World Neurosurg
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Lumbar Dorsal Root Ganglion Block as a Prognostic Tool Before Pulsed Radiofrequency: A Randomized, Prospective, and Comparative Study on Cost-Effectiveness.
In the study, we discuss the predictive value and cost-effectiveness of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) blocks before using dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency (DRG-PRF) in the treatment of low back pain. ⋯ In this comparative cost-effectiveness study, the application of diagnostic DRG blocks before DRG-PRF did not have a significant impact on patient satisfaction, pain index score, or pain medication reduction. Furthermore, the application of diagnostic DRG blocks resulted in overall greater medical costs. These findings suggest that DRG-PRF without screening by DRG block is more cost-effective and less invasive.
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Accurate preoperative and intraoperative differentiation between primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and glioblastoma (GBM) is sometimes difficult. Distinguishing between these tumors during surgery is important because surgical treatment is different between the 2 tumors. In this study, we established a new method of intraoperative differentiation between PCNSL and GBM using intraoperative flow cytometry (iFC), and we retrospectively tested whether iFC was useful for the intraoperative diagnosis of PCNSL and GBM. ⋯ iFC is useful for the intraoperative differentiation between PCNSL and GBM and it aids in intraoperative decision making within a short time. The accuracy of intraoperative diagnosis of these tumors seems to be higher with the combination of iFC and intraoperative rapid pathologic diagnosis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
DEFUSE-3 Trial: Reinforcing Evidence for Extended Endovascular Intervention Time Window for Ischemic Stroke.
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Use of telemedicine for neurotrauma when performed by neurosurgeons is an innovative care option for traumatic brain injury patients, particularly in countries with limited neurosurgery expertise resources. In recent years, Albania has developed a robust telemedicine program and teleneurotrauma is the flagship of the program. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the first neurotrauma patients managed via telemedicine in Albania. ⋯ Telemedicine for neurotrauma, when structured appropriately and led by neurosurgeons, is a valuable service for the entire country, prevents unnecessary transfers to trauma center, and saves resources, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
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It is becoming increasingly common to incorporate chemotherapy (CT) with radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of low-grade gliomas (LGGs) after surgical resection. However, there is a lack of literature comparing survival of patients who underwent RT or CT alone. ⋯ Our results suggest that CT alone was independently associated with longer OS compared with RT alone in patients with LGGs who underwent surgery.