Neurosurgery
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Intraoperative neuromonitoring is crucial for facial nerve preservation in cerebellopontine angle (CPA) surgery. Among the available techniques, the role of intraoperative corticobulbar facial motor evoked potentials (FMEPs) is unclear. ⋯ Our study confirmed that FMEPs are reliable predictors of early and late postoperative FNF in CPA surgery and could be easily integrated with standard intraoperative neuromonitoring techniques.
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Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) reduces lower limb spasticity, improves gait patterns, and restores normal physical and social activity in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Single-level laminectomy (SLL) and multiple-level laminotomy (MLL) are 2 surgical approaches for SDR with limited clinical data comparing their postoperative outcomes. ⋯ SDR for children with spastic cerebral palsy could provide physical, functional, and urological improvements. SLL achieved a higher degree of improvement in ankle dorsiflexion in the midstance phase. The rate of scoliosis was not significantly increased by multiple-level laminotomy.
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The optimal management of spinal epidural abscesses (SEA) secondary to primary spinal infections has demonstrated large variability in the literature. Although some literature suggests a high rate of neurological deterioration, others suggest failure of medical management is uncommon. ⋯ The Spinal Epidural Abscess Predictive Score model is a quick and accurate tool to assist in clinical decision-making in SEA.
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Neurosurgical complications are unfortunately unavoidable events in our field. Notwithstanding the potentially devastating effect they can have on patients' lives, young neurosurgeons may equally feel devastated by their occurrence and find themselves poorly equipped emotionally to handle them. ⋯ This special article, written in essay format, is simply a brief overview of the seasoned author's personal approach to complication avoidance and management, with an emphasis on the behavioral aspects and humane dimensions of our profession. The younger trainee may find value in the ideas and emotions expressed here, and the seasoned neurosurgeon may well identify with the author's thoughts.