PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Schlenzka

Publications and source records attributed to D Schlenzka.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Intervertebral disc changes in adolescents with isthmic spondylolisthesis.

The lower lumbar discs in adolescent patients with isthmic L5 spondylolisthesis requiring operative treatment were evaluated by means of plain radiography, discography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There were 14 girls and 13 boys, mean age on admission 14.4 (range, 11-18) years. The mean slip in girls was 45 +/- 23% and in boys 27 +/- 17% (p less than 0.05). Discography was performed in 23 patients (42 discs) and MRI in 16. In 12 patients, both examinations were made. In plain radiographs, normal presacral disc height was seen in 11 patients with mean 14.5% slip, narrowing of the disc height less than 50% in four patients with mean 24% slip, and greater than 50% in 12 patients with mean 52.6% slip. In discograms and MRIs, the presacral disc was pathologic in all patients. Pathologic changes of the fourth lumbar disc were frequent. Concerning disc degeneration, there was poor correlation between findings in plain radiography compared with those seen in MRI or discography. MRI findings correlated with those of discography in most cases. However, MRI was normal in two discs with a pathologic discogram.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Progression of spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents. A long-term follow-up of 272 patients.

The radiologic progression of spondylolisthesis during a long-term follow-up was studied in 272 children and adolescents. There were 134 girls and 138 boys. The mean age at the first visit was 14.3 years (girls, 13.8 years; boys, 14.9 years). The radiologic follow-up time was 14.8 years on average (range, 5-32). The operation was done in 190 patients younger than 20 years of age. Fusion in situ, using a posterior or posterolateral technique, had no statistically significant effect on progression. Surgically treated patients did not differ from conservatively treated patients. Ninety percent of the slip, on average, had already occurred at the first radiologic examination compared with the final amount of slip. More than 10% progression occurred in 62 patients, mainly within the first year postoperatively or after the first examination. Progression of the lumbosacral kyphosis and sinking of the vertebral body was noted in severe slips. Although female gender and dysplasia (spina bifida) at the lumbosacral junction were more frequent in severe slips, they statistically had no value in predicting progression. A wedge form of L5 or sacral rounding also had no prognostic value. These were secondary to the slip and expressed it but did not predict it. The only radiologic variable with predictive value of progression was the percentage amount of the primary slip. In age groups corresponding to the growth spurt in early puberty (girls, 9-12 years; boys, 11-14 years), there was a tendency to progress.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Scoliosis in growing rabbits induced with an extension splint.

An external splint was applied to 49, 6-week-old rabbits to induce lordosis in the thoracolumbar junction. The splint was retained for 8 weeks, and the animals were killed after 6 months. Scoliosis developed in 23 rabbits during the splinting period. The deformity occurred about the thoracolumbar junction, and was more frequent in rabbits whose lordosis was sustained when the splint was removed after 8 weeks. The results support the view that sagittal changes are primarily or secondarily involved in the pathomechanics of scoliosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Spinal stenosis subsequent to juvenile lumbar osteochondrosis.

This paper describes eight patients with spinal stenosis associated with marked osteochondrous changes in the vertebral bodies due to juvenile lumbar osteochondrosis (Scheuermann's disease). In no case was the midsagittal or interpedicular diameter of the spinal canal indicative of bony stenosis. On the other hand, in the myelograms the sagittal diameter of the dural sac was in all cases significantly narrowed, a diagnostic sign of central spinal stenosis. Therefore, myelography should always be contemplated when osteochondrous changes are present and spinal stenosis is suspected clinically regardless of whether the spinal canal diameters are normal in plain films.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Severe spondylolisthesis in children and adolescents. A long-term review of fusion in situ.

From 1948 to 1980, 93 children and adolescents had fusion in situ for severe spondylolisthesis with a slip of 50% or more, at a mean age of 14.8 years. Of these, 52 girls and 35 boys were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 13.8 years. The mean pre-operative slip was 76% and pain frequency correlated with the severity of the lumbosacral kyphosis but not with that of the slip. Posterior fusion was used in 54, posterolateral in 30 and anterior fusion in three patients. There were no major complications but 16 had re-operations for non-union or root symptoms. At follow-up there were three non-unions. After operation, 19 patients had 10% or more progression of the slip, but 10 showed correction by more than 10% as a result of remodelling. The lumbosacral kyphosis had increased by more than 10 degrees in 45%. Postoperative progression of the slip and of lumbosacral kyphosis was significantly more if the posterior element had been removed. At follow-up 77 patients were subjectively improved, four were unchanged, and one was worse. These results did not correlate with either the degree of the slip, or the angle of lumbosacral kyphosis. Fusion in situ is safe and gives good long-term clinical results. Secondary changes are associated with increased lumbosacral kyphosis, so reduction of this should be considered in severe cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Experiences with lateral electric surface stimulation in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis].

Lateral electrical surface stimulation (LESS) was used for treatment of idiopathic scoliosis in 20 children and adolescents (mean age 10.9 years, mean Cobb angle 26 drs.). Six patients were treated until skeletal maturity showing a mean curve progression of 8 degrees at follow-up. In 14 patients treatment failed due to skin irritation, sleeping disturbances or progression. Five patients had to be operated on. Twenty patients of a control group treated with Boston brace (mean age 11.9 years, mean Cobb angle 34 drs.) showed mean curve improvement of 2 degrees at follow-up. Only one patient of the control group had to be operated on. Brace treatment was superior to stimulation in this small patient group presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The height of the patella: an anatomical study.

The anterior region of the left knee joint of fifty fresh human cadavers (37 males, 13 females) was dissected and the following measurements were carried out: length of the patella (LP), width of the patella (WP), length of the patellar tendon (LT), and width of the patellar tendon (WT). The ratio LT/LP for assessment of the vertical position of the patella was 1.00 (range 0.72-1.38; SD 0.14) and found to be in full agreement with radiographic studies carried out first by Insall and Salvati in 1971 and later by other authors. There was no significant statistical difference between the Insall-Salvati index in males and females. The length and width of the patella as well as the length of the patellar tendon were found to be significantly larger in males than in females (P less than 0.001).

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Metaphyseal distraction for lower limb lengthening and correction of axial deformities.

Metaphyseal distraction with the Orthofix apparatus was performed on 10 patients (five femora and five tibiae). A retrospective review is presented. The follow-up time was 10-38 months. A satisfactory correction of leg length and axial deformity was achieved in all cases. There was no need for plating or bone grafting. All patients showed solid bony fusion at follow-up. Pin tract infections in seven patients resolved under antibiotic treatment. Problems of pin loosening and mechanical weakness of the distraction device are discussed.

Adolescent↗