World Neurosurg
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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.
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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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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.
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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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Multicenter Study
The pCONus Device for Treatment of Complex Wide-Neck Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms.
Anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysms with a wide neck are often not feasible for endovascular coiling. Emerging devices for neck protection, such as the pCONus stent, are promising for endovascular treatment of challenging intracranial aneurysms. We report the preliminary results with pCONus in the treatment of wide-neck AcomA aneurysms. ⋯ The pCONus device allows endovascular coiling of wide-necked AcomA aneurysms.