World Neurosurg
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Postural instability and gait disorder (PIGD) in Parkinson disease (PD) has been a great challenge in clinical practice because PIGD is closely linked to major morbidity and mortality in PD. Pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) has been considered as a potential promising target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of PIGD. A meta-analysis of individual patient data was performed to assess the effects of PPN DBS on PIGD in patients with PD and explore the factors predicting good outcome. ⋯ Our study provides evidence that PPN DBS may improve PIGD, which should be interpreted with caution and needs further verification before making generalization of our results.
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Scattered reports exist in the medical literature regarding facet tropism. However, this finding has had mixed conclusions regarding its origin and impact on the normal spine. ⋯ Long-term analyses of patients are necessary to elucidate relationships between associated findings and facet tropism. In addition, a universally agreed definition that is more precise should be developed for future investigative studies.
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Acupuncture anesthesia originated from the pain relief and pain prevention theory in acupuncture and moxibustion. This technique is a new exploration of anesthesiology and an original achievement of China, representing a landmark combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine. ⋯ Acupuncture anesthesia was initiated in 1958, and, reflecting the historical background of China after the 1960s, the use of this technique spread widely throughout the country. Reaching other countries after 1971, acupuncture anesthesia had a significant influence, drawing attention from medical academia worldwide. Thus, acupuncture anesthesia has made a special contribution to the medical science of modern China.
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Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) evolved from the term dementia pugilistica describing the dementia found in many boxers to its current use in describing the dementia and depression sometimes found in athletes subjected to multiple concussions or subconcussive blows to the head. Concurrently, the neuropathology evolved to specify a unique type of tauopathy found in perivascular spaces at the depth of sulci and other features not typically seen in neurodegenerative tauopathies. ⋯ In particular, research to date has had a denominator problem in not establishing the total number of potential cases at risk for developing CTE. The current review examines the evidence to date for these syndromes and contributing or complicating factors affecting the neuropathology, neuroimaging, and clinical presentations associated with them.
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Review Biography Historical Article
Usher Parsons (1788-1868) and his 19(th) Century Understanding and Surgical Treatment of Spinal Curvatures.
Usher Parsons was a prominent surgeon in the 19th century. However, his contributions to the understanding and treatment of spinal curvatures have been largely forgotten. ⋯ This glimpse into history offers insight into the thought processes and surgical strategies that were available in the early 19th century. It is pioneers in this field, such as Usher Parsons, on which our current understanding of spinal curvatures and its treatment is built.