World Neurosurg
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To evaluate internal carotid artery's (ICA) anatomical relationships with atlantoaxial joints and posterior pharyngeal wall and to illustrate ICA injury risk during transoral procedures to the upper cervical spine. ⋯ Transoral surgeries in the upper cervical spine carry potential ICA injury risk. They should be carefully deliberated in patients whose ICAs are in Zone 1. In cases of ICAs in Zone 2, meticulous subperiosteal stripping and gentle traction should be performed on the posterior pharyngeal wall. Preoperative identification of the course of ICAs is mandatory in patients undergoing transoral surgeries in the upper cervical spine.
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Transarterial embolization (TAE) is generally the endovascular treatment of choice for tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). Although flow control of the feeder vessel has been reported to achieve complete shunt blockade, flow control in the absence of ischemia tolerance of internal carotid artery as a feeder has not been reported. We present a case in which treatment by Onyx TAE with intermittent flow control of the meningohypophyseal trunk as the feeder was successful for a tentorial dAVF presenting with myelopathy without tolerance of ischemia. ⋯ Intermittent flow control of the meningohypophyseal trunk using a balloon may be safe and effective for cases showing no tolerance for ischemia.
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Among the reconstructive methods for treating dissecting posterior circulation aneurysms, there are stent-assisted coiling (SAC), and sole stenting (SS) therapy. Despite SAC being widely employed when compared to SS, no study systematically analyzed the difference in their outcomes. ⋯ The findings suggest there is no substantial basis for favoring SAC over SS across all cases. Instead, an individualized approach should be considered, according to the patient's characteristics, surgeon skills, and the available material.
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This study assessed neurological outcomes and variables associated with favorable outcomes in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with low functional status (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score ≤8) on postbleed day 7 (PBD7). ⋯ This study yielded no significant physical examination findings that predict a favorable outcome in patients with a GCS score ≤8 on PBD7. This finding may inform the decision of whether to prolong hospital management or arrange for end-of-life care.
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There are critical disparities in the neurosurgical care provided around the globe due to challenges in resource allocation, training, and infrastructure. Global neurosurgical collaborations have replaced classical mission trips to address these disparities. However, the development of these collaborations and the impact of research funding on their growth have not yet been systematically studied. In this article, we use a graph theoretical approach to investigate trends in funding and co-authorship between and among authors from high-income countries (HICs) and authors from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). ⋯ This work shows significant and rapid growth in international neurosurgical partnerships, especially in HIC-LMIC and LMIC-LMIC collaborations. Also, a significant positive relationship exists between research funding and LMIC-HIC co-authorship trends. This work encourages us as a community to continue to expand our translational collaborations with LMIC neurosurgeons and establish funding mechanisms independent of HIC authors.