STUDY DESIGN: A biomechanical unitary classification of spinal injuries is proposed. OBJECTIVE: To present an evaluation of spinal injuries based on the essential traumatic spinal mechanisms: axial deformation, torsion, translation and combined mechanisms in connection with the concept of the stabilizing axial spinal pillar. SETTING: Hospital 'Sf. Treime', Iasi, Romania. METHODS: The essential mechanisms of spinal injuries are considered: (1) axial

Brain edema is a reaction to any brain injury and can be the first stage in the beginning of intracranial hypertension. This paper puts forth a modern classification of brain edema types, based on a etiopathogenic interpretation. The hydroelectrolitic and/or proteinic buildup can occur within cells and/or in the extracellular space and differentiates three types of brain edema: cellular brain edema; extracellular brain edema and combined brain edema.

BACKGROUND: Double noncontiguous spinal injuries in the same patient, the first at the cervical level and the second at the thoracic or thoracolumbar level are not uncommon. On the other hand the incidence of double noncontiguous cervical injuries in low and these injuries imply complex mechanisms. This study investigates the cases of double noncontiguous cervical lesions in 342 cases of acute cervical injuries. METHOD: An analysis of 342 patients

STUDY DESIGN: A theoretical model of spinal stability is proposed. OBJECTIVE: To present a biomechanical study in vitro using flexibility and loading tests of the normal lumbar spine and of two lumbar models of spinal stability in order to determine which of the lumbar middle-column model and the personal suggested model of lumbar central axial pillar is more resistant and stable. SETTING: Hospital 'Sf.Treime', Iasi, Romania. METHODS: Twenty-three

Intracranial hypertension develops from the initial cerebral effect of increased intracranial pressure and becomes symptomatical; then it acquires its individuality, surpassing the initial disease. The intracranial hypertension syndrome corresponds to the stage at which the increases in intracranial pressure (ICP) can be compensated and the ICH disease is in its acute form, equivalent to a decompensated ICH syndrome. Based on the etiopathogenesis

An experimental biomechanical model of overload and rupture of the annulus fibrosus (AF) and lumbar disc herniation was achieved by increasing intradiscal pressure while keeping disc height constant in 69 motion segments at the L4-L5 level excised from cadaveric spines. The experiments were made on 53 specimens in neutral posture and on 16 specimens in flexion posture. The values found for the rupture intradiscal pressure (RIP) ranged from 750 to