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“The aim of this study was to determine whether the recent refinement and downsizing of the implants for posterior cervical fusion increase the occurrence of implant failure.
One hundred forty-two consecutive cases of cervical fusion, using either cannulated Magerl screws or a multiaxial pedicle screw-rod system,
were reviewed retrospectively after an average follow-up period of more than 3 years, and the rate and characteristics of the failure of these implants were evaluated.
Implant failure occurred in six (4.2%) patients: five with rheumatoid arthritis and one with athetoid cerebral palsy. Occipital plate fracture occurred in two patients, Magerl screw breakage in one patient, cervical pedicle
screw fracture in two patients, and disassembly of the pedicle AZD9291 screw and rod in two patients (one with an occipital plate fracture). There was no rod fracture. The implant failures were asymptomatic, except in one patient. Disassembly of the pedicle screw and rod was observed immediately after another surgical procedure under general anesthesia in two patients.
The failure rate of 4.2% was similar to the rates reported in the literature for posterior lumbar spinal fusion, confirming the reliability of the recent cervical screw-rod system.”
“Purpose: This controlled prospective study aims to investigate the possible effects of antibiotic treatment on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and its derivatives, and consequently on the transrectal biopsy rates, in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Patients and Methods: One hundred and forty patients aged 45 to 70 years old, with a PSA level between 2.5 and 10 ng/mL and normal digital rectal examinations (DRE), were included in this study between June 2009 and November 2010. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups. The first group received oral levofloxacin 500mg 1*1 for 21 days; the second, the control group, was given no treatment. Initially, total PSA, free PSA, a DRE, urinary ultrasonography (including prostate volume,
postvoiding residual urine), uroflowmetry, IPI-549 mouse International Prostate Symptom Score, National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, and International Index of Erectile Function tests were performed. All of these were repeated at the end of 3 weeks of antibiotic treatment. An additional PSA measurement was also performed at day 10 of the treatment. All patients underwent transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy at day 21, just the day after the final (third) PSA sampling.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.6 years. Overall, in 23 patients, prostate cancer was detected, including those found in the rebiopsies. Statistically, there were significant changes in values of PSA and its derivatives in the treatment group (from 5.31 to 4.69 and 4.58 ng/mL, consecutively).