Adjacent Level Ligamentous Injury Associated with Traumatic Cervical Spine Fractures: Indications for Imaging and Implications for Treatment.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a vital tool for detection of soft tissue injury (STI) after cervical spine injury (CSI). However, high cost, prolonged imaging time, and limited use in hemodynamically unstable patients necessitates that the utility of MRI in all patients with CSI be scrutinized.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients treated for a CSI at a Level I trauma center between 2005 and 2010.

Bilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation versus Unilateral Pedicle and Contralateral Facet Screws for Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Clinical Outcomes and Cost Analysis.

Study Design Retrospective clinical study. Objectives Recent biomechanical studies have shown no differences in stiffness or range of motion following minimally invasive (MIS) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) between unilateral pedicle and contralateral facet screw (UPFS) and bilateral pedicle screw (BPS) constructs. No studies have compared these two constructs based upon clinical outcomes.

Potential role of growth factors in the management of spinal cord injury.

Objective: To review central nervous system growth factors and their therapeutic potential and clinical translation into spinal cord injury (SCI), as well as the challenges that have been encountered during clinical development.

Methods: A systemic review of the available current and historical literature regarding central nervous system growth factors and clinical trials regarding their use in spinal cord injury was conducted.

Results: The effectiveness of administering growth factors as a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI has been tested with the use of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin 3, and neurotrophin-4/5.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation after spinal cord injury.

Objective: To review the basic principles and techniques of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and provide information and evidence regarding its applications in spinal cord injury clinical rehabilitation.

Methods: A review of the available current and historical literature regarding TMS was conducted, and a discussion of its potential use in spinal cord injury rehabilitation is presented.

Results: TMS provides reliable information about the functional integrity and conduction properties of the corticospinal tracts and motor control in the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of various neurological disorders.

Persistent first intersegmental vertebral artery in association with type II odontoid fracture: surgical treatment utilizing a novel C1 posterior arch screw: case report.

Objective And Importance: Posterior cervical stabilization for cervical fractures is common, and numerous techniques for fixation have been described. This case describes the novel usage of C1 laminar screws due to a persistent intersegmental artery and congenital fusion of C2-C3.

Clinical Presentation: A 64-year-old woman presented with loss of consciousness after falling down a flight of stairs.