Acta neurochirurgica
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Visual field defects (VFDs) negatively affect activities of daily living and rehabilitation following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). The aim here was to assess VFDs in patients with aSAH and their associations with age, gender, aSAH severity, and clinical outcome. ⋯ Assessing VFDs is advisable, especially among patients with poor-grade aSAH (H&H grade IV or V) and ICH.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jul 2014
Transplantation of neurotrophin-3-expressing bone mesenchymal stem cells improves recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury.
This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of transplanting neutrophin-3 (NT-3)-expressing bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). ⋯ Our findings demonstrate that transplantation of NT-3 gene-modified BMSCs via LP can strengthen the therapeutic benefits of BMSC transplantation. We observed that these modified cells increased locomotor function recovery, promoted nerve regeneration, and improved the injured spinal cord microenvironment, suggesting that it could be a promising treatment for SCI.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jul 2014
Multicenter StudyRoutine but risky: a multi-centre analysis of the outcomes of cranioplasty in the Northeast of England.
Cranioplasty is undertaken as a routine secondary operation following craniectomy. At a time when decompressive craniectomy is being evaluated by several large trials, we aimed to evaluate the morbidity associated with cranioplasty and investigate its potential effect on outcome. ⋯ Cranioplasty harbours significant morbidity, a risk that appears to be higher with a bifrontal defect. The complications experienced influence subsequent functional outcome. The timing of cranioplasty, early or late, after the initial operation does not impact on the ultimate outcome. These findings should be considered when making decisions relating to craniectomy and cranioplasty.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jul 2014
Comparative StudyComparison of clinical and radiologic outcomes among stent-assisted, double-catheter, and balloon-assisted coil embolization of wide neck aneurysms.
Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms can be technically challenging in cases of wide necks or unfavorable dome-to-neck ratio. Coils deployed without supporting devices may herniate from the aneurysm sac into the parent artery, causing thromboembolic complications or vessel occlusion. Therefore, alternative strategies for managing wide-necked aneurysms have been introduced such as stent-assisted coil embolization (SAC), balloon-assisted coil embolization (BAC), and double-catheter coil embolization (DCC). ⋯ There were no significant differences in the recurrence rate and periprocedural complication rate, and no rebleeding or aneurysmal rupture after treatment. Sufficient occlusion rates were achieved with SAC, DCC, and BAC. Notably, DCC does not require the use of antiplatelet agents and achieves coil stability without compromising the parent artery or major branch. Thus, we believe that the double-catheter technique was found to be a feasible and safe treatment modality for branching wide-neck aneurysms.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jul 2014
Treatment of patients with ruptured aneurysm by neurosurgeons that perform both open surgical and endovascular techniques is safe and effective: results of a single centre in Europe.
In Europe only few neurosurgeons are trained in both open surgical clipping as well as in endovascular techniques for treatment of intracranial aneurysms. To investigate the safety and efficacy of performing both techniques we, two dual trained neurosurgeons, analyzed our results in repairing ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Prospectively collected data from 356 patients that underwent open surgical or endovascular repair of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm at the Neurosurgical Centre Nijmegen from 2006 to 2012 by two dual trained neurosurgeons were retrospectively analyzed. ⋯ One aneurysm was retreated. Treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms by neurosurgeons that perform both open surgical clipping as well as endovascular techniques is safe and effective. Developing training programs in Europe for hybrid neurosurgeons that can provide comprehensive patient care should be considered.