Application of Diffusion Tensor Imaging Cutoff Value to Evaluate the Severity and Postoperative Neurologic Recovery of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in the assessment of spinal cord status for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) also is a novel investigation tool with good sensitivity to detect changes in CSM, but it is not routinely used in spinal cord evaluation.

Methods: Sixty-six patients with CSM who required surgical decompression were included.

[Hidden blood loss after lumbar spinal stenosis operation].

Objective: To determine the total blood loss and hidden blood loss associated with surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis and to identify risk factors for blood loss.

Methods: From September 2002 to July 2006, the clinical data from 138 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis undergoing initial operation were analysed prospectively. There were 44 males and 94 females, aging 56-78 years (mean 66.