World Neurosurg
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To investigate the ability of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) to improve lumbar lordosis (LL). ⋯ For patients with neurogenic leg symptoms owing to single-level lumbar degenerative disease, whole LL was improved after TLIF as a result of spontaneous restoration of lordosis at the unfused lumbar levels.
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Patients with laminar fractures have a higher chance of experiencing severe trauma and neurologic deficit. In previous studies, laminar fractures were divided into different types based on the axial plane of computed tomographic scans. No report described the morphology of vertical laminar fractures in the coronal plane. Furthermore, the correlation between a specific type of laminar fracture and the extent of severity of thoracolumbar (TL) burst fractures has rarely been mentioned. ⋯ The morphology of vertical laminar fractures as observed across multiple image planes was more complex and accurate than an analysis based solely on the axial plane. Different morphologies indicated differences in the severity of associated TL burst fractures. The laminar fracture in the coronal plane was associated with the severity of spinal injury.
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Training of intra-axial brain tumor resection using a self-made simple device with agar and gelatin.
Self-made devices composed of agar and gelatin gel were used for resident training in intra-axial brain tumor resection. The mixture gel of agar and gelatin is retractable and can be suctioned. Hardness of the gel depends on the concentration of the solution. Therefore, by changing the concentration, it is easy to make gels of various hardness. ⋯ Our devices with "tumors" of various hardness appear to be suitable for resident training in each surgical skill. For the next step of this study, we will attempt to fabricate more practical 3-dimensional gel models for presurgical simulation.
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The prevalence of aneurysm formation in adults with moyamoya disease (MMD) is approximately 14%, and it represents a major potential hemorrhagic risk. We aimed to study the characteristics of intracranial aneurysms occurring in patients with MMD. We retrospectively reviewed our 10-year experience of patients with intracranial aneurysms and a diagnosis of MMD at our hospital. ⋯ MMD-associated intracranial aneurysms frequently occur in patients presenting with hemorrhagic MMD and are associated with an extremely high rate of rupture. Long-standing hemodynamic stress as well as pathologic and anatomic factors might contribute to the formation of an aneurysm.
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The aim of this study was to explore the predisposing factors for fracture nonunion after a lateral screw was combined with C2 pedicle/laminar screw for a type II odontoid fracture and hopefully provide references in decision making and surgical planning for spinal surgeons. ⋯ Advanced age, long duration, and preoperative separation of odontoid fracture >4 mm are predisposing factors for fracture nonunion after posterior C1 lateral screw combined with C2 pedicle/laminar screw fixation for type II odontoid fracture. Our findings did not demonstrate any evidence of lower functional outcome and patients satisfaction for those patients who had odontoid nonunion.