World Neurosurg
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Trepanation, the process of making a burr hole in the skull to access the brain, is an ancient form of a primitive craniotomy. There is widespread evidence of contributions made to this practice by ancient civilizations in Europe, Africa, and South America, where archaeologists have unearthed thousands of trepanned skulls dating back to the Neolithic period. Little is known about trepanation in China, and it is commonly believed that the Chinese used only traditional Chinese medicine and nonsurgical methods for treating brain injuries. ⋯ Medical and historical works from Chinese literature contain descriptions of primitive neurosurgical procedures, including stories of surgeons, such as the legendary Hua Tuo, and surgical techniques used for the treatment of brain pathologies. The lack of translation of Chinese reports into the English language and the lack of publications on this topic in the English language may have contributed to the misconception that ancient China was devoid of trepanation. This article summarizes the available evidence attesting to the performance of successful primitive cranial surgery in ancient China.
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Observational Study
The association of surgical method with outcomes of acute subdural hematoma patients: experience with 643 consecutive patients.
We investigated the association of decompressive craniectomy (DC) and osteoplastic craniotomy (OC) with outcomes in consecutive patients undergoing surgical evacuation of acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) and analyzed prognostic indicators to determine optimal surgical management strategy for patients with ASDH. ⋯ DC was performed more often in younger and more severely injured patients. DC is associated with greater mortality and handicap rates independent of disease severity. Clinical trials investigating optimal surgical management strategy of patients with ASDH are needed.
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We conducted the largest systematic review of individual patient data to characterize secondary craniofacial sarcomas following retinoblastoma. ⋯ The risk of incidence of secondary sarcomas in retinoblastoma patients warrants longer follow-up periods. Moreover, chemotherapy should be considered as a potential treatment option for secondary cranial sarcomas following retinoblastoma.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is of public health interest and produces significant mortality and disability in Colombia. Calculators and prognostic models have been developed to establish neurologic outcomes. We tested prognostic models (the Marshall computed tomography [CT] score, International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in Traumatic Brain Injury (IMPACT), and Corticosteroid Randomization After Significant Head Injury) for 14-day mortality, 6-month mortality, and 6-month outcome in patients with TBI at a university hospital in Colombia. ⋯ In a university hospital in Colombia, the Marshall CT score, IMPACT, and Corticosteroid Randomization After Significant Head Injury models overestimated the adverse neurologic outcome in patients with severe head trauma.
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Proper diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain remains a clinical challenge. Dysfunction of the SIJ can produce pain in the lower back, buttocks, and extremities. Triangular titanium implants for minimally invasive surgical arthrodesis have been available for several years, with reputed high levels of success and patient satisfaction. This study reports on a novel hydroxyapatite-coated screw for surgical treatment of SIJ pain. ⋯ Positive clinical outcomes are reported 1 year postoperatively after implantation of a novel implant to treat sacroiliac joint pain. Future clinical studies with larger samples are warranted to assess long-term patient outcomes.