Fantastic Four: Age, Spinal Cord Stimulator Waveform, Pain Localization and History of Spine Surgery Influence the Odds of Successful Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial.

Background: There is a dearth in our understanding of the factors that are predictive of successful spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trials and eventual conversion to permanent implants. Knowledge of these factors is important for appropriate patient selection and treatment optimization.

Objectives: Although previous studies have explored factors predictive of trial success, few have examined the role of waveform in trial outcomes.

Motivation in computer-assisted instruction.

Objectives/hypothesis: Computer-aided instruction (CAI) is defined as instruction in which computers play a central role as the means of information delivery and direct interaction with learners. Computer-aided instruction has become mainstream in medical school curricula. For example, a three-dimensional (3D) computer module of the larynx has been created to teach laryngeal anatomy.

Evaluating the quality and readability of thyroplasty information on the Internet.

Objectives/hypothesis: To assess the quality and readability of thyroplasty information available on the Internet.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: We conducted a Google search for "thyroplasty treatment" and analyzed the first 50 Web sites using the DISCERN instrument, the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) score.