Detailed features and prognostic factors of twenty-three patients with drop finger caused by cervical radiculopathy: a retrospective multicentre study.

Purpose: It has been reported that C7 and C8 nerve root impairment can cause drop finger; however, the clinical characteristics of each injured nerve root and post-operative outcomes remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the detailed features and surgery-related prognostic factors of drop finger caused by cervical radiculopathy.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated the clinical characteristics, paralysis patterns and surgery-related prognostic factors of 23 patients with drop finger caused by cervical radiculopathy who underwent posterior cervical foraminotomy.

Indication for drainage for a hematogenous iliopsoas abscess: Analysis of patients initially treated without drainage.

Background: This study aimed to determine the indications for drainage in extended haematogenous iliopsoas abscesses (IPAs), which include both primary and vertebral osteomyelitis-related IPAs.

Methods: Sixty-three IPA patients who were initially treated with only antibiotics and no drainage were enrolled. The success (S) group included patients who were cured without drainage, while the failure (F) group included those who required open or percutaneous drainage or died.

Clinical features, outcomes, and survival factor in patients with vertebral osteomyelitis infected by methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

Purpose: To elucidate clinico-radiological features, therapeutic outcomes, and survival factors of vertebral osteomyelitis patients infected by methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS).

Methods: Vertebral osteomyelitis patients admitted to the orthopaedic department between 2007 and 2011 (n = 248) were selected for this multicenter study. We compared patients' backgrounds, therapeutic course, and in-hospital mortality between MRS and methicillin-susceptible staphylococci (MSS).

Clinical significance of cerebrospinal fluid nitric oxide concentrations in degenerative cervical and lumbar diseases.

In animal models of degenerative lumbar disease, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed in macrophages and Schwann cells following compression of the cauda equina. We previously reported that NO metabolites (nitrite plus nitrate: [NOx]) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) correlate with postoperative pain relief in patients with degenerative lumbar disease and with neurologic recovery rate postoperatively or after conservative treatment in patients with spinal cord injury. The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between [NOx] and neurologic severity, and recovery in degenerative cervical and lumbar diseases.

Margin-free spondylectomy for extended malignant spine tumors: surgical technique and outcome of 13 cases.

Study Design: Description of surgical technique and retrospective review of 13 cases.

Objectives: To describe the surgical technique of margin-free spondylectomy and the outcome of 13 cases and to discuss the advantages and limitations of the procedure.

Summary Of Background Data: Recently, spondylectomy became a standard procedure by several pioneers.

Cerebrospinal fluid nitric oxide metabolites are novel predictors of pain relief in degenerative lumbar diseases.

This study was undertaken to determine whether or not nitric oxide metabolites (NO(2)(-) plus NO(3)(-): NOx levels) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) would be predictors of treatment outcome in patients with degenerative lumbar diseases (DLD) including lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LCS). The NOx levels in CSF were measured using an NO analyzer based on the Griess method. Six healthy volunteers and 18 patients with painless diseases were included in the control group.