C1-C2 Posterior Screw-Rod Fixation.

Multiple approaches for instrumentation of the upper cervical spine have evolved to treat atlantoaxial instability which, until the 20th century, was largely considered to be inoperable and managed nonsurgically with immobilization. Surgeons set out to provide safe and effective approaches in a clearly dangerous and technically complex anatomic region. It is important to provide a historical analysis of the evolution of techniques that have shaped C1-C2 instrumentation, and how the diligent efforts of surgeons to improve the biomechanical stability and fusion rates of their constructs eventually led to the prevailing Harms technique.

Direct Triple Annulations: A Way to Design Large Triazastarphenes with Intertwined Hexagonal Packing.

A new straightforward synthetic strategy has been elaborated to achieve star-shaped triazatrinaphthylene and, for the first time, triazatrianthrylene derivatives. Their solution- and solid-state properties were thoroughly characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and density functional theory calculations. Original hexagonal molecular arrangements were found in the crystal phase, which opens a new pathway for designing materials with improved three-dimensional charge-transport properties.

Hip avascular necrosis in a healthy pregnant woman: A case report and review of literature.

Background: Hip pain during pregnancy is very common, but hip avascular necrosis represents a very rare entity.

Case Report: We report a rare case of a healthy30-year-old female patient pregnant with twins, that suffered right hip avascular necrosis in the peripartum period, her symptoms were initially neglected as a benign cause of hip pain, this led to aggressive treatment at a young age.

Discussion: With less than 100 cases reported in the literature, pregnancy is not a well-known risk factor for femoral head avascular necrosis and it should be differentiated from one of the more common hip pathologies in pregnancy which is the so-called "Pelvic pain syndrome" and transient osteoporosis of the hip.

Exploring the Electronic Properties of Extended Benzofuran-Cyanovinyl Derivatives Obtained from Lignocellulosic and Carbohydrate Platforms Raw Materials.

Two series of linear extended benzofuran derivatives associating cyanovinyl unit and phenyl or furan moieties obtained from benzaldehyde-lignocellulosic (Be series) or furaldehyde -saccharide (Fu series) platforms were prepared in order to investigate their emission and electrochemical properties. For the fluorescence in solution and solid states, contrasting results between the two series were demonstrated. For Be series a net aggregation induced emission effect was observed with high fluorescence quantum yield for the solid state.

Subperiosteal Schwannoma of the Mid-Tibia: A Cause of Long-Lasting Unexplained Pain.

Schwannomas are benign tumors affecting the nerve sheath. Their presence in the subperiosteal region is extremely rare. We report a case of a 66-year-old male patient with a 10-year history of unexplained pain of the anterior leg that turned out to be caused by a subperiosteal schwannoma of the mid-tibia.

Simultaneous Bilateral Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Heads Associated With Cocaine Use.

We present a case of a 38-year-old female patient, presenting with debilitating simultaneous bilateral avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVNFH) 10 years after cocaine detoxification, making her wheelchair-bound for six months. This case is reported for the rarity of association of cocaine with AVNFH, and for the unique fact of the simultaneous bilateral condition occurring a long time after cocaine ingestion in the absence of other important risk factors. This report postulates cocaine as a possible cause of bilateral AVNFH, which can increase the index of suspicion of this pathology, allowing early diagnosis and better outcomes.

Low Band Gap Donor-Acceptor Conjugated Systems Based on 3-Alkoxy or 3-Pyrrolidino-4-cyanothiophene and Benzothiadiazole Units.

3-Hexyloxy-4-cyanothiophene, 3-pyrrolidil-4-cyanothiophene, and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) units are used with benzothiadiazole as building blocks for the development of three new conjugated donor-acceptor-donor (DAD) derivatives. The DAD molecules have the central acceptor part, which is formed by combining electron-withdrawing cyano groups and the benzothiadiazole moiety, in common. Theoretical calculations and UV/Vis and electrochemical data reveal the key role of the end-capped donor to tune the electronic properties of the derivatives.

Lumbar Spinous Process-Splitting Laminoplasty: A Novel Technique for Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression.

Minimally invasive posterior spinous process-splitting laminoplasty preserving the paraspinal musculature has been introduced to treat patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Despite its theoretical advantage of limiting muscular trauma, additional efforts are required to evaluate patients' clinical and functional results following this procedure. Between 2010 and 2012, 37 patients underwent spinous process-splitting laminoplasty for lumbar stenosis at a mean age of 68 years (range, 36-87 years) and were followed for minimum of 1 year (mean, 1.

Perioperative complications in open versus percutaneous treatment of spinal fractures in patients with an ankylosed spine.

We compared open stabilization of vertebral fractures to percutaneous spinal fixation techniques in patients with a diagnosis of either ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). A retrospective review of patients known to have AS or DISH treated for spinal column fracture at a single institution between 1995 and 2011 was performed. Patients were analyzed by the type of fixation, divided into either a percutaneous group (PG) or an open group (OG).

Unprecedented Demonstration of Regioselective SE Ar Reaction giving Unsymmetrical Regioregular Oligothiophenes.

Aromatization of 4-cyano-3-oxotetrahydrothiophene by sulfuryl chloride gives the new building block 4-cyano-3-pyrrolidylthiophene, which forms unsymmetrical regioregular oligothiophenes with a strict alternation of the donor and acceptor groups along the conjugated system. The self-coupling reactions that form the oligomers are shown to proceed by a regioselective electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism involving a stabilized Wheland intermediate.

Rational Topological Design for Fluorescence Enhancement upon Aggregation of Distyrylfuran Derivatives.

A series of 2,5-distyrylfuran derivatives bearing pentafluorophenyl- and cyanovinyl units have been synthesized for aggregation-induced emission (AIE). The effect of the type and extent of the supramolecular connections on the AIE of the furan derivatives were examined and correlated with their X-ray crystal structures. It was found that the simultaneous presence of cyano and perfluorophenyl units strongly enhances the fluorescence upon aggregation.

Relationship of the lumbar lordosis angle to the level of termination of the conus medullaris and thecal sac.

The level of termination of the conus medullaris (CM) and thecal sac (TS) is subject to variations. We try to correlate in this study these variations with the lumbar lordosis angle (LLA) using MRI scans. A retrospective study was conducted using available MRI scans of the lumbar spine.

Modern techniques in the treatment of patients with metastatic spine disease.

The treatment of metastatic disease to the spine involves a comprehensive evaluation of the patient and an individualized treatment plan based on the tumor type and location, the extent of the disease, and the general medical condition of the patient. Careful consideration of these factors dictates the treatment options, which include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and/or palliative options. Patients with a good overall prognosis may be considered candidates for more aggressive surgical resections, such as en bloc resections, whereas those with a poor prognosis may benefit from less invasive piecemeal resections to decompress the spine and restore neurologic function while minimizing the morbidity associated with more invasive procedures.

Position of the anterior branch of the axillary nerve in relation to the humeral bone length.

Many studies have attempted to define a safety zone for the axillary nerve in lateral approaches to the deltoid, but with varying results. The main objective of our study was to analyze the variations in the position of this nerve, especially in relation to the length of the humerus. Overall, 16 cadaveric shoulders were dissected.

Incidence of piriformis tendon preservation on the dislocation rate of total hip replacement following the posterior approach: a series of 226 cases.

Background: Dislocation is a feared complication following total hip replacement (THR). While repairing the piriformis tendon after THR reduces dislocation, we analyze in this study the effect of piriformis tendon preservation on reducing the dislocation rate.

Material And Methods: 226 THRs were done following the usual posterior approach and by the same surgeon.

Relationship of the lumbar lordosis angle to the abdominal aortic bifurcation and inferior vena cava confluence levels.

The objective of this study is to determine the relationship of the variations of the lumbar lordosis angle (LLA) to the aortic bifurcation level and inferior vena cava (IVC) confluence level using CT angiography. A retrospective study was conducted using the data available on abdominopelvic CT angiography scans. The LLA, the level and angle of bifurcation of the aorta, the level and angle of confluence of the IVC were identified using multiplanar and 3D reconstruction.

The fallacy of the BUN:creatinine ratio in critically ill patients.

Background And Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients and is associated with a high mortality rate. Pre-renal azotemia, suggested by a high blood urea nitrogen to serum creatinine (BUN:Cr) ratio (BCR), has traditionally been associated with a better prognosis than other forms of AKI. Whether this pertains to critically ill patients is unknown.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the lunate: case report.

Aneurysmal bone cysts rarely affect the carpus. We present a case of aneurysmal bone cyst affecting the lunate. Curettage and bone grafting of the lesion was successful, with no recurrence after 2 years of follow-up.

Secondary chondrosarcoma.

Secondary chondrosarcoma is a distinctive type of tumor that originates from a preexisting cartilaginous lesion. Most commonly, it is associated with solitary or multiple osteochondromas. A fraction of cases arises from other conditions, such as Maffucci syndrome and Ollier disease.

Fibula stress fracture mimicking a malignancy.

Stress fractures may be easily misdiagnosed as another entity, especially tumors, which may prompt very severe surgical treatment and sometimes amputation. The appropriate use of modern radiography may make the difference in proper diagnosis of stress fractures.

Late spinal subdural haematoma after spinal anaesthesia for total hip replacement.

We present a case of delayed presentation of a subdural haematoma causing cauda equina syndrome which occurred 96 hours after a spinal anaesthetic had been administered for an elective total hip replacement in an 86-year-old man. The patient had received low-molecular-weight heparin anticoagulation which had been delayed until 12 hours postoperatively. No other cause of the haemorrhage could be identified.