World Neurosurg
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Minimally Invasive versus Open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Single-Level Degenerative Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
We compared the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) to open TLIF (O-TLIF) for lumbar degenerative disease. ⋯ Relative to O-TLIF, MI-TLIF was associated with less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and slightly less disability, at the expense of longer fluoroscopy times.
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Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of rare congenital disorders of connective tissue that result in tissue fragility and joint hyperextensibility. Owing to its rarity, outcomes of pediatric spine surgery in patients with EDS are poorly characterized. Although it has been suggested that complication rates are high, few studies have characterized these complications. ⋯ Pediatric patients with EDS do not appear to be at a higher risk of bleeding or other complications during spine surgery as reported in past case series. This is the largest retrospective review of its kind that has been performed in this patient population.
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Comparative Study
Discrepancy between internal and external intracranial pressure transducers: quantification of an old source of error in EVDs?
Intracranial pressure monitoring remains the foundation for prevention of secondary injury after traumatic brain injury and is most commonly performed using an external ventricular drain or intraparenchymal pressure monitor. The Integra Flex ventricular catheter combines an external ventricular catheter with a pressure transducer embedded in the tip of the catheter to allow continuous pressure readings while simultaneously draining cerebrospinal fluid. Discrepancies between measurements from the continuously reported internal pressure transducer and intermittently assessed and externally transduced ventricular drain prompted an analysis and characterization of pressures transduced from the same ventricular source. ⋯ This study suggests that the internal pressure transducer may be a more reliable estimate of intracranial pressure relative to bedside external transducers due to the inherent behavioral requirement of leveling.
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Subclavian steal phenomenon can cause retrograde flow in the vertebral artery as a result of ipsilateral occlusion of the subclavian artery. This phenomenon has various clinical presentations, such as claudication of the affected extremity or intermittent vertebrobasilar ischemia. Aneurysm formation in the spinal cord circulation is exceptionally rare but may occur secondary to collateral formation in subclavian steal syndrome. ⋯ After endovascular coiling of the aneurysm, the patient had no neurologic deficits or postoperative complications. Postoperative angiography revealed complete obliteration with no residual aneurysm. Imaging further demonstrated patency of the radiculomedullary (anterior spinal) artery.