Introduction With the advances and improvement of computer-assisted surgery devices, computer-guided pedicle screws insertion has been applied to the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine. The purpose of the present study was to perform a systematic review of all available prospective evidence regarding pedicle screw insertion techniques in the thoracic and lumbar human spine. Materials and methodsWe considered all prospective in vivo clinical studies in the English literature that assessed the results of different pedicle screw placement techniques (free-hand technique, fluoroscopy guided, computed tomography (CT)-based navigation, fluoro-based navigation). MEDLINE, OVID, and Springer databases were used for the literature search covering the period from January 1950 until May 2010. Results 26 prospective clinical studies were eventually included in the analysis. These studies included in total 1,105 patients in which 6,617 screws were inserted. In the studies using free-hand technique, the percentage of the screws fully contained in the pedicle ranged from 69 to 94%, with the aid of fluoroscopy from 28 to 85%, using CT navigation from 89 to 100% and using fluoroscopy-based navigation from 81 to 92%. The screws positioned with free-hand technique tended to perforate the cortex medially, whereas the screws placed with CT navigation guidance seemed to perforate more often laterally. ConclusionsIn conclusion, navigation does indeed exhibit higher accuracy and increased safety in pedicle screw placement than free-hand technique and use of fluoroscopy.

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The characteristics of isolated meniscal tears differ with regard to the sport, sex, and tear location and type from those seen in unstable knees. This knowledge is useful in knee injury management.

Reduced lumbar lordosis and increased lumbosacral scoliosis can affect the general health status of older patients with de novo degenerative scoliosis. Lateral olisthesis, mainly, and anteroposterior olisthesis are important elements of rotatory subluxation in the lumbar curves, which are important radiographic parameters, predicting symptomatology and health status of patients with de novo degenerative scoliosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the cross-sectional area (CSA) of both paraspinal and psoas muscles in patients with unilateral back pain using MRI and to correlate it with outcome measures. Methods: 40 patients, all with informed consent, with a minimum of 3 months of unilateral back pain with or without sciatica and one-level disc disease on MRI of the lumbosacral spine were included. Patients were evaluated with self-report measures regarding pain (visual analogue score) and disability (Oswestry disability index). The CSA of multifidus, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum and psoas was measured at the disc level of pathology and the two adjacent disc levels, bilaterally. Comparison of CSAs of muscles between the affected vs symptomless side was carried out with Student's t-test and correlations were conducted with Spearman's test. Results: The maximum relative muscle atrophy (% decrease in CSA on symptomatic side) independent of the level was 13.1% for multifidus, 21.8% for erector spinae, 24.8% for quadratus lumborum and 17.1% for psoas. There was significant difference (p,0.05) between sides (symptomatic and asymptomatic) in CSA of multifidus, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum and psoas. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between the duration of symptoms (average 15.5 months), patient's pain (average VAS 5.3) or disability (average ODI 25.2) and the relative muscle atrophy. Conclusion: In patients with long-standing unilateral back pain due to monosegmental degenerative disc disease, selective multifidus, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum and psoas atrophy develops on the symptomatic side. Radiologists and clinicians should evaluate spinal muscle atrophy of patients with persistent unilateral back pain.

Programs such as therapeutic riding and hippotherapy are a viable intervention option for patients with balance, gait, and psychomotor disorders.

Study design: A systematic review of clinical and preclinical literature. Objective: To critically evaluate the evidence supporting a role for vasopressor support in the management of acute spinal cord injury and to provide updated recommendations regarding the appropriate clinical application of this therapeutic modality. Background: Only few clinical studies exist examining the role of arterial pressure and vasopressors in the context of spinal cord trauma. Methods: Medical literature was searched from the earlier available date to July 2009 and 32 articles (animal and human literature) answering the following four questions were studied: what patient groups benefit from vasopressor support, which is the optimal hypertensive drug regimen, which is the optimal duration of the treatment and which is the optimal arterial blood pressure. Outcome measures used were the incidence of patients needing vasopressors, the increase of arterial blood pressure and neurologic improvement. Results: Patients with complete cervical cord injuries required vasopressors more frequently than either incomplete injuries or thoracic/lumbar cord injuries (Po0.001). There was no statististical difference in neurologic improvement between patients on vasopressor support with a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of less than 85 mm Hg and those with MAP less than 90 mm Hg. Duration of treatment is often recommended between 5 and 7 days although this is not supported by high-level evidence and no single vasopressor appeared superior over the variety used in clinical treatment. Conclusion: There is currently no gold standard on vasopressor support. Based on non-randomized human studies, complete cervical cord injuries require vasopressors more frequently than other spinal cord injuries.