Proximal femoral multiple myeloma pathological fractures, impending and actual fractures - a patient survival study.

Introduction: The femur is a common site for Multiple Myeloma (MM) involvement. This study explores the impact of preventive surgery for anticipated femoral pathological fractures (IFF), based on Mirels classification, versus treatment of pathological femur fracture (PFF) on MM patient mortality and morbidity.

Methods: Retrospective cohort of 33 patients undergoing surgery due to femoral MM involvement (2004-2015), 18 patients with PFF, 15 patients with IFF, followed up until deceased or to July 2016.

Femoral metastatic pathological fractures, impending and actual fractures - A patient survival study.

Introduction: The skeleton is a common site for metastases. Prostate, breast, lung, renal and thyroid carcinomas account for 80 % of the original cancers, with the femur being the most affected long bone. With improved oncological treatments, prolonged patient survival leads to an increased prevalence of osseous metastases.

Early surgery for thoracolumbar extension-type fractures in geriatric patients with ankylosing disorders reduces patient complications and mortality.

Background Context: The management of trauma patients with ankylosing spinal disorders has become an issue of increasing interest. Geriatric patients frequently sustain unstable extension type vertebral fractures with ankylosed spines. In this population, studies have shown that early surgery for other injuries such as hip fractures may reduce patient complications and mortality.

Scoliosis in RETT Syndrome: A National Referral Centre Experience.

Study Design: This was a retrospective case series.

Objective: The objective of this study was to discuss the treatment challenges in scoliosis patients with Rett syndrome (RTT) in a national referral centre for RTT. We describe structural characteristics of curves, age of onset, genetic mutation, ambulation status, and treatment through RTT progression.

Potential neurotoxicity of titanium implants: Prospective, in-vivo and in-vitro study.

Titanium dioxide (TiO) is a frequently used biomaterial, particularly in orthopedic and dental implants, and it is considered an inert and benign compound. This has resulted in toxicological scrutiny for TiO in the past decade, with numerus studies showing potential pathologic downstream effects. Herein we describe case report of a 77-year-old male with subacute CNS dysfunction, secondary to breakdown of a titanium-based carotid stent and leading to blood levels 1000 times higher (3 ppm) than the reported normal.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Routine Bone Biopsy During Augmentation of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Study Design: Multi-center prospective study.

Objective: To analyze the cost of routine biopsy during augmentation of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) and the affect it has on further treatment.

Summary Of Background Data: Vertebroplasty (VP) and Balloon Kyphoplasty (BKP) are accepted treatments for VCF.

Limitations of Plain Film Radiography in Identification of Hyperextension Fractures in Patients With Ankylosing Spinal Disorders.

Study Design: Efficacy study.

Objectives: To elucidate the limitations of radiography in patients with spinal ankylosing disorders (SAD) with an emphasis on thoracolumbar injuries, which have been less focused upon.

Methods: We searched our hospital's emergency room database for patients who underwent a total spine computed tomography (CT) following a diagnosis of SAD on radiographs following a minor fall.

Whole Spine CT Scan for the Detection of Acute Spinal Fractures in Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis Patients Who Sustained Low-energy Trauma.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role and value of whole-spine computerized tomography (WSCT) versus radiographs and targeted CT to tender spinal regions in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) after low-energy trauma.

Summary Of Background Data: Subjects with DISH are prone to spinal fractures even after low-impact trauma due to a rigid spinal structure.

Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM) a Serum Biomarker Indicative for the Severity of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Study Design: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 25 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and 13 healthy volunteers.

Objectives: Our aim was to investigate the significance of neurodegenerative biomarkers in patients with CSM and correlate their expression with CSM severity.

Summary Of Background Data: CSM is a common disorder involving chronic progressive compression of the cervical spinal resulting in progressive neurological impairment that ranges from mild tingling in the upper limbs to complete quadriplegia.

Eliminating the Need for Biocidal Agents in Anti-Biofouling Polymers by Applying Grafted Nanosilica Instead.

A nondestructive one-step approach was applied for grafting biocide-free monodispersed silica nanoparticles (SNPs) with a diameter of 30 ± 10 nm on polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride surfaces. The prepared surfaces were comprehensively characterized using spectroscopic (Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection, ultraviolet-visible, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and microscopic (high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy) methods. The modified polymers were found to maintain their original mechanical and physical properties, while their nanoroughness on the other hand had risen by 1.

Preventing Biofilm Formation by Dairy-Associated Bacteria Using Peptide-Coated Surfaces.

Biofilm-forming bacteria, which colonize the surfaces of equipment in the dairy industry, may adversely affect the safety and quality of the milk and its products. Despite numerous efforts to combat biofilm formation, there is still no effective technological means to thoroughly solve the biofilm problem in the dairy industry. Here, we introduced peptide-based coating in order to modify the physical properties of the stainless steel surface by affecting its availability for bacterial adhesion.

Cervical MRI Rating Scale: Innovative Approach to Differentiate between Demyelinating and Disc Lesions.

Purpose: The difficult differentiation between multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in the cervical spine is well known. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of both lesions is similar, and clinical parameters are usually used for diagnosis. The objective was to establish a reliable radiologic paradigm for diagnosis of demyelinating lesions in the cervical spine.

Association between body mass index, body height, and the prevalence of spinal deformities.

Background Context: The most common spinal deformities among adolescents are adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS; 2%-3% prevalence) and Scheuermann kyphosis (SK; 1%-8% prevalence). Both are believed to have a genetic influence in their etiology. The association between body mass index (BMI) and body stature and their possible association to spinal deformities is uncertain.

Associations of body mass index and body height with low back pain in 829,791 adolescents.

Body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight (kg)/height (m)²) and height are linked to the pathogenesis of low back pain, but evidence-based confirmation is lacking. We examined the prevalence of low back pain in adolescents and its association with BMI and height. Disability clauses (official military limitations related to a person's health status) indicating low back pain severity were divided according to symptoms of low back pain alone and symptoms of low back pain with objective corroborating findings.

Percutaneous Posterolateral Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy: Clinical Outcome, Complications, and Learning Curve Evaluation.

Ongoing technological development combined with better understanding of endoscopic anatomy has made posterolateral endoscopic discectomy an appealing surgical option for the management of herniated lumbar disc. We evaluated clinical outcomes, complication rates, and surgical learning curve with the percutaneous posterolateral transforaminal endoscopic discectomy technique (PPTED). PPTED was performed on 150 patients from 2004 to 2008.

Clinical acceptance and accuracy assessment of spinal implants guided with SpineAssist surgical robot: retrospective study.

Study Design: Retrospective, multicenter study of robotically-guided spinal implant insertions. Clinical acceptance of the implants was assessed by intraoperative radiograph, and when available, postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were used to determine placement accuracy.

Objective: To verify the clinical acceptance and accuracy of robotically-guided spinal implants and compare to those of unguided free-hand procedures.

Bone-mounted miniature robotic guidance for pedicle screw and translaminar facet screw placement: part 2--Evaluation of system accuracy.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of a novel bone-mounted miniature robotic system for percutaneous placement of pedicle and translaminar facet screws.

Methods: Thirty-five spinal levels in 10 cadavers were instrumented. Each cadaver's entire torso was scanned before the procedure.

Bone-mounted miniature robotic guidance for pedicle screw and translaminar facet screw placement: Part I--Technical development and a test case result.

Objective: To introduce a new miniature robot (SpineAssist; MAZOR Surgical Technologies, Caesarea, Israel) that has been developed and tested as a surgical assistant for accurate percutaneous placement of pedicle screws and translaminar facet screws.

Methods: Virtual projections in three planes-axial, lateral, and anteroposterior-are reconstructed for each vertebra from a preoperative computed tomographic (CT) scan. On a specially designed graphic user interface with proprietary software, the surgeon plans the trajectory of the screws.