World Neurosurg
-
The management of spine tumors is multimodal and personalized to each individual patient. Patients often require radiation therapy after surgical fixation. Although titanium implants are used most commonly, they produce significant artifact, leading to decreased confidence in target-volume coverage and normal tissue sparing. ⋯ The radiolucency of CFR-polyether ether ketone implants has the potential to benefit patients with spine tumor. Clinical studies have shown no increase in complications with implementation of CFR-polyether ether ketone implants, and these devices seem to have sufficient stiffness and pullout strength. However, further trials are necessary to determine if there is a clinically significant impact on local tumor control.
-
Review Case Reports
Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and Pituitary Apoplexy: A Single-Center Case Series and Review of the Literature.
Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a rare, but life-threatening, condition characterized by pituitary infarction and hemorrhage, most often in the setting of a preexisting adenoma. The risk factors and mechanisms associated with PA are poorly understood. Although neurovascular manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection have been documented, its association with PA has not yet been determined. ⋯ With the addition of our series to the literature, 10 cases of PA in the setting of COVID-19 infection have been confirmed. The present series was limited in its ability to draw conclusions about the relationship between these 2 entities. However, COVID-19 infection might represent a risk factor for the development of PA. Further studies are required.
-
Meta Analysis
Effectiveness of pre-operative embolization in patients with spinal metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Debate on the effectiveness of preoperative embolization for spinal metastatic lesions, especially for nonhypervascular tumors, has persisted. The present study aimed to identify the effectiveness of preoperative embolization in patients who had undergone surgery for spinal metastasis. ⋯ The current data support the use of preoperative embolization for hypervascular metastatic tumors to the spine. However, little evidence is available to support the use of preoperative embolization for nonhypervascular metastatic tumors to the spine.
-
Comparative Study
Static vs. Expandable PEEK Interbody Cages: A Comparison of One-Year Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes for One-Level Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
To examine the effect of static versus expandable polyether ether ketone (PEEK) cages on both clinical and radiographic outcomes. ⋯ Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with an expandable PEEK cage is an independent predictor of improved ODI scores at 1 year. Our study showed no significant differences in subsidence rates or changes in sagittal spinal alignment between static and expandable PEEK cages.
-
Case Reports
Mini pterional transsylvian approach for resection of a cavernous malformation in the optic chiasm.
Optic chiasm cavernous malformations (CMs) are rare. Patients with these CMs typically present with progressive vision loss and are treated via microsurgical resection. We present a middle-aged man with a CM of the optic chiasm and right optic nerve treated via microsurgical resection. ⋯ At 6-week follow-up, the patient reported stabilized vision in his right eye, and a transient postoperative deficit in his left eye had fully resolved. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed that gross total resection was achieved. Optic apparatus CMs are approached using technical principles similar to brainstem CM resections.