Comparison between Two Different Cervical Interbody Fusion Cages in One Level Stand-alone ACDF: Carbon Fiber Composite Frame Cage Versus Polyetheretherketone Cage.

Objective: The authors conducted a retrospective study to compare the implantation of carbon fiber composite frame cages (CFCFCs) to the implantation of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages after anterior cervical discectomy for cervical degenerative disc disease. In addition, the predictive factors that influenced fusion or subsidence were investigated.

Methods: A total of 58 patients with single-level degenerative disc disease were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and implantation of stand-alone cages; CFCFCs were used in 35 patients, and PEEK cages were used in 23 patients.

Comparative analysis of 3 different construct systems for single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: stand-alone cage, iliac graft plus plate augmentation, and cage plus plating.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort-nested longitudinal study.

Objective: To evaluate radiologic and clinically functional outcomes after single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using 3 different fusion construct systems applying an accurate and reliable methodology.

Summary Of Background Data: ACDF is an established procedure that uses 3 different fusion construct systems: cage alone (CA), iliac tricortical bone block with plate (IP), and cage with plate construct (CP).

Changes in the cross-sectional area of multifidus and psoas in unilateral sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation.

Objective: To quantitatively evaluate the asymmetry of the multifidus and psoas muscles in unilateral sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Seventy-six patients who underwent open microdiscectomy for unilateral L5 radiculopathy caused by disc herniation at the L4-5 level were enrolled, of which 39 patients (51.3%) had a symptom duration of 1 month or less (group A), and 37 (48.

Early significant tumor volume reduction after radiosurgery in brain metastases from renal cell carcinoma results in long-term survival.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate survival of patients with brain metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after radiosurgery.

Patients And Methods: Between 1998 and 2010, 46 patients were treated with radiosurgery, and the total number of lesions was 99. The mean age was 58.

Clinical analysis of thoracic ossified ligamentum flavum without ventral compressive lesion.

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of thoracic ossified ligamentum flavum (OLF) and to elucidate prognostic factors as well as effective surgical treatment modality. The authors analyzed 106 thoracic OLF cases retrospectively from January 1999 to December 2008. The operative (n = 40) and the non-operative group (n = 66) were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) imaging.

Temozolomide for malignant primary spinal cord glioma: an experience of six cases and a literature review.

Malignant primary spinal cord gliomas (PSCGs) are rare, and the optimal treatment for these lesions remains controversial. We report herein treatment outcomes of six malignant PSCGs managed with temozolomide (TMZ)-based multidisciplinary treatment. TMZ was administered concomitantly with fractionated radiotherapy for two newly diagnosed primary spinal cord glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with TMZ.