Neurosurgery
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The exacerbation of neurological outcomes often occurs in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Statins have been commonly used for aSAH; however, there is lack of evidence of the pharmacological efficacy of different dosages and types of statins. ⋯ Statins could significantly diminish the incidence of ICEs and enhance functional prognosis in patients with aSAH. Various types and dosages of statins show distinct efficacies.
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The results from studies that compare middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization vs conventional management for patients with chronic subdural hematoma are varied. ⋯ MMA embolization decreases treatment failure and the need for surgical rescue without furthering the risk of morbidity and mortality. The authors recommend considering MMA embolization in the chronic subdural hematoma management.
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Meta Analysis
Long-Term Hearing Outcome After Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is one of the main treatment options in the management of small to medium size vestibular schwannomas (VSs), because of high tumor control rate and low cranial nerves morbidity. Series reporting long-term hearing outcome (>3 years) are scarce. ⋯ Long-term hearing preservation remains one of the main issues after SRS, with a major impact on health-related quality of life. Our meta-analysis suggests that hearing preservation can be achieved in almost 60% of patients after a median follow-up of 6.7 years, irrespective of the technique.
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Meta Analysis
Characteristics and Outcomes in Pediatric Versus Adult Craniopharyngiomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Craniopharyngiomas account for 1.2% to 4.6% of all intracranial tumors. Although age at presentation is distributed bimodally, with a pediatric peak occurring between 5 and 15 years and an adult peak between 50 and 70 years, presentation, treatment, and outcome differences between these two craniopharyngioma populations have not been thoroughly characterized. ⋯ Adult and pediatric craniopharyngiomas seem to have fundamental differences in clinical presentation and functional outcomes. These patients frequently require multimodality treatment and are best managed with a multidisciplinary team and an individualized approach.
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Hydrocephalus is a common neurological condition that usually requires internal ventricular cerebrospinal fluid shunt (IVCSFS). The reported infection rate (IR) varies greatly from below 1% up to over 50%, but no meta-analysis to assess the overall IR has ever been performed. ⋯ IVCSF is a procedure that every neurosurgeon should be well trained to perform. However, the complication rate remains high, with an estimated overall IR of 4.75%. The IR is especially elevated for hydrocephalic patients who require IVCSFS after intracranial hemorrhage. However, decades of surgical advances may have succeeded in reducing IR over the past 32 years.