World Neurosurg
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Observational Study
Minimal Invasive Approach toward Percutaneous Direct Pars Repair: An Observational Study.
Spondylolysis refers to a defect of the vertebral pars interarticularis. Percutaneous direct pars repair using a minimally invasive technique was performed in a group of young patients to maintain their spinal segment movement and to restore their normal anatomy. The aim of this study was to present the clinical, functional, and radiologic outcomes of pars defects that were repaired percutaneously via the minimally invasive technique. ⋯ Minimally invasive surgery to treat symptomatic spondylolysis is a safe option that minimizes muscle and soft tissue dissection. In this study, good clinical and functional outcomes were achieved in young patients with low complications and high fusion rates using completely percutaneous treatment.
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Staged treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is sometimes necessary to minimize risks associated with sudden changes in cerebral hemodynamics. With the increasing availability and optimization of endovascular techniques, multiple surgical resections are rarely necessary, although, due to specific anatomic circumstances, some AVMs still require staged surgery. Here, we describe the largest reported series of staged surgical resections of brain AVMs. ⋯ Staged surgical resection of large and complex AVMs can be performed with good outcomes in carefully selected patients.
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Case Reports
Temporoparietal fascia flap endonasal transposition in skull base reconstruction: surgical technique.
Reconstruction of wide skull base defects resulting from multimodal treatment of cranial base malignancies are challenging.1 Endonasal pedicled flaps (e.g., Hadad-Bassagusteguy flap)1,2 are generally the first choice; however, inadequacy for the size and location of the defect or their unavailability are common occurrences in salvage reconstructions, and prior irradiation is an additional unfavorable condition for local flap viability. The temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF)3 is a regional flap vascularized by the superficial temporal artery, which is able to survive and integrate even in postirradiated areas. Its properties, such as thinness, pliability, foldability, and the long pedicle, make it a versatile flap for reconstruction of various defects of the skull base, both in adults3-7 and children.8 In lateral skull surgery, TPFF proved to be effective in patients at higher risk of cerebrospinal fluid leak,7 whereas its transposition into the nasal cavity through a temporal-infratemporal tunnel has been widely reported to repair defects of the ventral skull base.3-6 It represents a safe and effective technique with minimal additional morbidity (potential alopecia or scalp necrosis).4,5 A recently described modification of this technique supports TPFF transposition via a supraorbital epidural corridor to reach the anterior skull base, especially for large defects with supraorbital extension.6 The present video (Video 1) shows the step-by-step TPFF harvesting and endonasal transposition via a temporal-infratemporal tunnel to repair a wide middle cranial fossa defect resulting from osteoradionecrosis after endoscopic resection and heavy-particle radiation therapy for sinonasal adenoid-cystic carcinoma. At 6-months follow-up, optimal healing without complications was observed.
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The minimum clinically important difference (MCID), an important concept to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, might not be a single "magical" constant for any given health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scale. Thus, we analyzed the effects of various factors on MCIDs for several HRQoL measures in an adult spinal deformity population. ⋯ The results from the present study have demonstrated that MCIDs change in accordance with the baseline scores and direction of change but not by age or gender. The MCID, in its current state, should be considered a concept rather than a constant.
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Comprehending the risk factors that contribute to the formation of fusiform aneurysms (FAs) might provide some insight into treatment and prevention strategies. This case-control study aimed to compare the levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), as a biomarker, between patients with fusiform and saccular intracranial aneurysms. ⋯ CRP was higher in patients with FAs than controls, and it constituted an independent predictor of fusiform morphology for patients with unruptured aneurysms. Inflammation might be an especially important factor in FA formation and growth, and further studies could use this finding to design new treatment strategies.