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Eur Spine J 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Guoxuexiang No. 37, Wuhouqu, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.

Purpose: POEMS syndrome is a rare clonal plasma cell disease characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, and skin changes. We report a rare case of neurological impairment in patients with concurrent cervical disc herniation and POEMS syndrome.

Methods: A patient presented to a local hospital with C3/4 and C4/5 disc herniation, apparent spinal cord compression concomitant with neurological signs, and concurrent POEMS syndrome. Read More

Spine J 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Rd, Chengdu, 610041, China. Electronic address:

Background Context: Surgery for cervical degenerative disc disorder (CDDD) at two noncontiguous segments is infrequent. Few studies have explored the biomechanical effects on the intermediate adjacent segment of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) in this situation. No study has examined biomechanical differences between ACDF and hybrid surgery (HS) constructs for noncontiguous CDDD. Read More

J Orthop Case Rep 2018 Sep-Oct;8(5):11-14

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

Introduction: Entrapment of the suprascapular nerve is an uncommon but important differential in patients who present with posterior shoulder pain. Frequently misdiagnosed as rotator cuff or cervical disc disease, this increasingly recognized entity can result from traction-related or compression-related etiology. Two sites of compression include the suprascapular and spinoglenoid notches with the latter less commonly encountered. Read More

Curr Opin Neurol 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Neurology.

Purpose Of Review: To describe a recently characterized autoimmune, inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disorder known as autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy.

Recent Findings: Affected patients present with symptoms of one or more of meningitis (headache and neck ache), encephalitis (delirium, tremor, seizures, or psychiatric symptoms), and myelitis (sensory symptoms and weakness). Optic disc papillitis (blurred vision) is common. Read More

Anesth Pain Med 2018 Dec 19;8(6):e84140. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Neurosurgery, Scanmed St. Raphael Hospital, Cracow, Poland.

Background: Daily clinical practice shows us how diametrically different surgical outcomes can occur in particular groups of patients sharing the same diagnosis and being subjected to the same treatment. Patient-reported outcomes appear to be significantly influenced by social factors and patients' emotional status. Data on such variables were collated and analyzed statistically with the aim of confirming our clinical observations. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019 Jan 31;20(1):49. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Rd, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.

Background: Moderately increased motion at the intermediate segment (IS) after skip-level fusion may accelerate disc degeneration. However, limited biomechanical data are available that examine the effects on the IS following cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA). The purpose of this study is to investigate the biomechanical changes in the IS of the cervical spine after skip-level fusion or skip-level arthroplasty. Read More

Physiother Theory Pract 2019 Jan 27:1-8. Epub 2019 Jan 27.

a Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden.

Introduction: Symptoms of dizziness or imbalance are often present in individuals with a variety of neck-disorders. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of patient-reported balance problems and dizziness 10-13 years after surgery for cervical degenerative disc disease; evaluate associations with neck pain and health-related quality of life; and investigate how these individuals described dizziness.

Material And Methods: Sixty-eight individuals, 10 years or more after anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery, who previously participated in a randomized controlled trial were included. Read More

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate its effect on the restoration and maintenance of cervical sagittal alignment in usual cervical degenerative diseases without preoperative sagittal malalignment.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 108 patients who were diagnosed with degenerative cervical disease and underwent ACDF (allograft and plating) with > 1-year follow-up. For radiographic evaluation, we analysed segmental and C2-7 cervical lordosis, disc height, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 slope, and T1 slope minus C2-7 lordosis (T1S - CL) in lateral X-ray. Read More

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2019 Jan 4;62:34-41. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA; Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.

Background: Cervical fusion is associated with adjacent segment degeneration. Cervical disc arthroplasty is considered an alternative to reduce risk of adjacent segment disease. Kinematics after arthroplasty should closely replicate healthy in vivo kinematics to reduce adjacent segment stresses. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2019 Jan 11:1-9. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

1Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala.

OBJECTIVEThe method of artificial disc replacement (ADR) has been developed as an alternative treatment to fusion surgery after decompression for cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD) with radiculopathy. Preserving the motion of ADR devices aims to prevent immobilization side effects such as adjacent-segment pathology (ASP). However, long-term follow-up evaluations using MRI are needed to investigate if this intent is achieved. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Study Design: This study retrospectively analyzes prospectively collected data.

Objective: Here in this study we aim to determine the factors which impact a patient's ability to RTW in the setting of cervical spine surgery in patients without worker's compensation status.

Summary Of Background Data: Surgical management of degenerative cervical disease has proven cost-effectiveness and shown significant improvement in quality of life. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.

Study Design: A retrospective single-center study.

Objective: This study sought to clarify the risk factors and to evaluate the surgical outcome in patients with rapidly progressive cervical spondylotic myelopathy (rp-CSM).

Summary Of Background Data: CSM is a degenerative spine disease presenting a slow development of myelopathy. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2019 Mar 21;13:122-126. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI), 1440 Main Street, Suite 201, Waltham, MA, 02451, USA.

Aim: To report a case of bilateral papillitis as the initial ophthalmologic presentation in a patient with complex medical history and multisystemic symptoms, eventually revealing a diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Methods: Retrospective interventional case report.

Report: A 54-year-old Caucasian woman presented with bilateral decreased vision, photophobia and eye pain for a month. Read More

Int Orthop 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

Introduction: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) was developed to decrease the rate of symptomatic adjacent-level disease while preserving motion in the cervical spine.

Methods: The objectives of this paper are to provide criteria for proper patient selection as well as to present a comprehensive literature review of the current evidence for CDA, including randomized studies, the most recent meta-analysis findings, and long-term follow-up clinical trials as well.

Results: Currently, there are several prospective randomized controlled studies of level I of evidence attesting to the safety and efficacy of CDA in the management of cervical spondylotic disease (CSD) for one- or two-level degenerative diseases. Read More

Acta Neurochir Suppl 2019 ;125:71-78

Department of Neurosurgery, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.

Aim: In this paper the role of atlantoaxial and multilevel subaxial spinal instability as the primary nodal point of the pathogenesis of degenerative cervical spinal disease-related myelopathy, and the focus of surgical treatment for it, is evaluated.

Materials And Methods: The series analyses the treatment of 73 patients with single or multilevel degenerative cervical spinal disease by fixation of the involved spinal segment(s) alone, aimed at arthrodesis. No bone decompression or disc/osteophyte resection was done. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People Hospital, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, China. Electronic address:

Objective: To explore the appropriate range of C0-C2 correction angles by analyzing cervical sagittal alignment parameters and evaluating clinical outcomes.

Methods: The preoperative and postoperative radiographs, visual analogue scale, Japanese Orthopedic Association score, and neck disability index of 65 atlantoaxial dislocation patients were retrospectively collected. The C0-C2 angle, C2-C7 angle, and cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) were measured from the radiographs, and an assessment of cervical degenerative disc disease was made. Read More

Adv Exp Med Biol 2018 ;1085:187-189

Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an autosomal recessive multisystem disorder that involves the skin, GI tract, and heart, as well as the eye. It affects approximately 1 in 50,000 people worldwide and is seen twice as frequently in females as in males. Fundus findings include angioid streaks (Fig. Read More

Global Spine J 2018 Dec 24;8(8):776-783. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

The Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) demonstrates reliable improvement in neurologic symptoms associated with anterior compression of the cervical spine. There is a paucity of data on outcomes following 4-level ACDFs. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Feb 12;110:677-684. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Acupuncture, Qianfo Shan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250014, China.

Cervical spondylosis (CS), which is resulted from degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc, is a common disease seriously threatening human health and quality of life. However, there is still no effective clinic strategies for the treatment of this disease. The acupoint stimulation with needle-scalpel is a widely used approach to treat orthopedic diseases. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):522-528

East Coast Orthopedics, Pompano, FL, USA.

Background: Due to increased postoperative complications with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), there has been an increasing interest in the use of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA). Advancements in prosthetic designs and techniques have improved patient reported outcome measurements and minimized revision rates. There is a paucity in the literature regarding recent trends in CDA utilization and revision rates. Read More

Neurospine 2018 Dec 14;15(4):296-305. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA), or total disc replacement, has emerged as an option in the past two decades for the management of 1- and 2-level cervical disc herniation and spondylosis causing radiculopathy, myelopathy, or both. Multiple prospective randomized controlled trials have demonstrated CDA to be as safe and effective as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, which has been the standard of care for decades. Moreover, CDA successfully preserved segmental mobility in the majority of surgical levels for 5-10 years. Read More

J Pain Res 2018 14;11:2853-2857. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Care, Virginia iSpine Physicians, PC Virginia Spine Research Institute, Inc Richmond, VA, USA.

Cervical intervertebral disc has long been considered a common source of neck pain. However, the pain caused by the disc itself has not been clearly defined so far, and its diagnosis and treatment has always been controversial. Degenerative cervical disc has a rich supply of nerve fibers, is prone to inflammatory reactions, and is susceptible to pain that can be provoked by disc stimulation or distention, and can be eliminated by block. Read More

Neurospine 2018 Dec 9;15(4):376-382. Epub 2018 Sep 9.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with inpatient admission following 2-level cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA). A secondary aim was to compare outcomes between those treated on an inpatient versus outpatient basis.

Methods: Using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent effect of each variable on inpatient or outpatient selection for surgery. Read More

PLoS One 2018 29;13(11):e0208255. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America.

Background: The spectrum of motor neuron disease (MND) includes numerous phenotypes with various life expectancies. The degree of upper and lower motor neuron involvement can impact prognosis. Phase sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) imaging has been shown to detect in vivo gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) atrophy in the spinal cord of other patient populations but has not been explored in MND. Read More

J Korean Neurosurg Soc 2019 Jan 30;62(1):83-89. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Neurosurgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: This study is a retrospective cost-benefit analysis of cervical anterior interbody fusion and cervical artificial disc replacement, which are the main surgical methods to treat degenerative cervical disc disease.

Methods: We analyzed 156 patients who underwent anterior cervical disc fusion and cervical artificial disc replacement from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009, diagnosed with degenerative cervical disc disorder. In this study, the costs and benefits were analyzed by using quality adjusted life year (QALY) as the outcome index for patients undergoing surgery, and a Markov model was used for the analysis. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2018 Oct 1:1-9. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

OBJECTIVEThe long-term efficacy of artificial disc replacement (ADR) surgery compared with fusion after decompression for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy has not previously been investigated in a population-based setting.METHODSAll patients with cervical degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy who were in the national Swedish Spine Registry (Swespine) beginning in January 1, 2006, were eligible for the study. Follow-up information was obtained up to November 15, 2017. Read More

Asian Spine J 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong.

Study Design: A retrospective review of patients who underwent 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with standalone polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of stand-alone PEEK cage in 2-level cervical interbody fusion for CSM.

Overview Of Literature: ACDF is a standard surgical procedure to treat degenerative disc disease. Read More

Int Orthop 2018 Nov 23. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.

Purpose: Adjacent segment degeneration (ASDeg) and disease (ASDis) have become major concerns after fusion surgery. However, there is no definitive data or knowledge about the incidence or risk factors. The review discusses the incidence and risk factors and prevention of ASDeg and ASDis in the relevant literature. Read More

J Pediatr 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Objective: To review pediatric idiopathic intervertebral disc calcification (PIIVDC) within a single center and within the literature to outline the disease course, management, and outcome.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review was performed spanning the period between January 2001 and February 2016 for diagnoses of PIIVDC. Patient age, sex, symptoms, and history and physical and neurologic findings were reviewed. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 17;122:360-363. Epub 2018 Nov 17.

Department of Neurosurgery, Saint-Luc Hospital, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address:

Background: Cervical total disc arthroplasty (TDA), or cervical artificial disc replacement, is an alternative technique to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for treatment of symptomatic degenerative cervical spine disease. The main goal of TDA is to maintain cervical motion and lower the risk of deterioration of adjacent levels. Granuloma formation on a cervical TDA is exceptional. Read More

Global Spine J 2018 Oct 19;8(7):703-708. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Hospital Lillebælt, Middelfart, Denmark.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: It is estimated that 10 000 patients seek medical care due to cervical radiculopathy every year in Denmark. Although the natural course is usually favorable, around 20% undergo surgery for cervical degenerative disease every year in Denmark. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 9;122:e1083-e1089. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Operation Room, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Objective: To present a long-term clinical and radiographic comparison between the Prestige LP cervical disc replacement and the Zero-P spacer cervical disc fusion in the treatment of patients with symptomatic 2-level cervical degenerative disease.

Methods: In total, 36 patients in the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) group and 24 patients in the cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) group were analyzed before surgery and at 1 week and 3, 6, 12, 24, and 60 months after surgery. Clinical assessments included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, visual analog scale, and Neck Disability Index scores. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Oct;97(43):e12893

Department of Orthopaedics, Affliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding.

The purpose of this study is to explore perioperative factors predicting symptomatic adjacent segment disease (ASD) after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) at 5-year follow-up.This study included 356 patients who underwent ACDF for CSM from Jan.2011 to Jan. Read More

Cureus 2018 Aug 14;10(8):e3146. Epub 2018 Aug 14.

Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA.

Surgical treatment may be indicated for select patients with cervical disc disease, whether it is cervical disc herniation or spondylosis due to degenerative changes, acute cervical injury due to trauma, or other underlying cervical pathology. Currently, there are various surgical techniques, including anterior, posterior, or combined approaches, in addition to new interventions being utilized in practice. Ideally, the surgical approach should be selected in consideration of each patient's clinical presentation, imaging findings, and overall medical comorbidities on an individual basis. Read More

Neurosurgery 2019 Jan;84(1):E108

Department of Orthopedics West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

Neurosurgery 2019 Jan;84(1):E109

Department of Neurological Surgery and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital Miami, Florida.

Eur Spine J 2019 Jan 2;28(1):199-208. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Background: Two-level cervical degenerative disc disease (cDDD) can be effectively treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) similarly to single-level cDDD. Traditionally an anterior plate construct (APC) approach has been utilized, but ACDF without plate with a locking stand-alone cage (LSC) approach has emerged as an alternative option. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of LSC and APC in contiguous two-level ACDF used to treat cDDD the current literature. Read More

Cutis 2018 Sep;102(3):185;186;189;190

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Jude Heritage Medical Group, Fullerton, California, USA.

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a common, often refractory sensory neuropathic syndrome with the hallmark symptoms of localized pruritus and dysesthesia of the unilateral infrascapular region. Brachioradial pruritus (BRP) is similarly classified as a localized pruritus syndrome but of the upper extremities, typically one or both forearms. Notalgia paresthetica and BRP are both generally chronic, nonlethal, incurable conditions with intermittent remissions and exacerbation. Read More

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2018 8;7:121. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

1Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal.

Background: Treatment and prevention of wound infection continues to be a challenging issue in clinical settings of Nepal especially in the context of globally growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. Study on opportunistic pathogens and sensitivity to commonly prescribed local antimicrobial agents are cardinal to reduce the disease burden of wound infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of methicillin resistant (MRSA) and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria from wound infections of patients at a tertiary care hospital in Nepal. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2018 Oct 17;24:7405-7413. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated systemic inflammation levels in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). This study evaluated the concentration of inflammatory cytokines in DCM patients and assessed whether they can predict symptom severity. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 40 consecutive DCM patients and 10 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2018 Oct 15. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Neurological Surgery, Maine Medical Center, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized multicenter IDE Trial between May 2002 and October 2004.

Objective: Report on the 10-year safety and efficacy of BRYAN® cervical disc (CDA).

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is a potential alternative for anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) with the hope that maintenance of motion may decrease the likelihood of adjacent segment disease. Read More

Asian Spine J 2018 Dec 16;12(6):1069-1077. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Cheju Halla General Hospital, Jeju, Korea.

Study Design: A case study.

Purpose: To assess the chronological changes of the disease-related kyphosis after chemotherapy alone, secondly to clarify the role of growth cartilage in the healed lesion on kyphosis change, and to define the accurate prediction time in assessing residual kyphosis.

Overview Of Literature: None of the previous papers up to now dealt with the residual kyphosis, stability and remodeling processes of the affected segments. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Oct 12. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China; Institution of Orthopedics, Northern People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province, Yangzhou, China.

Objective: We compared the mid-term efficacy and safety of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using a Zero-Profile device for cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD) with and without osteoporosis.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of elderly patients with CDDD treated by single-level ACDF with a Zero-Profile device. The patients were divided into group A (osteoporosis) and group B (no osteoporosis) according to the bone mineral density. Read More

Clin Radiol 2019 Jan 9;74(1):78.e13-78.e21. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Department of Medical Imaging, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung Ho Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China; Department of Medical Imaging, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China. Electronic address:

Aim: To evaluate efficacy of T2-weighted (T2W) iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL)-fast spin echo (FSE) imaging of the cervical spine.

Materials And Methods: The cervical spine of 100 symptomatic patients was imaged using routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus IDEAL-FSE imaging. The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs), and image quality were analysed. Read More

Balkan Med J 2018 Oct 9. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Aims: Although there have been many studies about lomber and cervical ablation procedures, very few studies have been performed on the thoracic region. This is a study to evaluate the clinical results of percutaneous disc decompression device in patients with radicular symptoms and/or dorsal pain due to thoracic disc herniation.

Methods: Eleven patients with thoracic disc herniation and/or degenerative discs (all in T10-T11, or T11-T12 levels) who did not respond to conservative treatments were undergo ablation and compression procedure. Read More

Radiography (Lond) 2018 Nov 18;24(4):366-369. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

School of Allied Health Professions, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent, UK; Radiology Department, Homerton University Hospital, UK.

Introduction: To analyse the objective structured examination (OSE) results of the first cohorts of radiographers (n = 13) who successfully completed an accredited postgraduate programme in clinical reporting of neurological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of the head and cervical spine.

Methods: Forty MRI examinations were used in the OSE which included a range of abnormal cases (prevalence of abnormal examinations approximated 50%) and included: haemorrhage, infarction, demyelination disease, abscess, mass lesions (metastatic deposits, meningioma, glioma, astrocytoma); and disc disease, cord compression, stenosis, ligament rupture, syringomyelia appearances on patients referred from a range of referral sources. Normal variants and incidental findings were also included. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2018 Oct 3;13(1):244. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Department of Spinal Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been widely used in cervical spondylosis, but adjacent segment degeneration/disease (ASD) was inevitable. Cervical total disc replacement (TDR) could reduce the stress of adjacent segments and retard ASD in theory, but the superiority has not been determined yet. This analysis aimed that whether TDR was superior to ACDF for decreasing adjacent segment degeneration (ASDeg) and adjacent segment disease (ASDis). Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 3;119:479-487. Epub 2018 Jul 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Saarland University Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Homburg-Saar, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: Among spinal surgeons, the safety of endoscopic spinal techniques has been criticized as the result of a prolonged learning curve and divergent surgical technique from traditional microsurgery. In this manuscript, the authors assessed the learning curve of 4 experienced microsurgical neurosurgeons in endoscopic spinal surgery.

Methods: Retrospectively, the surgical reports, the endoscopic video recording, and the files of all patients who underwent an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of cervical and lumbar disc herniation from January 2011 to December 2017 were reviewed. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Aug;32(16):1275-1276

Cervical pharyngeal syndrome is characterized by the symptom such as sore throat, foreign body sensation or swallowing discomfort which caused by the pathological changes of cervical intervertebral disc and intervertebral structure nonspecific injury. Because of the lack of obvious specificity, it is easy to misdiagnose. Here, we reported a case of cervical pharyngeal syndrome. Read More

Int J Spine Surg 2018 Aug 31;12(4):460-468. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Background: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has emerged as an alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for degenerative cervical disc disease. The artificial discs provide intervertebral motion using multicomponent articulation and thus tend to generate particulate debris and soluble metal ions. Limited information is available on the long-term metal concentrations and associated systemic adverse events observed in metal-on-metal CDA. Read More