Neurological research
-
Neurological research · Oct 2014
Straight from the horse's mouth: neurological injury in equestrian sports.
Equestrian sports can result in a variety of injuries to the nervous system due to many factors. We describe our series of 80 patients with injuries sustained during participation in equestrian sports. ⋯ Equestrian sports convey special risks for its participants. With proper protection and precautions, a decrease in the incidence of central nervous system injuries may be achieved. Neurosurgeons can play key roles in advocating for neurologic safety in equestrian sports.
-
Neurological research · Oct 2014
Comparative StudyGold fiducials are a unique marker for localization in the thoracic spine: a cost comparison with percutaneous vertebroplasty.
We present a unique application of the gold fiducial as a preoperative, radiographic marker placed in the thoracic spine and used for intraoperative localization. In comparison to percutaneous vertebroplasty marking of thoracic spinal levels with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement, implantation of the gold fiducial is technically facile with a minimal learning curve. ⋯ Following 2013 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding, the cost of vertebroplasty under fluoroscopic guidance, $3195·43, or under computed tomography (CT) guidance, $3232·54, is more than double the cost of the gold fiducial implantation - $1237·55 and $1267·03, under similar imaging techniques, respectively. In the first description of gold fiducials in the thoracic spine, we conclude that the marker is a safe and cost-effective method for preoperative localization of the thoracic levels.
-
Neurological research · Oct 2014
Association study of TREM2 polymorphism rs75932628 with late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Chinese Han population.
We conducted a case-control study to investigate whether TREM2 polymorphism (rs75932628-T) was associated with late onset Alzheimer's disease in Chinese Southern Han population. ⋯ Our study suggested that TREM2 (rs75932628-T) was rare in Chinese Han population. Further association studies with large samples are needed to further study the association of TREM2 with late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
-
Neurological research · Oct 2014
Comparative StudyEffectiveness of a new gelatin sealant system for dural closure.
Watertight dural closure is imperative after neurosurgical procedures because inadequately treated leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can have serious consequences. In this study, the authors test the use of a new gelatin glue as a dural sealant in in vitro and in vivo canine models of transdural CSF leakage. ⋯ The new gelatin glue provides an effective watertight closure when used as an adjunct to sutured dural repair.
-
Neurological research · Oct 2014
Racial and ethnic disparities in the incidence and mortality from septic shock and respiratory failure among elective neurosurgery patients.
Septic shock (SS) and respiratory failure (RF) are serious complications after neurosurgical procedures. Research is limited in studying racial/ethnic disparities in incidence and mortality of SS and RF. The study aimed to determine the racial variation in incidence and mortality from SS and RF among elective neurosurgical patients in California. ⋯ Blacks had a higher incidence of SS and RF. A higher percentage of black patients died from SS-related mortality, followed by Hispanics, than other groups. The attenuation of differences after statistical adjustment suggests the excess mortality may be due to age, site of the procedures, and having neoplastic disease. Our findings support the need for prospective studies to assess specific pre-operative interventions driven by age and co-morbidities that might reduce the risk of complications after neurosurgical procedures.