J Neurosurg Sci
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Lumbar disc herniation associated with back pain is often related to disc degeneration. Back pain after microdiscectomy often persists, prejudicing clinical outcome and quality of life. To this day, the evolution of disc degeneration after classical microdiscectomy has never been proven. Percutaneous dynamic stabilization after microdiscectomy has been proposed as a novel surgical strategy for treatment of back pain with herniated disc. However, clinical results are still debated and no evidences about the long-term evolution of back pain and relationships between neuroradiological imaging and clinical outcome have been provided. We report our preliminary observations concerning the clinical and neuroradiological outcome of 11 patients treated with microdiscectomy and dynamic percutaneous lumbo-sacral stabilization, after a long-term follow-up (2-years). ⋯ Percutaneous minimally invasive lumbo-sacral dynamic stabilization after microdiscectomy seems a reliable and effective technique in order to obtain a resolution of back pain and seems to prevent the Pfirrmann worsening, over a long-term follow-up.
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Comparative Study
Adenosine-induced cardiac arrest in complex cerebral aneurysms surgery: an Italian single-center experience.
Even if endovascular techniques are improving, treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms still remains a neurosurgeon challenge. Adenosine administration, producing a brief and profound systemic hypotension, seems to improve surgical aneurysm visualization facilitating its exclusion with less risks of rupture. In our retrospective study we confirmed that adenosine advantages could be determinant for an optimal surgical result. ⋯ We observed that adenosine administration allowed an easier clipping thanks to a reduced wall tension in a clearer surgical field without cardiological adverse events. In our opinion adenosine induced arrest technique could be an efficacious, harmless and reliable alternative strategy for surgical treatment of complex cerebral aneurysms.
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Review Comparative Study
Posterior surgery or lateral lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative deformity? Comparative data.
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Historical Article
Engineering brain-computer interfaces: past, present and future.
Electricity governs the function of both nervous systems and computers. Whilst ions move in polar fluids to depolarize neuronal membranes, electrons move in the solid-state lattices of microelectronic semiconductors. Joining these two systems together, to create an iono-electric brain-computer interface, is an immense challenge. ⋯ Rate-limiting steps cover a diverse range of disciplines including microelectronics, neuro-informatics, engineering, and materials science. As those who work at the tangible interface between brain and outside world, neurosurgeons are well placed to contribute to, and inform, this cutting edge area of translational research. This article explores the historical background, status quo, and future of brain-computer interfaces; and outlines the challenges to progress and opportunities available to the clinical neurosciences community.