Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2014
Hydrocephalus shunt technology: 20 years of experience from the Cambridge Shunt Evaluation Laboratory.
The Cambridge Shunt Evaluation Laboratory was established 20 years ago. This paper summarizes the findings of that laboratory for the clinician. ⋯ The behavior of a valve revealed during testing is of relevance to the surgeon and may not be adequately described in the manufacturer's product information. The results of shunt testing are helpful in many circumstances, such as the initial choice of shunt and the evaluation of the shunt when its dysfunction is suspected.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2014
Impact of preoperative anemia on outcomes in patients undergoing elective cranial surgery.
The objective of this study was to assess whether preoperative anemia in patients undergoing elective cranial surgery influences outcomes in the immediate perioperative period (≤ 30 days). ⋯ Anemia is not associated with an overall increased risk for adverse outcomes in patients undergoing elective cranial surgery. However, patients with anemia are more likely to experience prolonged hospitalization postoperatively, resulting in increased resource utilization.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2014
Higher risk for meningioma in women with uterine myoma: a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.
Evidence suggests that hormones play a role in modifying both uterine myoma (UM) and meningioma. A number of studies have observed the positive association between these diseases. The aim of the current population-based study was to determine if women with UM are at a higher risk for meningioma. ⋯ The nationwide population-based cohort study found that Taiwanese women with UM are at higher risk for developing meningioma.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2014
Impact of target location on the response of trigeminal neuralgia to stereotactic radiosurgery.
The authors evaluate the impact of target location on the rate of pain relief (PR) in patients with intractable trigeminal neuralgia (TN) undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). ⋯ The radiosurgical target appears to affect the duration of pain relief in patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia with the target closer to the brainstem affording extended pain relief. However, the proximal SRS target was also associated with an increased risk of mild to moderate facial numbness.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Mar 2014
Stereotactic radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations of the cerebellum.
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the posterior fossa have an aggressive natural history and propensity for hemorrhage. Although the cerebellum accounts for the majority of the posterior fossa volume, there is a paucity of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) outcome data for AVMs of this region. The authors sought to evaluate the long-term outcomes and risks of cerebellar AVM radiosurgery. ⋯ Stereotactic radiosurgery proved to be most effective for patients with smaller and previously nonembolized cerebellar malformations. Hemorrhage during the latency period occurred at a rate of 2.0% per year until obliteration occurred.