The association between preoperative spinal cord rotation and postoperative C5 nerve palsy.

Background: C5 nerve palsy is a known complication of cervical spine surgery. The development and etiology of this complication are not completely understood. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether rotation of the cervical spinal cord predicts the development of a C5 palsy.

Relationship between anthropometric measurements and hamstring autograft diameter in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The role of anthropometric measurements in the prediction of hamstring autograft size remains unclear. In this internal review board - approved study, we evaluated medical records for patients receiving anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring autograft at our institution between 2006 and 2008. One hundred and thirty-two patients received hamstring autografts.

The characteristics of patients with type 1: intraforaminal vertebral artery anomalies?

In a previous study, intraforaminal anomalies were found to occur at a rate of 7.6%. This increases the risk of injury to this vessel if the surgeon is unaware of such abnormalities preoperatively.

Is there a difference between simultaneous or staged decompressions for combined cervical and lumbar stenosis?

Study Design: We evaluated 43 patients diagnosed with tandem spinal stenosis (TSS) from 1999 to 2005 in an academic hospital.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes after simultaneous decompression of the cervical and lumbar spine versus staged operations.

Summary Of Background Data: TSS is a rare degenerative disease affecting multiple spinal levels with limited research describing operative management.

Identification of type 1: interforaminal vertebral artery anomalies in cervical spine MRIs.

Study Design: This is a prospective study.

Objective: The aim of our study is to identify whether vertebral arteries (VA), normal or aberrant, are routinely described in cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interpretations.

Summary Of Background Data: VA injury is a serious complication of anterior cervical spine surgery.

Vertebral artery anatomy: a review of two hundred fifty magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Study Design: The aim of this study is to characterize the anatomy of vertebral arteries using magnetic resonance imaging scans of 250 consecutive patients.

Objectives: To document the prevalence of midline vertebral artery (VA) migration in a subgroup of patients presenting with neck pain, radiculopathy, or myelopathy and to identify the course of the VA through the TFs.

Summary Of Background Data: Knowledge of VA anomalies and their respective prevalence may help surgeons decrease the incidence of iatrogenic injury to this artery.