World Neurosurg
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Review Meta Analysis
Minimum 2-year Efficacy of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy Versus Microendoscopic Discectomy: a Meta-analysis.
Minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation has gained popularity in recent years, as 2 dominant techniques, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and microendoscopic discectomy (MED) obtained comparable short-term clinical outcomes. However, midterm and long-term efficacy and reoperative rate are still debated. ⋯ Both PELD and MED can offer relatively effective and safe treatment for low back pain and radiculopathy associated with a herniated disc. PELD could obtain better midterm and long-term clinical outcomes compared with MED.
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Ventriculopleural shunting (VPLS) is recognized as an alternative method when the standard ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) is not applicable. Nevertheless, there is limited clinical evidence of its effectiveness including long-term patency. ⋯ It seems that VPLS survival has improved with more modern shunt technology. VPLS is a reasonable second-line option when VPS is not feasible. The possibility of pleural effusion is not negligible, but asymptomatic/mild effusions may be managed conservatively.
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Case Reports
Lessons from China when Performing Neurosurgical Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a substantial threat to the health of health care personnel on the front line of caring for patients with COVID-19. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have announced that all nonessential planned surgeries and procedures should be postponed until further notice and only urgent procedures should proceed. Neurologic surgeries and procedures should not be delayed under the circumstance in which it is essential at saving a life or preserving functioning of the central nervous system. ⋯ Following the proposed guidance, urgent neurosurgical surgeries and procedures can be safely performed for the benefit of critical patients with or suspected for COVID-19.
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Review Case Reports
Subcutaneous metastasis of an atypical meningioma: a case report and literature review.
Meningioma, a neoplasm of the meninges, is usually a benign localized tumor. Extraneural metastasis is an extremely rare complication of meningiomas, and only a few cases have been reported to date. The present study reports a case of scalp metastasis of an atypical meningioma and discusses the types of atypical meningiomas and their management options. ⋯ This study highlights that resection of meningiomas is still associated with a risk of iatrogenic metastasis. Surgeons should carefully wash out the operative field and change surgical tools frequently to avoid the potential risk of metastasis.
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Review Meta Analysis
Posterior fossa dimensions of Chiari malformation patients compared with normal subjects: systematic review and metanalysis.
Chiari malformation (CM) is defined as a herniation of cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum and is considered to be due to underdevelopment of posterior fossa (PF) bone components. There is overcrowding of neural structures, and normal cerebrospinal fluid circulation is frequently blocked. Although several publications exist of measurements of dimensions and volumes from bone components of PF in CM, there is no systematic review evaluating quantitatively these dimensions. The aim of this study was to evaluate PF dimensions and volumes in a meta-analysis. ⋯ This review provides evidence of smaller measurements of clivus, supraoccipital bone, and PF area dimensions in patients with CM compared with normal subjects. An implication of the key findings is that surgical treatment of CMs should consider the smaller dimensions of PF in planning.