World Neurosurg
-
Controlled Clinical Trial
Therapeutic efficacy of injectable calcium phosphate cement in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: prospective nonrandomized controlled study at 6-month follow-up.
Alternative biocompatible filler materials replacing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement have been introduced and clinically tested. Callos calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is one of them. A prospective nonrandomized controlled study was performed to assess the clinical and radiologic results after balloon kyphoplasty with Callos CPC in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. ⋯ Subsequent loss of augmentation properties during follow-up is a serious problem of kyphoplasty using injectable CPC in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The clinical use of injectable CPC in kyphoplasty should be reconsidered.
-
Pial arteriovenous fistula is a rare disease and surgical treatment for these lesions is difficult. We present our clinical outcomes of endovascular treatment for intracranial pial arteriovenous fistula (AVF). ⋯ Transarterial embolization of the arterial feeders using coils and/or liquid embolic agents may be a good treatment for pial AVFs. Hydrocephalus caused by venous thrombosis is the main complication.
-
Two major challenges facing African neurosurgery include quality and quantity, in both recourses and personnel. Discrepancy is noted between the two poles, namely, the north and south of the continent and the sub-Saharan area. Although reasonably advanced in the north and south, neurosurgery remains poorly distributed and has multiple deficiencies. ⋯ Insufficient state funding and research facilities aggravate the situation and discourage the few well-trained African neurosurgeons to practice in their homeland. For those who do return home, cultural, social, economical, and political issues hinder their performance and hence the quality of neurosurgery delivered in Africa. Strategies for rectification of these handicaps are presented, including the need for high-standard local training and support from international organizations.