Efficacy of computed tomography-assisted limited decompression in the surgical management of thoracolumbar fractures with neurological deficit

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of CT-assisted limited decompression in managing single segment A3 lumbar burst fracture. Method A retrospective study (January 2015–June, 2019). One hundred six cases with single-level Magerl type A3 lumbar burst fractures treated with short-segment posterior internal fixation and limited decompression. Patients were divided into two groups: CT-assisted group and non-CT-assisted group. Perioperative factors, clinical outcomes, post-operative complications, imaging parameters, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were evaluated. Results Kyphosis, loss of anterior and posterior vertebral body heights, operative time, and post-operative complications were not significantly different between the two groups. The visual analog score (VAS) and spinal canal encroachment in the CT-assisted group were lower compared with the non-CT-assisted group (p < 0.05). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, the simplified HRQoL scale, and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Spinal Cord Injury Grade in the CT-assisted group were significantly higher compared with the non-CT-assisted group (p < 0.05). Conclusion CT-assisted limited decompression in the treatment of single-segment A3 lumbar burst fracture can achieve better fracture reduction and surgical results and improve the long-term recovery of the patients’ neurological function and quality of life.

Prognostic value of pretreatment anemia in patients with soft tissue sarcoma

“…The effect of hypoxia on different subtypes is inherently heterogeneous. Nakamura et al found that pretreatment anemia was not associated with the prognosis of liposarcoma, while malignant fibrous histiocytoma was the opposite [23,42] . Patients may differ from study to study, so heterogeneity is acceptable.…”

“…Nakamura et al found that pretreatment anemia was not associated with the prognosis of liposarcoma, while malignant fibrous histiocytoma was the opposite. [23,42] Patients may differ from study to study, so heterogeneity is acceptable. Second, the cutoff values between different studies are different.…”