Neurosurgery
-
Clinical Trial
Focused Ultrasound Central Lateral Thalamotomy for the Treatment of Refractory Neuropathic Pain: Phase I Trial.
Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) central lateral thalamotomy (CLT) has not yet been validated for treating refractory neuropathic pain (NP). Our aim was to assess the safety and potential efficacy of MRgFUS CLT for refractory NP. ⋯ MRgFUS CLT is feasible and safe for refractory NP and has potential utility in reducing symptoms as measured by validated pain scales.
-
Trigeminal neuralgia affects approximately 2% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and often shows higher rates of pain recurrence after treatment. Previous studies on the effectiveness of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for trigeminal neuralgia did not consider the different MS subtypes, including remitting relapsing (RRMS), primary progressive (PPMS), and secondary progressive (SPMS). Our objective was to investigate how MS subtypes are related to pain control (PC) rates after SRS. ⋯ This study is the first to investigate the relationship between MS subtypes and PC after SRS, and our results provide preliminary evidence that subtypes may influence pain outcomes, with PPMS posing the greatest challenge to pain management.
-
Recent studies suggest a bidirectional relationship of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). We aimed to compare the characteristics of patients with DAVF with or without CVT and to analyze the risk factors for the coexistence of CVT in a DAVF population. ⋯ CVT occurred in approximately one fifth of patients with DAVF. Blurred vision, venous cerebral infarction, large sinus DAVF, and multiple DAVF may be the risk factors for predicting the coexistence of CVT in patients with DAVF.
-
As incidence of operative spinal pathology continues to grow, so do the rates of lumbar spinal fusion procedures. Comorbidity indices can be used preoperatively to predict potential complications. However, there is a paucity of research defining the optimal comorbidity indices in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery. We aimed to use modeling strategies to evaluate the predictive validity of various comorbidity indices and combinations thereof. ⋯ This investigation is the first to use big data and modeling strategies to delineate the relative predictive utility of the ECI and Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups comorbidity indices for the prognostication of patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. With the knowledge gained from our models, spine surgeons, payers, and hospitals may be able to identify vulnerable patients more effectively within their practice who may require a higher degree of resource utilization.
-
Paralysis after spinal cord injury involves damage to pathways that connect neurons in the brain to peripheral nerves in the limbs. Re-establishing this communication using neural interfaces has the potential to bridge the gap and restore upper extremity function to people with high tetraplegia. We report a novel approach for restoring upper extremity function using selective peripheral nerve stimulation controlled by intracortical microelectrode recordings from sensorimotor networks, along with restoration of tactile sensation of the hand using intracortical microstimulation. ⋯ The combination of implanted cortical electrodes and nerve cuff electrodes has the potential to create bidirectional restoration of motor and sensory functions of the arm and hand after neurological injury.