World Neurosurg
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Comparative Study
Medial Branch Block Versus Vertebroplasty for 1-Level Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture: 2-Year Retrospective Study.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP) and medial branch block (MBB) are used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF). We compared the clinical outcomes, radiologic changes, and economic results of MBB with those of VP in treating osteoporotic VCFs. ⋯ After 2 years of follow-up, VP and MBB both had similar efficacy in terms of pain relief and radiologic changes. MBB was more cost effective than VP. Thus, MBB alone can be a possible alternative to VP in patients with 1-level osteoporotic VCFs.
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Infection is a life-threatening complication of ventriculostomy. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop a cost-effective, evidence-based intervention to reduce ventriculostomy-associated infection (VAI) rates. ⋯ The use of AC-Vs in combination with decreased frequency of CSF sampling was cost saving and resulted in a significant reduction in device-related infections.
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Comparative Study
Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Correction of Poliomyelitis-Related Spinal Deformities: A Comparison Among Three Types of Pelvic Instrumentations.
We compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes of corrective surgery in patients with poliomyelitis-related spinal deformity (PSD) using 3 types of pelvic fixation and investigated the incidence and risk factors for complications. ⋯ The present study showed satisfactory correction of spinopelvic deformity for 42 patients with PSD. Compared with the Galveston technique and iliac screw fixation, the use of S2AI significantly decrease the operative time and estimated blood loss and obtained similar correction of PO. Patient age at surgery and grade >2 SRS-Schwab osteotomy were significant risk factors for complications.
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Multicenter Study
Gelatin Paste as an Alternative Cost-Effective Hemostatic Agent in Cranial Surgery: Doing More with Less.
To present an alternative cost-effective hemostatic agent (HA) for cranial surgery and to describe the technique to produce it. ⋯ The presented technique offers a reliable and cost-effective way of achieving hemostasis in cranial surgery, therefore allowing hospitals with limited resources to perform advanced procedures in a safer way.
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Flow diverter stents have become a useful tool for treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. A serious complication is incomplete wall apposition after flow diverter placement. The aim of this study was to present a comprehensive investigation of hemodynamic changes induced by incomplete expansion of a flow diverter. ⋯ The results of this study can be considered during treatment planning of complex cases where the risk of incomplete flow diverter expansion exists. Further studies are required before results can also be used to support the decision process about antiplatelet therapy and additional interventions to improve wall apposition.