World Neurosurg
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Different mechanisms are introduced for various kinds of spine fractures. Falls from walnut trees are a major cause of spine fracture, with a high rate of mortality and significant deficits in young male workers. The aim of this study was to define the rate of cervical fractures and pattern of fractures in falls from walnut trees and to compare with other types of falls in the literature, which seem to have different mechanisms. ⋯ The pattern of fractures was unique to falls from walnut trees, mainly consisting of cervical fractures with quadriplegia and a poor prognosis, and in a young group of workers, which puts a large economic burden on society.
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Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a routinely used alternative to ventriculoperitoneal shunt in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus. We attempted to determine the usefulness of the surgeon's intraoperative impression and postoperative period intracranial pressure monitoring that may help guide clinicians in predicting the early functional outcome of ETV. ⋯ ETV is a valuable means of treating obstructive hydrocephalus. By considering the surgeon's intraoperative impression and postoperative ICP monitoring course, some of the uncertainty around its functional outcome can be overcome. The surgeon's impression and the ICP monitoring offer approximately the same predictive quality for ETV outcome.
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Conventionally, neuroendoscopic excision of intraventricular tumors has been difficult and time consuming because of lack of an effective decompression system that can be used through the working channel of the endoscope. ⋯ The NICO Myriad is a highly effective tumor decompression system that can be effectively used in a purely endoscopic approach to intraventricular lesions.
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Assessing the academic impact and output of scientists and physicians is essential to the academic promotion process and has largely depended on peer review. The inherent subjectivity of peer review, however, has led to an interest to incorporate objective measures into more established methods of academic assessment and promotion. Journal impact factor has been used to add objectivity to the process but this index alone does not capture all aspects of academic impact and achievement. ⋯ This review critically analyzes indices that are currently available to evaluate the academic impact of scientists and physicians. These indices include the total citation count, the total number of papers, the impact factor, as well as the "h" index with eight of its most common variants. The analysis focuses on their use in the field of academic neurosurgery, and discusses means to implement them in current review processes.