Spinal disorders and mastication: The potential relationship between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and alterations of the chewing patterns

Objective

To evaluate mastication in a group of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with a control group, by means of the prevalence of reverse chewing cycles (RCCs).

Material and Methods

This study included a group of patients (N = 32; F = 24; M = 8; mean age ± SD = 14 ± 3 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of AIS and a group of control subjects (N = 32; F = 24; M = 8; mean age ± SD = 13 ± 6 years) without spinal disorders. Mastication was recorded with both a hard and a soft bolus, following a standardized protocol, and the prevalence of RCCs was compared between the groups.

Results

The prevalence of RCCs was significantly higher in the AIS group, with both a soft and a hard bolus, compared to the control group (P < .001).

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that the presence of AIS influences mastication, one of the main functions of the stomatognathic system. A multidisciplinary approach to these patients may be relevant in providing the best possible treatment outcomes.     

Osteogenesis response to implanted materials in endocortical bone in rat femora

BackgroundOrthopedic surgeons and dentists often implant materials to repair bone tissue defects and restore physiological functions of bone organs. The clinical success depends on adequate bone formation in operation sites. However, the real cause of osteogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. To investigate the bone response to implanted materials, this study examined the bone tissue reaction in rat femoral medullary canal, which received gelatin and collagen as foreign-body materials.MethodsA total of 36 six-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and meanly divided into three groups. In the gelatin group, the bilateral femora received gelatin material; in the collagen group, they were implanted with type I collagen, and in the control group, the femora suffered from sham operation with no materials inserted. After 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, specimens were harvested and subjected to a series of examinations.ResultsAfter 2 weeks of healing, a significant upregulation of both alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin by both kinds of implanted materials relative to the control (sham implantation group) was seen in gene expression analysis. Strong reactivity of osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of NFκB ligand was detected in the two test groups in immunohistochemistry at 4 weeks of healing. Also, micro-CT revealed an increase in cortical bone thickness in the two test groups as compared to the control group. Densitometry showed increased bone mineral density in the bone receiving materials after 12 weeks, leading to the enhanced maximum load in the test groups.ConclusionsThese results indicated that the implanted materials led to an osteogenesis response in rat femoral medullary canal. Thus, we probably should reconsider the potential cascades of tissue reaction when utilizing orthopedic and dental implants and other materials to recover bone related-organ function and repair bone defects.     

Osteolysis following resorbable poly-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lactide-co-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lactide PLIF cage use: a review of cases

Study design  

Report of case series     

Thoracic surgical radiology

Chest radiographs of patients in the intensive care or postoperative setting can be difficult to interpret. Postoperative complications may be life-threatening and require prompt management. Knowledge of the diverse radiological appearances of these complications as well as familiarity with the clinical settings in which specific complications are likely to occur is vital for prompt, effective treatment. Following pulmonary resection, patients often have postoperative complications that differ according to the type of surgery and the time elapsed since surgery was performed. This article describes the potential complications and gives illustrated explanations of normal postoperative appearances, for example following pneumonectomy, as well as demonstrating important complications such as bronchopleural fistula. The article highlights the differences in the appearance of the chest radiograph of atelectasis and consolidation, with illustrated examples.     

Subthalamic deep brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson disease

Background and purposeThe role of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) in the treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) is well established. The authors present a group of patients diagnosed with PD who were treated with STN DBS.Material and methodsBetween 2008 and 2009, 32 female and 34 male patients with PD were treated with STN DBS. Mean age at implantation was 57 ± 12 years. PD lasted from 6 to 21 years (mean 10 years). Patients were qualified for the surgery according to the CAPSIT-PD criteria. The STN was identified with direct and indirect methods. Macrostimulation and microrecording for STN identification were used in all cases. A unilateral STN DBS system was implanted in two cases and bilateral implantation was performed among rest of the group. Outcome was assessed six months after implantation.ResultsThe mean reduction of UPDRS III score among 51 patients who underwent follow-up was 45% (5-89%). Reduction of levodopa consumption varied from 15 to 100%. Infection forced the authors to remove the DBS system in one case four months after implantation. Skin erosion above the internal pulse generator was noted in four cases.ConclusionsCardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be safely and effectively treated with STN DBS in selected group of patients.     

Long Term Outcomes of Split-Thickness Skin Grafting to the Plantar Foot

The most common consequence of neuropathy is a diabetic foot ulcer, which usually occurs on the plantar surface of the foot. Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) has been shown in numerous studies to be an effective treatment for rapid coverage of diabetic ulcers. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively examine the outcomes of STSG to the plantar foot and determine the durability of this treatment compared to non–plantar surface STSG. This is a retrospective, single-center, institutional review board approved, case-control study of all patients who received STSG to their lower extremity for chronic ulcers from November 2013 to February 2017. Patients with ulcers on the plantar surface were considered cases, and non–plantar surface ulcers were considered controls. There were 182 patients who received STSG to the lower extremity, 52 to the plantar surface foot and 130 to non–plantar surface locations. Healing at 30 days was not significantly different between plantar and nonplantar ulcers (19% versus 28%, p = .199) but did become significant at 60, 90, and 365 days (21% versus 45%, p = .003; 33% versus 49%, p = .043; 38% versus 64%, p = .002, respectively). However, time to full healing was not significantly different between plantar and nonplantar groups (18.2 ± 19.5 versus 17.4 ± 21.6 weeks, mean ± standard deviation, p = .84). Recurrence was low for both groups (17% versus 10%, respectively), and there was no significant difference between groups (p = .17). Patients with plantar surface ulcers can achieve a durable coverage/closure of their wounds with STSG. When combined with appropriate patient selection and postoperative offloading, acceptable recurrence rates can be achieved.     

Reciprocal change of sagittal profile in unfused spinal segments and lower extremities after complex adult spinal deformity surgery including spinopelvic fixation: a full-body X-ray analysis

BACKGROUND CONTEXTFew studies have described reciprocal changes of pathologic compensatory mechanisms in the setting of spinopelvic fixation using full-body radiograph.PURPOSETo elucidate how sagittal alignment of unfused spinal segments and lower extremities change reciprocally following complex thoracolumbar realignment surgery including fusion to the sacrum in adult spinal deformity.STUDY DESIGNRetrospective cohort.PATIENT SAMPLEThirty-four patients who underwent fusion from lower thoracic to the sacrum/pelvis and 49 patients with fusion from upper thoracic to the sacrum/pelvis.OUTCOME MEASURESThe postoperative sagittal alignment change, and the correlation between the instrumented spinopelvic alignment change and reciprocal changes in unfused spinal segments/lower extremities.MATERIALS/METHODSThis study included 34 patients who underwent fusion from lower thoracic to the sacrum/pelvis (LT-P group) and 49 patients with fusion from upper thoracic to the sacrum/pelvis (UT-P group). The postoperative sagittal alignment changes were evaluated after subdividing the two groups according to T1 pelvic angle (TPA) (aligned group: TPA<20 and malaligned group: TPA>20). The correlation between the instrumented spinopelvic alignment change (ΔTPA and ΔLL), reciprocal changes in unfused spinal segments and lower extremities, and the cranial sagittal vertical axis-hip/ankle change (ΔCrSVA-Hip/Ankle) were also analyzed.RESULTSAt the baseline in both LT-P and UT-P groups, the patients in the malaligned subgroups showed greater C2–7 lordosis (C2–7L), sacrofemoral angle (SFA), and knee flexion angle (KA) than those in the aligned subgroups. At average 7.1 months postoperatively, these compensatory mechanisms were restored in accordance with instrumented TPA/LL change, especially in the UT-P group. The mid-thoracic alignment changed significantly kyphotic in the LT-P group. ΔTPA and ΔLL linearly correlated with ΔC2–7L, ΔKA, and ΔAA in the malaligned patients. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that change in lower extremity parameters (ΔSFA, ΔKA, and ΔAA) independently impacted ΔCrSVA-Hip/Ankle.CONCLUSIONAdequate thoracolumbar realignment surgery results in restoration of the pathologic compensatory mechanisms in the unfused spinal segments and lower extremities, especially in patients fused from upper thoracic spine. A preoperative clinical evaluation of the lower limb joints, as well as a full-body radiographic evaluation, is paramount to achieve optimal global sagittal balance in thoracolumbar realignment surgery.