The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
-
Meta Analysis
Outcomes after spine surgery among racial/ethnic minorities: a meta-analysis of the literature.
Prior research has identified disparities in access to care, resource utilization, and outcomes in members of racial and ethnic minorities. However, the role that race/ethnicity may play in influencing outcomes after spine surgery has not been previously studied. ⋯ In light of the small number of studies able to be included in the meta-analysis, no firm conclusions can be drawn regarding the effect of race/ethnicity on outcome after spinal surgery. There is a pressing need for more robust research regarding spine surgical outcomes among different racial and ethnic minority groups.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of clinical effectiveness of cervical transforaminal steroid injection according to different radiological guidances (C-arm fluoroscopy vs. computed tomography fluoroscopy).
Transforaminal steroid injection using C-arm fluoroscopy has been regarded as a useful method of treatment for cervical herniated disc. But C-arm fluoroscopy cannot identify soft tissue; so there is controversy about its safety and efficacy. Computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy permits precise anatomical resolution and has the potential to offer a safer technique compared with C-arm fluoroscopy. ⋯ The CT group, without any side effects, showed the better effectiveness than the C-arm group in the improvement of radiating pain and functional status in patients with cervical disc herniation. Therefore, CT fluoroscopy can be a substitute for C-arm fluoroscopy in transforaminal steroid injection when treating patients with cervical disc herniation.