The International journal of neuroscience
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The effective treatment of many diseases requires the use of multiple treatment strategies among which neuromodulation is playing an increasingly important role. Neuromodulation devices that act to normalize or modulate nerve activity through the targeted delivery of electrical stimuli will be the focus of this review. ⋯ Many of these approaches seek to exploit the activities of the autonomic nervous system, which influences organ function through the release of neurotransmitters and associated signalling cascades. This review will outline existing and emerging applications for each of these neuromodulation devices, proposed mechanisms of action and clinical studies evaluating both their safety and therapeutic efficacy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction and the possible underlying neurodegenerative effect of anaesthesia.
Introduction: There is alarming evidence about the involvement of general anaesthesia in the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Aim: To clarify the impact of general anaesthesia on cognitive function and to study the possible effect of general anaesthesia on serum S100B, the marker of neuronal degeneration. Methods: This is a prospective randomised controlled study carried out on 50 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under conventional general anaesthesia. ⋯ Regarding S100B, there was a statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative serum level (p-value = .002). There was also a statistically significant negative correlation between postoperative S100B serum level and the postoperative scores of both PALT and BVRT. Conclusion: General anaesthesia is incriminated in the development of postoperative verbal and visual memory impairment and in the postoperative increase in serum S100B, the markers of neuronal degeneration.
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Observational Study
Posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy through lamina-hole approach for cervical intervertebral disc herniation.
The optimal PECD surgical approach for cervical intervertebral disc herniation (CIVDH) remains controversial. The conventional posterior K-hole approach for PECD leads to damage of facet joint. ⋯ As an alternative surgical approach of PPECD, PPECD through lamina-hole approach is a novel access for CIVDH and may be considered a valid and safe therapeutic option for CIVDH. The advantages of this approach are not only providing a valid and secure access to herniated cervical intervertebral fragment but also avoiding the iatrogenic damage to the facet joint and relevant functional spinal unit (FSU). Theoretically, the potential of secondary degeneration of FSU is low.
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A 29-year-old male exhibited progressive extrusion of the distal end of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt through his urethral orifice within 10 d. The distal end of VP shunt was pulled out from the urethral orifice without bladder repairment, a new VP shunt assisted with ventriculoscope and laparoscope was performed and the distal end of VP shunt was fixd to the suprahepatic space. We first report a chronic complication of VP shunt with bladder perforation and extrusion through the urethral orifice in an adult male patient. To avoid this complication, the length of the distal end of VP shunt should be kept as short as possible in adults and we recommend that the distal end of VP shunt should be fixed to the suprahepatic space assisted with laparoscope in adult patients.
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Review Case Reports
Vagal nerve stimulation for intractable hiccups is not a panacea: a case report and review of the literature.
Hiccups are common and typically resolve spontaneously. However, in rare cases, they can continue for days, weeks or even years, causing significant morbidity and discomfort in patients. In the setting of intractable hiccups, vagal nerve stimulation has been reported in two cases. ⋯ Intractable idiopathic hiccups continue to present a significant challenge for physicians and patients. While vagal nerve stimulation is a potentially beneficial therapy, it is not effective in all patients with central idiopathic intractable hiccups.