World Neurosurg
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Extreme lateral interbody fusion (ELIF) is a powerful tool for interbody fusion and coronal deformity correction. However, evidence regarding the success of ELIF in decompressing foraminal, lateral recess, and central canal stenosis is lacking. We performed a systematic review of current literature on the potential and limitations of ELIF to indirectly decompress neural elements. ⋯ Current data suggest ELIF to be an efficient technique in decompression of foraminal stenosis. Evidence on decompression of central canal or lateral recess stenosis via ELIF is low, and results are inconsistent. Most studies are limited by study design, sample size, and potential conflicts of interest.
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Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a cerebrovascular disease characterized by progressive stenosis of the intracranial internal carotid arteries and their proximal branches. Epidemiologically, MMD is more prevalent in East Asia than any other region worldwide, and has been estimated at 0.94 per 100,000 in the Japanese and 0.43 per 100,000 in the Chinese population. The etiology of this rare disease, however, remains unknown. ⋯ Recent genome-wide and locus-specific association studies identified RNF213 as an important susceptibility gene of MMD among the East Asian population. The exact mechanism by which the RNF213 abnormality relates to MMD remains unknown, whereas recently identified RNF213 encodes a 591-kDa protein containing enzymatically active P-loop ATPase and ubiquitin ligase domains and is involved in proper vascular development in zebrafish provide new insight for the pathogenesis of this rare entity. In this review article, we focused on the genetics and biomarkers of MMD and sought to discuss their clinical implication.
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Though primarily considered entertainment, cinema is a mirror of society. The portrayal of neurosciences is common in cinema, but none could do it better than Jack Nicholson. We give a brief overview of his contribution to neurosciences by analyzing his acting skills.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of outcomes of anterior-, posterior- and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery at a single lumbar level with degenerative spinal disease.
The fusion rate in spinal surgery may vary in relation to the technique, and it remains unknown which surgical technique provides the best fusion rate and surgical outcome. We aimed to compare radiologic and surgical results between 3 surgical techniques used for lumbar interbody fusion. ⋯ ALIF was associated with better restoration of segmental lordosis. The fusion rate on CT scan and with segmental ROM did not differ between the 3 groups. TLIF was associated with a better postoperative visual analog scale. PLIF showed the lowest cage subsidence rate. Therefore, it is difficult to know which surgical technique is better among the 3 groups because each surgical method has its own advantages.
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Multicenter Study
Impact of high-mobility group box-1 polymorphism on delayed cerebral ischemia following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
The high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein is a eukaryotic, ubiquitously expressed protein that serves as a biomarker for various diseases and is involved in the promotion of a proinflammatory response to cell injury. In aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), increased HMGB1 levels have been linked to poor outcome and an increased risk for cerebral vasospasm. The role of HMGB1 polymorphisms in aSAH has not been previously investigated. ⋯ The minor allele G of rs2249825 was associated with an increased risk for DCI, or cerebral infarction, after aSAH. This finding may be attributable to an increased HMGB1 protein expression in these patients.