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Following are a selection of Abstracts from Spine, V 24, No 7, April 1, 1999 (Please hit back button to return to Table of Contents.)
The Ligaments and Anulus Fibrosus of Human Adult Cervical Intervertebral
Discs
Adult cervical intervertebral discs are distinctly different in morphology from lumbar
discs. The anulus fibrosus is a crescentic structure that envelopes the nucleus pulposus
and is thick anteriorly but thin posteriorly. Anteriorly the anulus has the structure of a
strong interosseous ligament, while posteriorly the thin anulus is reinforced by the
multilayered posterior longitudinal ligament.
Experimental External Fixation Combined With Percutaneous Discectomy in the
Management of Scoliosis
The effect of external fixation with or without percutaneous discectomy in the
management of scoliosis was investigated in an experimental setting, as a preliminary
study to precede cinical consideration. Results suggest the potential for external fixation
to allow for derotation and, when combined with percutaneous discectomy, to offer a
feasible method of managing scoliosis in the human adolescent.
Pedicle and Transverse Process Screws of the Upper Thoracic Spine:
Biomechanical Comparison of Loads to Failure
Upper thoracic spinal fixation continues to pose challenges with regard to safety and
efficacy. The pullout strength of a recently proposed fixation option, the transverse
process screw, is directly compared with that of the upper thoracic pedicle screw in a
cadaveric model.
Geometric Measurements of the Lumbar Spine in Chinese Men During Trunk
Flexion
The purpose of this study was to establish reference data concerning the geometry of the
lumbar spine for various trunk flexion positions. Lateral radiographs of 16 Chinese men
were obtained with the men in the upright position to a trunk flexion of 90° in 30°
increments. A total of 67 landmarks on each radiograph were identified. No interracial
differences were found among the geometric data on the lumbar spine of Chinese men
when compared with published data on Caucasian individuals. This suggests that
morphometric data obtained from Caucasian individuals may be applied to Chinese
patients for clinical purposes.
Strain on Intervertebral Discs After Anterior Cervical Decompression and
Fusion
The strain of intervertebral disc measured after anterior cervical decompression and
fusion was analyzed by an original method, and its relation with the occurrence of
herniation of the disc was examined. The occurrence of herniation closely correlated with
the increase in longitudinal strain of discs after surgery.
A Descriptive Study of the Centralization Phenomenon: A Prospective Analysis
A total of 289 patients with acute neck or back pain syndromes were reliably
categorized into three pain pattern groups after mechanical assessment and treatment.
Centralization as defined in this study is not as prevalent as previously reported. Patients
with centralization or partial reduction pain patterns reported significant decreases in pain
intensity and improvements in perceived function compared wotj patients with
noncentralization pain patterns.
Is Leg Length Discrepancy Associated With the Side of Radiating Pain in
Patients With a Lumbar Herniated Disc?
This study showed a statistically significant association between leg length discrepancy
and the side of radiating pain in a case series of patients with lumbar herniated discs. The
relation was more pronounced and only statistically significant in women.
Is Occupational Low Back Pain on the Rise?
According to the prevailing view in the literature, occupational low back pain is on the
rise. Data obtained from three United States sources were analyzed with regard to that
view. Unexpectedly, according to the current authors' indicators, rates and costs
associated with occupational low back pain do not appear to be increasing. In certain
respects, the problem appears to be lessening. Occupational low back pain, however,
continues to be a sizable problem in the workplace.
Dynamic Forces Acting on the Lumbar Spine During Manual Handling: Can
They be Estimated Using Electromyographic Techniques Alone?
Volunteers lifted weights from the floor, while simultaneous measurements of spinal
loading were made using techniques based on force-plates, movement analysis, and
electromyography. Results indicated that the axial inertial forces "hidden" from
electromyography techniques were small.
Influence of Estrogen-Progestin Treatment on Back Pain and Disability Among Slim Premenopausal Women With Low Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density: A 2-Year Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial
This trial was done to examine the possible preventive or aggravating effect of
estrogen-progestin treatment on the back symptoms of slim premenopausal women with
low bone mineral density.
Diagnosis of Os Odontoideum Using Kinematic Magnetic Resonance Imaging:
A Case Report
Kinematic magnetic resonance imaging is able to produce "real time" images of the
cervical spine through a physiologic range of motion. It can be useful for diagnosis and
treatment planning in patients with os odontoideum.
The Importance of an Intact Abdominal Musculature Mechanism in Maintaining
Spinal Sagittal Balance: Case Illustration in Prune-Belly Syndrome
A rare case of spinal thoracic hypokyphosis deformity secondary to prune-belly
syndrome is reported. The importance of an intact abdominal musculature mechanism in
maintaining spinal sagittal balance and thoracic physiologic kyphosis is discussed. Also, a
literature review on the prevalence of spinal deformities, in particular relating to scoliosis,
is included.
Molecular Biology and Spinal Disorders: A Survey for the Clinician
This review outlines the basic concepts of molecular biology, highlights the basic
techniques and how they can be used to answer questions, and discusses the potential for
gene therapy in the management of various spine disorders.
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