World Neurosurg
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This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic performance of third ventricular floor bowing (TVFB) as a marker for surgical success in patients undergoing endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). ⋯ This meta-analysis showed that the presence of TVFB was associated with increased ETV success.
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Multicenter Study
Predictors of Mortality, Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Measures, and Discharge Disposition in Octogenarians with Subdural Hematomas.
Risk factors for mortality in patients with subdural hematoma (SDH) include poor Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, pupil nonreactivity, and hemodynamic instability on presentation. Little is published regarding prognosticators of SDH in the elderly. This study aims to examine risk factors for hospital mortality and withdrawal of life-sustaining measures in an octogenarian population presenting with SDH. ⋯ Poor GCS, pupil nonreactivity, ISS, and intraventricular hemorrhage are independently associated with hospital mortality or discharge to hospice care in patients >80 years with SDH. Pre-existing CHF may further predict withdrawal of life-sustaining measures.
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Low back pain is the leading cause of work absences and years lived with disability, and it is often associated with degenerative disc disease. In recent years, biological treatment approaches such as the use of growth factors, cell injections, annulus fibrosus (AF) repair, nucleus pulposus replacement, and tissue-engineered discs have been explored as means for preventing or reversing degenerative disc disease. Both animal and clinical studies have shown promising results for cell-based therapy on the grounds of its regenerative potential. ⋯ AF repair methods including devices used in clinical trials have shown success in decreasing reherniation rates and improving overall clinical outcomes. In addition, recent studies that combined AF repair and nucleus pulposus replacement have shown improved biomechanical stability in IVDs after the combined treatment. Tissue-engineered IVDs for total disc replacement are still being developed, and future studies are necessary to overcome the challenges in their delivery, efficacy, and safety.
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Scientometrics is a subfield of bibliometrics that statistically analyzes publications trends. The aim of this initial study was to investigate trends in the 6 major neurosurgical journals from the last 10 years. ⋯ Geographic trends in the diversity of neurosurgical publications sustained its steady increase in most developed counties. Simultaneously, the publication gap between developed and developing countries has remained stagnant.
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Meningioma consistency is one of the most critical factors affecting the difficulty of surgery. Although many studies have attempted to predict meningioma consistency via magnetic resonance imaging findings, no definitive method has been established, because most have been based on qualitative evaluations. Therefore, the present study examined the potential of the T2 relaxation time (T2 value), a tissue-specific quantitative parameter, for assessment of meningioma consistency. ⋯ The T2 values could be a reliable quantitative predictor of meningioma consistency, and the T2 value distribution map, which elucidated the internal structure of the tumor in detail, could provide helpful information for surgical resection.