Spontaneous thoracic subdural hematoma associated with warfarin therapy: Case report with serial MRI.

Background: Spontaneous acute spinal subdural hematoma (SASSDH) is a rare but serious condition. We present diagnostic challenges and serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a patient who developed warfarin-associated thoracic SASSDH that was managed surgically.

Case Description: A 68-year-old male presented with sudden onset left-sided chest and back pain, left leg weakness, and bilateral loss of sensations below T4 level.

Osteosynthesis of the clavicle after osteotomy in brachial plexus surgery: A biomechanical cadaver study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the biomechanical effects of locking plate superior and anteroinferior positioning on the osteosynthesis of the clavicles osteotomized obliquely.

Materials And Methods: Ten matched pairs of fresh cadaveric clavicles osteotomized through the mid-shaft obliquely were repaired with a titanium 7-hole 3.5-mm reconstruction locking plate in the superior or the anteroinferior position.

Clinical outcomes of patients with lumbar disc herniation, selected for one-level open-discectomy and microdiscectomy.

The aim of our study was twofold: firstly, to compare the preoperative and postoperative results at mid-term follow-up periods along with the data of the control group. Secondly, to evaluate the effectiveness among open-discectomy and microdiscectomy surgical groups. In the present study, we investigated a cohort of 100 patients with the lumbar disc herniation causing low back pain compared to 100 subjects of the control group with the non-specific low back pain by applying physical activity, pain scale, Short Form 36 General Health Questionnaire and additional postoperative records of patient's satisfaction and complications level, consumption of analgesics, and return to work status.

The measurements of health-related quality-of-life and pain assessment in the preoperative patients with low back pain.

Objective: This prospective observational study of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Oswestry Disability Index, Lithuanian version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain was performed to evaluate their effectiveness in the additional preoperative screening of patients with disc herniation disease.

Patients And Methods: In the present study, we investigated a cohort of 100 patients with lumbar disc herniation causing low back pain and the second one of 100 patients with nonspecific low back pain by applying physical activity, pain scales and Short-Form 36 General Health Questionnaire.

Results: The quantitative analysis of SF-36 domain scores showed the substantial differences in both examined (herniated and control) groups.

Health-related quality-of-life assessment in patients with low back pain using SF-36 questionnaire.

Objective: For complete assessment of benefits of the surgical intervention, it is essential to provide evidence of the impact on patients in terms of health status and health-related quality of life. In the present study, the preoperative 36-item Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey scores were determined in patients before lumbar microdiscectomy due to better preoperative screening likewise in the control group--almost healthy population taken into account any habitual ailments experienced in an appropriate age.

Patients And Methods: In the present study, we investigated a cohort of 100 patients with disc herniation causing low back pain and another hundred of the control subjects, matched by age and gender.

Late radiographic findings after the anterior cervical fusion for the cervical subaxial compressive flexion and vertical compression injuries in young patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of patients' age on the development of radiologic signs of degeneration of adjacent levels after the anterior fusion for the cervical spine injuries.

Material And Methods: A total of 45 patients who had compressive flexion and vertical compression injuries of the cervical spine (by Ferguson-Allen mechanistic classification) were included in the study. There were 40 male and 5 female patients with a mean age of 31.

The bullet in the dural sac. How to catch it? A report of two cases.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to present two cases of penetrating gunshot injuries to the lumbar spine with migration of the bullets within the dural sac and to describe the method of removal of the bullet from the dural sac.

Material And Methods: Two cases of penetrating gunshot injuries to the lumbar spine with migration of the bullets within the dural sac are presented. Clinical course, diagnostic tools, and management of two patients who suffered from these injuries are illustrated.

[Pathophysiology of acute spinal cord injury].

Spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating of all traumatic conditions that can be encountered by patients. Over the past years much research has been performed on elucidating the mechanisms of spinal cord injury. Experimental and clinical studies have suggested that acute spinal cord injury is a two-step process involving primary and secondary mechanisms.

[Upper cervical spine injuries and their diagnostic features].

The upper cervical spine includes the articulations of the occiput with atlas and the atlas with the axis, as well as the bony structures of the base of the skull, axis, and atlas. The unique anatomy of the upper cervical spine and the typical mechanisms of injury yield a predictable variety of injury patterns. Injuries to this area include occipital condyle fractures, occipitoatlantal dislocations, subluxations and dislocations of the atlantoaxial articulation, atlas fractures, odontoid fractures, and fractures of the arch of the axis.

Management of acute traumatic atlas fractures.

Objective: A prospective review of a clinical series was performed. The treatment features of atlas fractures with and without associated axis injuries were investigated.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients were investigated.

The treatment of odontoid fractures with a significant displacement.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the treatment features of odontoid fractures with a significant displacement.

Material And Methods: Thirty-seven patients with acute odontoid fractures were treated in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital between 1998 and 2003. Seventeen persons with displacement of fragments less than 5 mm or 5 mm (according to E.

[Cervical spine trauma and spinal cord injury: the deaths caused by spinal cord swelling].

Objective: To investigate clinical status features of the patient's who died from spinal cord and brain swelling.

Material And Methods: Retrospectively collected data on 67 persons with severe spinal cord injury. These patients were treated and died in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital between 1995 and 2003.

[Features of the spinal cord injury in distractive flexion and compressive extension cervical spine trauma].

Objectives: 1) to assess neurological status in patients with distractive flexion and compressive extension cervical spine injuries; 2) to determine the relationship between neurological recovery and the patterns of cervical spine injuries.

Material And Methods: Prospectively collected data on 78 persons with traumatic distractive flexion and compressive extension cervical spine injuries. These patients were treated in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital between 1998 and 2000.

[Treatment of the upper cervical spine injuries with halo vest device].

In the article are described cases, when patients sustained fractures of the first and the second cervical spine vertebrae and were treated with "Halo-vest" device. We performed this investigation in order to establish efficiency of "Halo-vest" immobilization and to establish regression of neurological evaluation, patients feelings and their come back to their usual environment, when 1-2 years passed after fracture and treatment. Investigation was performed in 1999-2001.