of the knife seems preferable to avoid bleeding and infection.
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The sagittal profiles of the cervical and lumbar spine have not been studied in Scheuermann kyphosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate these profiles. Standing lateral radiographs of the spine in 34 children with Scheuermann kyphosis were reviewed. ⋯ Correlations were noted between cervical lordosis and lumbar lordosis (r2 = 0.17, Cobb angle; r2 = 0.16, PVBA) and between cervical lordosis and the residual sagittal difference (thoracic kyphosis minus lumbar lordosis; r2 = 0.32, p = 0.001 [Cobb angle], and r2 = 0.19, p = 0.01 [PVBA]). In Scheuermann kyphosis, the flexible cervical and lumbar spine is linked by the intermediate rigid thoracic segment. As the residual sagittal difference becomes more kyphotic, lordosis of the cervical spine increases as the patient strives to maintain a forward visual gaze.