World Neurosurg
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Thoracic spinal tuberculosis (TST) is a dangerous disease. Besides antituberculosis chemotherapy, surgery is also necessary for treating TST. To date, no study has focused on the prognostic factors for recovery of patients after surgery for TST. ⋯ This study supports the previously published evidence that nonparalysis, shorter duration of symptoms, and fewer involved vertebrae are favorable prognostic factors for recovery after surgery for TST. For a better recovery effect, the key points for treating TST were timely diagnosis and treatment. It is urgent for government to arouse attention and popularize the knowledge of spinal tuberculosis.
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To explore incidence and risk factors of postoperative adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) following anterior decompression and instrumented fusion for degenerative disorders of the cervical spine. ⋯ Patients with degenerative disorders of the cervical spine who receive 2-level cervical fusion and with upper instrumented vertebra at C5 are at high potential risk of ASD.
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Although an asymptomatic spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) can sometimes be incidentally detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), there are no previous reports showing the development of an SDAVF on MRI or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). ⋯ This may be the first report in which serial MRA studies demonstrated the course of this condition, from the appearance of an SDAVF to the development of SAH. An abnormal vascular structure detected on MRA indicated abnormal enlargement of the perimedullary vein and the presence of a cervical SDAVF. A lower cervical SDAVF should be suspected if such an abnormal vascular structure is detected on MRA.
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Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) often are treated via transarterial or transvenous embolization. Incomplete penetration of the draining vein/occult residual often will become apparent on follow-up angiography, requiring repeat embolization, or at times, surgical resection. ⋯ Although endovascular treatment of dAVFs is generally first-line therapy, surgical disconnection of fistulas, particularly high-risk residual/recurrent fistulas, is an excellent option in well-selected cases.
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Giant aneurysms are very high-risk lesions both in terms of natural history and treatment. Bypass with distal occlusion is thought to be a safe treatment option for these aneurysms. Here, we report 2 cases of aneurysm rupture after bypass and distal occlusion, review the literature, and discuss the possible underlying mechanisms, in the hopes of influencing treatment planning and averting such complications in the future. ⋯ Aneurysm rupture can occur after bypass and distal occlusion, despite initial appearances of intraoperative stability. We suggest that the mechanisms are not a simple pressure within the dome and may be due to rapid thrombosis with subsequent aneurysm wall destabilization or stretching and capacitance causing persistent filling. When possible, it seems that complete trapping or proximal occlusion may be preferable to distal occlusion for these giant aneurysms. The optimal management of these highly morbid lesions remains to be determined.