Dose-dependent effect of radiation on angiogenic and angiostatic CXC chemokine expression in human endothelial cells.

Blood vessel growth is regulated by angiogenic and angiostatic CXC chemokines, and radiation is a vasculogenic stimulus. We investigated the effect of radiation on endothelial cell chemokine signaling, receptor expression, and migration and apoptosis. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to a single fraction of 0, 5, or 20 Gy of ionizing radiation (IR).

Thoracoscopic anterior instrumented fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with emphasis on the sagittal plane.

Background Context: Anterior fusion through an open thoracotomy restores kyphosis more reliably than posterior techniques in patients with thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Video-assisted thoracoscopic spinal fusion and instrumentation (VATS) minimizes the morbidity, from soft tissue and muscle dissection that accompanies traditional open thoracotomy. To our knowledge, there has not been a comprehensive analysis of VATS with respect to radiographic and clinical outcomes in the sagittal plane.

Reduction of high-grade isthmic and dysplastic spondylolisthesis in 5 adolescents.

Treatment of high-grade isthmic and dysplastic spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents remains a challenge. Surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis has been recommended in adolescents with pain refractory to nonoperative modalities, slippage progression, or > 50% slippage on presentation. Controversy exists as to the optimal surgical approach for high-grade spondylolisthesis.