A prospective randomized comparison between the cloward procedure and a carbon fiber cage in the cervical spine: a clinical and radiologic study.

Study Design: A prospective randomized study was conducted.

Objective: To determine whether the use of a cervical carbon fiber intervertebral fusion cage improves the outcome of anterior cervical decompression and fusion, as compared with the Cloward procedure using autograft.

Summary Of Background Data: Despite the theoretical advantages of using intervertebral cages, including reduced donor site morbidity and prevention of graft collapse, an improved clinical outcome has not yet been documented.

Is the efficacy of the Cloward procedure overestimated? Technique of evaluation affects the outcome.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of the evaluation technique on the outcome of the Cloward procedure in cervical radiculopathy. The retrospective study included 94 consecutive patients operated on with anterior decompression and fusion with heterologous bone (Surgibone, Unilab). There were 56 men and 38 women, with a mean age of 48 years (range 27-78 years).

Degenerative changes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion evaluated by fast spin-echo MR imaging.

Purpose: To review pre- and postoperative fast spin-echo (FSE) MR images of disc herniation and spondylosis in patients after spinal cervical surgery.

Material And Methods: Data were reviewed of 68 patients after anterior discectomy and fusion (ADF) operations using the Cloward technique with solid single level (C5-C6 or C6-C7) or 2-level fusions (C5-C7). The average interval from surgery to review was 37 months.

Fast spin-echo MR assessment of patients with poor outcome following spinal cervical surgery.

Purpose: The aim of the investigation was to evaluate poor outcome following spinal and cervical surgery.

Material And Methods: A total of 146 consecutive patients operated with anterior discectomy and fusion (ADF) with the Cloward technique were investigated. Clinical notes, plain radiography, CT, and fast spin-echo (FSE) images were retrospectively evaluated.

Significance of "ultra-early" rebleeding in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Knowledge of the local incidence of aneurysm rupture permits the conclusion that almost every patient in the population of 933,800 persons served by the authors' institution who was stricken by this catastrophe and survived long enough to be transported was treated at this center (121 patients during 34 months). Of these, 9.1% were admitted late (greater than 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH]; of the remaining cases, 94.

Results of treatment for cerebral saccular aneurysms in a small neurosurgical unit--evaluation of early operation and nimodipine treatment.

91 patients in Hunt and Hess grade I to III directly after aneurysm rupture in the anterior circulation were treated by earliest possible surgery in conjunction with parenteral Nimodipine. 96% of the cases were seen in this centre within 24 hours from bleeding and surgery was commenced in 78% within 48 hours post haemorrhage. 8% suffered from "ultra early" rebleds six of which proved fatal.

Local application of 133Xenon for measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane anesthesia in humans.

It is well known that halothane causes an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF). In this study the effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in humans were determined in the presence of 70% N2O at a combined MAC concentration of 1.5.

Locally applied 133Xenon for the measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF): an experimental study in the pig.

A method for measuring regional cerebral blood flow has been developed. On pig brain cortex a 1 cm2 size polyester film was placed, under which 0.6-1.

Internal neurolysis or ligament division only in carpal tunnel syndrome--results of a randomized study.

In a series of patients with clinically and neurophysiologically well defined carpal tunnel syndrome a randomization has been made into two groups, one for operation with internal neurolysis and a microscopical technique, and the other group for cutting of the carpal ligament (flexor retinaculum) alone. The two groups have been compared postoperatively regarding clinical and neurophysiological parameters. All patients improved, 89% in both groups considered themselves totally free of symptoms at follow-up examinations but there was no significant difference in any parameter between the two groups.