Neurosurgery
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Observational Study
Conservative Management of Type II Odontoid Fractures in Older People: A Retrospective Observational Comparison of Osseous Union Versus Nonunion.
Type II odontoid fractures are a common cervical fracture in older people. Lower osseous-union rates are reported in those treated conservatively compared to surgically; however, the clinical relevance of a nonunion is unknown. ⋯ Management with a semi-rigid collar in older people with type II odontoid fracture is associated with low levels of pain and disability without statistically significant differences between those demonstrating osseous-union or stable or unstable nonunions. Conservative management appears to be a safe treatment for older people with type II fractures.
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Long-term outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage, beyond the first few months, is difficult to predict, but has critical relevance to patients, their families, and carers. ⋯ The SAHIT prediction models, incorporating simple factors available on hospital admission, show good predictive performance for long-term functional outcome after aSAH.
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Multicenter Study
Experience With the Pipeline Embolization Device for Posterior Circulations Aneurysms: A Multicenter Cohort Study.
The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED; Medtronic) has been used off-label for the treatment of challenging posterior circulation aneurysms. Data on this modality are primarily limited to small retrospective single-center series. ⋯ This multicenter study shows that PED for the treatment of posterior circulation is preferentially used for the treatment of fusiform and dissecting/blister aneurysm morphologies. Despite the challenges presented by these less-common morphologies, flow diversion may be performed with a neurologic complication rate of about 10% and favorable long-term aneurysm occlusion rates.
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Glioma continues to be a challenging disease process, making up the most common tumor type within the pediatric population. While low-grade gliomas are typically amenable to surgical resection, higher grade gliomas often require additional radiotherapy in conjunction with adjuvant chemotherapy. Molecular profiling of these lesions has led to the development of various pharmacologic and immunologic agents, although these modalities are not without great systemic toxicity. ⋯ Initially discovered by chance in the early 20th century, virotherapy has emerged as a viable treatment option. With promising results based on preclinical studies, the authors review several oncolytic viruses, with a focus on molecular mechanism and efficacy of these viruses in tumor cell lines and murine models. In addition, current phase I clinical trials evaluating oncolytic virotherapy in the treatment of pediatric glioma are summarized.
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Gliomas are a major cause of morbidity. Direct cortical stimulation mapping offers the ability to identify functional areas within the broader neural network both cortically and subcortically. Since the World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 classification categorized gliomas into molecular subgroups with varied molecular signatures and clinical behavior, it is possible that gliomas may demonstrate rates of functional network integration. ⋯ Intratumoral function as determined by direct cortical and subcortical stimulation mapping was identified at the highest rate in isocitrate dehydrogenase mutant astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Finally, we reviewed the emerging literature exploring the interface between functional neural networks and gliomas. These data shed light on glioma molecular and histological characteristics most commonly associated within intratumoral function.