Understanding the genetic mechanisms that control patterning of the vertebrate brain represents a major challenge for developmental neurobiology. Previous data suggest that Otx1 and Otx2, two murine homologs of the Drosophila orthodenticle (otd) gene, might both contribute to brain morphogenesis. To gain insight into this possibility, the level of OTX proteins was modified by altering in vivo t...

BACKGROUND There is a paucity of quantitative anatomic data regarding human great vessel development that could be useful as a reference for fetal echocardiographers who must distinguish abnormal from normal cardiac development at early stages. METHODS AND RESULTS To determine normal growth patterns, we plotted the diameters of the aortic and pulmonary valves, ductus arteriosus, aortic isthmu...

BACKGROUND We report the case of a patient with a spondyloptosis who presented with progressive deformity and worsening neurological deficits. The patient had two previous lumbosacral instrumented fusions. CASE DESCRIPTION A salvage revision surgery was performed, in which long iliac screws along with anterior column support at L5-S1 were used to immobilize the lumbosacral junction. Two years...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and radiological results of repair of the interarticularis pars defect by a modified Buck's repair technique in patients with symptomatic spondylolysis with grade 1 spondylolisthesis. These patients with painful spondylolisthesis are the most eligible for direct repair of the defect rather than lumbo-sacral fusion in an attempt to sa...

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review. OBJECTIVE Isthmic spondylolisthesis (ISY) is a common orthopedic condition. Our objective was to identify trends in the surgical management of adult ISY in the United States and to evaluate trends in the surgical techniques utilized. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Various surgical approaches have been described for ISY but preferred trends are not known. M...