World Neurosurg
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To compare different survival prognosis scores among patients operated on for spinal metastasis from lung cancer. ⋯ The revised Tokuhashi score seemed to be the most accurate scoring system for assessing survival prognosis in patients operated on for spinal metastasis from lung cancer. Newer scores including biological parameters did not add further precision among this specific population.
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Papaverine, a vasodilator approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has shown efficacy in treating vasospasm in cardiology, urology, and nephrology. The vasodilatory effect of papaverine is also hoped to protect the facial nerve from ischemic damage and nerve manipulation during vestibular schwannoma surgery. Our institution uses intracisternal papaverine irrigation during vestibular schwannoma resection to protect the facial nerve in patients with neuromonitoring changes. Our objective was to investigate the safety and facial nerve outcomes of intracisternal papaverine irrigation during vestibular schwannoma resection. ⋯ The off-label use of intracisternal papaverine irrigation during vestibular schwannoma resection can certainly be used safely for select cases. It is associated with improved immediate postoperative facial nerve outcomes, similar long-term facial nerve outcomes, and no significant increase in complications.
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Case Reports
Single Stage Complete Removal of Dumbbell-shaped Trigeminal Schwannoma: Three-Dimensional Operative Video.
Intracranial trigeminal schwannomas are rare tumors that may extend into multiple cranial compartments and may emerge from the root, ganglion, or intracranial portion of any of its branches.1-6 The aim of this 3-dimensional operative video is to present a single-stage complete removal of a dumbbell-shaped trigeminal schwannoma through a pretemporal approach (Video 1). Informed consent was given by the patient for use of images and the surgical video. We describe the case of a 43-year-old female presenting with chronic headaches and left facial pain in the trigeminal territory of V2 and V3. ⋯ Postoperative imaging showed complete resection of the tumoral lesion. Presurgical planning is essential for an effective and safe surgical strategy. For cases of trigeminal schwannomas with extension to the middle and posterior fossa, single-stage surgery is feasible for complete and safe removal.
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Private insurers use the calendar deductible system, placing pressure on patients and medical personnel to perform medical services before the end of the year to maximize patient savings. The impact of the deductible calendar on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after spine surgery is poorly understood. The objective of our study was to investigate if patients undergoing surgery in December had different PROs and demographics compared with all other months. ⋯ Patients undergoing elective spine surgery in December were more likely to have private insurance and be employed. PROs for ACDF and lumbar fusions were not affected by surgical timing (December yes/no). Other spinal procedures directed at more chronic diseases might be more susceptible to external influence of insurance deductibles.
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Despite the arousal effect of median nerve stimulation (MNS) being well documented in the clinical treatment of coma patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the mechanisms underlying the observed effect are still not completely understood. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects and potential mechanism of MNS in comatose rats with TBI. ⋯ These data show that MNS exerts its wake-promoting effect by activating the OX1R-RasGRF1 pathway in TBI-induced comatose rats.