Neurosurgery
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Functional electrical stimulation (FES) to activate nerves and muscles in paralyzed extremities has considerable promise to improve outcome after neurological disease or injury, especially in individuals who have upper motor nerve dysfunction due to central nervous system pathology. Because technology has improved, a wide variety of methods for providing electrical stimulation to create functional movements have been developed, including muscle stimulating electrodes, nerve stimulating electrodes, and hybrid constructs. However, in spite of decades of success in experimental settings with clear functional improvements for individuals with paralysis, the technology has not yet reached widespread clinical translation. In this review, we outline the history of FES techniques and approaches and describe future directions in evolution of the technology.
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Multicenter Study
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Meningiomas in Children and Adolescents: An International Multi-Institutional Study.
Meningiomas in children are uncommon, with distinct characteristics that set them apart from their adult counterparts. The existing evidence for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in this patient population is limited to only case series. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SRS in managing pediatric meningiomas. ⋯ SRS seems to be a safe and effective up-front or adjuvant treatment option for surgically inaccessible, recurrent, or residual pediatric meningiomas.
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A growing proportion of the US population is on antithrombotic therapy (AT), most significantly within the older subpopulation. Decision to use AT is a balance between the intended benefits and known bleeding risk, especially after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Preinjury inappropriate AT offers no benefit for the patient and also increases the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and worse outcome in the setting of TBI. Our objective was to examine the prevalence and predictors of inappropriate AT among patients presenting with TBI to a Level-1 Trauma Center. ⋯ Overall, 1 in 10 patients presenting with TBI were found to be on inappropriate AT. Our study is the first to describe this problem and warrants investigation into possible workflow interventions to prevent post-TBI continuation of inappropriate AT.