Neurosurgery
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Follow-up of aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coil embolization has been performed using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) because in time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography, metal artifacts from the stent often affect visualization. ⋯ Ultrashort TE MRA could evaluate an embolization status treated with stenting, and the findings are in excellent agreement with those of DSA. Aneurysms measuring <7 mm and treated with Neuroform Atlas are evaluative on ultrashort TE, and DSA might not be necessary.
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Although Neuroform Atlas stent is commonly used in stent-assisted coiling (SAC) to treat ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA), its safety and efficacy remain controversial. ⋯ The use of Neuroform Atlas is safe and effective for SAC in RIA with comparable procedure-related complication rates but better angiographic outcome in comparison with coiling alone.
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Peri-interventional vasospasm (PIVS) is associated with high risk of delayed cerebral vasospasm (DCVS), delayed cerebral ischemia, and poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, the incidence rate associated with treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) remains unclear. ⋯ This series revealed a relatively high overall incidence of PIVS (10%). However, no association of PIVS with the development of DCVS or poor outcome was found. In contrast to ruptured intracranial aneurysms, PIVS in unruptured intracranial aneurysms-if immediately and adequately addressed-seems to be benign and without sequelae for patient's functional outcome.
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Observational Study
Racial Differences in Postoperative Opioid Prescribing Practices in Spine Surgical Patients.
As the opioid epidemic accelerates in the United States, numerous sociodemographic factors have been implicated its development and are, furthermore, a driving factor of the disparities in postoperative pain management. Recent studies have suggested potential associations between the influence of race and ethnicity on pain perception but also the presence of unconscious biases in the treatment of pain in minority patients. ⋯ In a large cohort of opioid-naive postoperative neurosurgical patients, this study demonstrates higher inpatient and outpatient postoperative opioid usage among White patients. Increasing physician awareness to the effect of race on inpatient and outpatient pain management would allow for a modified opioid prescribing practice that ensures limited yet effective opioid dosages void of implicit biases.
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Adult patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) may present with mild cognitive dysfunction, even those without evidence of conspicuous brain parenchymal damage. This cognitive dysfunction might be caused by local frontal lobe ischemia. ⋯ Mild cognitive dysfunction in MMD was associated with frontal lobe hemodynamic insufficiency. Future studies should examine whether revascularization can improve cerebral hypoperfusion and neurocognitive function in these patients.