Comparison of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Microendoscopic Muscle-preserving Interlaminar Decompression for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis With >5-Year Follow-up.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected observational multicenter data.

Objective: To compare the clinical results and rates of revision surgery after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and microendoscopic muscle-preserving interlaminar decompression (ME-MILD) in patients with single-level, mild degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) and follow-up of at least 5 years.

Summary Of Background Data: Surgery for symptomatic DLS remains controversial.

Limaprost or Pregabalin: Preoperative and Postoperative Medication for Pain due to Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the incidence of (and risk factors for) postoperative pregabalin and/or limaprost to treat persistent numbness and/or pain of the lower extremities after lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) surgery.

Methods: Medical records of 329 patients (168 men, 161 women; average age 70 years) were retrospectively reviewed for data on the duration of LSS diagnosis; LSS disease; preoperative medication (limaprost, pregabalin, or combined limaprost/pregabalin; duration); symptoms; preoperative/postoperative intermittent claudication (IC); operation type; and postoperative medication and period.

Results: Limaprost, pregabalin, and combined limaprost/pregabalin were prescribed preoperatively for 43%, 7%, and 5% of patients, respectively.

Clinical diagnosis of upper lumbar disc herniation: Pain and/or numbness distribution are more useful for appropriate level diagnosis.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to disclose the characteristic symptoms and signs in L2, L3 and L4 nerve root disturbance.

Materials And Methods: Fifty eight patients who underwent lateral herniotomy were analyzed. Breakdowns are 15 patients with L2/3 lateral disc herniation (group A), 20 patients with L3/4 lateral disc herniation (group B), and 23 patients with L4/5 lateral disc herniation (group C).

Negative magnetic resonance imaging in femoral neck stress fracture with joint effusion: a case report.

Femoral neck stress fracture (FNSF) is well documented in the orthopedic literature and is generally associated with strenuous activities such as long-distance running and military training. The diagnostic yield of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for FNSF was reported to be 100 %, and early MRI is recommended when this fracture is suspected. We encountered a 16-year-old male long-distance runner with FNSF in whom the left femoral neck showed no signal changes on MRI although an effusion was detected in the left hip joint.

Spine-shortening vertebral osteotomy for tethered cord syndrome: report of three cases.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Objective: To review findings from 3 patients who underwent spine-shortening vertebral osteotomy for tethered cord syndrome with a minimum follow-up of 3 years.

Summary Of Background Data: Surgical detethering is the gold standard for symptomatic tethered cord syndrome.

PLIF with a titanium cage and excised facet joint bone for degenerative spondylolisthesis--in augmentation with a pedicle screw.

Objectives: To determine the validity of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using a titanium cage filled with excised facet joint bone and a pedicle screw for degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Methods: PLIF using a titanium cage filled with excised facet joint bone and a pedicle screw was performed in 28 consecutive patients (men 10, women 18). The mean age of the patients was 60 years (range, 52 to 75 y) at the time of surgery.