BACKGROUND The oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) procedure may reduce many of the risks and limitations associated with lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF). However, little is known about the biomechanical performance of various fixation constructs after OLIF.This study aimed to explore the stability of various fixation options for OLIF by using finite element analysis based on three-dimensional scanning models. METHODS Six validated finite element models of the L3-L5 segment were reconstructed via computed tomography scan images, including (1) an intact model, (2) a stand-alone (SA) model with no instrument, (3) a lateral rod-screw (LRS) model, (4) a lateral rod-screw plus contralateral translaminar facet screw (LRS-CTLFS) model, (5) a unilateral pedicle screw (UPS) model, and (6) a bilateral pedicle screw (BPS) model. The models of the OLIF cage and pedicle screw were created with a three-dimensional scanning machine to improve the accuracy of the finite element analysis. To analyze the biomechanicsperienced by the translaminar facet screw was concentrated in part of the facet joint. PF-6463922 chemical structure CONCLUSIONS The BPS provided the best biomechanical stability for OLIF, while SA could not provide sufficient stability. The LRS-CTLFS procedure increases the approximate stability and reduces the stress at the cage-endplate interface, except that it causes an increase in screw stress. Clinically, the LRS-CTLFS procedure may reduce many of the traumas and limitations associated with BPS and offer a useful alternative to the BPS procedure during OLIF. BACKGROUND Chiari malformation (CM) is defined as a herniation of cerebellar tonsils below foramen magnum and is considered as secondary to the underdevelopment of posterior fossa bone components. There is then an overcrowding of neural structures and frequently block in normal cerebrospinal fluid circulation. Although several papers published measurements of dimensions and volumes from bone components of PF in CM, there is no systematic review evaluating quantitatively these dimensions. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to evaluate PF dimensions and volumes in a metanalysis. METHODS Data sources an electronic search in MEDLINE [PubMed] database and using google scholar search tool were made. Study eligibility criteria were defined by the PICO strategy wich selected patients and interventions. Study appraisal Studies comparing posterior fossa dimensions between Chiari malformation patients and normal subjects were selected. Synthesis methods A meta-analysis of pooled data was done using the software “R” RESULTS Twelve described papers provided data for pooled analysis. LIMITATIONS Data synthesis was based on small published sample sizes in the majority of papers. Implications of key findings Surgical treatment of Chiari malformations should consider the smaller dimensions of posterior fossa in its planning. CONCLUSIONS This review evidenced smaller measurements on clivus, supra-occipital bone and posterior fossa area dimensions in patients with CM compared with normal subjects. Brainstem and cerebellar length was not different between groups. INTRODUCTION We are developing an intradural approach to spinal cord stimulation, where the thin electrode array is affixed stably to the underside of the thoracic spinal dura mater without leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. As part of the design and testing process, we sought to evaluate the potential risk of inadvertent contact of the array with the pial surface of the spinal cord during variations in spinal loading. METHODS As part of the risk assessment process, a two-part study was undertaken. First, a retrospective review of the imaging studies of 25 patients was done in the supine, 45°, and 90° positions to measure the positional shift between the T9 and T10 vertebral bodies as a function of spinal angulation. Second, similar measurements were made on a cadaveric model, with and without a prototype intradural stimulator implanted at the T9 – T10 position, and with and without 13.8 kg (30 pounds) of axial spinal loading at the 90° orientation. RESULTS In all cases, the measured relative displacement of the dura mater towards the spinal cord in both the imaging and the cadaveric arms of the study was less than 1 mm. CONCLUSIONS The implantation method for the thin intradural array of the prototype device will ensure that the anatomical separation between it and the pial surface of the spinal cord will be the same as that of the dura mater. Therefore, the risk of inadvertent contact will be no greater than that due to the mass effects of standard epidural stimulator implants. We report a case of atypical type A thymoma variant manifesting polymyalgia rheumatica. A 68-year-old man underwent extended thymectomy with concomitant resection of the pericardium and right lung for an anterior mediastinal tumor. He was diagnosed with atypical type A thymoma variant with pericardial invasion. He developed pain in his extremities one year and 2 months after surgery. Detailed examinations resulted in a diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica and bone metastasis of thymoma. He was treated with oral prednisolone for polymyalgia rheumatica. His symptoms and bone lesion have been stable up to the present time of 3.5 years post-surgery. BACKGROUND Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a leading cause of early morbidity and mortality after heart transplantation (HT). Statins are known to have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, and perioperative statin therapy has been associated with reduced cardiovascular complications and improved outcomes after cardiac and non-cardiac surgery. Thus, we investigated the influence on PGD of statin therapy administered to recipients before HT. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 275 HT recipients assessed from 1997 to 2017; 167 (61%) had received statins during the month prior to and at time of transplantation, whereas 108 (39%) had not. Endpoints included PGD (defined according to the ISHLT consensus statement), in-hospital mortality, and one- and five-year survival. RESULTS PGD incidence was significantly lower for statin-treated patients (21 vs 60%, P less then 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that pre-HT statin therapy was independently associated with a significant 65% reduced risk for PGD and a 73% reduced risk for in-hospital mortality.