World Neurosurg
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Comparative Study
Comparative Cost Analysis for the Surgical and Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.
Using a database that enabled longitudinal follow-up, we assessed the cost, outcome, complications, and readmission rate of ruptured cerebral aneurysms repaired by surgical clipping and endovascular coiling. ⋯ In Taiwan, the total hospital costs for the surgical clipping of cerebral aneurysms were higher than for endovascular coiling, and the surgical results were associated with significant complications. We suggest that the indications for coiling might need to be expanded from the current standards dictated by the guidelines in Taiwan.
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Endoscopic evacuation of hematoma (EEH) has recently been applied to treat patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). Intraoperative active bleeding (IAB), which is occasionally observed in EEH, might lead to greater blood loss, further brain damage, and more postoperative recurrent hemorrhage. However, no definite predictor of IAB has been established. Because the spot sign is associated with other hemorrhagic complications, we aimed to evaluate whether it predicts IAB. ⋯ The spot sign and early surgery were independent predictors of IAB in EEH for sICH. In patients with sICH and spot sign, complete treatment of IAB by electrocoagulation might be important for minimizing surgical complications.
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Shunt series (SS) are a common diagnostic tool used to verify shunt integrity. SS include X-ray films of the skull, chest, and abdomen and often are performed either when a shunted patient presents with suspected shunt malfunction or as a screening test to identify shunt disconnections or dislodgment. EOS low-dose biplanar X-rays are associated with significantly reduced radiation doses compared with ordinary X-rays and are used for various indications. This is the first publication on the use of EOS as a SS technique. ⋯ These preliminary results suggest that EOS may be used as an alternative technology to demonstrate shunt integrity instead of regular X-ray SS. Favorable shunt visibility without the need for multiple radiation exposures and image processing (such as stitching) results in a significantly shorter examination time and significant less radiation.
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Internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion associated with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysms is regarded as a rare cerebrovascular disease. Common treatment of aneurysms-direct clipping or coiling-is not taken into consideration for this kind of cerebrovascular property. Combined surgical cerebrovascular reconstruction of the superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass offers a chance to downregulate the hemodynamic stress of aneurysm rupture. ⋯ Owing to ICA occlusion, the gap of hemodynamic stress between the posterior segment of the circle of Willis and anterior segment of the circle of Willis enlarged. This may lead to a ruptured PCA aneurysm. In this case, the aneurysm disappeared following an STA-MCA bypass. STA-MCA bypass may be one of the major reasons downregulating the gap, which can be regarded as an effective option concerning such aneurysms.
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Wound infections after adult spinal deformity surgery place a high toll on patients, providers, and the healthcare system. Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of postoperative wound infections, and nasal colonization by this organism may be an important factor in the development of surgical site infections (SSIs). The aim is to investigate whether post-operative surgical site infections after elective spine surgery occur at a higher rate in patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization. ⋯ Our study suggests that the preponderance of SSIs occurred in patients without nasal colonization by methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Future prospective multi-institutional studies are needed to corroborate our findings.