World Neurosurg
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Comparative Study
Single center experience of Mechanical thrombectomy with the Trevo XP ProVue 6×25 mm stent retriever in MCA occlusion : Comparison with Trevo XP ProVue 4×20 mm.
There are few studies assessing the suitable stent size for mechanical thrombectomy in middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. We attempted to determine what size of stent is suitable for thrombectomy in MCA occlusion through a comparison of Trevo XP 6 × 25 mm and 4 × 20 mm stents. ⋯ Our study showed that the Trevo XP 6 × 25 mm stent provides better clinical and radiologic outcomes than the Trevo XP 4 × 20 mm stent for MCA occlusion without an increase in the rate of complications.
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Comparative Study
Hybrid Bone SPECT/CT imaging in evaluation of chronic low back pain.Correlation with facet joints arthropathy.
Evidence to support the use of bone hydroxydiphosphonate (HDP) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in patients with facetogenic low back pain (LBP) is still limited. In this study we compared the scintigraphic patterns on bone SPECT/CT with the degree of structural facet joint (FJ) degeneration on CT in patients with LBP. ⋯ The ability of SPECT/CT to precisely localize scintigraphically active FJs may provide significant improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with LBP. In this study we demonstrate that in >40% of FJs, the scintigraphic patterns on SPECT/CT did not correlate with the degree of degeneration on CT.
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A previous report demonstrated predictive power of short-term leg pain relief after lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections for 1-month treatment response. The question whether the long-term response could be similarly predicted remained unanswered. ⋯ Most patients with a symptomatic lumbar disc herniation who opt for a second injection or surgery do so within the first 6 months. Reliable prediction of the long-term treatment response based on short-term pain relief is not possible.
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Tubular microdiscectomy has become a staple technique among spine surgeons. Yet the associated learning curve, especially its later stages, has not been extensively studied. With studies reporting a higher rate of recurrent herniation using tubular microdiscectomy, surgeons' level of experience becomes of primary importance for the interpretation of such findings. We aimed to analyze possible improvements in the later stages of the learning curve and to identify factors independently associated with recurrent herniation. ⋯ Relevant improvements in clinical results were seen even after the surgeon had already accumulated extensive experience. Any future studies should unambiguously report the level of experience of the participating surgeons, possibly including the number of cases previously treated using a particular technique.
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Multicenter Study
Congenital Malformations of the Central Nervous System in Rural Western Honduras: A 6-Year Report on Trends.
Central nervous system (CNS) malformations, including neural tube defects (NTDs), are the second most common type of birth defects worldwide and are major causes of childhood disability and mortality. We report the first analysis of birth prevalence in Western Honduras of CNS malformations including NTDs over 6 consecutive years. ⋯ This is the first study reporting disease burden of CNS malformations in Western Honduras. The nationwide birth prevalence of NTDs in rural Honduras may have decreased since the implementation of prenatal health policies in 2005. However, we identified regions with unexpectedly elevated prevalence, indicating high regional prevalence that could be targeted for improved preventive efforts, ultimately decreasing the burden of these conditions.