World Neurosurg
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Perception of medicolegal risk has been shown to influence defensive medicine behaviors. Canada, South Africa, and the United States have 3 vastly different health care and medicolegal systems. There has been no previous study comparing defensive medicine practices internationally. ⋯ Neurosurgeons from the United States and South Africa are more likely to practice defensively than neurosurgeons from Canada. Perception of medicolegal risk is correlated with reported neurosurgical defensive medicine within these countries.
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The C1-C2 joint has multiple degrees of freedom of movement and C1-C2 dislocation (AAD) is often multiplanar. The existing methodology to assess the dislocation is limited to few planes. The object of this study is to redefine and objectively assess congenital AAD in each possible plane, before and after the operation. ⋯ The objective assessment of C1-C2 dislocation and joints in each plane was to determine its management and help in achieving multiplanar correction.
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Congenital spondylolytic spondylolisthesis of C2 vertebra resulting from deficient posterior element of the axis is rarely described in the literature. ⋯ We report this rare constellation of congenital craniovertebral junction anomaly and review the relevant literature.
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Recent prospective multicenter studies have shown that the probability of rupture of unruptured aneurysms with maximal diameter <7 mm is rather low. However, the overall risks and long-term impact of unruptured aneurysms on lifetime quality of life are still unknown. ⋯ Lifetime effects of small unruptured aneurysms without risk factors increasing the probability of rupture are relatively small, and most patients were expected to die of diseases other than subarachnoid hemorrhage.
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Postoperative surgical-site infections (SSIs) are a common complication after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, occurring at a quoted rate of approximately 1%-9%. Intraoperative vancomycin powder has demonstrated efficacy in reducing SSIs after cranial and spinal surgery; however, its use during DBS surgery has yet to be established. In this study, we describe the senior author's experience with the use of intraoperative vancomycin powder to prevent SSIs after DBS surgery. ⋯ In our experience, vancomycin powder has demonstrated safety and efficacy as an adjunct medication for infection prophylaxis after DBS surgery. Further prospective studies with larger patient cohorts are warranted.