Reliable Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based Grading System for Cervical Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Study Design: Observational.

Purpose: To develop a simple and comprehensive grading system for cervical discs that precisely, consistently and meaningfully presents radiologic and morphologic data.

Overview Of Literature: The Thompson grading system is commonly used to classify the severity of degenerative lumbar discs on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The effects of glucosamine sulfate on intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus cells in vitro.

Background Context: Glucosamine has gained widespread use among patients, despite inconclusive efficacy data. Inconsistency in the clinical literature may be related to lack of understanding of the effects of glucosamine on the intervertebral disc, and therefore, improper patient selection.

Purpose: The goal of our study was to investigate the effects of glucosamine on intervertebral disc cells in vitro under the physiological conditions of inflammation and mechanical loading.

Safety of thromboembolic chemoprophylaxis in spinal trauma patients requiring surgical stabilization.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objective: To determine the incidence of thromboembolic events, bleeding complications such as epidural hematomas, and wound complications in patients with spinal trauma requiring surgical stabilization.

Summary Of Background Data: Literature addressing the safety and efficacy of chemoprophylactic agents in postoperative patients with spinal trauma is sparse.

Expression and regulation of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in intervertebral disc aging and degeneration.

Background Context: Destruction of extracellular matrix (ECM) leads to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), which underlies many spine-related disorders. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and disintegrins and metalloproteinases with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs) are believed to be the major proteolytic enzymes responsible for ECM degradation in the intervertebral disc (IVD).

Purpose: To summarize the current literature on gene expression and regulation of MMPs, ADAMTSs, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in IVD aging and IDD.

What is the prevalence of MRSA colonization in elective spine cases?

Background: The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is increasing. However, the prevalence of MRSA colonization among patients undergoing spine surgery is unclear.

Questions/purposes: We therefore (1) determined the prevalence of MRSA colonization in a population of patients scheduled for elective spine surgery; and (2) evaluated whether MRSA screening and treatment reduce the rate of early wound complications.

Identifying inflammatory targets for biologic therapies for spine pain.

The costs associated with treating spine-related conditions are enormous and are trending upward. Current methods employed to treat inflammatory-mediated pain are targeted at alleviating symptoms, rather than correcting the underlying cause of disease. It is clear that a biochemical basis for inflammatory-mediated intervertebral disk, facet joint, and nerve pain exists.