Zentralblatt für Neurochirurgie
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Zentralbl. Neurochir. · Jan 2002
Vertebral artery injury after cervical spine trauma: a prospective study.
Vertebral artery (VA) -injury is rarely symptomatic and can therefore easily be overlooked. However, thromboembolic complications may result in permanent morbidity or mortality due to brainstem ischemia and infarction. In this prospective study a standardized protocol for the diagnosis and management of VA-injury following blunt cervical spine trauma with subluxation or fractures affecting the transverse foramen was evaluated. ⋯ The subgroup of patients with dislocation or fracture related stenosis of the transverse foramen should undergo early angiography for establishment of anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolic complications. It appears that the radiological diagnosis of VA-insufficiency is more sensitive than clinical findings, which rarely indicate VA-insufficiency. In this series one VA injury was overlooked with MRA.
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Zentralbl. Neurochir. · Jan 2002
Clinical Trial[The microscopic assisted percutaneous approach to posterior spine - a new minimally invasive procedure for treatment of spinal processes].
The aim of our attempts and trials was to develop a minimally invasive posterior approach to the spine which utilises the smallest access to the target without additional harmful effects on the stability of the spine and at the same time allows excellent dealing with the lesions depending on the advantage of the operative microscope in providing 3 dimensional view of the operative field. In the period between May 1998 and February 2001, 356 patients were treated for different spinal disorders using this approach. The approach was applied in 299 surgeries for lumbar disc herniation and we called the procedure: microscopic assisted percutaneous nucleotomy (MAPN). ⋯ The minimal trauma induced by this approach allows rapid mobilisation of the patients and short hospital stay. A postoperative back orthoses is not necessary. The technique can also be done under local anaesthesia particularly when needed as in old people with severe co-morbidity.
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Zentralbl. Neurochir. · Jan 2002
[Analysis of factors affecting the prognosis of vertebral metastases].
The goal of this study was to evaluate factors for the prognosis of patients with metastatic spinal tumors. 139 patients with vertebral metastases were studied. The modified Tokuhashi Score (a preoperative score composed of six parameters) and single factors were analysed with statistical methods. ⋯ Regarding the logistic regression, primary tumor, age, sex and Karnofsky Index were identified as prognostic factors for survival time. This trial could demonstrate that the Tokuhashi Score is a successful predicting tool for the assessment of prognosis of patients with vertebral metastases.