Clinical neurology and neurosurgery
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Jan 2018
ReviewDiagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in post-traumatic brachial plexus injuries: A systematic review.
Computed Tomographic Myelography (CTM) is a gold-standard imaging test for evaluating the brachial plexus and has been used for a long time. Another imaging test more recently used is Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), which is also part of the plexus evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of MRI in diagnosing post-traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus. ⋯ The heterogeneity of the studies made it impossible to create meta-analyzes. MRI has been an excellent test for assessing traumatic brachial plexus injuries in clinical practice; however, the quantitative analysis of studies identified a lack in methodological rigor. Future studies should focus on methodological rigor, providing more accurate assessments of modalities and their benefits.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Jan 2018
ReviewDiagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in post-traumatic brachial plexus injuries: A systematic review.
Computed Tomographic Myelography (CTM) is a gold-standard imaging test for evaluating the brachial plexus and has been used for a long time. Another imaging test more recently used is Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), which is also part of the plexus evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of MRI in diagnosing post-traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus. ⋯ The heterogeneity of the studies made it impossible to create meta-analyzes. MRI has been an excellent test for assessing traumatic brachial plexus injuries in clinical practice; however, the quantitative analysis of studies identified a lack in methodological rigor. Future studies should focus on methodological rigor, providing more accurate assessments of modalities and their benefits.
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Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Jan 2018
ReviewPre-optimization of spinal surgery patients: Development of a neurosurgical enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol.
Despite surgical, technological, medical, and anesthetic improvements, patient outcomes following elective neurosurgical procedures can be associated with high morbidity. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are multimodal care pathways designed to optimize patient outcomes by addressing pre-, peri-, and post-operative factors. Despite significant data suggesting improved patient outcomes with the adoption of these pathways, development and implementation has been limited in the neurosurgical population. ⋯ of this study will guide further efforts to limit post-operative morbidity in patients undergoing elective spinal surgery and to highlight the impact of ERAS care pathways in improving patient reported outcomes and satisfaction.