Objective: : It can be assumed that the progression of scoliosis in the juvenile period will increase the asymmetry in the rib cage, and thus will contribute to an increase in the breast asymmetry (BA) in the future. We are looking for answers to the questions; “How will the breasts look with respect to each other and what is the possibility of developing BA in the early follow-up period following the early surgical treatment and final fusion surgery of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (JIS)?” For this reason, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the breast asymmetries of patients in the period after the final fusion. Methods: : Following growing rod treatment, final fusion was achieved in 12 females with JIS. We used the anthropomorphic measurement of the modified BREAST-V formula to assess whether there was an asymmetry between the breasts after an average of 4.8 years (2–11) following final fusion. Results: : In comparison, the mean volume of the left breast (222.4 mL [range, 104.1–330.2]) was larger than the mean volume of the right breast volume (214.5 mL [range, 95.2–326.7]) (p=0.034). The left breast was larger in 75% of the patients. BA was observed in 50% of the patients. No correlation was detected between the Cobb angle of the patient after final fusion and BA (p=0.688). Conclusion : In the late follow-up period, BA was detected in 50% of the patients with JIS who achieved final fusion after treatment with growing rod. In majority of the patients, left breast was larger. The patients with JIS and their families can be informed prior to the operation about the probability of BA seen in the follow-up period after fusion.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to determine the alterations on coronal balance after overcorrection of Lenke type 1 curve, retrospectively. METHODS: Datas of 34 patients (29 female, 5 male patients; mean age, 16.3±3.3 years; range, 13-24 years) surgically treated for scoliosis between 2004 and 2010 were reviewed, retrospectively. The adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with Lenke type 1 curve treated with only posterior pedicle screw and postoperative thoracic curves less than 10° by Cobb method on frontal plane were enrolled in this study. Mean follow-up period was 52.5±29.7 months. RESULTS: The mean amount of the preoperative thoracic curves was measured as 41.2°±6.1° (range, 30°-56°). The mean amount of the early postoperative thoracic curves was measured as 6.5°±1.8° (range, 3°-9°). The mean amount of the thoracic curves was measured as 8.5°±4.6° (range, 3°-22°) during the last follow-up (p=0.01). The mean preoperative coronal balance was measured as 8.5mm(range, 1-30mm). The mean early postoperative coronal balance was measured as 3.5mm(range, 0-36 mm). The mean coronal balance was measured as 5.5mm(range, 0-38mm) during the last follow-up (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that Lenke type 1B and 1C should be carefully evaluated and the fusion levels should be accurately selected in order to maintain the correction of coronal balance. We suggest that selective fusion with overcorrection in Lenke type 1A are applied to curves that can be corrected lumbar curve at the preoperative bending radiograph and curves that not have coronal decompensation and >10° distal junctional kyphosis, preoperatively.
Adolescent ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Male ; Methods ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective diagnostic study. PURPOSE: To define a new radiological sign, “Baltalimani sign,” in severe angular kyphosis (SAK) and to report its relationship with the risk of neurological deficits and deformity severity. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Baltalimani sign was previously undefined in the literature. METHODS: We propose Baltalimani sign as the axial orientation of the vertebrae that are located above or below the apex of angular kyphosis on anteroposterior radiographs. Patients with SAK of various etiologies with kyphotic angles ≥90° were selected and evaluated for the presence of Baltalimani sign. Demographic data of the patients including age, gender, etiology, neurological status, local kyphosis angles, and the location of the kyphosis apex were recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) of Baltalimani sign for the risk of the neurological deficits were evaluated by the IBM SPSS ver. 20.0. A p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Cohen's kappa was used for analysis of interrater agreement. RESULTS: The mean local kyphosis angle in all patients was 124.2° (range, 90°–169°), and 15 of 40 (37.5%) patients had neurological deficits. Baltalimani sign was seen in 13 of 15 patients with neurological deficits (p=0.001). Baltalimani sign showed a sensitivity and specificity PPV and NPV of 61.9%, 86.7%, 89.5%, and 68.8% for the risk of the neurological deficits in SAK patients, respectively. Cohen's kappa value was moderate (κ=0.506). CONCLUSIONS: The detection of Baltalimani sign in SAK may indicate severity of deformity and the risk of neurological deficits.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Kyphosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: Comparing the effects of magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) and traditional growing rod (TGR) techniques on the sagittal plane in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis (EOS).METHODS: Twelve patients were operated using dual MCGR technique in one center, while 15 patients were operated using dual TGR technique for EOS in another center. Patients’ demographic characteristics, complications and radiological measurements such as cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, T1–S1 range (mm), proximal junctional angle, distal junctional angle, sagittal balance, coronal balance, pelvic incidence, sacral slope and pelvic tilt were assessed and compared in preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up period.RESULTS: Age and sex distributions were similar in both groups. The mean number of lengthening in the MCGR group was 12 (8–15) and 4.8 (3–7) in the TGR group. Two techniques were shown to be effective in controlling the curvature and in the increase of T1–S1 distance. In TGR group, four patients had rod fractures, six patients had screw pull-out and four patients had an infection, whereas three patients had screw pull-out and one patient had infection complications in the MCGR group.CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of cobb angle, coronal and sagittal balance and sagittal pelvic parameters. MCGR can cause hypokyphosis and proximal junctional kyphosis in a minimum 2-year follow-up period. The implant-related complications were less in the MCGR group. However, larger case groups and longer follow-up periods are required for the better understanding of the superiority of one method on other in terms of complications.
Animals ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kyphosis ; Lordosis ; Methods ; Scoliosis ; Sex Distribution

Objective: : The present study aimed to determine the topical and systemic efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) on epidural fibrosis in a rat laminectomy model. Methods: : Thirty-two 12-month-old adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Each rat underwent bilateral laminectomy at the L1 and L2 vertebral levels. Rats were divided into four groups : in group I (control group, n=8), a laminectomy was performed and saline solution was applied into the surgical space. In group II (topical group, n=8), laminectomy was performed and 30 mg/ kg TXA was applied to the surgical site before skin closure. In group III (systemic group, n=8), 30 mg/kg TXA was administered intravenously via the tail vein in the same session as the surgical procedure. In group IV (topical and systemic group, n=8), TXA was administered 30 mg/kg both topical and intravenous. The rats were sacrificed at 4 weeks postoperatively. Masson’s trichrome and hematoxylin and eosin were used to assess acute inflammatory cells, chronic inflammatory cells, vascular proliferation, and epidural fibrosis. Results: : Epidural fibrosis, acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, and sum histologic score value were significantly lower in the systemic TXA group, systemic and topical TXA groups than in the control group (p<0.05). In addion, the sum histologic score was significantly lower in the topical TXA group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion : In this study, epidural fibrosis formation was prevented more by systemic application, but the topical application was found to be effective when compared to the control group. As a result, we recommend the systemic and topical use of TXA to prevent epidural fibrosis during spinal surgery.

Objective: : To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of lacosamide after experimental peripheral nerve injury in rats. Methods: : A total of 28 male wistar albino rats weighing 300–350 g were divided into four groups. In group I, the sciatic nerve exposed and the surgical wound was closed without injury; in group II, peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) was performed after dissection of the nerve; in group III, PNI was performed after dissection and lacosamide was administered, and in group IV, PNI was performed after dissection and physiological saline solution was administered. At 7 days after the injury all animals were sacrificed after walking track analysis. A 5 mL blood sample was drawn for biochemical analysis, and sciatic nerve tissues were removed for histopathological examination. Results: : There is low tissue damage in lacosamide treated group and antioxidant anzymes and malondialdehyde levels were higher than non-treated and placebo treated group. However there was no improvement on clinical assessment. Conclusion : The biochemical and histological analyses revealed that lacosamide has neuroprotective effect in PNI in rats. This neuroprotective capacity depends on its scavenger role for free oxygen radicals by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity.