Acta neurologica Scandinavica
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Decompressive craniectomy is a neurosurgical technique in which a portion of the skull is removed to reduce intracranial pressure. The rationale for this procedure is based on the Monro-Kellie Doctrine; expanding the physical space confining edematous brain tissue after traumatic brain injury will reduce intracranial pressure. ⋯ One way to address these concerns is to establish a consistent methodology for performing decompressive craniectomies. The purpose of this paper is to begin accomplishing this goal and to emphasize the critical points of the hemicraniectomy and bicoronal (Kjellberg type) craniectomy.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Apr 2011
No neurochemical evidence of brain injury after blast overpressure by repeated explosions or firing heavy weapons.
Psychiatric and neurological symptoms are common among soldiers exposed to blast without suffering a direct head injury. It is not known whether such symptoms are direct consequences of blast overpressure. ⋯ Repeated exposure to high-impact blast does not result in any neurochemical evidence of brain damage. These findings are of importance for soldiers regularly exposed to high-impact blast when firing artillery shells or other types of heavy weapons.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Apr 2011
Total tau and S100b proteins in different types of multiple sclerosis and during immunosuppressive treatment with mitoxantrone.
Brain-specific proteins are biochemical markers of neurodegeneration. The aim of this study was to estimate the role of biomarkers in neuronal and glial damage as a potent marker of efficiency of immunosuppressive treatment. ⋯ CSF levels of tTau and S100b are elevated in patients with MS and can reflect an axonal and glial pathology. Measurement of serum concentrations of S100b may be useful for monitoring immunosuppressive therapy and may support clinical assessment. In contrast, tTau concentration did not prove to be a useful marker of mitoxantrone therapy.