Clinical neurology and neurosurgery
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Feb 2007
The relationship between Glasgow coma/outcome scores and abnormal CT scan findings in chronic subdural hematoma.
Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most frequent types of intracranial hemorrhage. We evaluated the independent association between abnormal CT findings in CSDH and both Glasgow coma score (GCS) on admission as a measure of consciousness and Glasgow outcome score (GOS) at discharge as a measure of outcome. ⋯ Brain atrophy independently increases the risk of unfavorable outcome after CSDH. Hydrocephalus and higher hematoma densities independently increase the risk of severe consciousness impairment after CSDH.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Jan 2007
Case ReportsA five-generation family with occipital encephalocele.
This study reports a Chinese family that has suffered from occipital encephalocele over five generations with a pattern of autosomal dominant inheritance. There were 113 family members in this family, and 21 of them had an occipital subscalp encephalocele. The patients with the disease showed normal or nearly normal neurological function.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Dec 2006
Use of polytetrafluoroethylene dural substitute as adhesion preventive material during craniectomies.
We describe the use of an artificial dural substitute in order to prevent peridural fibrosis in patients who underwent craniectomy and subsequent cranioplasty. ⋯ Polytetrafluoroethylene dural substitute is able to prevent peridural scarring and is very efficient in facilitating cranioplasty in patients who underwent craniectomy regardless the indication.
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Neuromuscular disorders in the background of critical illness are under diagnosed. Standardized screening for weakness in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting is uncommon and persistent weakness as a sequel of critical illness is usually not recognized by physicians in the ICU for whom survival from acute illness is the primary outcome. The spectrum of illness ranges from isolated nerve entrapment with focal pain or weakness, to disuse muscle atrophy with mild weakness, and to severe myopathy or neuropathy with associated severe, prolonged weakness. This update focuses on neuromuscular disorders occurring in the critical care set up associated with diffuse and severe weakness.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Oct 2006
Case ReportsBilateral C5 motor paralysis following anterior cervical surgery--a case report.
Numerous authors have reported C5 root palsies following posterior cervical surgery, and several mechanisms of injury have been proposed. Similar deficits after anterior cervical procedures are considered to occur less commonly. We report on a 48-year-old male who underwent multi-level anterior discectomy and fusion for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. ⋯ The patient returned to his preoperative occupation as an operating room nurse 6 months following surgery, with complete neurologic recovery occurring over an 11-month period. C5 deficits following anterior cervical surgery occur more frequently than generally assumed. Improved lordosis and longitudinal lengthening of the cervical spinal column in multilevel anterior decompression and interbody fusion can paradoxically result in a traction injury to the spinal cord and C5 nerve roots.