Predictors of segmental lumbar lordosis following midline posterior (transforaminal) lumbar interbody fusion: Does interbody device type matter?

Background: Controversy exists regarding the ability of posterior (transforaminal) lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF/TLIF) to achieve lordosis. We hypothesized that an interbody device (IBD) designed for positioning in the anterior disc space produces greater lordosis than IBDs designed for straight-in positioning. The purpose of this study is to determine if using either an anterior-position or straight-in position IBD design were associated with successful achievement of postoperative lordosis.

Proadrenomedullin Predicts Severe Disease in Children With Suspected Community-acquired Pneumonia.

Background: Proadrenomedullin (proADM), a vasodilatory peptide with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, predicts severe outcomes in adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) to a greater degree than C-reactive protein and procalcitonin. We evaluated the ability of proADM to predict disease severity across a range of clinical outcomes in children with suspected CAP.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of children 3 months to 18 years with CAP in the emergency department.

Biomarkers and Disease Severity in Children With Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Background: Host biomarkers predict disease severity in adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We evaluated the association of the white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin with the development of severe outcomes in children with CAP.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of children 3 months to 18 years of age with CAP in the emergency department.

Factors Associated With Antibiotic Prescribing and Outcomes for Pediatric Pneumonia in the Emergency Department.

Objectives: Chest radiographs (CXRs) are often performed in children with respiratory illness to inform the decision to prescribe antibiotics. Our objective was to determine the factors associated with clinicians' plans to treat with antibiotics prior to knowledge of CXR results and the associations between preradiograph plans with antibiotic prescription and return to medical care.

Methods: Previously healthy children aged 3 months to 18 years with a CXR for suspected pneumonia were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in the emergency department.

Prefrontal versus motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) effects on post-surgical opioid use.

Background: Pain is often a complaint that precedes total knee arthroplasty (TKA), however the procedure itself is associated with considerable post-operative pain lasting days to weeks which can predict longer-term surgical outcomes. Previously, we reported significant opioid-sparing effects of motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation from a single-blind trial. In the present study, we used double-blind methodology to compare motor cortex tDCS and prefrontal cortex tDCS to both sham and active-control (active electrodes over non-pain modulating brain areas) tDCS.

Motor/Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Following Lumbar Surgery Reduces Postoperative Analgesia Use.

Study Design: Randomized, controlled pilot trial.

Objective: The present study is the first randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot clinical trial of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for pain and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) opioid usage among patients receiving spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Lumbar spinal surgeries are common, and while pain is often a complaint that precedes surgical intervention, the procedures themselves are associated with considerable postoperative pain lasting days to weeks.

Thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block: a pilot study in volunteers.

Purpose: Regional anesthesia has been shown to improve outcomes in several recent studies. The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block provides anesthesia to the abdominal wall by introducing local anesthetic to the ventral rami of the thoracolumbar nerves. This work quantifies the area of anesthesia obtained after performing the novel thoracolumbar interfascial plane block (analogous to the TAP block but intended for the back) which targets the sensory component of the dorsal rami of the thoracolumbar nerves.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) reduces postsurgical opioid consumption in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Background: Although pain is often a symptom that precedes total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the procedure itself is associated with considerable postoperative pain lasting days to weeks. Postoperative pain control is an important factor in determining recovery time, hospital length of stay, and rehabilitation success. Several brain stimulation technologies including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have demonstrated promise as treatments for a variety of pain conditions.