The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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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.
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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.
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Few studies have directly evaluated the association of lumbar lordosis and segmental wedging of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs with the prevalence of spinal degenerative features. ⋯ Significant associations were found between lumbar lordosis evaluated in supine position and segmental wedging of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs and the prevalence of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the association between spondylolysis, isthmic and degenerative spondylolisthesis and vertebral and disc wedging at the segmental level.