World Neurosurg
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The use of titanium alloy (Ti) rods is frequently associated with rod fracture after spinal fixation. To address this issue, cobalt chrome (CoCr) rods, which are advantageous because of their greater strength and resistance to fatigue relative to Ti rods, have been introduced. The purpose of the present study was to compare radiographic outcomes after the use of Ti versus CoCr rods in a matched cohort of patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for treatment of spinal instability. ⋯ Our findings indicate that the use of CoCr rods is effective in ensuring stability of the posterior spinal construct and accomplishment of spinal fusion. Furthermore, our results indicate that junctional kyphosis may occur more frequently in CoCr systems than in Ti systems.
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The goals of treating a cerebral metastasis (CM) are to achieve local control of the disease and to improve patient quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of conventional surgery supported by intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) to approach a CM. To perform this analysis, we determined the postoperative Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPS) scores and tumor resection grades. ⋯ IOUS may improve postoperative KPS scores and decrease residual tumor volumes in CM surgeries. These findings should be confirmed in future studies.
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Many investigators endeavor to predict the outcome based on admission characteristics using some established models to determine which management should be applied. However, the efficacy and applicability of the models using in the geriatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) have not yet been evaluated. ⋯ The IMPACT prognosis calculator showed just fair discrimination when predicting the outcome of the elderly patients with severe TBI. Management decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis rather than by relying on the predicted risks identified by this model; conservative treatment might be preferable when expected risk of fatal outcome is >90%.
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To evaluate the impact of surgical resection and adjuvant treatment on the course of patients after malignant progression of previously treated isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1)-mutated World Health Organization (WHO) grade II astrocytoma. ⋯ Patients in good clinical condition with malignant progression of previously treated low-grade gliomas should receive aggressive treatment, including re-resection.