Traumatic central cord syndrome: neurologic recovery after surgical management.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate neurologic recovery following an acute, traumatic central cord syndrome (TCCS) injury. We retrospectively reviewed 69 patients who were treated surgically following an acute TCCS injury. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor scores (AMS) were obtained from the time of presentation, from the time of hospital discharge, and from the most recent follow-up visit.

A radiographic analysis of degenerative spondylolisthesis at the L4-5 level.

Object: Lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS) is common and has generally been characterized as a homogeneous disease entity in the literature and in clinical practice. Because disease variability has not been carefully characterized, stratification of treatment recommendations based on scientific evidence is currently lacking. In this study, the authors analyzed radiographic parameters of patients with LDS at the L4-5 level to better characterize this entity.

Anterior interbody arthrodesis with percutaneous posterior pedicle fixation for degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine.

This is a retrospective case series to evaluate clinical variables, complications and outcome of 50 patients who underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) supplemented with posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine. Twenty-four patients underwent single-level fusion and 26 patients had a two-level fusion for a total of 76 levels fused. The mean lengths of the anterior and posterior (including repositioning) portions of the procedure were 131 and 102 min, respectively.

Percutaneous instrumentation of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

The development of percutaneous instrumentation systems has been a significant milestone in the ability of surgeons to perform complex spinal procedures through minimally invasive approaches. These systems rely on cannulated screws or portal systems and using intraoperative imaging to allow accurate placement of the spinal implants without a full traditional exposure of the spine. This article reviews the operative concepts and techniques used to place percutaneous instrumentation in the thoracolumbar spine.

Molecular pathogenic factors in symptomatic disc degeneration.

Background Context: Although symptomatic disc degeneration is thought to be the leading cause of chronic low back pain, no available biologic therapy is yet available to treat this highly prevalent condition.

Purpose: In this article, the cellular, biomechanical and molecular alterations that occur during disc degeneration are reviewed to provide a better understanding of this pathologic process.

Study Design: The cellular and molecular aspects of disc degeneration are reviewed.

Cellular therapy for disc degeneration.

Study Design: Review article regarding the developing field of cellular therapies for symptomatic disc degeneration.

Objective: To review the rationale and discuss the results of cellular strategies that have been proposed or investigated for disc degeneration.

Summary Of Background Data: Disc degeneration is a substantial clinical problem.

Analysis of patient variables affecting neurologic outcome after traumatic cervical facet dislocation.

Background Context: Traumatic cervical facet dislocation accounts for a disproportionate rate of neurologic disability. The relative importance of patient and management variables, including the timing of spinal reduction, in ultimate neurologic outcome has not been well defined.

Purpose: To analyze data from a cohort of patients sustaining traumatic cervical facet dislocation to determine the relative importance of several patient and management variables in neurologic recovery after injury.