Effects of using a high-density foam pad versus a viscoelastic polymer pad on the incidence of pressure ulcer development during spinal surgery.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-density foam (HDF) pads versus viscoelastic polymer (VP) pads in the prevention of pressure ulcer formation during spinal surgery and their cost-effectiveness. Subjects were 30 patients who underwent spinal surgery for more than 3 hr in a prone position. One side of the chest and iliac crest was padded with HDF pads and the other side was padded with VP pads.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease in cervical radiculomyelopathy.

One patient had cervical spinal canal stenosis with radiculomyelopathy due to deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate within the ligamentum flavum. The MRI of cervical spine showed a calcified nodule over C5-6 level ligamentum flavum with obvious cord compression. After posterior decompressive laminectomy with removal of the calcified nodule, the symptom and sign relieved remarkedly and the pathology showed calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition within the ligamentum flavum.