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Spinal Column (spinal + column)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	60%

Selected Abstracts

Three Unusual Neuropathologic-Related Causes of Sudden Death,

JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 3 2008
Dennis J. Chute M.D.
Abstract:, We discuss the autopsy findings of three medico-legal cases of sudden death associated with uncommon neuropathologic findings of which the general forensic pathologist may not be familiar. Case 1 was a 43-year-old man who died of a seizure due to malignant melanoma of the temporal lobe associated with neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM). Case 2 was a 57-year-old woman with a history of mental retardation and incoordination because of chronic lead poisoning, who died of a pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep venous thrombosis status post left leg fracture after a fall down a staircase. Autopsy revealed atrophy and gliosis of her cerebellum as a result of childhood lead poisoning. The third patient was a 75-year-old woman who died as a result of acute bacterial leptomeningitis at the cervico-medullary junction with acute inflammation of the connective tissue of her upper cervical spinal column associated with subluxation of her atlantoaxial (AA) joint, also known as Grisel's syndrome. [source]

Ultrasound control for presumed difficult epidural puncture

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2001
T. Grau
Background: The efficacy of epidural anaesthesia depends on the accurate identification of the epidural space (ES). Abnormal anatomical conditions may make the procedure difficult or impossible. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pre-puncture ultrasound examination of the spinal anatomy might be beneficial in expected cases of difficult epidural anaesthesia. Methods: We used digital ultrasound equipment with a 5-MHz transducer to assess the anatomy of the ES and the posterior parts of the spinal column. We examined 72 parturients with abnormal anatomical conditions who were scheduled for epidural anaesthesia. The women were randomised into two equal groups. In all patients, the standard loss of resistance technique was used. In the ultrasound group, an ultrasound examination of the appropriate spinal region was conducted prior to epidural puncture. ES depth seen on the ultrasound images was compared to the ES depth measured by the needle. We compared the number of puncture attempts with the standard method (control group) to the number of attempts under ultrasound guidance. Results: Ultrasonography significantly improved operating conditions for epidural anaesthesia. The maximum VAS scores and patient acceptance were significantly better. Conclusions: With ultrasound measurement of the ES depth, the quality of epidural anaesthesia was enhanced. [source]

The clinical features and surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis: A review of 112 patients

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2009
Wei Liu MD
Objective:, To investigate the clinical features, radiological characteristics and surgical results of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS). Methods:, One hundred and twelve cases of DLS treated surgically from June 2001 to February 2006 were retrospectively reviewed for clinical features, characteristics of nerve root compression and imaging presentations. According to the preoperative clinical manifestations and imaging findings, different surgical modalities were performed, including simple nerve decompression and decompression with short or long posterior fusion (less or more than three segments, respectively). Results:, The mean age of 47 male and 65 female patients was 54.7 years. Clinical manifestations included lower back pain (76.8%), radiculopathy (79.5%) and claudication (48.2%). Plain lumbar radiograph showed right scoliosis in 87 and left scoliosis in the other 25 cases; the Cobb angle was 10°,46°; the apex of scoliosis mostly located at L3 (48.2%); L3 and L4 nerve roots were usually compressed on the concave side and L5 and S1 nerve roots on the convex side. The Cobb angle and physiologic lordosis angle of patients who underwent multi-segment (>3 segments) fusion improved to a greater extent than did that of patients who had simple decompression without fusion. A mean 5.7-year follow-up showed that the average improvement in Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores was 32.6, 26.3 and 13.5 for long segment fusion, short segment fusion and simple decompression without fusion, respectively. Conclusion:, Decompression surgery with or without fusion, the main purpose of which is to relieve nerve root compression and stabilize the spinal column, is an effective treatment for chronic DLS. The treatment should be individualized according to the patient's age, general and economic factors, severity of deformity and other coexisting lumbar degenerative disorders. [source]

Comparison of carcass composition among Japanese Black, Holstein and their crossbred steers fattening on farm

ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2004
Fumio MUKAI
ABSTRACT Carcass composition among Japanese Black, Holstein and their crossbreed (F1), by Holstein mated with Japanese Black sires, was compared by using carcass components of fattening steers collected at eight carcass processing factories. The least squares means of 14 retail cuts, total weights of retail cuts, trimmed fat and bones, and six carcass traits measured at 6th,7th rib section were used for the comparison and examined the expression of heterosis. The comparison was performed at the same level of left-side carcass weight and under 10 mm fat cover on each retail cut. Japanese Black had the heaviest total weight of retail cuts, followed by F1 and then Holstein. By contrast, non-edible parts, trimmed fat and bones, were heavier in the order of Holstein, F1 and Japanese Black. Of the retail cuts, so called higher-priced cuts, such as Shoulder-Chuck-Roll, Tender-Loin, Rib-Chuck-Roll, Strip-Loin and Sirloin-Butt surrounding the spinal column, were heavier in Japanese Black than Holstein. Although F1 showed intermediate values for almost all traits, Tender-Loin, Rib-Chuck-Roll and Strip-Loin of F1 were similar to those of Japanese Black rather than the mid-parent averages. It reflects that at least the average parent heterosis of 2.3,4.3% might be expressed in these higher-priced cuts. The classification of breeds was carried out by the canonical discriminant analysis using 20 carcass measurements. By the canonical variates, breeds can be effectively discriminated with misdiscrimination rate of 11.6%. When the comparison is made at the carcass weight constant, Japanese Black has characteristics for producing superior carcass quality as well as meat quality. [source]

The role of pelvic traction in the management of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2002
E.E.H. Hussein Mohamed
Objective To determine whether pelvic traction is beneficial in children with primary nocturnal enuresis. Patients and methods There can be disproportionate growth between the spinal column and neural tube in prepubertal children. The normal elongation of the vertebral column in children during sleep could stretch the filum terminale and nerve roots, representing a minor degree of tethering that affects neural function and contributes to nocturnal enuresis. Pelvic traction induces a similar or more intense stretch while a patient is fully awake (and able to control their bladder). Releasing the potential tethering in this way, combined with conditioning therapy, could be beneficial. Fifty patients (aged 7,17 years) with monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis were evaluated in a prospective study. All had 10 sessions of pelvic traction applied over 4 weeks and were followed up for 3 months afterward; no other medications were given. Results All patients had fewer wet nights, with variable degrees of success (20,80%) during and 3 months after traction. Conclusion Pelvic traction is a safe, simple, economic and effective treatment for primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. [source]