World Neurosurg
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Review Historical Article
Contemporary history of spine fractures following deck-slap injury: from deck blast during World War II naval battles to axial trauma during touristic speedboat sea cruise in 21st century.
In large-scale naval battles during World War II, sailors sometimes sustained serious lower limb injuries when explosion blast of sea mines was transmitted from underneath through the metal deck of the ships. Some of these sailors were thrown in the air due to the blast and sustained axial trauma of the spine when they landed on the hard deck, which was thus called a deck slap by Captain Joseph Barr in 1946, among others. ⋯ When the craft unexpectedly crosses the wake of another ship, tourists are thrown a few feet in the air before suffering a hard landing on their buttocks. This historical vignette is presented as a preventive message to help to reduce this poorly known yet avoidable "summer wave of vertebral fractures."
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Foix-Alajouanine syndrome is a rare cause of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula that can cause irreversible myelopathy and paraplegia if not treated promptly. The complex nature of this pathology often leads to missed or delayed diagnosis regardless of broad workups executed. ⋯ Even with endovascular intervention, our patient was unable to recover neurologically. Including appropriate spinal imaging early in the workup for Foix-Alajouanine syndrome is necessary to halt or treat this disease process.
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Review Biography Historical Article
Excelencia en Neurocirugía: María Cristina García-Sancho, the First Latina Neurosurgeon in the World.
Neurosurgery is a specialty that has been dominated by males. Although there has been an increase in the number of women in the field, it is not yet close to being equal. Some noteworthy women who have carved the path for other women to follow in their footsteps include Drs. Sofía Ionescu and Diana Beck, the first and second female neurosurgeons worldwide, respectively. However, there are limited publications on Dr. María Cristina García-Sancho, the first Latina neurosurgeon. ⋯ Her expertise allowed her to pioneer a revolutionary advancement known as the one-step bilateral cordotomy. Her perseverance led her to becoming the head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the National Cancer Institute of Mexico and co-found the Mexican Society of Neurological Surgery, where she served on the board of directors. This review aims to advocate for an equitable environment in the field of neurosurgery with Dr. García-Sancho's story.
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Meta Analysis
Treatment Effects of Acetazolamide on Ischemic Stroke: Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.
Ischemic stroke significantly contributes to high mortality and disability rates. Cerebral edema is a common consequence of ischemic stroke and can lead to aggravation or even death. Current treatment strategies are limited to decompressive craniectomy and the intravascular administration of hypertonic drugs, which have significant side effects. Acetazolamide (ACZ) plays a therapeutic role in cerebral edema by inhibiting aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) and improving collateral circulation. This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis and systematic review of ACZ therapy for ischemic stroke and evaluate its efficacy in animal models. ⋯ ACZ inhibited AQP-4 and alleviated brain edema after ischemic stroke in the early stages but seemingly could not improve the neurological function.