Vertebral body cemented stents combined with posterior stabilization in the surgical treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression of the thoracolumbar spine.

Background: Extensile interventions to provide anterior spinal column support in metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) surgery incur added morbidity in this surgically frail group of patients. We present our preliminary results of posterior spinal decompression and stabilization coupled with vertebral body cemented stents for anterior column support in MSCC.

Methods: Fourteen patients underwent posterior spinal decompression and pedicle screw construct along with vertebral body stenting (VBS) technique for reconstruction and augmentation of the vertebral body.

The safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of intraoperative cell salvage in metastatic spine tumor surgery.

Background Context: Metastatic spine tumor surgery (MSTS) is associated with substantial blood loss, therefore leading to high morbidity and mortality. Although intraoperative cell salvage with leukocyte depletion filter (IOCS-LDF) has been studied as an effective means of reducing blood loss in other surgical settings, including the spine, no study has yet analyzed the efficacy of reinfusion of salvaged blood in reducing the need for allogenic blood transfusion in patients who have had surgery for MSTS.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of using IOCS-LDF in MSTS.

Implants for drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye: a focus on stimuli-responsive and tunable release systems.

Efficient drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye is a challenging task for the formulation scientist. Current treatment of chronic back-of-the-eye conditions requires frequent intravitreal injections of drug containing solutions due to the short half-life and limited tissue permeation of the administered molecules. Sustained release ocular delivery systems offering reduced administration frequencies have therefore gained popularity over recent years with a few implants already on the market and many more in the pipeline.

Thoracolumbar kyphosis in treated mucopolysaccharidosis 1 (Hurler syndrome).

Study Design: A retrospective radiographical follow-up study of thoracolumbar deformity in 33 children with mucopolysaccharidosis 1 (Hurler syndrome).

Objective: To report the severity, natural history, risk factors for progression, and results of intervention for thoracolumbar kyphosis in children with Hurler syndrome.

Summary Of Background Data: Literature on the subject of thoracolumbar kyphosis in Hurler syndrome and its treatment is limited to small case series.