Neurosurgery
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Physician rating websites (PRWs) are increasingly used by patients to find health care providers. This study explores spine neurosurgeon PRW ratings and their relationship with academic productivity. ⋯ Overall, spine neurosurgeon ratings on PRWs were favorable. Ratings were found to decrease with increasing surgeon age, and academic productivity was not correlated with better ratings.
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Recent studies have proposed computed tomography (CT) criteria for posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) injury: disrupted if ≥2 CT findings, indeterminate if single finding, and intact if 0 CT findings. The study aims to validate the CT criteria for PLC injury externally. ⋯ This study externally validates the previously proposed CT criteria for PLC injury. A total of ≥2 positive CT findings or 0 CT findings can be used as criteria for a disrupted PLC (B-type injury) or intact PLC (A-type injuries), respectively, without added MRI. A single CT finding implies indeterminate PLC status and the need for further MRI assessment. The CT criteria will potentially guide MRI indications and treatment decisions for neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures.
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Diagnosing ventriculostomy-related infection (VRI), a common complication after external ventricular drainage (EVD), is challenging and often associated with delayed initiation of antibiotic therapy. We aimed to develop a stewardship score to help in the decision of antibiotic therapy initiation when VRI is suspected. ⋯ The VERI score is a robust, predictive tool for assessing the risk of VRI in patients with EVD, potentially guiding more judicious use of antibiotic therapy in the intensive care unit setting.