BACKGROUND The prevalence of hyperkyphosis is increased in older men; however, risk factors other than age and vertebral fractures are not well established. We previously reported that poor paraspinal muscle composition contributes to more severe kyphosis in a cohort of both older men and women. METHODS To specifically evaluate this association in older men, we conducted a cross-sectional stu...

There are many causes of localized displacement of the paraspinal line, including spinal disease, lymphadenopathy, descending aortic aneurysm, traumatic haematoma, even extramedullary haemopoiesis and oesophageal varices. However, in association with intervertebral disc space narrowing, tuberculous and pyogenic osteomyelitis must be excluded. Bone metastases rarely narrow the intervertebral dis...

include neurogenic tumors and neoplastic lymphadenopathy. Cystic lesions including neurenteric cysts, lateral thoracic meningoceles, and mesothelial cysts rarely develop in the paraspinal region. Intrathoracic mesothelial cysts are fluid-filled and lined with mesothelial cells and are typically located in the anterior cardiophrenic angle (so called, pericardial cysts). However, they can occur i...

BACKGROUND Lumbar muscle dysfunction due to pain might be related to altered lumbar muscle structure. Macroscopically, muscle degeneration in low back pain (LBP) is characterized by a decrease in cross-sectional area and an increase in fat infiltration in the lumbar paraspinal muscles. In addition microscopic changes, such as changes in fiber distribution, might occur. Inconsistencies in result...

Vertebral osteomyelitis with or without paraspinal abscess is a rare clinical condition, accounting for only 1-7% of all bone infections. Its incidence is rising especially in the elderly population with chronic debilitating diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been known for many years that patients with non-hepatic infections can develop cholestasis. Therefore, we present a case of...

Purpose A goal of our laboratory is to identify mechanisms of action operative during the body-based practice of spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation can be identified by a number of mechanical characteristics including but not limited to thrust rate, magnitude, site, and direction. Because neural mechanisms are thought to contribute to its clinical effects, we studied spinal manipulation d...

ERECTOR SPINAE REFLEX STUDIES IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS REVEALED TWO RESPONSES: a 12·0±1·6 ms latency, oligosynaptic response, and a 30 to 50 ms latency response with polysynaptic reflex characteristics. There was a silent period after the first and second responses. The effect of limb position, trunk, neck, postural changes, Jendrassik manoeuvre and vibration on both responses were also evaluated.