Neurosurgery
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Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) are the most common surgical approaches for medically refractory cervical radiculopathy. Rigorous cost-effectiveness studies comparing ACDF and PCF are lacking. ⋯ Single-level ACDF may not be cost-effective in comparison with PCF for surgical management of unilateral cervical radiculopathy.
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Patients presenting with chronic subdural hematomas (cSDHs) and on antiplatelet medications for various medical conditions often complicate surgical decision making. ⋯ Preintervention antiplatelet medications before cSDH treatment do not affect length of hospitalization, periprocedural complications, or reintervention. Resumption of antiplatelet medication after cSDH procedures does not increase the rebleeding risk or reintervention rate.
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Overdrainage is a widely reported complication representing common indication for shunt revision. Despite recent advances in valve design, repeated shunt revisions represent burden on healthcare systems. ⋯ The novel M.blue valve with integrated gravity unit is efficient in pediatric hydrocephalus with comparable survival rate. Deposits inside valves could affect its flow rate in different body positions and might lead to dysfunction or difficulties in valve adjustments.
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Hydrocephalus frequently occurs with midline posterior fossa cystic collections. The classification of this heterogeneous group of developmental anomalies, including Dandy-Walker malformation, persisting Blake's pouch, retrocerebellar arachnoid cysts, and mega cisterna magna, is subject of debate. The absence of diagnostic criteria is confusing regarding the ideal management of PFCC-related hydrocephalus. ⋯ Preoperative MRI in patients with PFCC-related hydrocephalus is essential to better define the diagnosis. The choice of treatment strategy notably relies on correct radiological diagnosis.
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Precise electrode position is vital for effective deep brain stimulation in treating motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Enlarged perivascular spaces (PVSs) are associated with pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases including PD and may affect the microstructure of surrounding brain tissue. ⋯ This study demonstrated that the presence of enlarged PVS is unlikely to affect targeting of basal ganglia nuclei based on tractography.