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Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2020 Sep 18;19:100749. Epub 2020 May 18.

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

Purpose: To describe a patient with Cobb Syndrome, a rare congenital disorder characterized by cutaneous and spinal arteriovenous malformations, who was found to have bilateral optic nerve pits.

Observations: A 15-year-old boy diagnosed with Cobb Syndrome, manifesting as a large cutaneous port-wine stain associated with an underlying left paraspinous arteriovenous malformation resulting in severe scoliosis, presented for a screening ophthalmological exam. The patient had no visual symptoms. Read More

Spine Surg Relat Res 2020 3;4(2):164-170. Epub 2019 Dec 3.

Department of Rehabilitation, Asahi Hospital, Kasugai, Japan.

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the association between trunk muscle strength, lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), lumbar scoliosis angle (LSA), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) and the severity locomotive syndrome (LS) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technology in elderly individuals.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 168 individuals aged >60 years. We measured their trunk muscle strength (flexion and extension) and BMD, LSA, and ASMI using DXA. Read More

Orthop Surg 2020 Jun 29;12(3):761-769. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

Department of Orthopaedics, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of cervical anomalies (CA), including cervical intraspinal neural axis abnormalities (CIINAA) and/or cervical osseous abnormalities (COA), and the clinical relevance in severe spinal deformities (SSD) at a single center.

Methods: A retrospective study of SSD admitted for spinal surgery from January 2003 to January 2015 was conducted at a single center.

Inclusion Criteria: patients who present with coronal Cobb over 90° (and/or sagittal cobb ≥90°); and patients with complete imaging and clinical data preoperatively. Read More

Respir Care 2020 May;65(5):713-718

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia.

"E-cigarettes" are a class of consumer devices designed to deliver drugs, primarily nicotine or marijuana oils, to the lung by vaporization. Regulation of the devices in the United States is relatively minimal, and research on both epidemiology and potential toxicity has focused on nicotine devices. In 2019, an outbreak of an acute respiratory illness in the United States was traced back to the contamination of e-cigarette fluids with vitamin E acetate, which had been used to disguise the dilution of marijuana oils. Read More

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong) 2020 Jan-Apr;28(2):2309499020918317

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: It is important to understand postoperative global sagittal spinal alignment after total hip arthroplasty (THA) to prevent not only the following hip complications but also progressing lumbar degeneration. The purpose of this study was to progress the analysis of the global sagittal spinal alignment between before and after THA in patients without large lower limbs discrepancy.

Subjects And Methods: The subjects were 87 patients with bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA) before unilateral primary THA. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2020 Jun 21;76:211-213. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan.

Spinal deformity is a characteristic feature of Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). Surgical correction in LDS is indicated when the deformity is progressive to avoid neurological deficits, respiratory impairment, and back pain. However, few reports exist on the surgical treatment of spinal deformity in LDS, and no therapeutic standards have been established. Read More

Front Physiol 2020 7;11:304. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States.

Wooden breast syndrome is a widespread and economically important myopathy and vasculopathy of fast growing, commercial broiler chickens, primarily affecting birds with high feed efficiency and large breast muscle yield. To investigate potential systemic physiological differences between birds affected and unaffected by wooden breast, a total of 103 market-age Cobb 500 broilers were sampled for 13 blood parameters and the relative weights of the pectoralis major muscle, pectoralis minor muscle, external oblique muscle, wing, heart, lungs, liver, and spleen. Blood analysis was performed on samples taken from the brachial vein of live birds and revealed significant differences in venous blood gases between affected and unaffected chickens. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2020 Jun 10;76:100-106. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan.

Kyphotic deformity is a rare but serious complication after cervical laminoplasty (CLP), and several studies have investigated its predictors. In these studies, a kyphotic Cobb angle of 0°-5° between C2 and C7 at a certain postoperative time-point was often used to detect kyphotic deformity. However, studies considering the amount of cervical lordosis loss compared to the preoperative measurement are scarce. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jun 17;138:274-283. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Children's Orthopedic Surgery Department, Spinal Unit, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain.

Background: Proteus syndrome (PS) is a complex genetic disorder, characterized by the sporadic appearance of hamartomatous lesions that follow a mosaic pattern and have a progressive evolution. It affects most of the mesodermal origin tissues, including the bones. Scoliosis is a common manifestation, with great variability and specific peculiarities, but little about it has been published. Read More

PLoS Genet 2020 03 18;16(3):e1008422. Epub 2020 Mar 18.

Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America.

The DNA damage response (DDR) comprises multiple functions that collectively preserve genomic integrity and suppress tumorigenesis. The Mre11 complex and ATM govern a major axis of the DDR and several lines of evidence implicate that axis in tumor suppression. Components of the Mre11 complex are mutated in approximately five percent of human cancers. Read More

J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Apr;40(4):183-189

Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.

Background: Over the past 100 years, many procedures have been developed for correcting restrictive thoracic deformities which cause thoracic insufficiency syndrome. However, none of them have been assessed by a robust metric incorporating thoracic dynamics. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between radiographic spinal curve and lung volumes derived from thoracic dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI). Read More

Ann Neurol 2020 May 17;87(5):763-773. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.

Objective: Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder due to pathogenic mutations in the MECP2 gene. Motor impairment constitutes the core diagnostic feature of RTT. Preclinical studies have consistently demonstrated alteration of excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance and aberrant synaptic plasticity at the cortical level. Read More

Spine Surg Relat Res 2020 26;4(1):37-42. Epub 2019 Apr 26.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saga University, Nabeshima, Japan.

Introduction: Fixed abduction and/or adduction deformities of the hip joint may cause pelvic obliquity with subsequent development of secondary lumbar scoliosis. However, the relationships between the magnitude of a fixed angle (either abduction or adduction) of the hip and the direction of pelvic tilt and lumbar scoliosis remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the coronal alignment of the lumbar spine and pelvis in patients with ankylosed hips. Read More

Spine Deform 2020 02 24;8(1):85-95. Epub 2020 Jan 24.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, The Spine Hospital At New York Presbyterian, 710 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of preoperative halo-gravity traction (HGT) in the treatment for severe adult kyphosis and scoliosis. Preoperative HGT improves severe curve magnitude and clinical condition in pediatric spinal deformity. Read More

Spine J 2020 Jun 18;20(6):956-963. Epub 2020 Jan 18.

Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 2N2; The Dalglish Family 22q Clinic for Adults, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Congenital Cardiac Centre for Adults, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, 585 University Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 2N2; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto General Research Institute and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address:

Background Context: For over four decades, clinicians and researchers have suggested a relationship between congenital heart disease (CHD) and scoliosis, attributed to either the disease itself or to the long-term effects of cardiac surgery on the immature thoracic cage. However, no study has yet accounted for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11. Read More

Front Neurol 2019 6;10:1302. Epub 2019 Dec 6.

The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Cutaneous vertebral medullary angiomatosis, also known as Cobb syndrome, is a rare segmental neurocutaneous syndrome. This syndrome is considered to be a non-hereditary congenital disease that is usually associated with arteriovenous malformations in the skin and spine. The clinical manifestations are complex because the lesions can involve the spine, spinal cord, skin, and even the viscera. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2019 Dec 17;25:9658-9665. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Department of Spine Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine whether higher density screw constructs resulted in better surgical outcomes in patients with scoliosis secondary to Marfan syndrome (MF-S) with large thoracic curves (≥70°). MATERIAL AND METHODS There were 34 MF-S patients who met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated radiographically before surgery, 2 weeks after operation, and at the final follow-up. The mean screw density was taken as the boundary, and patients were categorized as either in the high density (HD) group or the low density (LD) group. Read More

Phys Ther 2020 04;100(4):677-686

BSc(PhysTher), MMedSc(Physio), PhD, Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle.

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most common form of shoulder pain and a persistent musculoskeletal problem. Conservative and invasive treatments, aimed at the shoulder joint, have had limited success. Research suggests shoulder function is related to thoracic posture, but it is unknown whether thoracic posture is associated with SIS. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2020 May;45(10):E600-E604

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan.

Study Design: Case report.

Objective: Describe the clinical and radiological outcomes of a patient with a piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 2 (PIEZO2)-deficient arthrogryposis receiving surgery for severe kyphoscoliosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Spinal deformity is a characteristic feature of arthrogryposis due to PIEZO2 gene deficiency, for which surgical correction is indicated when the deformity is progressive to avoid neurological deficits and respiratory impairment. Read More

Spine Surg Relat Res 2019 28;3(4):348-353. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Saitama Spine Center, Higashi-Saitama General Hospital, Satte, Japan.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine impacts on walking ability of spinal deformity and imbalance as distinct from movement disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: Thirty-two patients (15 males, 17 females; mean age 72.5 years) were analyzed. Read More

Pain Med 2020 05;21(5):902-909

Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Objectives: Although the effectiveness of lumbar medial branch radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of zygapophyseal joint (z-joint)-mediated low back pain has been characterized, few studies have described outcomes in patients selected using a guideline-concordant paradigm of ≥80% pain relief with dual comparative medial branch blocks (MBBs). We investigated long-term treatment outcomes of patients selected according to this paradigm.

Design: Cross-sectional cohort study. Read More

Spine Deform 2019 09;7(5):836-841

Growing Spine Foundation, 555 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA.

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospective registries.

Objectives: We hypothesized that patients with congenitally fused ribs who underwent thoracostomy upon implantation of rib-based distraction devices would achieve improved spine growth compared with those who did not undergo thoracostomy.

Summary Of Background Data: Patients with fused ribs may develop thoracic insufficiency syndrome. Read More

Spine Deform 2019 09;7(5):812-821

Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Robert Debré Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris Diderot University, 48 Bd Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France.

Study Design: Prospective monocentric study.

Objectives: To describe the radiologic characteristics and evolution of spinal shapes in a pediatric cohort of patients with Friedreich ataxia (FA).

Summary Of Background Data: FA is a spinocerebellar degenerative disorder responsible for gait impairment in children and young adults, and several orthopedic deformities can occur during growth, including scoliosis. Read More

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2019 Aug 31;28(8):2098-2108. Epub 2019 May 31.

Neurology Section, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Sneddon syndrome (SS) is an episodic or chronic, slowly progressive disorder and characterized by generalized livedo racemosa (patchy, violaceous, skin discoloration) and recurrent cerebrovascular events. The histopathology of skin and brain is remarkable for a noninflammatory thrombotic vasculopathy involving medium- and small-sized dermal and cerebral arteries, respectively. Approximately 80% of the SS patients are women with a median age of diagnosis at 40 years. Read More

Animal 2019 Dec 3;13(12):2932-2938. Epub 2019 Jun 3.

Department of Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, 13634503, Brazil.

Vitamins play an essential role in broiler nutrition. They are fundamental for normal metabolic and physiological process, and their requirements for poultry are not fixed and can be affected by multiple factors. In contrast, mycotoxins are a challenging issue because they hinder performance and the immune system. Read More

Radiology 2019 07 21;292(1):206-213. Epub 2019 May 21.

From the Department of Radiology, Medical Image Processing Group, University of Pennsylvania, 602W Goddard Building, 3710 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021 (Y.T., J.K.U., C.W., D.A.T.); Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa (J.M.M., A.C., S.H., N.G., D.T., O.H.M., R.M.C.); and Data Management and Biostatistics Core for the Tobacco Use Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (E.P.W.).

Background Available methods to quantify regional dynamic thoracic function in thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS) are limited. Purpose To evaluate the use of quantitative dynamic MRI to depict changes in regional dynamic thoracic function before and after surgical correction of TIS. Materials and Methods Images from free-breathing dynamic MRI in pediatric patients with TIS (July 2009-August 2015) were retrospectively evaluated before and after surgical correction by using vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR). Read More

A A Pract 2019 Aug;13(4):137-139

From the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Imam Khomeini Medical Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Cutaneomeningospinal angiomatosis, popularly known as Cobb syndrome, is a rare clinical disorder predominantly presenting with a vascular skin lesion and a spinal angioma at the same dermatomal level. Several case reports and case series have reported on the surgical management of this syndrome, but we failed to find any information about its anesthetic considerations in the Medline database. Our case report describes the perioperative anesthetic management of a 46-year-old man with Cobb syndrome. Read More

Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng 2018 Feb 12;10578. Epub 2018 Mar 12.

Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States.

The lack of standardizable objective diagnostic measurement techniques is a major hurdle in the assessment and treatment of pediatric patients with thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS). The aim of this paper is to explore quantitative dynamic MRI (QdMRI) volumetric parameters derived from thoracic dMRI in pediatric patients with TIS and the relationships between dMRI parameters and clinical measurements. 25 TIS patients treated with vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) surgery are included in this retrospective study. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(9):e14728

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan.

Rationale: Fusionless techniques for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) have evolved to allow near-normal growth while maintaining the correction achieved during the initial surgery. However, such procedures require repeated surgeries and have increased complication rates. We have developed a 2-stage fusion technique using pedicle screws for EOS to reduce patient burden and complication risk. Read More

Crit Care Med 2019 04;47(4):550-557

Department of Critical Care Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.

Objectives: To assess-by literature review and expert consensus-workforce, workload, and burnout considerations among intensivists and advanced practice providers.

Design: Data were synthesized from monthly expert consensus and literature review.

Setting: Workforce and Workload section workgroup of the Academic Leaders in Critical Care Medicine Task Force. Read More

J Pediatr Orthop 2019 Nov/Dec;39(10):e737-e741

Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY.

Background: Early-onset scoliosis (EOS) is a complex, heterogeneous condition involving multiple etiologies, genetic associations, and treatment plans. In 2014, Williams and colleagues proposed a classification system of EOS (C-EOS) that categorizes patients by etiology, Cobb angle, and kyphosis. Shortly after, Smith and colleagues validated a classification system to report complications of growth-friendly spine instrumentation. Read More

Hip Int 2019 Jan 14;29(1):21-25. Epub 2018 Oct 14.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kitasato University, School of Medicine, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa, Japan.

Introduction:: Patients presenting with hip diseases often have coexisting spine disorders, a condition that is termed "hip-spine syndrome." However, few reports have evaluated total spinal alignments in patients with coxalgia. In this study, we retrospectively examined the relationship between several clinical and x-ray parameters of the hip joints and spinal alignment in patients with coxalgia. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 09 24;8(1):14292. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada.

Haploinsufficiency of the human SHOX gene causes Léri-Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD), characterized by shortening of the middle segments of the limbs and Madelung deformity of the wrist. As many as 35% of LWD cases are caused by deletions of non-coding sequences downstream of SHOX that presumably remove an enhancer or enhancers necessary for SHOX expression in developing limbs. We searched for these active sequences using a transgenic mouse assay and identified a 563 basepair (bp) enhancer with specific activity in the limb regions where SHOX functions. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2019 Apr;44(8):571-578

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Study Design: A multicenter retrospective case series of patients treated surgically for adult spinal deformity (ASD).

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between propensity score matched ASD patients with or without drop body syndrome (DBS).

Summary Of Background Data: DBS is an extreme primary sagittal-plane deformity often seen in Asian countries. Read More

Am J Med Genet A 2018 11 8;176(11):2331-2341. Epub 2018 Sep 8.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.

Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome caused by mutations in CHST14 (mcEDS-CHST14) is a recently delineated disorder, characterized by craniofacial, skeletal, visceral, and ocular malformations; and progressive cutaneous, skeletal, vascular, and visceral fragility-related manifestations. Spinal lesions, though one of the most serious complications, have not been investigated systematically. In this study, we report detailed and comprehensive information about spinal lesions of 12 patients with a mean age at the first visit of 13. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Aug 27;2018. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Director MedStar Baltimore Region Cancer Network, MedStar Franklin Square Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Pain Physician 2018 07;21(4):383-406

Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Background: Degenerative lumbar spine disease can lead to lumbar spine instability. Lumbar spine instability is defined as an abnormal response to applied loads characterized kinematically by abnormal movement in the motion segment beyond normal constraints. Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) typically present with low back pain (LBP), cramping, cauda equine syndrome, and signs of nerve root compression associated by weakness, numbness and tingling in their legs that are worsened with standing and walking. Read More

Clin Spine Surg 2018 07;31(6):E322-E328

Laboratory of Biomechanics and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the spinopelvic alignment of subjects with Down syndrome (DS).

Summary Of Background Data: Subjects with DS are known to suffer from a large prevalence of scoliosis. Read More

J Bone Miner Res 2018 09 22;33(9):1641-1648. Epub 2018 May 22.

Skeletal Disorders and Mineral Homeostasis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA.

Scoliosis is a complication of fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome (FD/MAS); however, risk factors and long-term outcomes are unknown. Bisphosphonates are commonly used; however, it is unknown whether their use decrease the risk of progressive scoliosis. Clinical data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cohort study was reviewed. Read More

EFORT Open Rev 2018 Mar 29;3(3):98-105. Epub 2018 Mar 29.

MSK Lab, Imperial College London, UK.

Conventional techniques for hip and knee arthroplasty have led to good long-term clinical outcomes, but complications remain despite better surgical precision and improvements in implant design and quality.Technological improvements and a better understanding of joint kinematics have facilitated the progression to 'personalized' implant positioning (kinematic alignment) for total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasty, the true value of which remains to be determined.By achieving a true knee resurfacing, the kinematic alignment (KA) technique for TKA aims at aligning the components with the physiological kinematic axes of the knee and restoring the constitutional tibio-femoral joint line frontal and axial orientation and soft-tissue laxity. Read More

EFORT Open Rev 2018 Feb 21;3(2):39-44. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

London Hip Unit, UK.

Patients with hip osteoarthritis often have an abnormal spine-hip relation (SHR), meaning the presence of a clinically deleterious spine-hip and/or hip-spine syndrome.Definition of the individual SHR is ideally done using the EOS® imaging system or, if not available, with conventional lumbopelvic lateral radiographs.By pre-operatively screening patients with abnormal SHR, it is possible to refine total hip replacement (THR) surgical planning, which may improve outcomes. Read More

Braz J Phys Ther 2018 Jul - Aug;22(4):310-317. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

The University of Newcastle, School of Health Sciences, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.

Background: Radiographs are used to monitor thoracic kyphosis in individuals with certain pathologies (e.g. osteoporosis), exposing patients to potentially harmful radiation. Read More

Clin Neuropharmacol 2018 Mar/Apr;41(2):60-63

Objectives: Pisa syndrome is characterized by lateral trunk flexion. It is an uncommon adverse drug reaction in patients on antipsychotic medication. Although Pisa syndrome has been reported in patients on antipsychotic treatment, previous studies have not discussed the prognosis of patients with Pisa syndrome. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Apr 6;112:250-253. Epub 2018 Feb 6.

Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Hospitals, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Background: Prolactinomas are typically treated nonsurgically with a dopamine agonist. Once the tumor shrinks, adjacent eloquent structures, such as the optic apparatus, can become skeletonized and herniate into the dilated parasellar space.

Case Description: A 48-year-old man with a prolactin-secreting macroadenoma treated with cabergoline presented with progressive bitemporal hemianopsia. Read More

Foot Ankle Surg 2018 Feb 25;24(1):49-53. Epub 2016 Nov 25.

Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Crownhill, Plymouth, Devon PL6 8DH, United Kingdom.

Background: Dislocated metatarsophalangeal joints from clawed or hammer toes can be a disabling consequence of several conditions. The Cobb-Stainsby forefoot arthroplasty combines partial phalangectomy (Stainsby) with extensor tendon transfer to the metatarsal head (Cobb). We present a retrospective, three surgeon case series of 215 toes in 126 patients. Read More

Ann Thorac Surg 2018 06 2;105(6):1835-1841. Epub 2018 Feb 2.

Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas; Joseph Barnhart Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for the development and rate of progression of scoliosis and moderate/severe scoliosis in patients undergoing cardiothoracic operations (CTOs).

Methods: Included were patients aged younger than 12 years who underwent CTOs in 1995 to 2006 with a preoperative chest roentgenogram (CRG) and a CRG at least 8 years after CTOs. Scoliosis and moderate/severe scoliosis were defined as a Cobb angle of 10 degrees or more and an angle of 25 degrees or more or the need for surgical intervention, respectively. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Apr 31;112:e431-e441. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Russian Ilizarov Scientific Center for Restorative Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Neurosurgical Department, Kurgan, Russia.

Objective: To evaluate the optimal timing and type of surgical treatment of myelomeningocele (MMC)-related spinal deformities and long-term follow-up of surgical treatment.

Methods: We reviewed and presented clinical pictures, treatment strategies and results of 20 patients with MMC-related spinal deformities treated at our center between 2010 and 2017.

Results: The average patient age was 6. Read More

Spine Surg Relat Res 2017 27;1(4):185-190. Epub 2017 Nov 27.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess treatment outcomes and caregivers' satisfaction regarding scoliosis surgery for handicapped children.

Methods: Handicapped children are, by definition, noncommunicatory and/or nonambulatory. We recruited 26 handicapped children who were followed-up for >1 year after a scoliosis surgery. Read More

Nature 2017 10 11;550(7676):398-401. Epub 2017 Oct 11.

The Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, King's Buildings, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.

Heterozygous mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene cause the neurological disorder Rett syndrome. The methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) protein is an epigenetic reader whose binding to chromatin primarily depends on 5-methylcytosine. Functionally, MeCP2 has been implicated in several cellular processes on the basis of its reported interaction with more than 40 binding partners, including transcriptional co-repressors (for example, the NCoR/SMRT complex), transcriptional activators, RNA, chromatin remodellers, microRNA-processing proteins and splicing factors. Read More

Int J Paleopathol 2017 09 21;18:98-107. Epub 2017 Jun 21.

Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures/Cobb Institute of Archaeology, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box AR, MS, 39762, USA. Electronic address:

Studies of interacting/overlapping genetic skeletal disorders are rare for populations today, but even more so for archaeological contexts. The skeletal remains of an adult female (EZ 3-7-1) were excavated in the 1980s from the Middle Woodland (50BC-AD400) context of the Elizabeth site (11PK512) in the lower Illinois Valley (LIV), USA. Reported here are the standard score (z-score) comparisons of the measured skeletal differences of EZ 3-7-1 with a reference sample and a re-analysis of the individual's pathological changes, with special consideration placed on refining the disease diagnosis. Read More