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Asian Spine J 2020 Mar 30. Epub 2020 Mar 30.

Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, India.

Study Design: This study is a prospective clinical study.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of trunk musculature and intervertebral discs by using magnetic resonance imaging in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) with thoracic and lumbar fractures.

Overview Of Literature: Muscle atrophy is an immediate consequence of SCI and is associated with secondary complications. Read More

Unfallchirurg 2020 Apr;123(4):302-308

Abteilung für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Halle (Saale), Halle (Saale), Deutschland.

Pediatric traumatic vertebral injuries usually present as stable A (AOspine classification) fractures, whereas B and C injuries are relatively uncommon. In contrast to adults the appropriate treatment strategy in children remains an issue of debate.The data from two pediatric patients admitted with B and C type spinal injuries in 2007 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2019 10;2019:1386510. Epub 2019 Dec 10.

Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Hopital Bichat - Beaujon, Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France.

The treatment of traumatic low-degree vertebral compression fracture remains in a wide range between functional treatment, bracing, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and even surgical fixation. The objective was to assess the innovation of instrumented kyphoplasty and to report the early and mid-term functional and radiological results. This study is a retrospective review of patients enrolled from 2012 to 2017. Read More

Vet J 2019 Nov 13;253:105377. Epub 2019 Sep 13.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Skip Bertman Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.

Management of urinary retention after spinal cord injury in dogs is often needed and can include use of medications to relax the urethral sphincter. This was a retrospective study evaluating two such medications, prazosin and diazepam, and whether dogs treated with these medications had different lengths of hospitalization, urinary continence levels, or development of bacteriuria compared to dogs not receiving these medications after thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy for intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH). Electronic medical records were searched for dogs that underwent CT or MRI followed by a hemilaminectomy between the 3 thoracic and 3rd lumbar vertebra for treatment of IVDH. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 22;5:74. Epub 2019 Aug 22.

Indian Spinal Injuries Center, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, 110070 India.

Introduction: Decompressive surgery for thoracic myelopathy due to anterior pathology can be challenging. Direct decompression through anterior approaches is associated with approach-related complications, whereas anterior decompression through posterior approaches is technically demanding and may result in neurological deterioration. We present a simple and effective surgical technique of indirect decompression through lordotic rod contouring to reduce such complications. Read More

Z Orthop Unfall 2019 Oct 8;157(5):574-596. Epub 2019 Oct 8.

The basis for assessing thoracolumbar vertebral body fractures are two established classification systems. Important, especially in terms of further treatment, is the distinction between osteoporotic and healthy bones. The AO Spine classification offers a comprehensive tool for healthy bones to reliably specify the morphological criterias (alignment, integrity of the intervertebral disc, fragment separation, stenosis of the spinal canal). Read More

Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2019 Nov 16;53(6):502-506. Epub 2019 Sep 16.

Ankara University, School of Medicine, Ibn-i Sina Hospital, Department of Orthopedics, Ankara, Turkey.

Objective: The aim of this biomechanical experimental study was to evaluate the resistance of each posterior ligamentous complex structure of the thoracic and lumbar spine to compression forces and to measure the shifting load to the intervertebral disc when each PLC structure was interrupted.

Method: The study was conducted on 4 groups for thoracic and lumbar region as intact, supraspinous ligament interrupted, interspinous ligament/ligamentum flavum combination interrupted and facet joint capsule interrupted. Pre and post anterior vertebral body height, the highest compression force and pressure changes in the intervertebral disc during 40 N loading were measured. Read More

Cardiol Young 2019 Nov 10;29(11):1380-1386. Epub 2019 Sep 10.

Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Dr. Siyami Ersek Hospital for Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Although percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus is an established safe procedure, protrusion of the device to descending aorta may occur in various degrees during these procedures, especially in small infants. The aim of our study is to evaluate the benefits of balloon-assisted device releasing technique in the era of preventing device protrusion and conditions related to protrusion.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-five infants, who underwent patent ductus arteriosus closure with Amplatzer duct occluder I device between January, 2012 and December, 2018, were retrospectively analysed. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019 Jul 19;20(1):336. Epub 2019 Jul 19.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu City, Mie, 514-8507, Japan.

Background: The endplate-intervertebral disc (IVD) complex is closely interrelated with the vertebral body (VB) in the structural integrity of the anterior spinal column, including biomechanical and biological functions. Endplate and IVD injuries are usually found in association with vertebral fractures (VFs); however, little is known about their relevance to the healing of osteoporotic VFs (OVFs). The first purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and occurrence pattern of endplate and IVD injuries associated with single- and acute-OVFs, and the second was to evaluate the influence of endplate and IVD injuries on the occurrence of delayed union. Read More

BMC Surg 2019 Jun 21;19(1):66. Epub 2019 Jun 21.

Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Background: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a rare pathology caused by a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. If intractable by conventional methods (i.e. Read More

Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2019 Oct 21;22(13):1083-1092. Epub 2019 Jun 21.

Capital Medical University XuanWu Hospital , Beijing , China.

Posterior pedicle fixation technique is a common method for treating thoracolumbar burst fractures, but the effect of different fixation techniques on the postoperative spinal mechanical properties has not been clearly defined, especially on adjacent segments. A finite element model of T10-L2 with moderate T12 vertebra burst fracture was constructed to investigate biomechanical behavior of three posterior pedicle screw fixation techniques. Compared with traditional short-segment 4 pedicle screw fixation (TS-4) and intermediate long-segment 6 pedicle screw fixation (IL-6), mono-segment 4 pedicle screw fixation (MS-4) provides a safer surgical selection to prevent the secondary degeneration of adjacent segments in the long-term. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2019 Jun;33(6):707-711

Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Shaanxi, 710054,

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of posterior short-segmental fixation with bone cement augmentation in treatment of stage Ⅲ Kümmell's disease with spinal canal stenosis.

Methods: Between June 2012 and January 2017, 36 patients with stage Ⅲ Kümmell's disease and spinal canal stenosis were treated by posterior short-segmental fixation and bone cement augmentation. There were 12 males and 24 females, aged 55-83 years (mean, 73. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2019 Jun 5;13(1):172. Epub 2019 Jun 5.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-8641, Japan.

Background: Aspergillus terreus, a saprophytic fungus, is recognized as an emerging pathogen in various infections in humans. However, bone and joint involvement is uncommon. To the best of our knowledge, only seven cases of spondylodiscitis caused by Aspergillus terreus have been reported previously in humans. Read More

BMC Vet Res 2019 May 31;15(1):182. Epub 2019 May 31.

Fitzpatrick Referrals Ltd, Eashing, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 2QQ, UK.

Background: A retrospective case series study was undertaken to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in Pug dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy and concurrent caudal articular process (CAP) dysplasia. Electronic clinical records were searched for Pug dogs who underwent MRI for the investigation of a T3-L3 spinal cord segment disease with subsequent confirmation of CAP dysplasia with computed tomography between January 2013 and June 2017. Clinical parameters age, gender, neuter status, body weight, urinary or faecal incontinence, severity and duration of clinical signs were recorded. Read More

BMJ Open 2019 05 29;9(5):e028037. Epub 2019 May 29.

HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

Objective: To examine the extent of geographical variation across musculoskeletal surgical procedures and associated factors in Ireland.

Design: Repeated cross-sectional study.

Setting: 36 public hospitals in Ireland. Read More

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2019 06 6;105(4):713-718. Epub 2019 May 6.

Service de chirurgie orthopédique et traumatologie, hôpital la Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.

Introduction: Magerl type A thoracolumbar fracture is frequent, but consensus is lacking on management, which ranges from non-operative treatment to corpectomy. It is, however, essential to spare adjacent discs in young patients. Historically, Magerl defined type A fracture in terms of isolated bone involvement. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Aug 30;128:e541-e551. Epub 2019 Apr 30.

Department of Neurosurgery, University Marburg, Marburg, Germany; Marburg Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (MCMBB), Marburg, Germany.

Objective: To establish microscope-based augmented reality (AR) support for degenerative spine surgery.

Methods: Head-up displays of operating microscopes were used to establish AR in a series of 10 patients. Segmentation of the vertebra and additional target structures, which were visualized by AR, was based on preoperative magnetic resonance and computed tomography (CT) images, that were nonrigidly fused to low-dose intraoperative CT (iCT) data. Read More

Orthopade 2019 Oct;48(10):844-848

Neurochirurgische Praxis, Zeppelinstr. 24, 61352, Bad Homburg, Deutschland.

Background And Objective: Thoracic spinal stenosis is characterized by a reduction in the volume of the thoracic spinal canal, leading to compromise of the spinal cord or nerve roots. This article provides an overview of the known etiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic algorithm, and treatment of thoracic spinal stenosis.

Materials And Methods: This paper is based on an overview of the literature from the past 25 years as well as the authors' own experience and results. Read More

Turk J Med Sci 2019 Feb 11;49(1):258-264. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Background/aim: We aimed to compare the effectivity of percutaneous disc coagulation therapy (PDCT) and navigable ablation decompression treatment (L-DISQ) in patients who were diagnosed with cervical disc herniation.

Materials And Methods: Visual analog scale (VAS) and Neck Pain Index (NPI) scores were recorded initially and at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months after the procedures. Patient Satisfaction Scale (PSS) scores were recorded 12 months after the procedures

Results: Mean VAS scores were 7. Read More

Turk Neurosurg 2019 ;29(6):954-956

Neurospinal Academy, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey.

Aim: To present a case (3rd report in the literature, 1st case with sequestrated-extruded disc herniation) of thoracic disc herniation that was sequestrated only by ligamentous injury without thoracic osseous pathology.

Material And Methods: We reviewed the diagnosis and treatment of a 25-year-old man presenting with paraplegia after a car accident.

Results: In this case, no pathology was seen on the X-ray and spinal computed tomography (CT), and the paraplegia of the patient was unexplained in the first examination. Read More

Eur Radiol 2019 Aug 16;29(8):4495-4502. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.

Objectives: Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the standard of reference, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in assessing disk injuries in patients aged more than 50 years with vertebral fractures.

Methods: This prospective study was approved by the local ethics committee (EA1/372/14), and all patients gave written informed consent. Patients with suspected fractures underwent spinal DECTs and MRIs. Read More

Adv Gerontol 2019 ;32(5):795-803

Ural state medical University, 3 Repin str., Yekaterinburg 620028, Russian Federation, e-mail:

Based on the long-term observation of 105 representatives of the elderly and senile age, the features of the clinical picture of pain syndromes formed in the elderly and senile age on the basis of combined spinal lesions in osteoporosis and spondylarthrosis are presented, and methods of diagnosis and treatment of such patients are proposed. The main variants of symptoms developing in response to long-term tonic muscle tension in degenerative age-dependent injuries of vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs and facet joints at the level of thoracic and lumbosacral spine are shown. Pathogenetic connections of frequent urination disorders in the elderly and senile age with pathological processes in the spine and muscular-tonic pain syndromes were determined. Read More

Dtsch Arztebl Int 2018 10;115(42):697-704

Department of Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leibzig, Germany; Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, BG Hospital Bergmannstrost, Halle, Germany; Reha Assist Deutschland GmbH, Berlin, Germany; Collm Klinik Oschatz GmbH, Oschatz, Germany; Department of Orthopedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Halle, Halle, Germany; Department of General Orthopedic and Spine Surgery, St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, University Hospital of the Ruhr University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany.

Background: The conservative treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures is often not clearly defined.

Methods: This review is based on articles retrieved by a systematic search in the PubMed and Web of Science databases for publications up to February 2018 dealing with the conservative treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures. The search initially yielded 3345 hits, of which 35 were suitable for use in this review. Read More

Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2018 12 13;14(4):484-496. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.

During hanging gravitational forces affect the spine. Intervertebral vacuum phenomenon (VP) implies that gas accumulations in the discs are caused by degeneration of the spine and trauma. It was hypothesized that VP detected on postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) has a higher incidence in hanging deaths, which can be correlated to age, degenerative spinal changes and type of hanging (complete-incomplete). Read More

J Orthop Sci 2019 May 8;24(3):393-399. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan; Keio Spine Research Group, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) makes the spine prone to unstable fractures with neurological deterioration. This study was conducted to assess clinical and radiographic features of spinal fractures in DISH by the level of spinal injury, and to evaluate the optimal treatment for each level.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study over a 5-year period, including 46 patients (35 males; 11 females) with a mean age of 77. Read More

Spinal Cord 2019 Apr 24;57(4):276-281. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Study Design: Retrospective kinematic MRI (kMRI) study.

Objective: To evaluate the dynamic changes of thoracic anterior and posterior space available for cord (SAC), and thoracic spinal cord in the dural sac in three positions.

Setting: Expert MRI, Bellflower California; and University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, USA. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Aug;97(34):e12046

Department of Orthopaedic Trauma Service Center, Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.

The objective of this study was to use finite element models to investigate the biomechanics of stable thoracolumbar burst fracture repair using unilateral short-segment fixation and 4 alternate pedicle screw systems.Four posterior pedicle screw systems were compared for unilateral short-segment fixation using finite element models: intermediate bilateral short pedicle screw fixation, intermediate bilateral long pedicle screw fixation, intermediate unilateral short pedicle screw fixation, and intermediate unilateral long pedicle screw fixation. We compared range of motion (ROM), von Mises stresses on the implants, and stress on the intervertebral discs superior and inferior to the injured vertebra during simulated spinal movements. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 07;32(7):920-926

Spine and Trauma Ward, Department of Orthopedics, Fuyang People's Hospital, Fuyang Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang Anhui, 236000, P.R.China.

Objective: To discuss the security and effectiveness of fixing the unstable region of sagittal injured unit symmetrically with pedicle screws combined with bone graft fusion for treating thoracolumbar fractures.

Methods: A series of 65 patients with a single level thoracolumbar fracture between November 2011 and November 2015 were included in the study. There were 41 males and 24 females with an average age of 36. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Nov 23;119:40-44. Epub 2018 Jul 23.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system is a rare neurologic disorder characterized by the superficial deposition of hemosiderin in the subpial layer resulting in iron-related progressive neurodegeneration.

Case Description: In this report, we present a case of superficial siderosis of the central nervous system secondary to an intradural thoracic disk herniation causing a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.

Conclusions: The patient was successfully treated with T6-T8 transpedicular partial corpectomy, as well as diskectomy with decompression followed by watertight closure of the CSF leak. Read More

Undersea Hyperb Med 2018 May-Jun;45(3):297-305

Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Hyperbaric Medical Program, Long Beach, California U.S.

Introduction: In Part 1 of this three-part series, we provided an explanation as to why and at what sites decompression sickness (DCS) occurs, using the Gradient-Perfusion Model (GPM). In this part, we provide information to substantiate the concept and present clinical cases that were initially labeled as "unexplained DCS," but later disordering events were identified to explain the clinical presentations.

Materials And Methods: Among 500 cases of DCS we have managed for over 50 years, a cohort of these patients was initially diagnosed as unexplained DCS. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Jul;97(28):e11442

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan.

The aim of the present study is to identify factors correlated with kyphotic deformity after thoracolumbar spine injuries. We performed a retrospective case-control study with data from thoracolumbar spine fracture patients who were treated with posterior spinal fixation. Patients with a follow-up period shorter than 6 months and who experienced low-energy trauma were excluded. Read More

Orthopade 2018 Dec;47(12):986-992

Department of Orthopaedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dong Cheng District Shuai Fu Yuan No. 1, Beijing, China.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the early clinical safety and efficacy of transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion (TTIF) with interbody cage application for thoracic myelopathy caused by anterior compression (TMAC).

Methods: A total of 10 patients who underwent TTIF for TMAC from July 2009 to July 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Thoracic spinal lesions included thoracic disc herniation, thoracic ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, thoracic vertebral compression fracture, and thoracic spine fracture dislocation. Read More

Turk Neurosurg 2019 ;29(1):90-94

Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Adana, Turkey.

Aim: To present the results of vertebroplasty for treating thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficit.

Material And Methods: Twelve patients (aged ≥65 years) with thoracolumbar fractures but without neurological deficits underwent vertebroplasty. In all fracture cases, the anterior and middle columns of the vertebrae were affected and the canal was mildly compressed. Read More

BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2018 8;4(1):e000335. Epub 2018 Mar 8.

Department of Radiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Background/aim: In high-level Olympic athletes, many spinal pathologies arise from overuse, while others are the result of acute injury. Our aim is to analyse the epidemiology of spinal pathologies detected on MRI in athletes participating in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics.

Methods: In this retrospective study, all spine MRIs performed during the 2016 Rio Games were analysed. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Jun 7;114:8-12. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Second Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. Electronic address:

Background: The percutaneous endoscopic technique through an interlaminar approach is a commonly used minimally invasive procedure in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, even lumbar spinal stenosis. This report describes complete decompression with the percutaneous endoscopic technique for patients with thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF).

Case Description: We performed surgical decompression in of 2 patients with thoracic myelopathy caused by OLF using percutaneous endoscopic surgery through an interlaminar approach. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2017 Sep;30(9):833-837

Department of Spinal Surgery, the Second People's Hospital of Changshu City, Changshu 215500, Jiangsu, China.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of non-surgical vertebral fracture after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in patients with single segment thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture(OVCF).

Methods: The clinical data of 219 patients with single segment thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty from January 2010 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 29 cases in non-surgical vertebral body fracture group with 7 males and 22 females aged (67. Read More

Skeletal Radiol 2018 Aug 13;47(8):1177-1182. Epub 2018 Feb 13.

Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.

Although spontaneous regression of herniated disk material has been reported in the lumbar and cervical spine, reports of complete spontaneous regression of calcified thoracic disk herniations are exceedingly rare. In symptomatic patients, surgery is typically the treatment of choice; however, conservative therapy with surveillance may allow time for spontaneous resolution and potentially avoid high-risk surgery. We report a 40-year-old woman with complete spontaneous resolution of a large calcified thoracic disk extrusion with conservative management over an 8-month period. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2018 22;4. Epub 2018 Jan 22.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Al Razi Hospital, Shuwaikh, Kuwait.

Study Design: Retrospective, descriptive study.

Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Kuwait.

Setting: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital, Kuwait. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2018 08;43(16):1095-1101

University of California, San Francisco, CA.

Study Design: Descriptive histologic and magnetic resonance imaging study of human cadaveric spines.

Objective: To identify and characterize common endplate pathologies to form a histologic foundation for an etiology-based classification system.

Summary Of Background Data: Irregularities at the spinal disc-vertebra interface are associated with back pain and intervertebral disc herniation injuries. Read More

J Neurotrauma 2018 08 2;35(15):1726-1736. Epub 2018 Apr 2.

1 Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) attributed to acute intervertebral disc extrusions (IVDEs) is common in dogs and is treated by surgical decompression. Dogs with sensorimotor complete injuries have an incomplete recovery. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) reduce post-operative pain through anti-inflammatory effects and there is growing evidence for neuroprotective effects. Read More

Injury 2018 Feb 15;49(2):272-278. Epub 2017 Dec 15.

Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China. Electronic address:

Objective: To formulate radiological indexes based on CT for further MRI examination to detect posterior ligamentous complex injury (PLC) or disc injury in thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficit in the emergent setting.

Materials And Methods: Patients with a single thoracolumbar burst fracture and no neurological deficit were included into this study. Radiological indexes on CT included canal compromise (CC), anterior and posterior vertebral height ratio (PVH and AVH ratio), local kyphosis (LK) and regional kyphosis (RK). Read More

Clin Orthop Surg 2017 Dec 10;9(4):465-471. Epub 2017 Nov 10.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

Background: To determine the relationship between superior disc-endplate complex injury and correction loss after surgery in a group of young adult patients with a stable thoracolumbar burst fracture.

Methods: The study group was comprised of young adult patients who had undergone short-segment posterior fixation and bone grafting under the diagnosis of a stable thoracolumbar burst fracture from March 2008 to February 2014. Follow-up was available for more than 1 year. Read More

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2018 02 27;104(1S):S55-S62. Epub 2017 Nov 27.

Department of orthopedics and spine, institut mutualiste Montsouris, 42, boulevard Jourdan, 75014 Paris, France.

Thoracolumbar malunion is the result of loss of correction, insufficient correction or even no correction (both in the frontal and sagittal planes) of a thoracolumbar fracture. The main causes are incorrect assessment of the fracture's complexity (burst fracture), its potential progression to kyphosis and associated disc or ligament damage. It can also be the result of a poorly conducted initial treatment. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 02 31;110:64. Epub 2017 Oct 31.

Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

The authors present a case report of a patient with a giant thoracic calcified disc. The patient underwent a posterior thoracic laminectomy and fusion without resection of the disc. The calcified disc regressed in size and lost its calcified component postoperatively. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2018 Jan 31;47:111-115. Epub 2017 Oct 31.

Department of Neurology, Wolfson Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Holon, Israel. Electronic address:

Hand weakness and wasting in the setting of mid-cervical spondylosis and disc herniation without radiological evidence for compression of the C8 or T1 roots has been rarely reported. We retrospectively studied the data of patients with hand weakness and mid-cervical spondylosis. The clinical and radiological findings were compared to a control group of patients with weakness of the arm or forearm muscles and similar mid-cervical spondylosis. Read More

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2018 Jan 23;48(1):187-200. Epub 2017 Oct 23.

Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK.

Fenestration offers the advantages of prophylaxis without the need for specialized instrumentation and imaging. Currently there is a lack of equipoise regarding the efficacy of fenestration relative to decompression for treatment of acute canine intervertebral disk herniation; most veterinary spinal surgeons do not consider the 2 procedures equivalently efficacious. Therapeutic fenestration should perhaps be given greater consideration, especially if advanced imaging shows only mild to moderate spinal cord compression or there are restrictions on the duration of surgery, when it might be better to spend the time on fenestration rather than decompression. Read More

Br J Neurosurg 2019 Oct 26;33(5):586-590. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust , Southampton , UK.

Calcific discitis is a well recognized entity in the paediatric population but more recently has been increasingly reported in adults. It typically involves the lower thoracic vertebrae and is of unknown aetiology. Herniation of the calcified fragment is rare but typically occurs out through the annulus fibrosus into the canal space. Read More

PLoS One 2017 24;12(10):e0186779. Epub 2017 Oct 24.

Laboratoire de Biomécanique Appliquée, IFSTTAR Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France.

Recent findings suggest that vertebral osteophytes increase the resistance of the spine to compression. However, the role of vertebral osteophytes on the biomechanical response of the spine under fast dynamic compression, up to failure, is unclear. Seventeen human spine specimens composed of three vertebrae (from T5-T7 to T11-L1) and their surrounding soft tissues were harvested from nine cadavers, aged 77 to 92 years. Read More

J Neurointerv Surg 2017 Nov 9;9(11):1113-1117. Epub 2016 Nov 9.

Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of our target puncture technique with the traditional technique during percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) with intravertebral clefts (IVCs).

Methods: 104 patients treated with PKP for single OVCFs with IVCs were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were divided into three groups: cleft filling by the traditional technique (Group A, n=18); interdigitated filling (Group B, n=50); and overfilling by the target technique (Group C, n=36). Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2017 Oct 10;18(1):411. Epub 2017 Oct 10.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Postbus 5500, 6130 MB, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands.

Background: Short-segment pedicle-screw instrumentation is frequently used to stabilize thoracolumbar burst fractures. A recognized disadvantage of this procedure is recurrent kyphosis from intervertebral disc creep into the fractured central endplate. Balloon Assisted Endplate Reduction (BAER) using Tricalcium Phosphate bone cement (TCP) enables elevation of the centrally depressed endplate. Read More