British journal of neurosurgery
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Comparative Study
Comparative study of decompressive craniectomy in traumatic brain injury with or without mass lesion.
Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is one of the most ardently debated topics in traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment. The aim of this study is to compare the differences between DC with and without mass evacuation in patients with TBI. ⋯ DC for patients with or without mass lesion has different patient characteristics. DC with mass evacuation has lower mortality than DC without mass evacuation. Outcome prediction following DC should be adjusted according to mass evacuation.
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The benefit of the introduction of alkylating chemotherapy in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients has been demonstrated by comparing radiotherapy with concomitant plus intermittent temozolomide (iTMZ) to radiation therapy. The isolated impact of the concomitant part of this protocol on survival was not investigated. We were therefore interested in the impact of the effect of the concomitant therapy part on survival. Hence, we compared patients treated with open surgery followed by radiotherapy and iTMZ with patients treated with concomitant plus iTMZ chemotherapy regarding overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). ⋯ Our study demonstrates that PFS and OS are strongly determined by the MGMT status and the extent of resection. Interestingly, concomitant radiochemotherapy was not superior to radiotherapy followed by iTMZ chemotherapy regarding OS and PFS.
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Despite controversial outcomes of recent published trials, percutaneous cement augmentation remains widely used in managing painful vertebral compression fractures. We prospectively assessed patients with such fractures using an eleven-point visual analogue scale for pain and the Qualeffo 41 questionnaire for quality of life. ⋯ In our experience percutaneous cement augmentation is safe and efficacious in the management of painful VCF related to osteoporosis, trauma and cancer, achieving rapid and significant pain reduction and improvement in physical function as measured with a visual analogue scale and the Qualeffo 41 questionnaire.
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To audit the efficacy of a conservative prophylactic antibiotic policy in patients undergoing non-trauma cranial surgery. ⋯ In non-trauma neurosurgical patients undergoing elective cranial procedures, a conservative prophylactic antibiotic policy is effective in achieving low rates of bacterial meningitis with low rates of MDR infections. Therefore, our results make a compelling case for a conservative prophylactic antibiotic policy.
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Anterior clinoidectomy is an essential manoeuvre for clipping paraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. However, the use of a drill or an ultrasonic bone curette in an anterior clinoidectomy involves a high risk for heat or mechanical injury of the superior projecting paraclinoid aneurysm. We report our technique for microscopic anterior clinoidectomy performed only using a micro-rongeur. ⋯ The anterior clinoid process was removed with our specially crafted micro-rongeurs, while we observed the extradural and intradural routes under a microscope. The aneurysm was completely clipped without any resulting neurological deficits. This technique can be safely used for paraclinoid ICA aneurysms, especially for superiorly projecting aneurysms.