Neurosurgery
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Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is considered an angiogenic and inflammatory disease. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) induces the production of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules, which play an essential role in angiogenesis and inflammation. Recently, the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) was shown to directly interact with NF-κB subunits to influence its transcriptional activity. ⋯ PKR might activate NF-κB through vascular endothelial growth factor in endothelial cells, which might be associated with endothelial cell proliferation in the CSDH outer membrane. Thus, the NF-κB signaling pathway could play a critical role in CSDH growth.
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Convex-rod derotation may have potential advantages for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) correction; however, study of this technique has been limited. ⋯ Compared with concave-rod derotation, convex-rod derotation can potentially improve the major-curve corrective rate and tends to reduce the risk of pedicle breach in Lenke type I AIS patients.
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Neurosurgery in Uganda was virtually non-existent up until late 1960s. This changed when Dr. Jovan Kiryabwire spearheaded development of a neurosurgical unit at Mulago Hospital in Kampala. ⋯ Benjamin Warf, have saved thousands of children's lives. The influx of the Duke Program caused a dynamic shift at Mulago Hospital with dramatic effects, as evidenced by the substantial increase in neurosurgical capacity. The future looks bright for neurosurgery in Uganda and it all traces back to a rural village where 1 man had a vision to help the people of his country.
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Neurosurgeons are highly specialized surgeons whose pride is mastery of the complexity of form and function that is the nervous system and then knowing when and how these require surgical intervention. Following years of arduous postgraduate education, neurosurgeons enter the world of practice that is not only daunting in its intricacies of regulations, mandates, and unknown business practices, but also changing at a meteoric pace. ⋯ Case studies of challenges other employed surgical specialists have faced can provide critical and important education for any neurosurgeon in this arena. As with the lessons of all case studies, the teachings are remarkably universal, but how those lessons apply to an individual's specific situation will require personalized adaptation.
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In providing spinal care to neurosurgical patients, cost and quality metrics are areas of interest to many. The federal government has legislated changes mandated for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-enrolled patient care. The ever-changing administrative and patient-care challenges and opportunities are explored in this article, highlighting the Medicare Access and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), in the context of the Affordable Care Act. Trends in contemporary spinal care, addressing bundling, patient satisfaction, and ambulatory surgical centers are featured.