World Neurosurg
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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a recent technique that has shown some promising short-term results in patients with chronic refractory neuropathic pain. Three years after the first case series, we assessed its efficacy on a larger cohort, with longer follow-up. ⋯ Follow-up results confirm that ACC DBS alleviates chronic neuropathic pain refractory to pharmacotherapy and improves quality of life in many patients.
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Case Reports
Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia using a novel fenestrated clip and tentorial flap technique.
Microvascular decompression (MVD) for neurovascular compression syndromes, such as trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm, has been traditionally described as an interposing technique using Teflon. Some alternative interposing materials have been proposed. In addition, transposing techniques have been increasingly reported as an alternative with a potentially lower recurrence rate and fewer complications. ⋯ We propose a novel technique for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, eliminating the need for padding the vessel with a foreign body. This technique can be applied successfully in selected cases of neurovascular compression syndromes.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in older patients is becoming an increasing problem, and methods that help predict outcomes in this population are needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate skeletal muscle mass as a predictive marker for TBI outcome in older patients. ⋯ Reduced skeletal muscle mass was associated with poorer outcome after TBI in our cohort of older patients. Our results suggest that identifying patients with low muscularity may contribute to better stratification in this population.
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In moyamoya angiopathy, transient neurologic symptoms (TNS) are occasionally observed after superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery direct bypass surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between TNS and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging as well as perform a perfusion study. ⋯ STA dilatation was correlated with TNS after direct bypass surgery for moyamoya angiopathy.
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To compare the outcomes between patients older and younger than 65 years who underwent single-level minimally invasive transforaminal interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) surgery. ⋯ MI-TLIF presented similar safeness and acceptable outcomes and complication rate in both groups. Cyst formation may be aggravated by cage subsidence, because cage subsidence was a useful potential predictor of cyst formation.