Fractures of the distal third of the humerus may be complicated by complete lesions of the radial nerve which may be entrapped or compressed by bone fragments. Indirect reduction and internal fixation may result in a permanent nerve lesion. We describe the treatment of these lesions by insertion of a bridge plate using the minimally-invasive percutaneous technique. Six patients were operated on and showed complete functional recovery. Healing of the fractures occurred at a mean of 2.7 months (2 to 3) and complete neurological recovery by a mean of 2.3 months (1 to 5). In one patient infection occurred which resolved after removal of the implant.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a existência de lesões neurológicas nos pacientes submetidos à instrumentação com parafusos pediculares mal posicionados na região toracolombar. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo com seleção randômica de 30 pacientes submetidos à instrumentação pedicular por via posterior, pela técnica freehand. Foi avaliada comparativamente, de forma cega, a adequação do posicionamento dos parafusos nas vértebras por meio de tomografias. A seguir, tentou-se correlacionar a existência de alterações neurológicas relacionadas ao posicionamento dos implantes. RESULTADOS: Observados 223 parafusos pediculares na coluna toracolombar em 30 pacientes operados no serviço por diversas doenças. Houve violação da parede do pedículo vertebral em 33% dos pacientes, sendo mais da metade com invasão da cortical medial. A piora neurológica no pós-operatório imediato ocorreu em três pacientes, entretanto apenas um parafuso precisou de reposicionamento. Todos os pacientes recuperaram a situação neurológica pré-cirúrgica. CONCLUSÕES: O índice de violação cortical com parafusos pediculares mostrou-se elevado. Contudo, nota-se que pequenas violações pediculares podem causar danos neurológicos e que, quando esses acontecem, são reversíveis se o erro for corrigido.

Study design: Radiographic analysis of sagittal spinal alignment of paraplegics in a standing position under surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Objectives: Describing the radiographic parameters of the sagittal spinal alignment of paraplegics going through a rehabilitation program with NMES. Setting: The University Hospital's Ambulatory (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Panoramic X-ray images in profile were taken for 10 paraplegics. All patients participated in the rehabilitation program and were able to perform gait through NMES of the femoral quadriceps muscles. The radiographic parameters used for the analysis were the same as those described in the literature for healthy people. The results were didactically organized into three groups: anatomical shape of the spine, morphology and kinetics of the pelvis and spinopelvic alignment. Results: The physiological curvature of the spine in paraplegics showed average values similar to those described in the literature for healthy patients. The inversion of the pelvic tilt and the increase in the sacral slope were defined by the anterior backward rotation of the pelvis. The existing theoretical mathematical formulas that define lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence and pelvic tilt showed normal values, despite the anterior intense sagittal imbalance. Conclusions: The adaptive posture of the spine in paraplegics standing through the stimulation of the femoral quadriceps does not allow for a neutral sagittal alignment. This novel radiographic detailed description of the various segments of the spine can be of assistance toward the understanding of the global postural control for such subjects.

Objective: Make the cultural adaptation of the spinal appearance questionnaire (SAQ). Method: Twenty patients and their accompanying relatives responded to SAC and were asked about possible improvements. Results: Eighteen girls (90%) and two boys (10%), average age 14.8 years; Cronbach's alpha values of 0.79 and 0.75 were found for patients and parents respectively. Conclusion: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the spinal appearance questionnaire presented in this paper proves to be a valid tool for their purposes in its pre-trial phase. RESUMOObjetivo: Fazer a adaptação cultural do questionário da aparência da coluna (QAC). Método: Vinte pacientes e seus parentes acompanhantes responderam ao QAC e foram questionados quanto a possíveis melhorias. Resultados: Dezoito meninas (90%) e dois meninos (10%); média de idade de 14,8 anos; encontrados valores do alfa de Cronbach de 0,79 e 0,75 para pacientes e parentes respectivamente. Conclusão: A versão em português brasileiro do questionário da aparência da coluna vertebral apresentado neste trabalho mostra-se um instrumento válido para os seus fins na sua fase de pré-teste. Descritores: Comparação transcultural; Questionários; Coluna vertebral; Escoliose; Brasil/etnologia.RESUMEN Objetivo: Hacer la adaptación cultural del cuestionario de la apariencia de la columna (CAC). Método: Veinte pacientes y sus familiares acompañantes respondieron al CAC y se les preguntó acerca de posibles mejoras. Resultados: Dieciocho niñas (90%) y dos niños (10%); edad media de 14,8 años; se han encontrado valores alfa de Cronbach de 0,79 y 0,75 para los pacientes y sus familiares, respectivamente. Conclusión: La versión en portugués del cuestionario de la apariencia de la columna presentado en este trabajo, demuestra que es un instrumento válido para sus propósitos en su fase pre-test. Descriptores: Comparación transcultural; Cuestionarios; Columna vertebral; Escoliosis; Brasil/etnología. oriGinal arTicle/arTiGo oriGinal/arTículo oriGinal Coluna/Columna. 2016;15(3):171-4

Objective To determine if there is a statistically significant difference in the flexibility of the curves in the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by using lateral inclination radiographs in supine or prone decubitus. Methods We evaluated 19 patients with AIS, waiting for surgery. Radiographs of the patients were performed in orthostatic anteroposterior incidences and right and left lateral inclinations in prone and supine decubitus. The comparison between prone and supine decubitus was performed through the flexibility rates of the curves measured in each position. Results The mean flexibility rates measured in lateral inclination radiographs with the patient in the supine position were 54.4% ± 38.8% in the proximal thoracic curve, 45.8% ± 15.6% in the main thoracic curve, and 80.5% ± 20.7% in the thoracolumbar / lumbar curve. When the lateral inclination radiographs were performed with the patient in the prone position, we observed mean flexibility rates of 66.4% ± 34.3% in the proximal thoracic curve, 50.1% ± 12.8% in the main thoracic curve, and 80.6% ± 19.0% in the thoracolumbar / lumbar curve. Conclusion This present study did not find a statistically significant difference between the flexibility rates of the curves in the prone and supine positions, suggesting that the two radiographic methods analyzed are similar in the evaluation of the flexibility of the curves in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Level of evidence II; Development of diagnostic criteria in consecutive patients (with “gold” reference standard applied).