Alterations in vitamin D homeostasis, mainly involving its nuclear receptor (VDR), could have a role in the pathophysiology of the spine. The association between VDR polymorphisms and spine disorders has been analyzed in different ethnic groups, focusing on the functional FokI polymorphism. However, so far, inconsistent findings were reported. The aims of this study were to evaluate, in the Ita...

Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) are a group of genetic disorders that affect the peripheral nervous system and muscle, consequently leading to a significant disability in children as well as in adults. NMDs include more than 200 monogenic disorders with a total incidence exceeding 1 in 3,000 [1]. Some of the more extreme diseases in the spectrum include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), conge...

This study was carried out to derive and evaluate reference computed tomography (CT)-based indices for normal canine spine. CT and magnetic resonance images were acquired from 12 clinically normal Beagle dogs (normal group) and 50 dogs with 56 spinal disorders (patient group). Image acquisition regions were cervical spine (C2-T1), thoracic spine (T1-T13), and lumbar spine (L1-L7). Measured indi...

BACKGROUND Most information about spinal arachnoid diverticula (SADs) in dogs has been retrieved from relatively small case series. The aim of this study was to describe this disease in a larger number of dogs. OBJECTIVES Description of the signalment, clinical presentation, and imaging findings of a large number of dogs with SADs. ANIMALS One hundred and twenty-two dogs with SADs. METHOD...

BACKGROUND Lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine is frequently used, despite current research presenting inconclusive evidence. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyse the natural course of pain and disability in patients with degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine such as spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, disc herniation, or discogenic low ...

Intermittent calf pain is also called claudication. It common in patients with spinal canal stenosis or those peripheral vascular occlusion disorders. rarely found local muscle pathology. We herein report a case of 50-year-old man who presented left-sided on mild exertion. On evaluation, the systemic review was normal, no spondylosis pathology, but fatty degeneration gastrocnemius, which causin...

Orthopedic surgery is common in pediatric patients because of the wide variety of bone and muscle injury or disease during childhood.These entities range from simple fractures in healthy children to complex spinal fusions in children with debilitating neuromuscular disorders. Anesthetic considerations for children with these specific disorders are covered in Chapter 5. This chapter focuses on c...

4 In the 1 970s there were two outstanding changes which influenced the management of spinal disorders. First, significant advances occurred in investigative methods: safer water-soluble contrast agents became available, leading to improved myelography; computerised tomography heralded a revolution in non-invasive imaging of the spinal canal; ultrasonic measuring techniques were applied to the ...

spinal cord compression due to extramedullary hematopoiesis is a well-described and rare syndrome encountered in several hematological disorders including β-thalassemia. hereby, a 37-year old pregnant woman with intermediate β -thalassemia with paraparesis and lower limb hypoesthesia was presented. mri showed soft tissue masses in both sides of thoracic paraspinal area. histologically, a mixtur...

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the most important aspects for the performance of a differential diagnosis among the main neuromuscular disorders in children, which include diseases affecting the motor unity, i.e. spinal motor neurons, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction and muscular fibers. SOURCES: The review of the clinical aspects that should be considered for a prompt differential diagnosis am...