World Neurosurg
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Although many studies have evaluated the retrieved thrombus to assess the cause of stroke after mechanical thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion, the results remain controversial. We investigated the hypothesis that histology of the retrieved thrombus is enhanced by mechanical thrombectomy devices. ⋯ Histologic differences in retrieved thrombi are enhanced by mechanical thrombectomy devices. Stent retrievers may crush the thrombus, which may have a synergistic effect with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Histology of the retrieved thrombi might be different from histology of the original thrombi.
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The reported incidence of postoperative ileus (POI) after spine surgery depends on the surgical approach and definition used. It is therefore possible that the overall incidence is substantially higher than previously thought. POI has consequences for both the patient and hospital resources, and can significantly increase health care costs. ⋯ Despite use of early interventions, the median LOS remains significantly longer in patients who develop POI after complex spine surgery. Knowledge of the associated predictive risk factors could potentially assist with the development of rigorous, evidence-based preventative strategies.
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Comparative Study
Cervical Myelopathy Presenting without Symptoms in the Upper Extremities: Incidence and Presenting Characteristics.
Common signs and symptoms of cervical myelopathy (CM) predominantly manifest in the upper extremities and include hand numbness, hand clumsiness, and distal upper extremity weakness. CM manifesting without symptoms in the upper extremities is rare. This study aimed to better understand the incidence and character of such cases. ⋯ Patients with CM may rarely present without symptoms in the upper extremities, presenting with numbness perceived from the upper trunk, waist area, or perineum and legs in addition to leg weakness and gait difficulty. All patients had cervical cord compression at either C5-6 or C6-7 level, accounting for 1% of all patients undergoing cervical surgery. Awareness of this atypical pattern of presentation may aid in clinical assessment of a subset of patients with cervical cord compression.
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Lynch syndrome (LS) is a cancer-predisposing condition resulting from germline mutations in deoxyribonucleic acid mismatch repair genes. Patients are at high risk for a multitude of tumors, but no reports of undifferentiated sellar carcinomas have previously been described. ⋯ This is the first report of an undifferentiated carcinoma of the sella. Our patient harbored a diagnosis of LS and demonstrated local tumor recurrence and aggressive systemic progression. Patients with LS should undergo close follow-up and active surveillance to detect and treat these aggressive lesions in a timely manner.
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Brain Tumor Surgery is Safe in Octogenarians and Nonagenarians: A Single Surgeon 741 Patient Series.
Elderly patients with surgically accessible brain tumors are often not offered clinically indicated brain tumor surgery (BTS) because of to assumptions of greater risk for perioperative morbidity and mortality. Because brain tumor incidence is highest in the geriatric population, and because the global population is aging, accurate understanding of BTS risk in elderly patients is critical. We aimed to compare safety of BTS in elderly patients with younger counterparts to better understand the risk-benefit profile of BTS for elderly patients. ⋯ Elderly patients did not have significantly different ΔmRS, LOH, 30DRR, or complication rates after BTS compared with younger counterparts. Therefore, in healthy patients, advanced age alone should not prevent patients from being offered BTS.