摘要:

Transforaminal epidural steroids are a commonly used technique for diagnosis and treatment of nerve root irritation secondary to herniated disc material. The recent reported occurrences of severe complications using the transforaminal technique have led to the search for a novel alternative that is both a safe and accurate method of steroid delivery. The technique described offers improved safety and diagnostic accuracy over traditional transforaminal steroid injections.

ISSN:1536-0652    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Intraoperative hydrocortisone irrigation of the cerebrospinal fluid pathways may reduce symptoms attributed to aseptic meningitis, which often follow the resection of epidermoid spinal tumors. Here, 20 patients undergoing surgical resection of epidermoid tumors were randomly assigned to two groups: Group I received intraoperative hydrocortisone irrigation, whereas Group II served as a control. No patient receiving hydrocortisone experienced fevers or meningismus, but nontreated patients experienced fevers (100%) and meningismus (78%). Nausea and vomiting were reduced (9%) in the treatedversusuntreated groups (22%vs.11%, respectively), whereas none in the treated group noted dizziness, vertigo, or diabetes insipidus. As steroid irrigation significantly decreased the perioperative morbidity of epidermoid tumor resection, indications for intravenous steroids may become more limited, thereby reducing cost.

ISSN:1536-0652    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We performed a prospective study of patients with a whiplash trauma to the cervical spine to describe the incidence of these injuries and to evaluate prognostic factors for disability and recovery. A total of 356 patients were enrolled in the study. All the patients received a comprehensive questionnaire after the injury, and 296 cases responded to the follow-up protocol more than 1 year after the accident. Disability related to the whiplash trauma was used as the outcome variable for the assessment of prognostic factors. The annual incidence of acute whiplash trauma in the catchment area was 4.2 per 1,000 inhabitants and 3.2 per 1,000 for whiplash-associated disorder grades 1–3. Thirty-two percent reported persisting disability at follow-up. The following factors were significantly associated with a poor prognosis: pretraumatic neck pain, low educational level, female gender, and whiplash-associated disorder grades 2–3.

ISSN:1536-0652    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Several authors have hypothesized that there is a link between lumbar lordosis and low back pain. These relationships have not been previously described in a sample consisting exclusively of elderly, African-American women. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between lumbar lordosis and radiologic variables and lumbar lordosis and clinical variables in elderly, African-American women. A total of 475 African-American women enrolled in the multicenter Study of Osteoporotic Fractures participated in this ancillary, cross-sectional, study of lumbar lordosis. These women received lumbar spine radiographs and completed a questionnaire on low back pain and its impact on their daily lives. Lumbar lordosis tertiles were created based on radiographic measurements. Comparisons were made between the tertiles for differences in radiologic and clinical variables. Significant differences (p < 0.0025) were observed between the lordosis tertiles and the presence of spondylolisthesis, intervertebral disc space, and vertebral wedging. No significant differences were observed between the lordosis tertiles for the occurrence of low back pain, symptoms associated with low back pain, and disability experienced from low back pain. The degree of lumbar lordosis was associated with radiologic variables but was not associated with symptoms or decreased function from low back pain. These findings question the clinical utility of the lumbar lordosis measurement in elderly, African-American women.

ISSN:1536-0652    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We describe two cases of spinal arachnoid cyst associated with syringomyelia and report the clinical results after surgical treatment using excision of the cyst without a shunt operation for the syringomyelia. Case 1 is a 73-year-old woman who presented with a spastic gait and numbness of her bilateral lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the presence of a spinal arachnoid cyst extending from T3 to T8 and syringomyelia from T8 to T10. The cyst had compressed the spinal cord anteriorly. We excised the cyst without applying a shunt tube for the syringomyelia. Case 2 is a 68-year-old woman who presented with gait disturbance and numbness of her left lower extremity. MRI indicated that the spinal cord had been compressed anteriorly by a spinal arachnoid cyst extending from T10 to T11. Syringomyelia existed just caudal to the cyst at T11. In our surgical treatment, we excised only the cyst. In both cases, neurologic examination after the operation showed amelioration of the condition. Postoperative MRI indicated that the spinal cord had moved to the center, its original position, and the syringomyelia had decreased in size. Conclusively, spinal arachnoid cyst associated with syringomyelia can be treated by simple excision of the cyst without shunting the syrinx if the decompression effect resulting from removal of the cyst is sufficient.

ISSN:1536-0652    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

An immunocompetent patient from a nonendemic region developed a rare intramedullary thoracic histoplasmoma. A native Arizonan, with no history of travel to endemic regions, received 3 months of itraconazole for confirmed gastrointestinal histoplasmosis at an outside institution. Two years later she experienced the rapid onset of paraplegia and lost bowel and bladder function. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a ring-enhancing intramedullary lesion at T2 and signal abnormality from C2 to T5. Emergent T2–T3 laminectomy was performed with ultrasonographically guided intradural exploration and midline myelotomy. The intramedullary abscess was drained. She was nonambulatory, but motor function was partially restored. An Ommaya reservoir was later placed to deliver amphotericin and a new antifungal agent, voriconazole. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that the infection had resolved. Intramedullary spinal histoplasmoma is a rare manifestation of disseminated histoplasmosis, particularly in nonendemic regions. Surgery for focal mass lesions and aggressive antifungal chemotherapy are the optimal treatment. Newer central nervous system-penetrating antibiotics show promise in refractory cases.

ISSN:1536-0652    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

There has been much debate about the pathogenesis of atlantoaxial rotatory fixation. Intraarticular abnormality has not been well documented thus far. This is the first case of chronic atlantoaxial rotatory fixation in which atlantoaxial joints were examined by consecutive arthrography. A 7-year-old girl was diagnosed with atlantoaxial rotatory fixation on a three-dimensional CT scan. Arthrography of the lateral atlantoaxial joints indicated a rupture of the joint capsule on the dislocated side at first, followed by a successful repair after 5 weeks' immobilization with a halo apparatus. Because torticollis recurred after taking off the halo vest, we performed surgery in which severe adhesion of the cartilage surface of facet joint was noted on the undislocated side and release of the adhesion was needed to mobilize the atlas. Atlantoaxial arthrodesis by screw fixation facilitated a solid fusion of the segment.

ISSN:1536-0652    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We report a case of atlantoaxial vertical subluxation with mandibular micrognathia associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The patient was treated by odontoidectomyviathe transoral approach and required a sagittal split mandibular osteotomy because of the mandibular micrognathia. The clinical outcome was excellent.

ISSN:1536-0652    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1536-0652    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:1536-0652    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2003

数据来源: OVID