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It has always been wondered how the muscle volumes of the lumbar region are affected on the convex and concave sides of the curvature in idiopathic scoliosis (IS) and their possible differences compared to healthy individuals. Muscular changes in individuals with IS have generally been tried to be determined by measurements such as muscle cross-sectional area. However, since the changes in the locomotor system in scoliosis affect the anatomical structures of the muscles such as origin and insertion, the reliability of muscle cross-sectional area measurement decreases. Our aim in this study was to compare the psoas major (PM) and quadratus lumborum (QL) muscle volumes, which undergo the most changes on the concave and convex side of the curvature in scoliosis, within themselves and with healthy individuals. 34 women with scoliosis and 29 healthy women were included in this descriptive retrospective study. PM and QL muscle volumes were measured bilaterally on computed tomography (CT) images of individuals in both groups and recorded as mm3. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS 23.0, P < .05 was considered significant. In the IS group, both PM and QL muscle volumes were greater on the convex side of the curve (P < .001). When the IS group was compared with the control group, both muscle volumes were significantly lower in the IS group bilaterally than in the control group (P < .001). It was observed that individuals with IS developed atrophy in the lumbar muscles of both sides of the curve, mostly on the concave side of the curve, compared to healthy individuals. We think that these results will be important in planning appropriate physical therapy for individuals with IS., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

To evaluate the relationship of ultrasonographic evaluation parameters with pain, muscle strength and disease severity in lateral epicondylitis (LE). 64 people were included in present retrospective, cross-sectional study. Activity and rest pain was questioned with Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Also, Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and the maximum grip strength were evaluated. Hypoechoic region, neovascularity, cortical irregularity, enthesopathy and peritendinous fluid or bursitis were evaluated by ultrasonography. 48 of the patients were female and 16 were male. Mean age was 48.53 ± 6.12, body mass index was 27.70 ± 4.75. 55 (85.9%) hypoechoic region, 31 (48.4%) neovascularity, 21 (32.8%) cortical irregularity, 19 (29,7%) enthesopathy, and 18 (28.1%) peritendinous fluid or bursitis were detected by ultrasonography. When the ultrasonographic findings and clinical findings of the patients were compared, no significant difference was found between the hypoechoic region, cortical irregularity, enthesopathy and clinical findings (P > .05), while the extension grip strength was found to be significantly lower in patients with neovascularity (P = .045). In addition, patients with peritendinous fluid or bursitis, were found to be significantly lower in both flexion (P = .033) and extension (P = .023) grip strength, while PRTEE function (P = .021) subgroup and total (P = .038) scores were significantly higher. Hypoechoic region, cortical irregularities and enthesopathy were not evaluated to be associated with disease severity, pain and muscle strength. Neovascularity was found to be associated only with extension grip strength. Peritendinous fluid or bursitis was found to be associated with both flexion and extension grip strength and disease activity, but not associated with pain., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Study Design: A new surgical technique of cervical closing wedge osteotomy to correct an extension deformity of the cervical spine in patients with muscular dystrophy presenting clinically with debilitating hyperlordosis is described, and 3 cases are reported., Objective: To describe a new surgical technique with emphasis on the clinical results and the effect of osteotomy on sagittal balance, gaze angle, and spinopelvic parameters., Summary of Background Data: Previous reports of cervical osteotomy essentially have described opening wedge (extension osteotomy) for correction of severe flexion deformities. To the authors' knowledge, C7-T1 closing wedge osteotomy to correct hyperextension deformity due to muscular dystrophy in the cervical spine has not been described previously., Methods: Three male patients aged 16, 16, and 21 years presented with cervical hyperlordosis due to Becker muscular dystrophy. There was upward deviation of forward gaze in all patients. Anterior closing wedge (bone-disc-bone) osteotomy of C7-T1 was performed followed with a posterior release correction and instrumented stabilization. The chin-brow angle was visualized with the aid of fluoroscopy during the operation. After closure and posterior fixation, patient was turned supine again and the osteotomy site was grafted and fixed with a plate to further strengthen the construct and to prevent any translation., Results: The gaze angles and both sitting and standing postures of the patients markedly improved. There was documented fusion at the osteotomy sites. The patients were free of complaints at the last follow-up., Conclusion: Bone-disc-bone closing wedge osteotomy done at C7-T1 level is a technically demanding procedure but results in significant acute clinical and radiological improvement in patients with hyperextension deformity of the cervical spine., Level of Evidence: 4.

Study Design: Retrospective study., Objective: To demonstrate that intralaminar screws (ILS) can be used as supplements in spinal deformity surgery in the thoracic and lumbar levels in pediatric and adult patients., Summary of Background Data: Rigid posterior fixation of the spine is generally accomplished using pedicle screws, hooks, or wires. ILSs are useful tools when other spinal fixation techniques have failed or the bony anatomy precludes hook or screw placement., Materials and Methods: All spinal deformity patients (primary/revision) operated between 2007 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients with ILS were included in the study. The anteroposterior and lateral standing x-rays were evaluated in terms of preoperative and postoperative coronal and sagittal deformities. The number and level of ILS, intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications were noted., Results: There were 20 patients (12 male and 8 female). The mean age was 21.75 years. The mean follow-up period was 17.4 months. Fifty-seven ILS were inserted. Seventeen screws were used in the uppermost to lowermost levels. Forty screws were used in the middle. There was 1 lamina fracture and screw pull out (1.75%). There were 3 canal violations (corrected intraoperative) and 2 instrument prominences which required implant removal. The mean preoperative/postoperative cobb angles were 78.5 degrees/27.8 degrees and the mean preoperative/postoperative kyphosis angles were 57.2 degrees/32.5 degrees, respectively. The loss of correction was 1.2 degrees. There were no neurological deficits and no instrument failures., Conclusions: ILS are safe and effective when used in deformity correction. However, biomechanical studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to conclude whether ILS will be considered a first-line technique, or will remain a technique for salvage situations.

Study Design: A case series depicting the results of a novel surgical technique., Objective: To prove that a minimally invasive surgical technique can effectively control and even correct congenital scoliosis caused by a fully segmented hemivertebra., Summary of Background Data: Congenital hemivertebrae have been treated by anterior and posterior growth arrest with/without fusion, anterior and posterior hemivertebrectomy, transpedicular hemivertebra excision, and transpedicular hemiepiphysiodesis. These approaches are complex and require experience. There is a need for a simple treatment method to treat these deformities., Methods: Twelve patients under 5 years of age with Putti type1 hemivertebrae were treated by posterior convex short segment instrumentation, partial chevron osteotomies, and fusion. Scoliosis, segmental scoliosis, kyphosis, segmental kyphosis, trunk shift were measured both preoperatively and postoperatively., Results: The mean correction of the segmental curve was 6 degrees (21%) which was maintained at the latest follow-up. The average final correction of the main curve was 23%. The trunk shift was 1.8 cm (range, 1-3 cm) preoperative and 1.4 cm (range, 0-2.5 cm) at the latest follow-up. The segmental angle of kyphosis averaged 11 degrees (range, -12 to 20 degrees) preoperative, and 14 degrees (range, 0-29 degrees) at the latest follow-up assessment. The values of the total thoracic kyphosis (T2-T12) were 29.5 degrees (range, 10-46 degrees) preoperative, 31 degrees (range, 10-44 degrees) postoperative, and 32 degrees (range, 16-45 degrees) at the last follow-up resulting in a mean improvement of 2 degrees. This improvement continued at the latest follow-up with a mean increase of 3 degrees., Conclusions: Transpedicular instrumentation is ideal for early correction in young children. The new posterior approach is much less invasive than the combined approaches or other posterior vertebrectomies and is well tolerated even in very young patients. The fusion segment is kept short. The deformities seem to stop progressing and this can avoid development of severe local deformities and secondary curves.

Background: Intensive lowering of serum cholesterol may retard progression of coronary atherosclerosis in selected groups of patients. However, few data are available on the potential benefit of serum cholesterol reduction in the broad range of patients with coronary atherosclerosis and normal to moderately elevated serum cholesterol levels who undergo various forms of treatment. The Regression Growth Evaluation Statin Study (REGRESS) addresses this group of patients., Methods and Results: REGRESS is a double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study to assess the effects of 2 years of treatment with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor pravastatin on progression and regression of coronary atherosclerosis in 885 male patients with a serum cholesterol level between 4 and 8 mmol/L (155 and 310 mg/dL) by quantitative coronary arteriography. Primary end points were (1) change in average mean segment diameter per patient and (2) change in average minimum obstruction diameter per patient. Clinical events were also analyzed. Of the 885 patients, 778 (88%) had an evaluable final angiogram. Mean segment diameter decreased 0.10 mm in the placebo group versus 0.06 mm in the pravastatin group (P = .019): The mean difference between treatment groups was 0.04 mm, with a 95% CI of 0.01 to 0.07 mm. The median minimum obstruction diameter decreased 0.09 mm in the placebo group versus 0.03 mm in the pravastatin group (P = .001): The difference of the medians between the treatment groups was 0.06 mm, with a CI of 0.02 to 0.08 mm. At the end of the follow-up period, 89% (CI, 86% to 92%) of the pravastatin patients and 81% (CI, 77% to 85%) of the placebo patients were without new cardiovascular events (P = .002)., Conclusions: In symptomatic men with significant coronary atherosclerosis and normal to moderately elevated serum cholesterol, less progression of coronary atherosclerosis and fewer new cardiovascular events were observed in the group of patients treated with pravastatin than in the placebo group.