World Neurosurg
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Meta Analysis
Surgical Treatment of Tethered Cord Syndrome in Adults: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis.
In the healthy spine, the spinal cord moves unimpeded with spinal fluid pulsation in the rostral and caudal directions. When a portion of the spinal cord becomes attached to lesions within the spinal column, excess strain can cause signs and symptoms such as pain, motor deficits, sensory deficits, bladder dysfunction, and bowel dysfunction. This condition is termed tethered cord syndrome. There are no clear guidelines for offering surgical intervention, although there is a general consensus that worsening signs and symptoms increase the likelihood that patients will need surgery. ⋯ Tethered cord syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with back or leg pain, somatosensory symptoms of the lower extremities, muscular weakness, urodynamic dysfunction, or bowel dysfunction. After a definitive diagnosis is made, patients should be counseled about surgical detethering as an option.
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Despite an increasing focus on endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms, microsurgical clipping remains an integral part of management. We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of microsurgical clipping performed by dual-trained neurosurgeons at our institute, which has adopted an endovascular first approach. ⋯ Our ruptured and unruptured cohort results compared favorably with those in seminal series. Treatment by neurosurgeons adept at both endovascular and microsurgical techniques may improve clinical outcomes.
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Bone cement augmentation with polymethylmethacrylate is a reliable method for stabilizing osteoporotic compression fractures and improving fixation of pedicle screws. However, cement extrusion into the vertebral venous system can result in pulmonary cement embolism. The goal of this anatomic study was to identify the relationship between the internal/external vertebral plexus and neighboring abdominal caval system. ⋯ An exact knowledge of the lumbar vertebral venous anatomy is essential when procedures that could affect the vertebral venous system are involved. Its complexity and anatomic variability necessitate such an understanding to better prevent/understand possible complications associated with polymethylmethacrylate extrusion.
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Surgical resection of intramedullary tumors remains technically challenging. The role of intraoperative ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in these surgeries has not yet been well defined. This study was aimed to evaluate the potential of intraoperative ultrasonography, especially CEUS, in visualizing intramedullary spinal cord tumors, and to assess the values for improving surgical outcomes. ⋯ Intraoperative ultrasound is of great value for localizing lesions and determining the extent of dural opening and myelotomy, therefore reducing the invasiveness of spinal surgery for intramedullary tumors. CEUS helps to delineate the tumor margins and perfusion features.
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To assess whether mean platelet volume (MPV) is associated with functional outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). ⋯ MPV is an independent predictor of unfavorable functional outcome at 3 months in patients with aSAH.