Neurosurgery
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Balloon compression (BC), thermocoagulation (TC), and glycerol rhizolysis (GR) are percutaneous surgical options for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Whether the outcomes of these procedures in multiple sclerosis -related TN (MS-TN) are as effective as in idiopathic TN (ITN) is unknown. ⋯ BC and TC are safe and effective in MS-TN. Postoperative numbness is the strongest prognostic factor in MS-TN.
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Observational Study
The Effect of Flow-Related Aneurysms on Hemorrhagic Risk of Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations.
Previous reports indicated an association between hemorrhagic presentation and flow-related aneurysms in arteriovenous malformation (AVM) patients. However, it remains unclear whether these flow-related aneurysms result in the hemorrhage of AVM. ⋯ Despite increased risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage at presentation, there was no increased likelihood of rupture in AVMs with flow-related aneurysms. More studies are warranted, as clarifying the competing risks of AVM vs aneurysm rupture may be critical in determining optimal treatment strategy.
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Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT), most commonly with aspirin and Clopidogrel, is the standard of care for intracranial stenting, including flow diversion. Clopidogrel response varies by individual. ⋯ Our experience suggests P2Y12 is an often-imprecise measure, and this should be considered when utilizing P2Y12 levels for clinical decisions.
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An understanding of the hearing outcomes is needed for treatment counseling for patients with vestibular schwannomas (VS). ⋯ Hearing declines over time in VS treated with SRS in a high proportion of cases. The frequency and magnitude of long-term hearing decline following SRS argues against prophylactic radiation for small tumors in hearing ears with undetermined growth behavior.
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Observational Study
Predicting Cognitive Improvement in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Patients Using Preoperative Neuropsychological Testing and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers.
Though it is well known that normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) patients can cognitively improve after ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS), one of the major dilemmas in NPH is the ability to prospectively predict which patients will improve. ⋯ The RAVLT can be a useful preoperative predictor of postoperative cognitive improvement, and thus, we recommend using the RAVLT to evaluate NPH patients. CSF biomarkers could not be related to neuropsychological test outcome. Future research in a larger patient sample will help determine the prospective utility of CSF biomarkers in the evaluation of NPH patients.