World Neurosurg
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Burnout is experienced by up to two thirds of neurosurgery residents. Team sport participation as an adolescent protects against adverse mental health outcomes in adulthood. The objective of this study was to determine whether high school or collegiate team sport participation is associated with improved psychological well-being during neurosurgery residency. ⋯ Prior team sport participation was associated with lower BCS among neurosurgery residents, an effect more pronounced during senior residency. Lessons imparted during early team sport experience may have profound impacts on reducing burnout throughout a 7-year neurosurgery residency.
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Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a pathologic condition that affects ligamentation of the OLF and causes slowly progressive myeloradiculopathy. There is a trend toward performing minimally invasive surgery. In this study, we assess the long-term efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic surgical management of thoracic OLF. ⋯ Percutaneous endoscopic surgical management of thoracic OLF has proven to be both safe and effective for the resection of the OLF in the thoracic spine.
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Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is the appearance of a third mobile window between the middle fossa and the superior semicircular canal. Surgical management is indicated in patients with persistent and debilitating symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between preoperative variables that may impact postoperative symptomatic resolution. ⋯ Surgical management of SSCD leads to high rates of postoperative symptomatic improvement. Patients with unilateral SSCD benefit greater symptomatic resolution compared to those with bilateral pathology.
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Isolated spinal cord neurosarcoidosis is extremely rare. The potential implications of long-term immunosuppressant therapy make correct diagnosis imperative. However, there are challenges inherent in isolated spinal cord involvement that require a multidisciplinary approach. Here we present the largest series of definite and possible isolated spinal neurosarcoidosis and discuss our institutional experience in managing this rare but morbid condition. ⋯ Isolated spinal cord involvement of neurosarcoidosis is rare and can present challenges in diagnosis. A biopsy can be performed when necessary. However, a biopsy of the spinal cord carries inherent risks and may not always be possible or result in a nondiagnostic sample. In the setting of high clinical suspicion, maximal medical therapy is still employed.
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The Walrus Balloon Guided System Catheter is a new generation of balloon guide catheter (BGC) designed to bypass some technical limitations of conventional BGC devices. Their utility in cervical carotid disease treatment has not been reported. We report our preliminary experience in cervical carotid treatment using the Walrus BGC to perform a modified endovascular transcarotid artery revascularization technique. ⋯ We describe a modified endovascular transcarotid artery revascularization technique. We used a standard femoral access to navigate the Walrus catheter in the common carotid artery, followed by balloon inflation for proximal flow arrest or flow reversal (when connected to the aspiration pump) to deploy the carotid stent across the stenosis, while avoiding distal external carotid artery balloon occlusion. Successful treatment was achieved in all cases, with no periprocedural complications encountered.