Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2018 Dec 6;61:112-119. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

University of Cologne, Centre for Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Germany.

Background: Posterior dynamic stabilization systems are developed to maintain the healthy biomechanics of the spine while providing stabilization. Numerous dynamic systems incorporate polycarbonate urethane with temperature- and moisture-dependent material properties. In the underlying study, a novel test rig is used to evaluate the biomechanical performance of a system containing polycarbonate urethane. Read More

Gait Posture 2018 Dec 4;68:274-279. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Centre for Sport Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia; Sport Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand. Electronic address:

Background: Spine posture, range of motion (ROM) and movement asymmetry can contribute to low back pain (LBP). These variables may have greater impact in populations required to perform repetitive spine movements, such as dancers; however, there is limited evidence to support this.

Research Question: What is the influence of dance and LBP on spinal kinematics?

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, multi-segment spinal kinematics were examined in 60 female participants, including dancers (n = 21) and non-dancers (n = 39) with LBP (n = 33) and without LBP (n = 27). Read More

J Neurosci Res 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.

Astrogliosis and microglial reactions are correlated with the formation of scar tissue and synapse loss. 4-hydroxy-tempo (TEMPOL) is a reactive oxygen species scavenger with proven neuroprotective efficacy in experimental models of traumatic injury and cerebral ischemia. TEMPOL has not, however, been applied following ventral root lesions, which are particularly correlated with the degeneration of spinal motoneurons following brachial plexus injuries. Read More

Transbound Emerg Dis 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China.

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) was isolated in meat-type breeder chickens for the first time in 1988 in the United Kingdom. Due to the application of an eradication program, there were fewer reports related to myelocytomatosis or ALV-J in China after 2013. However, there was another breakout almost simultaneously in six provinces of China in February 2018. Read More

Scand J Med Sci Sports 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Penn State University, Department of Kinesiology, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States.

In estrogen deficient postmenopausal women, osteoporosis shares a common link with cardiovascular disease risk, including endothelial dysfunction. The current study sought to examine associations between bone mineral density (BMD) and endothelial function in estrogen deficient premenopausal women with exercise-associated menstrual disturbances. Recreationally trained women (24. Read More

Mol Genet Genomic Med 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Spine (Thoracic and Vertebra), The Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China.

Background: Lumbar disk disease (LDD) is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Several predisposing genetic and environmental risk factors have been established for symptomatic LDD.

Methods: We conducted a case-control association study to investigate the role of the COL11A2 gene in LDD. Read More

Neuromodulation 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Neurosurgery, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.

Objective: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be proposed to patients with chronic lumbar pain refractory to conventional treatment. Aim of this study was to assess the importance of preoperatively treatment with TENS as a predictive value for later successful PNFS and impact of PNFS in follow-up of 12 months.

Methods: Between 2012 and 2016, a retrospective analysis of 25 patients with chronic lumbar pain and implantation of a PNFS-system was performed. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2014 Jan 13;9(1):26-28. Epub 2013 Dec 13.

Urology, Avicene IBN SINA University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare cause of renal artery thrombosis, being the origin of renovascular hypertension, especially in patients less than thirty years old female, without particular medical history. A clinical case we present is a young 24 years old girl with no past history, hospitalized for the discovery of hypertension. She consulted for headache and progressive bilateral back pain, evolving for several months. Read More

J Cardiol Cases 2016 Jan 16;13(1):6-8. Epub 2015 Sep 16.

University Hospital Ibn Rochd, Cardiology Department, Casablanca, Morocco.

Ilio-caval fistula is a rare complication of lumbar disk surgery that may pose a real diagnostic challenge. We report a case of a 50-year-old woman with overlooked massive right ilio-caval fistula complicating lumbar surgery 6 years previously, and who presented with refractory right heart failure misdiagnosed as chronic pericarditis. The combination of right heart failure and a periumbilical murmur should alert clinicians to investigate with the appropriate imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis. Read More

Radiol Med 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Radiology, Izmir Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Hasan Tahsin Street, 35360, Izmir, Turkey.

Introduction: To evaluate the prevalence of subtypes of congenital lumbosacral transition vertebra (LSTV) in young male populations with low back pain (LBP) and their relationship to lumbar disc and facet degeneration.

Materials And Methods: 1875 patients (male, aged; 18-40 years) with LBP were investigated retrospectively. Standard lumbar MRI protocol of sagittal, and axial T1 weighted images (WI) and T2 WI and coronal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) T2 WI were obtained. Read More

Int Orthop 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Spine Surgery Center, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China.

Purpose: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and microendoscopic discectomy (MED) for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and to clarify whether PELD is more superior to MED.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive search in the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane database, CNKI, and Wanfang Data to acquire all relevant studies up to July 2018. The searched literatures were then screened according to the strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):684-686

University Spine Center Zurich, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):677-680

Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Universitaria Integrata, Trieste, Italy.

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):630-637

Global Health City, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: To compare the results of a series of microendoscopic discectomies done at a government medical college in South India, with other published series and to analyze the learning curve for the procedure.

Methods: Microendoscopic discectomy (MED) was performed in 40 patients. The cases were in the age group between 20-50 years (mean age, 32. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):616-623

Neuroradiology Service, Central Military Hospital, Bogotá DC, Colombia.

Background: In 1988, Modic and his colleagues described changes in the subchondral bone marrow of the vertebral plates in patients with degenerative disease or other pathologies, which were observed in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of the spine and were subdivided into three patterns of signal changes, called Modic type I, Modic type II and Modic type III. The main differential diagnosis of the Modic I changes of the vertebral plates due to degenerative disease in spine NMR, is infection in its early stages. In their study in 2014, Patel and collaborators, using a protocol and the concept of diffusion in spine MRI, were able to demonstrate that by means of the "claw sing", a degenerative disease with Modic type I changes, can be differentiated from an infection in early stages. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):610-615

Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.

Background: Surgical treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis (DS) always remains a challenge and often necessitates complex multilevel surgery via traditional open approaches. However, the severity of the procedure, in association with the fact that many of these patients are at an advanced age with several comorbidities, results in high rate of complications. Therefore, during the last decade, minimally invasive procedures have gained a place in the treatment of this pathology. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):602-609

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: The optimal treatment of symptomatic perineural (Tarlov) cysts is controversial. Numerous surgical techniques have been proposed with conflicting results. A series of Tarlov cysts treated with a novel surgical approach is presented. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):594-601

Department of Orthopaedics, Iwai Orthopaedic Medical Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is a relatively less invasive treatment for lumbar disc herniation (LDH). This study investigated the usefulness of a full-endoscopic system for PELD to treat L5 nerve root compression caused by lumbar foraminal stenosis (L5-LFS).

Methods: Between November 2016 and December 2017, a total of 10 patients with unilateral leg pain due to L5-LFS underwent surgery using a full-endoscopic system for PELD. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):588-593

Department of Surgery, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.

Background: Routine investigations for asymptomatic patients undergoing low-risk surgery contribute little value to perioperative care, but these tests are still ordered in many centres. The primary purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the prevalence of preoperative bloodwork for elective lumbar laminectomy and its association with intraoperative and postoperative complications. Secondary objectives were to determine the prevalence of intraoperative tranexamic acid administration, length of stay, and 30-day readmission. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):583-587

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation, Oswestry, Shropshire, UK.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether massive lumbar disc herniations (LDH) can be managed safely with non-operative treatment. Whilst most LDH are treated successfully with analgesia and physiotherapy, there is little literature regarding the treatment of massive LDH. Their impressive size raises the suspicion that they may cause cauda equina syndrome and are therefore often treated surgically. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):568-574

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Background: Primary lumbar fusion (LF) is a treatment option for degenerative disc disease. The literature is limited regarding postoperative complications in opioid abusers undergoing LF. The purpose of this study was to compare 2-year short term implant-related complications, infection rates, 90-day readmission rates, in-hospital length of stay, and cost of care amongst opioid abusers (OAS) and non-opioid abusers (NAS) undergoing primary 1- to 2-level primary lumbar fusion (1-2LF). Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):553-559

Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Past literature has demonstrated that patients with COPD are at an increased risk of post-operative complications. We assessed the impact of COPD on 30-day outcomes following a 1- to 2-level posterior lumbar fusion (PLF). Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):546-552

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.

Background: Chordomas are rare malignant tumors of the spinal column often afflicting the upper cervical spine and sacrum. There are few large single center series on chordomas due to its rarity. The purpose of this study is to report a single center's experience with the operative and non-operative management of chordomas. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):534-545

Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Engineering Center and Graduate Program in Dental Biomaterials, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Background: The effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on pedicle screw pullout force and its potential to improve spinal fixation have not previously been investigated. rhBMP-2 on an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) carrier was delivered in and around cannulated and fenestrated pedicle screws in a sheep lumbar spine instability model. Two control groups (empty screw and ACS with buffer) were also evaluated. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):529-533

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Miami Hospital, Miami, FL, USA.

Background: To determine if the timing of a lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI) effects rates of post-operative infection in patients receiving a non-fusion lumbar decompression (LDC) due to degenerative disc disease (DDD). Lumbar pain due to DDD can frequently be temporized or definitively treated with epidural injections. While there is ample literature regarding the infection risks associated with corticosteroid injections prior to hip/knee replacements, there are few studies relating to the spine. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):516-521

Washington Spine & Scoliosis Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.

Background: Instrumented lumbar fusion can be accomplished through open or minimally invasive techniques. The focus of this study was to compare perioperative narcotic usage and length of hospital stay between patients undergoing open versus minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS).

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 110 patients who underwent instrumented lumbar fusion over 2 years at our institution. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):509-515

US Department of Veterans Affairs, Northern California Health Care System, The David Grant USAF Medical Center, Fairfield, CA, USA.

Background: Pain while sitting is the primary complaint of many patients with lumbar spinal ailments, including those with discogenic low back pain and lumbar disc herniations. There has been little basic research on the different mechanical stresses that different sitting positions place on the spine. To demonstrate the effect of different sitting positions on lumbar intersegmental relationships. Read More

Cureus 2018 Oct 9;10(10):e3432. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Otolaryngology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, IND.

Cecal leiomyomas are rare benign tumors of smooth muscle arising from the colonic muscularis mucosa or muscularis propria. They are usually asymptomatic in nature and, if symptomatic, may present as pain in the abdomen, intestinal obstruction, or bleeding. In some cases, leiomyoma can cause free perforation leading to peritonitis. Read More

Biomed Rep 2018 Dec 3;9(6):483-490. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, P.R. China.

Osteoporosis is a polygenic disorder and has been demonstrated to be associated with ~30 candidate genes, the majority of which have also been implicated in the regulation of bone mineral density (BMD). Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is the candidate gene that has been most extensively studied. Certain studies have reported that the VDR single nucleotide polymorphism ApaI is associated with the risk of osteoporosis in Caucasian and African women. Read More

Radiol Case Rep 2019 Mar 6;14(3):315-319. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell, 475 Seaview Ave. Staten Island, NY 10305, USA.

We report a rare case of a neonatal girl who presented with coughing and dyspnea immediately after feeds. At birth, she was noted to have an imperforate anus with a posterior fourchette fistula from which she was stooling. Initial imaging with radiography showed a normal bowel gas pattern; however, lumbar vertebral anomalies were noted. Read More

J Rural Med 2018 Nov 29;13(2):105-109. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Tsukuba University Hospital Mito Clinical Education and Training Center, Mito Kyodo General Hospital, Japan.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of curable and pseudoarthrosis stages of adolescent lumbar spondylolysis under high school students complaining of and seeking medical consultation for low back pain. We analyzed age, sex, morbidity, presence of spina bifida occulta (SBO), and competitive sport discipline of patients with lumbar spondylolysis. We then stratified their pathological stage using a modified classification system via magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Read More

Front Neurosci 2018 28;12:894. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

Connexin36 (Cx36) forms gap junctions between neurons, which are called electrical synapses, enabling adjacent neurons to communicate directly. The participation of chemical synapses in neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has long been indicated, but it remains unclear whether electrical synapses are involved in the pathogenesis of ALS. We performed extensive immunopathological analyses using mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) transgenic mice and their littermates to investigate whether Cx36-made electrical synapses are affected in motor neuron diseases. Read More

Ultrasound Med Biol 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Ultrasound has potential for use in evaluation of bone and joint movement during axial twist of the lumbar spine both in vivo and in vitro. Such segmental rotations could then be measured under controlled external thoracic axial twist conditions and in response to mechanical loading. The purpose of this study was to measure vertebral segmental rotations in a porcine model of the human lumbar spine using an ultrasound imaging protocol and to validate use of this imaging technique with an optical motion capture system. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13541

Department of Spine Surgery.

Rationale: Nocardial spinal epidural abscess is rare. The diagnosis is often difficult to make and, if delayed, poses a high risk of long-term disability. Nocardial spinal epidural abscess with severe lumbar disc herniation has not previously been reported. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13511

Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University.

Objective: To compare the hemostatic effect of hematostatic agent Surgiflo and absorbable gelatin sponge (AGS) in posterior lumbar surgery.

Methods: A total of 60 cases were recruited during August 2016 and June 2017 according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were randomly allocated to the Surgiflo Haemostatic Matrix (SHM) group or the AGS group (AGS) by computer-generated randomization codes. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13365

Department of Ophthalmology, Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild.

Rationale: The association between intracranial hypertension (ICH) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is rare. We report the unusual case of a male patient with UC and ICH in whom both conditions resolved with mesalazine therapy.

Patient Concerns: A 48-year-old Caucasian man presented to our department in June 2016 for decreased vision, transient visual obscuration, pulsatile tinnitus and headaches of 7 months duration. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13336

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si.

In clinical practice, we found a unilateral instability in patients with right thoracic scoliosis during asymmetric spinal stabilization exercise (ASSE), which can be an important clue to identify the pathophysiology of idiopathic scoliosis (IS).We investigated the relationship between unilateral postural instability and weakness of paraspinal muscles according to curve pattern. And finally, we propose the new exercise method based on the curve pattern. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2018 Nov 1:1-8. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

OBJECTIVEThe AANS launched the Quality Outcomes Database (QOD), a prospective longitudinal registry that includes demographic, clinical, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) data to measure the safety and quality of spine surgery. Registry data offer "real-world" insights into the utility of spinal fusion and decompression surgery for lumbar spondylolisthesis. Using the QOD, the authors compared the initial 12-month outcome data for patients undergoing fusion and those undergoing laminectomy alone for grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Read More

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

OBJECTIVEThe pedicle screw-based Dynesys dynamic stabilization (DDS) has reportedly become a surgical option for lumbar spondylosis and spondylolisthesis. However, it is still unclear whether the dynamic construct remains mobile or eventually fuses. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of unintended facet arthrodesis after DDS and its association with spondylolisthesis. Read More

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

OBJECTIVEHospital readmission contributes substantial costs to the healthcare system. The purpose of this investigation was to create a predictive machine learning model to identify lumbar laminectomy patients at risk for postoperative hospital readmission.METHODSPatients who had undergone a lumbar laminectomy procedure in the period from 2011 to 2014 were isolated from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database. Read More

Neurosurg Focus 2018 Dec;45(6):E8

OBJECTIVEActive-duty neurosurgical coverage has been provided at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan since 2007. Early operative logs were reflective of a large number of surgical procedures performed to treat battlefield injuries. However, with maturation of the war effort, the number of operations for battlefield injuries has decreased with time. Read More

Neurosurg Focus 2018 Dec;45(6):E12

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lumbar spondylolysis and payload weight between different combat units of Turkish land forces (TLF).METHODThe authors reviewed clinical and radiological data of the military personnel with low-back pain (LBP) admitted to their clinic between July 2017 and July 2018. Age, BMI, average payload weight, and military service unit were recorded. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona.

Background: Posterior column osteotomy (PCO) is a powerful technique for correcting lordosis, but the surgical literature lacks objective evidence on preoperative predictors of achievable lordotic correction following PCO.

Objective: To measure the correlation between disc geometry and achievable lordotic correction following Schwab grade 2 osteotomies and to describe geometric changes to disc space following lordotic correction.

Methods: Schwab grade 2 osteotomies were performed from T1 to S1 in 5 cadavers. Read More

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2018 Dec 6;61:95-104. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Trauma, Orthopedic and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany; Orthopaedicus Clinics, Leipzig, Germany.

Background: Computational models of the human pelvis have become highly useful tools to assess mechanisms of injury, diagnostics and treatment options. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to summarize existing pelvic computer models, to assess their comparability and the measures taken for experimental validation.

Methods: Research on virtual simulations of the posterior pelvis and sacroiliac joint available from the ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed and Scopus databases available until January 2018 were included. Read More

PLoS One 2018 13;13(12):e0208622. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America.

Objectives: Lumbar puncture (LP) is an important technique for assessing and treating neurological symptoms. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of diagnostic lumbar punctures performed on hospitalized patients in the United States.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2010 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the National Emergency Department Survey (NEDS). Read More

Traffic Inj Prev 2018 Dec 13:1-7. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

c Department of Public Health , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virigina.

Objective: The clinical evaluation of motor vehicle collision (MVC) victims is challenging and commonly relies on computed tomography (CT) to detect internal injuries. CT scans are financially expensive and each scan exposes the patient to additional ionizing radiation with an associated, albeit low, risk of cancer. Injury risk prediction based on regression modeling has been to be shown to be successful in estimating Injury Severity Scores (ISSs). Read More

Int Orthop 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California Davis, 4860 Y Street Suite 3700, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review the evidence-based approach for surgical complications following disc herniation.

Methods: A search of the primary English literature was conducted for research examining the outcomes and complications of surgical discectomy. Special regard was given to high-quality prospective randomized studies. Read More

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Orthopedic Department, University Hospital Jena, Campus Waldkliniken Eisenberg, Klosterlausnitzer Str. 81, 07607, Eisenberg, Germany.

Introduction: Surgical treatment methods for degenerative spondylolisthesis (decompression versus decompression and fusion) have been critically debated. The medical care situation is almost unknown for either treatment. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to provide information regarding the use of parameters for decision-making and the employment of surgical techniques. Read More

Arch Bronconeumol 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Escola Paulista de Medicina at the Federal University of São Paulo (EPM/Unifesp) , São Paulo (SP), Brazil. Electronic address:

Background: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and/or microarchitectural deterioration of bone. Osteoporosis is a risk factor for fractures specially in patients with advanced COPD. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the frequency of osteoporosis and vertebral fracture in COPD patients. Read More

Front Oncol 2018 20;8:509. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Emergency Department, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "Manuel Velasco Suárez" (INNN), Mexico City, Mexico.

Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis (LCM) represents a state of systemic malignant disease with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to compare overall survival (OS) between intraventricular chemotherapy through Ommaya reservoir (OR) and chemotherapy through lumbar puncture (LP) in LCM. Forty adult patients with LCM were included. Read More