The symptomatolgy remains the most important point when dealing with patients with ENS. Submucosal implantation of Medpor® is a feasible surgical treatment to ENS. A positive cotton test is suggested for the surgical indication and planning.
Objective. To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients of different ages who underwent the Dynesys stabilization. Methods. This retrospective study included 72 patients (mean age 61.4 years) with one- or two-level lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent laminectomy and the Dynesys (Zimmer Spine, Minneapolis) dynamic stabilization system. Thirty-seven patients were younger than 65-year old while the other 35 were older. Mean followup was 46.7 months. Pre- and postoperative radiographic and clinical evaluations were analyzed. Results. The mean calibrated disc signal (CDS) at the index level was significantly improved from 60.2 ± 25.2 preoperatively to 66.9 ± 26.0 postoperatively (P > 0.001). Screw loosening occurred in 22.2% of patients and 5.1% of screws. The improvement in CDS at index level was seen to be significant in younger patients but not in older patients. Overall, the mean visual analogue scale (VAS) of back pain, VAS of leg pain, and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores improved significantly after operation. There were no significant differences in pre- and postoperative VAS and ODI and screw loosening rates between the younger and older patients. Conclusions. There is significant clinical improvement after laminectomy and dynamic stabilization for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis. Intervertebral disc rehydration was seen in younger patients.
The presence of algae in source waters not only causes problems in the water treatment process, but also complicates the treatment and disposal of sludge. This has become a major concern in Taiwan because of the increasing eutrophication of water sources. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of algae during aging process on the characteristics of potable water treatment residuals and investigate their conditioning in order to provide water treatment plants with guidelines for treating algae-containing sludge. In this study, we measured the bound water content and CST to evaluate the influence of algae and their exudates on sludge conditioning. The change in zeta potential was monitored during sludge aging. During the aging process up to 5 days, the surface charge of sludge became more negative and the dewaterability was enhanced by algal exudates. Microphotographs of the algae-containing sludge suggest that algae and their exudates cause the bio-flocculation phenomenon.
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