Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
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Anterior cervical plating is regarded as standard practice after multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. However, plate implantation in the anterior cervical spine poses a substantial risk of hardware-related complications. We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and outcomes of 15 consecutive patients treated with a 3-level anterior cervical fusion using self-locking stand-alone polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages. ⋯ The degree of spinal curvature before surgery differed significantly from that immediately after surgery, and from that at the final follow-up examination (p < 0.05). Self-locking stand-alone PEEK cages packed with excised local osteophytes and calcium sulfate are safe and effective. This procedure can effectively restore cervical lordosis, obviate the complications related to graft harvest and screw-plate fixation, and lead to satisfactory outcomes.
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Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is the most common complication after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. The authors compare their previous experience using an autologous fat graft and lumbar drain placement in 107 patients with their current technique of using a dural sealant and collagen matrix in 97 patients to prevent postoperative CSF leak after pituitary tumor resection. The failure rate for CSF leak repairs between the two groups was similar. The use of a dural sealant and collagen matrix, however, has the advantages of decreased length of hospital stay, decreased length of Intensive Care Unit stay, avoidance of the morbidity of an extra abdominal incision, and avoidance of the risks of lumbar CSF drainage.
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Patients generally have a good prognosis and develop only occasional neurological complications after nontraumatic, nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This prospective long-term study investigated the normal return to work of patients who had experienced nontraumatic nonaneurysmal SAH. From June 2001 to June 2004, all patients presenting with nonaneurysmal nontraumatic SAH were asked to participate in this study. ⋯ The cognitive assessment after 7 years revealed a statistically significant difference between the pSAH and npSAH groups with respect to the activation and elaboration speed of attention as well as long-term non-verbal memory. Nine patients could not return to their former jobs after nonaneurysmal SAH. Although nontraumatic nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is typically a pathology with an excellent prognosis, there is evidence that this event may influence working life for a long time.
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Oculomotor nerve palsy is a relatively rare symptom in pituitary adenoma compared to visual compromise or endocrine deficiency. The causes and recovery remain unclear. A total of 23 patients with pituitary adenomas presenting with oculomotor nerve palsy were reviewed. ⋯ We conclude that oculomotor nerve palsy usually occurs in patients with apoplectic adenomas, especially those with hemorrhage. Early treatment, pupil-sparing, and minor oculomotor symptoms are factors indicating a good recovery. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgical decompression achieved good results in this study.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effect of pregabalin on post-dural-puncture headache following spinal anesthesia and lumbar puncture.
In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of pregabalin on post-dural-puncture headache (PDPH). Forty patients who developed PDPH after spinal anesthesia or diagnostic and/or therapeutic lumbar puncture were divided into two groups and followed for 5 days. The first group received 150 mg/day oral pregabalin for the first 3 days, then 300 mg/day for a further 2 days. ⋯ Patient headaches were scored using the visual analog scale, and diclofenac sodium and pethidine requirements were recorded. Relative to the placebo group, the group administered pregabalin had significantly lower visual analog scale scores after the second day of treatment, and had significantly lower diclofenac sodium requirements. Our results indicate that pregabalin may be useful for the management of PDPH.