World Neurosurg
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The objectives of this study were to examine the correlation between the level of serum inflammatory markers and the stability of carotid plaques in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease and to assess the ability of each inflammatory marker to identify vulnerable carotid plaques. ⋯ Serum levels of sCD40L and MMP-9 are associated with the stability of carotid plaques. Higher levels of serum sCD40L and MMP-9 may suggest that the plaques are vulnerable or have ruptured.
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The movements of a neurocysticercosis cyst within the ventricular cavity have been identified rarely. ⋯ Such an intraventricular migration of any kind of tumor has not been recorded in the literature.
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Case Reports
A case of laterally extended high-positioned chordoma treated using the high cervical retropharyngeal approach.
Several surgical approaches for the treatment of pathologies of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) and high cervical regions have been reported. For the best postoperative results, selection of a surgical route to treat such pathologies should be based on a complete understanding of the approach. ⋯ Our results indicate that the high cervical retropharyngeal approach is a reasonable option for pathologies located in the anterior or anterolateral portions of high cervical regions. This approach is an alternative to the transoral approach to the ventral CVJ and high cervical regions.
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Neurosurgery and spine surgery have the potential to benefit from the use of 3-dimensional printing (3DP) technology due to complex anatomic considerations and the delicate nature of surrounding structures. We report a procedure that uses a 3D-printed titanium T9 vertebral body implant post T9 vertebrectomy for a primary bone tumor. ⋯ An advantage of 3DP is the ability to manufacture patient-specific implants, as in the current case example. Additionally, the use of 3DP has been able to reduce operative time significantly. Surgical procedures can be preplanned using 3DP patient-specific models. Surgeons can train before performing complex procedures, which enhances their presurgical planning in order to maximize patient outcomes. When considering implants and prostheses, the use of 3DP allows a superior anatomic fit for the patient, with the potential to improve restoration of anatomy.
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Case Reports
Cross-modal recruitment of auditory and orofacial areas during sign language in a deaf subject.
Modern sign languages used by deaf people are fully expressive, natural human languages that are perceived visually and produced manually. The literature contains little data concerning human brain organization in conditions of deficient sensory information such as deafness. ⋯ The intraoperative setup for sign language mapping with intraoperative electrical stimulation in deaf-mute patients is similar to the setup described in patients with oral language. To elucidate the type of language errors, a sign language interpreter in close interaction with the neuropsychologist is necessary. Sign language is perceived visually and produced manually; however, this case revealed a cross-modal recruitment of auditory and orofacial motor areas.