World Neurosurg
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Socioeconomic factors are known to influence outcomes after spinal trauma, but it is unclear how these factors affect health care utilization in acute care settings. We aimed to elucidate if sociodemographic and psychosocial factors are associated with obtaining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a costly imaging modality, after cervical or thoracic spine fracture. ⋯ After adjusting for injury severity and spinal cord injury diagnosis, psychosocial comorbidities and for-profit hospital status were associated with higher odds of MRI, whereas public insurance was associated with lower odds. Results highlight potential biases in the provision of MRI as a costly imaging modality.
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Because full functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a major challenge, stem cell therapies represent promising strategies to improve neurologic functions after SCI. The olfactory mucosa (OM) displays an attractive source of multipotent cells for regenerative approaches and is easily accessible by biopsies because of its exposed location. The regenerative capacity of the resident olfactory stem cells (OSCs) has been demonstrated in animal as well as clinical studies. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of isolation, purification and cultivation of OSCs. ⋯ Because there are no standard methods for purification, characterization, and delivery of OSCs to the injury site, which is a prerequisite for the clinical approval, this study focuses on the establishment of appropriate methods and underlines the high potential of the OM for autologous cell therapeutic approaches.
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Modern neurosurgery has established maximal safe resection as a cornerstone in the management of diffuse gliomas. Evaluation of the extent of resection (EOR), and its association with certain outcomes or interventions, heavily depends on an adequate methodology to draw strong conclusions. We aim to identify weaknesses and limitations that may threaten the internal validity and generalizability of studies involving the EOR in patients with glioma and to suggest methodological recommendations that may help mitigate these threats. ⋯ There is a current need to focus more attention to the methodological aspects of glioma research. Methodological inconsistencies may introduce weaknesses into the internal validity of the studies and hamper comparative analysis of cohorts from different institutions. We hope our recommendations will eventually help develop stronger methodological designs in future research endeavors.
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Observational Study
The Relationship between Atypical Symptoms of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy and the Segments of Spinal Cord Compression: A Retrospective Observational Study.
Patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) often present with atypical symptoms such as vertigo, headache, palpitations, tinnitus, blurred vision, memory loss, and abdominal discomfort. This study aims to investigate the relationship between atypical symptoms of DCM and the segments of spinal cord compression. ⋯ Atypical symptoms were common in patients with DCM, and the segments of spinal cord compression might be associated with specific atypical symptoms. Surgical treatment is effective in relieving some of the atypical symptoms.
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Some giant intracranial aneurysms can develop serpentine morphology, secondary to a peculiar near-complete intra-aneurysmal thrombosis. The resulting complex angioarchitecture, along with atypical clinical presentations (i.e., mass effect, distal ischemia) seen, makes management of such aneurysms technically challenging. These aneurysms are not amenable to endovascular treatment, and hence the only remaining treatment option is a tailored microsurgical procedure (clipping/parent vessel occlusion or reconstruction/trapping/aneurysmorrhaphy) accompanied by a safety bypass (high-flow, low-flow, or in situ bypass, subject to dependence of distal circulation on proximal trunk with reference to aneurysm). ⋯ Intraoperative and postoperative angiography confirmed the anastomosis patency. The patient's recovery was uneventful. This treatment can save operating time, eliminate donor artery-related morbidity, and offer a surgical alternative to the conventional strategy of STA-MCA bypass.