Ph.D. defence Karlijn Groenen, April 17th 2018;

Karlijn Groenen M.Sc. | Ph.D. student for metastase fracture risk of vertebrae | Orthopaedic Research Laboratory Nijmegen, radboudumc, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre.

Promotor

Prof.Dr.Ir. N.J.J. Verdonschot Radboudumc

Co-Promotors

Dr. E.J.M. Tanck
Dr. Y.M. van der Linden
Radboudumc
LUMC

Spinal (in)stability in Metastatic Bone Disease. Experimental, Computational, and Clinical Perspectives.

profile of Karlijn Groenen

Thesis
People are increasingly being confronted with cancer metastasizing to the spinal column (spinal bone metastases). Such spinal bone metastases can result in spinal instability. Spinal instability can result in various clinical complaints, such as pain, vertebral deformation, and neurological problems (e.g. sensory or motor loss). Estimating spinal stability plays an important role in treatment decisions in patients with cancer and spinal bone metastases. However, currently the assessment of spinal stability in metastatic bone disease is challenging. The work described in this thesis aims to improve the assessment of spinal instability in patients suffering from spinal bone metastases, and, as a consequence, the multidisciplinary care for these patients. In her research Karlijn Groenen approaches this topic from several points of view. She shows that a recently developed clinical score to assess the degree of spinal instability has a limited predictive value. Furthermore, she studies the use of computer models as an alternative method to assess vertebral strength. Moreover, the literature has been screened for evidence of a bone strengthening effect of radiotherapy.

Biography
Karlijn Groenen studied Biomedical Sciences at the Radboud University Nijmegen (summa cum laude). In 2013 she commenced her PhD project at the Orthopaedic Research Lab of the Radboud university medical center. Karlijn is currently appointed as a data manager at the Research Bureau of the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (Radboud university medical center).

This text is a copy from: radboudumc.nl/en/agenda/phd-defense-karlijn-groenen
see also Spine Bone Biomechanics