World Neurosurg
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Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) represent novel adjuncts for neurosurgical planning in neuro-oncology. In addition to established use in surgical and medical training, VR/AR are gaining traction for clinical use preoperatively and intraoperatively. To understand the utility of VR/AR in the clinical setting, we conducted a literature search in Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE with various search terms designed to capture the use of VR/AR in neurosurgical procedures for resection of cranial tumors. ⋯ When these technologies were compared with existing neuronavigation systems, quantitative clinical benefits were also reported. The capacity to visualize three-dimensional images superimposed on patient anatomy is a potentially valuable tool in complex neurosurgical environments. Surgical limitations may be addressed through future advances in image registration and tracking as well as intraoperatively acquired imaging with the ability to yield real-time virtual models.
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Acute and subacute Outcome Predictors in Moderate and Severe TBI: a retrospective monocentric study.
Prognostic factors affecting outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI), despite their importance, are still under discussion. The purpose of this study was to describe risk factors of in-hospital mortality and outcome at 1 year in a homogeneously treated population of patients with moderate/severe TBI. ⋯ The results of this retrospective study confirmed age as the main acute risk factor and identified OHS as new potential subacute predictor of unfavorable outcome in moderate and severe TBI.
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Comparative Study
Predicting outcomes for cerebral aneurysms treated with flow diversion: A comparison between four grading scales.
Despite the development of 4 grading scales of angiographic outcome after flow diversion for cerebral aneurysms, none have been widely adopted in the neurosurgical literature, nor have any been validated in an independent dataset. We evaluated the reported grading scales for their ability to predict aneurysm occlusion at follow-up. ⋯ Although the FDSS was the only reported grading scale that was significantly associated with occlusion at follow-up, its ability to predict occlusion fell below the typical level for widespread clinical utility. The high rate of eventual occlusion of most aneurysms after flow diversion likely limits the clinical utility of a grading score for this application.
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The telemedicine program in Albania includes a specialized teleneurotrauma program. There is only 1 national trauma center with neurosurgery capability in the capital city of Tirana. Patients with isolated head or spine injury who require consultation with neurosurgeons located at the National Trauma Center receive telemedicine consultation. The aim of this follow-up study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nationwide teleneurotrauma network in preventing unnecessary transfers for neurotrauma. ⋯ Structured and coordinated telemedicine for neurotrauma increases access to care for neurosurgery patients in countries that do not have widespread neurosurgery services. Nearly 70% of patients may be treated locally by nonneurosurgeons.
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Cardiac myxomas are benign cardiac neoplasms that can send a shower of emboli to cerebral arteries and cause cerebrovascular complications including large, fusiform intracranial aneurysms. These aneurysms result from myxomatous cells invading and weakening the vessel wall and can develop years after myxoma resection. In this clinical image, we illustrate a symptomatic, giant fusiform aneurysm that was discovered and treated 5 years after successful surgical resection of atrial myxoma.