World Neurosurg
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Case-Control Study Design in Neurological Surgery.
The hallmark of case-control study design involves dividing groups based on outcome and looking back at exposures to determine associations. Case-control studies are ideal for scenarios when outcomes are rare, making them well suited to the infrequent events often found among neurosurgical diseases. ⋯ Case-control studies are powerful but often misapplied and mislabeled. This article provides an overview of case-control study design along with discussion of a real-world example of an effectively executed case-control study.
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To compare safety and efficacy profiles in aneurysms treated with Pipeline Embolization Device or Pipeline Flex versus Surpass Streamline flow diverters (FDs). ⋯ While the devices demonstrated similar safety and efficacy profiles, deployment of the Surpass Streamline was more technically challenging than Pipeline Embolization Device or Pipeline Flex. Prospective cohort studies are needed to corroborate these findings.
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To perform an interobserver and intraobserver agreement evaluation of the new AO Spine-DGOU classification system for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures (OFc). ⋯ This independent assessment demonstrated that new OFc allows moderate interobserver agreement and fair intraobserver agreement. Further studies are necessary prior to its widespread adoption.
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This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical effects of different cage positions with stand-alone (SA) methods and bilateral pedicle screw fixation (BPSF) in the osteoporotic lumbar spine after oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF). ⋯ Placing the cage in the middle third of the L5 SEP for OLIF could reduce the maximum stresses of the L5 SEP, the cage, and the fixation, which may reduce the risk of postoperative cage subsidence, endplate collapse, and fixation fracture in the osteoporotic lumbar spine. Compared with SA OLIF, BPSF could provide sufficient stability for the surgical segment and may reduce the incidence of the aforementioned complications.
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To explore the value and potential of qualitative research to neurosurgery and provide insight and understanding to this underused methodology. ⋯ There is enormous potential for qualitative research to contribute to the advancement of person-centered care within neurosurgery. There are signs that more qualitative research is being conducted and that neurosurgical journals are increasingly open to this methodology. While studies that do not engage fully within the qualitative paradigm can make important contributions to the evidence base, due regard should be given to immersive inquiry within qualitative paradigms to allow complex, in-depth, investigations of the human experience.