World Neurosurg
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Observational Study
Are Two-Dimensional Morphometric Measures Reflective of Disease Severity in Adult Chiari I Malformation?
Two-dimensional (2D) morphometric measures have been previously used to diagnose Chiari I malformation (CMI) and distinguish patients from healthy subjects. There is, however, a paucity of literature regarding whether morphometric differences exist across the range of CMI disease severity. We evaluated whether 2D morphometrics demonstrate significant changes across standardized grades of CMI severity in adults. ⋯ Our study indicated that 2D morphometrics are not reflective of CMI disease severity as indicated by the CSI grading system. The findings of our study support the need for further investigation into whether non-2D morphometric variables can be used as markers of disease severity.
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Review Meta Analysis
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Combined with Zoledronic Acid in Treatment and Prevention of OVCFs, A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Comparative Studies.
This study was designed to help elucidate the benefits and advantages of vertebroplasty combined with zoledronic acid (ZOL) versus vertebroplasty alone, to provide clinical recommendations for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) considering the current best-available evidence. ⋯ Vertebroplasty combined with ZOL was superior to vertebroplasty alone in terms of BMD, bone metabolism makers, refracture rate, pain and function.
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The scalpel sign is a radiological finding observed on sagittal magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography myelography corresponding to an indentation in the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord resembling a surgical scalpel blade. It is said to be a pathognomonic imaging discovery linked to dorsal arachnoid webs. However, other spine-related conditions may mimic dorsal arachnoid webs on magnetic resonance imaging, such as spinal arachnoid cysts or ventral spinal cord herniation, leading to misdiagnosis. ⋯ Isolated radiological presentation of the scalpel sign is not sufficient to distinguish between dorsal arachnoid webs, arachnoid cysts, and ventral herniation of the spine. However, awareness of its importance is relevant for accurate curative surgical planning.
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The intensive training requirements needed to achieve the requisiste microneurosurgical milestones makes proper training and skill acquisition a challenge to the novice neurosurgeon. This problem is compounded in low- and middle-income nations, where neurosurgery is subject to a myriad of human and financial resource constraints. A temporary solution may be provided by low-cost laboratories that are adaptive to local needs. ⋯ Our experience may serve as a model for other low- and middle-income countries interested in using the principle of "doing more with less" to overcome some of the challenges associated with microneurosurgery in these parts of the world.
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Internal neurolysis has been proposed as an alternative to microvascular decompression in patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in whom neurovascular compression is not confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). External neurolysis, which straightens and realigns the trigeminal nerve root axis by dissecting the arachnoid membranes around the nerve, was reported 20 years ago in the context of so-called negative exploration when MRI did not confirm the absence of the offending vessel, but is not currently used. ⋯ Idiopathic TN can be induced by individual variation of the surrounding inner arachnoid membranes supporting the trigeminal nerve root, and the condition cannot be identified by MRI. Intradural external neurolysis may be considered an effective treatment for MRI-negative idiopathic TN.