No abstract

The pre-operative lumbar spine radiographs of 200 consecutive patients who had undergone discectomy for prolapsed intervertebral disc were reviewed. Prolapse was recognised as bulging or sequestration of the disc with consequent root compromise. Measurement of the lumbar level of the interifiac line was shown to correlate with the level of disc prolapse and the incidence of transitional vertebrae at the lumbosacraljunction was significantly higher than normal.A pathological value for the lumbosacral angle could not be identified.

No abstract

Palliative care has progressed dramatically in terms of sound evidence-based practice since its inception in the mid 1970s. Far from being a negative judgemental statement this is intended as a historical statement of fact, recognising that without pioneers such as Dame Cicely Saunders within the hospice movement, we would not have a basis from which to evolve and improve palliative care.