World Neurosurg
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Managing unilateral vertically displaced sacral fractures remains a challenge. A triangular osteosynthesis (TOS), which involves fixing the fractured sacrum using unilateral spinopelvic fixation and a supplemental ilio-sacral screw, continues to gain popularity as it facilitates early mobilization and improves the long-term outcome. However, it has limitations, such as destruction of the L5-S1 joint, the need for additional removal surgery, and an increased risk of infection due to the large incision. An S1 pediculoiliac construct was proposed to overcome this limitations. Its use also has complications, however, including a painful hardware prominence due to the traditional iliac screw, excessive soft tissue retraction, and limited reduction capability. ⋯ For unilateral vertically unstable sacral fractures, TOS using S1 pedicle screws and S2AIS is safe and has the advantage such as maintaining mobility in the lumbar pelvic region, small size wounds, and reduced soft tissue damage, and it may have a potentially low infection rate. Further studies are needed to determine the specific indications and validate the effectiveness of this procedure.
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Simultaneous ipsilateral complete ophthalmoplegia and multiple cerebral infarctions are very rare, especially secondary to a very rapidly growing, spontaneous dissecting aneurysm in the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA). ⋯ This is the first reported case of simultaneous cerebral infarction and complete ophthalmoplegia attributed to a rapidly growing dissecting aneurysm of the cavernous ICA; such aneurysms readily cause thromboembolism. Physicians who treat patients with dissecting aneurysms should carefully monitor aneurysm growth.
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Surgery for lumbar disk herniation (LDH) presents an option for patients when conservative measures fail. The objective of this clinical study is to investigate a novel, objective outcome measure in patients undergoing lumbar microdiscectomy. ⋯ The GPi score is a new, objective descriptor of mobility in spinal surgery which can be used to augment traditional subjective outcome scoring surveys such as the ODI. Significant changes are seen in the GPi and its constituent metrics in patients undergoing surgery for LDH.
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Observational Study
Long-term Multicolumn-Lead Spinal Cord Stimulation Efficacy in Patients Suffering from a Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Six-Year Prospective Follow-up Study.
The use of multicolumn-lead spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to control back pain (BP) and leg pain (LP) in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) in the short term and mid-term has been well documented. Our study investigated whether SCS remained efficient after 72 months. ⋯ The SCS device provides sustained beneficial effects on BP, LP, DAL, sleep, and medication consumption in patients with FBSS still using it at 72 months postoperatively. Further studies are needed to identify the factors of adherence to the technique and the chances of success compared with the natural evolution of FBSS.
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Case Reports
Rare Presentation: A Report Of Two Identical Cases With Thoracic Compressive Myelopathy In Down Syndrome.
Atlantoaxial instability, a common finding in patients with Down syndrome (DS), is attributed to laxity of ligamentous structures. Cervical spondylosis identified in these patients has a pathogenesis of ligament laxity and early degeneration compared with the normal population. No cases have been reported showing affection of thoracic or lower levels. ⋯ Degenerative changes of the spine occur earlier in DS, probably due to increased movements across the vertebrae owing to laxity in the ligaments. Routine workup of patients with DS presenting in their adult lives should keep in mind the affection of lower spinal levels. Early identification of thoracic myelopathy and lumbar canal stenosis gives a chance of cure.