Neurological research
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Neurological research · Jul 2008
Clinical TrialGamma knife radiosurgery for residual skull base chordomas.
The location of chordomas within the base of the skull and cervical junction prevents complete resection from being achieved. Previous series have shown that stereotactic radiosurgery can be used as a treatment for residual chordomas with good overall results. In the present study, we reviewed our experience in using gamma knife surgery (GKS) to treat patients with residual skull base chordomas. ⋯ Gamma knife radiosurgery can be effectively used for residual chordomas beside surgical resection with efficacious tumor control rates.
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Neurological research · Jun 2008
Is supratentorial pressure difference clinically relevant? Analysis of 55 consecutive cases by bilateral intracranial pressure monitoring.
The purpose of this study is to explore the possibilities of an early warning system by measuring intracranial pressure differences in order to prevent secondary insults to the injured brain. ⋯ In patients with focal lesions, although more pronounced in focal II group, apparent pressure differences between two hemispheres within the first hours of admission were found. These pressure differences were related to the volume of the intracranial pathology. ICP monitorization from the lesion side is reasonable as an early forewarning procedure and this might prevent the development of secondary insults by providing the exact ICP values of the patients.
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Neurological research · Jun 2008
Modified calcium accumulation after controlled cortical impact under cyclosporin A treatment: a 45Ca autoradiographic study.
As a neuroprotective drug, cyclosporin A (CsA) has been subject of multiple experimental works in traumatic brain injury (TBI) research. It is well known that CsA inhibits calcium (Ca2+) induced mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of CsA on the alteration of Ca2+ homeostasis after experimental brain injury. ⋯ Post-traumatic 45Ca accumulation is modified under CsA. The crucial neuroprotective effect of CsA might be unrelated to a reduction of post-traumatic Ca2+ accumulation, especially with regard to the importance of Ca2+ as an intracellular messenger governing a large number of cellular functions.
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Neurological research · May 2008
Survey of blood pressure control status in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in China.
We sought to assess the current status of blood pressure control and the use of antihypertensive drugs in patients with ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in China. ⋯ Blood pressure control rate among IS or TIA patients in major metropolitan clinics is an important issue in China which might largely influence the efforts in stroke prevention and treatment. Further works are needed to develop substantive quality improvement strategies of stroke secondary prevention care.
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Neurological research · May 2008
Intradiscal electrothermal treatment for chronic discogenic low back pain: a prospective outcome study of 39 patients with the Oswestry disability index at 18 month follow-up.
The authors evaluate the efficacy of intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) for discogenic pain on outcome of patients using the Oswestry disability index (ODI) after 18 month follow-up. ⋯ Although various alterations in outcome scores have been reported in previous works, we found nearly four in five patients (79.48%) who clearly benefited from this therapy. This procedure may become a middle step for carefully selected group of patients who failed non-operative treatment before surgical intervention.