World Neurosurg
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The choice of appropriate antiplatelet therapy before the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) placement is usually guided by platelet function testing such as light transmission aggregometry (LTA). In this study, we aimed to define the optimal threshold LTA value for clopidogrel responsiveness to predict the risk of postprocedural thromboembolic complications and to help guide appropriate antiplatelet regimen. ⋯ We observed the greatest increase in the rate of thromboembolic complications with LTA values of ≥50%. This can serve as an appropriate cut-off value for determining the clopidogrel response in patients undergoing endovascular treatment with the PED.
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Although most surgeons are using endoscopy as an adjunct to microscopy in microvascular decompression, a full endoscopic technique is less commonly performed. The present study is aimed to evaluate results of 230 patients of endoscopic vascular decompression. ⋯ Endoscopic vascular decompression is a safe and efficient alternative technique to endoscopic assisted microvascular decompression provided surgeon is experienced in endoscopic surgery. It is helpful in identification of all offending vessels including the double vessel, and anterior compression without brain and nerve retraction.
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"White cord syndrome" is a very rare condition thought to be due to acute reperfusion of chronically ischemic areas of the spinal cord. Its hallmark is the presence of intramedullary hyperintense signal on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequences in a patient with unexplained neurologic deficits following spinal cord decompression surgery. The syndrome is rare and has been reported previously in 2 patients following anterior cervical decompression and fusion. We report an additional case of this complication. ⋯ The rare white cord syndrome following either anterior cervical decompression and fusion or posterior cervical decompression and fusion may be due to ischemic-reperfusion injury sustained by chronically compressed parts of the spinal cord. In previous reports, patients have improved following steroid therapy and acute rehabilitation.
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Abscess coexisting within a brain tumor is rare. Case reports in the literature primarily consist of sellar pathology and parenchymal lesions, including meningioma, glioma, and metastases. We report a case of glioblastoma with an intratumoral abscess in a middle-aged patient with no prior invasive procedure or systemic focus of infection. ⋯ It is important for neurosurgeons to be aware of this rare entity. The treatment protocol remains controversial and is primarily guided by expert opinion. It is important to aggressively treat the patient with antibiotics followed by adjuvant therapy for malignancy. The timing and administration of adjuvant therapy are unclear. We suggest a delay of chemotherapy until at least 4 weeks of therapy with sensitive antibiotics.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Economic Comparison Between Endovascular Coiling Versus Neurosurgical Clipping for Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.
Healthcare expenditures and cost reduction have been under critical surveillance in all countries and are critical for policymakers. This review aims at qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing the difference of hospital costs and length of stay between endovascular coiling versus neurosurgical clipping in ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RAs). ⋯ Medical costs were region-specified. In the United States, total hospital costs and 1-year medical costs were similar in RA patients treated with endovascular coiling and neurosurgical clipping. However, in countries like South Korea and China, coiling was more expensive. The length of stay was much shorter in coiled patients in all countries.