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"nBackground: There are multiple diagnostic methods for evaluation of patients with low back pain with a radicular pattern, each one has it's own accuracy and diagnostic ability and so comparing them with each other would help the clinicians to find the best diagnostic method. The main objective of our study was to compare the diagnostic accommodation of electromyography (EMG) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings in patients with low back pain and radiculopathy. "n"nMethods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 101 patients with low back pain and radiculopathy attending to Sina Hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2007 to 2009 that had indication for both EMG and MRI were evaluated for their demographic characteristics and disease-related factors. "n"nResults: Totally, 90 out of 101 patients (89%) had abnormal EMG findings and 94 out of 101 subjects (93%) had abnormal MRI results. The concordance rate was 88% (89 patients) with no significant difference (p> 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of MRI were 95.6% and 27.3%, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of EMG were 91.5% and 60%, respectively. "n"nConclusion: According to the results of this study and in comparison with other studies it may be concluded that MRI and EMG are both accurate and use of them in a concomitant manner would result in increased diagnostic ability in patients with low back pain and radiculopathy.

"nBackground: Proper knee function is essential for daily activity. Since almost all complex tibial plateau fractures involve soft tissue compromise, there is some controversy as to the best treatment method. Currently, progress toward indirect reduction and external fixation, such as the hybrid external fixator, with minimal complications is underway. Herein we evaluate the outcomes of complex tibial plateau function repaired with hybrid external fixation at one of the most important trauma centers in Iran. "nMethods: This case-series study involved the postoperative follow up (>6 months) of 20 patients with complex tibial plateau fracture repaired using hybrid external fixator at Sina Hospital from 2002-2004. We evaluated surgery complications and outcomes including soft tissue and skin necrosis, knee range of motion, degenerative joint disease, infection, neurovascular injury, union time, and knee score at final visit, among others. "nResults: Of the original 20 cases enrolled in this study, five dropped out. All subjects were men, with a mean age 38.6 (18-74) years. The most common injury mechanism was motor vehicle accident; mean time from trauma to surgery was 4.7 (1-15) days. Mean follow up duration was 11.6 (6-26) months. At the end of the study, 80% had good knee range of motion (>90 flexion), with knee scores of 80 or more for 60% of the subjects. Although all patients had had soft tissue injury, there was no postoperative soft tissue compromise. Two patients (11%) had postoperative infection, but ultimately recovered. Less time between trauma and surgery, less periarticular soft tissue injury, less operative manipulation of soft tissues, better articular congruency, and more stable and anatomical knee alignment are associated with better outcome and prognosis. "nConclusions: This procedure reduces operative complications, especially infection and soft tissue necrosis, and requires less rest, all of which results in a stable, aligned and functional knee joint. Furthermore, adding minimal open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) may promote even better results.

This was a retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with spinal disease in year 2000, who underwent posterior fusion and instrumentation with Harrington distraction and Cotrel-Dobousset system to evaluate causes of hardware failure. Many cases of clinical failure has been observed in spinal instrumentation used in spinal disorder like spondylolisthesis, fractures, deformities, … . Thirty six cases that were operated because of spinal disorders like spondylolisthesis, fractures, deformities, …, were included in this study. Seventeen of this cases had breakage of device. Factors like age at surgery, type of instrumentation, angles before and after surgery and …, were compared in two groups of patients. The most common instrument breakage was pedicle screw breakage. Pseudoarthrosis was the main factor that was presented in failure group (P value