Use of XXXX implants in pedicular screw fixation.

@entity1 @entity174 @entity5 @entity170 @entity1514 @entity3 @entity158 @entity702 @entity1516
Several types of pedicular screw systems have been utilized to augment lumbar spine fusion. All systems are made of stainless steel, which interferes with imaging techniques, especially MRI and CT scans. In search of a solution for this problem, we decided to study the use of @entity702 systems in the lumbar spine. Because there were no @entity702 pedicle screw systems available on the market, we decided to use the @entity702 Alta system currently used for femur @entity174 . This report details our experience in using this device for lumbar spine fusion. From 1990 to 1992, 25 @entity1 underwent @entity1514 and lumbar fusion with Alta @entity702 screws and plates. Spinal fusion was performed for a variety of conditions, including @entity3 , @entity174 , spondylolisthesis, @entity1516 , and postdecompressive instability. All but two @entity1 obtained solid fusion clinically and radiographically and considerable improvement in back @entity158 . There was loosening of the implant in both @entity1 . Both @entity1 had @entity170 . One of these two @entity1 developed @entity1516 , which required further surgery. The other @entity1 with a @entity3 of the spine remained asymptomatic without change in the spine alignment despite progression of the @entity5 . There were no broken screws encountered during follow-up. Two @entity1 sustained subsequent @entity174 of the vertebra above the fusion. One of the @entity1 also developed a @entity174 below the fusion. Fusion with @entity702 implants allowed postoperative evaluation and subsequent periodic examination of the spinal canal with high-quality MR images as well as significant reduction of artifacts on CT scan.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
