Neurosurgery
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In 1982, we developed a new coma scale, the Glasgow-Liège scale, which combines the quantified analysis of five brain stem reflexes with the Glasgow methodology. The present study was undertaken to determine to what extent agreement exists among different raters assessing brain stem reflexes (Parameter R) and to compare the results with those observed from motor responses (Parameter M). ⋯ Within Parameters M and R, we observed less agreement in the evaluation of flexion responses and in the interpretation of oculocephalic reactions. The reliability of the evaluation of M and R parameters justifies the use of the Glasgow-Liège scale as a means for evaluating disturbances of consciousness.
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Comparative Study
Comparative study of bacteriological contamination between primary and secondary exploration of missile head wounds.
Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial contamination of scalp wounds, indriven bone fragments, and brain tracks were studied in two groups (A and B) of nonrandomized patients with missile head wounds in a 20-month study of patients from the front lines of the Iran-Iraq war. In the 53 Group B patients, the primary debridements, most of which had been performed within 24 hours after injury, were deemed insufficient and a secondary definitive exploration was performed. Group A patients (62) had primary definitive explorations at Nemazee Hospital after a mean of 66.5 hours since injury. ⋯ A total of 125 patients in four groups was included in our overall study of victims of missile wounds that violated the dura mater. Four patients developed meningitis at Nemazee Hospital (3 postoperatively and 1 after facial penetration). Two patients in Group B were admitted with meningitis (1 with an accompanying abscess), 1 of them 20 days and the other 60 days after exploration at two different centers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Prompted by clinical failures of percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy in the treatment of back pain and neck pain, we performed a study to determine the shape and size of lesions made by radiofrequency electrodes. Experimental lesions were made in egg white and fresh meat at temperatures recommended in clinical practice. The cardinal finding was that lesions do not extend distal to the tip of the electrode. ⋯ Consequently, if electrodes are directed perpendicularly onto a nerve, the nerve may not be encompassed by the lesion generated. Some of the clinical failures of percutaneous medial branch neurotomy ("facet rhizotomy") may be due to this phenomenon. We suggest modified techniques for medial branch neurotomy in which the electrodes are introduced parallel to the target nerve whereupon it is more readily encompassed by the radial spread of the lesion.