Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
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It has been found that the hemostatic system is activated following a brain injury. To explore the role of D-dimer in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), this prospective study aimed to evaluate the association between serum D-dimer concentration, clinical outcome and radiographic findings of ICH patients in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR]: 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-7.76, p=0.031), ICH volume (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.07-1.27, p<0.0001) and D-dimer concentration (OR: 2.72; 95% CI: 1.08-6.9, p=0.002) were associated with 30-day mortality. This study shows that in patients with spontaneous ICH, a higher initial D-dimer concentration is associated with higher 30-day mortality.
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The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) surgery for lumbar spondylolisthesis. A prospective analysis was conducted of 23 consecutive patients with grade I or grade II lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent a MI-TLIF using image guidance between August 2008 and September 2010. The patient group comprised 13 males and 10 females (mean age 57 years), 22 of whom underwent single level fusion and one patient with a two level fusion. ⋯ There were no occurrences of infection and no postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks. We conclude that MI-TLIF offers patients a safe and effective surgical option for lumbar spondylolisthesis treatment. Furthermore, it may offer patients additional advantages in terms of postoperative pain and recovery.
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Dehiscence after a wound has healed is a known complication of craniotomy for tumor resection. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 64 patients who underwent craniotomy for tumor resection followed by radiation or radiosurgery between 2006 and 2010. ⋯ These treatments may be risk factors for developing delayed dehiscence and, in combination, may potentiate local wound healing problems. Potential mechanisms and management strategies are discussed.
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Comparative Study
Volumetric comparisons of supratentorial white matter hyperintensities on FLAIR MRI in patients with migraine and multiple sclerosis.
Migraine and multiple sclerosis (MS) can both cause white matter lesions that appear similar on conventional MRI. This study aimed to compare these abnormalities, and to find anatomical biomarkers specific for migraine. ⋯ Most of the MS WMH were in the frontal lobe and were the smallest average size, while the fewest WMH with the largest size were in the occipital lobe. The pattern of supratentorial WMH appearance differs between the two groups; however, accurate differential diagnosis of WMH by conventional MRI is probably not possible in individual patients.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of unilateral versus bilateral balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
Thirty-one patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) were treated with unilateral balloon kyphoplasty (BKP), and 31 patients were treated with bilateral BKP. The efficacy of unilateral and bilateral BKP was assessed by comparing operation time, X-ray exposure times, incidence of complications, vertebral height restoration, and improvement of the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. ⋯ Unilateral and bilateral BKP are safe and effective treatments for OVCF. Compared with bilateral BKP, patients undergoing unilateral BKP have shorter operations and receive lower X-ray radiation doses.