World Neurosurg
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The secondary phase of spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by ischemic injury. Spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP), calculated as the difference between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intrathecal pressure (ITP), has arisen as a therapeutic target for improving outcomes. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) may reduce ITP and thereby increase SCPP. Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the safety and feasibility of CSFD to improve SCPP and outcomes after acute SCI. ⋯ CSFD is a safe, effective mechanism for reducing ITP and improving SCPP in the acute period post-SCI. The favorable safety profile and preliminary efficacy should help drive recruitment in future studies.
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To describe clinical and radiographic outcomes of surgical repair of cerebrospinal fluid-venous fistula (CVF), an increasingly recognized cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension that is poorly responsive to epidural blood patch (EBP). ⋯ Surgical repair of CVF resulted in improvements in headache and other symptoms, with few side effects.
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Following a recent cervical laminectomy, a 67-year-old female patient developed neck pain and torticollis after a coughing episode. On physical examination, manifestations of neck pain, stiffness, and 4/5 quadriparesis were noted. Magnetic resonance imaging findings indicated the presence of herniation of the cervical medulla, accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid leakage. ⋯ The patient experienced complete resolution of symptoms within a few days postoperatively. It is important to recognize that postoperative cervical spinal cord herniation following laminectomy is an infrequent complication that manifests with a delayed onset. Surgical repair serves as the main therapeutic modality.
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The diagnosis and treatment of tandem stenosis have been widely discussed. However, studies on concurrent cervical and thoracic spinal stenosis are rare in the literature. This study was aimed to investigate the risk factors for thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) in patients with cervical spinal stenosis (CSS). ⋯ Routine thoracic magnetic resonance imaging assessment is strongly recommended in CSS patients with OPLLc, HLFc, and enlarged TIA to screen for neglected but vital thoracic disease.
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Spontaneous primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10%-15% of strokes and is accompanied by ventricular involvement in 10%-30% of cases. Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a poor prognostic factor and the current treatment paradigm of external ventricular drainage requires frequent flushing and replacement. Given the documented high rate of failure standard EVD catheters, we sought to determine if the use of the IRRAflow system with the addition of alteplase would be beneficial in this patient population for the treatment of IVH associated with primary hypertensive ganglionic hemorrhages. ⋯ We demonstrate here that the use of the IRRAflow system for the treatment of primary hypertensive hemorrhages with IVH results in rapid clearance of the IVH without safety concerns. Compared to historical controls there was a decrease in EVD duration, EVD replacement and, ICU LOS.