https://www.selleckchem.com/products/vbit-12.html Lumbar fusion surgeries in degenerative spinal conditions can be invasive and may challenge the normal biomechanical spine and joint function. Frequently, patients require postoperative rehabilitation management. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to determine if there is an advantage to using a postoperative lumbar orthosis with regard to postoperative function and surgical healing. Articles in the English language were searched in electronic databases including PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov from January 1, 2004 to January 1, 2019. Studies were included if they were described as being a prospective randomized trial, utilized a common pain score determinant, reported complications postoperatively, analyzed disability, and were published within a 15-year period. After review of 218 citations by 2 authors, 4 studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Pain scores (Visual Analogue Scale/Dallas Pain Questionnaire), disability (Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form-36, Roland-Morris Disabiupport the theory that there is no significant advantage of postoperative lumbar orthoses. The present meta-analysis indicated no significant difference in pain scores, a decrease in disability level for control (no brace), no significant change in fusion rate, and no significant difference in the odds of complication for the brace group. These conclusions support the theory that there is no significant advantage of postoperative lumbar orthoses. A retrospective study of preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in spinal ependymoma. The goal of the study was to examine MRI features, including the syrinx component volume, after surgical resection of spinal ependymoma, and to relate these features to extent of resection and improvement of postoperative neurological status. Spinal ependymomas have a variety of MRI findings preoperatively, including a hemorrhage cap sign, gadolinium enhancemen