Research
Spine surgery has the potential to benefit from additive manufacturing/3-dimensional printing (3DP) technology with complex anatomical pathologies requiring reconstruction, with the potential to customize surgery to reduce operative times, reduce blood loss, provide immediate stability, and potentially improve fusion rates. We report a unique case of intraoperative trial placement of a custom patient-specific implant (PSI) versus the final implantation of a customizable off-the-shelf (OTS) implant. Data collected for comparison included time to implant, ease of implantation, firmness of press-fit, and fixation options after implantation.
a Prince of Wales Hospital, Peripheral Nerve Research Foundation, 3 Wansey Road, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia b Division of Spine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Summary
Ossified ligamentum flavum (OLF) is being appreciated as an important cause of thoracic myeloradiculopathy. However, despite numerous epidemiological and basic science studies, the pathogenesis of OLF has not been conclusively established. Ossification and symptom development are significantly more frequent in the Japanese population, therefore supporting a genetic predilection for the disease process. We present an unusual case of OLF in a patient from a low-risk genetic background (Chinese), exposed in youth to a lifestyle and diet from a high-risk population (Japanese). Based on our case report, we support the view that dietary habits may constitute an independent risk factor for OLF and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Keywords
Ossification ligamentum flavum; Pathogenesis; Diet; Genetics
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