Clinical results of patients with subaxial cervical spine trauma treated according to the SLIC score.

Objective: The Subaxial Injury Classification (SLIC) system has been developed to improve injury classification and guide surgical decision making yet clinical validation remains necessary.

Methods: We evaluated the validity and safety of the SLIC system prospectively in patients treated for subaxial cervical spine trauma (SCST) between 2009 and 2012. Patients with four or more points were surgically treated, whereas patients with less than 4 points were conservatively managed.

Relationships between the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen Spine System and the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System: an analysis of the literature.

Context: The Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System (TLICS) has been recently described to help surgeons in the decision-making process of thoracolumbar spinal trauma.

Objective: To analyze the potential relationships between the TLICS scores with the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) Spine System and patient's neurological status.

Methods: Literature analysis of the potential scored injuries in the TLICS system, based on its individual scores, its total score, and its suggested proposed treatment, correlating these with the AO system and neurological status.

Measuring the impact of the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score among 458 consecutively treated patients.

Context: The Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS) was proposed to improve injury classification and guide surgical decision-making of thoracolumbar spinal trauma (TLST), but its impact on the care of patients has not been quantified.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Patient Sample: Analysis of 458 patients treated for TLST trauma from 2000 through 2010 at a single center.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for spinal metastases: a literature review.

Objective: The spine is the most common location for bone metastases. Since cure is not possible, local control and relief of symptoms is the basis for treatment, which is grounded on the use of conventional radiotherapy. Recently, spinal radiosurgery has been proposed for the local control of spinal metastases, whether as primary or salvage treatment.

Retrospective evaluation of the validity of the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System in 458 consecutively treated patients.

Background Context: The Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System (TLICS) system has been developed to improve injury classification and guide surgical decision-making, yet validation of this new system remains sparse.

Purpose: This study evaluates the use of the TLICS in a large, consecutive series of patients.

Study Design/setting: This is a retrospective case series.

Is there a right time for surgery in paraplegic patients secondary to non traumatic spinal cord compression?

Paraplegia is a well-defined state of complete motor deficit in lower limbs, regardless of sensory involvement. The cause of paraplegia usually guides treatment, however, some controversies remain about the time and benefits for spinal cord decompression in nontraumatic paraplegic patients, especially after 48 hours of the onset of paraplegia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of spinal cord decompression in such patients.

The precision, accuracy and validity of detecting posterior ligamentous complex injuries of the thoracic and lumbar spine: a critical appraisal of the literature.

Purpose: The diagnostic assessment and prognostic value of the posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) remains a controversial topic in the management of patients with thoracolumbar spinal injury. The purpose of this review was to critically appraise the literature and present an overview of the: (1) precision, (2) accuracy, and (3) validity of detecting PLC injuries in patients with thoracic and lumbar spine trauma.

Methods: Studies evaluating the precision, accuracy and/or validity of detecting and managing PLC injuries in patients with thoracic and/or lumbar spine injuries were searched through the Medline database (1966 to September 2011).

Axis instrumentation: surgical results.

Objective: Evaluate the surgical results of axis screw instrumentation.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation of the clinical and radiological data of patients submitted to axis fixation using screws.

Results: Seventeen patients were surgically treated.

Postoperative spinal deformity after treatment of intracanal spine lesions.

Background Context: Surgical treatment of intracanal (both intramedullary and extramedullary) spine lesions requires posterior decompressive techniques in nearly all instances. Postoperative spinal deformities, most notably sagittal and coronal decompensation, are of significant concern for both the patient and the spinal surgeon.

Purpose: To review and define principles and features of spinal deformities after posterior spinal decompression for intracanal spinal lesions, and to define patients who may benefit from the concomitant spinal fusion.

Surgical management of intradural extramedullary tumors located anteriorly to the spinal cord.

Meningiomas and nerve sheath tumors are the most common lesions found in the intradural extramedullary compartment of the spine. Some of these lesions can be located anteriorly to the spinal cord, constituting a challenge for spine surgeons. We present a surgical technique that improves the surgical exposure of lesions located anteriorly or antero-laterally to the spinal cord.

Bacillary prostatitis after intravesical immunotherapy: a rare adverse effect.

Nowadays, the most efficient form of intravesical immunotherapy for superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is the instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), proceeding from an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis. In up to 40% of cases, its instillation is associated with significantly elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. In these cases, prostate biopsy should be withheld for 3 months and PSA should be monitored.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma: the importance of immunohistochemistry in differential diagnosis.

Introduction: Clear cell carcinoma accounts for 75% of all types of renal neoplasms. Approximately one third presents with metastatic disease at diagnosis. Immunohistochemical studies play a significant diagnostic role.

Craniocervical traumatic injuries: evaluation and surgical decision making.

We present a literature review of current approaches to craniocervical traumatic injuries. In an attempt to categorize the injuries that involve the upper cervical spine, we divide the injuries into two groups: (1) injuries affecting mainly bone structures and (2) predominantly ligamentous injury. This division is based on the principle that bone injuries have the potential to heal with conservative treatment whereas ligamentous injury would not heal properly, leading to an unstable spine.

Evaluation of the subaxial injury classification system.

Study Design: Retrospective clinical study of patients treated for subaxial cervical spine trauma (SCST) at a tertiary medical center.

Purpose: Evaluate the validity of the Subaxial Injury Classification (SLIC) system in surgical versus non-surgical decision making for SCST.

Inclusion Criteria: Age >12 years, presence of SCST with complete clinical and radiological (CT and MRI) data.

Lateral mass screw fixation of the atlas: surgical technique and anatomy.

The use of lateral mass atlas screws is an important technique to achieve fusion and stability at the craniocervical region affected by different pathologies (degenerative, traumatic, inflammatory, neoplastic, or congenital). This paper describes the anatomy and techniques necessary for proper insertion of posterior C1 lateral mass screws, using anatomic dissection and intraoperative pictures. Knowledge of the anatomy and the surgical technique of insertion of C1 lateral mass screws are of paramount importance to have good surgical results.

Decompressive craniectomy in massive cerebral infarction.

Twenty one patients were submitted to decompressive craniectomy for massive cerebral infarct. Ten patients (47.6%) presented a good outcome at the 6 months evaluation, eight had a poor outcome (38%) and three died (14.

A comparison of the dental health of Brazilian and Canadian independently living elderly.

Objective: To compare the dental status of Brazilian and Canadian elderly populations with respect to socioeconomic and quality of life factors.

Materials And Methods: A total of 496 adults aged 60-75 years, having four or more teeth, and physically and cognitively suitable for a clinical oral examination were included. Subjects answered questions concerning their lifestyle and completed the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire.

Evaluation of the thoracolumbar injury classification system in thoracic and lumbar spinal trauma.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: Evaluate the relationship among the neurologic status, the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System (TLICS) score, and the Magerl/AO classification system.

Summary Of The Background Data: A wide range of classification schemes for thoracic and lumbar spine trauma have been described, but none has achieved widespread acceptance.

Ga-67 scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis between acute interstitial nephritis and acute tubular necrosis: an experimental study.

Background: The differentiation between acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is crucial in patients with acute kidney injury. Gallium-67 citrate (Ga-67) has been used clinically in the differential diagnosis between these entities, but its efficacy is disputed. The aim of this study was to evaluate Ga-67 scintigraphy efficacy in the differentiation between experimental models of drug-induced AIN and ATN.

Evaluation of arthrodesis and cervical alignment in the surgical results of cervical discectomy using polymethylmetacrylate.

Background And Objectives: Surgical treatment of cervical radiculopathy with or without myelopathy is a controversy issue, although anterior discectomy is the most common form of treatment.

Method: We present the evaluation of the arthrodesis' rate and cervical alignment in 48 patients with cervical degenerative disease (CDD) submitted to anterior cervical discectomy with interposition of polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA). Odom and Nürick scales were used to evaluation of functional status before and after surgery.