A comparative biomechanical analysis of spinal instability and instrumentation of the cervicothoracic junction: an in vitro human cadaveric model.

Objective: Stabilization of the cervicothoracic junction is challenging but commonly required in patients with traumatic, neoplastic, congenital, and postlaminectomy conditions. Although extensive research has been performed on stabilization of the cervical spine, there remains a paucity of published data on instrumentation at the cervicothoracic junction. Using 2-column, 3-column, and corpectomy instability models, a biomechanical analysis was performed on the effects of increasing the number of posterior segmental fixation points and/or anterior column reconstruction at the cervicothoracic junction.

Cardiac screening in congenital spine disorders.

Background: Children with congenital spine disorders are known to have a high prevalence of congenital heart disease. The purpose of this work is to examine the presentation of these cardiac defects. It was our hypothesis that the anomalies are clinically obvious; thus, screening with electrocardiogram (ECG) or echocardiogram for occult disease would prove unnecessary after orthopaedic referral.

The indications for interbody fusion cages in the treatment of spondylolisthesis: analysis of 120 cases.

Study Design: This study retrospectively examines outcomes of unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with posterior fixation using anterior carbon fiber cages and 360 degrees fusion in spondylolisthesis.

Objectives: The goals were to examine the outcomes and perioperative complications of using anterior column support in the treatment of various types of spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: In 2000, Brantigan et al reported the Brantigan interbody fusion cage used as a posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the US IDE clinical trial.

Chronic osteomyelitis associated with cat-scratch disease.

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is usually a self-limited illness, though atypical presentations of infection with Bartonella henselae can occur, including osteomyelitis, oculoglandular syndrome, and granulomatous hepatitis. We describe a 6-year-old boy who had atypical CSD osteomyelitis of the left proximal femoral metaphysis due to a cat scratch. This is the second paper to report serial serology of B henselae, and the second paper to identify plasma cells on histologic examination, compatible with chronic osteomyelitis.