Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
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Intracranial hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is an aggressive meningothelial neoplasm. A particularly challenging aspect of management of patients with HPC is optimizing treatment for recurrence, progression, and extracranial metastasis. Here we describe a modern cohort of patients with recurrent HPC to better understand treatment strategies that may improve outcome. ⋯ We conclude that when combined with surgical resection, EBRT appears promising in the extension of second recurrence-free survival and overall survival. This multimodality approach also appears to outperform GKS in extending time to second recurrence. Accordingly, when safe and feasible, surgical resection of recurrent HPC with adjuvant EBRT should be the first steps in management.
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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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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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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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Studies have shown that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can reduce chronic pain by at least 50% over prolonged periods, improve function and quality-of-life, reduce requirements for healthcare resources and enable return to work in appropriately selected patients. However, SCS does not provide pain relief in all patients and is an expensive, labor intensive and invasive procedure with complications and ongoing management that requires specialists with specific skills and judgment. ⋯ The aim of the article is to provide a clinical practice guide to the likely effectiveness of SCS in treating various types of chronic pain, as supported by the literature. The article will summarize indications and contraindications for SCS, provide guidance on the selection and timing for referral, and highlight the benefits and complications associated with the procedure.