Disc nucleus fortification for lumbar degenerative disc disease: a biomechanical study.

OBJECTIVE Spinal stability is attributed in part to osteoligamentous structures, including the vertebral body, facets, intervertebral discs, and posterior elements. The materials in this study provide an opportunity to augment the degenerated nucleus without removing native disc material, a procedure introduced here as "fortification." The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nucleus fortification on lumbar disc biomechanics.

Learning retention of thoracic pedicle screw placement using a high-resolution augmented reality simulator with haptic feedback.

Background: We evaluated the use of a part-task simulator with 3D and haptic feedback as a training tool for a common neurosurgical procedure--placement of thoracic pedicle screws.

Objective: To evaluate the learning retention of thoracic pedicle screw placement on a high-performance augmented reality and haptic technology workstation.

Methods: Fifty-one fellows and residents performed thoracic pedicle screw placement on the simulator.

Brachial plexopathy due to chondrolipoangioma. Case report and review of the literature.

Chondrolipoangioma is a mesenchymoma primarily composed of cartilage, with adipose tissue and vascular elements present in lesser proportions. Chondrolipoangiomas have been reported to occur in the extremities, chest wall, oral soft tissues, mediastinum, uterus and its round ligament, seminal vesicles, and heart. In this report, the authors present an unusual case in which a chondrolipoangioma caused a brachial plexopathy.