bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spinal stability with anterior or posterior Ray threaded fusion cages
Authors: Hitchon Patrick W. , Goel Vijay , Rogge Thomas , Dooris Andrew , Drake John , Torner James 
Published: May 2009

Object. The authors conducted a study to determine if the rigidity supplied to the spine by posterior placement of the Ray threaded fusion cage (TFC) is further enhanced by the placement of pedicle screws and, additionally, if bilateral anteriorly placed TFCs render the spine more rigid than a single anteriorly placed TFC.
Methods. Ten human cadaveric spinal specimens (L2—S1) were affixed within a testing frame. Loads of 1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 Nm were applied to the spine in six degrees of freedom: flexion—extension, right and left lateral bending, and right and left axial rotation. Motion in an x, y, and z cartesian axis system was tracked using dual video cameras following light-emitting diodes attached to the spine and base plate. Load testing of the spines was performed in the intact mode, following which the spinal segments were randomized to receive anterior or posterior instrumentation. In five spine specimens we performed posterior discectomy, posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with placment of femoral rings and pedicle screws, PLIF with bilateral TFCs, and bilateral TFCs with pedicle screws. Five other spines underwent anterior-approach discectomy, followed by implantation of a unilateral cage and bilateral cages. Load testing was performed after each step.
Conclusion. Spines in which PLIF with pedicle screws and TFCs with pedicle screws were placed were more rigid than after discectomy in all directions of motion except flexion. Anterior discectomy provided significantly (p ≤ 0.05) less stability in left and right axial rotation than the intact spines and following posterior discectomy. Following anterior implantation of bilateral TFCs, spines were significantly more rigid than after discectomy in all directions except extension.
Microendoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy: a cadaveric model and clinical application for cervical radiculopathy
Authors: Burke Timothy G. , Caputy Anthony 
Published: May 2009

Object. Cervical radiculopathy caused by either soft herniated disc material or foraminal stenosis is a common problem. Anterior and posterior surgical approaches are commonly used to decompress the nerve root. The authors undertook a study to establish the feasibility of performing a microendoscopic posterior approach for cervical foraminotomy in the clinical setting.
Methods. The authors performed an endoscopic posterior foraminotomy technique in which they used a rigid endoscope, in both a cadaver model and in three clinical cases, including one in which a multiple-level procedure was undertaken. Postoperatively, all patients returned to functional work status within 4 weeks. The mean length of hospitalization was 1.3 days.
Conclusions. The advantages to this technique include improved intraoperative visualization, a smaller incision, and significantly less postoperative discomfort compared with a traditional keyhole approach.
Neurocutaneous vascular hamartomas mimicking Cobb syndrome
Authors: Wakabayashi Yukihiro , Isono Mitsuo , Shimomura Tsuyoshi , Tajima Atushi , Terashi Hiroto , Asada Yuuji , Izumi Tatsuro , Hori Shigeaki 
Published: May 2009

✓ The authors report the rare case of a patient with neurocutaneous vascular hamartomas mimicking Cobb syndrome. An 8-year-old boy was admitted to the authors' hospital with progressive urinary disturbance and upper back pain. Multiple skin nevi had been noted at the child's birth. Radiological examination revealed multiple cavernous angiomas in the spinal cord in the same metamere in which the skin nevi had been observed and also in the left cerebral hemisphere. His symptoms gradually improved without surgical intervention. Four years later he was readmitted because of a cerebral hemorrhage involving the left cerebral peduncle. Nonsurgical treatment was chosen because his symptoms promptly improved.
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of multiple cavernous angiomas in the brain and spinal cord associated with skin nevi. The authors discuss this clinical entity and the significance of the disease.
Use of calcitonin for the treatment of an odontoid fracture
Authors: Darakchiev Borimir J. , Bulas Robert V. , Dunsker Stewart B. 
Published: May 2009

✓ The authors report on the efficacy of nonsurgical treatment of an older patient with a fractured odontoid process. The patient, an 85-year-old woman, had multiple medical problems that put her at an increased surgery-related risk. Therefore, an alternative approach was elected, including immobilization with a Philadelphia collar and the provision of calcitonin nasal spray. Bone union and clinical recovery were achieved within 8 weeks of initiating the nasal calcitonin therapy (12 weeks postinjury). Considering the patient's age, comorbidities, and the severity of the fracture, the recovery period was unusually short. The authors believe that calcitonin played a pivotal role in the healing process of the fractured odontoid bone.
There is no question that the fusion in this patient could be unrelated to the medical therapy. This description of one patient, as well as the lack of a large randomized study, precludes any scientific conclusions. Nevertheless, the authors believe that the development of a successful fusion in this high-risk patient should be reported as an observation that merits confirmation and study.
The authors also discuss the physiological effects of calcitonin and the research and clinical experience with this hormone in different conditions affecting bone.
Evaluation of the 11th rib extrapleural—retroperitoneal approach to the thoracolumbar junction
Authors: Kim Miriam , Nolan Paul , Finkelstein Joel A. 
Published: May 2009

Object. The 11th rib extrapleural—retroperitoneal approach offers an alternative means for access to the thoracolumbar junction. It provides excellent operative exposure without the need to transgress the diaphragm, resulting in less morbidity and reduced risk of pulmonary complications. This approach, however, has been dismissed by many surgeons offering the unsubstantiated criticism that it affords limited access. Thus far, only technical descriptions of the operative procedure are available in the literature, without documentation of the clinical outcomes of these patients.
In the current study the authors describe the 11th rib extrapleural—retroperitoneal approach to the thoracolumbar junction, and they evaluate the associated early and late morbidity in these patients.
Methods. From September 1996 to August 1999, the authors collected prospective data of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for a variety of pathological conditions of the thoracolumbar junction via this approach. In 26 consecutive patients requiring an anterior spinal procedure, lesions located between T-10 and T-11 were studied and followed for a mean period of 17 months (range 1–36 months). There were 13 men and 13 women whose mean age was 47 years (range 16–80 years), with the following pathological entities: trauma (13 cases), neoplasm (six cases), infection (two cases), and deformity (five cases). There were no cases of neurological deterioration. There were no significant pulmonary complications, and only one patient required insertion of a postoperative chest tube.
Conclusions. The 11th rib extrapleural—retroperitoneal approach was successfully used to treat patients with a variety of lesions in the thoracolumbar junction and was associated with little morbidity. The authors believe that previous criticism suggesting that this approach provides only limited access is unsubstantiated.
Radical excision of intramedullary spinal cord tumors: surgical morbidity and long-term follow-up evaluation in 164 children and young adults
Authors: Constantini Shlomi , Miller Douglas C. , Allen Jeffrey C. , Rorke Lucy B. , Freed Diana , Epstein Fred J. 
Published: May 2009

Object. The majority of intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCT) in children and young adults are low-grade gliomas. Radical resection of similar tumors in the cerebral hemisphere or cerebellum is usually curative; however, the conventional management for IMSCTs remains partial resection followed by radiotherapy because of the concern for surgical morbidity. Nevertheless, radical resection of IMSCTs without routine adjuvant treatment has been the rule at our institution since 1980. In an attempt to resolve this controversy, the long-term morbidity and survival in a large series of children have been retrospectively reviewed.
Methods. The database records and current status of 164 patients 21 years of age and younger in whom an IMSCT was resected were reviewed. A gross-total resection (> 95%) was achieved in 76.8% of the surgical procedures. Subtotal resections (80–95%) were performed in 20.1%. The majority of patients (79.3%) had histologically low-grade lesions.
There were no deaths due to surgery. When comparing the preoperative and 3-month postoperative functional grades, 60.4% stayed the same, 15.8% improved, and 23.8% deteriorated. Only 13 patients deteriorated by more than one functional grade. Patients with either no deficits or only mild deficits before surgery were rarely injured by the procedure, reinforcing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
The major determinant of long-term patient survival was histological composition of the tumor. The 5-year progression-free survival rate was 78% for patients with low-grade gliomas and 30% for those with high-grade gliomas. Patients in whom an IMSCT was only partially resected (< 80%) fared significantly worse.
Conclusions. The long-term survival and quality of life for patients with low-grade gliomas treated by radical resection alone is comparable or superior to minimal resection and radiotherapy. The optimum therapy for patients with high-grade gliomas is yet to be determined.
Treatment of Down syndrome—associated craniovertebral junction abnormalities
Authors: Taggard Derek A. , Menezes Arnold H. , Ryken Timothy C. 
Published: May 2009

Object. Operative intervention for craniovertebral junction (CVJ) instability in patients with Down syndrome has become controversial, with reports of a low incidence of associated neurological dysfunction and high surgical morbidity rates. The authors analyzed their experience in light of these poor results and attempted to evaluate differences in management.
Methods. Medical and radiographic records of 36 consecutive patients with Down syndrome and CVJ abnormalities were reviewed. The most common clinical complaints included neck pain (15 patients) and torticollis (12 patients). Cervicomedullary compression was associated with ataxia and progressive weakness. Hyperreflexia was documented in a majority of patients (24 cases), and 13 patients suffered from varying degrees of quadriparesis. Upper respiratory tract infection precipitated the presentation in five patients. Four patients suffered acute neurological insults after a minor fall and two after receiving a general anesthetic agent.
Atlantoaxial instability was the most common radiographically observed abnormality (23 patients), with a rotary component present in 14 patients. Occipitoatlantal instability was also frequently observed (16 patients) and was coexistent with atlantoaxial dislocation in 15 patients. Twenty individuals had bone anomalies, the most frequent of which was os odontoideum (12 patients) followed by atlantal arch hypoplasia and bifid anterior or posterior arches (eight patients).
Twenty-seven patients underwent surgical procedures without subsequent neurological deterioration, and a 96% fusion rate was observed. In five of 11 patients basilar invagination was irreducible and required transoral decompression. Overall, 24 patients enjoyed good or excellent outcomes.
Conclusions. The results of this series highlight the clinicopathological characteristics of CVJ instability in patients with Down syndrome and suggest that satisfactory outcomes can be achieved with low surgical morbidity rates.
A randomized prospective study of an anterior cervical interbody fusion device with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up results
Authors: Hacker Robert J. 
Published: May 2009

Object. Despite variations in technique, inherent problems persist with current approaches to anterior cervical fusion. This study was performed to determine whether anterior cervical fusion performed using an investigational device was safe and effective in the treatment of degenerative cervical disc disorders and whether this device offered advantages over current techniques.
Methods. Fifty-four patients with radiculopathy with or without mild myelopathy due to one- or two-level cervical degenerative disc disease were randomized as part of a Food and Drug Administration device study. Following microsurgical discectomy, the control group was treated with iliac crest graft fusion; the experimental study group underwent insertion of an interspace cage and placement of a local autograft. All patients received postoperative follow-up care for at least 2 years.
Good or excellent results were found in approximately 97% of the experimental group and 88% of the control group. A solid fusion was achieved in all patients who underwent one-level cage placement, and a solid fusion at one or both levels was achieved in over 90% of both groups. Chronic donor site pain was reported by 31% of the control group.
Conclusions. In this study, the use of an interbody fusion cage avoided donor site morbidity and placement of autograft achieved a high rate of good or excellent results. Interbody fusion cages appear safe and effective, and their use helps to avoid some of the inherent problems in performing current anterior cervical fusion techniques.
Direct anterior screw fixation for recent and remote odontoid fractures
Authors: Apfelbaum Ronald I. , Lonser Russell R. , Veres Robert , Casey Adrian 
Published: May 2009

Object. The management of odontoid fractures remains controversial. Only direct anterior screw fixation provides immediate stabilization of the spine and may preserve normal C1–2 motion. To determine the indications, optimum timing, and results for direct anterior screw fixation of odontoid fractures, the authors reviewed the surgery-related outcome of patients who underwent this procedure at two institutions.
Methods. One hundred forty-seven consecutive patients (98 males and 49 females) who underwent direct anterior screw fixation for recent (≤ 6 months postinjury [129 patients]) or remote (≥ 18 months postinjury [18 patients]) Type II (138 cases) or III (nine cases) odontoid fractures at the University of Utah (94 patients) and National Institute of Traumatology in Budapest, Hungary (53 patients) between 1986 and 1998 are included in this study (mean follow up 18.2 months). Data obtained from clinical examination, review of hospital charts, operative findings, and imaging studies were used to analyze the surgery-related results in these patients.
In patients with recent fractures there was an overall bone fusion rate of 88%. The rate of anatomical bone fusion of recent fractures was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in fractures oriented in the horizontal and posterior oblique direction (compared with anterior oblique), but this finding was independent (p ≥ 0.05) of age, sex, number of screws placed (one or two), and the degree or the direction of odontoid displacement. In patients with remote fractures there was a significantly lower rate of bone fusion (25%). Overall, complications related to hardware failure occurred in 14 patients (10%) and those unrelated to hardware in three patients (2%). There was one death (1%) related to surgery.
Conclusions. Direct anterior screw fixation is an effective and safe method for treating recent odontoid fractures (< 6 months postinjury). It confers immediate stability, preserves C1–2 rotatory motion, and achieves a fusion rate that compares favorably with alternative treatment methods. In contradistinction, in patients with remote fractures (≥ 18 months postinjury) a significantly lower rate of fusion is found when using this technique, and these patients are believed to be poor candidates for this procedure.
Spinal nerve root repair and reimplantation of avulsed ventral roots into the spinal cord after brachial plexus injury
Authors: Carlstedt Thomas , Anand Praveen , Hallin Rolf , Vigay Misra Peter , Norén Georg , Seferlis Thanos 
Published: May 2009

Object. The authors review the first series of 10 cases in which injured intraspinal brachial plexus were surgically repaired. They describe the technique of spinal cord implantation or repair of ruptured nerve roots, as well as patient outcome.
Methods. Spinal root repair/implantation was performed from 10 days to 9 months postinjury. There were nine male patients and one female patient. Postoperatively in most cases, regeneration of motor neurons from the spinal cord to denervated muscles could be demonstrated. The first signs of regeneration were noted approximately 9 to 12 months postoperatively. Useful function with muscle power of at least Medical Research Council Grade 3 occurred in three of 10 cases. Magnetic brain stimulation studies revealed a normal amplitude and latency from the cortex to reinnervated muscles on surgically treated and control sides. A certain degree of cocontraction between antagonistic muscles (for example, biceps—triceps) compromised function. With time there was a reduction of cocontractions, probably due to spinal cord plasticity. In these cases there was also, surprisingly, a return of sensory function, although the mechanism by which this occurred is uncertain. Sensory stimulation (thermal and mechanical) within the avulsed dermatomes was perceived abnormally and/or experienced at remote sites. There was some return of patients' sense of joint position.
Conclusions. A short time lag between the accident and the surgery was recognized as a significant factor for a successful outcome. Reimplantation of avulsed nerve roots may be combined with other procedures such as nerve transfers in severe cases of brachial plexus injury.
In vitro biomechanical investigation of the stability and stress-shielding effect of lumbar interbody fusion devices
Authors: Kanayama Masahiro , Cunningham Bryan W. , Haggerty Charles J. , Abumi Kuniyoshi , Kaneda Kiyoshi , McAfee Paul C. 
Published: May 2009

Object. Interbody fusion devices are rapidly gaining acceptance as a method of ensuring lumbar interbody arthrodesis. Although different types of devices have been developed, the comparative reconstruction stability remains controversial. It also remains unclear how different stress-shielded environments are created within the devices. Using a calf spine model, this study was designed to compare the construct stiffness afforded by 11 differently designed lumbar interbody fusion devices and to quantify their stress-shielding effects by measuring pressure within the devices.
Methods. Sixty-six lumbar specimens obtained from calves were subjected to anterior interbody reconstruction at L4–5 by using one of the following interbody fusion devices: four different threaded fusion cages (BAK device, BAK Proximity, Ray TFC, and Danek TIBFD), five different nonthreaded fusion devices (oval and circular Harms cages, Brantigan PLIF and ALIF cages, and InFix device); two different types of allograft (femoral ring and bone dowel) were used. Construct stiffness was evaluated in axial compression, torsion, flexion, and lateral bending. Prior to testing, a silicon elastomer was injected into the cages and intracage pressures were measured using pressure needle transducers.
Conclusions. No statistical differences were observed in construct stiffness among the threaded cages and nonthreaded devices in most of the testing modalities. Threaded fusion cages demonstrated significantly lower intracage pressures compared with nonthreaded cages and structural allografts. Compared with nonthreaded cages and structural allografts, threaded fusion cages afforded equivalent reconstruction stiffness but provided more stress-shielded environment within the devices.
Effect of aluminum on neurological recovery in rats following spinal cord injury
Authors: Moutaery Khalaf Al , Deeb Saleh Al , Biary Nabil , Morais Christudas , Khan Haseeb Ahmad , Tariq Mohammad 
Published: May 2009

Object. This investigation was undertaken to study the effect of aluminum on neurobehavioral, electrophysiological, structural, and biochemical changes in rats following spinal cord injury (SCI).
Methods. Adult male Sprague—Dawley rats classified into different groups were given aluminum sulfate—dosed drinking water in the concentrations of 0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1%, respectively. After 30 days of aluminum treatment, the animals were subjected to spinal cord trauma. Laminectomy was performed at T7–8 in anesthetized rats, followed by placement of a compression plate (2.2 × 5 mm) loaded with a 35-g weight over the exposed spinal cord for 5 minutes. Control animals underwent the same surgical procedure, but the compression injury was not induced (sham). Postoperative neurological function was assessed using the inclined-plane test and by obtaining a modified Tarlov score and vocal/sensory score daily for 10 days. Electrophysiological changes were assessed using corticomotor evoked potentials, whereas pathological changes were assessed by light microscopy. The level of vitamin E in the spinal cord was measured as an index of antioxidant defense. The behavioral, biochemical, and histological analyses were performed in a blinded fashion.
Conclusions. Analysis of results obtained in the behavioral studies revealed that the compression of spinal cord produced transient paraparesis in which a maximum motor deficit occurred at Day 1 following SCI and resolved over a period of 10 days. Administration of aluminum significantly impaired the recovery following SCI. Analysis of the results of the biochemical, electrophysiological, and histopathological studies also confirmed the deleterious effects of aluminum on recovery from SCI in rats.
Rotational compression of the vertebral artery at the point of dural penetration
Authors: Akar Ziya , Kafadar Ali M. , Tanriover Necmettin , Dashti Reza S. , Islak Civan , Kocer Naci , Kuday Cengiz 
Published: May 2009

✓ Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) due to vertebral artery (VA) compression occurs in a significant number of patients. Rotational compression of the VA usually occurs below C-2, where the artery is pinched during head rotation, leading to thrombus formation and subsequent cerebellar infarction. Although this problem has been reported to occur at the atlantooccipital levels, a review of the literature revealed no published cases of VA compression at the point of dural penetration, which is located above the atlantooccipital membrane.
The authors report the case of a 30-year-old woman who presented with signs and symptoms of VBI. Dynamic angiography demonstrated left-sided VA compression at the site at which dural penetration had occurred, proximal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Surgical decompression of the left VA at the point of dural penetration relieved the symptoms, and postoperative dynamic angiography demonstrated complete resolution of the positional compression of the left VA. Because of these findings, an additional possible location for rotational compression of the VA is described, namely, the point of dural penetration. The authors suggest a method of surgically treating rotational VA compression at this site.