Comparison of Continuous Femoral Nerve Block, Caudal Epidural Block, and Intravenous Patient-controlled Analgesia in Pain Control After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Thirty-six patients who underwent primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) were randomly allocated to 4 groups with different pain control protocols; continuous femoral nerve block (FNB group), single-shot caudal epidural block with morphine (EB group), intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with fentanyl (IV-PCA group), and systemic administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs group). Postoperative pain was assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS) scores and the analgesic effect was compared among the groups. The NRS upon arrival at the recovery room and 6 hours after surgery in the FNB, EB, and IV-PCA groups were significantly lower than that in the NSAIDs group.

Dynamic evaluation of the spinal cord in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy using a kinematic magnetic resonance imaging technique.

Study Design: This prospective study analyzed preoperative and postoperative dynamic changes of the spinal cord in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Objective: (1) To study preoperative kinematic characteristics of the spinal cord in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and compare results with healthy individuals, (2) to understand the dynamic changes of the spinal cord after posterior decompression, and (3) to discover whether the degree of posterior shifting is correlated with surgical outcomes using kinematic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Summary Of Background Data: Laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy increases the space occupied by the spinal cord leading to a decompressive effect on the cord.

Kinetic analysis of the cervical spinal cord in patients after spinous process-splitting laminoplasty using a kinematic magnetic resonance imaging technique.

Study Design: An in vivo flexion-extension magnetic resonance imaging study.

Objective: To evaluate the kinetic changes of the cervical spinal cord after laminoplasty in patients with cervical myelopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: Laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy increases the space occupied by the spinal cord, leading to a decompressive effect on the cord.

Unusual metastasis to the cauda equina from renal cell carcinoma.

Study Design: This is a case report of a patient with renal cell carcinoma and intradural metastasis to the cauda equina.

Objective: To present a rare case of an intradural metastasis from renal cell carcinoma and to discuss the clinical features of metastatic tumors in the cauda equina and the possible mechanism of the tumor spread to the cauda equina.

Summary Of Background Data: Intradural spinal metastasis has been rarely reported in the English literature.

Horner's syndrome caused by a thoracic dumbbell-shaped schwannoma: sympathetic chain reconstruction after a one-stage removal of the tumor.

Study Design: A case of Horner's syndrome caused by a thoracic dumbbell-shaped schwannoma is reported.

Objectives: To report a rare case of a mediastinal dumbbell-shaped schwannoma as a cause of Horner's syndrome and to show the result of intercostal nerve grafting for sympathetic chain reconstruction after resection of the sympathetic nerve.

Summary Of Background Data: It has been reported that approximately 10% of neurogenic mediastinal tumors extend through the neural foramen into the spinal canal, creating a dumbbell shape.