New growth rod concept provides three dimensional correction, spinal growth, and preserved pulmonary function in early-onset scoliosis.

Introduction: This study aims to describe a novel minimal invasive early-onset scoliosis (EOS) growth rod concept, the Cody Bünger (CB) Concept, which combines concave interval distraction and contralateral-guided growth with apical control and to investigate the 3D deformity correction, the spinal growth, and the pulmonary development.

Method: A series of 38 children with progressive EOS and growth potential, receiving a highly specialized surgical treatment, including primary and conversion cases. Mean age was 10.

Major destructive asymptomatic lumbar Charcot lesion treated with three column resection and short segment reconstruction. Case report, treatment strategy and review of literature.

Charcot's spine is a long-term complication of spinal cord injury. The lesion is often localized at the caudal end of long fusion constructs and distal to the level of paraplegia. However, cases are rare and the literature relevant to the management of Charcot's arthropathy is limited.

Health-care costs of conservative management of spine fractures in trauma patients.

Background And Purpose: There is a lack of evidence on the broad health-care costs of treating spine trauma patients without neurological deficits conservatively. The aim of the present study was to estimate the primary and secondary health-care sector costs associated with conservative treatment of spine fractures as well as their determinants.

Methods: Patients were identified between 1999 and 2008 in the hospital's administrative system based on relevant diagnostic codes.

Cost-Effectiveness of Surgical Versus Conservative Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures.

Study Design: Historical, register-based cohort study following 85 patients in the course of a time frame extending from 2 years before to 2 years after trauma occurrence.

Objective: To investigate the cost-effectiveness of surgery versus conservative management for thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Summary Of Background Data: Despite the prevalence of thoracolumbar burst fractures, consensus has still not been reached in terms of their clinical management and whereas from a health policy point of view, efficient use of resources is equally important, literature pertaining to this aspect is limited.

Do postoperative radiographically verified technical success, improved cosmesis, and trunk shift corroborate with patient-reported outcomes in Lenke 1C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

Purpose: To examine correlation between postoperative radiographic and cosmetic improvements in Lenke 1C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with patients' self-rated outcomes of health and disability at follow-up as determined by the Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire (SRS-30), Oswestry Disability Index score (ODI) and measure of overall health quality Euroqol-5d (EQ-5D).

Methods: 24 Lenke 1C scoliosis patients, mean age 16.5 (12.

Distal Adding on in Lenke 1A Scoliosis: What Causes It? How Can It Be Prevented?

Purpose: To investigate the causes and prevention of distal adding on in Lenke 1A scoliosis.

Methods: Sixty Lenke 1A patients were included. The authors selected 10 potential risk factors for distal adding on.

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) versus posterolateral instrumented fusion (PLF) in degenerative lumbar disorders: a randomized clinical trial with 2-year follow-up.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze outcome, with respect to functional disability, pain, fusion rate, and complications of patients treated with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in compared to instrumented poserolateral fusion (PLF) alone, in low back pain. Spinal fusion has become a major procedure worldwide. However, conflicting results exist.

Lowest instrumented vertebra selection for Lenke 5C scoliosis: a minimum 2-year radiographical follow-up.

Study Design: A radiographical follow-up and analysis.

Objective: To investigate the postoperative curve change in Lenke 5C scoliosis, and to discuss how to select lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV).

Summary Of Background Data: 5C curves are relatively rare in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, and few studies have focused on this type of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Failure modes in conservative and surgical management of infectious spondylodiscitis.

Purpose And Methods: We reviewed the management, failure modes, and outcomes of 196 patients treated for infectious spondylodiscitis between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010, at the Spinal Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. Patients with infectious spondylodiscitis at the site of previous spinal instrumentation, spinal metastases, and tuberculous and fungal spondylodiscitis were excluded.

Results: Mean age at the time of treatment was 59 (range 1-89) years.

Prevalence of complications in neuromuscular scoliosis surgery: a literature meta-analysis from the past 15 years.

Purpose: Our objectives were primarily to review the published literature on complications in neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) surgery and secondarily, by means of a meta-analysis, to determine the overall pooled rates (PR) of various complications associated with NMS surgery.

Methods: PubMed and Embase databases were searched for studies reporting the outcomes and complications of NMS surgery, published from 1997 to May 2011. We focused on NMS as defined by the Scoliosis Research Society's classification.

Distal adding-on in Lenke 1A scoliosis: how to more effectively determine the onset of distal adding-on.

Study Design: A radiographical follow-up and analysis.

Objective: To identify appropriate radiographical parameters for measuring the extent of distal adding-on and to discuss criteria for determining the onset of distal adding-on.

Summary Of Background Data: There is no consensus on how to determine the onset of distal adding-on in Lenke 1A scoliosis.

Postoperative trunk shift in Lenke 1C scoliosis: what causes it? How can it be prevented?

Study Design: A risk factor analysis study.

Objective: To identify the causative factors for postoperative trunk shift in Lenke 1C scoliosis and investigate how to prevent it.

Summary Of Background Data: When selective thoracic fusion is performed, postoperative trunk shift is a significant problem in the management of Lenke 1C scoliosis.

Lowest instrumented vertebra selection in Lenke 3C and 6C scoliosis: what if we choose lumbar apical vertebra as distal fusion end?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not post-op curve behaviour differs due to different choices of lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) with reference to lumbar apical vertebra (LAV) in Lenke 3C and 6C scoliosis.

Methods: We reviewed all the AIS cases surgically treated in our institution from 2002 through 2008. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) patients with Lenke 3C or 6C scoliosis who were treated with posterior pedicle screw-only constructs; (2) 2-year radiographic follow-up.

Extensive fusion for Lenke 3C and 6C scoliosis: a two year radiographic follow-up.

Purpose: To investigate the correction effectiveness, incidence rate of distal adding on, and post-operative spinal balance in Lenke 3C and 6C AIS treated with extensive fusion using posterior pedicle screw-only constructs.

Methods: We reviewed all AIS cases surgically treated in our institution between 2002 and 2008. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) Lenke 3C or 6C scoliosis patients who were treated with extensive fusion using posterior pedicle screw-only constructs; (2) minimum two year radiographic follow-up; (3) the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) ended at L2, L3 or L4 level.

Predictive value of Tokuhashi scoring systems in spinal metastases, focusing on various primary tumor groups: evaluation of 448 patients in the Aarhus spinal metastases database.

Study Design: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 448 patients with spinal metastases from a variety of cancer groups.

Objective: To determine the specific predictive value of the Tokuhashi scoring system (T12) and its revised version (T15) in spinal metastases of various primary tumors.

Summary Of Background Data: The life expectancy of patients with spinal metastases is one of the most important factors in selecting the treatment modality.

Distal adding-on phenomenon in Lenke 1A scoliosis: risk factor identification and treatment strategy comparison.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To identify risk factors for the presence of distal adding-on in Lenke 1A scoliosis and compare different treatment strategies.

Summary Of Background Data: Distal adding-on is often accompanied by unsatisfactory clinical outcome and high risk of reoperation.

Fusion mass bone quality after uninstrumented spinal fusion in older patients.

Older people are at increased risk of non-union after spinal fusion, but little is known about the factors determining the quality of the fusion mass in this patient group. The aim of this study was to investigate fusion mass bone quality after uninstrumented spinal fusion and to evaluate if it could be improved by additional direct current (DC) electrical stimulation. A multicenter RCT compared 40 and 100 μA DC stimulation with a control group of uninstrumented posterolateral fusion in patients older than 60 years.

The effect of electrical stimulation on lumbar spinal fusion in older patients: a randomized, controlled, multi-center trial: part 2: fusion rates.

Study Design: Randomized, controlled, multi-center trial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of direct current (DC) electrical stimulation on fusion rates after lumbar spinal fusion in patients older than 60 years.

Summary Of Background Data: Older patients have increased complication rates after spinal fusion surgery.

The effect of electrical stimulation on lumbar spinal fusion in older patients: a randomized, controlled, multi-center trial: part 1: functional outcome.

Study Design: Randomized, controlled, multi-center trial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of direct current (DC) electrical stimulation on functional and clinical outcome after lumbar spinal fusion in patients older than 60 years.

Summary Of Background Data: Older patients have increased complication rates after spinal fusion surgery.

[Positioning injuries among patients undergoing spine surgery].

Introduction: The aim of this study was to answer the questions: Which kind of positioning injuries occurred in anaesthetized orthopaedic patients undergoing spine surgery who were prone-positioned for more than two hours? What was the incidence of positioning injuries? Which patients were at particular risk of developing positioning-related injuries?

Material And Methods: Follow-up study comprising 299 patients. A patient record followed the patient from the day of surgery until discharge. Selected pre-disposing factors related to positioning injuries as well as positioning-related injuries were registered.

Spondylodiscitis. A retrospective study of 163 patients.

Background And Purpose: Spondylodiscitis may be a serious disease due to diagnostic delay and inadequate treatment. There is no consensus on when and how to operate. We therefore retrospectively analyzed the outcome of a large series of patients treated either nonoperatively or surgically.

Endothelin-1-induced femoral head epiphyseal artery constriction is enhanced by long-term corticosteroid treatment.

Background: With regard to the pathogenesis of corticosteroid-associated femoral head osteonecrosis, only intravascular and extravascular factors have been discussed. Wall constriction of the lateral epiphyseal arteries, which are the main supplying arteries within the femoral head, has not previously been investigated. This study examined the effect of long-term corticosteroid treatment on vasoconstriction of the lateral epiphyseal arteries of the femoral head in a porcine model.

Outcome in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis after brace treatment and surgery assessed by means of the Scoliosis Research Society Instrument 24.

A retrospectively designed long-term follow-up study of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients who had completed treatment, of at least 2 years, by means of brace, surgery, or both brace and surgery. This study is to assess the outcome after treatment for AIS by means of the Scoliosis Research Society Outcome Instrument 24 (SRS 24). One hundred and eighteen AIS patients (99 females and 19 males), treated at the Aarhus University Hospital from January 1, 1987 to December 31, 1997, were investigated with at least 2 years follow-up at the time of receiving a posted self-administered questionnaire.

The influence of lumbar lordosis on spinal fusion and functional outcome after posterolateral spinal fusion with and without pedicle screw instrumentation.

The aim of the current study was to examine the correlation between lumbar lordosis, spinal fusion, and functional outcome in patients suffering from severe low back pain, treated by posterolateral spinal fusion with or without pedicle screw instrumentation. One hundred thirty patients were randomly allocated to posterolateral lumbar fusion with or without Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation. Functional outcome was assessed preoperatively, and 1 and 2 years postoperatively.