Global spine journal
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Global spine journal · Oct 2015
Inter- and Intraobserver Agreement of Morphological Grading for Central Lumbar Spinal Stenosis on Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Study Design Validation study of a morphological grading system for central lumbar spinal stenosis. Objective To evaluate and validate the inter- and intraobserver agreement of a morphological grading system for central lumbar spinal stenosis on magnetic resonance imaging between neurosurgeons and radiologists. Methods Two neurosurgeons and two radiologists independently assessed the morphological grading of lumbar spinal stenosis on pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging of 84 patients. ⋯ The clinicians' intraobserver agreement was almost perfect, and the radiologists' intraobserver agreement was substantial. Conclusions The interobserver agreement of this morphological grading for lumbar spinal stenosis was high between both the clinicians and radiologists, whereas the intraobserver agreement was almost perfect. Experienced clinicians may safely evaluate lumbar magnetic resonance images using this morphological grading for central lumbar spinal stenosis.
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Global spine journal · Oct 2015
ReviewThe Relationship between Preoperative Expectations and the Short-Term Postoperative Satisfaction and Functional Outcome in Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review.
Study Design Systematic review. Objective To examine the relationship between the patient's preoperative expectations and short-term postoperative satisfaction and functional outcome in lumbar spine surgery. Methods The Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were queried using a predefined search algorithm to identify all lumbar spine studies analyzing the influence of preoperative expectations on postoperative satisfaction and functional outcome. ⋯ Conclusions on the influence of the expectations for pain were limited due to the study heterogeneity, but the evidence suggests a positive correlation between the expectation and outcome for back and leg pain. Conclusions Positive expectations correlated significantly with short-term postoperative satisfaction and functional outcome, including higher SF-36 scores, earlier return to work, and decreased ODI scores. Future expectation-based investigations will benefit from implementation of the standardized methods of expectation, satisfaction, and outcome analysis discussed herein.
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Global spine journal · Oct 2015
Distal Junctional Disease after Occipitothoracic Fusion for Rheumatoid Cervical Disorders: Correlation with Cervical Spine Sagittal Alignment.
Study Design Retrospective radiographic study. Objective We have performed occipitothoracic (OT) fusion for severe rheumatoid cervical disorders since 1991. In our previous study, we reported that the distal junctional disease occurred in patients with fusion of O-T4 or longer due to increased mechanical stress. ⋯ There were no significant differences between the two groups. The difference in the O-C7 angle (postoperative angle - preoperative angle) in group F was significantly larger than that in group N (p = 0.04). Conclusion Excessive correction of the O-C7 angle (hyperlordotic alignment) is likely to cause postoperative distal junctional disease following the OT fusion.
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Global spine journal · Aug 2015
Case ReportsIntradural Neurocysticercosis of Lumbar Spine: A Case Report.
Study Design Case report. Objective Cysticercosis (parasitic infection caused by Taenia solium) is the most common parasitic infection of the nervous system. However, spinal neurocysticercosis is rare. ⋯ Histopathologic examination confirmed neurocysticercosis. The perianal sensation and the bladder control recovered completely. Conclusion Neurocysticercosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with a similar picture, and urgent surgical decompression should be attempted to prevent further worsening of the neurologic symptoms.
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Study Design Narrative review. Objective To elucidate the current concepts in diagnosis and treatment of traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis. Methods Literature review using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases. ⋯ In rare cases (irreducible locked facet joints, the necessity of decompression of the vertebral artery, contraindication for anterior approach), a posterior approach is sometimes necessary. Isolated direct screw osteosynthesis is of little value, because it only makes sense in cases with an intact C2-C3 disk, which is usually regarded as stable and therefore might be treated conservatively. Conclusions Overall, the clinical evidence regarding traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis is very low and mainly based on small case series, expert opinion, laboratory findings, and theoretical considerations.